Page 30 of Wagon Train Melody
Having talked herself into calm acceptance of needing his help and wanting nothing more, she stood with the others and watched him approach. He waved. She saw his wide smile and something inside her turned sunward at the sight.
Of course, she was relieved he’d come back. That’s all it was.
“Howdy,” he called as he closed the distance.
The girls waved madly.
“Pa came back.” Bo sounded so pleased and so certain that Alice was half tempted to let him believe it.
“Bo, it’s Rudy.”
“Not Pa?” Pain and uncertainty colored his words.
“No, I’m sorry.”
“Pa would like Rudy, wouldn’t he?”
She’d expected confusion, not this pleased response. “Yes, I think he would.”
“Found the canvas,” Rudy called. “And brought some wood. Bo, come and help. Careful not to bang your arm.”
Bo rushed to do his bidding and cautiously set the wood on the tailgate so it wouldn’t get wet.
Rudy dismounted and lifted the heavy canvas and put it beside the wood. “How are things?” he asked.
“Nothing ruined, though some things are wet.” Alice indicated the quilts hanging over the sides of the wagon. The mattress dripped water. It might never be usable again, but for some reason, it no longer mattered that the bedding was wet. She knew Rudy would help her take care of everything.
While he built a fire, she opened a jar of bottled meat she’d brought and added carrots and potatoes from her supplies. Needing food for the next day, she fried biscuits in a skillet over the fire.
A little while later, seated in the back of the wagon, they enjoyed a warm, delicious meal.
“It’s like a picnic.” Sissy’s tone informed them all of her pleasure.
“I likes picnics.” Kitty beamed at those around her.
A peace beyond understanding filled Alice’s heart. Her little family was safe. Rudy had rejoined them. They had survived a prairie storm. Life was good. Thanks be to God.
The canvas had dried in the warm wind and as she cleaned up from the meal, Rudy and Bo put the canvas back on. Bo followed Rudy’s instructions easily. Rudy was careful to ask her brother to do only things that didn’t require both hands.
Alice hoped and prayed her brother was back in his right mind. She was very grateful for Rudy’s help and patience. She’d find an opportunity to tell him so.
The sun dipped toward the west. The sky blazoned banners of pink and purple and gold. The canvas was back in place, the trunks and crates reloaded. By then, two little girls were ready for bed. She checked the quilts, relieved to find them dry. The mattress was not. They’d have to sleep on the floor of thewagon. “We’ve slept on worse,” she assured the girls. “There’s no prickles or rocks like on the ground.” Not that sleeping under the wagon would be an undue hardship. They were all safe. That was the only thing that mattered.
She settled the girls, listened to their sweet prayers, and sang them a lullaby. The same one that Mama had sung to Alice and Evelyn and that she and Evelyn has sung to the girls from the time they were babies.
The girls breathed deeply, and Alice went back to the fire where Rudy sat. “Where’s Bo?”
“Gone to bed.” Rudy pointed under the wagon.
Even though Alice had no reason to linger, she couldn’t have slept. Not wanting to disturb those already asleep, she murmured, “I think I’ll take a little walk.”
“Do you mind if I accompany you?”
“I’d welcome it.”
They fell into step as they wandered along the grassy plain. The dampness from the afternoon rain had already dried thanks to the never-ending wind that tugged at her skirts and pulled her bonnet off her head. She’d taken to wearing her hair in a braid to keep it tidy. But the wind pulled strands from the braid and across her face.
“Thank you for everything.” Her words were softly spoken.
