Page 57 of Wagon Train Song
“Don’t matter to me.” The man dug his fingers into the bean pot again. “Yup, might like having meself a cook.”
At the way he leered at the girls, Marnie gritted her teeth.
Joe took a step away from the others. “Time to move out. Bring in the oxen.”
“Walt, bring in Zeb and Pike. I’m staying here.” Gabe remained rooted to the spot, not six feet away from the intruder.
A cold shiver ran across Marnie’s nerves. How were they to rid themselves of this unwelcome man without starting something they didn’t want to finish?
CHAPTER 15
Gabe didn’t move as the others brought the oxen and hitched them to the wagons. He didn’t intend to back away from the man who leered at Marnie. And the other ladies as well. He had some thoughts on how they should handle this, but unable to discuss his ideas with the others, he hoped they’d come up with a plan without his aid.
Joe returned. He rode to Gabe’s side, showed his back to the intruder, and spoke only loud enough for Gabe to hear.
Gabe nodded in agreement. While Joe remained where he was, Gabe turned to Marnie.
“You can ride in my wagon.”
Irene was already seated in the front.
“Where’s Bertie?” Marnie whispered to Irene as she allowed Gabe to help her to the bench.
“Ma, he’s in the back of Ruby’s wagon. Staying out of sight.”
“Thank goodness. I was afraid he’d run and where would he run to?” She shifted her attention to Gabe. “I hope we can get rid of that man without it getting ugly.”
Pots rattled as Joe gathered up the few still out and set them in the back of Gabe’s wagon—it being the closest. Gabe didn’thave to look over his shoulder to see the man in question was still there.
Joe went to the lead wagon and rode beside it. All the women rode in a wagon. Walt rode by the second wagon. Gabe walked by his while Cecil rode on the far side. The stranger would not get close to any of the women. The men were united on that fact.
Not about to be deterred, the intruder mounted up and rode beside Gabe.
“Not very friendly, are ya?” The man’s words had a chilling quality, but Gabe ignored him.
“Seems ta me yer all being greedy keepin’ all these women to yerselves.”
Gabe’s fists clenched, but he gave no answer.
“I could jest help meself, ya know.” His tone was distasteful, but still, Gabe faced forward.
“Humph.” The intruder rode ahead.
Gabe couldn’t make out what he said to Walt. Walt didn’t answer him, though the set of his shoulders said he objected to the man’s words and presence, as they all did.
“At least he hasn’t discovered Bertie.” Irene’s whispered words reached Gabe.
After a bit, the man cursed loudly enough for his voice to reach them, then rode ahead to badger Joe.
Gabe chuckled. “I’d be cautious if I was him. Joe might not take kindly to his remarks.”
“I don’t want things to go bad.” Worry strained Marnie’s now-thin voice.
“Ma, he’s asking for it.” Irene might have spat on the ground after her outburst if she didn’t want to upset her ma.
“I don’t want trouble.” Marnie repeated.
“I agree,” Gabe said. “Let’s pray for peace.”
