Page 1 of Wagon Train Song
CHAPTER 1
Canada, 1887
They were almost ready to go.
The wagon with its white canvas top stood in front of the house where Marnie Woods had parked it and taken her time filling it. She wanted her son, Bertie, to get used to the idea of leaving. He was excited to see his brother in Fort Taylor, but the idea of leaving home, of travel, and of strangers upset him.
The well-worn paper in her hand crinkled as she read over the list of supplies the four of them needed to make the journey across the nearly thousand miles. Mentally, one by one, she ticked them off. It seemed like so much…and yet so little, although she’d been assured it would see them across the country. Unless?—
She wasn’t going to dwell on possibilities but on what remained to be done. Besides, if they needed anything else along the way, they could venture into a nearby town. It was 1887 after all, with a railway that connected Canada with the western territories and the province of British Columbia. They might have made the journey in relative comfort on a train, but Bertie was terrified of the steel monsters. Not to mention a steady stream of strangers coming and going. So, they’d trek across thecountry in a wagon. It had been done before. Others had crossed successfully. They could find help along the way. But all of the assurances she’d received and repeated to herself did not make the journey ahead any less?—
She would not admit the fear that wound around her heart and squeezed.The Lord is my shepherd…He leadeth me. She clung to portions of the Twenty-Third Psalm.Lord, I’m trusting You to guide and protect.
Ruby, Marnie’s seventeen-year-old daughter, rushed outside with a box and jammed it between a trunk and a barrel. Marnie reviewed the barrel’s contents—rolled oats, dry beans, rice, flour, cornmeal. But was it enough?
“Ma.” Ruby’s voice warbled out excitement. “I can’t wait to start.” She dropped from the wagon box to the ground and laughed, her feet dancing with the prospect of adventure.
Angela, Marnie’s adopted daughter, joined them, her hands twisted together as she took in all the supplies they’d crammed in. “Aunt Marnie, the wagon’s getting rather full. Do you want me to try to rearrange things?” Dear Angela always worried about Marnie. Always went out of her way to be a help. Not that Marnie minded, but the precious child should relax sometimes.
“Thank you for offering but let’s leave it for now. We have a few more days before we set out. We’ll make final adjustments then.”
An approaching conveyance clamored up the driveway. “It’s Hazel. What a nice surprise.” Leaving her eldest daughter and grandson behind was one of the hardest things about this journey.
The driver jumped down and helped Hazel to alight. Little Petey, clutched in her arms, laughed when he saw Marnie and reached for her. Her heart ached. She rushed forward to take him and cuddled him close, his soft hair tickling her cheek. How few days she had left to enjoy this little one. Only a year old.She breathed in his sweet baby scent. When would she see him again? She wouldn’t be around to watch him grow and do new things. “I’ll miss you.”
“Maybe you won’t.” Hazel waved toward the boxes the driver took out of the back of the carriage and set on the ground.
“What’s all this?”
“I’m going with you. I don’t want to raise Petey on my own. He needs family, and with Peter gone—” She lowered her gaze, swallowing visibly. Her husband had passed away unexpectedly over a year ago leaving Hazel widowed and with child.
“But your house?—”
“I sold it. Ma, I’ll pay my share of expenses.”
“Of course.” They’d figure out how to crowd in two more people and their luggage.
“I suppose I could go on the train.” She looked down the road toward town, her teeth worrying her bottom lip.
“That won’t be necessary.” Marnie shifted Petey to her hip and wrapped an arm around her oldest daughter. “Except for Bertie’s fears, we could all have made the journey in the comfort of the train. But we will travel together. I can’t believe I don’t have to leave you two behind.”
“Good. Now I have something to show you.” Hazel took Petey and moved away a few steps. She stood the boy on the ground. “He’s learned to walk. Petey, go to Grammie.”
Marnie squatted, held out her arms, and caught the staggering little one. The three of them hugged and laughed.
A galloping horse thundered closer. The rider bent low over the horse’s neck, flinging the reins back and forth to urge the animal to a faster pace.
Marnie hugged Petey and cupped her hand over his head as if she could protect the child from a racing horse.
A hat pulled low on the rider’s head concealed his identity, but he should know better than to approach at such a recklesspace. Especially given he rode straight toward Marnie and her family.
Ruby burst into laughter. “It’s Irene.”
“Irene?” Of all the—When would that girl learn?
“It’s my sister. No question. Dressed like a—” Hazel expelled her breath in a gust.
“She’s wearing trousers. Her father would—” But Norman was no longer at Marnie’s side, leaving her to do what she thought best. Arguing with Irene was not high on her list of things to do. Besides, Norman had done nothing to discourage Irene’s wildness. Had gone so far as to say her boldness would carry her far in life.
