Page 5 of Wagon Train Hope
There came murmurs of agreement.
Ma divided the berries among them. Good thing Walt had been so careful to put every berry he picked into thecontainer because, even so, none of them got more than a few spoonsful.
Irene popped a berry into Petey’s mouth. The moment the juice hit his taste buds, his eyes widened.
A chuckle rumbled over her lips. It wasn’t unlike how Walt had reacted when she’d put a berry in his mouth. Did he consider her actions inappropriate? She shrugged and glanced across the fire. He shifted his gaze to Petey and back to her. Was he remembering that first taste? That touch? She curled her fingers, recalling the feel of his lips and the way his eyes had widened.
Before he gave her that condemning look again.
She wasn’t about to forget that.
A sigh whispered from her. Why did he have to be so disapproving? So judgmental? He knew nothing about her except what was on the surface. Not—she firmly reminded herself—that she wanted him to know what went on deep inside. No sir. Not now. Not ever.
Her berries gone, her water cup drained, she got to her feet and began washing dishes.
Everyone took it as a signal to end the meal. The men went to tend the animals and check the wagons while the ladies took care of the food and dishes. Bertie, as usual, followed Gabe with his entourage of pets on his heels—Alice, Limpy the dog, and the two cats. The sight always made Irene smile, and she watched until they were out of sight. As she turned, she caught Walt studying her.
She jerked away. Had he seen her reaction to her brother’s simple enjoyment of life? He couldn’t possibly understand her profound love for her bigger, older brother. Nor guess how often she’d had to come to his rescue.
“Irene, be careful,” Ma murmured.
“Whoops.” Irene winced. She’d been banging the pots harder than she should. She breathed deeply, forcing calminto her thoughts. Her plan was having the opposite result. Instead of teaching Walt to relax and enjoy life, she was getting tense and cross like him.
“Is something bothering you?” Ma asked.
“Nah. I was thinking of something else.” She would not let his actions make her cranky.
Ruby nudged Irene’s arm. “Or do you mean someone else?” Ruby was only a year younger than Irene, but sometimes she seemed years younger, often oblivious to what was going on around her, so what instigatedthatcomment? Had she been watching Irene and misreading her reaction to Walt?
“If you mean Bertie, then yes, I was enjoying the parade he leads with his pets.” The stewpot couldn’t get any cleaner, but she continued to scrub it.
“I’ll dry that if you let it go.” Ruby held out her hand. Her mouth twitched in a teasing smile.
Irene gave up the pot and then looked around for something else to wash. She tackled the table they’d brought along, scouring the worn wooden top until she realized Ruby, Ma, and Angela watched, their expressions ranging from curious to concerned.
“Guess it’s clean,” she mumbled. She rinsed the rag and hung it to dry.
The others resumed their tasks.
Ruby nudged Irene as the men returned. “Here they come.”
Irene had heard their footsteps and kept her back to them.
Hazel returned with Petey in his faded blue nightshirt and a worn flannel blanket scrunched to his cheek. He blinked, trying to keep his eyes open.
“I’ll take him.” Irene scooped up the sleepy little one. She pressed his face to her shoulder and cradled his bottom onher arm. Humming a familiar lullaby, she walked away several feet, then turned and met a pair of dark, brooding eyes. Tipping her chin down, she pressed her cheek to Petey’s downy head.
She would not look up, wouldn’t risk seeing that look again. Why did Walt disapprove of her no matter what she did? Not that seeing her with Petey should be expected to mellow him. It wasn’t her intention at all. She loved the little guy and enjoyed helping her sister with his care. Had since he was born.
Besides, this wasn’t the first time she’d seen his dark disapproval. Nor was it likely to be the last.
But before this journey was over, she’d prove he was wrong about her.
Twice more, she paced back and forth. Then she sat on the ground next to Hazel.
“He’s asleep,” Hazel whispered. “Thanks. I’m tired tonight.”
Irene shifted the sleeping baby to his mother’s arms. “You should let people help you more.”
