Page 51 of Wagon Train Redemption
But Angela rocked her head back and forth, obviously not satisfied. “I don’t want to disappoint her.”
“Why do we have to give any explanation? Can’t we simply inform them we are planning to get married once we reach the fort? Unless you’d prefer to wait until I have a house built on the homestead I’ve picked out? I’d planned to—” He lifted his palms to the air. “We could live on the place for the winter. But not in the proper house I have planned.” He removed his hat, rubbed his hand over his hair, and put his hat back inplace. “My plans have gone up in smoke. I thought to winter in town with Ma, Bertie, and the girls and then build a house big enough for all of us. But—” He shrugged.
“My plans have also gone up in smoke.”
“We are going to help each other. Partners.”
“I like that idea.” Her gaze went to the side. “Why don’t we say we haven’t decided when we’ll marry and leave it at that?”
“That sounds good. It gives us time to discuss what we want.” It would be pleasant to have someone to share his thoughts and plans with.
The wheels chattered over the ground as they rumbled onward. She leaned over her knees, appearing lost in thought. He sat back and studied her.
A bird rushed heavenward from the nearby trees, and she straightened. “Tell me about the place you have picked out.”
“It’s near enough to Robert’s quarter that we can visit. Perhaps even work together. You might like that. Having Ruby for a neighbor.”
Her smile lit her eyes. “I would.”
“The land I’ve chosen is down the hill from Robert’s. He prefers the mountains. A stream flows through it coming from above Robert’s place.” Even though he hadn’t filed on the land, he considered it his and expected Robert by now had filed on the quarter he’d picked out. “The water runs over rocks, making a cheerful sound. Trees grow along the bank. Mostly willow and aspen, but there is a stand of spruce as well. The sloping hills are treeless except for groves in the hollows.”
“You already love the place.” Her lips curled gently. “I can’t wait to see it.”
He must have described the land well for she spoke as if she longed to be part of it. “You’ll help me create a home.” Already it felt like they were partners in this undertaking, and he cupped his hand over hers.
Her smile lingered even as she glanced down at their joined hands. “Where do you plan to build the house?”
“Well, now. There are several options. I think it best if we decide together, Partner.”
That brought a chuckle from her and drove her smile deep into her cheeks. “And what sort of farmer are you going to be, Partner?”
He sat up and pushed out his chest. “Why the best, of course.”
And just as he’d hoped, she burst out laughing. Her eyes flashed. Was it more than humor? Was she seeing him as someone she wanted to share her life and work with? Contentment warmed his insides. “I’ll grow feed and wheat for ourselves. We’ll have chickens and a milk cow. Both Robert and I plan to run cows and horses on the open range to the north and west.”
“It sounds like we’ll live like kings.”
“That we will.”
Her smile faded. She looked at him with narrowed eyes. “Will Robert and Ruby be our only neighbors? What will be the nearest town?”
“The country is settling up, so we’ll soon have neighbors. Right now, there is a bachelor five miles away. Strange fellow but friendly. I was told a couple with almost grown sons has filed on a piece of land closer to the railway. Fort Taylor is our nearest town. We won’t go often as it will be a long ride in a wagon.”
She nodded, but the light he’d seen earlier didn’t return.
“Are you concerned that we will be far from a town? I suppose we could choose a different site.” Though this had been his first choice. But they were, after all, partners. He swallowed hard. She deserved to have some say in where they lived.
“No. No. I like what you’ve told me.”
The words were right but lacking in enthusiasm.
“Are you having second thoughts?”
She sat up tall, her chin jutting out. “Not at all. I like the idea more with each passing mile.” And she smiled at him.
There. It was back. The eager light in her eyes. Thankfully.
Somehow, the afternoon had passed, and Joe directed them to the nearby trees.
