Page 35 of Wagon Train Song
Marnie shaded her eyes, facing west. Nothing but shimmering heat waves over an unending emptiness. A shudder raced across her shoulders.
Petey fussed. Hazel gave him water and laid him on a blanket in the tiny patch of shade the wagon offered.
The men freed the oxen, carried water to them, and gave them a ration of hay. They left the animals to lie down and rest. Irene and the Miller boys took the same care of their horses.
Walt hung blankets from the wagons’ sides to create a narrow band of shade.
Heeding Joe’s advice, Marnie tried to rest. But she was hot and dusty and uncomfortable, and her thoughts churned.
Bertie stretched out beside her, his ever-present pets nearby. “Mama?”
“Yes?”
“Mr. Gabe like walking with me.” Bertie beamed.
“That’s nice.” She lifted her gaze to where Gabe stretched out, his head toward the wagons, his legs in the sun, a hat over his face. Had he overheard? She shifted so she couldn’t see him, tipped her head back, and rested.
All too soon, Joe called for them to resume. Not that she wanted to linger in the middle of this vast desert. Joe suggested they all drink water. “And take something you can nibble on. We won’t stop for supper until after dark.” He nodded to Hazel. “Make sure the little one eats and drinks.”
They resumed their journey. The sun beat down on them. It edged toward the west, but not until long after it had dipped below the horizon did the temperature drop even a degree. Walking in the more moderate air was easier except Marnie was tired. Her feet grew heavier with each step. Only a faint moon lit their way, but she continued to plant one foot in front of the other. Stars twinkled overhead, but she barely had the energy to look up at them.
She’d lost all track of time when Joe called for a halt.
Louise and Angela built a fire while Ruby brought out food supplies. Hazel handed Petey to Marnie so she could help. The others tended the livestock.
Both Marnie and Petey dozed as they waited. She stirred when Hazel took Petey. Someone held a plate of food before her. Glancing up, she tried to smile at Gabe.
“Thank you.”
“It’s been a long day.” He sat beside her and turned his attention to his plate.
She should object to his presence. Either move away or ask him to. But she lacked the energy. Besides, what harm was there in accepting kindness from him? And enjoying the comfort of his company? After all, he was the only one her age on this journey. He alone would understand her concerns for her children eventhough, for the most part, they were adults. “They’ll always be my children. I will always be concerned for them.” Not for the world could she explain why she’d spoken those words aloud. Nor how she expected him to understand.
“We will do our best to ensure they make it to the other side.”
He wasn’t simply talking about crossing this desert, or even reaching the fort, but about life, wasn’t he?
His fork scrapped his plate. “God will guide us. And He’ll guide them on this journey.”
Again, he meant something bigger than their travels. A pleasant sense of having shared something profound and wonderful made her smile. This was the sort of thing she couldn’t share with her girls nor expect them to understand.
“It’s a bracing thing to know He is with us every step.” Her mellow mood shattered. “But we can choose to be out of step.” How well she knew it.
The flickering flames reflected on his face and flashed from his eyes. “Are you familiar with Psalm 139?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “‘Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou artthere. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.’ We might be out of step, even make bad decisions or choices, but God does not abandon us.”
As he scooped up a forkful of food, she turned her attention to her meal. It was comforting to believe God would never leave her, but wouldn’t He judge her?
Thankfully, the meal ended, and Joe suggested they get some sleep.
That night, they didn’t even bother to set up tents. They tossed their bedrolls on the ground and pulled the lightest cover over them. More to keep the bugs and dust off than anything.
Her eyes closed, and she started drifting. Would Gabe be so understanding if he knew the truth?
“We’ll travel nowand rest in the heat of the day.”
When Joe’s words roused him from slumber while the sky was dark, Gabe yawned noisily. Walt echoed the sound. Before the yawns ended, Gabe was pulling on his boots. Then he headed out to feed and water the oxen.
The animals proved uncooperative. Not wanting to give up their sleep any more than Gabe.
