Page 46 of Wagon Train Promises
Knowing she was praying and wanting to distract her from worry, Cecil said, “I know she mourns her husband, but I suppose she’s also missing her mother and sisters.” He injecteda note of encouragement into his voice. “Not much we can do about it but make the best of things.”
“I know.”
While she washed dishes, he brought fresh water to the camp. Then, seeing she was finished, he reminded her of the need for more wood.
“I don’t know.” She tilted her head toward the wagon. “I wonder if I should leave them alone.”
He eased to the wagon and listened. At a gentle snore, he inched closer, then tiptoed away. “They’re both sleeping.” She still hesitated. “We’ll make it fast.” Rushing to the trees and back would not accomplish what he had in mind. There’d be no lingering under a canopy of leaves, talking about everything. Maybe he’d be better off getting firewood as fast as possible and then hurrying back to spend the afternoon with her.
“I do need to help you.”
Her offer came before he could change his mind. Side by side, they went in a different direction to the trees. The underbrush here was less tangled than the other spot. Ten feet into the area, they came upon a good amount of deadfall. The only problem was that most of it needed chopping.
“I’ll go back and get the ax.” He retraced his steps. When the camp came into sight, he ground to a halt.
Louise, at his heels, gasped.
CHAPTER 11
Louise pushed past Cecil and raced toward where she’d left the rabbits to soak.
“You drop that right now.” She waved and yelled.
A coyote dragged one of the carcasses from the pot and backed away.
“No! You can’t have it.”
Beady eyes darted to Louise. The animal dropped the rabbit and bared his teeth.
Cecil’s heart hammered against his ribs as she challenged the coyote. It wasn’t large, but big enough to tear a hole in her throat. For a second, he couldn’t breathe. “Louise, let it go.”
“No. That mangy thing can find its own dinner.” She picked a clump of dirt and tossed it.
The coyote jumped out of the way and then darted back for his dropped meat.
She dived for it. “No. Get your own food.”
“Louise! Have you forgotten it’s a wild animal with a mouthful of sharp teeth? Let him have it.”
He rushed forward, intending to intervene. She ignored him.
The coyote yipped as she screamed at him. It withdrew another step, then looked at the dropped rabbit and inched forward.
“It’s not for you.” She scooped the meat up and gave the wild critter a fierce look.
Cecil half expected her to smack the animal. Good thing it was out of reach. But would she let that stop her?
The coyote faced her, growling.
“Go away.” Her free arm windmilled at the animal. “Go away.”
With that and an injured look, the animal trotted away, casting a reproving glance over his shoulder.
Huffing her indignation, Louise carried the meat to the river and squatted in the gravel next to the water to wash the carcass. “Lord, thanks for making it possible for me to save this meat.”
Up on the bank, Cecil stood with his arms akimbo and shook his head. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
“What?” She shot him a look over her shoulder. “All I did was rescue our meat.”
