Page 26 of Wagon Train Redemption
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 theycatch 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.
