Page 29 of Wagon Train Dreams
“I don’t want to say good night,” she murmured.
“It’s a shame to disturb the little one.” Petey snuggled against Joe’s chest, more than half asleep, only partially the truth as to why Joe didn’t get up. “Hazel, I can’t promise the future—” He lifted a finger to silence her protest. “But I can promise you the next day while we rest here.”
“That’s not enough?—”
If only she knew how much he agreed!
But they were living apart from the world. When they had to join it, well, things would change.
“But I’ll take it…for now.” She sighed the words.
That’s all he could hope for. “Tomorrow, let’s explore this gully together. The three of us.” He nodded toward Petey to indicate who he meant.
“I’d like that.”
Little Warrior snuffled and stirred, reaching up to his mother.
“He’s tired. I need to take care of him.” She took the baby and headed for the wagon, pausing at the end. “Until tomorrow.”
Tomorrow held the promise of temporary joy.
He would not be greedy and wish for more.
Like his ma had said when he rode away from the fort, “We can’t change who we are, nor how others choose to see us. But we can choose to be happy anyway.”
Anywaymight be hard to find after he allowed himself a few hours of enjoying Hazel’s company.
Hazel lay in the wagon with Petey at her side. The howling wind had ended. The fire had stopped. They were safe. But nothing made her feel safer than seeing Joe spread his bedroll within sight of the wagon. Tomorrow. He’d promised her tomorrow.
She fell asleep with a smile on her face and a grateful prayer in her heart. She woke the next morning with a song on her lips and Petey patting her cheeks.
“Good morning, son.” She scurried to look out the back. Joe and his bedroll were gone. But he’d promised her this day, and she wouldn’t waste a minute of it. But first, she had to nurse Petey, and she sat with him, singing a baby song. One she had learned from her mother, and had even sung to her little sisters.
She stared at the box in front of her. They’d set out on this journey with high hopes of starting over. Their plans had shifted with Irene, Louise, and Ma marrying Miller men. What would become of them all when they reached Fort Taylor?
No, she wasn’t going to spoil this morning fretting about the future.
Petey finished, and she carried him to the endgate.
“I’ll take Little Warrior.”
“Joe, I didn’t know you were there.” Waiting patiently. She hugged the knowledge to herself. It meant he was as eager to see her as she was to see him.
“As soon as breakfast is over and the chores are done, I have a plan.” He grinned at Petey.
“I can’t wait.” However, she didn’t need a plan. She simply needed time with Joe.
He helped her to the ground, and they walked to where Ma and Gabe had the fire going.
“Ma, I’ll make corn dodgers for breakfast.” She’d noticed that Joe liked that particular food item and darted a glance at him. Yup. He’d taken note, and a pleased smile ticked up his lips.
As she got water for making the dish, she tapped the barrel. Still half full. Would it last them as they hunkered down in this gully? But worry didn’t belong to this day. If they—with God’s help—could outrun a prairie fire, they could manage short water rations.
Ma made a small pot of coffee and brought out the last of the baked beans.
Gabe took Ma’s hand as he bowed his head to pray.
They still had syrup, which made the corn dodgers go down easier. The last drop went on Bertie’s food. Supplies were getting low, but they were within riding distance of a town. They’d restock before they moved on.
