Page 57 of Wagon Train Dreams
He hesitated a heartbeat, then nodded.
They went to the hill where they’d had their picnic. She sat on the slope, patted the ground beside her, and waited for him to sit.
“It was nice to visit with Lonzo and Sara. They seem to be doing well.” A pause to let him weigh the words. “They’ve decided their love is worth facing challenges for.” She shifted, her knees bumping his as she sat directly in front of him. “I’m not naïve enough to think there won’t be people who would object to us being together. But why must we let narrow-minded people rob us of a love-filled life?”
There. She’d said it as plainly as she could. He’d hinted that he believed they belonged together. Made it sound like he thought it possible to overcome criticism from others. But now was his chance to make himself clear.
His gaze searched hers. She hid nothing from him. Her love. Her determination. Her wishes for forever with him.
The uncertainty in his eyes gave way to hope and then belief.
“Hazel, I can’t imagine life without you. If you’re certain you can face what others will say, then I can’t deny my feelings any longer.” He leaned forward, cradled her cheeks in his hands, and claimed her lips in a sweet, promising kiss.
Footsteps thumped behind them. She eased back to witness a large scowling man approaching, his face set in cruel lines and his pistol in hand.
“Joe?”
“I heard.” He rose in a fluid movement to face the intruder. “Howdy.”
Hazel glowered at the man. She was about to unleash her words when Joe held up a hand to signal her to be quiet.
“What’s an Indian doing with a pretty white woman?” The man scowled at Joe. He took a step closer and jabbed his gun at Joe’s chest.
Joe held his arms out. “I wasn’t hurting her.”
“Huh. Pretty sure no proper woman would be with ya lessen you forced her. Isn’t that right, lady?”
Hazel rose to her feet and wished she was several inches taller as she faced the man. “No. It’s not. I’m here of my own free will.”
The man didn’t back away.
How was she to convince him Joe wasn’t taking advantage of her?
“We don’t allow such things around here.” Jab jab with the gun. “This Indian knows better. Don’cha? You know to stay away from white women. Don’cha?” More jabbing.
What if the gun went off? Her mouth grew so dry she couldn’t swallow. She could not hope to disarm the man or to overpowerhim. She needed help. Intent on appealing to Gabe and the others for help, she dashed to the side.
“See. She’s mighty glad to escape ya. Now it’s jest you and me. This is gonna be…”
Hazel didn’t hear what else the man said as she raced toward camp. The grass caught at her feet, almost tripping her. She righted herself and crashed through the trees. “Gabe! Gabe!”
Gabe, Walt, and Cecil were instantly on their feet at her call and obvious distress.
“Joe. Someone has a gun on him. Up there.” She pointed.
The three took time to reach for their rifles and then raced away.
Ma pulled Hazel into her arms. “Take a deep breath. What’s going on?”
“A man—” The words stalled in her throat. It had never crossed her mind that her being with Joe would puthimin danger. Never. “I’m fine, Ma.” She broke from her mother’s embrace, checked on Petey, and then went to the dam to stare at the water.
After some time, heavy footsteps and the rattle of branches signaled the men’s return. She spun around. Seeing Joe safe and sound, she finally sucked in air and rushed back to the camp to hear what happened.
A sweeping gaze of Joe from head to toe assured her he was unharmed.
“What’s going on?” Irene voiced the question that surely weighed on everyone’s mind.
Gabe answered. “We relieved the man of his gun and took him to town. There’s no Mountie here, but the agent at the train station said he’d look after the arrangements.”
