Page 70 of Wagon Train Redemption
Ma looked up at his entrance. “You’re just in time for breakfast.”
“Thanks.” He took the coffee she offered and sat next to Angie. “It’s nice to be in a house, isn’t it?”
“It’s generous of you to provide it,” Gabe said. “I’ll?—”
Carson waved away whatever the man meant to offer. “I plan to take Angela out to see where we’ll live.”
Ma and Gabe exchanged a look, and then Ma nodded. “That’s a fine idea.”
Carson glanced at the clock several times, but the hands seemed inert. He didn’t want to leave until he’d filed his claim, but the office wouldn’t open for another half hour. He’d come far too early. Yet he hadn’t been able to wait. Wanting to see Angie, wanting to make the quarter of land truly his, wanting to show it to her, wanting her to agree to marry him right away. He was plumb full of wants this morning.
Ma handed him a basket. “Angela said you’d be gone all day. We prepared food so you won’t go hungry.”
“Thanks, Ma.”
“You should thank Angela. It was her idea, and she did all the work.”
The light in Angie’s eyes hinted she looked forward to this as much as he did.
Finally, the clock read a suitable time, and he led Angie to the buggy and helped her up, whistled for Boss to jump in the back, drove down the street, and turned right to enter the business portion of the little town. “Wait here.” He jumped down. Boss seemed hesitant to obey, but Angie wrapped her arms around the big dog’s neck. The sight warming him, Carson pivoted and strode into the building.
Minutes later, he strode out, grinning so hard it hurt. “We are now officially on the title.” Though only his name was allowed. A mere formality. This land belonged to both of them.
She laughed and, when he sat beside her, hugged his arm. “Partners.”
“Partners.” Why did the word have a hollow sound to it? But rather than analyze the feeling, he pointed out things to her. The grove where he’d seen a deer and twin fawns, the thicket where wild raspberries would flourish if it weren’t too late in the season now.
They made good time with the buggy. Then Carson stopped and helped her alight. “This is the corner. It runs to that tree over there and along the creek on this side.”
“Show me.” She tugged at his hand, and Boss wriggled with anticipation as if sensing this was his new home.
Laughing, Carson trotted to keep up with her, and they tromped all four sides of the quarter section that was theirs if they met all the conditions.
Back at the buggy, she waved her hands over her head and turned full circle. “So beautiful and it’s ours.”
“All ours.” He lifted the basket from the back while she spread the red plaid blanket. He held her hands as he said grace. His amen caught in his throat. “God has indeed blessed us.”
Her gaze begged for more. And he gladly told her what heconsidered God’s blessing. “This food of course, but more, this land, and even more than that, a partner.”
Their gazes caught and held. He drank in the promise of that look.
“Angie.” He brought her hands to him. “Let’s get married at the same time as Ruby and Robert if that’s all right with them.”
Tears glistened in her eyes. Happy tears? Must be for she laughed. “I’d like that. Very much.”
“Me too.” He pulled her close and kissed her sweet mouth. Partners in every sense of the word.
The rest of the day passed in sweet sunshine and occasional kisses as they explored the land, seeking a suitable site for their home. After a time, they both agreed they liked having a view to the east of the rolling hills with the creek nearby and the mountains visible in all their glory. They paced out where the little building would go. With that settled, they sat on the grassy slope and talked about the future.
There was enough food left for an evening picnic. Neither of them seemed in a hurry to return to town, but they had to.
“Are you ready to leave?” he asked, his words slow, revealing how he’d like to linger.
“Wouldn’t want Ma to worry.” She gathered up the containers from the picnic and pushed to her feet. “This was very nice.”
“It’s the first of many days of enjoyment on our place.”
Again, her gaze held his in a demanding look. One he didn’t understand. “Is something bothering you?”
