Page 59 of Wagon Train Song
They waited while he closed the distance between them.
“I found a poster in the store. Same man. I sent a telegram to the nearest fort and also one across the border. He’s likely hightailin’ that direction in the hopes of outrunning the law.”
No one asked what the man was wanted for.
Joe pulled his hat down hard on his head. “Let’s move.”
Not ready to believe the man didn’t still pose a threat, the women remained seated in the wagons while the men continued to ride guard.
After an hour, Irene called, “Stop.”
Gabe searched the horizon in every direction. Trees, sky, grass, and a smattering of blue and yellow to indicate flowers. Nothing to cause concern. “What’s wrong?”
She leapt off the wagon and strode to her horse, tied to the side. “I’m tired of bouncing on that hard seat. I’m going to ride.” She swung into the saddle. “Ma, I don’t intend to race off across the land. I’ll stay right here.” With a flick of the reins, she rode to Cecil’s side.
He grinned. “Glad of the company. Getting mighty lonesome over here by myself.”
Joe came back to see what was delaying them, saw Irene on horseback, and muttered, “Guess she could outrun most anyone.” And he returned to leading them.
“Outrun them.” Marnie grumbled. “Some consolation that is. One of my children hiding under a blanket and baking to death. Another willing to risk her neck. Are the others still behaving?”
Gabe chuckled. Then he gave a sharp whistle to get Walt’s attention.
Walt rode back. “Yeah, Pa?”
“Mrs. Woods is worried about her daughters.”
Walt scowled in Irene’s direction. She saw him, laughed, and waved.
“The other ones,” Gabe said.
“Ruby and Angela are fine. Starting to relax after that outlaw.” With the way Walt patted his rifle, he might be considering frontier justice. “I’ll ride ahead to check on the others and come back and tell you.” He trotted forward to ride beside the first wagon for a spell. Then, smiling, he rode back. “Louise says to tell you she’s mad as a hornet at the way that man acted. Hazel said she’s glad to see the last of him and that Petey is playing in the back. She said something about Joe giving him a ball.” He shrugged. “Must have purchased it in town.”
“Thanks, Walt,” Marnie said.
When Gabe added his thanks, Walt returned to the wagon ahead only he didn’t go to the side. He stopped at the back and appeared to be talking to Bertie. It was impossible to make out what was said above the creak of wagons and rattle of harnesses.
After a short discussion, Bertie sat up and waved. “Hi, Ma.” His shout carried to them.
Marnie waved and laughed. “It’s a relief to see him.”
The sun shone in their faces, making Gabe tip his hat down to shield his eyes.
Joe rode back. “I’m going to scout ahead for a place to camp. I asked Walt to ride point. Irene and Cecil can watch the sides.” With a touch of his finger to his hat brim, he trotted forward.
Gabe couldn’t hold back a grin. He and Marnie were alone enough to have a conversation.
“I’d like to get down.”Marnie held out her hand and with Gabe’s help descended. “I’ll walk now.” She didn’t pull free of his grasp when her feet hit solid ground. Tightness in her chest still lingered even though the man had ridden away. She shaded hereyes and studied the land to the south. It was safe to let go of his hand, but she did so reluctantly.
“Thank you for protecting us.” Before he could voice the protest evident on his face, she held up a hand. “I know everyone worked together but—” Gabe had stood between her and that man. Unable to put into words what she meant, she shrugged.
Bertie waved from Ruby’s wagon, and she waved back.
The wagons rolled along the bumpy ground. She tried to gather her thoughts, but they were muddled with fear from their recent visitor and a yearning to know Gabe better.
“What are your plans when you reach Fort Taylor?” Gabe broke the silence between them.
Ah, good. Let’s talk about the future.“Carson says there is a growing town around the fort. I’ll find a house there. He’ll help all he can, but I don’t want to be dependent on him. He wrote that I could earn a nice income doing laundry and sewing for the young Mounties.”
