Page 22 of Wagon Train Dreams
However, she had no such reservations, and her lips widened with welcome.
He gave a slight nod.
Satisfied for the moment, she closed her eyes and slept.
Petey poking at her wakened her. She yawned. Joe was gone. She sat up suddenly, banging her head.
Gabe had risen from his rest. He called Walt and Cecil. “Time to move on.” The men went to get the oxen.
Joe was already carrying water to them.
Hazel scrambled to her feet, dressed Petey, and went to help Ma. Once the oxen were ready, they handed around more cold food. Perhaps it would cool off enough later that they could have a fire without roasting people.
Joe rode up on his horse. “I can take Little Warrior.”
Hazel handed him the baby.Take me too. It wasn’t possible.
Irene drove Louise and Hazel’s wagon while Louise walked beside Hazel.
The sun glared in their eyes as they continued the journey. Hazel, along with the other women, adjusted her bonnet lowover her forehead so she could see against the slanting rays. Once it dipped out of sight, it no longer burned their skin. A slight improvement.
The moon provided enough light to make out the wagons beside her and those ahead on horseback. The ground was a different matter, and several times, she tripped on roughness or rocks.
“I’m glad Petey is with Joe,” she murmured to Louise after the fourth trip.
“He’s good with Petey.” Louise patted Hazel’s arm. “It’s nice to watch.”
Hazel stumbled again, but not because her foot caught on anything. If Louise approved, wouldn’t others? And she didn’t mean her fellow travelers.
She couldn’t wait to tell Joe.
But wait, she must as they traveled onward in the dark.
Dawn crept over the horizon, but they didn’t stop.
“We’ll take advantage of the cool morning.” Joe stopped by Hazel, Petey asleep in his arms. “You ladies able to keep going?”
“I am,” Louise said. “The sooner we get across this patch, the better for all.”
Joe watched Hazel, waiting for her answer.
What would he say if she told him she was weary clear to the marrow of her bones? But she wouldn’t have him thinking she was weak, perhaps putting it down to her being white. She stuck out her chin. “I can walk as long as I have to. Forever, if need be.”
His smile was almost nonexistent. He touched her shoulder. “The oxen can’t go on much longer, so forever won’t be necessary.” Did the slight squeeze mean something other than what his words said? Had he heard the way she emphasizedforever? And she meant it. Oh, not that she would walk forever. But she wanted to embrace forever between Joe and herself.
With each step across the burning prairie, the idea had grown stronger. It put down roots and grew into a bush flowering with possibility. And dreams.
At the first chance she got to speak to him in private, she’d discover how he felt about settling down. Would he be willing to give up his wandering? His scouting?
And if he wasn’t?
Chapter Six
Joe had ridden throughout the night, holding a restless baby. But Hazel—and many of the others—had walked. He thought of offering her his mount while he walked, but she’d refuse. More than that, he needed his horse so he could continually crisscross the path the wagons would take, checking for dangers. The prairie looked flat, but unexpected dips and holes would cause problems.
He called a halt. The oxen were stumbling. The sun was doing its best to fry them all like cracked eggs. Little Dobie rode in front of Cecil, his head bouncing as the boy slept.
“We’ll stop here.” Nothing suggested it would be a good place to camp. Just more of the same flat, dry land. No water. No trees. Once the oxen were freed and watered, they lay down to rest, but soon they were up grazing on the short grass.
