Delly huffed and crossed her arms.
“I’ll protect them with my life, if need be.”
Zeke studied the man in front him, noting the firm handshake. Luke didn’t meet his gaze but for a second. He figured that was because of the man’s background. Intelligence shown from his eyes, softening when he glanced at Sadie.
Then Zeke asked the question he’d dreaded on the walk over. “Are you a runaway?”
Luke swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Depends on what you call a runaway.”
Zeke laughed. “Fair enough. Welcome. Do you know how to drive a team?”
“Ain’t much pertaining to animals that I don’t know.”
“Sadie you can move aside now,” Zeke said. “I’m not going to run him off.” He couldn’t predict what the others would do, though. He prayed it wouldn’t cause trouble. “Thank you, Mr. Williams.” Tears shimmered in Sadie’s eyes. “We were feared you would.”
“I can’t say what the future holds, but for now, it’ll be nice having another strong man along. Especially one willing to risk his life for others.” He tipped his hat at Delly, nodded at the others, and strolled to his horse. When had he acquired the talent for picking up strays?
13
“Ma, come here.” Junior pointed to the oxen. Every time he tried putting on their harnesses, they balked and moved away. “They won’t let me hitch ‘em. I need you to hold them still.”
She set the camp stove she’d used for breakfast into the back of the wagon. “That’s unusual. They’ve been docile so far, if not a mite stubborn and skittish.” She ran her hands over them. Their flesh twitched at her touch. “They’re covered with sores.” She showed him the raw marks around their necks. “Haven’t you been taking off the harnesses every night? Especially when it rains?”
He bowed his head and shuffled his feet in the dirt. “Mostly.”
“Mostly?” She placed her fists on her hips.
He raised his eyes without moving his head. “Some nights I don’t. It’s our turn to ride toward the end of the line and the poker games have usually started by the time I get the wagon unhitched.” He lifted his head and jutted out his chin. “I didn’t think it would matter once in a while. All the guys play. I’ve been winning…mostly.”
Her son is gambling? Like his father? Delly clutched her throat. Her stomach churned. How could she not have noticed?
Delly bit her tongue to squelch the sharp words wanting to burst forth. “These oxen could determine whether we make it to Oregon or not. They must be cared for properly.” She took a deep breath. “You know the dangers of playing cards. But, you’re not a child anymore. You’ve grown up a lot on the trail, and you’re going to do what you want, regardless of my wishes ” She patted the nearest ox. “Just make sure you unharness the oxen first—every night. Switch the sorest ones with the extras. I’ll get the salve for you to put on them.”
“Thanks, Ma.” He dashed off to her bidding. She smiled at the small sign of childhood still left in him. She sighed. She’d need to talk to Zeke. See whether he could speak with Junior about following in his father’s footsteps.
“I’ll take charge of the oxen, Miss Delly.”
“Good morning, Luke.” She shook her head. “It’s kind of you to offer, but my son needs to learn responsibility.”
Luke grinned. “Maybe I could keep an eye on him? Make sure he does it right.”
She laughed. “You mean do it for him and let him run off and play.”
“Regardless of what he thinks, he’s still a boy. A boy doing the work of a man and trying to live up to it. Let him take night watch. I’ll care for the animals.”
She pulled the salve from her apron pocket. “It’s a deal. Here. The smell of this turns my stomach. I’ll gladly turn it over.”
Shouts of “move ‘em out” drifted down the line, and Luke set to work as soon as Junior arrived with the replacement animals. Delly donned her face rag and climbed onto the wagon seat, leaving Sadie to walk with Luke.
The sun rose and the day slipped into their normal monotony. The oxen, used to the routine, followed the wagon ahead and left Delly alone with her thoughts. She focused on her physical tiredness. Every muscle ached, barely relieved by nights spent in the cramped tent or back of the wagon.
She tried to be grateful for the opportunity, saying her blessings each night, but most of the time her eyes closed before she could squeeze a prayer from her lips.
