Page 74 of Wagon Train Promises
How was she to remain calm on the outside when a storm raged inside?
Joe called a halt.
She jumped down and began pulling out the food prepared for the meal. They never took time to build a fire at noon, but how she longed for a cup of coffee to flood her insides with strength. “Lord.” She clattered a lid to drown out her prayer. “‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death—’” The deep breath she sucked in did not erase the pain.
The travelers gathered around to eat. Then they lounged while the oxen ate and rested.
Louise longed to curl up and disappear into mindless sleep, but her hands twitched, her heart hammered, her thoughts raced. She lay in the shade of a wagon, trying to disguise her restlessness.
Her eyes half closed, she saw a pair of boots stop nearby. Cecil! Why wasn’t he seeking out Hazel?
“Louise?” He whispered her name.
She feigned sleep even when he whispered it again.
Not until he left did, she relax.
The afternoon passed with painful slowness. The wheels turned. The oxen plodded. Bertie chased Alice. Laughing, Dobie ran after them. Hazel rode in the back, getting Petey to nap.
Everything was peaceful and calm.
Everything except Louise’s insides that jittered like grease on a hot frying pan.
Would Cecil ask Hazel to marry him tonight?
It was the best thing for Dobie. Even though it hurt to know another would raise this dear boy.
She’d always known marriage to Cecil was the best thing for Hazel and Petey. They deserved every bit of happiness it would bring.
How long would it take for Louise to become comfortable with the fact?
By the time they stopped for the day, she was weary from her mental wranglings. All she wanted to do was eat and go to bed. Let people think she was exhausted. Or even that she was getting sick. She was past caring.
But Dobie sidled up to her, suddenly clinging again. She hugged him.
“You had fun with Uncle Bertie?”
His smile was fleeting. “He’s big.”
“He is, but he’s gentle and kind.” She rubbed Dobie’s back, longing to hold him and rock him. But she must let another woman do that for him.
They ate, though she couldn’t have said what. Dobie sat beside her, Cecil on his other side.
Why did this feel so right and good when it wasn’t?
She rose to help with the dishes, but Cecil blocked her way.
“Louise, we need to talk.” His tone informed her it was important. “Alone.”
Fine, if he needed her advice on how to approach Hazel, she’d give it. Though, from what she’d observed, they were at ease around each other.
“Go ahead,” Marnie called. “Dobie can stay with us.”
Her feet like lead, her mind frozen without a thought, Louise fell into step with Cecil as they walked along the edge of thetrees. Not until they were a distance away from the others, did he stop and confront her.
“Louise, why would you suggest I marry Hazel?”
Why? Hadn’t she seen signs of their affection for each other? “Because he needs a father and a mother.”
