Page 54 of Wagon Train Melody
She sat back on her heels and gave a little chuckle. “In that case, I’ll take raisins, dried apples, canned peaches…” She listed many things that would make life more pleasant for them all. “And the children can have a candy stick.”
It was a good thing Bo had brought the cart because it was loaded by the time they headed back to the house and all five of them sucked on candy sticks.
Back at the house, they all helped her put away the supplies. Then Kitty and Sissy faced Rudy.
“Now what we gonna do?” Kitty asked.
“Something fun, remember,” Sissy added.
Alice tried to divert them. “Girls, we went shopping. That’s enough.”
They backed away, but both wore a stubborn look, and she knew they weren’t satisfied.
“As it turns out…” Rudy grinned. “I have an idea. If your aunt agrees, we can go on a picnic.”
“Auntie, can we?” The girls pulled at her hands.
She looked at Rudy, wanting to ask if it was safe. There was a chance Big Al was dead. But no one was certain, and until they could know for sure, she hoped Rudy would be cautious.
“We could go to the river. The fort is only a short distance away.”
She knew from the way he spoke that he was informing her it was safe. “Very well. A picnic it is.” It didn’t take her long to put together a lunch, and they set out with baskets and a quilt.
This would be one of their last days together, and she meant to make the most of it.
She’d deal with the tears when he was gone.
There’d be plenty shed by the little girls and maybe just as many from her own eyes, though she’d do her crying in private.
CHAPTER 13
They found a pleasant spot along the banks of the river where some trees grew and rocks protruded. A nice place for a picnic.
Rudy chased the girls, making them giggle as he swung them overhead. Creating as many memories as he could to take into the future.
He walked along the edge of the water with Bo, listening to the boy’s plans about getting a job. “Seems there’s no rush with the account at the store for Alice. Maybe you can go to school instead.”
Bo shook his head. “I’m done with school. I have to be a man.”
Oh, how Rudy wished he could stay and ease the boy’s mind about growing up so fast.
But he was drawn back to Alice’s side as she looked at the rocks along the riverbank. He wondered what she looked for and asked her.
She straightened. “Nothing in particular.” She picked up a glassy smooth stone. “I was thinking how pretty this is. How smooth. Tumbling in the water and rolling across the sharp sand has polished it.” She looked away into the distance. “I hope thechallenges of life can turn me into a better, kinder person.” She dropped the stone into her pocket.
He studied her, trying to think if she referred to a specific challenge or did she mean life in general. But he would eliminate those polishing events if he could. He’d done the best he could by leaving her a generous amount of credit at the store.
But the thought of her facing winter alone with snow to shovel, the cold to fend off—he couldn’t think any further along those lines. Instead, he would gather as many memories of time shared with her as he could.
He took her hand to guide her over the rough ground, grateful for the excuse. They didn’t go far, as the girls needed supervision. They sat together to watch them and laugh at their play.
Bo wandered back, eyeing the food and they called the girls to join them. It was Rudy’s turn to offer the blessing and his heart swelled with gratitude and regret. Gratitude at having met this family and having shared time with them. Regret that for their sake, he must move on.
They lingered as long as they could then returned. She invited him to stay for supper and he couldn’t refuse; knowing every memory would be precious as gold in the future.
“Do you ever think you’ll come back this way?” she asked as they lingered at the door at the end of the evening.
“Would you like me to?” He had to know what she thought of him leaving.
