Wagon Train Redemption (Wagons West Book 6), page 6
“Who’d have guessed a fall rain could feel like winter?”
“Why not shed your wet slicker and come back here? We’ve got blankets to spare.”
The invitation beckoned, but there was little space. How would he keep a discreet distance from her?
Angela pressed her fingers to her mouth. Had she really so boldly invited him to share their limited space? Not that it appeared to bother Ruby. But Carson was her brother so, of course, it didn’t feel uncomfortable for her.
Though perhaps uncomfortable was not the right word. Nor could Angela think what word she meant.
The wagon tipped and creaked as he shed his coat and climbed over the seat. He hovered at the front.
“There’s blankets there. Help yourself.” Ruby pointed without looking up.
Carson’s damp feet brushed Angela’s legs while he stepped across them. He selected two blankets, draped them around his shoulders, and looked around for a place to sit.
Ruby shifted over to make room, her sketchbook on her knees, her attention on her drawing. “Sit here.”
Eyes full of uncertainty met Angela’s. She gave a mental shrug and moved enough for him to fit between them.
Cold encircled him and shivered up her arm when he settled into place.
“Goodness, you’re cold,” Ruby commented. “Isn’t he, Ang?”
“Like ice.” Surely, that explained the way her words trembled. No reason for anyone to think it was because her nerves jittered at his nearness. “Is it ever going to stop?” She didn’t really think there was an answer. The question was only meant to divert her thoughts.
“Pa used to say that without rain there would be no life.” Carson’s voice was vibrant with the memory.
“I remember that.”
Hearing Ruby’s loving remembrance, Angela offered her own. “My father said there was only one thing to do when it rained.” She paused to make sure she had their attention. “And that was to let it rain.”
The other two laughed as she hoped they would.
Carson nudged her. “Then I guess we sit here and let it rain.”
Ruby made a scoffing sound. “I intend to spend the time drawing.”
“What are you drawing?” Carson leaned toward Ruby.
“Just something.”
“It’s Robert.” Carson chuckled. “Of course that’s what you’re doing. Good likeness.”
She closed her notebook. “There must be something else to do while we’re cramped here.”
Angela tipped her head against the box at her back, content to let these two do whatever they pleased to pass the time.
“I have an idea.” Something about Ruby’s gleeful words made Angela lift her head from its rest. Ruby had been known to come up with some odd ideas. “It’s a game called Tell the Truth.”
Carson arched a brow at Angela and narrowed his eyes. “Is she making this up?”
“Quite likely.”
“I have the feeling she’s up to something.”
Angela shrugged. “I can’t think she can do much to us in these tight quarters.”
Ruby rumbled her lips. “You guys going to play or not?”
“Might as well.” Angela rubbed her chilled hands together. No one could make her say something she didn’t want to.
“I’m game.” Carson’s play on words brought a laugh.
“Here’s how it goes. We take turns asking a question. We all answer with three replies. One is not the truth. We have to guess which one is the lie.”
A metal rod jabbed down Angela’s spine. She’d played various versions of this game before. It could be fun. Or it could be invasive.
Ruby took silence for agreement. “I’ll go first. What are the scariest things I’ve ever done? First, diving into the creek when it was in full flood. Second, sending some of my drawings to the Society, and third, telling Ma my plans. Which one isn’t true?”
Angela answered. “Diving into the creek. I don’t believe you did it.”
Carson nodded. “I’d have to agree.”
“You’re right. Now your turn, Carson.”
He shifted and pulled the blankets more closely around him. “Do we all do that question?”
“Yup.”
“Very well. First, when Bertie got lost following me.”
From the way a shudder shook him, his statement must be true.
“Second, I’d have to say my first patrol alone. A Mountie riding into unknown. And third, hmm, I know. It was when there was a murder in town and I thought the murderers were still at large.” He sat back. “Which one isn’t true?”
Angela leaned forward to speak to Ruby. “I never heard of any murders. Did you?”
“Nope. Never did. I’m going to guess that’s the lie.”
“Me too.”
Carson hooted. “You’re both wrong. There was a murder.”
“In Bruffin?” Both Angela and Ruby squeaked. “Do tell.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t. At the time, Pa didn’t want anything said in front of you little girls and Bertie.”
Ruby snorted. “Maybe you haven’t noticed, but I’m not a little girl anymore.” A snicker followed. “I know you noticed that Angela isn’t.”
Angela groaned.
“I did.” His voice was soft, teasing…or was it—? Wait. She wasn’t going down that road.
“Eat lunch,” Joe called from outside the wagon.
She hadn’t even heard him ride up. Of course, she could blame the pounding rain for that.
“You do have supplies in here?”
“Yes,” she and Ruby chorused. They’d been instructed to keep food in each wagon in case something happened. Like it did when Cecil, Louise, Hazel, and Petey were stranded on the far side of a flooded river.
Ruby was closest to the grub box. She reached toward it but sat back without picking up any food. “But first, Carson has to finish his story.”
“I don’t recall starting one.” He reached toward the food.
Ruby slammed the lid. “About the murders.”
The teasing between these siblings warmed Angela, and she choked down laughter.
