Page 18 of Wagon Train Melody
He shifted about, getting more comfortable and fell asleep.
Sometime later, he was jerked awake by voices nearby.
Alice heardBo move even before he hollered. She crawled from under the wagon and hurried into the back, her way lit by the moon.
Bo yelled something, but she couldn’t make out his words. He pawed at the splint.
She knew she couldn’t pin his arms down unless he calmed and began to sing.
He yelled again as if angry with her.
“Bo, it’s me. You’re in the wagon. You banged your head.” He settled a moment then sat upright and mumbled something. Then he shouted.
“Bo!” He was going to hurt himself and maybe her as well.
“Alice, can I do anything?” Rudy called from the darkness.
“I don’t know. He won’t settle. He’s very restless.”
“Did you try singing?”
“It didn’t help.”
“Try again. I’ll help you.” He appeared at the tailgate and began to singAmazing Grace.
She already knew he had a fine, deep voice. Hearing him calmed her fears. At least she wasn’t dealing with this alone. She joined him in singing and Bo lay back.
“Sounds nice,” her brother mumbled.
The music died on her tongue. “Bo? Are you awake?”
Rudy stopped singing to listen for the answer. But there was nothing.
She shook Bo’s shoulder. “Bo, wake up. Please wake up.” Nothing. “Did I imagine he spoke?”
“No, you didn’t.”
“It’s a good sign, isn’t it?”Please let it be.
“I would guess it is.”
Neither of them moved. She couldn’t say what kept Rudy there, but she didn’t want to leave Bo, anxious to see him wake up and, at the same time, fearful he’d fling his arms around and injure himself worse.
“Alice, you should get some sleep.” Rudy’s soft words provided a degree of comfort.
She edged to the end of the wagon and took his hand to help her down. Rather than hurry away, she remained close to him. “Thank you for being here,” she whispered.
“I’m glad I can help. Now go to sleep.” He stepped back but waited while she ducked under the wagon. Thankfully the girls had slept through the disturbance. Between concern over Bo and a shift in her feelings about Rudy, Alice knew she wouldn’t sleep again.
“Auntie, you awake?”Someone pried up her eyelid. She blinked and pushed away the fingers.
“I am now. Good morning, Kitty.” She sat up so suddenly she banged her head. “Ouch. Where’s Sissy?”
“Her gone to help Mr. Rudy.”
“My goodness, what time is it?” She grabbed the bedding and dragged it out. “Bo! I can’t believe I didn’t hear him.” She talked to herself as much as anyone else.
“He didn’t seem to need anything in the night,” Rudy spoke from where he sat by the fire, Sissy at his side. The child watched him with big adoring eyes.
