Wagon Train Melody

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

R udy saw the trail of dust. At the same time, Alice gasped and gave him a look so full of concern and fear that he wondered what had alarmed her.

“He found you.” The words were hoarse.

It took him a second to realize what she meant. “No. It’s a bull train on the Whoop-Up Trail.”

The air went out of her so fast that her shoulders fell forward. “Oh, thank goodness.”

Was she that concerned for him? Of course not. What was he thinking? Her concern was for the safety of herself, her brother, and the little girls.

They drew closer and were able to see the lengthy teams of oxen trundling along in the cloud of dust pulling long lines of wagons.

The girls pressed to Alice’s back, fascinated with the scene.

As the distance narrowed, they could hear the snap of the whips and the calls of the drivers.

Rudy made out some of the words. They weren’t fit for the ears of ladies and little girls. Nor did he like hearing them. He reined in. “I think we should stay away from the trail.” He looked to Alice for her agreement.

She nodded. “I was told to head south here so we’ll be going the opposite direction.”

He turned to the side, and they traveled south, staying a distance from the uproar of the bull train.

The girls were quiet, fascinated at the fellow travelers. It seemed to take forever to see the end of the deafening bunch. And even longer for the sound to fade and the dust to settle.

Sissy let out a long sigh. “They were noisy.”

“They have to control a lot of animals. There are often twelve teams pulling several wagons.”

Kitty squinted at him as if doubting his word. “Why so many people movin’?”

Rudy looked to Alice for clarification.

“Honey, the wagons are for carrying goods to sell. They aren’t carrying people.” She smiled at Rudy over the child’s head.

“Oh.”

With nothing more to entertain them, the girls returned to playing with their dolls. Bo still slept. Rudy didn’t know if that was a good thing or not.

Alice looked at her brother as well. She brought her gaze to Rudy’s. She didn’t express her concerns, but she didn’t have to. Her expression informed him.

Wanting to offer some encouragement, he said, “Sleep is probably good for him.”

“If he’s only sleeping.”

He nodded. After all, there wasn’t much he could say to dispute it. “Tell me about Clint.” Maybe doing so would help her not to worry about Bo.

She sat back, a smile on her face. “Clint is the oldest. He’s twenty-five now. Six years older than me.” She paused to consider him. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-three by the calendar. Closer to forty by experience.”

She chuckled at his reply. “I never think of Clint as being a child. Seems he was always grown up. Always working. Pa owned a supply store and Clint worked with him. He never talked much, but I remember him sitting in the playhouse with us while we served him tea. He was probably only twelve or thirteen, but he seemed so grown up. I remember how big his boots looked and asked if his feet were that big.” She gave a little laugh. “I guess I was a bit like Kitty. Always saying what was on my mind.”

“She never leaves one wondering what’s going on in her head, that’s for sure.”

“Of course, I’ve learned to be a little more cautious with my questions and opinions.”

“Of course.” He quirked his eyebrows.

“Well, I am.” A moment of consideration. “Aren’t I?”

He patted her hand where it lay in her lap. “Yes, you are. But many times, your expression says it for you.”

She smoothed her face. “I’ll have to learn to stop that.”

He laughed. “I can still read your eyes.” They flashed with humor and—dare he allow himself to think—enjoyment?

She grinned. “Then I won’t look at you.” And she faced straight ahead.

“You were telling me about Clint.”

“He left when Evelyn married John. Figured with John helping in the store, he wasn’t needed and meant to go find himself a bit of adventure.”

“So, it’s been a long time since you’ve seen him.”

“He came back for our parents’ funerals, though they were buried before he arrived.” She chewed her bottom lip. “I thought he might stay, but he said his life was in the west. He never admitted it, but I think he had a gal back there and was anxious to return. I contacted him after Evelyn died. He didn’t come, but I didn’t expect him to. I know he has his own affairs to deal with. I wrote him again to tell him we planned to join him. There was nothing but sad memories left for me in Moosehead.”

“So, he’s expecting you?”

“I’m sure he’ll have my letter by now.”

Rudy could see a number of flaws in her plan. First, she hadn’t heard from her brother. Second, she didn’t know if he’d tied the knot. Would a wife welcome another young woman and two children? And Bo?

“Do you think he’s married?”

“I don’t think so. He would have written.”

“Auntie.” The note in Sissy’s voice had both Rudy and Alice hurriedly turn to see what the matter was.

Bo was awake and sitting up. And edging toward the back, looking as if he meant to jump out.

Rudy stopped the wagon and ran to the back, not even waiting for Alice or offering to help her. She managed on her own.

