Wagon Train Melody

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

“ W hoa. Whoa.” Rudy called to the runaway horses. He’d seen the snake at the same time as Sam but didn’t have time to do anything before the frightened horse bolted. He had only a few seconds before the horses were totally out of control. He pulled the reins to his chest and leaned back calling, “Whoa,” again. Then he released. He did that several times, all the while keeping his eyes ahead, hoping to avoid anything that would cause a crash, though he could not avoid the rough ground.

They hit a bump, and the wagon bounced.

“Lord, keep them safe,” he yelled in between calls of whoa.

Ahead, he saw a faint line. And he knew what it was. Some kind of ravine or gully. It was impossible to tell how deep or wide it was. Not that it mattered. If the horses ran into it, the wagon would be smashed and likely the horses would have to be put down.

He shuddered, not wanting to think what would happen to the passengers.

He yelled calmly, knowing his voice would do as much to stop the horses as the reins. At the same time, he steered them to the right. If they turned now, they would possibly miss the drop-off.

The horses veered slightly. Not enough. Lord, help us.

The wagon slowed and then stopped.

Rudy’s heart pounded so hard he was sure everyone heard it. Or perhaps they had their own internal drum that blocked out the sound. He sat back, his insides quivering. That was too close for his peace of mind.

He turned to Alice. “Are you all right?” Her face was pale, her eyes wide.

She swallowed audibly, nodded, and then turned to check on the girls.

Kitty cried and Alice lifted her over the back and held her.

Sissy climbed over on her own and crowded to Alice’s lap.

Rudy jumped down and went to calm the horses. Telling them what good animals they were to obey him. At the same time, he glanced back to check on Bo. The boy raced toward them.

“That was downright scary.” Bo was out of breath.

“Take the girls,” Alice said. Bo held out his good arm to help them down.

She breathed deeply.

Rudy did as well. He spent a few more minutes making sure the horses weren’t going to bolt again then asked Bo to hold them while he went to the ravine. It was narrow. Probably no more than ten feet across and only about five feet deep. And about six feet from where the horses stood. Sweat broke out on his brow as he realized how close they had come to utter disaster.

Alice left the girls with Bo and joined him. She gasped at the gully before her. “I didn’t even see it. But you did.”

He nodded. “God had His hand on us for sure.”

“Amen.” She knelt and reached for his hand. Together, they perched on their knees, and he prayed.

“Father God, thank You for saving us.” He swallowed a huge lump. “You are our protection.” He sat back on his heels. “Alice, I remember a verse that the preacher in Skunk Hollow repeated almost every Sunday when he prayed. ‘The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.’ He has done that for us today.”

“Amen.” She sat back beside him. “My heart overflows with gratitude.”

He got to his feet and helped her up. “Do you feel up to moving on?”

“Indeed. We are in God’s hands. What should we fear?” She grinned widely and swung their joined hands. She practically bounced as they returned to the horse and wagon and the others.

He understood her euphoria. It was the result of having been so frightened and then being saved. The children watched them, eyes big. He opened his arms to the little girls, and they rushed into them.

“We was scared,” Kitty whimpered. “We almost died.”

“Mr. Rudy saved us.” Sissy pressed her face to his neck.

“God saved us,” he corrected. “He will never leave us or forsake us.” Another Bible verse that he hadn’t thought of in some time.

The little girls clung to him. He sat on the ground to hold them, reveling in their trust. He glanced up at Alice. She shifted her gaze to Bo. Fine. He understood her caution around him. A man followed him seeking his death. As such, he posed a threat to their safety. Even more concerning, he was a man with no roots. Someone who had never had a home and didn’t know if he wanted one. The children would be hurt when he went out of their lives.

Would Alice be disappointed?

What if he didn’t go?

But he’d never stay. At least not for long. Certainly not forever. Wasn’t sure he even knew how.

He hugged the girls again and put them aside. He checked on King who seemed no worse for the run. Might have done him good. “Time to move on. I’ll walk by the horses to make sure they’re settled.” He took over from Bo, clapping the boy on the back.

“We’ll walk too.” Alice and the others walked beside the wagon.

He slowed the horses. Alice either had to walk at his side or shift away. Thankfully, she chose to keep pace with him. Bo and the girls ran ahead then stopped and ran back. “Full of energy,” he observed.

Alice nodded. “I’ve always felt it unfair that children have energy to spare while adults don’t. But in this case, they’ve been cooped up way too long.” She shaded her eyes and looked ahead. “The journey seems endless.”

“Ah, but it isn’t without excitement.”

She brought her gaze back to him and laughed. “A little too much at times. I could use a bit of boredom about now.”

The girls ran back to them, giggling as Bo chased them.

They came to a low rocky ridge. It took Rudy’s attention to navigate through the maze. Bo climbed one of the rocks and stood tall, looking like the ruler of his own domain.

“I can see for miles.” He turned full circle.

Rudy heard a sound that turned his nerves to ice. “Bo, don’t move.” They were in rattlesnake country and that was the unmistakable warning rattle of one of those snakes.