A dust cloud rose in the distance, pulling her from her thoughts. She raised her glance to the sky. Late afternoon. Had she spent the entire time dwelling on her thoughts?
“Can you see what it is?” Sadie stepped close to the wagon. “Is it more buffalo?”
Delly stood and craned to see. “I can’t tell, but I hope not.” The wagon ahead of her stopped and she pulled back on the reins.
Zeke rode up. “There’s a drove of cattle ahead. We’ll be stopping for the remainder of the day. I don’t relish eating their dust. I’ll speak to them about letting us pass first in the morning. Where’s Luke?”
“He went back with the animals.” Sadie frowned. “Something wrong?”
“Just a wheel that needs tending to. Might be some money in it for him. I’ve been spreading the word that we’ve got a blacksmith with us now.”
“You doing okay, Delly? You look a mite peaked.” He studied her face, his eyes grave beneath the brim of his hat.
Her traitorous heart leaped at the concern in his voice. Being self-sufficient was exhausting. What would it be like to have a man like Zeke take care of her? She shook her head and stiffened. “Just tired.”
“Why don’t you let Sadie drive more? You don’t need to do everything yourself.”
“Don’t treat me like I’m a child.” She lifted her chin. “There’s enough of them in the back of the wagon.” She averted her face, embarrassment rushing through her. “I apologize. There’s no need for shrewishness.”
“Take care, Delly.” His look softened as he continued to study her, before tipping his hat and steering Cyclone to another wagon.
Delly smiled at the warm look he’d given her. If she didn’t know better, she might think he cared more for her than as another traveler. Then she chided herself for romantic notions. He treated them all the same. With care and understanding. Sometimes, she acted like a silly girl, instead of a woman with children.
Zeke had made it clear on more than one occasion that a wife wasn’t in his plans. Other than his spur of the moment proposal, he’d not said another word to tell her different. She shook her head and climbed from the wagon. She was a fool, dwelling on something she neither wanted or needed.
She had a fire burning by the time Alice shuffled toward her, burdened with a Dutch oven. Abby followed, her young arms loaded with the ingredients for bread.
“This is the perfect opportunity to get some baking done.” Alice set the pot in the embers of the fire. “Got to take the chance when you can. Mind if I share your fire so we can visit a spell?”
“Sounds good.” Delly brushed off the skirt of her calico dress. “I’ll do the same.”
Dorcas and Abby took the little ones off to play while the women baked. A child’s cry pulled Alice away with the promise to return as soon as she’d handled the latest crises.
Once the bread was set to rise, Delly plopped on the three-legged stool and pulled out a novel. Maybe a cheap dime western could take her mind off the trail’s troubles. If only Zeke didn’t fit the hero like the book was written about him.
“What ‘cha read in that book of yours?” Alice returned and set the oven next to the fire.
“A love story about an outlaw turned good by a feisty woman.”
Alice nodded. “I don’t read good myself. Never had the time. Can sign my name and my young’uns. That’s about it. Tried reading the Bible a couple of times but got flustered over all the big words.”
Delly slid her book back in her apron pocket. “I could help you”
; She waved Delly’s offer aside. “I’m too old for that now. Got other things to occupy my time. You will too, once you’re settled down having babies.” Alice glanced sideways at Sadie who joined them with a basket of mending.
Delly could tell from the way Alice kept shooting glances at the other that she had something on her mind. She bit her lip to keep from giggling when Alice blurted out her question. “That boy follow you all the way from Missouri?”
Sadie startled, spilling some flour. “Pretty much.”
“Guess what I don’t know, can’t hurt me, right?” Alice shrugged. “Guess some might say that was romantic.”
“You don’t?” Delly stirred the fire’s embers then pulled her shawl from the wagon. The air chilled with the setting sun.
“Don’t have a lot of time for that type of nonsense.” Alice lifted the lid from her oven, revealing a mound of golden bread. The smell rose, teasing Delly’s taste buds. “Although the way our wagon master looks at Delly might put me in a romantic frame of mind.”
