Page 54 of Wagon Train Dreams
Excited was not the word that came to mind.
She hurried on. “It’ll be so special to sit beside you on a pew.”
He swallowed hard and forced his eyes to hers. “Are you sure about this?”
“Absolutely. I will be proud to have you at my side.”
Her claiming look undid his hesitation.
“You are coming with me, aren’t you?” Her blue eyes were as soft as the morning sky.
“Of course.” As her enthusiasm squashed his reservations, he gestured down at his shirt and pants. Fringes and leather informed everyone of what he was. “This is all I have to wear.”
Her expression hardened. “I like what you’re wearing. I like—” A smile creased her face. She touched his cheek. “I like you just as you are.”
At that moment, she could have asked almost anything of him, and he would have agreed.
He slipped away to wash his face and hands, smooth back his hair, and brush his clothes clean. A little later, he walked to town with Hazel at his side and Little Warrior in his arms. They followed her ma and Gabe. With Bertie between them, the Miller boys and their wives around them, and Ruby and Angela behind, he was hemmed in by good people. Still, at the trampled path leading to the church, he slowed.
Hazel urged him forward. “There’s the Georges.” The pair hurried over, greeted each of the others, and then stopped beside Joe and Hazel.
“Good to see you.” They fell into step alongside them. “It’s such a lovely day.”
Hazel agreed.
“Lonzo and I would like you and Joe to join us after church for a simple meal.” Sara gave a wry smile. “Sunday noon meal is always simple.”
“I’d like that.” Hazel touched Joe’s hand. “All right?”
Joe nodded. He was comfortable with this couple.
But as they stepped into the dusky interior with squares of light dropping from the east windows, he felt eyes study him. Sensed the disapproval.
Hazel slipped into a pew near the back and waited for him to follow. Only her smile enabled him to do so.
Lonzo and Sara sat two pews ahead.
Hazel patted his hand. “No one is going to bite you.”
He tried for a smile and failed. His insides crackled as a man and woman and three young children marched in. When they saw him, the man scowled, the woman sniffed, and they hurried to an empty spot as far from Joe as they could.
Surely, Hazel had noticed. And yet her eyes sparkled, and her smile widened as she studied the room and the congregation.
The best way to deal with this was to keep his eyes forward and ignore the people.
Finally, the preacher stood behind the simple wooden pulpit. He took in the worshipers. His gaze lingered at the Millers and Woods and then a moment on Joe.
Only by stiffening every muscle did Joe manage to keep from squirming.
“Good morning.” The preacher’s voice echoed off the rafters. “A special welcome to our visitors, travelers on their way further west.”
Every head turned. Every pair of eyes burned Joe’s skin. He kept his gaze fixed on the preacher and clutched Petey, who perched cheerfully on his knee.
Hazel bumped her leg against his.
Had she noticed the way people looked at him?
Would it make her change his mind?
