Page 49 of Wagon Train Promises
“Hazel said you were by the river.” He sat beside her. “You’re farther away than I expected. But I suppose I don’t need to worry about a wild animal attacking you.” Amusement rumbled in his words, drawing her gaze to him. He had such a kind, pleasant face. One that would be a welcome sight day after day.
No. She must not think such things.
“Cecil, I don’t want you to kiss me again.” Every word tore flesh from her heart.
“What? No. You can’t mean that.”
She looked away because if she saw pain in his eyes, she would weaken. “But I do. I am going West to be a nurse. Nothing must stand in my way.” The lump in her throat stopped her momentarily. “When Ma died, I promised myself I would make sure others didn’t suffer needlessly.” Her mother died without hearing those words, but they meant something.
“Hazel’s my friend. I can’t let her down.” She scrambled to her feet; her Bible clutched in her hand…a solid reminder that a person should not follow the desires of one’s fickle heart. No verse spoke specifically to her as she read, but now one popped into her thoughts.The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?She couldn’t remember where it was found in the Scriptures, but the truth, the warning of the words, was as plain as the sky overhead.
When Cecil rose and took a step after her, she held up a hand.
“Please don’t follow me.” She would not look back, fearing she’d see the disappointment on his face and would be too weakto walk away. Nor would she pay heed to his sharply indrawn breath.
She was doing the right thing, and that was all that mattered.
CHAPTER 12
Cecil ground to a halt, his fists clenched at his sides. Of course, she was concerned about Hazel. He was, too. She was lacking energy. Had she always been that way, and he hadn’t noticed? Her mother and sisters, and yes, Louise, were always ready to help with Petey. They carried him so she’d get a break. Irene often rocked the baby to sleep.
A brief smile flashed across his face. Irene maybe did less now that she’d married Cecil’s big brother, Walt. Maybe Louise felt she had to make up for that. Or for Marnie marrying Pa.
But that was no reason Louise couldn’t enjoy Cecil’s attention.
Unless she didn’t want it.
At the thought, he bent over his knees and moaned. He sucked in a deep breath that did little to relieve the sensation that he was breathing under water. He retraced his steps to camp, retrieved the ax, and returned to the bush to cut wood. Armload after armload, he carried to the camp. The pile grew to waist height, but Louise didn’t make a single comment. Did she even notice? Or care?
Hazel watched him drop his next load of wood. “I hope we won’t be here long enough to burn all that.”
“I just want to be prepared, but I suppose I can get more if we use all this.” He stowed the ax and leaned against the wagon.
“Supper’s ready.” Louise’s call jarred him from considering what to do next. At least this allowed him to join her at the fire.
When she signaled that he should ask the blessing, his mind refused to work. The only prayer he could think of was,Please, God, let her be friendly again. Though friends wasn’t exactly what he desired. He stood, his hat in hand, and bowed his head. “Father in heaven, we have food and warmth. We’re safe and dry. We thank You for those blessings. Amen.” Drawing in a strengthening breath, he sat down.
Louise handed him a plate of food. Handed the same to Hazel. Filled a third for herself, but rather than sit on one of the log stools, she remained standing. “I feel the need for solitude.” She made her way to the river and sat overlooking the water.
Cecil’s legs stiffened. He would have followed her, but she’d aimed her words about wanting to be alone at him.
Hazel studied her friend, then him. “Did you two quarrel?”
His only answer was a shrug. It wasn’t exactly a quarrel, but he had no desire to try and explain it to Hazel.
Petey smacked his lips over the food. “More,” he said when Hazel wasn’t fast enough at offering it.
Neither of the adults seemed inclined to carry on a conversation.
Their plates were clean. Still, Louise remained at the river.
Hazel rose and gathered up the dishes. She washed them, put things away, then prepared Petey for bed.
Louise still did not return. Instead, she wandered along the bank.
Was she studying the water level? Hoping they could soon cross? Or was she simply avoiding Cecil? It seemed it was the latter when she didn’t return, even when Hazel retired with the baby.
Dusk lay across the land, soft and gray.