“Don’t be silly.” Delly removed her own pan from the fire and admired the completion of her loaf. “A little romance is nice. Every girl wants some in her life. You aren’t any different, it’s just not for me outside the pages of a book.” She flashed Alice a grin. “I’ve seen the way you and Ben look at each other. Even after children.”
Delly wrapped the bread in a saved sheet of greased paper. “Has anyone seen Junior? He’s usually clamoring for something to eat by now. The boy never can wait for supper.”
“I saw him head to the front of the train.” Using her skirt, Sadie lifted a pan of beans from another fire. “Right after dark.”
“Keep an eye on the children, please.” Delly wiped her hands on a hanging towel, grabbed the pistol from the wagon, and set off for the front of the line. Maybe she should find Zeke. No, the man was busy. Delly wasn’t his only concern. Whatever trouble Junior got himself into, she could handle. If not, she’d fire her gun and Zeke or one of his hands would come running. Big, strapping, wagon master, or not, Delly was perfectly capable of minding her own children.
To the right of their circle, a large fire roared, and she switched directions to follow the sound of raucous laughter. Her stomach soured as curse words filled the air. Maybe she should’ve waited and taken Luke with her.
Junior sat with five strange men, obviously the drovers Zeke mentioned, tossing money and cards like they were candy. Her heart sank. The strange men around him were dirty, smelly, and spewed curse words faster than Delly’s feet could carry her to her son’s side. She stuffed the pistol into the pocket of her dress.
“Junior. It’s time to go.” She clapped a hand on his shoulder and pulled him to his feet. Once he stood, she turned with a flick of her skirt and marched several feet away. She turned and waited, one foot tapping.
“Ma, you don’t belong here.” Junior tossed a glance toward the men around the fire. “I shouldn’t have left yet. I’ve been winning, and they’ll be angry.”
“I don’t care. These men look dangerous, and you’re gambling with them. Gambling!” Her hands trembled and she clasped them in front of her. “Where’s your money?”
He handed it to her. “Two hundred dollars. Won fair and square. But they’re going to be mad that…”
“I don’t care.” She stuffed the money into the bodice of her dress and clutched his arm. “Let’s go.”
The money seemed to burn her skin through the thin fabric of her shift. Everything in her wanted to toss the greenbacks into the fire. Reasoning told her the money would come in handy when they set up their homestead, ill-gotten or not.
Junior yanked free. “I can’t go yet. The men need an opportunity to win back some of their money. You’re making me go against the code, Ma.”
“I said, let’s go.” She grabbed him again.
“I said no.” He yanked away and crossed his arms. “Give me some of the money, at least.”
The belligerent look on his face pained Delly. Where had her loving son gone? The responsible big brother to the others? She’d lost him somewhere after they’d set out on this trip. The boy replaced with a headstrong young man. She again questioned the wisdom of leaving what had been familiar.
“Fine.” She handed him a fistful of dollars. “But don’t come crying to me when you lose it all.” She’d be the one heartbroken when he succumbed to the fate of his father.
“Hold on there, little missy.” A man stepped out from behind the nearest tree. He wore his hat pulled low over his face. The pants and shirt he wore were covered in dirt and stained with perspiration. He stank like cattle and liquor. Delly swallowed back nausea and lifted a hand to her nose.
Junior tugged on her sleeve, and she shook him off.
“How about you hand over the rest of that money,” he growled
She stepped back. “You’re mistaken. I don’t have it.”
“You aren’t being truthful with me.” He grinned with tobacco stained teeth. Before she could take another step he lunged forward and grabbed her arm. “I saw you stuff it down the front of that purty dress. Now hand it over, or I’ll go fishing for it. Might be we could make a deal beneficial to both of us.”
Bile rose in Delly’s throat. She slipped her free hand in the pocket of her dress, taking comfort from the presence of the pistol. She contemplated screaming for help, but realized with the location of the wagons, no one would be likely to hear. Most of the train would’ve bedded down for the night. Why hadn’t she told anyone where she was headed?
The man grabbed a fist full of her dress and yanked, ripping it down the front, exposing the white beneath. The wad of money fell to the ground.
