Page 22 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
“Where’s Bart?” She could barely get the words out.
“He’s coming. He insisted on driving the wagon even though it’s slower. I rode ahead to let Trudy know he was on his way.” He didn’t lift his head or release her from his hold. The moment stretched out. “Where is Trudy?”
Andy’s question jerked Della to attention. One by one, she uncurled her fingers from grasping his arm. She straightened, forcing him to lift his head. He eased back. She closed her eyes and informed herself that she was strong, capable. Didn’t need to lean on a man for comfort or support. Unfortunately, she didn’t convince herself.
“Trudy’s resting. I promised to let her know when you returned. When Bart came home.” Did she sound as confused as she felt? She darted away. With a gentle shake, she wakened the woman who jerked upright and with a startled cry sprang to her feet.
Della caught Trudy to steady her. “He’s safe.”
Trudy dashed from the room. “Where is he? I don’t see him.” She ran past Andy as if he weren’t there.
Andy watched, a bemused smile on his lips. “Listen. You can hear the wagon now.”
The light flashed off the metal on the harnesses. With a strangled cry, Trudy trotted down the trail.
Della stood beside Andy, not quite touching, but close enough she felt the warmth from his body wrapped around her. She inhaled the unfamiliar smell that she guessed was from coal. Bart jumped to the ground and scooped up his wife.
Tears stung Della’s eyes at the tenderness in the way the couple embraced. She blinked the moisture away.
Arm in arm, Bart and Trudy came to the house.
Andy introduced Della.
“It’s good you were here to keep my wife company.”
Della nodded, not pointing out that they kept each other company.
“I’m starved to a fraction of my normal size,” Bart said.
Trudy laughed. “Then you’ll want to thank Della for preparing food.”
He thanked her. The four of them entered the house, closed the door, and went to the kitchen. Della helped Trudy serve the soup and biscuits.
After Bart offered grace and the meal was served, Trudy tapped her spoon on the table.
“I’ve already forgiven you for causing me to worry. But I want to hear every detail of what delayed you.”
“There was a cave-in at the mine.” At the tone of his voice—part weary, part sad— Della’s heart stalled, and she prepared herself for bad news. “I helped dig out those trapped.”
Bit by bit the story came out.
“We moved rocks all night. Then Andy came along and helped.” He clapped Andy on the back.
Andy grunted. “We were almost crushed when the wall of rocks shifted and crumbled.”
The men looked at each other, sharing the memory of that event.
This was too much adventure, Della decided. What if they had been buried alive? Trudy’s face twisted and Della guessed she was having similar thoughts.
“We got the two miners out safely.”
Trudy leaned over and cupped her hands over Bart’s. “Don’t get me wrong. It’s good news that the miners are safe. But getting you home is what matters most to me.”
Della silently echoed the words.
When they’d eaten, the men went out to take care of the horses while Della and Trudy cleaned the kitchen. As soon as the men returned, they all retired to get a few hours of sleep before morning came. Andy said they would depart immediately after breakfast.
The next morning,Della sat on the wagon seat beside Andy. They’d already said goodbye to Bart and Trudy and waved as they drove away.
