Page 70 of Wagon Train Song
Marnie’s breath whooshed out. “I didn’t see them and—” No point in voicing her foolish fears.
Hazel’s attention was on Bertie. “Where were you? What happened?” She took in the muddy condition of both men and the goat.
“Alice stuck in mud.”
“I guessed that.”
“Ma and Mr. Gabe get marry. I get promise.” Satisfied with his life, Bertie hurried over to his cats.
“Ma?”
Marnie laughed at Hazel’s confusion. The others trotted up. She caught Gabe’s hand. “Bertie has given his blessing for Gabe and me to marry.” Joy, full of promises and hope, flooded her insides and overflowed. “I love you, Gabe Miller.”
“I love you, Marnie Woods.” He pulled her into his arms and gave her a chaste, promising kiss amidst cheers and clapping from the onlookers.
Three days later—days full of enjoying their newfound freedom to express their love—a distant train whistle came to the camp as they ate breakfast.
Bertie was sitting on the other side of Gabe. Now, her son’s legs twitched. His face wrinkled.
“It’s all right, Bertie. The train is passing through a nearby town.” She turned toward the others. “We could use eggs and a few other things. If someone rode over there.”
Irene set her plate aside. “I’ll do it, Ma.”
“I’d prefer you didn’t.” Not unless someone rode with her.
Protest flared in Irene’s eyes, but before she could speak, Bertie shifted.
“Ma?”
“Yes, Bertie.”
“You get married in town?”
Uncertain what he meant, she shrugged. “I suppose a person could get married in almost any town.”
He was on his feet. “We all go.”
“What?” Surely, he didn’t mean what it sounded like.
Irene laughed as she rose. “Good idea, Bertie. Come on. What’s holding you up?”
Everyone was on their feet except Marnie and Gabe.
“Marnie, do you want to?” His voice was low, gentle. “We don’t have to rush.”
Ruby and Angela hurried to Marnie’s side. “Ma, say yes.”
“You’re all anxious to go to town, aren’t you?” With a teasing note in her voice, she trained her eyes on Gabe’s. “I will marry you now. Or anytime you say. I will walk with you through the desert sands or over high mountains.”
His love-filled smile erased every pain from her heart as he said, “I will marry you today, or I’ll wait forever. Your family shall be my family. Your worries my worries. Your joys mine.”
Walt cleared his throat. “Sounds to me like they’ve exchanged their vows already. Let’s get them to town and get the papers signed to make it legal.”
“Can we eat first?” the ever-practical Louise asked.
The joyous, exuberant bunch made short work on the meal.
Marnie sidled up to Gabe to whisper, “I’m worried about Bertie. Strangers frighten him.”
