Page 55 of Wagon Train Melody
“I would like it very much.” Her smile was tender and sweet. She took in a deep breath, released it, then leaned into him and brushed his lips in a sweet, butterfly-and-honey kiss. “I’ll be here. Waiting.”
He was standing in the yard, the door closed behind him before he came to his senses. He needed to tell her not to wait.
Didn’t he?
Maybe he’d do it tomorrow. They’d arranged to attend church together.
The next dayhe paced the street, waiting for the time he could go to her house and meet her and when the hour finally arrived, he had to keep himself from running all the way.
She stepped from the house at his approach, the girls at his side, Bo behind them.
He stared. She had curled her hair around her head. Her bonnet fit prettily over it. She wore a royal blue dress that made her eyes look dark and warm. He swallowed hard. “You look very nice.” At the way her cheeks colored, he lowered his gaze to the girls. “And so do the both of you. You too, Bo.”
He crooked his arm toward Alice, and she put her hand around his elbow as they went to church. They sat together in a pew. Just like a real family.
They sang in perfect harmony.
They listened intently, though Rudy had to confess his mind whirled with many things not pertaining to the message.
Alice had left something cooking in the oven and he joined them for the noon meal. He was glad of any excuse to keep her company. The weather was lovely. “Who wants to go for a walk and have a better look at the town?”
Everyone agreed, of course, and none were more eager for the activity than he.
It didn’t take much to persuade him to share supper with them.
And then it was over. He had to take his leave. He hugged the girls. “This is goodbye, I leave before dawn tomorrow.” He wiped their eyes.
He hugged Bo around the shoulders. “You’re a good man.”
Bo nodded and hurried to his room.
Rudy faced Alice. Would she kiss him again? Would he dare kiss her? Would she be offended if he did? Or would she understand that he wanted nothing more than to hold her safe in his heart for the rest of his life?
The little girls hovered close. He wouldn’t kiss their aunt in front of them. But he did take her hands and pull her close. “It’s been a real pleasure knowing you.”
She looked at the middle of his chest then slowly raised her face to look at him.
At the tears in her eyes, he almost forgot about the two girls watching and Big Al still at large. He hadn’t told her that the Mounties had confirmed the man that was shot was not Big Al. That was information she didn’t need. But it was all he required to enable him to take this very difficult step.
She looked deep into his eyes.
He saw regret and longing. Oh, if only he could stay.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tight.
He lowered his cheek to her hair, breathing in her scent, knowing he would never forget it. Then, afraid of the feelings welling up within, he put her aside and strode out the door.
“Go with God,” she called.
He didn’t hear the door close and guessed she watched him walk away. That knowledge kept him from turning around for a final look. It also kept him from running.
He set his steps resolutely to the future.
He hadn’t saidwhat time they were leaving, but Alice was up before dawn and stood at the corner of the yard where she could watch the patrols departing the fort. Or at least she could if there was any light.
Dawn was little more than a promise when she heard the bugle and watched mounted men ride from the fort.
The first group turned right, heading east.
