Page 58 of Wagon Train Redemption
Carson’s question brought her back to the discussion.
“I can’t say as I’ve given it much thought.”
“No time like the present.” He seemed set on having this conversation.
“I honestly don’t know. There are too many unknowns.”
“Such as?”
No reason to voice the one uppermost in her mind—that he might change his mind by the time they reached the fort. “When does it have to be complete?” After all, there were rules about building a house on a homestead and living in it. “How much should we—” Mostly him. “Spend? And what materials are available? Will we build it ourselves or hire a carpenter?” So many things to consider. More than she could voice at the moment.
His hands hung down over his knees. “My original plan was to spend the winter in Fort Taylor with Ma and the girls.Though now they are married or soon to be, I expect they will find their own places. I’d like to give the house in town to Ma and Gabe and Bertie.” His chuckle was brief. “And Bertie’s pets of course.” Sitting up, he shifted to consider her. “I think the best I could do for all involved is build a solid, small house on the homestead. Something I could live in while the bigger house is constructed. It would be possible to live in it for the winter.”
She nodded several times, though in understanding rather than agreement. He spoke in a singular way. There was no “we.”
“Angela?”
“Sid, Sal, pull.” They were doing their best, but it gave her time to still her expression to show nothing. She turned toward him. “What?” Congratulations. She revealed none of her disappointment.
“You need to let me know what you want. If you’re agreeable, we could marry shortly after we reach the fort and build that little house as I mentioned. Or you could spend the winter in town. But I can’t read your mind.”
Which was a mercy for them both. But he was now including her. And waiting for her answer. She thought of Ma and the other girls getting married. Although any of them would have welcomed her to live with them, she didn’t want to be a spare spoke in their wheel of love. Nor did she want to live alone. “If we are truly to be partners, shouldn’t I live there as well?”
A grin lit his face. “Yes, you should.”
Which meant marrying him very soon. Unless he changed his mind. She pressed her lips together. She would not entertain that possibility.
“So.”
The sharp sound of him slapping his knees made her jump.
“A small abode for now? Something we can put up in a hurry?”
“Yes.” Her muscles relaxed over including her now.
“How big do you think we should make it?”
The morning passed as they discussed differing sizes and layouts. By noon, they had agreed on a simple two-room structure. They hadn’t come to a conclusion on size. She’d suggested they could use the building for other purposes when they no longer needed it and should consider that.
“What do you foresee in it after we move out?”
If only she could tell him about Father and how he’d welcomed her and Mama. She’d love to do something like that. Provide shelter for someone in need. But she’d keep that idea to herself.
“I can think of a number of things. Storeroom. Chicken coop. A guesthouse.” She threw the last in on a breath. He could take notice of it or think she was being facetious.
“They are all good ideas. I agree we should keep those in mind.” He squeezed her hands. “We’re making good partners, aren’t we?”
She turned her palm to his. “Yes, we are.” They would continue to be such without the need for him to know the secret of her past.
Fourteen
Deciding he would sooner sit in a saddle than a hard seat, Carson jumped down from the wagon and lifted Angela to the ground. She was light as a feather. Well, maybe not a feather, but she didn’t weigh much. And yet he’d seen her swing an ax and chop wood, observed her lugging tubs of water and lifting sacks of feed grain. Small but mighty.
Whoops, he hadn’t meant to say the words aloud and didn’t realize he had until she looked into his eyes, confusion in her gaze.
“What?”
“I was thinking that you are small but strong. A good partner.” His hands were still around her waist, and he tightened his grip, liking the feel of her.
