Page 16 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
“She didn’t.”
Miss Epps sat back with a thud. “And you didn’t ask?”
“Nope. Truth is, I thought I’d arrive long before dark.”
“Huh. My pa would say prepare for every possible event.”
His clothes had not dried and with the disappearance of the sun, the air grew cooler. He was downright chilled and annoyed at her suggestion that he hadn’t been wise. “Guess he’d think you were planning ahead with meeting Mr. Hartman.”
“Exactly. I meant to make sure he was good enough for Ma.”
He couldn’t bother to argue. “Keep a look out for a barn.”
“It’s so dark we could drive smack into the side of it before we saw it.”
He didn’t need her to point that out.
5
Della’s eyes stung from straining to find a building in the dark. A cloud covered the thin moon. They might as well be in a cave for all she could see. How would they know if they passed the place? How long would they travel before he said they must stop for the night? If not for the horses she wouldn’t allow him to halt. Not that she had any idea how she’d make him cater to her demands. But the horses were weary. Even before darkness had enveloped them, she’d observed how they hung their heads. They’d have to take a break soon or risk having lame animals to deal with.
The wagon tilted as they climbed a hill. She squinted. “Is it my imagination or is that a light?”
“I see it too.”
The beam flickered. Her heart kicked as she recalled what that cowboy—Flint—had said about how dry it was. She’d noticed it herself. “Is it a fire?” Her words grated from her parched throat.
“It doesn’t seem to be spreading.” Nothing about his answer reassured her.
Her fingers cramped from griping the seat beside her. If Mama was here, they’d hold hands and squeeze each other’s reassuringly. But she was with a stranger. In a strange land. But God was the same here or in Ohio or in Gunders Corner where she’d encountered Mr. Hartman. Her heart settled into a more normal tempo.
The wagon rattled on, the pace neither faster nor slower than it had been.
Andy nudged her with his elbow. “I think it’s a doorway. See the shape. This must be Trudy’s place.”
“Trudy?” It was the first time he’d mentioned the name.
“I’m taking the trunk to her.” A shadow crossed the square of light. “Strange that the door is open. It’s not as if she expected us.”
Della couldn’t help herself. She grabbed Andy’s arm. “It’s not possible Mr. Hartman is there. Is it?”
“How would he know we were headed to Trudy’s place?”
“True.” She withdrew her hand and sat back on the seat. But she wouldn’t relax until they arrived, and she saw for herself.
The square grew larger. The shape of a barn loomed to their right. A woman stepped from the house. Stared into the darkness. Took a step forward. When the wagon emerged from the dark, she raced toward them.
“Bart! Bart!” she called.
Bart? Della shifted away from the man beside her. “You said your name was Andy.”
“It is. Bart is her husband.” He stopped the wagon and jumped down. “Trudy, what’s wrong? Where’s Bart?”
Trudy flung herself into Andy’s arms. He wrapped her in an embrace.
Della’s eyes narrowed. She’d had it drummed into her that only a husband could hold a woman in that fashion.
Andy eased the woman away. “What’s going on?”
