Wagon Train Melody

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

R udy outran Alice and reached the camp, first. Sissy sat at the end of the wagon, tears streaming down her face, her shoulders shaking with her sad sobs.

He didn’t wait for Alice but scooped the child into his arms and held her tight. “What’s wrong?”

“I thought you were gone. Like Mama and Papa.”

He stroked her hair and patted her back. “We’re right here.”

Alice panted to his side and reached for Sissy. She shook her head and clung to Rudy. “Auntie says you’re gonna leave. Why? Why can’t you stay?”

Her question clawed through his insides. How did he explain to this suffering little one that he’d never stayed in one place before? Had never wanted to. And was at a loss to know if this feeling of wishing he could this time was real or passing.

“I’ll stay with you until we reach the fort, then your Uncle Clint will be there to give you a home.”

“I don’t want Uncle Clint. I want you.”

“Why? You hardly know me.”

She leaned back and patted his cheek. “I know you. I prayed for you to come.”

He stared at the child. How could she have possibly prayed for him? He glanced to Alice for an explanation.

She looked every bit as stunned as he was. “Honey, how could you ask for him to come? You didn’t know him.”

“I asked God to send someone to help you and make you happy again.”

Rudy opened his mouth to protest. Then closed it without speaking.

Alice took the protesting child from Rudy. “It’s time for you to go back to sleep. I’ll join you.” She allowed Rudy to help her into the back. “Goodnight. Sleep well. And thank you.”

Her thanks sounded stilted. As if given out of obligation. He jerked away from the wagon but didn’t open his bedroll. What did he expect? They both understood this was a temporary arrangement. She had Clint. He had…well, he had plans which included staying out of Big Al’s path. He went to King’s side. He might have told the animal his confused thoughts, but King might not be the only one who heard them, so he remained silent as he looked to the star-studded sky.

God, help me not hurt these people. Help me escort them to Clint and safety.

As long as he was with them, they were less than safe. That truth clenched his insides.

He tossed his bedroll under the wagon beside Bo. At least he could offer them his protection until they reached the fort.

The next morning, he did his best to distance himself from the others. Especially the little girls. But Sissy would have none of it. She followed him like a shadow. He had to be careful not to turn too quickly and fall over her.

Twice, Alice scolded the child. Seeing the way her bottom lip quivered at her aunt’s words, Rudy said he didn’t mind. The truth was, he didn’t. It was nice to know she enjoyed his company. He would not let himself think that she might get a little too attached to him.

The sky was filled with fluffy clouds as they set out. Bo insisted on riding in the back. The girls returned to their place behind the seat.

For a distance, no one spoke.

Sissy didn’t join Kitty in play but pressed to Rudy’s back, her breath warm on his neck. He could tell that Alice wasn’t keen on the child’s attachment. He understood but wasn’t sure how to deal with it without unnecessarily hurting Sissy.

But soon she wearied of standing and sat down to play with Kitty.

Alice let out a sigh. Relief, he figured.

At noon, they stopped beside a slough to rest the horses and enjoy a cold meal.

Thankfully, Sissy and Kitty were amused by watching the birds among the reeds in the water. Red-winged blackbirds whistled. Ducks quacked. Yellow-headed blackbirds sat on thin, waving reeds.

Rudy had been sitting all afternoon and felt the urge to move. “Anyone want to walk with me?”

Bo and the girls immediately were at his side. Alice hesitated a moment then nodded. “I need to stretch my legs too.”

He was glad of her company but wondered if it was because she didn’t want him spending too much time with the girls. However, she needn’t have worried. Bo and the girls ran ahead.

“Alice, I feel like I’ve offended you. I’m sorry.”

She watched the children. “It’s not your fault. But the girls have had so much loss in their lives. If they grow too fond of you, it will mean another loss for them. I wish I could prevent it.”

“I don’t want to see them hurt any more than you do. I’d ride away right now?—”

She stopped, faced him. “That might be best.” She swallowed audibly. “However, please don’t. I know I can’t manage on my own with Bo nursing a broken arm.”

“Are you sure?”

Her expression went from caution to certainty so fast it left him breathless. “I’m sure.”

Did he catch a glimpse of something else in her eyes? Longing? Loneliness? The latter, no doubt. He would do his best to fill that need until they reached the fort and then it would be up to Clint.

“Look what we found,” Bo called. “Hurry.”

Rudy caught Alice’s hand as they ran to the children. Not until they reached them did he realize what he’d done and released his grasp.

A fawn lay in the tall grass and the children squatted beside it.

“A baby deer,” Kitty whispered. “Can we keep it?”

“He needs his mama.” Alice looked around. “I don’t see any animals.”

Rudy knew she wouldn’t. “She’s left the baby here. She knows exactly where it is. The best thing we can do is leave it alone, so it doesn’t run away and get lost.”

“Aww,” Kitty rose to her feet and stepped back. “Bye-bye baby deer.”

