Page 44 of Wagon Train Promises
Why was she so concerned about him riding away? It was an ordinary thing to do. Out loud, Cecil offered a reasonable explanation. “He’s likely going to scout out the trail ahead. Or maybe he’s going to the nearest town for supplies. He could even be going hunting.”
“Oh.” The sound carried a remnant of worry.
“Speaking of hunting,” Louise said. “We could use some fresh meat.”
Not giving him a chance to respond, she made her way back to the fire and began mixing up something for breakfast.
He followed, leaving Hazel and Petey watching across the river. The coffee was ready, and he filled two cups, handing Louise one.
“Thanks.” She sipped the liquid, then set it aside to continue with breakfast.
He rolled his hot cup back and forth between his palms. Did her suggestion that they needed meat sound like she wanted him to go away? Yes, fresh meat would be good, but hunting was not what he had in mind for the day. Unless?—
He shook his head. Of course, she wouldn’t want to accompany him. Besides, there was only one horse. Try as he did, he couldn’t think of a way to refuse to go. He downed his coffee in three noisy gulps. Louise handed him a bowl of porridge and another to Hazel and Petey as they returned to the campfire.
Cecil offered thanks for the food and ate hurriedly. The sooner he found game, the sooner he could return. His horse whinnied a greeting as Cecil went to him.
“Come on, Chief. We’re going hunting.” It wasn’t like him to grumble. In fact?—
He chuckled. Hadn’t he learned to laugh at situations? And make others laugh?
A grin lingered on his face as he saddled the horse and then tied him to the wagon.
“Ladies, I’m taking orders for our meat. What’ll it be?” He pretended to pull a pencil from behind his ear and poised to write on an imaginary piece of paper.
Hazel chortled. “I’ll have pork chops.”
Louise blinked back surprise and then grinned. “I fancy a freshly butchered chicken.”
Cecil tapped his finger to his teeth. “Sounds like I’ll be visiting a farm.”
The women looked at each other and grinned at his silliness, but it was reward enough for him to feel better.
“I’ll be back when I have the order filled.” He sketched a salute, and then he and Chief rode along the riverbank. Trees to his left, water to his right. What did he want to find? A deer? That would be a lot of meat and a lot of work. The idea lackedappeal. Something smaller. Perhaps game birds. He angled toward the bushes. But he rattled the branches and rode into the center without flushing any birds into the air or sending them scurrying from their shelter.
Turning his mount, he rode onward. More trees and bushes lay ahead across verdant grassland.
A movement caught his attention, and he stopped. The grass bent and swayed in the breeze. Small songbirds fluttered from the ground. Something bigger than that had caught his eyes, and he studied the ground.
There! What he needed. A rabbit. Perfect.
He lifted his rifle, aimed, and fired. He’d hit his mark. He rode over and dressed out the critter.
Having done what he needed to, he prepared to return to the camp.
No. He’d take back more than that. He rode onward. A little later, he had two more rabbits tied to his saddle and turned back to camp.
Louise was at the fire, stirring something that smelled good. He sniffed deeply. He’d guess potato soup, thanks to the supply of vegetables Joe had brought back a week ago.
Hazel’s feet poked out from between the boxes in the wagon. Petey playing at her head.
“Brought you meat as requested.” He handed his gift to Louise.
“Thanks, but it’s not just for me.”
“I realize that. Sorry, I couldn’t find any chicken for you.”
The protest in her eyes died, and she grinned. She took the meat and hoisted it as if saluting him with it. “I’m happy with this.”
