Page 45 of Wagon Train Honor
“What’s going on?” she asked.
He met her gaze, his eyes wide, but he couldn’t maintain the contact. “Why do you ask?”
“Is this another secret?”
With a dismissive shrug, he resumed walking. “I already told you my secret.”
She waggled her fingers toward him, threatening to tickle him.
Giving her a scolding look, he angled away.
“Very well, if that’s how you want it to be, fine. But I’ll be watching you.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” His crooked grin brought a rush of heat to her cheeks.
For the space of twenty paces, neither of them spoke.
“Robert?”
“Yes?”
“Would you tell me if something was going on?” She glanced toward the horses and let her gaze skim past Walt and Irene.
He walked another ten steps, slowed, and faced her. “Would you trust me if I didn’t?”
Trust him? He was a good man. More than that?—
“If I can’t trust a Mountie, who can I trust?”
Chapter 11
Robert hated keeping the truth from Ruby, but no point in causing her concern, right? Especially if the rustlers were gone. Perhaps seeing his red tunic would discourage them from further illegal activity, or so he hoped. Even now, they could be on their way to sell the horses before the Mounties found them. Though they couldn’t run far enough or fast enough to outrun the long arm of the law, but perhaps they hadn’t heard that a Mountie always gets his man.
In the meantime, he had to get these animals to the fort, and he didn’t mind enjoying Ruby’s company on the way.
She stayed at his side until Joe called a halt for the noon meal beside a muddy stream.
The oxen drank, then tackled the dry prairie grass. Robert tended the horses, making sure they got water and were able to graze the short, dry grass.
Ruby watched. “Doesn’t seem like very good eating.”
“But it’s full of nutrition. Buffalo thrive on it. So do domestic animals.”
“That’s what Joe said.” She inhaled. “No scent of green here. Just dry yellow.” Her eyebrows rose as if reminding him they’d enjoyed smelling the color green.
He grinned.
They joined the others for the cold meal. Then everyone stretched out to rest, except Robert, who stayed alert to watch the horses. Joe circled the camp. Knowing the scout was always alert to any danger eased some of Robert’s tension.
Robert was mistaken in thinking the others all rested, for he spied Ruby perched on a rock by the stream. Her back was to him and the others, but the way her head tipped down, he understood she’d found something to draw. He shifted so he could watch her. What was she drawing? Curiosity overcame him, or was that only an excuse to go to her?
She lifted her head as he approached. Glanced back. “It’s you.” A smile of welcome.
Or at least he wanted to believe that.
“Whatcha drawing?”
“Reeds.” She pointed her pencil toward the marshy area. “Such a bright green.” She sighed long and loud. “However, I must draw them in black.” She plucked one. “See how they snap off in segments.”
