Page 4 of Wagon Train Promises
The warmth in Cecil’s voice stirred a response in Louise’s heart. This man would make Hazel a good husband. What could she do to encourage her friend to consider it?
A sigh fluttered from Hazel’s lips. “Don’t misunderstand me. Petey is certainly a gift for which I am very grateful. Yet—” She lifted one hand as if letting something go. “It doesn’t negate the other.”
There was no argument for that. Louise knew it as well as anyone.
Cecil nodded and returned to singing softly, though his choice of songs had taken a turn. He sang hymns of God’s care and unfailing love. When he sang the Twenty-Third Psalm, tears clogged Louise’s throat.
God was her Good Shepherd. She’d do her best to follow Him faithfully.
Petey grew restless.
“He’s hungry.” Hazel reached for the box holding their food and pulled out a biscuit.
The child took it and began to eat.
Cecil eyed the biscuit. “Guess we’re all hungry. I don’t think we’ll be crossing the river any time soon. What have you got in there?” He swallowed loudly.
Louise couldn’t keep back a chuckle. “Getting hungry, are you?”
He grinned at her. At least he wasn’t offended by her unnecessary comment. Her cheeks warmed as his gaze held hers several seconds longer than one might expect. “Starved to a shadow.” His stomach growled in agreement, and his grin widened.
Fine, she’d admit she found something about him appealing. The way his eyes spoke volumes. The way he sang as if to ward off sad thoughts for both himself and others. The gentle way he teased his older brother. The?—
Enough. He’d make Hazel a wonderful husband, and she’d be glad for them both.
Hazel passed around biscuits and chunks of cheese, then huddled under her blanket again.
The rain continued to beat down, but inside the wagon, they were safe and dry.
And in good company. Her best friend. The sweet baby and the—the?—
The nice man.
She shrank back into her blanket and focused on the biscuit in one hand and the cheese in the other.
The possibility of marriage had passed her by. She knew that. A man would want a woman nearer his own age if he were young. An older man would want a young woman so she could work hard. Not that Louise couldn’t work hard and meant to do so.
But she was twenty-five. Not ancient by any means, but she felt so much older than her age.
She’d spent her younger years caring for her brothers. As George had said, when he made it clear he intended to pursue other women, her life was too narrow. Bound up in her brothers. Well, they were grown now and didn’t need her. And she was striking out on an adventure. Going West to nurse. She meant to make good use of her training.
But who knows, where there were at least ten men to every woman, there might be someone who would look past her age, past her seriousness, and see all that was in her heart that she was willing to share.
She ducked her head to hide her smile. She’d just proven one thing. She wasn’t too old to dream.
CHAPTER 2
Cecil watched Hazel as he’d done many times over this journey. A young widow with a child triggered his protective response. She nibbled on her biscuit and seemed to have forgotten the cheese she held. He could almost feel sadness coming off her. He’d observed it before and done his best to cheer her up. But he studied her more closely. Dark shadows under her eyes. Pale skin. Was it worse than usual? What was normal under her circumstances? Being alone with a child to raise had to be almost as difficult as being two years old and motherless. However, her mother and sisters helped. As did Louise.
He shifted his attention to the woman beside Hazel. She, too, studied the younger woman. Was she seeing the same things he was?
Petey finished his biscuit. He clutched a fragment of cheese in his fist as his head bobbed.
Cecil shifted so the child rested against his arm and let him sleep. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to the woman across from him. Her knees touched his. But her smile did not. And her soft brown eyes held no welcome. Why did she always seem to push him away?
Well, apart from having said she was going West to find a nursing position. He assumed she meant at the fort or in some remote settlement. Add to that her friendship with Hazel, whom she was very protective of. Besides, why did it matter to him? They were fellow travelers. Nothing more. When he got to the fort, he had plans. Oh, nothing solid. But he was a good blacksmith and could likely find work anywhere. Maybe even in one of those remote settlements.
Or he and his friend, Carson Woods, might work together. Carson would soon be finished with his time as a NWMP.
