Wagon Train Wedding

by Rhonda Gibson

  Luke Cartwright sat beside the fire, drinking coffee. Flynn didn’t see Carolyn and surmised she’d retired early. They were a quiet couple, always minding their own business—but time and time again, they had shown themselves to be kind, decent people. They always followed the rules of the train and were the first ones to step up and help if there was a need.

  “Mind if I join you a spell?” Flynn asked as he walked into their camp.

  Luke poured another cup of coffee. “Not at all. What brings you our way, Flynn? Trail Boss want me to take a watch?”

  “No, nothing like that.” Flynn took the offered cup. He looked around and lowered his voice before asking, “Where’s the missus?”

  Sadness entered the man’s eyes. “She’s turned in early tonight.”

  Flynn nodded. “My missus did, too—only mine did so because she’s angry with me.”

  Luke sighed. “They spend half of our married life being angry with us. Hope it’s nothing too serious for you.” He took a sip from his mug.

  Flynn knew he could continue to beat around the bush or just tell Luke why he had come to their camp. He chose to be straightforward. “Cora’s angry because she wants us to take in a young’un.”

  Luke waited.

  Flynn waited.

  After about five minutes of waiting and silence, Luke finally spoke. “What’s the story with the young’un?”

  “She’s a thirteen-year-old girl traveling with the California Train. Poor thing lost her parents a month or so back, and she’s been bounced around since then, trying to find a place to land. My wife wants her to land with us, but Cora has her hands full with Noah and I’m worried the girl would be too much for her. You know how girls that age like to sass and test a person.” He took a drink and stared into his cup. “Mind you, I feel for the child, her being an orphan and all, but I just don’t think Cora has the experience to handle adopting a teenager.”

  “Hogwash.” Carolyn stepped out of their wagon. “Cora Adams can handle any task she cares to take on, and everyone here knows she’s got a gift for children. So, what’s the real reason you don’t want her to take the girl in?” Her brown gaze sized up Flynn, and if the look in those flashing eyes was anything to go by, he came up lacking.

  He shook his head. “No reason beyond what I’ve said. Taking in a teenager is a big task, especially one who’s grieving. She most likely has issues that will need full-time care and watching after.”

  “Cora is both stable and able to handle all of what you just mentioned. She’d love the child just like her own.” Her voice broke on those last two words, and Carolyn came and put her hands on her husband’s shoulders. He in turn reached up and covered her hands. The gesture touched a place in Flynn’s heart, and he rubbed a hand across his chest.

  Luke chuckled. “Enough, Flynn. You won’t win with my Carolyn by making excuses. Just tell us what you want.”

  He shrugged. “All right. I want you to take Rebecca Williams.”

  Carolyn’s voice came out a squeak. “Us?”

  Flynn took his hat off and twisted the brim in his hands. “She needs parents and you need a daughter.”

  A tear trickled down Carolyn’s face. “We had a daughter.”

  “And you could have another one.” Flynn kept his voice soft and prayed it came out kind and caring. “She needs a ma, Carolyn. I know Rebecca could never replace Bonnie and you could never replace her ma. But I also know you both could be good for each other.”

  Luke stood and wrapped his arms around his wife. She turned her face into his shoulder. “Let us sleep on it, Flynn,” he said, nodding at Flynn to indicate the discussion was over.

  Flynn turned to walk away. Maybe this had been a bad idea. Had he hurt Carolyn? He hadn’t meant to. He’d meant to help Rebecca and make peace with Cora.

  “Flynn?”

  He turned to face Carolyn. She wiped tears from her face. “We’ll take her.”

  The words were such a shock that he almost thought he’d misheard them. “Are you sure?” If he lived to be a hundred, Flynn felt sure he’d never understand women.

  Carolyn clung to her husband’s waist. “I’m sure.” She looked eagerly into her husband’s eyes. “Are you fine with this, honey?”

