Page 31 of Wagon Train Song
But the next morning, Marnie scurried around helping prepare breakfast and food for the noon meal. Then she helped put the cooking things away. After that, she took Petey and played with him.
She barely acknowledged Gabe in the hurried morning hours. Not that she was rude. Just distracted.
He shrugged. What did he expect? That she’d have time to talk to him? Everyone was doing their best to prepare to move out, but when they started, she was in the wagon with Petey and his mama. There was no reason to be disappointed. But after walking several miles at the side of his oxen, he had not persuaded himself.
Instead, he admitted he had hoped for her company.
He still brought up the rear. Huh. Shouldn’t she appreciate how he was respecting her instructions that he could follow?
Bertie walked ahead, talking to his pets. The goat hopped at his side while the dog and cats rode. Bertie glanced back and saw Gabe. He looked from side to side as if expecting his mother, then slowed until Gabe caught up.
“I walk with you.” He patted Gabe’s arm.
“I appreciate that. I really do.” And he did. Within minutes, he discovered the young man had an interest in not just the birds but also flowers and the bugs.
“Ladybugs good. Wasps bad.”
“I’d have to agree.” He’d had his share of wasp bites.
“Ladybugs eat bad bugs. Carson said they eat bugs that eat our food. They also pretty. Like a flower.”
“A spotted red flower.”
Bertie laughed. “You funny.”
“Thank you.” At least someone enjoyed his company.
Bertie told about having Alice since she was a baby. “She a good friend.”
“I see that.” The goat never went more than a few feet away from Bertie.
Alice hopped into place between Bertie and Gabe. When Gabe patted the goat on the head, she bleated and bumped him.
“She like you.” Bertie sounded pleased.
For a few turns of the wheels, they walked in silence. Then Bertie spoke. “My papa is gone. Mama says he’s here.” Bertie patted his chest, then held tight to Alice’s back. “Papa not say goodbye.” He slanted a look at Gabe. “Sometimes I think he still here, maybe hiding.”
Gabe nodded. “It’s hard when people leave.”
“Mama wouldn’t let me see Papa. She want to go to store. I want to stay with Papa. She say I must go. Say we get a new kitty. That was Fluff.” His smile flashed, a momentary remembrance of the joy of his pet, and then his expression flattened. “Papa gone when we get home.” A sob choked off his final word, and he bowed his head.
Gabe acted out of pure instinct, forgetting Bertie didn’t like to be touched. He squeezed the man’s broad shoulder. “I think your papa said goodbye to you in his heart.”
Bertie’s head came up, and he laughed. “I think so too.”
The morning hours passed pleasantly as Bertie entertained Gabe. His unique perspective showed things in a new light. Simplicity and trust colored every event. It wasn’t a bad way to be.
They pulled to a halt near a flashing stream. Gabe took his oxen to drink and then left them to graze as did the others, his sons helping.
The ladies set out the noon meal. Cold beans, biscuits baked that morning, and cookies all washed down with water fresh from the stream.
“Mama, Alice like Mr. Gabe. We friends.” Bertie dropped the proclamation, then resumed eating, unaware of how his mother jolted.
Gabe downed a spoonful of cold beans and followed it with a gulp of water. Did she object to their friendship? On what grounds? They’d be together for months. Wouldn’t she welcome any and all help? He looked at her. “Bertie has been telling me all sorts of things.”
“Let me guess.” Ruby waved her biscuit at them. “Bugs and flowers?”
Irene chuckled. “And his menagerie?”
