Wagon Train Melody

Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

T hey were a full day’s ride from the fort and still, Rudy couldn’t keep from glancing over his shoulder. Only this time he wasn’t looking for Big Al. He was pulling his heart away from Alice and the children.

They stopped early that day because of the ideal camping spot familiar to the Mounties.

Rudy helped with camp chores. The men were cheerful and kind, but all Rudy could think was how lonely it was without Alice and the family he’d grown to love.

The others gathered around the campfire that evening. Someone pulled out a mouth organ and played mournful songs. In the distance, a coyote howled.

Both sounds filled the corners of his heart with profound sadness that choked him. He was relieved when the others moved toward their bedrolls. He lay on his and looked up at the stars.

God, keep them safe.

It was a prayer that he knew he would repeat over and over in the coming days…weeks… he couldn’t think any further.

They were up early the next morning and on their way. He was determined not to constantly look over his shoulder and, instead, focused on what the man next to him was saying.

Mid-morning, he heard a crack and then a burning in his shoulder. He glanced down. Had he been shot?

The Mounties instantly dismounted and sprang into action. Someone pulled him from his horse. Or did he fall? More shots rang out. Maybe he should have been paying more attention to the trail behind.

Alice had been aware of men riding into the fort at a gallop but paid it no mind. Rudy was gone, so she didn’t care who came and went.

“Alice! Alice!” Bo yelled and ran toward her. He’d been out looking for a job, though the fort doctor said it would be three or four weeks before his arm healed, but she guessed from his excitement that he’d found something he would get paid to do.

“What did you find, Bo?” she asked.

He bent over to catch his breath then the words burst from him. “Rudy’s been shot.”

“What? How do you know that?”

“They brought him in a short time ago. I tried to find out what happened, but they shooed me away. You better go. I’ll stay with the girls.”

She was already running toward the fort. She rushed through the open gates and headed straight for the infirmary. At least she knew where it was after taking Bo there.

A Mountie stood in front of the door and stopped her. “You can’t go in there, miss.”

She tried to stare him down, but he was impervious to her look. “But I need to know how he is. How seriously is he hurt?”

The sergeant who had welcomed them a few days ago stepped from his office. “Corporal, go ask how he’s doing.” The Mountie stepped inside to do as bidden, and the sergeant crossed to stand beside Alice.

“What happened?” It was all she could do not to wring his hand.

“They were ambushed by the man who had been tracking him.”

“Big Al? But I thought he was dead.”

“That man was identified as someone different. Didn’t Rudy tell you?”

She shook her head. Of course, he wouldn’t. He’d simply ride away so as to not put her and the children in harm’s way. Was it any wonder that she loved him so much?

The corporal stepped outside and closed the door. He looked to his superior for instructions.

“Tell her the news.”

“Very well. The doctor says he’s been shot in the shoulder. Just above his heart. Doc’s taking out the bullet now. He says the next twenty-four hours are crucial.”

“Crucial. You mean he could die?” Her voice trailed off and she swayed.

“You better sit.” The sergeant eased her to the wooden step, rocking back and forth as he watched her.

“But he can’t die,” she whispered. “I haven’t had a chance to tell him I love him.”

The man beside her chuckled. “By all means. We must make sure he knows. I’ll speak to the doctor and let him know you are to be allowed in as soon as possible.”

“Thank you.” She wouldn’t think that she might not get the chance to tell him. God, please keep him safe.

She didn’t know how long she sat there, praying and waiting. She heard footsteps come and go but didn’t lift her head until someone tapped her on the shoulder.

“Miss Easton.”

She jumped up at the doctor’s voice, her hands to her throat. Had he brought bad news?

“You can go sit with him now. But I warn you, he won’t know you’re there.”

“He’s going to survive, isn’t he?”

The doctor lifted a hand toward heaven. “I’ve done all I can. It’s not in my hands now.”

Alice followed him to where Rudy lay on a high bed. She gasped. He was bare from the waist up and his left side was swathed in bandages. He was pale.

She rushed to his side and took his right hand. “Rudy, I’m here. You must get better. We need you.” She swallowed hard.

“Call me if you see any change.” The doctor slipped away.

Alice sat on the chair beside the bed and continued to hold Rudy’s hand. “You have to wake up so I can tell you I love you. Rudy Powers, I love you so much my heart can’t hold it.”

He moaned.

She held her breath waiting, hoping, praying…

But he sank back into unresponsiveness.

“We all miss you so much. The little girls pray for you at every meal. Well, so do I and lots of times in between. The truth is you are constantly on my mind.”

The doctor came and went several times, checking on Rudy.

“He’s holding his own,” he informed her after each trip.

Someone slipped in with a tray of food for her. She looked up and remembered she needed to prepare food for her family. “My children?”

“Someone took them food.” The young woman patted her arm. “We’ll make sure they’re taken care of. You stay here with your man.”

Her man. But she supposed she’d made that pretty evident to everyone at the fort.

The doctor lit a lamp and set it nearby. “Miss, you need to rest.”

“I can’t. Not until he’s awake and well.”

The doctor patted her shoulder and slipped away.

“Rudy, you have to get better. You have my heart. I love you.” She whispered such words over and over, though at times she was tempted to shout them.

“I love you too.”

She stared at him. His eyes were closed. He didn’t seem to have stirred an inch and yet she knew what she’d heard.

“Did you just say you love me?”

“I love you.” The words were but a whisper, but they were the sweetest, most powerful words she’d ever heard.