Page 59 of Wagon Train Promises
But Marnie.
“Lord God, give me strength. Give me wisdom.” She murmured prayer after prayer as she worked.
The sky turned gray and then grew translucent. Pink tinted the horizon. Louise turned toward the sunrise. Day four—though she couldn’t remember what day of the week it was. Everything had blurred.
She blinked. There had been a Sunday in there that she’d completely overlooked. Had the others remembered, or were they as consumed with the sick ones as she?
Hazel barely left her post near their campfirewhere she watched Louise. But mostly her ma. Thank goodness Cecil could be with her. Louise saw them holding hands several times.
Every time, Louise nodded. It was good that Hazel had him with her to offer comfort.
The pain that gripped her limbs, leaving her weak, was due to fatigue. Nothing else.
She handed each of the ill people a cup of water and sat cross-legged beside Marnie to get her to drink. She kept her back to Gabe. She couldn’t meet his eyes that demanded she make Marnie well. How could she explain that she was doing all she knew to do and yet Marnie was getting weaker?
“A little water.” She held the spoon to Marnie’s mouth, urging her to swallow mouthful after mouthful. Even that left Marnie exhausted.
Louise sat back on her heels, praying silently. She didn’t want Gabe or Marnie to hear her plead with God to spare the woman’s life.
The sun’s rays slanted across the land and touched Marnie’s face. Louise choked back a sob at how sunken her cheeks had grown.
The aroma of frying meat drifted from Walt’s camp. Louise’s stomach growled. When had she last eaten? Both Walt and Cecilleft food for her, but she didn’t always have time to eat it. Her stomach growled even louder when Cecil set a plate on the rock they used every day.
But Irene moaned and rushed for the woods.
Marnie struggled, trying to sit. “I need?—”
Louise half carried her to the bushes. The woman weighed almost nothing. She soiled herself before they reached the trench. Louise spent the next hours cleaning Marnie and tending the other patients.
“Louise!” Cecil’s voice was strong.
She jerked around. “Is someone else sick?” She studied each of the others. None clutched at their stomach or raced for the bushes.
Arms crossed over his chest, he stood at the rock where her plate of food remained. “You’ll be next if you don’t take care of yourself.” He tossed the food to the dog and cats. “I’ll make you something else, but I’m warning you—if you don’t eat, I’m going to pick you up and carry you away.” The thud of his footsteps echoed in her head as he went to the camp he shared with Hazel, who nodded at him.
“It’s about time.” Although she spoke softly, Louise heard every word.
Hazel had something ready in the pot over the fire.
Cecil put a generous amount on a plate and carried it back to the rock. “Eat! Or else.”
Louise met his gaze. Swallowed hard at his intensity. Knowing he cared did more to revive her than any amount of food would. She let the feeling flood her insides. Later, she’d remind herself that she…that he…
But not now.
“You’re very bossy,” she murmured as she took the plate of savory stew and devoured it with an urgency she didn’trecognize. The plate empty, she returned it to the rock. “Thanks. That was good.”
“You’re welcome.” His voice was gruff, and then he hurried back to the fire with her plate.
Her strength restored, Louise returned to those who were sick. She’d done all she knew to do. The rest was up to God.
Her body was weary, calling out for sleep, but her spirit was even more weary.
She looked toward where Cecil stood, watching her. Their gazes caught and held. Not a word was spoken. Not a hand gesture was given, and yet she drew strength from his steady look.
Giving a quick nod, she turned back to her patients, determined not to let discouragement draw her down a dark path.
She’d continue to do the best she could.
