Page 72 of Wagon Train Promises
Louise stroked his hair. “You can cry if you want. We understand, don’t we, Cecil?”
“We do.” He rubbed Dobie’s back, his gaze fusing with Louise. He understood far more than the boy’s need to confront his grief.
He and Louise were bound together over this boy.
All that day, he sought for a chance to speak to Louise alone. But the boy clung to him more than ever. He rode behind him again as they moved out. He followed him into the bushes when he went to relieve himself. He accompanied him out to the oxen and trailed at his heels as the men brought the oxen in. Dobie pressed to Cecil’s side when they ate. And when Cecil took his turn on watch, Dobie went to Louise.
On the third morning, Bertie called, “Dobie, you come? I take Alice and Limpy for a drink?”
Dobie had thankfully opted to stay with Louise while Cecil brought in a pair of oxen. Cecil feared if he didn’t step on the boy, one of the animals would.
At Bertie’s invitation, Dobie looked around uncertainly.
“Go ’head,” Louise urged. “We aren’t going to leave anyone behind.”
Dobie seemed to consider the idea, then trotted after Bertie.
Cecil shot Louise a smile. The boy was feeling more secure.
But by the time Cecil returned with the animals, Dobie was back at Louise’s heels. She turned with a pot of hot coffee and almost tripped on him.
Cecil rushed forward and grabbed the boy. “Dobie, you can’t follow her all the time. Or me. We might trip on you. Sit here.” He indicated a log stool. “You can see us both. We aren’t leaving you. You’re safe with us.”
Dobie rocked back and forth on his heels, his eyes wide. Then he ducked his head and perched on the stool.
“Good boy. Remember, you’re safe.”
Dobie nodded, his gaze shifting from Cecil to Louise. But when Cecil headed for the stream for water, Dobie jolted to his feet and trotted after him.
Fine. It was going to take a few days for the boy to feel secure. One thing they had lots of on this trip was time. Cecil just had to be patient. But sooner or later, he was going to have that talk with Louise.
It was Sunday before that opportunity arose.
They took time for a short service. Marnie had her strength back and joined in singing with Pa for the first time. In fact…this was the first time Pa had taken up his guitar since the service of thanks they’d had after the illness was over.
Dobie stared at the guitar like a starving man seeing food. He sat on a stool between Louise and Cecil but eased to the ground and inched toward Pa.
Cecil whispered to Louise. “I wonder if he’s ever seen or heard one before.”
“I thought the same.”
Dobie stopped inches from Pa’s feet, his gaze riveted to Pa’s fingers as they strummed out the music.
Pa smiled at the boy but continued to sing one song after another. Far more than they normally sang.
Cecil glanced around the circle of people. It appeared they were all as fascinated by Dobie’s interest in the music as he was.
Pa stopped playing. “That’s all for now.” He directed his words to Dobie. “But there will be more music.”
Cecil expected Dobie to hurry back to them, but he stayed rooted to his spot as Pa opened his Bible to read the Twenty-Third Psalm. “‘The Lord is my shepherd.’”
Dobie did not move except for shudders snaking across his thin shoulders.
Pa closed the Bible and leaned forward, talking to Dobie. “Son, have you heard those words before?”
Dobie nodded. “Papa read them. He say we are sheep. He tell me I should be a good sheep.”
Cecil blinked away a tear. On one side of him, Hazel choked back a sob. On the other side, Louise sniffled. He reached for her hand, but she pulled it away.