He stood in front of Bo, preventing him from jumping down. “Bo, did you need something?”

The boy jerked as if surprised to see Rudy. Or maybe anyone for that matter.

“Got things to do.” He got out of the wagon, took three steps, and stopped, looking around in confusion. “Where are they?”

“Who?” Rudy asked.

“The…the…you know…what you put…” He made a motion like lifting something and setting it on something higher.

Alice provided the words, her voice thin with concern. “A wagon. Where you load supplies.”

“Where are they?” Bo turned his head back and forth, seemingly frantic at not seeing wagons.

Suspecting he was confused as to where he was and what they were doing, Rudy spoke calmly. “They’re already loaded and gone. Don’t you remember?”

Bo stared at him, searching for understanding. Then his breath whooshed out. “I didn’t want Pa angry at me for not doing my job.”

“No, Pa isn’t angry. He said you did a fine job.” Rudy continued to speak calmly, assuredly.

“He did? That’s good.” Bo looked around again, saw the little girls staring at him. “You going somewhere?”

Alice pressed her hand to her mouth as tears flooded her eyes.

That left Rudy to answer. “We’re going to visit Clint. Why don’t you come with us?”

“Pa won’t mind?”

“Pa thinks it’s a great idea.”

Bo nodded and climbed back into the wagon. He sat on the floor and put an arm around each child. “So, we’re going to visit Uncle Clint? That should be fun.”

Kitty giggled. “You forgotted.”

Sissy looked more concerned than her younger sister. “How could you forget?”

Bo looked puzzled.

Afraid the boy wouldn’t be able to deal with his confusion, Rudy patted Bo’s shoulder. “We all forget at times. Now let’s go see Clint.”

Bo nodded and sat with his back to one of the crates. “I’m ready.”

Rudy walked around the wagon and saw Alice leaning against his horse, her shoulders heaving in silent cries. He touched her arm.

She sniffed and lifted her head. “That’s not Bo.”

“Yes, it is.” But he understood what she meant.

She rocked her head back and forth, tears streaming down her face.

Unable to see her pain and do nothing, he pulled her to his chest and held her, patting her back as he talked. “Alice, he’s awake and we can be grateful for that. It will take time for his mind to clear. That’s all.” He hoped he was speaking the truth.

Her hands fisted into the fabric of his shirt and her forehead pressed to a spot in the middle of his chest.

“Auntie, where are you?” Sissy’s voice carried from the other side of the canvas.

“We’re coming,” Rudy called. “Just checking the horse and making sure he’s all right.”

Alice leaned away, wiped her eyes, and gave a shuddering laugh. “Are you saying I’m a horse?” she whispered.

He laughed. More out of relief that her tears were over than at the idea of calling her a horse. He took her hand and led her back to the front of the wagon where he assisted her up. He watched her out of the corner of his eye as they resumed traveling.

She stared straight ahead, but he wondered if she saw anything. Twice she shuddered and after several minutes let out a long, weary sigh.

“I hope you’ll forgive me.” Her eyes were wary as she looked at him.

“Of course. But what am I forgiving you for?”

She looked down then lifted her head. Her cheeks had blossomed roses. “For being so bold as to cry on your chest.”

“Ma’am, glad to be of service.” He touched the brim of his hat.

The roses in her cheeks blossomed even more. “You’re very gracious.”

He hooted. “I’ve been called a lot of things but never gracious.” He pretended to give it some thought. “I think I like it.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to say he enjoyed holding her, but would she interpret it to mean he’d enjoyed seeing her cry? Which he had not. In fact—he rubbed at his breastbone—it had hurt to see her tears.

Alice studied the spot on Rudy’s chest where she had laid her head. What was wrong with her to be so bold? And yet she didn’t regret it. He’d given her something she missed sorely. Evelyn had always been her comfort and encouragement, and now she was gone. Not that she couldn’t manage on her own, but it was nice to have someone to hold her, especially after seeing Bo like that. He couldn’t remember where he was. Or what he was doing. Couldn’t even find ordinary words that he used every day. She twisted her fingers together. How would she manage? Thankfully they would soon be at the fort and have Clint’s help. Until then, she was so grateful for Rudy’s presence that her feelings almost overwhelmed her.

“I’m not usually given to tears.” Her voice quivered despite her best efforts.

“You’re dealing with a lot.”

She searched the horizon, looking for any telltale hints of a rider approaching. “So are you. I might say your situation is worse than mine.” She shuddered to think a man was seeking to take his life.

He shrugged. “Except for a few things. You have the girls and Bo to take care of. Plus, a team of horses and a wagon.” He slanted a look at her. “Bo might need some watching.”

