Page 68 of Wagon Train Song
Bertie managed a nod.
Mud plopped from one boot as Gabe eased forward inch by inch, not wanting to frighten him, perhaps send him scurrying away.
A sob shuddered up the length of Bertie’s body as words wailed through him. “It my fault Alice dead.”
“Bertie, I’m going to shoot my gun to let people know I found you. Are you ready?”
Bertie nodded but startled with every shot. That task over with, Gabe reached Bertie’s side and, understanding the young man’s fears, sat beside him and draped his arm across the wide shoulders. “Big guy, we found Alice. I helped her out of the mud. She’s fine.”
Air rushed into Bertie’s lungs.
“She’s with your ma.”
Bertie buried his face in Limpy’s furry back. “Ma mad at me.”
“Your ma is worried about you. She won’t feel better until she sees you.”
“She not mad?”
“No.” He would have liked to hear why Bertie had run away, but he needed to get him back to his ma. “Do you want to see her?”
No movement from Bertie except his ragged breathing and his fingers curling into Limpy’s fur.
“I tell you something.”
“Of course.”
“You and Mama be friends.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.” He didn’t dare read anything in Bertie’s words which often didn’t make sense.
“I wrong.”
“About what?”
“Papa tell me Mama could have friend. She be happy.” Bertie lifted his face, his eyes full of kindness. “You be her friend.”
Gabe sorted through Bertie’s words. This gentle young man was willing to give up his own friendship with Gabe for his mother’s sake. “Bertie, you and I will always be friends. Always.”
Bertie’s gaze never left Gabe’s as he considered Gabe’s words, perhaps wondering if he understood correctly.
“Bertie, are you saying it’s all right for me to love your ma?”
“You marry her?”
“I’d like to. I love her.”
Bertie nodded hard. “She be happy?”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Then you marry.”
Gabe shifted so he could face Bertie. “Bertie, when I marry her, you will become my family. You and me and your mama. Do you understand?”
Confusion clouded his eyes. “I not be mad she be your friend.”
It sounded like Bertie thought he wouldn’t be part of their future. How could Gabe explain it so Bertie would understand?
