Page 37 of Wagon Train Hope
Walt strode out to get Joe’s horse. He returned with Cecil trailing him.
The scout swung into the saddle and offered a hand for the boy to sit behind him.
Irene wasn’t the only one who stared after them until they disappeared from sight. Nor was she the only one who sighed and resumed whatever they were doing.
She might have been the only one who paused to look at Walt. He, Gabe, and Cecil were in a discussion. Ma sidled up to join them. A moment later, she signaled the girls to come as well.
Hands on his hips, Gabe rocked back on his heels. “Joe has left instructions and a map. We’ll stay here the rest of theday, then move out in the morning. Walt will guide us.” He paused, giving them a chance to protest or agree.
Irene nodded, though she might have been the only one whose agreement carried the intention of helping him. After all, she’d been riding out front most of the trip. No reason she shouldn’t continue to do so. Oh, she might foray out to explore a bit or ride back to join one of her sisters when they needed her help?—
She grinned. Riding up front with Walt suited her just fine. Even if he protested or tried to dissuade her.
His gaze found her, and her smile disappeared. There was no reason he should guess at her plans because he would, no doubt, suggest she remain with the womenfolk.
Their arrangements agreed upon, the group broke apart and returned to their various activities.
“I’m going for a ride.” Irene hurried to get her horse before anyone protested.
She was partway across the field when footsteps thudded after her. She didn’t turn, guessing it to be Walt. She caught her horse and led him back to the wagon.
Yup. It was Walt, and he had his horse.
“A ride seems like a good idea.” His mild tone soothed her ruffled feathers almost as much as his smile.
What was he up to? This being agreeable was out of character. Was it? A little voice in the back of her mind asked. And wasn’t she enjoying the idea of someone to ride with her?
Yes, she just might be.
She tossed on her red saddle blanket. He tossed on his black-and-gray one.
She lifted her saddle into place and secured the cinch at the same pace he did. Keeping in step, they tacked up their horses. Finished, she grinned at him over the back of her mount. He grinned right back.
Fine, she admitted it. There was something satisfying about doing things together.
She swung to the saddle, his movement matching hers as he did the same.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“This was your idea. What did you have in mind?”
Pleasure as sweet as fresh honey dripped through her that he should ask her to take the lead.
“Let’s ride north and have a look around.”
Their saddles creaking, the horses’ hooves thudding, they rode from the camp. The land rose in gentle hills for miles until a plateau allowed them a sweeping view in every direction. To the south, the wagons lay tucked into a grove, smoke drifting lazily upward. To the east, the rock-strewn hills they’d recently traveled swelled in deceptively gentle rolls. To the west, more hills, more trees, and the unknown beckoned. To the north, puffy clouds of steam ascended.
“A train,” she said.
Walt sat back in his saddle. “I might be getting to be a bit like Bertie.”
“How’s that?”
“I don’t care to follow the rails or ride into towns or see strangers.”
He must be referring to the bunch that harassed them. “I hope you’re never like Bertie in other ways.” Would Walt notice the catch in her throat?
“Let’s walk.”
