Page 41 of Wagon Train Song
Irene splashed Ruby. “Whoops.” Though it didn’t appear accidental.
Ruby squealed a protest, flicked droplets at Irene, then smiled at Marnie. “Sorry, Ma. I’ll behave.”
What was wrong with a few drops of water dotting them? What’s more, did Ruby think Marnie would object to having a little fun? Well, she’d show them. Laughing, she splashed Irene.
“Ma?” Irene gaped. “I can’t believe you did that.”
“Really?” Marnie flicked more drops at her, slapped her hand on the water, and sent a spray toward Ruby. Then for good measure, she swept an arc across the river’s surface and made sure to soak Angela, Hazel, and Louise. After all, they couldn’t stand back looking all surprised.
The girls squealed. They looked at each other and moved toward Marnie.
She backed away, but her retreat was too slow. The girls sent a rainbow curtain of water her way. She lifted her face to the sky and laughed.
The barrage ended. She lowered her attention to the girls.
“Aunt Marnie, are you all right?” Angela wiped droplets from her face, her head tilted sideways and gaze probing.
“I’m fine. Why?”
“I thought you’d be annoyed at getting splashed.” She turned to the others. “We shouldn’t have done that.”
“It’s just water.” Marnie didn’t even try to keep the amusement from her voice. “Now let’s get these clothes washed and hung to dry.”
Hazel eased closer, her brow furrowed.
“Honestly, it’s just water.” Why were they acting like Marnie had forgotten how to laugh at some silly play?
They scrubbed the laundry on the rocks, hung the washed items over branches and bushes, and returned to the campfire for the noon meal. After they’d eaten, the men checked the wagons while the women prepared food for the days ahead.
As Marnie worked, she glanced at Gabe. Once, when they’d had the Millers over for a meal, she’d made peach cobbler. Nothing special, and yet Gabe had said it was his favorite dessert. Ellen had confessed she didn’t know that.
Later, after the various camp chores, Marnie helped prepare the evening meal. Claiming a Dutch oven, she opened a tin of peaches and mixed the batter for the topping. There was roomon the rack over the hot coals for her to set the dessert to bake. It was cooked, the topping fluffy when they sat down to enjoy supper. After the main course, she served portions of peach cobbler.
She held out the dish to Gabe. “I remember this was one of your favorites.”
“Still is. Thanks.”
With the others still eyeing her, she returned to her place and lifted a spoonful of cobbler, dripping with sweet syrup, to her mouth.
“How do you know his favorite dessert?” Irene asked.
Marnie shrugged. “It’s no secret.”
“I didn’t know.” Walt studied his father.
“Nor did I.” Cecil looked from Gabe to Marnie and back again.
“Your ma used to make it for me.” Gabe’s gaze fixed on Marnie’s. “If I recall correctly, Marnie taught her how.”
“It isn’t hard. The only thing I do differently is use a cottage pudding batter.” She shrugged. “All you girls know how to make it.” She always added a little more sugar and butter than the recipe called for which accounted for the cake’s tender texture.
“Yeah, we do.” Ruby ate a portion. “Just seems strange that you remember that about Mr. Gabe after twenty years or more. Why that’s longer than I’ve been alive.”
“I remember lots of things. After all, his wife was my best friend.”
“What do you remember, Ma?” Irene probed. “I’d like to hear about the good old days.”
“Me too,” Walt added.