Sissy joined her sister. “You sure her mama will come back?”

“Pretty sure.”

“What if her mama died?” Sissy’s eyes were wide, sheened with tears.

Rudy knew she was thinking of her own mama. He would have hugged her to his chest but knew it wasn’t what Alice would want and looked to her for help.

She had turned away and dashed at her eyes.

He understood she was dealing with her own grief. Sissy needed comfort and her aunt wasn’t able to give it. He lifted the child and hugged her. “Why don’t we ask God to take care of the fawn and its mama?”

“Yes, please.”

He prayed for the animals.

Sissy was satisfied. He put her down. She took Kitty’s hand. “He’ll be fine now.”

“I knows. Cause Mr. Rudy prayed. I likes his prayers.”

Bo and the children headed back to the wagon.

Alice still had her face averted.

Rudy touched her shoulder.

She spun to face him. “Mama’s don’t always come back. Or stay.”

Her pain was so raw it shook him. “I know. I’m sorry.” Words were so inadequate. He couldn’t leave her dealing with her sorrow alone and hesitating in case she resisted, he pulled her into his arms. She came readily, her hands pressed to his chest. She shuddered several times then grew quiet.

He expected her to pull away immediately, but she remained in his arms, soft and still. He couldn’t believe how good and right it felt.

After a moment, she drew in a deep breath and straightened. “I’ve done it again. I’m sorry.”

“What have you done?”

“Cried on your shoulder.”

He grinned. “It was actually my chest, and I didn’t mind in the least.” He touched her cheek, half teasing, and all tender. His heart jolted when she tipped her head toward his touch.

Then, as if realizing what she’d done, she straightened. “I better get back.” She hurried away.

He followed more slowly. He and Bo got the horses ready and then they were on their way again.

They’d gone only a few yards when Bo called. “I’m gonna walk.”

Rudy drew the wagon to a halt as the boy jumped down.

“Us too,” the girls chorused.

Rudy looked to Alice. She shrugged. “Might do them good to run off some energy.”

Having gotten permission, the girls joined Bo. They alternately ran and walked, stopping often to examine something on the ground. They stayed close to the wagon, so Rudy wasn’t concerned for their safety.

Instead, he turned his attention to Alice. There were so many things he wanted to know about her. “Was there no one who would give you a home back—” He tried to remember the town she’d mentioned. “In Moosehead?”

“I doubt it.” She shuddered. “Evelyn and John’s deaths were so sudden. It was sad and jarring when my parents died, but they were both sick for several weeks, so it wasn’t totally unexpected. Not like when Evelyn and John died. One minute there. The next... dead in a wagon accident. The really ironic thing was that Evelyn had been sick a long time after Kitty was born and was finally beginning to feel better.” She paused as if lost in thought. “When she was feeling particularly poorly a long time ago, she made me promise to take care of the girls if anything should happen to her. She was feeling rather morbid that day and suggested if something happened to John too, I should go join Clint. Give the girls a family such as we knew growing up.”

“I see. That explains why you’re crossing the prairie on your own.”

She chuckled. “If by alone you mean in the company of a younger brother and two nieces.”

He studied her for a moment. She held his gaze, perhaps taking an assessment of him as much as he was of her. “Surely you have beaus. Seems to me it would have been a good time for one of them to step up, marry you and help you raise the girls, accompany you to the fort if that’s what you wanted.” The words stung him even as he spoke them. Alice would, no doubt, have had beaus. It wouldn’t surprise him, nor should it bother him like it did.

She shrugged. “I’ve had boys show an interest in me, but I wanted to be as happy as Evelyn and John or Ma and Pa and none of them made me feel like I could have that with them. And then there was Jimmy. I really liked him. Maybe even thought I was in love. I was seventeen, the same age as Evelyn when she got married. But Evelyn was doing poorly and needed my help. Jimmy wanted someone who cared only about him. Can you imagine anything so selfish? I stopped seeing him.” She sighed. “I know he wouldn’t have stuck with me after Evelyn and John died.”

“He sounds like a callow young man.”

“He was a boy.” Her tone carried so much disdain that he laughed.

Could it be she saw him as a man? He pushed aside the question.

She ran her gaze over his features. He resisted removing his hat and letting her take full measure of him. After all, this was to be a temporary time together.

“You must have courted girls.”

“Nope.”

He laughed at her look of disbelief. “Oh, I might have escorted a gal or two to a social event, but I wasn’t in any place long enough to get serious.”

“What about that town you spent the winter in when you went to church on Sunday? Weren’t there young women in the congregation? Or the town?”

“I guess there were.”

“Uh-huh. Tell me more.” She jabbed her elbow into his ribs.

He laughed. “Or what? You’ll torture me?”

She jabbed him again. “I might at that.” The way she smiled at him, her eyes brimming with humor, he guessed the torture had begun, and he didn’t mind.

“There was a gal or two I kind of liked. One of them was never out of her mother’s sight and her mother did not approve of me. So that was the end of that. The other—” He sighed dramatically.

