Page 61 of Wagon Train Hope
Acid stung the back of her throat. Would Walt really marry that woman? That scheming, lying, sneaky woman.
Miss Harrison hurried after the men, treading on her pa’s heels.
Irene tore her gaze away, back to the wagon. Her eyes burned from straining to see everyone.
Ma had pulled on a dress. She and Gabe hurried after the trio, Walt in the lead. If he slowed, Mr. Harrison jabbed him in the back with his rifle. Every time he did so, Irene’s air squeaked out. What if the crazy man stumbled on a rock? Would he accidentally shoot Walt?
Her sisters and their friend hustled about. They argued about something, and then Ruby, Angela, and Louise hurried after Ma and Gabe, leaving Hazel behind with Bertie and the baby.
Rustling in the trees behind her jerked her attention to her surroundings. She couldn’t let present circumstances allow her to be careless. But it was only Joe who emerged to her right.
“They’re going to town, aren’t they?” she asked, annoyed by the way her voice quivered.
“Yup.”
A sigh erupted from her. “I guess that man is going to make Walt marry his daughter.”
“Looks that way.” Joe stood with his arms crossed, appearing to study the camp. “Unless someone stops it.”
“Didn’t seem Mr. Harrison was going to let anyone talk him out of it. I’ve heard of shotgun weddings but never witnessed one. Couldn’t believe they really happened.” Her voice trailed off. “Until now.”
“Huh.” The sound Joe made could be surprise or dismay. She couldn’t tell. Joe shifted and faced her, his expression revealing little. “If you want him, you better go get him.”
Not a thought came to Irene’s mind, and then a thousand questions rushed in.
If she wanted him? Did she? Or was the love she felt only a passing whimsy? She shifted and looked into the distance. Admittedly, she was annoyed with him. For not saying he loved her. For toying with her affections—kissing her without confessing any feelings. But?—
Hope erupted in her chest, bringing with it a laugh. Yes, she was annoyed, disappointed even, but she wasn’t willing to give up. Nor to let him be forced into a marriage with another.
“How can I possibly stop the wedding? Mr. Harrison was mighty fired up that it would happen.”
A slow smile claimed Joe’s mouth. “You’ll think of something.” He patted her horse on the neck. “Now go.”
She needed no more encouragement and trotted towardtown, staying on the far side of the trees from where the others walked. For some reason, she figured she needed the element of surprise. Or maybe she just needed time to think what she’d do.
She took a side street into town. The others were already headed toward the church.
Her goal was the saddlemaker’s shop. It wouldn’t be open yet, but a light came from a window behind the shop. He must live in quarters attached to the rear. It was early to be making calls. But this was an emergency, and she didn’t care if anyone misread her morals for going to a man’s quarters at such an early hour.
Walt was trapped in a situation he couldn’t get himself out of. He needed her help. Again.
Buoyed up by her admission, she knocked at the door.
Mr. O’Conner opened it, backlit by the lamp on the table. His hair had not been combed this morning. Or else it was naturally that unruly.
“Miss Woods, what a surprise.”
“Indeed.” Any word of explanation for her early morning visit had vanished, bleached from her thoughts by the weak lamplight.
“How can I help you?”
“It’s, uh, well—” She waved her hands in the air. “Miss Harrison visited our camp last night and—” The story burst forth.
Mr. O’Conner’s expression went from surprise to tight-lipped anger.
She concluded her story with an explanation as to why she’d come to him. “I’m going to try and stop the wedding. And like Joe said to me, if you want her, you better do something.”
“Eh, and that I will. Thank you for tellin’ me.”
