Page 62 of Wagon Train Dreams
But with Joe?—
He was there. Every day. And not just in her thoughts.
Sighing, she pushed aside those feelings and got to her feet.
To her left, a flash of purple caught her attention. Gravel crunched under her feet as she crossed to the spot. She’d seen these flowers before when Petey had discovered them, and Joe had joined them. He’d caressed the petals so gently. She touched a petal. So soft. So fragile. And yet he hadn’t damaged it.
A lump formed in her throat. Why did those words seem to hold a hidden message?
She’d never doubted that he was gentle, that he wouldn’t intentionally hurt her.
Always, always, it had been about what less noble men would do. And that hadn’t changed.
Turning, she froze.
A snake lay coiled next to a rock, its head raised, its tongue flicking in and out.
Run. Run! But she was incapable of moving.
Chapter Fifteen
Joe jerked to attention. Why was Hazel standing at such an odd angle and not moving?
He stayed out of her sight as much as possible, but she was never far from his, especially when they camped. And she was never out of his thoughts.
Something had to be wrong. He slipped through the trees until he had a better view.
Her gaze was riveted to something near her feet. One more step, and he saw what it was.
A snake. A harmless little garter snake, but she wouldn’t likely find any comfort in the knowledge.
In half a dozen long strides, he closed the distance between them, leaned over to scoop up the snake, and tossed it to the grass feet from where they stood. The snake slithered away.
Hazel released a cry and raced into his arms.
He held her shuddering body. This was what he longed for. To hold her close. To breathe in her scent. To feel her arms around his waist. “You’re safe,” he murmured. “It was only a defenseless little garter snake.”
Her shoulders twitched. “I hate snakes.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
A soft chuckle from her lips was his reward.
She stiffened but didn’t leave his embrace.
Was she reconsidering her decision to shut him out? He allowed the candle of hope inside him to flare into a blaze.
But then she stepped back. “Thank you for rescuing me, but I must go.” Without a backward look, she hurried to retrieve her pail of water and return to the camp.
Joe stood motionless, waiting for his thoughts and dreams to settle back into the darkness of his heart. Then he strode along the riverbank. The light had faded to gray before he retraced his steps.
As he drew near the campfire, Louise greeted him. “We saved you supper.”
“Thanks.” He took the plate she offered.
“I don’t know what happened between you and Hazel, but I don’t like seeing her so unhappy.”
He gulped down his mouthful. “I don’t either.”
