Page 67 of Wagon Train Song
The bushes revealed nothing but birds and rustling leaves. They came out on the other side to a marshy flat. Beyond that were more bushes. They moved onward. The ground grew boggy, sucking at their feet, and they stepped back, seeking solid ground.
Gabe squatted down. “Look. Footprints. I’d say a man, a dog, and a goat have gone this way.”
“Thank God.” She lifted her face to the sky. “Thank You.” A weight fell off her shoulders. If not for concern that Bertie might be able to see them, she would have hugged Gabe out of sheer relief. And the need to feel his strength.
They skirted around the marsh, scanning their surroundings.
He saw it the same time she did. “Alice. It looks like she’s stuck in the mud.”
The animal looked legless as she sank in the mud.
“Where’s Bertie?” Marnie’s insides ground to a halt. “Could he have drowned in that?”
“Marnie.” Gabe pulled her to his side. “I hope not. You stay here while I rescue the goat.” He stepped into the soggy land. His boots slurped each time he lifted his feet. By the time he was within reach of Alice, the mud was up to the top of his boots.
He grabbed the goat, pulled her free, and retraced his steps, Alice bleating the whole way. He set the animal down on solid ground and stomped off as much mud from himself as he could.
“Poor Alice. You’re a mess.” Marnie patted the little goat.
“There was no sign of Bertie or the dog.”
A sob caught in her throat. “He wouldn’t leave Alice behind. Unless—” She choked and had to pause to gain control. “What if that awful man took him?”
“I’m going to circle this marsh and see if I can find more footprints.” He lifted a hand as if to touch her, saw the muddy state of his fingers, and changed his mind. “You stay here with Alice. I’ll call if—when—I find something.”
“I should go.” Never mind that her limbs were so weak she could barely stay upright. Had he guessed that, or was he being practical? He could go faster without a woman and a weak goat.
“I’ll be back.” His smile offered encouragement.
She waited for him to trot away before she sank to the ground. “Alice, it’s too bad you can’t talk and tell us what happened.”
Alice gave a plaintive bleat as if to say she agreed.
Gabe’s strides were long but unhurried as he studied the ground before him.
Marnie blinked away tears so she could watch. This was all her fault. She should have guessed—no, known—Bertie wouldn’t react well to another change. The poor boy had endured so many in the past year. Finding and befriending Gabe was a positive one in his life, and she had, in Bertie’s mind, threatened it.
A prayer accompanied every beat of her heart.Lord, forgive me for being selfish. I promise to give up my hopes and dreams if You only help us find him.
Twice,Gabe saw prints that must be Bertie’s. If someone had threatened him, that person had stayed back from the soft ground, leaving no indication of his presence. Yet for him to leave Alice meant something had happened.Lord, keep him safe. Help me find him. Comfort and strengthen Marnie.
If something happened to her son, she’d blame herself. And maybe even him.
Another footprint angled away from the marsh. A short distance away, trees nodded in the morning breeze. Bertie might have gone there. Gabe trotted that direction. He didn’t call out in case someone else was with him.
Creeping to the grove, he listened for any indication of what lay out of sight. He tipped his ear toward a faint sound. It could have been Limpy whining, or it could have been the wind whistling through the leaves.
Not taking chances, Gabe eased forward, choosing where to set his feet with each step. A twig snapped despite his caution. He froze and listened. Was that Limpy growling? Inch by inch, Gabe went toward the sound. Yes, Limpy growled. Or at least, something did.
“Shh.” That sounded like Bertie.
Still cautious, Gabe peeked through the trees. Bertie sat on the ground, holding Limpy. Gabe studied the surroundings. Waited. Refused to walk into a trap. When nothing concerned him, he stepped into the tiny clearing.
“Bertie?” Still being cautious, he kept his voice low.
Bertie squeezed Limpy to his chest and ducked his head, but not before Gabe saw his tear-streaked face.
“Are you alone?”
