Page 45 of Wagon Train Melody
It was nice to be needed. Valued.
They were all tired from the adventures of the day and from their disturbed sleep the night before and everyone went to bed early. Though Bo thoroughly beat the ground where he was to sleep, making sure no snakes lingered nearby.
Rudy had been a little more subtle but had also made sure the area was free of snakes.
He lay in his bedroll and listened to the night sounds. Bo snored softly. Alice murmured to one of the girls to help them settle. The wind tickled the leaves overhead. In the distance, coyotes serenaded each other. Sounds that were comforting. He was a light sleeper. If a note of discord entered, he would waken.
A shrill sound startled him awake. He lay still, not giving away his state of awareness until he pinpointed the source of the sound.
It came from the wagon. One of the girls was crying.
Alice made hushing sounds.
The crying continued. Sharp. Piercing.
Rudy sat up, wondering if he should offer help.
The sound tore at his heart. Whoever it was seemed to be in agony.
He couldn’t take it, pulled his boots on, and went to the wagon. “Alice, what’s wrong?”
“It’s Kitty. She’s got an earache.”
“Hang on little one. I’ll fix you a warm cloth that will ease the pain.” He hurried back to where they’d had the fire, threw on some kindling and stirred the embers. As soon as flames caught, he put water to heat. He got a towel from where Alice had hung them to dry and as soon as the water was warm enough, he dampened the cloth and took it to the wagon.
“Put this on your sore ear.”
Kitty leaned toward him. “Hold me.”
He took the child, carried her to the fire and sat down.
Alice joined him. Kitty reached out for her hand forcing Alice to sit pressed to his side.
Kitty whimpered but was less distressed as the heat eased her pain. He handed the cloth to Alice as it cooled, and she warmed it again.
The little girl relaxed against his chest but if he moved her, she fussed. They might be there the rest of the night.
Somehow, Rudy didn’t care.
“You can go back to bed,” he whispered to Alice, but when she tried to free her hand from Kitty’s grip, the child wailed.
“I guess it’s too soon,” Alice murmured.
Rudy didn’t mind that it looked like she’d have to spend the rest of the night there too. He reached for his bedding and pulled a blanket around them. Warm and content with Alice at his side and Kitty pressed to his chest, his head dipped.
Bo mumbled in his sleep then cried out.
“Bo.” Alice’s whisper was hoarse as she tried to wake Bo without disturbing Sissy. “Wake up. You’re dreaming.”
Bo grunted and quieted then he scurried out from under the wagon. “I dreamed I was surrounded by a hundred snakes all trying to bite me.” His voice was thin with the memory. “What are you all doing here?”
“Not so loud,” Alice cautioned. “Kitty has an earache. She wakes if either of us tries to move.”
“Oh. That’s sad. Poor little girl.” He pulled a quilt from where he’d slept, wrapped it around himself, and curled up on the ground next to Rudy. He was soon breathing deeply.
Alice chuckled softly. “Looks like he feels safer knowing you’re close by.”
Rudy didn’t answer because he didn’t know if she would object if he confessed it was nice to know he mattered to the boy.