  Flynn took a couple of steps back to them. “Cora says the girl has been passed around the other train to the point where Rebecca feels like no one wants her. I don’t want to see her hurt again. She needs a forever home.”

  Luke tightened his arms around his wife, drawing her closer. “She’ll have one with us. We’ll not be passing her on when the going gets tough. Our Bonnie taught us that children like order, responsibilities and love. Rebecca will have all three.”

  Flynn smiled. “I believe she will. Now, would you mind coming back with me and explaining it to Cora?”

  Luke actually laughed out loud. “I think you can handle it, Flynn. That was some mighty fine persuasion you just handed us, so you’ll do just fine with your missus.”

  Carolyn smiled. “Thank you for thinking of us, Flynn. I’ll come over in the morning and Cora and I will find the girl and bring her home with us. It will be all right. You’ll see.”

  “Thanks to the both of you. You’re good people. I’m glad we met up.” Flynn walked back to his wagon, the tension gone from his shoulders and the tight knot in his stomach soothed.

  * * *

  Flynn lay on his belly looking down at the village below. He could see ten tepees beside a stream of water that connected to the one the wagon train was camped beside. Women milled about doing chores, and older men sat in front of their tepees smoking and talking. Young and old women alike worked over cooking pits and the children played nearby. He looked to Levi and whispered, “Tell me again why we’re here.”

  “We’re scouting.”

  He shook his head. “You mean spying.”

  Levi motioned for him to stop talking and crawl back the way they’d come. As soon as they were far enough away not to be noticed by the villagers, they stood. Levi led the way back to their horses.

  Once they had put some distance between themselves and the village, Levi asked, “Did you notice anything odd about the village?”

  Flynn thought back. It had seemed peaceful. The women were going about their normal chores, and children had been playing with a stick and some sort of ball while the old men smoked and talked. His eyes narrowed as the penny dropped. “There were no young men in camp.”

  “Exactly. I’m curious if they are out hunting—or if they are surrounding our wagon train, waiting for nightfall so they can attack.” Levi sighed. “I prefer to think they are hunting.”

  “Any ideas on how we can find out?” Flynn’s mind was already working on what he could do to protect his own. He didn’t like the idea of Cora and the baby being at the camp without him, and the possibility of an Indian raid happening while he was gone scared him.

  Levi grinned. “We scout until we find them.” He turned his horse and headed back toward the wagon train. “When we get about a mile away from our wagon train, we’ll both spread out and see what we find.”

  Flynn nodded. “If you don’t mind my asking, why did you ask me to scout with you today? Don’t you normally do this alone?” Aware that they had just left the Indians, Flynn waited for an answer even as he kept his head tilted just so that he could hear anyone approaching them from behind.

  “You are the most alert man on this train, with the exception of myself and Samuel.” He pushed his hat back and looked over at Flynn. “Even now, you are making sure we aren’t being followed.”

  So his behavior was transparent. That was a dangerous thought, especially if it meant that others had picked up on it, too. Catching a killer would depend on his target not realizing he was being hunted. Flynn would have to do better, if he planned on catching a killer and keeping Cora and the baby safe.

&nbs
p; “Don’t look so concerned. My job is to observe and learn everyone’s mannerisms, attitudes and strengths on this train. You, sir, were a hard one to figure out.” Levi grinned. “For a while there, I wasn’t sure if you were a good guy or a bad one. Men like us are either one or the other.”

  They rode along in silence. Flynn had also been observing Levi. He’d found him to be silent, reserved and tough as nails. When the wagons had passed through the worst of the rivers, Levi had been in the center of the rushing currents, making sure each family made it safely to the other side. He had nearly killed himself trying to rescue the man who’d gotten caught in the rapids and drowned. While Levi hadn’t been able to save the man, he had managed to bring his body to shore to allow his widow to give him a proper burial.

  When they were about a mile from camp, Levi instructed, “You go right and I’ll go left. If they are surrounding the camp, they may have scouts out, so watch yourself.” Levi pulled his horse to the left and waved as they parted ways.

