Page 31 of Wagon Train Hope
Nor did he. At least nothing to cause alarm. But the tension in his neck wouldn’t let go. “Let’s have a look.” He didn’t need to warn her to proceed with caution. She was used to traveling through the bush. Nor did he have to tell her to study the shadows for any lurking danger.
They rode a dozen feet apart. He couldn’t say why she did it, but he meant to pose a wider target should someone be there. Or some other threat. Half a dozen possibilities flashed through his thoughts—bears, moose, mountain lions?—
No. Focus on the trees.
The wagons were far enough away that they wouldn’t have seen anything. That made it doubly important to ensure the surroundings were safe.
They eased their way through the woods, checking behind trees and bushes as they proceeded. They had almost reached the wagons when Irene reined in. “Should we say anything to the others? Worry them needlessly?”
He stopped at her side. “I need to tell Pa and Joe and Cecil even if it was nothing.”
“I agree.” Was she relieved?
Limpy barked as they drew close to the camp.
Bertie ambled out to greet them. “Where you been?” Then he saw the meat they carried. “Ma. Ma!” he shouted. “They gots somethin’.”
Not only Marnie, but the entire group of women watched them approach. Further away, the men tended the oxen.
Walt and Irene rode to the center of the camp and lifted the meat to the table.
“I likes meat. So do Fluff and Smoke.” Bertie’s cats tried to jump onto the table, but he caught them.
“I brought them some.” Irene tossed out scraps. The cats and dog raced after them.
Already, the women were cutting up the meat. There would be fresh venison for supper. Steaks judging from the slices Irene was cutting off. And Marnie cut a roast she’d probably cook for the morrow.
Walt left them to the task and went to speak to the men. “I can’t say for sure I saw anything but—” He shrugged hoping he’d said enough.
“I’ll scout around,” Joe said, his expression revealing nothing.
Cecil stood with his hands on his hips, his hat tipped back as he gave their surroundings intense study. “Don’t see how it could be any of our morning visitors.”
“Could be anything. Could be nothing.” Joe swung to the back of his horse and rode away.
“I’ll stay with the stock, just to be certain.” Walt circled theanimals as his pa and brother returned to camp and the tempting aroma of cooking venison. His stomach growled, but until they were certain no one intended them harm or mischief, they wouldn’t let down their guard.
A snort flared his nostrils. That necessity would last until they reached Fort Taylor.
He circled the oxen, his gaze sweeping a wide arc as he checked for any sign of danger. His stomach growled again. His mouth watered at the thought of fresh venison steak. Perhaps someone would save him something.
The reins slack in his hand, he stopped at the far side of the animals. Here, he wouldn’t be tortured by the aroma of food. Instead, he breathed in the odor of livestock and their droppings. Not a welcome change. After a few minutes, he moved, taking his time, constantly checking the nearby trees. The leaves fluttered in the breeze. Birds warbled their evening songs, but nothing gave him concern.
Irene left the circle of the wagons and stepped toward him, smiling. His gaze went to the plate in her hand.
He drew up before her and dropped from his saddle. “Hi.”
“I thought you might be hungry.” The plate offered a thick, juicy steak, a mound of brown beans, and four golden biscuits.
“Thanks.” He took it and sat cross-legged on the grass. “Do you want a couple of my biscuits?”
She laughed. “I brought my own.” She held up two he hadn’t noticed she carried in her other hand and sat beside him. “Go ahead. Eat.”
“I’ll say grace first. Something my pa and grandpa never failed to do. Not that I do it for that reason. When God so generously provides, we can at least say thanks.” Why was he running off at the mouth when his stomach continued to rumble? He laid his hat at his knees, bowed his head, and prayed. “God, I want to stop for a moment and thank You forproviding us with food, sunshine, grass for the animals, and water for all. Amen.”
“Amen,” she echoed and bit into a biscuit.
He sliced off a portion of the steak. It tasted every bit as enjoyable as it smelled. He sighed with pleasure. “It’s good.”
