Page 42 of Wagon Train Melody
He understood her euphoria. It was the result of having been so frightened and then being saved. The children watched them, eyes big. He opened his arms to the little girls, and they rushed into them.
“We was scared,” Kitty whimpered. “We almost died.”
“Mr. Rudy saved us.” Sissy pressed her face to his neck.
“God saved us,” he corrected. “He will never leave us or forsake us.” Another Bible verse that he hadn’t thought of in some time.
The little girls clung to him. He sat on the ground to hold them, reveling in their trust. He glanced up at Alice. She shifted her gaze to Bo. Fine. He understood her caution around him. A man followed him seeking his death. As such, he posed a threat to their safety. Even more concerning, he was a man with no roots. Someone who had never had a home and didn’t know if he wanted one. The children would be hurt when he went out of their lives.
Would Alice be disappointed?
What if he didn’t go?
But he’d never stay. At least not for long. Certainly not forever. Wasn’t sure he even knew how.
He hugged the girls again and put them aside. He checked on King who seemed no worse for the run. Might have done him good. “Time to move on. I’ll walk by the horses to make sure they’re settled.” He took over from Bo, clapping the boy on the back.
“We’ll walk too.” Alice and the others walked beside the wagon.
He slowed the horses. Alice either had to walk at his side or shift away. Thankfully, she chose to keep pace with him. Bo and the girls ran ahead then stopped and ran back. “Full of energy,” he observed.
Alice nodded. “I’ve always felt it unfair that children have energy to spare while adults don’t. But in this case, they’ve been cooped up way too long.” She shaded her eyes and looked ahead. “The journey seems endless.”
“Ah, but it isn’t without excitement.”
She brought her gaze back to him and laughed. “A little too much at times. I could use a bit of boredom about now.”
The girls ran back to them, giggling as Bo chased them.
They came to a low rocky ridge. It took Rudy’s attention to navigate through the maze. Bo climbed one of the rocks and stood tall, looking like the ruler of his own domain.
“I can see for miles.” He turned full circle.
Rudy heard a sound that turned his nerves to ice. “Bo, don’t move.” They were in rattlesnake country and that was the unmistakable warning rattle of one of those snakes.
Alice heardthe note in Rudy’s voice that informed her something was wrong. The girls must have too, for no one moved. Except for Rudy and he moved so fast she hardly believed it.
He grabbed a shovel from the side of the wagon and raced around the rock Bo stood on and whacked at the ground. Only she guessed it wasn’t just the ground. Or a rock. He delivered several clattering blows then stepped back. “It’s all right now, Bo. You can get down.”
Bo swallowed loudly then jumped down. He went to Rudy’s side and patted his back. “You saved my life.”
Alice pulled the girls tight to her side. “What’s going on?”
“It was a rattler.” Bo’s voice was thin. He bounced on his feet. She knew it was nervous energy. “Rudy killed it.” He patted Rudy’s arm again. “You saved my life again. How many times is that?”
Alice understood what her brother meant. It seemed Rudy had his hands full keeping them alive. “Come on, girls. I think you better ride in the wagon.” She lifted them over the end gate. “You too, Bo.”
He ran over and jumped in. “Rudy, you gonna get me the rattle?”
Rudy disappeared around the rock and a moment later emerged holding the rattle high. He took it to Bo. “Best we all avoid rocks. The snakes like to sun themselves on them.”
“I don’t likes snakes.” Kitty crossed her arms, informing everyone her mind was made up.
Sissy nodded. “Me too.”
Bo shook the rattle.
Alice shuddered. “I think I’ll ride.” Rudy helped her up. He looked ready to return to the horses. It looked as if he meant to lead them. She didn’t care for the idea of him being vulnerable to snake bite. “You too, please. I don’t want you bitten.”