Alice heard the note in Rudy’s voice that informed her something was wrong. The girls must have too, for no one moved. Except for Rudy and he moved so fast she hardly believed it.

He grabbed a shovel from the side of the wagon and raced around the rock Bo stood on and whacked at the ground. Only she guessed it wasn’t just the ground. Or a rock. He delivered several clattering blows then stepped back. “It’s all right now, Bo. You can get down.”

Bo swallowed loudly then jumped down. He went to Rudy’s side and patted his back. “You saved my life.”

Alice pulled the girls tight to her side. “What’s going on?”

“It was a rattler.” Bo’s voice was thin. He bounced on his feet. She knew it was nervous energy. “Rudy killed it.” He patted Rudy’s arm again. “You saved my life again. How many times is that?”

Alice understood what her brother meant. It seemed Rudy had his hands full keeping them alive. “Come on, girls. I think you better ride in the wagon.” She lifted them over the end gate. “You too, Bo.”

He ran over and jumped in. “Rudy, you gonna get me the rattle?”

Rudy disappeared around the rock and a moment later emerged holding the rattle high. He took it to Bo. “Best we all avoid rocks. The snakes like to sun themselves on them.”

“I don’t likes snakes.” Kitty crossed her arms, informing everyone her mind was made up.

Sissy nodded. “Me too.”

Bo shook the rattle.

Alice shuddered. “I think I’ll ride.” Rudy helped her up. He looked ready to return to the horses. It looked as if he meant to lead them. She didn’t care for the idea of him being vulnerable to snake bite. “You too, please. I don’t want you bitten.”

He looked at her, something flashing through his eyes. Was he really that surprised or pleased that someone worried he might encounter a snake?

He held her gaze a moment. Something silent, but sweet and powerful, seemed to fill the air.

And now wasn’t she getting fanciful? But who could blame her? This trip was far more adventure than she’d bargained for.

He chuckled softly, climbed up beside her, and flicked the reins.

“You needn’t sound so pleased with yourself.” She tried to sound haughty but feared she simply sounded needy.

“It’s nice to know someone cares.”

They rolled down the slope to a grassy area where there were far fewer rocks before she could think how to answer.

“Of course, I care. I mean, we care. We’d probably all be dead if not for you.”

“You’re welcome.” He grinned at her, his eyes flashing amusement and something more. Something she couldn’t identify. Nor did she dare hope it was anything more than kindness and concern.

“Besides, I doubt we’re the first people to care.”

His smile faded. His lips pursed. “Maybe. Maybe not. Don’t rightly recall. Guess my ma cared in her way. Uncle Zeke… Well, I think I was mostly someone who slowed his travels.”

“I’m afraid we are doing the same for you.”

“I’m doing what I want. No one is holding a gun to my head.”

“Not yet.” She regretted the words as soon as they were out and looked back. Thankfully there was no sign of a pursuer.

They stopped for the noon break where a spring of water bubbled up from the ground and they drank heartily of the fresh cool water.

“Can we refill the water barrel?” Alice asked. It would be nice to have fresh, sweet water in it.

“Of course.” They drained the barrel and she, Rudy, and Bo refilled it then sat down to enjoy pancakes spread with the jam she’d brought from home.

“You’re a good cook.” Rudy downed a dozen rolled-up pancakes. “I suppose you made the jam too.”

“Sure did. But then what woman doesn’t know how to cook and provide for her family? Especially when I feel as if I’ve been training to do it most of my life.”

“You’d be surprised how little some know.”

Why had he suddenly shifted his gaze away and seemed to lose interest?

As if she had to guess. The minute she mentioned settling down and caring for a family, he grew distant. How much more obvious could their differences be? She had a family that needed her. And she didn’t mind in the least. Like she’d said, she’d prepared for this since she was young, though she didn’t know this was the shape her family would take.

She quickly gathered up the few dishes they’d used, washed them in the spring, and prepared to leave as Bo and Rudy prepared the horses.

“Bo, do you want to sit up front for a change?” she asked.

“Can I? But what about you?”

“I think I’ll rest with the girls.” She saw the curious look Rudy gave her but turned away. It was Bo who sprang forward to help her into the back where she sat with the girls on either side of her.

Kitty soon fell asleep, and Sissy looked at a picture book.

Alice wished she’d thought to pull out a book to read. Her Bible even.

Instead, her thoughts circled on endless rabbit trails. She’d grown to depend too much on Rudy. Not only for his help but for his company which she enjoyed more than she had a right to. He’d soon enough leave them. How would they survive without him? Wait. Had she forgotten about Clint? He’d been in the West a long time. He’d be aware of the dangers and how to deal with them.

It was what she wanted after all. A stable family home in which to raise the girls and where Bo could make the final steps toward manhood.

It was adventure enough for her. In fact, this whole trip was enough adventure to last her a lifetime. Because that wasn’t what she craved. It was home and love. Like her parents had lived.