“Yes. Do go on.”

“She was the prettiest thing I ever saw. Brown ringlets hung down her back tempting me to tug them. She had the biggest, brownest eyes—almost like yours.”

She lowered her head but not before he saw the color rise in her cheeks.

“This gal always greeted me with a big smile. I often went to her home for a meal, and she was very entertaining. She cried mightily when I informed her I was leaving.”

“You didn’t consider staying there?”

“I didn’t think I wanted to wait for her to grow up. She was only six.”

Alice blinked. Blinked again. Then hooted with laughter. “You are a tease.”

“Glad you enjoy it.”

She sobered though her eyes sparkled. “Who says—” She waved her hand. “Forget it. I admit you had me.”

He sat back, rather pleased with himself as they rode onward.

Several times, she glanced at him and chuckled.

His pleasure grew each time.

Had he ever before enjoyed another person’s company this much?

He didn’t think so.

All too soon the journey would be over.

And he’d forgotten to be watching for Big Al. He glanced behind them. In the distance, he made out a rider. Maybe two.

“Call the children. They should ride.”

She looked back too and, seeing someone behind them, turned to call to the others.

He stopped the wagon, helped the children into the back, and checked on King to make sure the horse was ready should Rudy need to make a sudden escape.

Except he knew he wouldn’t ride away and leave Alice and her family vulnerable to attack.

Alice wanted Rudy to whip the horses into a gallop. She knew it would serve no purpose except to wear out the horses. There was no hope they could outrun riders. “You should forget about us and ride away.” The words croaked from her throat. She didn’t want him to leave. How foolish could she be?

“I can’t guarantee they won’t follow you rather than me.” He looked back. “I can’t be sure but neither of them looks like Big Al.”

She studied the approaching pair. They were closing the distance quickly. Too quickly for her peace of mind. She checked for her rifle. Still at her feet. Rudy’s was close by as well.

“Big Al isn’t there, but they aren’t a nice-looking pair. Don’t make any threatening moves,” he murmured.

“Bo, girls, sit right behind us and be quiet,” she murmured. They moved closer. Sissy’s eyes were wide. Kitty’s bottom lip trembled, and she held Sissy’s hand tightly. The pair pressed to Rudy’s back. Bo put an arm around the girls.

The riders caught up to them and rode to Rudy’s side.

“Howdy,” one called.

Alice took stock of them without looking directly in their direction. They were covered with a layer of dust. Trail dust wasn’t unusual for anyone traveling, but this was more than normal. Like they’d forgotten the existence of water. The odor that drifted her way reinforced that idea. Shaggy hair. Battered cowboy hats.

“How do you do?” Rudy kept his tone cautious...less than welcoming. Not that they seemed to notice.

“We do fine. Haven’t seen fellow travelers in a time or two. See you got yer family with ya.”

At the tone of the speaker’s voice, Alice edged closer to Rudy.

He put an arm around her and held her close.

The darker one of the pair fell back a pace. “Nice horse ya got.”

“Thanks.”

She wondered how Rudy could remain so cool and calm. Her insides felt like she’d swallowed a tornado.

“Good lookin’ wife too.”

“I’ll thank you to keep such comments to yourself,” Rudy ordered.

“No ’fense meant.”

Alice’s skin crawled at the man’s tone.

One man swept off his hat. “My name’s Otto. And this here is Manny. Pleased to meet ya.”

Rudy didn’t give any names. “Where are the two of you headed?”

“No place in particular.” Otto seemed to be the spokesman for the pair. “You ain’t ’xactly welcomin’.”

“We prefer our own company.” Rudy’s tone was hard. A warning for the pair to leave them alone.

Otto snorted and Manny giggled, sending tremors up and down Alice’s arms.

Rudy tightened his hold on her, providing the strength she badly needed.

The pair dropped back. They lingered at the side of the wagon where King was tied, then dropped back further, peering into the wagon. The girls whimpered and pressed hard to the back of the seat.

The one called Manny giggled again. A creepy sound that shuddered through Alice. She wanted to reach back and hug the girls but was afraid anything she did would invite comments or action from the visitors.

Then the two reined away and galloped over the hill.

She released her pent-up breath.

“Are they gone?” Sissy asked.

“I wish I could think so.”

Alice had been about to relax but Rudy’s words warned her it was too soon.

He continued. “We’ll keep moving on as if we aren’t concerned, but I’ll be watching.” He removed his arm from around her, leaving her alone and shivering with nerves.

She reached back and hugged the girls. They clung to her. She caught Bo’s hand. “Thank you for sheltering the girls.” She shivered. “I don’t like those men.”

“Nor should you,” Rudy’s voice was hard.

They settled into an uneasy silence as they continued on their way. Alice kept silent even though she twice thought she glimpsed riders in the distance.

She glanced at Rudy, knew from the set of his jaw that he saw them too.

Why were they hanging around?