Page 23 of Wagon Train Dreams
Marnie and Gabe debated starting a fire.
Hearing the discussion, Walt and Cecil hurried over.
“I need a coffee,” Walt said.
“So do I,” Cecil echoed.
“That settles it.” Gabe set about building an efficient fire while Marnie ground the coffee. “We’ll limit it to one cup each to save water.”
Joe stood by Hazel and Louise’s wagon, observing.
“They sure to like their coffee,” Hazel murmured at Joe’s side while Petey played with Dobie.
“I’ll settle for water.” He took a swallow from his canteen and offered it to her.
She drank and grimaced. “It’s far from refreshing.” She leaned against the wagon, her gaze to the west. “Two more days of this?”
“We’re making good time.” Pleasure flushed through him as she moved closer. Deliberately brushing her arm to his. “Rain would sure feel good about now.” The words echoed inside his head as he spoke.
She sighed. “But not a cloud in the brittle sky.” She pulled the neck of her dress away from her skin and flapped it, seeking relief for her hot body. “But at least there’s some breeze today.”
“There is that.” It had come up at dawn. With gratitude, he’d breathed in the moving air.
When Marnie called that the coffee was ready, he and Hazel joined the others. Marnie had also managed to stew up a pot of dried apples to serve over dry biscuits. A good feast.
After everyone had scraped the last of their food from the tin plates and drained the last drop from their cups, he grabbed a shovel. “I’ll make sure the fire is out and take first watch. All of you get some rest.”
“I’ll keep you company.” Hazel watched a distance from the heat of the fire.
Although tempted by her offer, he shook his head. “We’ll travel again tonight. You’ll need your strength.” He shoveled dirt over the coals and cleaned the ground bare around them. If the fire got away in this wind and in this dry grass?—
He didn’t finish the thought. Instead, he threw on more dirt. They’d be here for hours. By then, the fire would be stone-cold dead.
Hazel still hovered nearby, swaying with fatigue.
“Take the little warrior and get some sleep.”
“Didn’t Petey sleep when you carried him?” She didn’t wait for him to answer. “He might be restless.”
His smile claimed his entire mouth. “Are you looking for a way to stay—?” About to say “stay with me,” he stopped before he finished. It was far too bold. “Hazel, get some rest.” He crossed to her side and touched her shoulder to nudge her toward the wagons.
“Very well.” Her gaze lingered on him as she picked up the little warrior and retreated to the shade. The wind was hot, but it helped make them slightly more comfortable.
A couple of hours later, Walt took his place. While the others slept or rested, Joe found a shady spot near Gabe’s wagon, stretched out, and fell asleep.
A crackling sound jerked him fully awake and to his feet. Thankfully, it wasn’t a fire but only the canvases on the wagons billowing in the wind. He rushed to help the others tighten them and grab the tarps that had been spread to provide shade before they disappeared across the prairie.
Birds flew overhead, soaring on the windy current. Tumbleweeds rolled by. Some tangled against the wagons. Dust swept over them. Bertie’s cats retreated to the back of Gabe’s wagon. The oxen turned their backs to the wind.
“Best if we sit this out,” Joe called to the worried travelers. “You know what to do.” They’d been in windstorms before. Once everything was secured, they’d find shelter, some in the back of the wagons, some beneath them.
“Too bad it wouldn’t bring rain,” Gabe said to Joe as he helped Marnie into the back of their wagon.
Joe nodded. Not a cloud in the brownish gray sky. Only dust.
Hazel and Louise were in their wagon, the two little boys with them. Satisfied they were safe, he moved to where the fire hadbeen. Touching the dirt he’d piled up, he found it no warmer than the ground on which he stood. Just to be certain, he stirred the dirt and coals together, touched it again. Still cool. Good.
He circled the wagons and the oxen. Everything was safe. The sun, partially blocked out by dirt in the air, glowed an orange color. Pa used to call it a fighting sun.It never stops shining, even when something is trying to block it out.