Carson eased back, his shoulder pressing to Angela’s. “Do you want to hear this awful story?”
“Umm. I don’t know.” She wasn’t above a little teasing and knew Ruby would urge Carson to ignore Angela. Sure enough.
“Pay her no mind.” Ruby fluttered a hand. “She’s only trying to sound like she’s not interested.”
“But I wouldn’t want to offend her sensibilities. She deserves to be protected, don’t you think?”
Little did he know how sweet his words were. But Angela was as curious as Ruby. “You might as well tell us, or Ruby will badger us both the rest of the afternoon.”
“Didn’t I see some biscuits in there?”
He did because she had stowed a dozen there just last night.
“Tell you what? Give me two biscuits, and I’ll tell you about it.”
Ruby handed them around. “There’s cheese here too.” She cut off a generous piece for each of them before she settled back. “I’m ready.”
Carson took his time chewing food, deliberately—Angela knew—to tease his sister. When air whooshed from him, she guessed Ruby had elbowed him in the ribs.
“Just for that, I might reconsider.”
Another sharp exhale.
“Stop that. I’ll tell.” He rubbed at his side. “Whoever thought you’d be so mean?”
Angela could no longer contain her amusement. The wagon rocked as she laughed, and the others joined her. From Gabe and Ma’s wagon came Ma’s voice.
“It’s good to know you all are enjoying yourselves.”
“Yes, Ma,” they replied in unison which set off another burst of laughter.
As they sobered, Ruby said, “We’re still waiting.”
Carson adjusted his position as if settling in for a long talk. “It didn’t happen in Bruffin but on a farm nearby. The parents were both killed and three children, one a mere infant.” He swallowed audibly. “I heard about it when I went with Pa to pick up something at the store. Funny, I don’t recall what it was.” He grew still and silent. “A bunch of men there all had one thing on their tongues. I listened in horror and fascination to the details until Pa noticed what was happening and hurried me out of the store.”
A moment of taut silence followed as they all considered the facts he’d relayed.
“On the way home, Pa said we were not to speak of this. It would upset the girls and Bertie. I had one question. Did they catch the man who did it?” He fiddled with the hem of the blanket over him. “Pa said the man had fled west but the Mounties had caught him.”
“That’s when you decided you wanted to be a Mountie?” The words burst from Ruby.
“It was.” He nibbled at his piece of cheese. “Something I’ve never regretted.”
“Then why are you leaving?”
Ruby asked the question, but Angela wondered the same thing.
“Because I want the kind of home Ma and Pa had. Where people are loved and safe. No matter what their circumstances.”
“Like Bertie,” Ruby whispered.
And like me, Angela added silently.
“Lots of people say Ma and Pa should put him in an institution.”
Just like lots of people thought Angela should not be living openly amongst them.
Ruby persisted in her questions. “Can’t you help lots more people as a Mountie?”
“In a sense, I could. But I don’t care for sleeping in barracks or eating in a mess hall. I mean, it’s all right for a time, but I want a home.”
“You haven’t said which one isn’t true.” Ruby prodded.
“My first patrol as a Mountie. I was eager and anxious to do it.”
The three of them fell into a thoughtful silence broken by Ruby’s sudden exclamation. “Angela didn’t do her truth or lie.”
A groan squeezed from Angela’s lips. “I hoped you would forget about that.”
“Nope. Tell us what’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done.”
She’d been thinking of how to answer. Some things were too obvious, like moving to a new family. Some were too revealing, like saying how scary it was to go into town with Father and hear what people said. And she’d already told Carson about being lost in the rain.
“Here goes. One, going to the church in Bruffin the first time. Two, putting everything I own into a covered wagon and leaving home. Three, learning to drive the oxen.”
“That’s not fair,” Ruby protested. “All of them were scary.”
Carson shifted so he could study Angela, the movement allowing a draft to pass between them. His eyes were dark and probing.
She widened her eyes, determined not to reveal anything.
“One of those wasn’t scary?”
She nodded.
“I’m going to guess heading out in a covered wagon.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because everyone was going. You’d be with Ma, and you were coming to see me.” He gloated so obviously that both Ruby and Angela laughed. “Am I right?”
“Nope. It was going to church with Ma and Pa and everyone for the first time.” Thankfully, they didn’t ask for an explanation, but she’d dreamed of attending church, wished for it, longed for it for so many years. Mama had told her about going to church when she was younger. “Before bad things happened.” Which was the most she’d ever revealed to Angela. Bad things.
“I don’t understand.” Ruby sounded confused and perhaps a touch impatient that she didn’t know why it hadn’t been scary.
How much could Angela say without revealing too much?
Ruby reached for another biscuit, then held the tin out to Angela. “You want another?”
“Please.” But when she tried to take the biscuit, Ruby drew back. “I want an explanation. Carson had to give one, and so do you.”
“What’s to explain? I looked forward to going.”
Ruby tipped her head back and forth. “Are you saying you had never been in church before? ’Cause that’s how it sounds.”
