Page 48 of Wagon Train Song
He held out his hand to help her to the seat, but when he glanced at her face, he stood still. “If I had to guess, I’d say you were enjoying this.” He jerked his thumb toward the wagons ahead.
“Maybe.” She grasped his hand and climbed up. She wasn’t about to share the truth. The wooden seat was warm from themorning sun as she settled into it. A whisker of dust rose from the wagons following Joe. The reality ahead of them sobered her. There’d be little time to enjoy Gabe’s company or ask him about himself if they crashed to their deaths.
The first wagon dipped as it began the downward journey. Wagon two followed and then Gabe’s.
Marnie clutched the seat but exhaled when the oxen had no trouble holding back from the pressure of the descending wagon. Maybe this wasn’t as bad as she feared. A glance to her left to the dark slash in the earth and her jaw tensed.
The wagon bumped over a rock. She stifled a squeal. What made her think she could make a journey across the country? Just because Carson had thought it a good idea. Just because it seemed the best thing for Bertie.
Walking alongside, Gabe glanced at her. “Relax. We’ll be fine.”
Relax. Easier said than done. But her life was in God’s hands. She’d trust Him. She recalled something she’d read in Esther’s story.If I perish, I perish.
The chasm was close enough that she made out its jagged edges. Her fledgling courage abandoned her.God will never abandon me.She repeated the words again and again.
The wagons dipped into a narrow passageway, the ground beneath them soft and grassy, making it almost as pleasant as if they were taking a Sunday drive.
Marnie laughed when they reached the bottom and the same passageway led out of the gorge. The others cheered. A smile lingered on her lips as they climbed upward, the oxen straining but progressing.
At Joe’s signal, they stopped atop the ravine. “We’ll cross the river before we stop for the noon break, but we’ll let the oxen catch their breath before we move on.”
Bleating, Alice jumped out of the back with Bertie after her. Marnie climbed down and joined the others who stood looking down at the ravine they’d crossed.
“It goes to prove things are not always what they seem.” Irene’s words seemed to mean more than their travels, and Marnie studied her daughter wondering what was going on in her mind. But Irene stood with her hands on her hips, her gaze on the rocky bank across from them.
“Look, Ma.” Bertie had been trailing after Alice who sought trees to nibble on. He hurried back to Marnie, carrying a huge horn as thick as her wrist at one end and at least a foot long.
Without anyone telling her, she knew it was from a buffalo, and she told Bertie.
“I keep it?” His expression crinkled, preparing to be disappointed.
“I don’t see why not. You can put it under the wagon.” She pointed out the place where they carried extra wood.
Pleasure wreathed Bertie’s face as he trotted over to do as she suggested.
Gabe shifted closer to her. “It doesn’t take much to make him happy, does it?”
Still watching her son, she said, “Knowing he’s safe is his greatest need.” A truth flared in her mind. “I just realized he hasn’t gone looking for his papa since we left. This journey might be the best thing for him.” Making all the trials of the crossing worthwhile.
Another thought came, and she had difficulty dismissing it. She tried to ignore it, tried to explain it away, but it was too sweet and promising. Seeing Gabe after all these years and hearing about his life made the journey pleasant. Without him, the miles would be monotonous and endless.
Joe called them to resume travel, and Marnie fell in beside Gabe only for Bertie to edge between them to talk to Gabe.
“We see buffalo?” he asked.
“It’s possible we might as we go farther west.”
“You ever shoot one?”
Bertie would now be consumed with curiosity about the big animals and have dozens of questions for Gabe. Although happy Gabe was kind to Bertie, she wished her son might find someone else to talk to. Her steps slowed. She might as well keep herself company.
Gabe glanced back and shrugged.
Choosing to believe he meant he would have liked to continue their earlier conversation, she smiled, and her mood lightened. She thought of all the questions she wanted to ask him, and she couldn’t suppress a grin. Was she being as needy and demanding as Bertie? She chuckled. Gabe hadn’t given any indication he had the slightest objection to her company. In fact?—
Her cheeks warmed.
As the wheels rolled over the verdant ground, Marnie dropped farther back to be alone with her thoughts. The scent of crushed grass reminded her of haying time and helping Norman. And then later, forking hay out to feed the animals during the winter months. Her help wasn’t necessary, and she had plenty to do taking care of the children, but she’d enjoyed the pleasant break.
