Page 17 of Wagon Train Song
The afternoon warmth, the drone of hovering insects, and the monotony of plodding onward numbed his brain. Soon he thought of nothing but putting one foot in front of the other and guiding the oxen.
The thud of hoofbeats jerked him from his inertia as Irene rode toward them. “Ma, Ma. You gotta see this.”
The wagons stopped as if given a signal from the front.
“Come on.” She dropped to the ground and grabbed Marnie’s hand. “The rest of you come too.” She waved them to follow.
The oxen were happy to be left to rest while the travelers followed Irene through low bushes, past leafy poplars, and into a clearing. They stood on a hill that rolled away before them like huge green rolls of bread.
“It’s beautiful,” Marnie whispered. Every one of the girls echoed her comment.
Irene skidded down the hill and drew to a halt. “See the flowers.”
“I certainly do,” her mother called.
Gabe’s gaze had been on the distance, his mind on the challenge of crossing those hills. But now he brought his attention closer to the slope awash in pink and blue and yellow.
The sapphire of the sky, the emerald of the hills, and the jewel tones of the flowers filled his heart with amazement. He could think of only one way to express his feelings and, taking off his hat, began to sing, “‘Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature, O Thou of God and man the Son, Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown.’”
Before he’d sung three words, his sons joined their voices to his. As Marnie and the girls sang along, Irene raced up the hill to stand by her mother and add her voice. Bertie didn’t know the words, but he knew the tune and hummed along in a voice surprisingly deep.
They finished and were silent. With holy awe.
“That’s better’n church singing,” Irene said.
“It was beautiful.” Marnie’s words seemed a little damp. She touched Gabe’s elbow. “Thank you.”
Before Gabe could feel any more awkward, Joe rode toward them. “We move on to a spot for camping tonight.” He reined away, paused to touch Petey’s head before he returned to the simple road.
The grass rustled, and branches sighed as the others followed. Marnie hadn’t moved, and Gabe stayed at her side,waiting and wondering at the way she twined her fingers together until the tips reddened.
CHAPTER 5
This decision to leave all that was safe and familiar had been difficult for Marnie even though she believed it was the best thing to do.
“Is something wrong?”
As Gabe’s gentle voice broke into her thoughts, she drank in the scene before her. How could she best explain so many feelings? “This place is beautiful. It’s as if God has prepared a blessing, or perhaps a promise, for our journey.”
Gabe nodded, but his brow remained crinkled.
“I’m leaving behind everything I’ve known. My home, my friends. Well, not my family.” Her laugh was half amusement, half embarrassment. “I should have mentioned them first. Trust me, they areneveran afterthought. I am grateful to have them with me.”
A hawk flew high overhead. Its piercing scream floated down to them. She shaded her eyes to watch the bird.
“I think going West to join Carson is a wise thing to do. I can begin life again as a woman without a man.” She’d grown weary of people bringing forward men she might consider as a husband. “Bertie can stop looking for his pa. But it hasn’t been easy. So many decisions. So many goodbyes. Bertie gettingupset. But each step of the way, God has provided. The sale of our farm and possessions went well. Then the girls decided they were coming too which meant one less loved one I had to say goodbye to.” Even the way Bertie had allowed Gabe into his small world, but she wouldn’t mention that at the risk of making him uncomfortable at knowing she watched. “And Joe. I believe he’s a godsend.”
Gabe waited as if expecting more. Perhaps wondering why she chose to tell him all this at this moment, in this spot. Could she make him understand? Because, for some reason, it was important that he did.
“Now to see this.” She waved to indicate the rolling hills, the patchwork of flowers…everything that lay before them like a huge canvas. “It reminds me of a verse I learned as a child. Isaiah 58:11: ‘The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.’” Her throat tightened with an emotion so strong she ached breathing past it.
“I know He is guiding us even as He guided the children of Israel as they fled Egypt but to see the evidence of His promise in such a way…” She couldn’t finish. Couldn’t look at him.
Forcing the words from her constricted throat, she added, “Then God added one more thing—that beautiful hymn. Thank you for the reminder of God’s goodness.” She brushed her hand over his forearm, then hurried through the trees.
“Wait. Marnie, wait.” Something in his voice made her stop, though she couldn’t say what she thought she heard. Or what it meant.
He caught up to her and stopped, looking down on her, his dark eyes like glowing coals.
