Page 61 of Wagon Train Honor
He swung into the saddle and headed for the horses. As he watered them, making sure they had plenty of grazing and were secure for the night, his thoughts wandered down pleasant paths. Recalling the mat of yellow flowers and the quick drawing of the gopher. From there, they returned to the days he’d spent with Ruby in the Cypress Hills.
How he wished he could bottle those days and make them permanent.
He wandered through the animals, checking each for any sign of injury. Saw nothing. These were good solid stock despite their miles of travel and the stampede rustlers caused.
The aroma of supper drew him to the fire. Only it wasn’t the sole thing pulling him in. He couldn’t wait to see Ruby again even though it had only been a short while.
She must have been watching for him because she greeted him with a steaming cup of coffee.
“Thanks.” His gaze lingered on hers. Perhaps too intensely for she ducked her head and mumbled something about the horses. He didn’t catch what she said and was about to ask when her ma called them to supper.
The travelers gathered in from their various activities.
Gabe surveyed the circle. “Where’s?—”
“Dobie,” Louise called.
They waited for the boy to join them.
Cecil bellowed, “Dobie, supper!”
Nothing. Except a shallow whine from Bertie.
Louise caught Cecil’s arm. “Did you see him?”
“I haven’t seen him since—” He shook his head. “Well, for some time. I thought he was with you.”
“I thought he was with you.”
“Dobie!” they called in unison.
“Perhaps he fell asleep.” Irene rushed to the wagons.
“Did he go to watch the animals? I’ll look.” Walt trotted in that direction.
The rest of them looked at each other, and when Irene and Walt returned, shaking their heads, they scattered to search for the boy.
“He couldn’t have gone far,” Robert assured Ruby.
“I can’t think he’d wander off. The boy isn’t like that.” Ruby again searched the wagons. Lifted the blankets that normally covered the cats.
Robert studied the nearby trees, expecting Dobie to step from them.
Bertie shifted from one foot to the other, holding his cats tight. Limpy whined at his side. Alice was strangely quiet. “He said they cold.”
Robert turned his attention to Bertie. “What do you mean?”
“I tell him not go.”
“You…he…? Ruby, I might know where he is.”
She emerged from a wagon. “You do?”
“I think he’s gone back to the graves.” He repeated what Bertie said.
“But it’s hours since we passed that spot.”
“I’ll check it out.” He trotted over to get his horse but didn’t bother saddling it. “Tell the others where I’ve gone.” He leaned low and galloped back to the homesite, slowing as he approached the hollow. In case there was more to the situation than he knew.