  Flynn moved with caution as he made a wide circle around camp. He heard shouts on the wind and followed the sounds. His horse snorted and pulled on the reins. “Hold on, ole boy.” Flynn pressed the horse to continue moving forward.

  Within a few moments, he could see what the commotion was about. In a valley between two hills, the young men of the village were in pursuit of a small buffalo herd. From where he sat on the hill, he watched as they cut one of the mighty beasts from the rest of the herd. With the arrows they shot and the lances they threw, the buffalo soon collapsed onto the earth. Flynn was amazed at how quickly they were able to bring the big beast down. He grinned as they celebrated their kill.

  His lips soon stiffened as he saw a bull come back. He snorted and charged toward the closest young man. Flynn urged Winston down the hill. He prayed he would reach the man before the buffalo. The Indian saw the animal bearing down on him and let out a shout. The other men turned just as Flynn rushed in between the man and the magnificent beast.

  He prayed herding buffalo worked the same as herding cattle. As Flynn reached down, the man instantly understood his intention and grasped his forearm. With all his might, Flynn hauled the man up onto the horse. The young Indian swung up behind him and held on tight.

  The massive buffalo snorted. He stopped, pawed at the ground and then turned right before reaching them. As if he knew he was defeated, the buffalo returned to his fleeing herd.

  Flynn smiled as the warriors around him cheered and shouted. He didn’t understand their words but knew they were happy and grateful by the smiles on their faces. The young brave slid off the back of his horse. Once he was on his feet, he motioned for Flynn to join them on the ground.

  Flynn climbed off his horse and turned toward them. They slapped him on the back and some of them even shook his hand. Flynn wasn’t sure what to make of the situation.

  “Looks like you’ve made a few friends,” Levi announced. He had walked his horse down to where they were without Flynn even realizing he was there.

  Flynn grinned. “Just doing what comes naturally. I don’t know what all the fuss is about.”

  Levi leaned on his saddle horn. “You saved the boy’s life, and they are grateful.”

  “You saw?”

  The scout nodded. “Yep.” He pointed to a cluster of trees. “There for a second I thought that bull was going to continue with his charge.”

  “So did I.”

  The braves began butchering the meat, so Flynn climbed back on his horse. He and Levi waved goodbye, then headed back to the wagon train.

  “I’m glad that went well,” Levi said as they rode.

  “I’m glad you were in the tree line watching, just in case it hadn’t,” Flynn answered as he patted his horse on the neck. “You get an extra helping of oats,” he told the horse.

  Levi chuckled low. “What do you do for a living?”

  Flynn sighed. “I’m a lawman, but I’d like to keep that information between us, if you don’t mind.”

  “Is your reason for joining this wagon train anything myself or the wagon master should know about?” Levi pulled his horse to a stop.

  “I’m on the hunt for a killer. He has killed multiple women between here and Texas. Rumor says he joined our train. I’ll let you know when I find him.” Flynn sighed. “If I find him. I don’t have a lot to go on.”

  Levi clicked his tongue and the horse began to move again. “What about your new wife? Does she know you’re a lawman?”

  “Cora knows.”

  “And she doesn’t mind? I mean, after you get to Oregon, will you be going back to Texas or staying?”

  “I’m not sure yet.” A big part of Flynn wanted to stay with Cora and the baby, but his life was in Texas, not Oregon.

  Levi sighed. “My wife hates me going back and forth. I’m thinking this might be my last trip.” He looked off into the distance.

  Flynn knew Levi hadn’t realized the turmoil his questions roused in him. He was falling for Cora and already loved the baby. If he told her how he felt, would she be willing to move back to Texas? That would mean traveling along a dusty trail again. And what about the dangers his job put him in? Would she hate not knowing where he was when he was out chasing bad guys? Would she feel safe on her own? Would she actually be safe? He hadn’t been able to protect Miriam—would he let down Cora, too?

