Page 75 of Wagon Train Promises
“You and I could give him that.”
“What?” The word burst forth. “You and me? No.” She would not be responsible for stealing a man from her friend.
Cecil stepped back, his mouth drawn down. “Is the idea that distasteful to you?” He strode away so fast that alarmed birds flew up from the trees.
“Impossible but not distasteful,” she murmured, but he didn’t hear.
The air grew chilly. She hadn’t brought a shawl. Still, she lingered at the trees. She didn’t want to return and see Cecil. Nor would she try and guess if he’d be angry that she’d said raising Dobie together was impossible or relieved that his sense of duty had been dealt with and he could now return to courting Hazel.
When Irene climbed the knoll toward her, Louise stepped forward.
“Thought you might have gotten lost,” Irene said.
“You might say I got lost in my thoughts.” Louise plucked a leaf from the bush at her side and gave it more study than it required. Slowly, methodically, she shredded it. When there was nothing left but a few fragments, she tossed it aside.
Irene chuckled. “I’ve always found my thoughts a lonely place to be.”
Louise tried her best to laugh at Irene’s little joke. She would have been content to walk in silence, but Irene had other ideas.
“Cecil came back some time ago. I expected the two of you would be together.”
Did Irene think she’d been spending too much time with Cecil? Did the others? Louise measured her words before she responded.
“He had other things on his mind.”
“Huh?”
Was that a grunt of agreement or disbelief? Louise had no intention of asking. Thankfully, they were almost back to camp.
“Don’t miss what’s right before your nose.” Irene dropped the words and hurried away.
She was pointing out that Hazel and Cecil had an interest in each other. It was right in front of her nose. Skirting the fire where the others gathered, Louise hurried to her tent and lay awake listening to the others sing and visit.
She’d get used to the idea of them being Dobie’s parents. It wasn’t as if she wouldn’t see him every day, at least until they reached the fort. Until then, she could hug him whenever she wanted.
Couldn’t she?
She’d get used to knowing Hazel and Cecil were together.
Wouldn’t she?
CHAPTER 18
Cecil sat around the fire, pretending to sing. Pretending he didn’t feel like he’d been roped and tied to a pole for ants to eat him.
Pa put away his guitar, and people headed for bed.
“I’ll take first watch.” Cecil marched into the dusk without giving anyone a chance to say anything. Huh. What would they say? No one minded getting a few hours of sleep. But sleep would not come easily tonight despite his weary bones.
Why had Louise turned away his offer of marriage? Why had she suggested he and Hazel raise the boy?
Was it because being a nurse was more important than Dobie? Or himself?
Sourness filled the back of his throat. He kicked a clump of dirt as he circled the camp. The fire died to red coals. The others slept.
Even Louise? He didn’t know, but she was in her tent.
Where was Dobie?
