Page 51 of Wagon Train Promises
The two of them watched her approach, and then they looked at each other. A wordless message passed between them.
Louise soothed the pain that twisted through her insides. This was how it should be.
She took the coffee Cecil offered and withdrew to the far side of the fire. Hazel had prepared breakfast. Cecil remained at her side as he prayed. The final words before his amen convinced Louise to stick to her plan.
“And may we be true to our convictions, honoring You with our choices.”
Hazel handed her a plate of food, and Louise again retreated to the far side. Although she was hungry, she picked at the food. Knowing what she should do and actually doing it were vastly different. Maybe instead, she could?—
No. She would do the right thing even if it was hard.
She set aside her plate without finishing the food. “I feel the need to rest. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll return to my tent.” Without giving anyone a chance to respond, she crawled back into the protection of the canvas.
“Louise?” Hazel peeked through the tent door. “Are you sick?”
“Just tired. You can manage without me today.”
“Of course, but I’m concerned about you.”
Hazel’s worry was the only thing Louise regretted about her choice. “I’ll be fine once I’ve rested a bit.”
Her friend slowly withdrew. The padding of her feet faded as she returned to the fire. Cecil questioned her. His words carried through the early morning air.
“Do you think she was hurt when she fell?”
“I don’t know.” Hazel’s voice was thin.
“Would she tell us if she was? Maybe I should check on her.” Heavier footsteps headed toward Louise.
“I can hear you both, and I’m not hurt.” She spoke loudly enough to stop Cecil in his tracks.
The dull sound of his boots striking the ground ended, and then withdrew.
After that, they spoke too quietly for her to hear. Dishes rattled. Wood cracked as Cecil chopped it. Petey chattered away. And then quiet descended.
Louise laid her book aside and strained to hear any sound. Water rumbled in the river. But nothing else.
Easing forward, she lifted the flap and peeked out. The fire had died to red coals. A pot hung over the heat. No doubt, Hazel had set something to cook for the noon meal. The wind ruffled the leaves on the nearby trees. Where had the others disappeared to?
She edged forward, poking her head out the opening to have a look. No sign of them. She wriggled a little farther out and saw them. A good distance away by the river. They sat side by side, close enough that their shoulders touched. Petey played at their knees. Cecil smiled down at Hazel. She ducked her head shyly.
Louise withdrew. This was how it should be. All she’d needed to do was give them time alone.
Inside the tent, the air grew muggy. She slipped outside and sat with her back to the wagon wheel, her book in her lap. The tent might hide her from view when they returned. But shedidn’t read. A knot tightened her insides until the words didn’t make sense.
Nothing made sense.
She was a spinster and resigned to the fact. Her plans had not changed. She was going West to be a nurse to those who lacked medical care of any sort. Being single provided her opportunities she wouldn’t have as a married woman.
Her dream had once been warm and sufficient. But she’d allowed other things to intrude.
The wood pressed to the back of her head as she looked skyward.
“God, I promised Ma to be a nurse. Help me keep my promise.”
She would not let anything—or anyone—sidetrack her.
A little later, the others returned.
