Page 25 of Wagon Train Redemption
Ruby rumbled her lips. “You guys going to play or not?”
“Might as well.” Angela rubbed her chilled hands together. No one could make her say something she didn’t want to.
“I’m game.” Carson’s play on words brought a laugh.
“Here’s how it goes. We take turns asking a question. Weall answer with three replies. One is not the truth. We have to guess which one is the lie.”
A metal rod jabbed down Angela’s spine. She’d played various versions of this game before. It could be fun. Or it could be invasive.
Ruby took silence for agreement. “I’ll go first. What are the scariest things I’ve ever done? First, diving into the creek when it was in full flood. Second, sending some of my drawings to the Society, and third, telling Ma my plans. Which one isn’t true?”
Angela answered. “Diving into the creek. I don’t believe you did it.”
Carson nodded. “I’d have to agree.”
“You’re right. Now your turn, Carson.”
He shifted and pulled the blankets more closely around him. “Do we all do that question?”
“Yup.”
“Very well. First, when Bertie got lost following me.”
From the way a shudder shook him, his statement must be true.
“Second, I’d have to say my first patrol alone. A Mountie riding into unknown. And third, hmm, I know. It was when there was a murder in town and I thought the murderers were still at large.” He sat back. “Which one isn’t true?”
Angela leaned forward to speak to Ruby. “I never heard of any murders. Did you?”
“Nope. Never did. I’m going to guess that’s the lie.”
“Me too.”
Carson hooted. “You’re both wrong. There was a murder.”
“In Bruffin?” Both Angela and Ruby squeaked. “Do tell.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t. At the time, Pa didn’t want anything said in front of you little girls and Bertie.”
Ruby snorted. “Maybe you haven’t noticed, but I’m not alittle girl anymore.” A snicker followed. “I know you noticed that Angela isn’t.”
Angela groaned.
“I did.” His voice was soft, teasing…or was it—? Wait. She wasn’t going down that road.
“Eat lunch,” Joe called from outside the wagon.
She hadn’t even heard him ride up. Of course, she could blame the pounding rain for that.
“You do have supplies in here?”
“Yes,” she and Ruby chorused. They’d been instructed to keep food in each wagon in case something happened. Like it did when Cecil, Louise, Hazel, and Petey were stranded on the far side of a flooded river.
Ruby was closest to the grub box. She reached toward it but sat back without picking up any food. “But first, Carson has to finish his story.”
“I don’t recall starting one.” He reached toward the food.
Ruby slammed the lid. “About the murders.”
