Wagon Train Wedding: Christian historical romance (Love on the Santa Fe Trail Book 2)

by Linda Ford

  Now she understood why they hadn’t stopped. Fire could easily go from one wagon to another if they had circled.

  Warren was on the ground and grabbed the shovel. He’d secured the reins. “If the animals get too skittish take the girls and get out of the wagon. Don’t try and hold them, and above all, don’t stay in the wagon.” He raced toward the burning wagon. Wagons had been turned aside up and down the trail and men hurried in the same direction.

  She stood to better see and scanned the crowd of men. Not until she picked out Gil’s gray hat could she fill her lungs. Just as quickly she stopped as Gil struggled to free the oxen from the burning wagon.

  He led them away and her starving lungs sucked in air.

  The fire consumed the canvas and ate at the wood. The whole load would be lost unless the men could put out the fire.

  She strained to see what was going on. Was that Gil pulling things from the burning wagon? Her heart slammed into her ribs. He’d climbed into the wagon. He threw things out. Gil, she silently screamed, nothing in there is worth losing your life over.

  He jumped from the back allowing her to again feel her limbs.

  Flames spread from the wagon. The prairie burned. The men swung gunny sacks or beat at the flames with shovel. The wind drove the fire at a furious rate.

  A bit of burning canvas blew from the wagon and a second wagon ignited, lighting up the dark sky.

  Gil waved his arms and a handful of men raced back to the standing wagons and moved them further away. A couple of men led the oxen away from the burning wagon.

  The orange and red of the fire outlined the men. Judith prayed for their safety and continually sought for a glimpse of the gray hat. Please keep him safe.

  The prairie fire continued to spread and the men continued to run ahead of it and attempt to beat it out.

  If only the wind would go down or the clouds would open and send rain. Please, God, make one or both happen.

  Lightning continued, the flashes turning the scene into a silver and red picture.

  Another flash. Thunder instantly following. The mules stomped and yanked at the reins. She had no wish to be in a runaway wagon. “Polly, we’re leaving the wagon. Take Anna to the back.” As she spoke, she jumped from the wagon and raced around to take Anna. Polly jumped down without any urging.

  Judith led them a goodly distance from the wagon to a spot where she felt safe, but could still watch the men. She barely looked away when the wagon she had so recently vacated raced away. The evening had closed in about them.

  The second wagon burned unabated. They should have stayed close to the river where they could get water to fight the fire. But it was too late to change what was.

  She sank to the ground, holding Anna tightly. Polly pressed to her side.

  “Is my uncle okay?” Polly asked.

  “The men are careful. They won’t do anything that might put them in danger.” She kept part of her attention on the spreading grass fire. Where would she go if it came toward her? Should she go toward the river? It was some distance off. Perhaps she should head that direction now. She glanced around to see where the other women were. Through the smoke billowing about them, she thought she made out the wagons to the north. Perhaps she should join them. But she didn’t move in either direction because she couldn’t take her eyes off the fire and the men fighting it.

  “He won’t let his wagons burn.” Polly’s voice carried the threat of tears. “He says we’ll soon stop traveling the trail and get us a real home. He says I’ll be able to have my own dog and not have to share like I do with Mister King.”

  Judith knew she referred to the camp dog she had given that name to. Seems many of the men were growing tired of their wandering lives and looking forward to having a home.

  The men gathered at the leading edge of the grass fire beating out the last flames. Good. They’d stopped it. They remained there, watching for flare ups while the two wagons slowly burned into the ground.

  Gil crossed the blackened area and went to the smoldering wagons. Nothing in either of them would be worth salvaging. It would be a great loss for the owner.

  The teamsters remained at the site of the fire to make sure the wind didn’t fan it into flames. Luke came through the smoke and found his wagon with Donna Grace and baby Elena.

  Reverend Shepton, his steps slow and heavy, made his way to his wife in their wagon.

  Polly saw Sam and raced toward him. He caught her and hugged her close then they turned aside.

  Warren stood near the smouldering wagon, Gil at his side.

  She sat motionless and waited for Gil.

  Warren and Gil finally left the scene. Fifty yards from where she sat, they stopped. Only then did she remember the mules had run off with the wagon. They would be wondering what happened to her.

