Page 56 of Wagon Train Dreams
Sara sighed. “That’s some of it. He thought it would be a challenge for me. But also because Lonzo is an orphan. Pa said he would struggle to get ahead in life.”
If the outside of the cabin meant anything, Sara’s father was right. Did she have any regrets? Joe waved his hand to indicate the small cabin. “You went against his wishes and married anyway? And now you live here?”
Sara drew herself up. “I’m very happy with our circumstances and have no regrets about our marriage.”
Lonzo’s expression might have held regrets. “I will build her a better house one day.”
Sara put down her spoon and pushed away her bowl. “I have said it a hundred times. I am happy sharing whatever quarters we have. I would live in a tent with you. You are my happiness.” She slid her chair back. “I have pie for dessert.”
Lonzo waited until she turned her back. Then he whispered, “I don’t regret one day of our marriage. But I do like to tease her and hear if her answer has changed.” His look at Sara overflowed with love. “It is always the same. She vows she doesn’t care where we live. Only that we are together.”
Sara brought servings of apple pie. “You do know I can hear you?”
Lonzo chuckled. “I’m well aware of it.”
Feeling like an intruder, Joe lowered his gaze to the pie.
No regrets from Lonzo. Would Sara say the same thing in two more years, a dozen?
Hazel watched him. Probably wanted to send some sort of reassurance his way, but he didn’t look at her.
He wanted to believe they could survive the challenges their love would incur. He wanted to bask in a shared life. But was it possible?
He’d die alone and lonely before he’d subject Hazel to cruelness from others because of him.
Hazel knew what Joe was thinking. When he and Lonzo went outside to look around, she confronted Sara.
“Has it been hard?”
Sara handed over a washed bowl to dry. “Let me ask you something. Is having a baby hard?” She held up a wet hand before Hazel answered. “They keep you up at night. They need attention all day. Even when they’re occupied, you need to know where they are and what they’re doing. And then they get sick. You fret and worry and pray. Is it worth it?”
“Oh yes, a thousand times yes.”
“Marriage is the same. But love makes every step worth it.”
“Thank you.”
“One more question.” Sara washed the table, then came round to face Hazel. “Are you having second thoughts about Joe?”
“Oh no. Never.” She swiped at a spot on the cupboard. “But I think he is. He’s afraid people will be unkind.”
Sara hung the wet rag behind the stove and dumped out the wash water. “They undoubtedly will be. Can you handle it?”
“Absolutely.”
“What about when Petey is treated unkindly because of Joe?” She hooked the washbasin on a nail and surveyed the room. Nodded, as if satisfied.
It gave Hazel time to consider her answer. “I would be hurt on his behalf. I would comfort him. But”—strength bolstered her words and stretched out her spine—“I would remind him that people who say unkind things are only revealing a truth about themselves, not about him.”
“Good answer. Because there will always be such people.”
“I love Joe.”
“Love can be enough if you let it.”
Hazel meant to let it be, but she sensed a pulling back in Joe as they made their way to the camp. She handed Petey to her ma, asking her to watch the baby, then caught Joe’s arm before he slipped away.
“Walk with me?”
