Page 46 of Wagon Train Melody
Kitty moaned and Alice fixed another warm cloth for her ear. The child settled and then all was quiet except for the sweet sounds of breathing from three people pressed against Rudy.
The insides of Rudy’s eyelids turned pink. He opened them to see light poking over the eastern horizon. He lay on his side, Kitty cradled in his arms. Bo pressed to his back. Alice lay with her head against his shoulder.
He caught his breath. Was there a chance he could slip from this cozy place without disturbing the others? He shifted his arm. Kitty whined and he stopped.
A sound came from the wagon. The surprised voice of little Sissy. “Where is everyone?” She climbed from the back and walked over to where they lay. She jammed her hands on her hips.
“How come you’re all out here and I’m not?”
Alice stirred at the sound of Sissy’s question. Her eyelids flickered and then opened wide. She stared at Rudy, his face not more than six inches from hers. A sweet smile curved her lips and then shock filled her eyes. He waited—hardly daring to breathe—for her reaction.
Alice stared at Rudy.What was she doing here? Had she really spent the night next to him? Kitty opened her eyes and squirmed. Then wailed.
Oh, that’s right. Kitty had an earache.
Alice jumped to her feet and hurried to the remnants of the fire. She stirred the embers and blew on them until flames licked upward then waited for the water to heat. All the while being careful not to look at Rudy as he rocked Kitty and made hushing sounds.
Sissy went to her younger sister and patted her back. “What’s wrong?”
“I gots earache.”
“I kiss it better.” Sissy leaned over and kissed Kitty’s ear.
Kitty sobbed. “It not better.”
“Here. Try this.” Alice handed the warm cloth to Rudy then jerked away without meeting his eyes. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment at what she’d done.
Bo rose and stretched. He examined the ground and stomped on it. “No more snakes. That’s good.”
For some reason, his concern struck Alice as funny, and she laughed. “Bo, your thumping will scare away every snake in a large circle.”
“Good. That’s what I mean to do.” He hurried into the bushes to relieve himself.
Alice did the same as soon as he returned. She might tease Bo a little about snakes, but she had a good look around before she attended to her business. Then she hurried back to make breakfast. Rudy continued to hold Kitty and comfort her.
The man could not take care of the horses while he did so.
Alice finished preparing breakfast then reached for Kitty. The child resisted her, but Alice pried her from Rudy’s arms. “Mr. Rudy has things he must do.”
Kitty wailed as Rudy went to the bushes and returned with the horses. Bo helped him harness them.
They sat down for breakfast.
“I’ll take her now.” Rudy held out his hand.
Kitty scurried from Alice’s arms to Rudy’s and Sissy pressed close to them. Alice suspected it was as much for her own comfort as for Kitty’s.
Somehow Rudy managed to eat around the two little girls.
Alice shook her head. The girls were learning to depend on him far more than they should. More than she should allow.There would be a price to pay down the road. But she was willing to leave it for the future.
They were soon ready to depart.
“Girls, we’ll sit in the back.” But Kitty would have none of it.
“I stay with him.” She stuck her bottom lip out and tears flooded her eyes.
“He can’t hold you and drive.” Alice wouldn’t hear of it. What if there was another runaway?
