Page 8 of Wagon Train Redemption
But she must not open that door.
Three
Carson studied the young lady beside him. His heart went out to her. His pa had died over a year ago, and that was unimaginably hard. She’d lost her last surviving parent at fourteen and was thrust in with strangers. He touched her hand.
She jerked back, her eyes wide.
He withdrew. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
Emotions flashed over her face. He couldn’t be sure he read them correctly, but he took them as fear, pain, and then steely resolve.
She gulped from her cup. “No offense taken.” Her taut features suggested otherwise, but he let it go.
Seeking another topic, he turned his attention to Bertie who lay on his back. He’d gotten his two cats from whatever wagon they’d been in and held them on his chest. Alice breathed into his face on one side, Limpy on the other.
“Bertie doesn’t seem near as fearful as he was last time I saw him. Back then, it was about all we could do to get him out of the barn. I couldn’t imagine him traveling across the country.”
“Ma spent weeks, months convincing him he’d like the journey.”
Hmm. Angela called his mother Ma. Hopefully, it made her feel welcome and part of the family.
Angela continued. “She kept reminding him that, at the end, he’d get to see you.” The look she flashed at him made him sit up taller. “I think that was the deciding factor.”
“Of course it was.” He puffed out his chest and hoped she’d understand he was teasing, not bragging. She rewarded him with a grin.
“Ma’s plans were thrown into disarray when Gabe and his sons decided to join us. To make sure we traveled safely.” She rumbled her lips. “I, for one, was glad to see them. I didn’t think five women and a baby were good odds.”
“And Bertie, of course.”
Their gazes connected in a knowing look over the idea that Bertie would be of any help in a crisis. He’d be hiding in a wagon or trees if there were any nearby.
“Then Louise decided to join us, and Ma hired Joe to guide.”
“Ma told me about some of the challenges you’ve encountered. Bad men. Bad weather. Broken wagon. Prairie fire.”
She rocked her head back and forth. “It hasn’t always been a picnic.”
“Now you’re almost at the fort. Another week if all goes well.”
“Everyone will be glad to be settled.”
His sisters and mother had married on the journey across Canada—well, Ruby was engaged and would marry Robert as soon as they reached the fort. Angela alone was still single. She wouldn’t be looking forward to establishing a new home like they were. He’d purchased a house for his family. Would she want to live in it although the others would need somethinguntil they could build their own place? “What are your plans when we get there?”
Her hands gripped the cup. Her head hung down. She drew in a deep sigh and straightened. “I had planned to help Ma. She talked about taking in laundry and mending. Or perhaps opening a boarding house. But now she will go with Gabe.” Her one-shouldered shrug indicated uncertainty rather than indifference. “I’m sure there will be a place for me.”
“You could always get married. Lots of single men are looking for a wife.”
She jolted to her feet so fast that her cup went flying, splashing the last bit of coffee in the dirt. “Am I to be auctioned off to the highest bidder?”
Carson was on his feet, reaching out a hand to soothe her. She backed away.
“I never meant anything of the sort.”
Her eyes flashed. “Who says I want to get married?”
He lifted his hands in a gesture of apology. “I’m sorry. Of course, you don’t have to get married if you don’t want to.”
“I have work to do.” She stepped toward the table holding the cooking supplies but glanced over her shoulder to speak to him. “Shouldn’t you check on the animals?”
