“We should be getting into town next week,” he said. “If you’re not better by then, we’ll get a doctor.”
“I’ll be fine,” he murmured.
Danny winced, an indication that he wasn’t convinced all was well. Joe looked back at Brandon. He had a hunch that this wasn’t anything to be concerned about. Even so, he would keep an eye on Brandon and do everything he could to make him comfortable.
“If you need to stop, just call out to Danny, alright?” Joe told Brandon.
Brandon nodded, so Joe gestured for Danny to leave the wagon.
Once they were outside, Danny whispered, “You really think he’s not contagious?”
“I don’t see how he could be. We haven’t come across anyone in weeks,” Joe assured him. “Whatever he has, it’s only affecting him.”
Danny gave one more look at the wagon then sighed. “Alright. I’m going to get ready to head out.”
Joe gave him a firm pat on the shoulder to further reassure him that everything was going to be fine. Then he turned and headed for Brandon’s things. By the time he got there, Michelle was already on the steed.
“We’re not leaving for at least ten more minutes,” Joe told her.
“I know, but I wanted this magnificent animal to get used to me.” She leaned forward and stroked the horse’s mane. “He’s got a beautiful brown coat and a wonderful temperament. I don’t think there’s a finer steed around.”
“You better not say that around my horse. It’s apt to get jealous.”
She laughed. “Why, Joe, I didn’t think you were the type to tell jokes.”
“Who’s joking? My horse won’t take kindly to someone speaking so highly of another one.” Though he tried to look serious, the corners of his lips curled up.
“Well, it’s nice to know you have a sense of humor.”
With a grin, he went over to Brandon’s camp gear. Once he was done rolling the bedroll and securing it, he brought it to the horse and glanced up at Michelle.
“I need to put this on the horse, and it’d be easier to do that if you weren’t in the saddle,” he said.
“Oh! Of course.” She got down, and he had to admit that she knew what she was doing. Turning to him, she offered him a smile, which made his heart give an unexpected leap. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“There’s not a lot left to do. I’ll just need to put his things in his sack.”
“I can do that while you tie the bedroll to the horse.”
Before he could stop her, she was already going over to his gear. Well, he had to hand it to her. She was, by far, the best person he’d ever had helping him on the wagon trail. She’d already impressed him over the past couple of weeks. He had expected her to give up because the tasks were long, and after a while, they could drain one’s energy. Not with him, of course. He was so used to it that it didn’t even bother him. But it sure did bother a lot of the men he’d assigned tasks to.
Michelle, however, had surprising energy that never seemed to waver. In fact, if one could believe it, she seemed to actually be energized by it. What a rare person she was.
Without meaning to, he watched her as she leaned forward to gather Brandon’s things. She had a nice figure. This wasn’t the first time he’d noticed it, but for some reason, this was the first time a surge of desire swept over him and settled in his loins. Face warm, he hurried to put the bedroll on the horse.
Then, remembering there were other men in the area, he hurried over to her. He glanced over at the others, and fortunately, no one seemed to be paying any attention to her. That didn’t mean he should take his chances, though. Any of those men could look over at any moment.
“You should either kneel on the ground or sit down,” he said.
“Why?” she asked as she put Brandon’s fire striker and camp lantern into the leather sack.
Hearing the items strike something that sounded like glass, he took the sack from her.
“Was I packing it wrong?” she asked as she straightened up.
“No. You were doing fine. I just heard something.” He put his hand in the sack and searched among the items until he came across a bottle. Wait. Not just one. But a few. Pulling one out, he saw that it contained whiskey.
“Hold this.” He handed it to her and pulled out five more, four of which were empty. He swore under his breath.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
He hesitated to tell her. She was a woman, after all, and that being the case, she had delicate sensibilities.
“You can tell me,” she said. “I won’t tell anyone else.”
Well, maybe he should. If she was really going to be a part of leading this wagon train, then it did no good to withhold this from her.
“Alright,” he replied as he shoved the bottles back into the sack. “Brandon’s been getting drunk while he should have been working. His job is to help the people on this train. By getting drunk, he’s putting the wellbeing of everyone here at risk.”
“You think he gets drunk every night?”
“No. He doesn’t have enough whiskey for that. But there’s no doubt he’s been drinking, and he probably did get drunk a couple of times without me catching him.” And Brandon was smart about it. He’d done a good job of hiding his drinking from Joe. “Last night, he drank too much and threw up.”
He shook his head as he gathered the rest of Brandon’s things and threw them into the sack in irritation. If he ever got a chance to talk to Ronnie again, Joe would let him know exactly what he thought of him for not taking better care in hiring someone to do this job.
“I know this isn’t much consolation,” she began as she helped him, “but at least he doesn’t have something contagious. You’d be in worse shape if he did.”
Well, yes, that was true, but… “This group is bigger than what I usually lead. I need another man to take over his position.”
“Why can’t I do it?”
“Because you’re not a man. You’re a woman.”
