Page 21 of Wagon Train Hope
“I don’t think so.” He slapped the horse’s rear. The animal trotted away, leaving Irene standing with her mouth hanging open and a protest rushing up her throat.
As the horse left,Walt sucked in air, hoping in vain to calm his thudding heart. He hadn’t seen Irene cross from the wagon because he was circling the camp’s far side. Telling her about his grandfather had brought so many good memories to mind. Times shared with the older man listening to his words of wisdom.
It wasn’t until he approached the resting livestock that he noticed a figure slip to her horse. A thief wasn’t going to getaway with taking that animal or any of the others. Not until he was close enough to murmur a warning had he realized it was her.
Surprise gave way to anger and something he couldn’t identify that vaguely replicated how he’d felt after Grandpa’s death, which made no sense whatsoever. Grandpa’s death brought a sense of loss, of being abandoned, of facing a future without the man who’d been his guide for so many years.
The moon shed enough light to reveal her hands planted on her hips. Her face was too shadowed to make out her expression, but her eyes would be flashing hard light. He didn’t wait for her to say the words that would be rushing to her mouth. Unfiltered, attacking words.
“Go to bed, Irene. And stop trying to get into trouble.”
“Oh,” she sputtered. “Oh.” Her boots thudded in the grass as she marched away. Her breath huffed out in matching time.
Ten feet away, she stopped and pivoted. “Walt Miller, you need to relax. No matter how careful you are, bad things still happen. You might as well enjoy life.” With an extra-loud huff, she resumed her journey.
“Bad things happen more often to people who take chances,” he murmured. He didn’t care whether or not she heard.
He waited until he could no longer see her. Then, he resumed his patrol. Usually, it was a time of peace, but thanks to her little foray, he didn’t enjoy the silence tonight. He lifted his face to the sky. Even the moon and its gentle memories of Grandpa failed to settle his churning insides. Why was Irene so set on taking chances? Freedom, she said. He snorted. Poor girl was looking for attention in the wrong direction. One of these days, it was going to get her into trouble.
Not that it was any concern of his unless it brought danger to the others. But saying so, believing so, didn’t ease his tension. The best thing he could do was keep a close eye on her and her activities.
And wouldn’t she like that? He chuckled softly.
Later, his pa took over the post, and Walt crawled into his bedroll, still smiling.
His smile lingered when he rose the next morning.
“You’re looking pleased with the world,” Pa said after studying him.
“The sky is clear. Coffee is brewing.” And Irene was at the fire staring at the pot. “Good reasons to be happy.”
Walt adjusted his boots and, carrying his hat, sauntered over to stand beside her. “How’d you sleep?”
“With my eyes closed.”
A chuckle rumbled up his throat. “No more late-night strolls?”
She snorted. “I didn’t want to take a chance on getting shot.”
Another chuckle eased past his lips, though it wasn’t a subject fit for joshing, but today, he had other plans to tend to. “After we’ve eaten, how’d it be if you and I rode out to find Joe and Cecil?”
She gaped at him. “What?”
Knowing she’d heard, he didn’t repeat himself. “Figure going with you is the best way to keep you out of trouble.”
Her mouth clicked shut. A storm brewed in her eyes. “I don’t need looking after. Haven’t in some time.”
He enjoyed watching her irises darken. But if he pursued this topic, she’d resist him, and while it might be amusing, he meant to keep his eyes on her. “Fine. Then let’s go looking for them…together.”
Her eyelids lowered, and when she met his gaze again,they shone with a brightness matching the dawning sun’s light. She gave a decisive nod. “Fine.”
She had capitulated rather easily as if…
He snorted a laugh. “I can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
Her airy tone didn’t convince him he was wrong. But if she thought he was going to back down or regret his offer, she’d be proven wrong.