She shuddered. “I hope and pray he’ll be back to normal soon.” She lifted her face toward heaven. “Please, God.”

Rudy squeezed her intertwined hands. “Amen to that.”

They topped a rise that allowed them a sweeping view of the countryside. Sage green with dots of color indicating wildflowers. And down the hill lay the trail. It branched into three just as she’d been told. “Oh good, it’s just as they said.”

“Auntie, Uncle Bo is trying to get out,” Sissy called.

Rudy called to Bo. “We’re going to see Clint. Remember?”

“Are we almost there?”

“Got a ways to go yet, so sit down and relax.”

Bo did as Rudy instructed, perhaps recognizing the tone of authority.

“Girls, let’s sing for Uncle Bo,” Alice suggested. Bo always enjoyed singing with them. She started ‘Jesus Loves Me.’

The girls sang, Rudy joined them, but she didn’t hear Bo.

“Bo, sing with us.”

He jolted and then focused on her. “Do I know this song?”

“Yes, you do.” She began again. The others joined and then Bo; who grinned widely as he sang.

They sang as Rudy guided the wagon down the hill, crossed the trails, and headed west.

Later, he left the ruts behind and pulled the wagon into a grove of trees. “Time to stop for the night.”

Bo was out of the wagon as soon as it stopped. “Where’s Clint? Does he live here?” He looked around wildly.

Rudy hurried down and went to Bo. “We won’t get to Clint’s tonight. Why don’t you help with the horses?”

“All right.” Together they went to the team, unhitched them and led them, along with King, to water. Alice built a fire and began supper preparations, all the while listening to Bo and Rudy while answering a thousand questions from the girls. Most of them concerned Bo.

“He not wake up right.” Kitty twisted her hands in concern. “How come?”

Alice didn’t have an answer.

Sissy took her little sister’s hand. “Remember when Mama told us Papa had died?”

Kitty nodded. “I ‘member. Then Mama died.” Big tears pooled in her eyes. “I miss Mama and Papa.”

Sissy hugged the younger girl and patted her back. “But remember what Mama told us. God is with us even when things go wrong.”

Out of the mouths of babes! Blinking back her own tears, Alice hugged both girls. “Your mama and papa would be very proud of you both and so am I.”

Bo and Rudy returned, leading the horses and tied them where they could graze.

Alice watched Bo. Did he seem normal? She looked at Rudy, guessing he would understand her silent question.

“Bo was a great help,” he said.

Bo nodded. “I did good, didn’t I?”

Alice was relieved to hear it although Bo sounded like a young boy when, until his accident, he’d been doing a man’s job. “Bo, you’ve always done well. Thank you.”

He grinned and followed Rudy to the fireside and sat beside him.

Seeing that Bo seemed settled, Alice heaved a sigh of relief and served a simple meal of fried pork and potatoes.

The meal ended. Knowing they’d been riding all day, she suggested they go for a walk. The girls eagerly ran ahead of them. Bo hesitated as if he couldn’t decide if he should stay with Rudy and Alice or join the girls. Then, with a whoop, he chased after the girls. They screamed with delight to have him playing with them.

“He’s better this evening, isn’t he?” She could see it for herself but wanted Rudy to verify it.

“Much better.”

“He struggles to find the right words though.”

“I think it will come.” He stopped and looked down at her. “But I have to be honest. I’m only guessing.”

“I know, but I need to hear you say he’s going to be all right.”

He chuckled and tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. “He’s going to be all right. You just wait and see.”

They laughed together and followed the children, exploring the trees and running around the pool of water. Reeds and weeds grew in it.

Rudy had informed her at supper that the water wasn’t fit for them to drink so they’d used the supply she carried.

Again, she told him the information she’d been given about the journey had proven correct.

She let the girls play until she saw Kitty getting fussy. Then they returned to the wagon. She tried to assess the situation. Could she and the girls sleep in the wagon tonight?

“Bo, do you want to sleep outside with me?” Rudy asked.

“Sure.” Bo got his bedroll from the wagon and waited for Rudy to spread his bedding then he put his nearby.

“I’ll keep an eye on things,” Rudy murmured.

“Thank you,” she mouthed, then settled the girls inside the wagon. She might have been tempted to return to the fire and visit with Rudy, but Bo was already in his sleeping roll, and she didn’t want to upset him. She lay beside the girls and tried to relax, but her mind buzzed with questions for which she had no answers.

Would Bo always remain like this?

How long until they reached the fort and Clint’s help?

And the one question she had not allowed herself to ask—would Clint welcome the responsibility of a family to help raise?