Page 66 of Wagon Train Dreams
Bertie held back. “Mama angry at me?”
“She’s worried.” Hazel urged him onward, then glanced over her shoulder to whisper a thank you to Joe.
Joe followed the trio. Bertie always had a lopsided gait, but was he limping?
“He’s here.” Hazel guided Bertie back to camp.
As he was hugged by Ma and welcomed by the others, she explained how Joe had remembered a place he’d made when he was a boy. Her gratitude to Joe almost overrode her earlier decision.
“You need a bath.” Ma scrunched her nose, taking in the dirt on Bertie’s face and hands.
Joe brought water to heat. When it was ready, Gabe took Bertie into the trees for privacy and helped him wash. They returned with Bertie’s face gleaming.
Hazel watched Bertie walk. Was he limping? “Ma?”
Ma had already noticed. “Does your foot hurt?” she asked.
Bertie nodded. “It got stuck. Joe pulled it out.”
“I was very gentle,” he explained. “But his foot was at an awkward angle probably for many hours.”
“No one is blaming you,” Marnie assured him. “We’re only grateful for your help. Gabe?” The two moved aside to confer and then returned. “We’ve decided to rest here a day to give Bertie’s foot a chance to heal. Bertie, you will stay at the wagon with your pets.” She gestured around the circle of family. “We’ll take turns staying with him.”
Hazel didn’t mind, though she wouldn’t be able to settle her feelings for Joe until she began her new life, but she’d like to see more of the place where he grew up. Visit the trading post where he had helped his father and learned so many things.
A smile curved her lips, and she ducked her head to hide it before anyone noticed and asked its cause. Without looking up, she stole a glance at Joe. Was he watching her? Not that it mattered. Except it did. She still felt a strong connection to him. One that would grow weaker with time. Surely, she believed every word of that statement.
“I’ll stay with Bertie after breakfast,” she offered.
“Oh, but you’ll want to see the store,” Louise protested.
“I’ll go later.” She wouldn’t tell them, but she wanted to go by herself so she could touch every item and enjoy picturing Joe walking through the aisles.
Angela had biscuits baking.
Ruby had made a large pot of coffee.
Hazel put Petey down beside Bertie. “Watch him for me, will you?”
Bertie beamed. He loved being in charge of the little one. And Petey was perfectly safe with so many adults around.
Hazel joined her mother in preparing fried pork and eggs for the meal. When it was ready, Gabe asked the blessing, and thenHazel took the plates and gave one to each of the others as they filed past to help themselves.
Joe hesitated before he reached for the plate. But rather than take it, he simply held it between his fingers.
She shouldn’t look up. He was too close.
She inhaled the scent of sage and woodsmoke. Every pore breathed in his presence, and despite knowing she shouldn’t look at him, her head tipped up. Her eyes met his. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Time stopped.
“Petey, hungry?” Bertie asked, jerking Hazel’s attention to her son. He was fine. Bertie was feeding him.
Joe took the plate and moved on.
Hazel’s heartbeat took its time at returning to normal. She filled her plate and sat beside Bertie to eat.
Horses trotted by on the trail.
She patted Bertie’s arm, stopping him from bolting to his feet. “You’re fine.”
