Page 64 of Wagon Train Redemption
She jolted to a halt. “I keep wondering if you’ll change your mind.”
“Why would I?”
She wouldn’t look at him. He caught her chin, lifted it, and waited until she raised her eyes.
“Angie, why would I?”
She shook her head.
“You aren’t still remembering those hurtful words I said back then, are you?”
“They were true.” Pain oozed out of her eyes and carried on her whispered words.
“Oh, Angie.” He pulled her into his embrace. “No, they weren’t. And even if there had been a thread of truth in them, you’ve changed.”
Boss pushed his muzzle into her leg and whined.
“Even the dog agrees.”
She laughed against his shoulder and grew serious. “I can’t help but worry you’ll find someone to love. Someone more than a partner.”
“Partners is a safe term, but won’t we also be husband and wife?”
She rubbed at her collarbone. “Do you still want it? Even though you don’t love me?”
“Yes, I do.” More than ever. He’d never acknowledged it or given it more than a passing thought, but having Mabel reject his marriage offer had scarred his heart. A pain he didn’t care to risk a second time. Love wasn’t necessary in order for a marriage to work out. Love was risky. It hurt too much when it was rejected. Far better to be committed for other reasons.
Her eyes searched his. Seeking something. He couldn’t say what, but with the way she drew back, she hadn’t found it. Did she expect love? He’d never offered it, and she’d never asked for it.
“We’ll be good partners.” He patted Boss on the head. “And now we have a third partner.”
“Indeed.” Her laughter as she hugged Boss seemed to have sharp edges.
He might have said he loved her, but would it be true? Did he want to take the risk of confessing it? No, he did not. “It’s time to join the others.” He caught her hand as they returned to the camp.
Gabe held the guitar and waited for Carson and Angie to find a place to sit before he and Ma sang “Home, Sweet Home.” The love Gabe and Ma shared was something to behold.
But wasn’t a relationship based on feelings a risky thing?
The next day,Angie was cheerful and happy. He must have been mistaken in thinking she was disappointed he hadn’t offered love. What they had was more secure. He wasn’t changing his mind about this lifelong partnership, and he had to believe she wouldn’t either.
They’d soon pass rugged rock formations he’d seen before. Joe directed the wagons away from them to easier passage, but at Carson’s suggestion, he allowed a longer-than-normal noon break so anyone interested could explore the area.
“Come on,” Carson urged Angie toward the rocks and in a direction away from the others. “I don’t want to tie Boss.” The hill was steep, the path between huge, weird-shaped rocks. Some were full of round holes. Others were hoodoos with flat tops on upright supports.
Several times, Angie stopped to gape. “This is amazing.”
Wait until she saw what lay ahead. “I want to show you something.” They climbed the steep incline of the rock-strewn hill with Boss struggling to find a foothold as he followed. They reached a level ledge and stopped. Rising before themwas a sheer cliff with a rocky overhang. He waited for her to notice the carvings in the wall.
He knew the moment she did by her indrawn breath. “What is it?”
“I’m told they are called petroglyphs. They were put here years ago by Natives and tell a story. I wish I had someone who could explain what they mean.” There were circles and lines along with stick figures. In other places nearby, there were paintings. He wouldn’t have time to take her to see those.
“It’s amazing. How old are they?” She studied them.
“I don’t know.”
The muted voices of the others calling and laughing reached them along with the warble of a meadowlark and twitter of smaller birds.
