Page 48 of Wagon Train Honor
Ruby watched the five-year-old with his new father and smiled. She’d have to tell Robert about him. He’d appreciate hearing how Dobie got a new family, even though there were very sad parts to the story.
But as they sat around the campfire, there was one spot empty.
“Is Robert coming?” Ma asked.
Joe answered. “He’s looking around.”
Ma’s eyes widened. She and Gabe did one of those silent exchanges. But no one asked the question burning Ruby’s tongue.
“What’s he looking for?” she blurted out.
“The things I’m usually on watch for.” Joe stood tall and solemn.
Made sense. But it didn’t make her feel any better.
Gabe asked the blessing. They dished up food. Still no sign of Robert. Shouldn’t someone be concerned? But the men all ate like it didn’t matter if Robert needed help or not.
Ma set aside food for him.
After the meal, Ruby kept silent as she helped wash dishes and clean up the campsite. Dusk was fast approaching.
“Ma, I’m going for a walk.”
Ma arched a brow. “It’s getting late.”
“I’m only going as far as the pond. I want to watch the sun go down.”
“Very well. I expect you to return when you hear Gabe playing the guitar.”
“Yes, Ma.” Ruby hurried toward the water, stopped when the ground grew spongy, and stared in each direction. Robert was a Mountie. He knew how to take care of himself. No one else seemed concerned about his absence. It didn’t make sense for her to be.
But she was. She hugged her arms across her chest. Again, checked every direction for signs of a rider. Seeing nothing, she swallowed back a groan. What if something had happened to him?
Joe sauntered past and handed her a sprig of sweetgrass. “Mosquitoes gonna be coming up soon. I’m going to build a smudge for the animals.”
“Thanks.”
He left her in solitude, and she resumed studying her surroundings.
Wait. She straightened. Was that dust? A tremor ran down her spine. Or smoke? At least they were close to water. They could escape in the swamp if they needed to.
But the swirl grew larger. Stayed gray. And then she made out a horse. And a red jacket.
“Thank God he’s safe.” While he rode closer, she hurried back to the campsite. She said nothing to the others as she waited for him to reach them.
But she couldn’t stop her gaze from going to him when he swung from his horse, handed Joe the reins, exchanged a few words with him, and then strode toward the gathered travelers.
“Glad you’re back.” Gabe clapped him on the back.
“We saved you supper.” Ma handed him a full plate.
“Thanks.” Robert looked around for a place to sit, spied a stool near Ruby, and sat there.
Joe returned. “Horse is taken care of. Left your tack by the horses.”
Nothing he said, nothing any of them did called for concern, and yet Ruby couldn’t shake feeling something bothered Robert. The horses? Was he worried there were too many of them for him to herd safely? Wasn’t that why Gabe had suggested he join them?
Gabe picked up his guitar. When he and Ma sang “Home Sweet Home,” Ruby studied Robert. Not openly, of course. But while dragging a stick through the dirt. Or checking something on her arm. Or from the corner of her eyes.