  Chapter Fourteen

  Cora gingerly placed her armload of plants in the back tailgate of the wagon. She couldn’t believe her luck in finding rosemary, sage and lavender along the banks of the river. Though she hadn’t studied herbs, her mother and grandmother always had them in their gardens and used them as seasoning and sometimes even as medicine. Now she just needed cans to plant them in and to carefully transport them the rest of the way to Oregon, and she’d have the start of a fine herb garden.

  She’d dug them up, careful to get enough of the root, and for some reason, it made her extremely happy to think of having them with her, tending to them. Maybe that was why her mother and grandmother always had a garden. Maybe she herself would enjoy gardening someday.

  Annie walked up beside her, seemingly in good spirits. “What are you going to do with those weeds, Cora?”

  “They aren’t weeds. They are herbs that I found growing down by the river. I hope to plant them when we get to Oregon.” She moved so Annie could see them lying on the tailgate. “But right now I need to find pots to plant them in. Otherwise they will die.”

  Annie wrinkled her nose. “What do you need them for? They’re not that pretty.”

  Cora smiled at her friend’s expression. “They’re not to look at. They’re used for healing and cooking purposes.” She brushed dirt off one of the leaves, then continued, “You can use them to season meat. My grandmother even put them in desserts. I wish I had some of her recipes.”

  “You’re smart, Cora. Wish I was smart like you.” Annie picked up the lavender and smelled it. “This one smells like a flower.”

  Annie had done so much better these last few weeks, but some days she lacked confidence and needed a helping hand. “You’re smart, too, Annie. Just in a different way. I admire how you talked Mrs. Smith into trading you dried peaches for coffee beans. You knew how much she wanted the coffee and what a fair trade with her would be. We all have different talents and strengths. What you are holding is lavender. It is used to help people relax, and it’s also taken to help with pain.”

  “How do you use it for pain?” Annie asked, setting the plant back down.

  Cora smiled. “You mix the dried lavender leaves with tea leaves and then boil them in water and drink it.”

  She saw the light click on in Annie’s eyes. It had been so easy to teach her how to be a good wife. Annie was a fast learner. Once she realized that she could learn new ways of doing things, Annie had become a pleasant person to be around.

  Just last evening,
they had worked together and made two blackberry pies. This morning, Annie confessed that Harold had been doubly pleased at her efforts. It was as if something had finally clicked in Annie’s brain and taught her to enjoy pleasing her new husband in little things that other ladies did as a matter of course. Such as taking him water to drink during the heat of the day or pulling his shoes off for him when he was too tired to do it himself. And to his credit, Harold had responded positively, and it was wonderful to see the personal growth in them both.

  Cora smiled. “Now, as I said, all I have to do is find containers to plant these in.”

  Sarah walked up and smiled. “Will this work, Cora? I saw you bringing those back and figured you’d need things to plant them in.” She held out a large coffee can, but Cora paused before accepting the gift.

  “Isn’t this what you use to put your loose tea leaves in?” Anything that had a lid was valuable. The lids kept bugs, dust and even children out of whatever the container held.

  The older woman shrugged. “It was, but my tea got wet during the last river crossing and had to be thrown out. The can has just been sitting there empty, so you might as well use it.”

  “I have tea I’ll share with you, Sarah.” Annie took off in a run toward her wagon.

  Sarah chuckled. “That girl has turned into the sweetest li’l thing.” She stared after Annie, then turned back to Cora. “Here. Take this. It’s large enough that you can plant all three herbs in it.” When Cora started to protest, she raised her hand to halt her. “It doesn’t matter if Annie shares her tea with me. Whatever amount she returns with won’t be large and will probably only fill the bottom of this big can. I can find somewhere else to store the leaves.” She pushed the container into Cora’s hands.

  Cora knew the sacrifice Sarah was making and appreciated her all the more. “Thank you. It’s perfect.” She turned back to the tailgate and added the can. Now all she needed was dirt to plant the herbs in.