Page 30 of Wagon Train Redemption
“No,” he whispered back. “I’m almost certain they’ve got something else in mind. A home together. I wonder where that leaves me. I planned to give Ma a home. And you younger girls.”
“We grew up when you weren’t there.”
“I can’t believe you’re getting married. My little sister. I remember when your wet diaper hung low.”
Ruby scoffed. “I remember when you fell in the corrals and Ma made you take your clothes off outside.”
“Ruby! Ma told you to stay in the bedroom and not look.”
“Who says I looked? But I did laugh when Ma said she was tempted to throw a bucket of water over you. It would be so cold.” She shivered.
“That’s nothing. I haven’t forgotten the time you got stuck between some logs. Goodness, how you wailed. Poor Bertie hid under the bed.”
“I needed help.”
He almost relented from his teasing at her injured tone.
“I told Ma we should leave you there.”
“You did not!” Her pointy elbow jabbed into his ribs.
Air whooshed from him.
Angela sighed. “There are times I’m glad I didn’t have a brother or sister growing up.”
He and Ruby grinned at each other. Her elbow poked him gently.
“I don’t mind,” she said. “Do you?”
“Nope. Figure life would be boring without someone to tease.”
Ruby’s eyes flashed.
Uh-oh. He knew that look. What was she planning?
Angela shrank backagainst Carson’s shoulder as Ruby leaned forward to look at her. Maybe he’d protect her from his sister.
He shifted enough that Angela wedged behind his arm. It wasn’t very proper. Father wouldn’t approve. He’d repeat his frequent warnings about always remembering to act appropriately. “People are watching. They’ll be judging.” But no one saw her in the wagon. Only Carson and Ruby and they were, after all, family. She quelled any further admonitions.
“Ang, just think of all the things you’ve missed by not having siblings.”
Angela peeked out from behind the blanket Carson had around his shoulders. “You mean the teasing? The competition?”
“Pshaw. Those things are all part of growing up. Prepares you for whatever life holds. But tell me. Who tickled you? Who took you on walks? Who got you up in the middle of the night to see a new batch of kittens?”
“My father.” No reason to admit he hadn’t done all those things. In fact, none of them. But he’d shown her how toseparate the roots of a seedling to replant it. His hands had been gentle as he guided her fingers. “Father—” Her voice cracked, and she couldn’t finish.
Carson shifted, pulled her blankets more firmly around her, and pressed her to his side. “Ruby, don’t tease. You have no idea what her life was like before she came to live with us.”
Beneath her cheek, his arm twitched.
“At least I assume you don’t.”
She eased away from him. Would they both ply her with questions?
Ruby waved a hand. “Pa taught us all that our past is over and done with. It’s the present we should live and the future we should anticipate. Or did you miss that lesson?”
“Of course I didn’t.” Carson’s shoulders rose and fell. “Though I don’t mind catching up on the things I missed while I was away.” He nudged Angela’s arm, and his quick smile made her inhale relief.