She shot him a sharp look as he closed the sack. “I’m good at shooting a gun. I can ride a horse. I’ve helped with the lookout. I’ve even assisted you with getting people ready. I’ve been so good at this that Alice couldn’t take it and had to turn half the camp against me.”
He wasn’t sure why, but the indignant expression on her face made him laugh.
Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t see what’s so funny.”
“I can’t believe you consider getting into an argument with Alice a sign that you’re doing well.”
“Well, I’m right, aren’t I? I’ve been thinking about this since you picked me to ride Brandon’s horse today. You could have chosen one of the men, but you didn’t. That means I’ve been doing a good job of helping you.”
Just as he feared, she had a good reply. It seemed that no matter what discussion they got into, she won. But in this case, he had a good reason to put another man in Brandon’s place, at least once he dumped Brandon off at the next town. There was no way she could take over for him for the rest of the trip.
“I need a man to take charge of the other lookout,” he said. “Two people need to be in each lookout, and if I have you do the other lookout, then you’ll have to be with another man. That would put you at risk for being taken advantage of.”
He had expected her to consider the wisdom of his words and admit he made an excellent point, but to his surprise, she let out an excited cheer.
“I knew you were growing to care for me!” She hugged him before he could stop her.
He wanted to push her away and gently remind her that the decision had nothing to do with his feelings for her, that he was only thinking of her virtue. She had no idea what a man thought when he was alone with a woman in the middle of the night. It was the same reason why he wouldn’t let another man teach her how to shoot a gun.
She gave him a kiss on the cheek then let go of him. “Alright. I’ll help you lead the wagon train during the day, and we’ll pick a man to ta
ke over the other lookout at night.”
“We?”
“Sure. We’re partners now that Brandon’s not capable of doing his job. You can’t have someone who’s a drunk go the rest of the way to California. You’ll need someone you can depend on to fill in for him, and I’m able and willing to do the job.” She patted his arm and grinned. “In case you’re worried, I’m more than happy to do it!”
Then, as if to demonstrate she was sincere, she hurried back to Brandon’s horse and hopped into the saddle as if she was born for this kind of life. And for all he knew, maybe she had been. Swinging the strap of the sack over his shoulder, he shrugged and headed for the Taylor wagon.
* * *
Later that day while everyone took fifteen minutes to take a rest and give the animals something to drink, Joe checked on Brandon, who was looking much better than he had earlier that morning. He was still lying down, but he was no longer pale and his eyes weren’t glazed over anymore. This only proved what he’d told Michelle—that Brandon was a drunk.
Climbing into the wagon, Joe made sure no one else could overhear them before he leaned against one of the covered furniture pieces that crowded up most of the space. “I saw everything that’s in your sack.”
Eyebrows furrowed, Brandon made eye contact with him.
“I saw all of the whiskey bottles,” Joe continued since Brandon didn’t say anything. “How long have you been a drunk?”
“I’m not a drunk,” Brandon immediately replied. “I only take a little whiskey from time to time to relax after a long day.”
“A man who’s only looking to relax wouldn’t take five bottles with him, four of which are already empty.”
“It’s not what it looks like. I don’t need to drink it. I drink it when I feel anxious.”
“This has been an easy trail. We haven’t had anything bad happen along the way.”
“The rigorous trek every day is hard on everyone. I like to take a swallow or two each night.”
“Brandon, four of those bottles are already empty, and we had already passed through a town for more supplies three weeks ago. You’ve been taking more than a swallow or two a night.”
“I know what you’re thinking, and it’s not true. I don’t need a drink to get through this. I drink because I want to. Not because I have to. I can stop anytime I want.”
“You’re not the first drunk I’ve come across,” Joe said, trying to remain calm while sticking to his point.
Brandon, however, glared at him. “I’m not a drunk.”
Which was exactly the kind of thing other men like Brandon had said in the past. “When we reach the next town, I’m leaving you and your horse there.”
“What?” Brandon asked in alarm. “You can’t mean that.”
“You’re in no shape to help me lead this train, and I’m not going to drag you all the way to California.” Just so the other man didn’t think he could talk him out of it, he added, “My decision is final.”
As Joe went to the opening of the wagon, Brandon asked, “What am I supposed to do in a small town stuck in the middle of nowhere?”
Joe turned back to him. “The first thing you need to do is stop drinking. As long as you need a drink to get you through the day, you’re incapable of getting better. If you manage to do that, then you can clean up your life, and things will get better. It won’t be easy. I’ve watched men struggle through this, but it’d be the best thing you can do for yourself.”
Joe decided to ignore Brandon as he protested that he didn’t have a problem and left the wagon.
As he was on his way to his horse, Alice called out his name.
He should have known the irritable woman would bother him as soon as he put Michelle in Brandon’s position. With a groan, he stopped and waited for her to reach him.
“Mr. Otto,” she began, hands on her hips, “I don’t normally question those in authority, but I have a hard time understanding why your wife is helping to lead the wagon train when there are capable men to do that.”
“If you expect me to listen to anything you have to say, then stop lying,” he replied. “You have no trouble questioning anyone in authority. You’ve been using Stuart to express your grievances with me ever since we left Omaha.”
