Wagon Train Melody

Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

R udy was aware that he’d disappointed Alice. Guessed she’d expected more response when she confessed she’d wanted nothing all her life but to be a mother and housewife. Maybe she thought he’d like to assist her in that dream, but she must understand that he had no experience of what that meant. He doubted he would ever be content to settle down in one place. All his life he had wandered. It was the only way he knew.

Bo perched next to him, eager to talk about everything and anything, and Rudy turned his attention to the boy who had a keen mind and noticed every detail.

Did Rudy know what the different types of clouds meant?

He had some idea simply from observation and he told Bo what he knew.

Had Rudy ever been attacked by a bear?

Thankfully, no.

“You ever eat bear meat?”

“I have. It’s very good.”

“I’d like to try it someday.”

Rudy grinned at Bo. “Maybe you can get your brother to take you hunting.”

“Wouldn’t that be fun?”

The afternoon passed quickly in that fashion. Several times Rudy glanced back, supposedly keeping a sharp eye out for Big Al, but he also studied Alice. Kitty woke up and she and Sissy looked at a picture book together. Alice seemed lost in thought. Twice she noticed him looking at her and shifted her attention to the girls.

With a weary sigh, he turned back to guiding the horses and began looking for a place to spend the night.

A little later, they camped in a grove of trees that protected them from the never-ending wind. Alice kept busy preparing food while Rudy and Bo took care of the horses.

Bo patted King. “Sure is a pretty horse. Where’d you get him?”

“Bought him off a rancher in the Dakotas. Had to work most of the winter for him, doing chores and cleaning out the barn. But he’s worth every shovelful of manure I moved.”

Bo laughed. “My pa always said you only appreciate something if you have to work for it. The harder you work, the more you appreciate.”

“Your pa was a wise man.”

“Yup. He was. When he knew he wasn’t going to recover he told me I had to be a man now. Take care of Alice and all.” He kept one hand on King as he sought Rudy’s gaze. “Don’t think I did as well as I should have. Seems Alice did most of the work taking care of both of us. Course she had Evelyn and John’s help to start with.” Bo ducked his head, overcome with emotion.

Rudy knew by the way Alice cocked her head that she heard the conversation. “Alice is a strong woman, but I think she appreciates all the things you do to help.”

“Wish I could do more.” He held up his broken arm. “When this is healed, I aim to take care of her and the girls better’n I have.” He tethered King by the other horses then straightened to consider Rudy again. “Course once we reach the fort, Clint will take over. And you’re here now so….” He didn’t finish, but Rudy sensed the boy felt as if he wasn’t needed.

Rudy went to Bo and clapped him on the back. “No one will ever be able to do the things you do. That’s just the way life is. Each of us brings our own special abilities and skills.”

Bo’s expression was serious. “I don’t have special anything.”

“I beg to differ. You help despite your broken arm. You entertain the little girls which makes them happy. You’re cheerful. Do you have any idea how much that means to everyone?” He didn’t wait for Bo to answer. “Once on a cattle drive, I had to put up with a man who complained about everything. Constantly. The food wasn’t good. The weather was too hot or too cold. People didn’t act the way he thought they should. It went on and on. It was tiring and left those around him discouraged. You’re just the opposite of that. You leave the rest of us feeling better. Thank you.” He clapped his hand on Bo’s back one more time; then seeing the boy struggle with his emotions, left to find more firewood.

The little girls joined him as he sat by the fire, and he hugged them both. He’d been sincere in his praise of Bo. But the truth was, the entire family made him glad to be alive.

“I heard what you told Bo.” Alice spoke softly, perhaps not wanting Bo to hear. “Thank you.” She didn’t give him a chance to respond. “Supper is ready.”

Bo joined them. They held hands as they prayed. A nice little custom. It was Bo’s turn to ask the blessing. He cleared his throat and began, “Dear God in heaven. Thank You for taking care of us. Especially thank You for sending Rudy to help us. We’re so grateful for that. Thank You for the food and for family. Amen.”

Rudy smiled around at the others as the food was passed.

It was nice to be needed. Valued.

They were all tired from the adventures of the day and from their disturbed sleep the night before and everyone went to bed early. Though Bo thoroughly beat the ground where he was to sleep, making sure no snakes lingered nearby.

Rudy had been a little more subtle but had also made sure the area was free of snakes.

He lay in his bedroll and listened to the night sounds. Bo snored softly. Alice murmured to one of the girls to help them settle. The wind tickled the leaves overhead. In the distance, coyotes serenaded each other. Sounds that were comforting. He was a light sleeper. If a note of discord entered, he would waken.

A shrill sound startled him awake. He lay still, not giving away his state of awareness until he pinpointed the source of the sound.

It came from the wagon. One of the girls was crying.

Alice made hushing sounds.

The crying continued. Sharp. Piercing.

Rudy sat up, wondering if he should offer help.

The sound tore at his heart. Whoever it was seemed to be in agony.

He couldn’t take it, pulled his boots on, and went to the wagon. “Alice, what’s wrong?”

“It’s Kitty. She’s got an earache.”

“Hang on little one. I’ll fix you a warm cloth that will ease the pain.” He hurried back to where they’d had the fire, threw on some kindling and stirred the embers. As soon as flames caught, he put water to heat. He got a towel from where Alice had hung them to dry and as soon as the water was warm enough, he dampened the cloth and took it to the wagon.

“Put this on your sore ear.”

Kitty leaned toward him. “Hold me.”

He took the child, carried her to the fire and sat down.

Alice joined him. Kitty reached out for her hand forcing Alice to sit pressed to his side.

Kitty whimpered but was less distressed as the heat eased her pain. He handed the cloth to Alice as it cooled, and she warmed it again.