  She stood and called.

  Gil saw her in the dusk and ran to her. He caught her to him, Anna between them.

  Judith breathed in the acrid smell of smoke. “I’m so glad you’re safe,” she murmured.

  “You gave me a fright when I didn’t see you at first.”

  Warren stood nearby. “The wagon?” he asked.

  She pointed the direction the mules had gone, and Warren went after them.

  Judith could not ease her hold on Gil even though Anna squirmed and protested.

  Gil shifted, took Anna in one arm and held Judith tight to his other side. She wrapped her arms about his waist and wondered if she would ever be able to let him go.

  “Whose wagons burned?” she asked.

  “Mine.”

  “Both of them?” Shock made her voice thin.

  “Both of them.” He sounded weary clear through.

  “Oh Gil, I’m so sorry. But at least you’re safe.”

  Warren returned with the wagon. Gil released her and handed her the baby. She wished she could have kept her arms around him.

  “I have to help Buck get the camp organized and look after my oxen.”

  She let him go, although every thought rebelled at having to do so. Two wagons was a great loss, but he was alive and well. That was all that mattered to her.

  How much did the loss mean to him? She couldn’t help but think of Frank, and how his loss had meant more to him than she did.

  But Gil wasn’t like that. She was wrong to let the idea enter her mind.

  They circled the wagons and made camp. The wind had subsided and the storm moved off, but smoke from the two burned wagons drifted toward them.

  Judith helped with camp chores, but her thoughts were on Gil. When would he come?

  A horse rode away from camp. She recognized it as Gil’s and he, the rider.

  Despite her determination not to think it was anything like Frank, her heart sank like it was full of stone.

  Gil rode from the camp. Buck expected him to find water and camping spots. He expected Gil to warn of any danger threatening the wagon train. He would do that but mostly Gil wanted to leave behind the destruction of two of his three wagons. He had counted on the sale of the contents to set up a fund for his stepmother to live on and another for Stu’s future needs. With the rest of the money he hoped he could start a new life in the west with Judith and Anna.

  He had savings. Were they enough to meet his needs? He rode to the river, dismounted and sat overlooking the water as he considered his options.

  This might set him back enough that he would have to stay on the trail another year.

  As he sat, he added up the numbers. Was this God’s way of saying Gil should continue freighting? Perhaps his journeys back and forth would be the means of helping Judith find this Jones fellow.

  His heart hurt at the thought. It wasn’t what he wanted.

  Maybe, on the other hand, it was God freeing from the freight business. If he sold the remaining wagon and goods and all the animals, he would have the money he needed for his stepmother, Stu and a home.

  That was his answer.

  He rose, feeling better than he had
since he saw the fire start on his first wagon. What a sinking feeling he’d had as the second caught fire. It was like watching his dreams go up in smoke.

  A smile on his face, he returned to Slack. “Except, old boy, it’s no longer my dream. My dream is a home with Judith and Anna and whatever children the Lord sees fit to bless us with.”

  He rode toward the wagon train.

  “Only one thing left to do,” he informed his horse. “Help Judith find the man she seeks so we can get on with our life together.”

  By the time he reached the camp, the fires had died down and apart from the guards, everyone had bedded down. Rather than risk disturbing those sleeping, he took his bedroll and crawled under his last remaining freight wagon.

  Tomorrow he would tell Judith his plans. Not that it changed anything for the next few weeks as they continued on their journey. But once they reached Bent’s Fort he would ask around about the Jones man. He’d ask men Judith should never speak to.

  The mountain pass would be closed by now. They would have to winter at the Fort.

  Not something he minded contemplating.

  He smiled as he thought how pleased Judith would be at his announcement.

  He could only hope and pray that they would find the man. Please God, let us find him in Bent’s Fort. That way they could continue west with Luke and Donna Grace.

  Losing two of his wagons was a disaster, but not without a positive side. The loss made him see what really mattered and it wasn’t the freight, being on the trail or even the money he made by selling his goods.

  He knew exactly what he wanted. A home and a family with Judith and Anna.

  * * *

  The sky had not lightened when Gil woke the next morning but already men were stirring. Pete, who not only played the harmonica but made the best breakfast, arranged wood and started the fire.

