Page 58 of Wagon Train Honor
So much heartache.
“Come, Dobie. Let’s get back to the wagons.”
“But they’ll be here all alone.”
The wagons waited, and Cecil rode over to check on them. He saw the crosses, saw Dobie’s tears, and scooped the boy into his arms.
Ruby felt a little like Dobie. It was sad to leave them here alone. But what could they do? Then a flash of yellow caught her eyes. “Dobie, look. We can put flowers on the graves.”
“That’s a good idea,” Louise said, and they all made their way over.
By the time they returned to the graves, no more yellow dotted the grass, but a carpet of that color covered the mounds of dirt.
Dobie looked it over with approval.
“Are you ready to leave?” Cecil waited for the boy’s answer.
“Pa, you should pray.”
No one questioned Dobie’s reasoning. Cecil removed his hat, and the four of them bowed their heads as Cecil offered up a prayer. “Our loving heavenly Father, we ask for Your peace and Your protection as we finish our journey. Thank You that You have promised to never leave us or forsake us. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.”
The air felt holy to Ruby and perhaps to the others as no one moved. Behind them, Cecil’s horse shuffled, growing restless.
“Time to go.” Cecil swung into his saddle, lifted Dobie up behind him, and rode back to inform the others they were ready to move on.
Louise and Ruby soon caught up to the wagons. Ruby peered across the milling horses for Robert. Their gazes connected through the veil of dust, his full of concern touched with curiosity.
If they walked together, she could tell him what happened.
Would he join her? Intending to make it easy for him to do so, she fell behind the wagons, walking a dust-free distance from the horses.
Walt took the lead rope. Robert rode to Ruby’s side and dismounted to walk beside her.
“What was going on over there?”
She told him of the three graves, her words catching in her tight throat. “Sara, Bruce, and Jane.” Her cough hid her emotions. Perhaps not well enough as he put a warm hand on her back.
“That’s sad.”
“Dobie was concerned about leaving them. So, we picked flowers for the graves.”
“That’s nice. The boy is sensitive.”
“’Cause death is so real to him.” She shared how Cecil and Louise found him alone with his deceased father and his mother on her deathbed. “She’d prayed for him to find a new mother and father, so he was ready and willing to go with them. He said they were an answer to his mama’s prayers. He’s adjusted very well.”
“Poor little guy. That’s quite an experience for one so young.”
“No wonder seeing those graves upset him.” Again, her voice cracked. “It was upsetting for me too.”
His hand squeezed her shoulder. “Of course it was.”
“Cecil prayed at the graveside—at Dobie’s request.”
“I admire that boy.”
“Me too.” They walked in companionable silence for a spell, his arm warm and heavy across her shoulders.
“Did you happen to keep one of those flowers in the hopes of drawing it?” He jostled her a little, his voice ringing with teasing.