“Now you owe me something for my trouble.” He pulled her close, trying to wrangle a kiss. Her heart beat so fast, she’d swear the man could feel it thump. She turned her head and bit his hand. He punched her, knocking her to the ground.
Delly raised a hand to her split lip and tasted blood.
“Let go of her!” Junior launched himself on the man’s back. “Nobody hits my ma.”
Delly took advantage of the man’s distraction to get to her feet and whip out the gun. “You step back and let me and my son be.”
The man laughed. “You going to shoot me?”
“If I have to.” Please, God, make him back down.
He flung Junior off his back and took another step toward Delly. “This is going to be fun.”
###
Zeke thought his heart would stop when Delly crumpled to the ground. His steps faltered in amazement when she whipped out his pistol. The situation escalated from there. Junior picked himself off the ground then rushed to his ma’s side, raising his fists to a fighting position.
“We’ll both take you on, mister.”
The man laughed and pulled his own weapon. “Think you can take me on, do you? Think that purty gal there can pull her trigger faster than me? Want to turn around and take it at ten paces, or start shooting from the hip where we stand? Either way, I’m going to spill blood.”
Zeke stepped from his hiding place, revolver in hand. “I wager I can take you.” He motioned for Junior to take Delly back to the wagons then, not taking his eyes off the other man, bent and retrieved the money. “Here. Now go. Next time, I might not be so generous.”
The man smirked, counted off some bills and handed the rest to Zeke. “Just want what’s mine.” He spun and headed back to the fire.
Zeke put his revolver away and headed to the wagons. His anger grew with each step of his booted feet. That woman would be the death of him. Rather than going after Junior on her own, she should’ve fetched him. He admired her dedication and love for his brother’s children, but some things were better left for a man to do.
Delly stood backlit by the campfire. Wide-eyed the others watched from behind her. Zeke slowed his steps and counted to ten. The only one who didn’t look terrified at his stormy approach was the dark-haired spitfire in front of him. What did the others think he woul
d do? Hit her?
She’d tucked her torn dress up into her slip and glared at him. Her fine chin tilted in defiance.
“What were you thinking?” Zeke grasped her arm and pulled her out of sight of the others. “Do you know what that man was capable of? Most of those cowhands hadn’t seen a woman in months, much less a pretty clean one.”
She jerked free. “I’ve had enough manhandling for one night, thank you.” Delly marched back to the fire, where the others had mysteriously disappeared, and poured herself a cup of coffee. She glared at him over the rim of the tin cup.
She had the gall to be mad at him? He whipped off his hat. “Are you so naïve that you don’t know what that man intended when he grabbed you?”
“I know exactly what he intended.” She lowered her drink. “That’s why I pulled the gun on him. I would’ve shot him if I had to.”
“You would’ve…you knew…” He found himself at a loss for words. How could she sit there and calmly drink? Then he noticed her hands trembling, despite the brave front she tried to portray. “Come here.”
Delly’s cup fell to the ground, and she launched herself into his arms. He held her tightly. “When I saw you fall, I saw red. I wanted to kill the man.” Zeke tilted her face to his. Blood had dried at the corner of her split lip. He licked his thumb and wiped it away. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She leaned her forehead to rest on his chest.
Lord, what had he done to deserve the growing attachment he felt for this woman? Or her apparent increasing attachment to him, whether she wanted to admit it or not? He glanced up to see the children peering from the wagon’s bonnet.
“The west is a dangerous place.” He lifted her face again. “You’ve got to be more careful. Laramie is only a hundred miles from here. There’s new trouble for you to get into on the other side of the fort. Don’t drive me to distraction on the way.” He kissed her forehead and stepped back before digging into his pockets. “Here’s most of the money. The man just took what he’d lost. Put it somewhere besides the inside of your blouse. Maybe wherever you stuck our deed. ” He handed it to her and turned to Junior. “Come on out.”
Woman of Courage (Four Full length Historical Christian Romances in One Volume): Woman of Courage Series Page 11