Wagon Train Melody

Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

R udy finished telling the Mountie what he’d seen and why he was on the run as the man before him made notes.

Realizing Rudy had finished, the Mountie leaned back. “The good news is a patrol from the south brought in a report yesterday. Seems there was a gunfight on this side of the border. Both parties were killed. The description of one sounds like your man. Big. Black hair. Worn gun belt.”

“Dead?” Big Al was dead? Rudy couldn’t make sense of the information. Finally, he let out a long breath. “Guess I figured he was too mean to die.”

The Mountie shoved the papers on his desk to one side. “Sure sounds like your man. Of course, there was no one to make a positive identification. Witnesses reported the big man rode into their camp and got mouthy. Someone called him out. And that’s how it ended.”

“I can’t believe it. I’ve been riding with my head turned to look over my shoulder for so long.”

“Well, I hope he’s the man. He doesn’t sound like a nice person.”

“He’s not. He wasn’t.” Rudy sat still, going over the information. No one could say if it was Big Al or not. And there were more than enough big men in the west with bad attitudes. “What if it wasn’t him?”

The Mountie pressed his palms to his desk. “We’ll certainly be watching for anyone who might be after killing you or anyone else for that matter. If he’s alive and shows up in our territory, he will be arrested and taken back to Fort Benton for trial. I guess if you’re still concerned, he’s on your trail you could stay at the fort where you’ll be relatively safe…”

Rudy considered the plan. He’d only be safe so long as he stayed within the fort. If he ventured out for any reason and Big Al was around, Rudy would be a living target. More than that, his presence would endanger Alice and the children. Big Al—if he was still alive--wouldn’t hesitate to use them to get to him. Any more than he would care if they got hit by one of his bullets.

Was it too much to hope that Big Al was dead?

But how could he be certain?

The Mountie continued. “Another option would be to head west, cross the mountains and disappear into the wilds. In fact, there is a patrol leaving on Monday. You could go with them as far as they’re going. From there you could venture further on your own. I doubt even Big Al would challenge a patrol.”

Rudy didn’t offer his opinion that Big Al wouldn’t ride into a bunch of Mounties, but that wouldn’t stop him from ambushing them. Just the same, the offer seemed his best alternative.

“I’ll plan to leave on Monday. Thanks.”

“The best of luck.” The Mountie escorted him to the door.

“Where did you say Mr. Easton’s house is?”

The Mountie laughed. “I didn’t but I guessed you’d be asking.” He gave directions and Rudy swung to King’s back and rode away.

He saw the wagon as he approached. Bo was unloading boxes to a cart so he could take them to the house. Rudy hurried to help, knowing how difficult it would be for the boy with his arm splinted the way it was. He’d suggest Alice take him to the fort’s physician and have the arm checked.

“See you’re getting moved in,” he said to Bo. “Are Alice and the girls happy with the place?”

Bo turned to study the house. “Guess the house is fine, but Clint is gone.”

“Gone? When will he be back?”

Bo shrugged. “That’s just it. It doesn’t look as if he’s coming back. Guess he’s gone looking for gold.”

Rudy felt the words like a physical blow. “So, what are you going to do?”

“What can we do?” Bo reached for another box.

Rudy grabbed it and placed it on the cart.

“Alice says we have to make the best of it. I’ll get a job.” Bo lifted his broken arm and grunted in disgust. “As soon as this is healed.” He lowered his arm and reached for another box. “Alice says she’ll take in laundry and sewing. She said we have to trust God to provide.”

How would they manage? He’d seen far too many widows and children starving and dying a slow death. How much money did he have? Could he arrange for credit at the store? Maybe the best thing he could do would be to follow in Clint’s footsteps. Go find a gold mine and send the money to Alice. That and a thousand other thoughts stampeded through Rudy’s head.

The cart was loaded, and he pushed it into the house.

He stood in a sparsely furnished sitting room. Apart from an easy chair and narrow settee, there was a bookcase with a few books. From where he stood, he saw into the kitchen where he saw a wooden table large enough for the family, chairs, cupboards, and a stove. Ahead of him, to the right, a hall with two doors led down the length of the house. He guessed that meant two bedrooms.

It was small but adequate.

Alice stepped from one of the bedrooms. Seeing him, she drew to a halt, blinked, and smiled. She might have hoped he’d think she was happy, even pleased, but he’d seen the strain around her mouth before she schooled it away.

