Page 77 of Wagon Train Promises
That night, after the meal, Walt suggested a walk. “Irene? Louise?” He didn’t invite any of the others, and none of them asked to accompany them.
Walt tipped his head to Cecil as the three of them left the campsite.
Cecil nodded. His big brother was making a way for Cecil to talk to Louise.
She stopped when Cecil jogged up to them and glanced over her shoulder, but when Irene hooked her arm in hers, she had no choice but to continue onward.
The western sky was a rim of orange, reflecting in the quiet stream they meandered along. Ducks quacked a protest at their intrusion. Quiet birdsong came from the trees. The scent of a spicy-smelling flower blended with the scent of water.
Walt stopped and pulled Irene into his arms. “Come with me, wife. Someplace where I can kiss you without an audience.”
Irene smothered a giggle as she let him lead her out of sight into the trees.
“Well!” Louise huffed. “We might as well head back.”
Cecil had no intention of returning until he’d had his say. “Let’s see what’s around that bend in the stream.”
“I assume more stream and more trees.”
“We won’t know if we don’t look. Come on.” He beckoned her forward. His heart sank to his boots when she hesitated, glancing back toward camp.
And then she nodded and followed him.
Sure enough. Around the next bend were more water and more trees. But also one thing he could point out to her. The pale moonlight glistened off orange tiger lilies.
“Oh. They’re beautiful.” She rushed forward to kneel at the closest one. “So delicate.”
He sank to the ground where he could watch her.
Now was the time.
“Louise, why do you think Hazel and I should become Dobie’s parents? Don’t you love him? Don’t you want to be his mother?” There was so much more he wanted to say but one step at a time.
She trailed her finger along one of the petals, then sat back on her heels, her hands folded in her lap. “He needs both parents.”
“I agree. But why me and Hazel?”
Surprise widened her eyes. “You’d make good parents.” Two blinks. “Aren’t you planning to marry her?”
“Me?”
Her gaze returned to her clasped hands. “I’ve seen you with her. You’re gentle and kind. You care deeply about Petey.” Her voice dropped so low he strained to hear her. “You love her.”
“I—what? How did you come to that conclusion?”
“I saw you hugging her back when—oh, it doesn’t matter when. I saw it. Saw it more than once.” The words rushed from her. “You are always ready to help her. Like—” Her voice dropped again. “Like a husband would.”
“You think…? Ah. That’s why you were so upset when I kissed you.”
She tipped her chin up. “I have no intention of…of…Well, you know what?”
“I honestly don’t.”
Her lips pursed. “I will not dillydally with a man who loves another.”
Every thought. Every word was blown from his mind until she hurried to her feet.
He stood, too. “Louise, hear me out. Please.”