“I’d never been in the church in Bruffin. I’d passed it as Pa took me home. The open door allowed me to see the stained-glass window at the front, the wooden pews marching down either side of the aisle, and—” She stopped, her throat tightening. Pa had said they’d go there come Sunday. And she’d be welcome. Exactly the word to explain how she felt. “It looked so warm and welcoming.”
Both the others studied her, but she took the biscuit from Ruby, focused on the crumbs that fell to the blanket, and pretended not to notice. No matter how long they stared or how many questions they asked, she was not telling them anything more about why church had beckoned like a candle in the dark.
Seven
If Carson was alone with Angela, he’d have probed deeper and sought an explanation for her confession. Her words echoed in his thoughts. Warmth. Welcome. It sounded like her previous experience at church had been cold and unwelcoming. Of course, there were churches like that, although he’d never encountered one. However, she wasn’t likely to say anything more now. Ruby had them playing a silly game that invited people to reveal things they didn’t mean to. For certain, he hadn’t meant to tell them about those murders. Yet he had.
No more of that game. Time to talk about something else. “Ruby, did Robert tell you how we met?”
She chuckled, the sound low in her throat as if she enjoyed a private joke. “We had other things to discuss.”
“I see.” He quirked his eyebrows at Angela. Yeah, he understood.
Her eyes smiled along with her mouth. “She did spend a lot of time wandering around Cypress Hills with Robert.”
“Humph, he was showing me flowers to draw. See.” She flipped her sketchbook pages. “Orchids. I would never have found them without his help.”
Carson studied the drawings. He touched his fingertip to the page. “It’s almost real.”
“That’s what Robert said.” She sighed. “So how did you meet him?”
“We rode the train west together. The horses were in the stock car. From the train station, we traveled the rest of the way on horseback. At first, he was just one of many until—” His words slowed as he recalled that day. “We were low on food, so I offered to go hunting and made my way through the trees toward a nearby river, thinking I’d find deer or moose watering there.” The air had been warm. Birds sang in the trees. “I heard a strange noise and crept forward cautiously.” His breath exploded from him as he recalled what he saw. “It was a fox caught in a leg trap.”
“Oh. Pa hated those things. So do I.”
Carson nodded at Ruby’s vehemence. Angela didn’t say anything, but her flashing eyes spoke her feelings. “I threw my coat over the animal to subdue it so I could free its leg. But it squirmed and fought so violently I was afraid I’d have to shoot it to put it out of its misery.” He let the pause lengthen for dramatic effect.
Ruby jabbed him in the ribs.
Angela touched his arm. “Please continue.”
Her gentle words urged him on. “I had pulled my pistol from the holster when footsteps crunched toward me. It was Robert.” A smile softened his words. “He called for me to wait. Then he held the fox while I freed it. The two of us slapped each other on the back in congratulations when the little critter ran away. We laughed and waved when it glanced back just before it went out of sight. We figured it was saying thank you.”
“That sounds like Robert.” Ruby touched the picture she’d been drawing of the man.
“Doesn’t it sound like me?” Not that he needed to be praised, but would it hurt either of them to acknowledge he was a good and kind man? Mostly, he wanted Angela to see he wasn’t the sort to say hurtful things even if he’d been guilty of it in her case. A long time ago and he regretted it to the depths of his soul.
“That was good of the two of you.”
Her soft words were the satisfaction he hoped for. “I knew then that Robert and I would be good friends.” A thought jolted him around to look at Ruby. “How did you meet him? No one’s ever told me.”
Her hands smoothed the cover of her sketchbook. “He discovered me out drawing one day. He liked what he saw.”
Her innocent tone didn’t fool him. “I know you mean you, not your drawings.”
“No, I actually mean both.”
The three of them laughed at her confidence.
Carson couldn’t think of anyone he’d sooner see his little sister matched up with than Robert.
“Let’s play another game,” Ruby said.
“I have a better idea.” He didn’t want any more of her questions that encouraged people to say things they wouldn’t normally. He’d sooner have Angela tell him things in her own good time. “Let’s sing.” The Woods family always enjoyed raising their voices together in song. “Remember how Pa and Ma would have us singing as we traveled? It was fun.”
“It’s a good memory.”
He turned to Angela.
“I sang with him too.” Her voice wobbled.
“We all miss him.” He leaned his shoulder closer to hers to offer a touch of comfort. Then he started a song.
Their voices on either side of him wrapped around like a gentle hug.
Voices from the wagons beside them joined in. Just like old times, only with a hollow spot where Pa should have been. But having others added to their group created a new dynamic.
After several songs, he stopped. The girls settled back on either side. Ruby hunched over her sketchbook and began to draw. Angela shifted to pull a book from a nearby satchel and opened it, but she didn’t begin to read. “Would you like a book?”
“What do you have?”
The satchel creaked as she searched inside and pulled out another volume. “Louise brought this one.” She held it toward him. “The Last of the Mohicans.”
“Thanks.” He turned to the first page and was soon immersed in the story to the point that when Joe spoke to them, Carson had to pull himself back to his present situation.
“Ma sent over food for supper.” Joe handed in a bowl of beans, another of preserved meat, and a tin Carson assumed would have cookies. “She apologizes that it’s cold fare.”
