Page 55 of Wagon Train Song
As he returned his attention to his cup, she looked around at the others. “What do you all think?”
Walt, of course, said they should honor the Lord’s Day. “He honors those who honor Him.”
Cecil said they should travel while the traveling was good.
The girls were also divided in their opinions.
Marnie’s luminous gaze met Gabe’s. “And you?”
“Why not a compromise? Tomorrow, we delay our departure by an hour in which we read Scripture and sing hymns. But the decision is yours, and I will do as you decide.”
Her gaze thanked him. She clapped her hands to her knees. “I like your suggestion. That is what we’ll do. Anyone object?”
No one did.
They finished their meal. The women put a pot of beans to cook overnight and prepared biscuits for the next day’s noon meal while the men tended the stock.
All the while Gabe thought of ways he could entice Marnie away from the others, but when he returned to camp, Ruby called out to him.
“Mr. Gabe, we’d love for you to play your guitar again and sing with us.”
Others agreed, and Cecil got the instrument from the back.
Adjusting the strings until they were in tune gave Gabe time to swallow back the tightness in his throat as tender, sweet memories rushed into his head. He and Ellen had sung together. Often, they’d formed a quartet with Marnie and Norman.
He began to strum a tune. At first, his voice was husky, but it grew stronger. The others joined him in a number of popularsongs. What was there about singing that expressed emotions and opened doors?
His fingers grew idle. “Marnie, do you recall how you and Norman used to sing with me and Ellen?”
“I do.” Her eyes glistened. “I’ll never forget.” There might have been a catch in her throat.
“Let’s hear,” Irene called.
“Yes,” several more chorused.
“Marnie?” He waited for her to nod. He began one of the songs they’d once sung together. Her sweet voice rang out above his deeper one. They looked at each other as they sang. The music shut out the audience. It was him and Marnie. Alone. United.
Silence hovered as the song ended.
“That was nice,” Cecil said. “How about another?”
Gabe started a song they’d once performed at a talent show and had received thunderous applause. “‘Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.’”
Marnie blinked twice and then joined him. “‘Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.’”
The song ended. Marnie wiped tears from her eyes.
Hazel sniffled. “That’s not the song to sing when we are homeless.”
Leaning over his guitar, Gabe explained. “I remember my pa telling me that bricks and wood make a house.” He lifted his gaze to Marnie. “But a home is a place shared with those you care about and who share your hopes and dreams.”
She blinked away tears. “Then this is home.” She spread her hands to encompass the circle. “For now.”
Gabe strummed out lively notes for the song “Buffalo Gals Won’t You Come Out Tonight.”The evening ended on that happy note. As he put away the guitar, he glanced back, hopingto catch Marnie’s eye and signal her to slip away so he could meet her, but she crawled into her tent without a backward look.
He’d find a way. He would tell her how he felt.Please, Lord, let her welcome my confession.
If she didn’t?
