Page 51 of Wagon Train Honor
Joe rode up to him. “I’ll be watching for trouble.”
“Of course.” How foolish to think he didn’t have the help of the other men.
A little later, they stopped for the noon break, allowing the animals to get water, eat, and rest.
Robert stayed with the horses as they drank.
“Brought your meal.” Ruby handed him a plate of food. “Knew you’d be hungry.”
“Thanks. I see you loaded the plate.”
“Big man means big appetite.”
“Thanks.” She might think he meant the food, but he also meant the approval in her voice when she mentioned his size. Nice to know she admired it.
“Bertie is big. Does he take after your father?” Maybe her admiration stemmed from love for her father.
“No. Pa was of average height. Bertie’s size is all his own.” She leaned back on one elbow, watching Robert eat. “Ma often says how grateful she is that a man his size isn’t given to anger. He would be impossible to control.”
“He seems good-natured.”
“He is. Frightened of things. And running off from time to time.” She stared past him. “I’ve never known him to be any other way, but he was born as bright as any of us. Then, an epidemic hit the area. People died. And Bertie never fully recovered.”
“Wasn’t it hard to uproot him?”
“Ma spent a lot of time talking to him. The promise of seeing Carson made him almost eager to come.”
Quiet descended on the camp as the travelers rested.
“You should rest, too.” Not that he wanted her to leave, but he knew how long and tiring the days could be.
“As should you.”
“I’ve ridden all day. Doesn’t require a lot of effort.” He hadn’t seen her since breakfast. “Did you ride?”
“Some of the way. Young Petey is fussy today, and Hazel has a headache, so I’ve been carrying him.” She glanced back toward the wagons. “Maybe he’ll sleep this afternoon.”
“If he does, would you like to walk with me again?” He’d ask one of the other men to take the horses.
“I’d like that.” She took his empty plate and hurried back to camp.
Ruby smiledas she returned to the wagons.
He’d invited her to walk with him. Not that it meant anything other than they might see flowers of interest, and perhaps he’d enjoy company. But she failed to convince herself it didn’t mean something more to her.
She wiped the dish clean and stowed it with the others, then sat in the shade of a wagon and closed her eyes. Angela lay nearby and turned toward Ruby but, seeing her head tipped back and eyes closed, didn’t try to start a conversation.
When Joe called time to move out, she contained her desire to hurry to join Robert. After all, it would take time to get the oxen back in place and the horses ready to move.
Plus, she didn’t want anyone to think she was overly eager, so she made sure Hazel and Petey were riding in a wagon, and Petey slept. She spoke to Dobie, who wanted to know if she thought Cecil would give him a ride. Before she could answer, Cecil appeared and lifted the boy to the back of his horse.
Bertie walked by Gabe and Ma, happily talking to his pets.
Ruby slowed her steps, letting each wagon pass her.
Robert sat astride his horse, holding the lead rope of one string of horses. He handed the rope to Walt and rode to the side of the trail, swung from his saddle, and fell in step with Ruby.
He smiled a greeting, but neither of them spoke.
