Page 48 of Wagon Train Dreams
She waited until the guests left, then turned to Irene, who was sitting at her side. “Will you watch Petey?” She transferred the drowsy baby into Irene’s welcoming arms, got to her feet, and crossed to where Joe lounged against one of the wagons. He must have known what her intentions were. And yet he hadn’t disappeared into the dusk. That had to be a good sign.
“Can we walk?” Would he let the Georges’ experience make him understand what was possible?
Chapter Twelve
Was it possible? Joe hardly dared allow himself to think so. And yet the Georges weren’t much different from him and Hazel. If they could make life together work?—
Hazel’s eyes flickered with reflected firelight as she moved toward him. He waited until she was within touching distance to push from the wagon and stand upright. No words were necessary between them. He knew what she wanted and crooked his elbow toward her.
The touch of her hand on his arm ignited a desperate hope.
They wandered down to the shore, where the full moon reflected off the water, and long shadows of the trees striped their path. He led her to a spot where he’d noticed a ledge of land made for sitting. A perfect place to gaze at silver moonbeams in the dam.
They sat side by side. He didn’t imagine that she pressed close to him.
Leaves rustled. A duck quacked in the reeds. A night bird whistled. From town, a faint shout rose. But he and Hazel didn’t speak.
She sucked in a whisper of air. “Joe? Doesn’t hearing the Georges make you think it’s possible for us too?”
He breathed in the scent of her, branding it forever in his memories. Could he have more than memories? Or was it safer to guard his heart? But it was too late for that. His heart had already been captured by her.
Now he must decide whether or not it was safe for her to join her life to his.
“Hazel, I want to believe it is, but my experience hasn’t given me any assurance.”
She angled herself to study his face. “I am not afraid of challenges. I am not afraid of bullies. If life has taught me anything, it’s this. Good things can slip away so quickly. Enjoy them while you may.”
She spoke from her experience. Bertie’s illness had changed him. Peter’s accident had cost his life and left her alone. Her father had died, making her feel yet more alone. And yet?—
Yet she had hope and courage. She’d left her security back in Bruffin to cross the country in a covered wagon.
He caught her chin in his palm. “Hazel, I believe you, of all people, are strong enough to face the challenges of being associated with a man like me.”
“Don’t you mean I am fortunate enough to know the joy of associating with a man like you?”
How could he resist her and her confidence? “Hazel—” He leaned over and brushed his lips to hers.
She nestled into him, cradled a hand behind his head, and deepened the kiss.
With the moon and stars forgotten, his heart sang louder and sweeter than any bird. Loving this woman made him ready to conquer every bully, every critic, every unkind person.
Letting out a gentle sigh, she relaxed in his embrace. “Look at the way the moonlight dances on the water. Doesn’t it give youhope and courage?” She tipped her face up to him. “It reminds me of something.”
She didn’t seem about to explain. In fact, her gaze drifted beyond him. “What?” He wanted to know her every memory.
“I—” The fringes of his vest twisted in her fingers. “I don’t know. It’s something hovering at the edges of my thoughts.”
Wrapping his arms around her, snugging her closer, he pushed the question against her soft hair. “Good or bad?”
“I’m not sure.” A slight stiffening suggested she searched for the illusive memory.
She jerked up. “I remember.”
His hands on her shoulders offered his support for whatever widened her eyes and rounded her mouth. He waited for her to collect her thoughts.
“I remember waking up in the dark, afraid because I’d heard a strange sound. I slipped from my bed to go to Ma and Pa, but their room was empty. Now I was really scared. Then I heard the sound again. And recognized it. Bertie. He was outside. I guessed where my parents were and ran to find them.”
The smile she gave Joe trembled. “I was only about five and frightened to be alone.”
