Page 50 of Wagon Train Song
Gabe held out his hand, offering to help Marnie to her feet. “This is going to take some time. We might as well relax. Come and sit in the shade.”
Her attention remained fixed on the stranded wagon.
“Marnie?”
A shudder shivered across her shoulders. Then, as if in a daze, she lifted her gaze to him, saw his outstretched hand, and took it. “Where are we going?”
He might have suggested they go to the nearby trees, but she wouldn’t want to be that far away. “Let’s sit beside the wagon.”
Her fingers cool in his, she allowed him to lead her the few feet and sat with her back to the front wheel facing the proceedings.
Joe and Walt backed the second team of oxen into place. When the four beasts were ready to work together, he and Walt rode at the heads of the first pair, and Irene and Cecil rode beside the second pair. With much shouting, the oxen were urged to pull.
The animals’ muscles bulged. But nothing happened. Joe indicated they should let them relax, and then everyone yelled. Good man. He was trying to get a rocking motion going in the hopes of freeing the wagon.
Several times, Joe repeated his instructions until the wheels began to turn, making a loud slurping sound as they pulled free of the mud and rolled onto the far bank.
“They made it,” Marnie squealed.
Gabe wasn’t quite as relieved. His wagon was still on this side of a muddy, impassable crossing. But no reason to let Marnie know his concerns. The oxen unhitched now, the girls put out things to dry, and Bertie took his pets to eat and drink.
Joe spoke to those on the other side and then picked his way back to Gabe and Marnie.
“The bottom here is too muddy. I’ll have to find another place. We’ll noon here while I look.”
Marnie staggered to her feet, a silent protest on her lips as Joe rode downstream, studying the banks and the flow of the river. She turned to Gabe.
Before she could voice her concerns, he offered his opinion. “He’ll find a crossing.” Or they’d pull his wagon across somehow. But in the meantime— “I’m glad of a chance to visit with you without our families hanging about. Let’s enjoy the moment.”
His grin should reveal how much he liked the idea of the two of them. Yes, they were visible from the other side, but no one could hear them.
The worry lines in her forehead disappeared, replaced by a smile fanning out from the corners of her eyes, and then she chuckled, a low-throated sound that danced along his veins straight to his heart.
“You know, that sounds like fun. Why just this morning, I was thinking of things I wanted to tell you.”
“I can’t wait to hear, but first, let’s eat.”
“The food we prepared for the noon meal is in Louise’s wagon.” She crossed her arms and looked that direction. “At least Petey will have something to eat.”
He swept his hat off in a wide arc. “Fear not, fair lady, I am prepared to rescue you.”
“I can’t wait to see what you can produce out of thin air.”
“Not thin air…out of my wagon. I did come prepared to feed myself.” He’d already contributed to each meal and still had the remainder of his stores as well as supplies for an emergency. “Come and see for yourself.” He climbed into the back of the wagon while she waited at the tailgate. From a crate, he produced beef jerky and dried apples and handed them to her.
“We’ll eat like kings.” He jumped down to join her.
“Or queens.” They sat at the end of the wagon with a canteen of water. He offered grace. “For these humble rations, we thank You.” He would have liked to add thanks for this chance to be alone with her, but he’d better keep those words silent.
“Do you remember the quilt you and Ellen made together?” he asked.
She paused, a piece of jerky halfway to her mouth. Her hand hovered a moment and then lowered to her lap. “I do. It was Old Maid’s Puzzle pattern.” She laughed as she popped the morsel inher mouth, chewed, and swallowed. “My, how many lovely hours Ellen and I worked on it. I can’t believe you remember that.”
“Remember it? More than that.” He quirked a brow. “Would you be more surprised if I told you I still have it?”
She blinked twice. “What? How? Why?”
“Yup. It’s in the back of my wagon. I’ve used it to comfort my boys when they missed their mama. Guess it comforted me too.”
