Page 9 of Wagon Train Promises
Louise hurried after her. “I’ll get dry clothes for the baby.” She selected items from the satchel holding Petey’s things. When Hazel didn’t respond, Louise’s chest muscles clenched. Maybe some sleep was all her friend needed. But as she turned away, the niggling tension wouldn’t leave Louise.
Something was wrong with Hazel.
CHAPTER 3
Between them, Cecil and Petey tackled Hazel’s uneaten breakfast.
“No point in letting food go to waste, is there, young fella?”
Petey opened his mouth for the last morsel as Louise rejoined them.
She stood close to the fire, Petey’s clothes clutched in her hands and stared at something in the distance. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.
Cecil sat up straight. Was something wrong? He glanced over his shoulder. Was it Hazel? Was it something rest wouldn’t fix?
“What’s worrying you?” he asked.
She twitched as if his question distracted her. Then slowly came round to face him. “Hazel. I thought if she ate, had some coffee…” Her voice trailed off. “But she had neither.”
Pushing to his feet, Cecil looked toward the wagon where Hazel slept on the floor. At least, he assumed she was asleep.
“Maybe she just needs to rest. My grandmother wouldn’t eat if she was too tired.”
“Let’s hope that’s all it is.” Her tone suggested she thought otherwise.
“Why would you think it’s not? You’ve never struck me as a worrier.”
One shoulder came up. A flashing smile held no amusement. “I suppose because it’s Hazel. I’m a little protective of her.”
“I’ve seen that. You’re very fond of her.”
The smile reached her eyes. “We’ve been friends since school. I?—”
“You’ve—?” He prompted when she seemed disinclined to finish.
“Let’s just say we’ve been through a lot together.”
“I’m guessing you mean the loss of her husband and then having a baby on her own.”
When Louise plunked down on one of the log stools, he did the same.
“It goes back much further. Our friendship,” she added, in case he wasn’t following the conversation. “My mother passed away when I was fourteen. I had two younger brothers who needed me to take care of them. Eddie was twelve and good friends with Carson Woods. Hazel’s brother, you know?”
“Yes, I know Carson.” Mostly through correspondence, as he hadn’t seen the man since he was a toddler.
“Of course. Anyway, when she heard how things were, she came to visit me and offered to help.”
Hearing the thickness in her voice, Cecil avoided looking directly at her, not wanting to embarrass either of them.
“At that point, I was dealing with my own sorrow while trying to help my brothers, hoping my pa would show up for us all.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I was feeling overwhelmed by the household responsibilities. At first, I thought of dropping out of school. But I had decided to be a nurse, so I had to continue.”
“It sounds like quite a load.” What else could he say?
“Hazel’s encouragement meant a lot.”
“She’s now got her load to carry, and you help her.”
Louise’s shoulders rose and fell through another long breath. “I try. But—” Her gaze went to the wagon where Hazel slept. Louise shook her head. “I brought dry clothes for Petey.” She plucked the baby from his perch. “How does that sound to you, young man?”
