Page 58 of Wagon Train Dreams
The way he looked at his sons caused Hazel to think there was more.
Walt took up the story. “I found Lonzo and talked to him. He said the man didn’t live in Shannon but came by from time to time. Said he often caused problems.”
Problems? Hazel set her jaw. For men like Joe and Lonzo? One way to find out.
“Ma, I have an errand to run. Can you watch Petey while I’m gone? I won’t be long.” Hurrying away before anyone stopped her, she rushed down the street until she came to the path leading to the Georges’. By the time she reached the cabin, she was out of breath and shaking like a windblown leaf.
She pounded on the door.
Sara threw it open. “Hazel, what’s wrong? Come in.” She urged Hazel inside. “Are you all right? Mr. Miller came for Lonzo. I assumed there was some sort of trouble.”
“It’s Joe.” Her voice shook. As alarm widened Sara’s eyes, Hazel added, “He’s fine, but—” She bent over her knees to calm herself.
Sara rubbed her back. “What happened?”
Sucking in air, praying for strength, Hazel straightened. “A big man came after Joe with a gun.” She wailed the words. “I thought he was going to shoot him.”
Sara urged her to sit. “Explain.”
“Joe and I were sitting together on the hill past our camp. This man found us. I thought?—”
She couldn’t finish. Then she remembered what the man had said. “Something about Joe staying away from a white woman.”
Sara nodded. “I see.”
“What? What is it?”
“Some people think a man with Native blood shouldn’t be allowed around a white woman. Just like he said.”
Confused, Hazel shook her head. “But to threaten to shoot him?”
Sara’s only response was to squeeze Hazel’s hand.
Hazel rushed to her feet. “Are you suggesting that someone might shoot Joe simply for being with me?”
Sara’s eyes were too big. Her head jerked in a nod. “There’s been a couple of hangings.”
“What? How can that be? My brother is a Mountie. They keep law and order.”
“By the time they got here, it was too late, and suddenly, no one remembered who was responsible.” She rose and patted Hazel’s arm. “Thankfully, that was before we came. I didn’t think anyone in this town felt that way.”
“Gabe said something about the man not being from around here.”
“That’s good to know.”
“I have to get back.” Hazel thanked the woman and again followed the path through town.
But before she reached the camp, she stopped to think through the situation.
If being with her put Joe at risk?—
Well, there was only one thing she could do.
Chapter Fourteen
Joe saw the fear in Hazel’s eyes. How could he erase it? If only she would talk to him. But she shook her head when he asked if she wanted to go for a walk. She held up her hand to hold him at bay when he approached her. She went to the wagon immediately after the evening meal. With Little Warrior chattering, she couldn’t be asleep. Perhaps now was his chance. So, staying out of sight of the others, he moved toward the wagon and stood by the canvas.
“Hazel, please, we have to talk.”
