Page 68 of Wagon Train Honor
The girls surged forward to say hi but stepped back to let Bertie go first.
“Carson.” Bertie’s voice wobbled. “You got nice coat.”
Carson chuckled. “I do, don’t I?” The brothers stared at each other, Carson giving Bertie time to decide what he wanted.
“You hug me.”
Ma dashed away a tear as the pair embraced. Bertie couldn’t stop patting Carson’s back. And then Ma signaled the others forward. The two families had been friends years ago, and Carson had kept in touch with Cecil. But Carson hadn’t seen them face-to-face in a long time.
“I told you about Gabe.” Ma’s voice quivered.
“Welcome to the family,” Carson said as he shook hands with the man.
Cecil planted a hand on Carson’s shoulder. “Nice to see you, friend. Letters are not as good as face-to-face.”
Hazel pulled Joe forward. “My new husband.”
Both men stood stiff, studying the other. Then Carson held out his hand. “Hazel deserves to be happy.” He shifted his attention to Petey, who hid his face against Joe’s chest. “This is your son?”
Both Hazel and Joe answered in the affirmative.
“Louise, nice to see you again. Ma’s letter said you’d married Cecil and adopted a boy. Dobie?”
The little guy nodded, standing tall and brave.
Ruby smiled. Now if she were to draw a person, this stance of Dobie’s and the steady look on his face would be a subject she’d pick. However, she’d have to wait until she had another sketchbook.
Ma must have read her mind, for she told Carson about Ruby’s drawings and her hope of going to Banff. “She’s lost her drawings though, so…”
Ruby shrugged. She didn’t want to talk about her failed plans.
Carson signaled his fellow Mounties forward and introduced Corporal Jones and Corporal Allard.
“We were sent out to find Corporal Davis and help him trail horses to the fort.”
Gabe indicated the herd following the wagons. “We have fifteen head of your horses. Robert isn’t here, though.” He explained how Robert went looking for men he suspected were responsible for the five missing head.
Carson waved the other Mounties forward. “Jones will help with the horses. Allard and I will go after Robert.”
“But, Carson”—Ma spread out her hands—“we’ve only just seen you. Can’t you accompany us at least until we stop for the noon break?”
“No, Ma. I have a job to do.” He set his hat tighter to his head. “But we’ll come back. I promise.”
Corporal Jones took over the lead rope for the horses while Carson and Corporal Allard, following the directions Gabe provided, rode east.
Ruby hugged her arms around her as they departed. Finally, someone was going in search of Robert.
The wagons rattled forward. She continued trudging after the horses.
God, hear my prayer. Keep him safe.
How she longed for assurance of his well-being. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust God, but not all prayers were answered the way one wanted. Hadn’t they prayed for Pa to get better? And now he was gone. She might bargain with God, promise Him all sorts of things. But she’d already confessed her secret. She’d already lost her sketchbook and, in her mind, given it up. There was nothing more she could offer or sacrifice. Besides, prayer didn’t work that way.
She simply had to trust God to keep Robert safe. To bring him back and to give her the strength to face whatever the future held.
Chapter 16
Robert clung to the protection of the trees. He’d been tailing these men in the hopes of discovering the location of the other two and the missing horses. Until then, he’d stay out of sight. It meant cold camps. A man could survive a long time on pemmican and dried meat, but he’d sure love a cup of hot coffee. And to see Ruby’s smiling face.