The little girl relaxed against his chest but if he moved her, she fussed. They might be there the rest of the night.

Somehow, Rudy didn’t care.

“You can go back to bed,” he whispered to Alice, but when she tried to free her hand from Kitty’s grip, the child wailed.

“I guess it’s too soon,” Alice murmured.

Rudy didn’t mind that it looked like she’d have to spend the rest of the night there too. He reached for his bedding and pulled a blanket around them. Warm and content with Alice at his side and Kitty pressed to his chest, his head dipped.

Bo mumbled in his sleep then cried out.

“Bo.” Alice’s whisper was hoarse as she tried to wake Bo without disturbing Sissy. “Wake up. You’re dreaming.”

Bo grunted and quieted then he scurried out from under the wagon. “I dreamed I was surrounded by a hundred snakes all trying to bite me.” His voice was thin with the memory. “What are you all doing here?”

“Not so loud,” Alice cautioned. “Kitty has an earache. She wakes if either of us tries to move.”

“Oh. That’s sad. Poor little girl.” He pulled a quilt from where he’d slept, wrapped it around himself, and curled up on the ground next to Rudy. He was soon breathing deeply.

Alice chuckled softly. “Looks like he feels safer knowing you’re close by.”

Rudy didn’t answer because he didn’t know if she would object if he confessed it was nice to know he mattered to the boy.

Kitty moaned and Alice fixed another warm cloth for her ear. The child settled and then all was quiet except for the sweet sounds of breathing from three people pressed against Rudy.

The insides of Rudy’s eyelids turned pink. He opened them to see light poking over the eastern horizon. He lay on his side, Kitty cradled in his arms. Bo pressed to his back. Alice lay with her head against his shoulder.

He caught his breath. Was there a chance he could slip from this cozy place without disturbing the others? He shifted his arm. Kitty whined and he stopped.

A sound came from the wagon. The surprised voice of little Sissy. “Where is everyone?” She climbed from the back and walked over to where they lay. She jammed her hands on her hips.

“How come you’re all out here and I’m not?”

Alice stirred at the sound of Sissy’s question. Her eyelids flickered and then opened wide. She stared at Rudy, his face not more than six inches from hers. A sweet smile curved her lips and then shock filled her eyes. He waited—hardly daring to breathe—for her reaction.

Alice stared at Rudy. What was she doing here? Had she really spent the night next to him? Kitty opened her eyes and squirmed. Then wailed.

Oh, that’s right. Kitty had an earache.

Alice jumped to her feet and hurried to the remnants of the fire. She stirred the embers and blew on them until flames licked upward then waited for the water to heat. All the while being careful not to look at Rudy as he rocked Kitty and made hushing sounds.

Sissy went to her younger sister and patted her back. “What’s wrong?”

“I gots earache.”

“I kiss it better.” Sissy leaned over and kissed Kitty’s ear.

Kitty sobbed. “It not better.”

“Here. Try this.” Alice handed the warm cloth to Rudy then jerked away without meeting his eyes. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment at what she’d done.

Bo rose and stretched. He examined the ground and stomped on it. “No more snakes. That’s good.”

For some reason, his concern struck Alice as funny, and she laughed. “Bo, your thumping will scare away every snake in a large circle.”

“Good. That’s what I mean to do.” He hurried into the bushes to relieve himself.

Alice did the same as soon as he returned. She might tease Bo a little about snakes, but she had a good look around before she attended to her business. Then she hurried back to make breakfast. Rudy continued to hold Kitty and comfort her.

The man could not take care of the horses while he did so.

Alice finished preparing breakfast then reached for Kitty. The child resisted her, but Alice pried her from Rudy’s arms. “Mr. Rudy has things he must do.”

Kitty wailed as Rudy went to the bushes and returned with the horses. Bo helped him harness them.

They sat down for breakfast.

“I’ll take her now.” Rudy held out his hand.

Kitty scurried from Alice’s arms to Rudy’s and Sissy pressed close to them. Alice suspected it was as much for her own comfort as for Kitty’s.

Somehow Rudy managed to eat around the two little girls.

Alice shook her head. The girls were learning to depend on him far more than they should. More than she should allow. There would be a price to pay down the road. But she was willing to leave it for the future.

They were soon ready to depart.

“Girls, we’ll sit in the back.” But Kitty would have none of it.

“I stay with him.” She stuck her bottom lip out and tears flooded her eyes.

“He can’t hold you and drive.” Alice wouldn’t hear of it. What if there was another runaway?

Kitty’s lip quivered.

“Will you be happy if your aunt holds you and I sit real close?” Rudy asked.

Kitty nodded.

“Sounds good to me.” Rudy grinned at Kitty then at Alice.

“What about me?” Sissy scowled at them, obviously feeling left out.

Alice sought for a way to make Sissy feel better, but it was Rudy who answered her.

“You can sit on the other side of me if you want and if you promise to hang on tight.”

“Yup.” She scampered up and perched on the seat.

Alice didn’t know how safe it was.

“I’ll make sure she doesn’t fall off,” Rudy promised.

Bo climbed in the back, and they were on their way. Four of them on the bench. Kitty insisted on sitting close enough to Rudy that she could put her hand on his arm. Sissy crowded close on his other side.

Alice stared straight ahead. She wasn’t any better than the little girls. She wanted to stay close to him, finding his presence reassuring. How could she be so needy especially knowing that a man was after him to kill him? He was the last man she should feel safe with.

She glanced back, searched the horizon, praying she wouldn’t see any telltale dust. Or worse, an approaching horse and rider.

She gasped as she saw something leave the trees where they had recently camped.