Page 53 of Wagon Train Honor
“The worst is over.” His words whispered against her hair.
Ruby didn’t want to sit up. Didn’t want to face him. Or let him guess how safe she’d felt in his arms. Most of all, she didn’t want to confess to herself how good and right it felt. But he caught her chin and tipped her face back.
“We’re safe. Nothing but dirt to deal with.” A layer of gray coated his face.
She jerked upright and swiped at her face. Looking at the dirt on her hands, she guessed she carried her fair share, even though she hadn’t been as exposed.
“I need to check on the horses.” He slipped away.
The others were moving around, also assessing the damage. She crawled into the open.
Ma studied the inside of her wagon. “Dust everywhere.” A patient sigh. “Everyone is safe and sound. That’s what matters.”
“Ma. Ma.” Bertie limped up to Ma, tears streaking a muddy trail down his cheeks.
“Bertie, it’s over and we’re all fine.”
Ruby, her sisters, and Louise hurried to Bertie, speaking words of comfort.
“But, Mama, my cats is gone.”
“We’ll find them.” Ruby headed to the wagon where the pets usually rode. “I can’t imagine them running away,” she said to Angela who accompanied her.
“Nor can I.”
Ruby swung into the back. “Smoky, Fluffy, where are you?” Although the enclosure was small, it offered dozens of places two cats could hide. She made enticing noises to draw them forth. Nothing. “Could they have jumped out?”
“I guess it’s possible. Let’s find them.” Angela turned away. Others were calling the cats and searching for them.
Angela had gone to help, but Ruby didn’t leave the wagon. Why would cats leave shelter in a storm? Unless Bertie had them out, which he sometimes did. Perhaps he’d taken the cats to hold for comfort.
“Kitty?” she called softly.
A faint meow answered her.
“Where are you?” She tried to pinpoint the sound and followed it until she discovered the pair huddled inside a crate. The lid must have been up when they went in and fell closed in the wind.
She let them out. “Bertie, they’re here.”
Swiping away his tears, Bertie trotted over and hugged the cats.
With the crisis over, Ruby went in search of Robert. Only to make sure his horses were all accounted for.
She found him coiling up the ropes. “They’re safe and sound?”
“Thankfully, yes. Bertie settled?”
“He thought his cats were lost.” She told of finding them.
A smile tipped his mouth. “I’m glad.” His gaze lingered, searched her face…her eyes. “Ruby, I?—”
“Robert, about?—”
They spoke at the same time and then broke off.
He waved her on. “You first.”
“I—” How was she to frame her comment? Make him understand she appreciated his kindness, his friendship, but it could mean nothing more. “No, you go first.”
