Page 9 of Wagon Train Redemption
Pebbles scattered as he ground around and headed for the livestock.
“Carson, wait. I’m sorry. I was rude. I can’t explain why, but I didn’t like the idea that I don’t deserve to choose whether or not I’ll marry.”
He turned slowly. “I’m sure you don’thaveto get married if you don’t want to.” There was always a need for someone to do laundry and mending.
“It’s just that when and if I do, I’d like to choose the man I marry.”
“That’s an odd thing to say. Of course you can pick the man you marry. Why would you think otherwise?”
“I don’t know. I can’t explain. I’m sorry.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
She rocked her head back and forth.
“There’s a big difference.”
Her only answer was a look of misery.
“Perhaps someday you’ll trust me enough to tell me.” He strode away, not looking back. He didn’t slow down until he reached the creek and angled along the bank to where the oxen rested. He focused on them. They were content and healthy-looking.
He leaned against a tree. Why had she reacted that way? There was more to it than a suggestion that she marry someone at the fort. What had Pa said about her when she came to live with them? Very little as he recalled, and when Carson asked questions, Pa had only said her father had recently died. Her mother had passed some time ago, and the girl deserved a chance to start over.
If he remembered correctly, that’s when he’d voiced his disapproval to Pa. It was true. She was an awkward child. And Ma had enough to do. But he would never have spoken those words if he thought she’d overhear them.
But something Pa said resonated.She deserved a chance to start over. At the time, Carson thought Pa meant as a newcomer to the family. But had he meant something else? Something more? All his parents had said about Angela was she was orphaned, and her father had once worked with Pa. Having no one else, he’d asked them to take her and give her a home.
But come to think of it, Carson had never heard a thing about her past—unless she’d shared details with the girls, which was entirely possible. Maybe something in her background might have triggered her outburst.
He gave a self-mocking snort. Or it could be that being aMountie had taught him to question every word, suspect every action.
Yes, it could be. But if she had nothing to hide, she wouldn’t mind a few questions. When the right time presented itself.
He hunkered down, prepared to stay away until the others returned. After a bit, his legs grew restless, and he straightened them out and leaned against a tree. The sun warmed him. The drone of insects lulled him.
People speaking in the distance jerked him awake. He bolted to his feet and listened. The voices were familiar. The others were back. He picked up his fallen hat and returned to the camp.
Angela stood at the end of a wagon, putting supplies away. As she turned to take a sack of potatoes from Ma, her gaze slid over him. It stopped and returned, pausing briefly but long enough for him to see concern. Still feeling apologetic about her burst of rudeness?
He shifted his attention to Ma. She picked up the water pails and headed toward the creek. He waited until she reached the stream before he joined her.
“I’ll carry those back for you.”
She set down the buckets, but he didn’t pick them up.
“Angela’s so different from how I remember her. What happened?”
A peaceful smile curved Ma’s lips. “She was given a chance to bloom and grow.”
That made sense, but it didn’t answer all his questions. “Pa said she needed to start over. What did he mean?”
“Simply that. The poor girl had been through so much. I can’t even imagine.” Her gaze went toward the camp. “She’s turned into a lovely young woman.”
“Thanks to you and Pa, I’d say.”
“All we did was give her an environment where she couldbecome the person she was meant to be.” A fly buzzed around Ma’s head, and she batted it away. “She’s done very well.”
“You make it sound like her parents didn’t love her.” An unwelcome thought surfaced. “Was she abused?”
