Page 31 of Wagon Train Honor
He rocked back on his heels. “I suppose I could.”
“Is she married?”
“Yes, for three years now, and she seems happy. She was hoping to start a family soon.”
The timbre of his voice warmed pleasingly.
“Say, would you do me a favor?” His eagerness made her agreeable, but having older siblings, she knew better than to agree to something without knowing what it was.
“Depends what it is.”
“Will you draw a picture for me to send to her?”
No one had ever asked that of her. “Of flowers? Maybe of some orchids? Sure, I can do that.”
“Ruby, I would like it if you drew something about the place. Maybe the wagons.” He looked away and back again. His voice grew husky. “Maybe you could draw me.”
The saliva in her mouth dried up. Had he seen her rudimentary sketch of him? Was he testing her to see if she’d confess? But his expression was open and honest. Granted, she didn’t know him well, and yet she didn’t think he would be devious.
“I don’t usually draw people. I don’t know if I’d be any good at it.”
“I’ve no doubt you will do well.” He planted a big hand on her back. Its warmth and comfort made her want to do whatever she could to accommodate his request.
“Very well. I’ll try.” It would give her an excuse to spend more time with him.
And if every hour spent in his company made it harder and harder to think of saying goodbye, well, it would be worth it.
Chapter 8
Robert smiled at the idea of sending Hennie a drawing of him. Except… Wouldn’t it mean letting Ruby study him with the same concentration she gave the flowers as she transferred their likeness to the paper in quick, sure strokes? Wouldn’t their gazes continually collide? Or would she see him with total disinterest? Simply a subject to be drawn? Ah, well. It would allow him the opportunity to study her without worrying about being caught staring.
A tiny sparrow fled from the grass as they passed. His horse whinnied from the corrals. No doubt wondering why his owner chose to walk, leaving a perfectly good horse standing idle.
Robert might not be wearing his uniform today, but he was still a Mountie. As such, he needed to be aware of his surroundings, perhaps even more so with a young woman in his company. The only group of travelers still there besides the Millers and the Woods was the rough-looking men.
Robert switched sides, so he walked between her and those men. He couldn’t miss the way they leered at her and nudged each other. They barely stayed on the side of being law-abiding citizens.
“Hey, Mountie,” one called, his mocking tone grating up and down Robert’s spine. “Where’s yer red coat?”
Robert curled his fists into knots but passed on without responding.
All too soon, they reached the wagons. Joe and Cecil had returned with a deer, and everyone was busy taking care of the meat.
“I have to help.” Ruby brushed his arm to say goodbye, then dipped her voice to a whisper. “I’ll get that picture drawn for you.” She paused. “I’ll need to see you in order to do that.”
They were not close enough for her remark to be heard by the others. Gabe called out an invitation for Robert to join them for fresh venison steaks at supper.
His answer required no consideration. “Don’t mind if I do.” He joined the men cutting the meat as Ruby, casting a look over her shoulder to check on him, went to help the women pack the meat into jars and set them in a boiler of water over the fire. The family would have a supply of meat for the rest of their journey.
Bertie hovered nearby, begging for scraps for his dog and cats.
Alice must have felt neglected, for she bleated and bumped at him.
Robert stole a glance at Ruby to see if she found the sight as amusing as he did. Their gazes connected over the distance. Her lips barely moved, but the deepening at the corners of her mouth suggested she enjoyed watching her brother and his pets.
He turned his attention back to his task. He instantly liked Joe with his quiet ways, Cecil with his sense of humor, and Walt with his obviously deep sense of duty—something Robert understood and admired. And Gabe, the eldest…
How could he describe the man? Robert’s throat tightened. Gabe was quiet-spoken and encouraging. As they took turns telling Robert their stories, in Gabe, Robert saw a man who worked hard to care for his family after his first wife’s premature death.
