Page 64 of Wagon Train Song
“Alice. Limpy. Where are you?” Bertie crashed through the bushes before they had time to draw apart. His expression flashed from surprise to anger.
“Mama, no. Mr. Gabe my friend. Not yours.” Tears clouded his eyes, and he trembled. “Not yours.” He charged away.
Marnie touched Gabe’s lips. “I must go after him.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She had no trouble following Bertie, but he returned to the campfire before she caught up.
He sat on the far side, his arms around the dog and goat, the cats on his lap, and stared at her.
“Bertie?” When she tried to approach, he turned his back to her.
“My friend. Not yours.”
With how upset he was, she didn’t go any closer.
Ruby studied her brother. “Mama, what’s wrong? What happened?”
“They kissing.” The words exploded from Bertie. “He my friend.”
“You and Gabe?” Ruby whispered. Irene strode in in time to hear the words and take in the scene. Hazel, tending Petey in the wagon, slipped over to join the others. Angela’s eyes widened, and Louise stepped toward Marnie and then stopped.
Marnie shrugged. “I thought—” Her voice broke, and she shook her head, unable to go on. It didn’t matter. Bertie came first. Of course, he did.
“Bertie will get used to the idea,” Hazel said.
“No, I not. Mr. Gabe my friend.”
Gabe stepped across the tongue of the wagon and stood in the circle of firelight. “Bertie, I will always be your friend.”
“My friend.” He said it with enough emphasis for the cats to raise their heads and look at him. He glowered at Marnie. “Not yours.”
“Yes, Bertie. He’s your friend.” The weariness in her voice claimed her entire body, and she sank to the ground. “I should have known better than to allow myself dreams.” She gouged the whispered words from the deepest part of her heart.
Ruby sat next to her, Angela on the other side, and they wrapped their arms around her.
She leaned into their comfort. It was all she’d have. Not the arms of a man she loved and shared so many memories with. From a hitherto unknown source of strength, she was able to look at Gabe.
“I’m sorry. It’s not to be.”
He opened his mouth to protest. Then, without a word, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the night.
Gabe tookthe first watch again. Again, he wasn’t going to be able to sleep but for quite the opposite reason. Bertie was so upset. There had to be a way to soothe his fears and allow Marnie to move forward.
The next morning, Marnie avoided him. As they moved out, Bertie fell in beside Gabe as usual, as full of questions as usual too.
Marnie rode in the front wagon. Gabe felt her absence like a physical pain.
Every third question Bertie asked was, “You my friend?”
Every time, Gabe would answer, “Of course I am. Always.” He couldn’t blame Bertie for not understanding.
Irene rode up beside Bertie and dismounted. “Bertie, you know if you let Mama and Mr. Gabe be friends, then Mr. Gabe would be around even after we got to the fort.”
Marnie must’ve told the girls of her plans. Or was Irene jumping to conclusions?
“He my friend.”
