Page 64 of Wagon Train Hope
He was standing by his saddled horse when Cecil strode up. “Ain’t it about time you and Irene made up? The whole camp is under a dark cloud what with the two of you moping around.”
“Huh? What do you suggest I do?”
“Talk to her.”
“I’d like to, but she avoids me like I smell.”
Cecil leaned closer and sniffed at Walt. He wrinkled his nose and backed away. “No worse than usual.”
Walt laughed. He was about to swing into the saddle when Cecil caught his arm. “If I was in your shoes, I’d find a way to tell the gal how I feel about her.”
“Am I that obvious?” Did everyone see how he felt about her except for Irene herself? The one person who needed to know.
He blinked as realization came to him. He’d never told her. Not in words.
“For a younger brother, you have good advice.”
Cecil laughed. “Taken you long enough to figure it out, I’d say.” He sauntered away with a wave.
All Walt had to do was get her to listen to him. Something he’d been trying to do for two days. But he wouldn’t give up. He had to make a way she couldn’t avoid.
16
Irene’s insides were hollow, although she’d recently eaten an adequate supper. For two full days and counting, she’d avoided Walt. Well, she couldn’tnotsee him when they traveled together in a small group. He sat at the fire, his dark eyes boring into her. Every nerve of her body trembled, although she didn’t meet his look. His whisper called to her as she lay on her bedroll long before the others retired for the night. It would soon become a habit. Not one she enjoyed, but seeing Walt and being unwilling to talk to him made it uncomfortable to hang around in the evening, although it had once been her favorite time of the day.
Every night, she pretended to sleep when Bertie joined her.
“Irene, why you mad at Mr. Walt?” he asked.
Except she wasn’t. Not that she could explain how she felt. She hadn’t gone far from the wagon train since that day when Walt almost married Miss Harrison. It wasn’t fear or caution that kept her close. It was…
She shook her head. With a tiny smile, she acknowledgedshe didn’t feel the same urgency to run that she had as a child.
Earlier in the evening, she’d watched Ma stirring something over the stove. Beans for tomorrow. Hazel rocked Petey. Something Irene had done a lot of lately. Her horse mingled with the other animals. She hadn’t ridden him in some time. Walt was ahead with Joe. Why not now?
She burst to her feet and jogged out to get Hopper. In minutes, she was on his back and trotting away from camp. She rode to the nearest hillcrest and reined in by some trees, hoping she was out of sight. The leaves danced in the sinking sun’s golden light. She dismounted and sat on the slope, letting the quiet evening settle her.
Past the wagons, a deer drank at the stream. It all looked so calm and peaceful on the outside. It was quite a different matter on the inside. Her heart ached. What she’d really like would be for Walt to read to her from his little Bible. That way she’d find the peace God offered. Sure and secure, unlike what man offered.
A verse came to mind.Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
The truth of those words hit her like a bolt. She wanted rest from her running. Rest from looking for things she couldn’t find. Another jolt ran through her. She’d been looking for things from people that God promised.Hesaw her.Hecared.Heloved her.Hewould never leave her nor forsake her. Hadn’t she and Walt agreed to trust God to see them through this trip? Most certainly, it included more than the miles.
God was enough to meet her heart needs, too.
“May I join you?”
She was startled at Walt’s question. How had he sneaked up on her? Only, she admitted, because she was lost in thought. There was no need to answer his request as he sat.
They remained silent, her heart full but voiceless. She was loved by God, and that was a comforting knowledge. But she cared for Walt, too. And wanted him to return the feeling. So, she didn’t offer the first word. She needed to hear what he wanted to say.
He pulled his Bible from his pocket and cradled it in his palm without speaking.
She turned to see his face.
He let the book fall open to the yellow flower pressed between pages. “We shared so many nice moments.” He looked directly at her. His eyes ablaze. “And some sweet kisses.”
Heat stole up her cheeks, and she ducked her head, letting her hair curtain them.
