Page 6 of Wagon Train Dreams
The now-familiar words strummed answering chords deep inside, filling him with a gut-wrenching ache.Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.Someday, he would find himself a home. Somewhere, there must be a young woman with a racial heritage such as his who would willingly become his wife. That sharpness beneath his breastbone signaled his longing for something he had yet to find.
The women used his campfire to heat water for washing dishes. Angela set something to bake over the coals. Biscuits would be his guess. Hazel set another cooking pot alongside. Beans to bake overnight.
Gabe and Marnie wandered along the edge of the trees, staying in the shade.
Walt and Irene disappeared into the foliage followed by Louise and Cecil. Dobie, sitting by Bertie, played with the cats, glanced up as his new parents disappeared, then refocused on the pets. The boy trusted Louise and Cecil wouldn’t forget him.
Joe chuckled. A handful of times, he’d come upon the couples. They hadn’t noticed him as he slipped past. All that seemed to matter was looking at each other, talking softly, kissing often.
His smile flattened.
Ruby and Angela looked at something in the back of a wagon.
Hazel wandered a few steps from the camp, following Petey as he toddled around.
Joe stepped from the trees. Now was his chance to show them the waterfall. The others could come too if they wanted. Of course.
With no rush in his steps, he returned to the camp. Ruby and Angela glanced his way, then returned to whatever they were doing. Good. He could, with a clear conscience, ignore them.
“Mrs. Meyer?”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, Joe, please call me Hazel. I’ve asked you to a number of times now.” A smile accompanied the gentle reprimand. Not a hint of annoyance.
And it undid his caution. “Fine. Hazel, would you like to go for a walk? I found something I think you’d enjoy seeing.”
“I’d love to. Petey is restless.” She reached for Petey’s hand. “Come on, son.”
“Walk.” Petey held up his other hand, inviting Joe to take it.
With barely a moment’s hesitation, he took the tiny hand. Then, the three of them ambled along the river at Petey’s pace.
“What is it you want me to see?” Hazel asked.
“Best wait. It’s only a little ways.” However, Petey slowed them to a crawl. Not that Joe minded. In fact, he liked it.
“Listen to the birds.” Hazel tipped her head toward the trees. “I love hearing their evening songs.”
Joe’s attention wasn’t on the birds or their songs. Realizing he stared at her, he jerked his focus to what lay ahead. “We’re almost there.” They rounded the bend, and she gasped.
His chest warmed. This was better than he’d hoped.
Petey dropped his hold on the grown-ups’ hands and pointed, silenced by his interest.
Joe grinned as Hazel stared wide-eyed at the deer below. A dozen by his count. Some drank daintily from the water. Some seemed interested in the nearby trees, but four of them jumped around like excited, happy children. He indicated they should sit, and the three of them perched on the hillside overlooking a performance put on for their eyes only.
“Deer.” Petey finally got the word out.
One young buck lifted its head, noticed them, and returned to drinking from the stream.
“He knows they can get away before we are any danger,” Joe said, keeping his words low.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Hazel murmured. “Thank you for bringing us here.”
“I must be honest. The deer weren’t here before. But I thought you’d enjoy the waterfall.”
“Don’t misunderstand me. I do. But the deer.” Her sigh carried a breathy joy, and she leaned back on her hands. “Wouldn’t this be a perfect spot to build a home?”
A home? He tried not to think of it. Not to picture it. Not to see a smiling wife and happy children. Told himself the wife wouldn’t be blonde. Nor would she necessarily have black braids. He knew what he was. And wouldn’t make the mistake of forgetting. Knowing she waited for his answer, he stuffed aside the forbidden wishes. “It would be nice to watch the waterfall from the kitchen window.”