He wanted to rush to her, take her in his arms and promise everything would be fine. Just fine.

But he couldn’t.

Clint was gone, leaving her to raise her family alone.

Rudy couldn’t help. Not until he was sure Big Al was dead. Maybe he couldn’t stay at Fort Macleod and help her that way, but he could help her in other ways. He’d send money to the store. That way she couldn’t let her pride get in the way and refuse it.

“Where do you want these?” he asked, indicating the crates on the cart.

“Those three go to the kitchen.” She indicated which ones she meant. “Those two to the first bedroom. The others can stay here.”

He hurried to take them where she wanted them. Done, he stood before her. “Alice, I’m sorry about your brother.”

“We’ll be all right.” The trembling in her voice suggested quite the opposite.

He reached for her, pulling her into his arms, against his chest. He half expected she would protest, but she came with a sigh.

The girls ran from the bedroom, saw him, and raced to press to his side.

He chuckled. This must be how a real home felt. A woman to hold. Children glad to see him. And a young man watching from the kitchen doorway. Half amused, half envious.

Alice moved from Rudy’s arms.

He jammed his fingers into his pockets to keep from pulling her back. Instead, he strode toward the kitchen. “Come on Bo, let’s see what there is for wood out back.”

It turned out there was a decent-sized woodpile. A little pasture and barn for the horses. He took wood in, then he and Bo brought the horses and wagon around to the back to take care of them. He turned King into the pasture with Sam and Sue.

King kicked up his heels and trotted around the enclosure.

Rudy and Bo returned to the house. He sniffed. “Smells good in here.”

Alice smiled. “It’s nice to cook over a real stove. Would you care to join us for the meal?”

“I’d love to.” She’d made a thick vegetable soup and biscuits to go with it.

As soon as they finished eating, she asked Bo to take the girls outside to play. She waited for the door to close behind them.

“Did you tell the Mountie about Big Al?”

He repeated everything. Including the possibility Big Al was dead.

“You don’t sound like that’s good news. Why?”

He shrugged. “Because I can’t be sure it’s him, so I don’t dare let down my guard.”

“At least you’re safe here, aren’t you?”

He considered how best to answer her. “I suppose as long as I’m with a Mountie I’m safer.” Again, he didn’t point out the possibility of ambush. He chuckled a little; as if amused by the idea. “My plans don’t include hanging around the fort.” He knew what he had to do. Leave so Big Al would have no reason to linger in the vicinity. And either find gold or a paying job so he could help Alice.

“What are your plans if you don’t mind me asking?”

“There’s a patrol headed west Monday morning. I will accompany them as far as they go and then from there, head for the goldfields. Maybe I’ll strike a vein.”

She trailed her finger around the rim of her empty plate. “Say hello to Clint if you see him.”

He told himself he didn’t hear hurt and disappointment in her voice. But it wasn’t as if he’d ever promised her he’d stay.

After all, hadn’t he made it clear he wasn’t the settling down sort of man?

Too bad, he hadn’t informed his own heart.

Alice kept a calm face as Rudy departed, saying he’d be staying nearby. “I’ll drop by tomorrow and help you get settled.” He waited for her response. “If you’d like.”

Oh, if only he knew how much she wanted him to help. And so much more. But settling wasn’t in his nature. She knew that. Had always known that.

“I’d like it very much.”

“Until tomorrow then.” He brushed his knuckles over her cheek, then went to his horse and rode away.

She closed the door and leaned her forehead against the wood. She could do this. Take care of the children on her own. Create a new life here. And yes, she would survive saying goodbye to Rudy. It wasn’t as if she had any other choice.

She maintained her calm composure as she got the bedrooms ready to use. Thankfully there were beds enough. The girls would sleep on one in the same bedroom as she slept. At some point, she would hang a curtain between the two beds so she wouldn’t disturb them. The second, smaller room had a narrow cot in it, and she made it up with quilts.

Bo joined her and arranged his belongings on a crate. “Clint’s gone. Rudy’s going.” His voice carried a wagon load of sorrow.

She gave him a sideways hug. “Thank goodness you’re here to help.”

He nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

She heard the defeat in his voice and turned him to face her. “Bo, you listen to me. You’re almost a man and already you’re doing a man’s work. Pa would be so proud. I know I am and I’m grateful too. I couldn’t ask for anything better than your help.”

