Page 3 of Wagon Train Melody
He understood her reluctance to provide any information, but if he was to help them get there safely, he needed to know. But was he going to help them? Surely, they could manage on their own. He squinted as he studied the back trail. Had he tricked his pursuer into going the wrong direction? Maybe temporarily, but the man would soon realize his mistake and backtrack until he found Rudy’s tracks.
Hiding in a wagon might be the perfect way of hiding. Except for his horse. A golden palomino was hard to miss.
She didn’t answer and her sharp look silenced the girls.
“Guess you’ll be needing help to get Bo into the wagon.”
She studied her brother. “Hadn’t I better do something with his arm before I move him?”
“I’ll find something for a splint.” He trotted to the trees and selected branches that would serve the purpose and returned to Bo. “Do you want to cut his shirt off?”
She gasped. “That’d ruin it.”
He shrugged. “I’ve seen many shirts ruined. Everyone survived.”
She nodded briskly. “Let me get my scissors.” She hurried to the wagon and returned to cut the shirt neatly along the seam. Guess she meant to sew it together again.
He placed the splints along the arm. “I need something to secure them in place.”
“I’ve got just the thing.” Again, she went to the wagon and returned with a roll of bandaging made from old sheets.
“I’ll hold his arm. You wrap. Seems you’re prepared for everything.”
“I’m not prepared for having Bo unconscious.” She knelt beside him. Their arms crisscrossed back and forth as she wrapped the splints in place.
It gave him plenty of opportunity to study her more closely. Younger than he’d first thought. Her lips pressed together in determination. Her eyes softened in concern for her brother. Strands of her hair fell forward. She huffed it out of her way, sending a faint scent of soap to his nostrils.
“There.” She sat back.
“And he didn’t feel a thing.”
She snorted a laugh. “I guess that’s something to be grateful for.” She studied her brother. “I’d feel better if he’d open his eyes about now.”
“I’ll go find your horses. Maybe he’ll be awake by then.”
They both rose. She studied him. “I don’t like to accept help but seems I don’t have any choice.”
“I agree. I promise not to hang about any longer than necessary. As soon as I find the horses and help get your brother into the wagon, I’ll be on my way.” He swung to King’s back, looked down the trail.
“Mister Rudy,” Sissy called. “They went there.” She pointed toward the trees.
“Thank you, Miss Sissy.” He touched the brim of his hat and rode where she directed.
Alice watchedthe cowboy ride away. She supposed she should be grateful he’d shown up and she was. Truly.Thank you, God, for sending help.But she’d seen the way he continually glanced over his shoulder as if expecting someone to appear. Someone he didn’t welcome the sight of.
If she had to guess, she’d say he was running from something...or someone. She didn’t need to borrow a slice of his troubles. She had enough of her own.
But she wasn’t about to let that get her down.
Seeing her smile, Sissy and Kitty ran to her. She hugged them both.
“Everything will be all right,” she assured them.
“Because Mr. Rudy is helping us.” Sissy looked in the direction the cowboy had gone.
“Because God is helping us,” Alice corrected her.
“But didn’t God send Mr. Rudy? You prayed for help.”