Her jaw dropped, but then she straightened her back and cleared her throat. “I was only voicing my concerns.”
“No you weren’t. You were complaining like a bitter old spinster who has nothing better to do with her time.” She gave a sharp intake of her breath, so he waved for her to talk. “We need to head out on the trail in a couple minutes, so make it quick. What are you going to gripe about now?”
After a moment, she said, “It’s not you I have an issue with. You’re a man. Your job is to lead this wagon train. I assume you wouldn’t have been hired for this task if you weren’t qualified.”
Considering that was the first nice thing she’d ever said in the short time he’d known her, he interrupted her with a simple, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I think.” She cleared her throat. “While you are qualified, I can’t say the same thing about your wife. She’s never led a wagon train before, nor do I think it’s a wise idea for a woman to be the leader when another man would be a much better fit for the role.”
“As much as I hate to admit it, when we started out on this trail, I would have agreed with you. But since then, my wife has asked that I give her a chance to prove herself, and quite frankly, she’s done an outstanding job. She’s qualified to be my secondhand,” he almost said ‘man’ but altered it to, “wagon train master.”
“I urge you to reconsider. There’s bound to be another man who can do a better job.”
“I can’t think of a single one.” Which was sad since there should have been. But it seemed to him the men just weren’t up for the challenges like Michelle was.
“Well, there’s Stuart.”
“Who has a wife and children. I think he’s much better off taking care of the oxen and leading his wagon. That way his wife can focus on their children and keep you entertained so you don’t go around complaining to everyone else.”
She let out a startled gasp and put her hand on her chest. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you today, but I must say I don’t find your behavior very respectable.”
“I don’t care. I’m the one in charge of this wagon train. That means I make the decisions. As you so adequately put it, since I’m the man, I get to lead. I’ve decided Michelle is the right person to take over Brandon’s position. If you don’t like it, you’re welcome to leave this group and head off to California on your own, but you’re not going to tell me how to run things around here.”
He began to walk away but then caught sight of Michelle who was bringing a pail of water over to a family with several children. The mother offered her an appreciative smile, and the two exchanged a few words.
Turning around, he went back to Alice who hadn’t budged from her spot. “I order you to stop talking poorly about my wife. If she wants to teach women how to shoot a gun, that’s her right. If she wants to do anything that’s traditionally a man’s job, then she has a right to do that, too. If I find out you’re badmouthing her, I’ll drop you off in the next town and leave you there.”
Her eyes nearly popped out of her head. “You wouldn’t!”
“Try me and find out.”
Since she didn’t respond, he tipped his hat and strode off.
Chapter 16
That evening Joe stood in front of Stuart as he waited for the man’s response. He had just ordered Stuart to help Danny keep the lookout on the other side of the wagon circle. Predictably, Alice and Sherry were standing next to Stuart. Joe had chosen Stuart to help Danny for this reason. Alice’s influence was strongest with Stuart and Sherry. If he could weaken it, then the rest of the way to California would be smooth. And the sooner he did this, the better.
Joe knew Alice wouldn’t like it, but he had to make sure she understood he was going
to dictate everything that was going to happen on this wagon train whether she liked it or not.
Alice looked at Stuart, silently challenging him to say no. Stuart, on the other hand, offered Joe a nod and headed for his bedroll.
Joe relaxed. Good. He had worried Stuart might protest. In fact, he had expected it. But Stuart, for whatever reason, had willingly gone along with his order.
Sherry glanced from Joe to Alice, and since Alice was glaring at Joe, Sherry muttered an excuse about needing to take care of the children and hurried away from them. That left him alone with his biggest challenger. He had thought Michelle had been hard to deal with, but she was nothing compared to Alice.
“You have something you want to say?” Joe asked.
He fully expected her to make a snide comment. Really he did. But she only huffed and retreated to the wagon where Sherry was.
Well, that went easier than he expected. Satisfied, he headed over to the area he’d set up for him and Michelle to keep lookout. On his way there, Matthew came over to him.
“Do you want me to help with the lookout tonight?” Matthew asked. “I notice Brandon’s not doing it, and you have Stuart and Danny on that side.” He gestured to the south side. Then he motioned to the north. “I thought I’d let you give your wife a break. She’s been doing it more than anyone else.”
Joe had to admit that Matthew’s offer was a nice one. Michelle had been helping him with the lookout for the past two weeks straight, not once asking for a night to get a full rest. But then, when he had made the offer, she insisted that she didn’t need a night off. She’d even added that she’d gotten so used to the schedule that she wouldn’t be able to sleep half the night anyway, and he could understand that since he was the same way.
“My wife actually enjoys the job,” Joe told him. “Tomorrow evening, it would be nice if you took over Brandon’s job on the lookout.”
A slow grin lit up Matthew’s face. “I’m sure if I was a newlywed and could spend the night alone with my pretty wife, I’d say the same thing.” With a wink, he turned and headed back to his wagon.
Groom For Hire (Pioneer Series #3) Page 13