He patted her shoulder in a fatherly way. “You can count on me.”

“I know I can.” She turned back to rearranging the bed covers so he wouldn’t see the tears in her eyes. A few minutes later, she wished him good night and went to the sitting room with her Bible. Late evening light enabled her to read.

God, You are my father. I need Your strength and wisdom to do what I need to do. Speak to my trembling heart and give me Your peace that I might move forward with confidence and joy.

Remembering how often Ma had quoted from Psalm eighteen, she turned to that passage. The chapter was fifty verses long, but she read it again and again, letting the words satisfy her soul.

She repeated the words of the second verse over and over, recognizing she would need the reassurance in the days to come.

“‘The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer: my God, my strength in whom I will trust.’ Yes, Lord.”

The light faded, but rather than light a lamp, she went to bed. With God’s help, she could face tomorrow. She could face Monday when Rudy left. She could face whatever the future held.

Rudy showed up early the next morning. It was Saturday, which meant she had two days before he left. Not that she was counting. What would be the point of that?

She’d told the others that he was leaving, and Sissy greeted him tearfully.

“I wish you would stay.” Her voice was teary.

Kitty was far more direct. She stood in front of him, her arms militantly crossed over her chest. “You can’t go. I don’t want you to.”

Rudy gave Alice a pleading look, but she shook her head. This was something he had to deal with.

He lifted both girls into his arms. “I wish I didn’t have to go either. But why don’t we do something fun today.”

“Yes.” Kitty smiled, ready to forgive him.

“Like what?” Sissy wanted more than words.

“Well, I think your aunt might be needing some supplies. Why don’t we all go to the store and help her?”

Alice rolled her eyes at the idea of the girls helping. Bo, who had been watching from the doorway, laughed. “Better take the cart if you plan to let the girls buy things.”

“They can look but not touch and not buy.” Alice had to make sure that was understood. She had very little money left. She estimated it was enough for three months. After that…

Well, she hoped long before that both she and Bo would be earning money.

A short time later, they trekked down the road to the store. Laughing, Bo had insisted on pushing the cart. “Just in case.”

Alice wished she didn’t think they might have need of it, but she was very low on everything and had only found a few basics in Clint’s house.

The store was well stocked with everything from guns to candy, from canned goods to dry goods. She wandered up and down the aisles, deciding what was absolutely essential, and began taking things to the counter where the friendly storeman was keeping tally.

“How much does it come to?” she asked when she had the barest necessities.

He named a sum. “You have lots of credit left.”

“What?” She stared at the man. “You must be mistaken.”

“Is your name Alice Easton?”

“Yes.”

“Then you have this amount of credit.” He showed her the balance.

She stared, gulped, and looked again. The numbers stayed the same. It was twice the amount she had. Clint must have gotten her letter and knew she was coming. At least he’d been good enough to make sure they’d have more than enough.

“And I was told there’d be more added in the future.”

She sat back on her heels and gave a little chuckle. “In that case, I’ll take raisins, dried apples, canned peaches…” She listed many things that would make life more pleasant for them all. “And the children can have a candy stick.”

It was a good thing Bo had brought the cart because it was loaded by the time they headed back to the house and all five of them sucked on candy sticks.

Back at the house, they all helped her put away the supplies. Then Kitty and Sissy faced Rudy.

“Now what we gonna do?” Kitty asked.

“Something fun, remember,” Sissy added.

Alice tried to divert them. “Girls, we went shopping. That’s enough.”

They backed away, but both wore a stubborn look, and she knew they weren’t satisfied.

“As it turns out…” Rudy grinned. “I have an idea. If your aunt agrees, we can go on a picnic.”

“Auntie, can we?” The girls pulled at her hands.

She looked at Rudy, wanting to ask if it was safe. There was a chance Big Al was dead. But no one was certain, and until they could know for sure, she hoped Rudy would be cautious.

“We could go to the river. The fort is only a short distance away.”

She knew from the way he spoke that he was informing her it was safe. “Very well. A picnic it is.” It didn’t take her long to put together a lunch, and they set out with baskets and a quilt.

This would be one of their last days together, and she meant to make the most of it.

She’d deal with the tears when he was gone.

There’d be plenty shed by the little girls and maybe just as many from her own eyes, though she’d do her crying in private.