  The smoke from the fire of yesterday lingered in the air—an unpleasant reminder of what had happened.

  He lay a moment longer in his warm bedding, grateful that the fire had not done more damage nor gotten out of control in the prairie grass.

  Would Judith be up yet? He was anxious to tell her his plans.

  Despite the loss of two of his wagons, they would have a home and a family just as he had promised her and promised Anna’s father.

  Ignoring the cold, he slipped from his bed, rolled the bedding, stowed it in his wagon then trotted out to help the teamsters with the oxen.

  “Don’t hurt to have some spares,” one man commented.

  “They can spell off each other,” another added.

  Gil assured the men they would all receive their expected pay. “I’ll be counting on you to get the animals safely to Bent’s Fort.” He knew he could get a fair price for them there.

  As soon as the animals were cared for he went to the burned out wagons. As he expected there was nothing worth salvaging except for a cast iron fry pan. He took that to Pete. His gaze went to the other campfire where the women prepared breakfast.

  He didn’t care to share his news in front of everyone, but he couldn’t put off seeing Judith and jogged over.

  She looked at him and started to sob.

  That was hardly the greeting he expected, and he stopped to think what was wrong.

  “I didn’t know if you were coming back,” she managed between gulps.

  “Why wouldn’t I come back?”

  “Frank didn’t.”

  Not caring how many watched nor what they thought he closed the distance between them and pulled her to his chest. “Judith, I will always come back. How else am I going to keep my promise to you?”

  She sniffled. “What promise is that?”

  He eased her away from the others so he could speak freely. “A house full of joy, a life of contentment and a happy family.” He hoped she would recall the rest. All the ways he wanted to bless her life.

  “Oh, that one.” She shuddered. “When you left without saying a word…”

  “I regret that I caused you worry. I’ll try to do better in the future. But—” He leaned back so he could look into her teary eyes. “I am not Frank. You can count on me.”

  She blinked back her tears and continued to look at him until she was satisfied. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He kissed the tip of her nose.

  Anna called to them and Gil laughed. “Seems our little daughter wants us. Let’s join the others for breakfast.” He took her hand and they went back to the fire.

  No one said anything, but Donna Grace and Mary Mae both gave Judith a quick hug.

  Luke and Warren studied Judith, seemed relieved that she was okay. They each gave Gil a look that warned him he better not hurt their sister. He had no intention of doing so. He smiled at them. Throughout breakfast, his smile hovered close to the surface. As soon as he got an opportunity he was going to tell Judith that he would help her find Frank’s stepbrother. He watched for an opening. Perhaps he could steal her away for a few minutes and leave the others to prepare for the day’s journey. But as he was about to ask, Buck rode up.

  “Gil, the men could use some help with your oxen.”

  “I’ll be right there.” Gil had no choice but to leave, but then it wasn’t as if he wouldn’t get a chance to see Judith later. They would be on this journey together for many days yet.

  The day alternately passed quickly and then slowed to a snail’s pace. By the time Gil had shared supper with the group, his insides jittered with anticipation and a tiny degree of anxiety. He wasn’t a man used to talking to a woman. Perhaps he wouldn’t get it right.

  “Would you walk with me?” he asked Judith when the meal was over and the chores attended to.

  “Of course.”

  Mary Mae said she would watch Anna.

  Gil took Judith’s arm and they wandered past the circle of wagons, Pete’s harmonica music accompanying them. They walked across the dry grass until they found a spot where they could watch the sunset, though that was not his reason for stopping.

  Judith faced him, her hands on his upper arms. “Gil, I’m sorry you lost your wagons, but I want you to understand that the loss of income does not matter to me. I will stand by you whatever happens.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and touched his forehead to hers. “Judith, thank you for saying that. There is something I’ve been wanting to tell you.”

  She tipped her head back to look into his eyes, hers full of uncertainty.

  “Don’t look so worried. It’s something you’ll like. I promise.” He waited until trust replaced the concern in her eyes. “That’s better.”

  Her smile warmed his insides.

  “I want you to know that I have decided I will help you find this Jones fellow and stay with you until you have found him.”

  She studied him, her gaze going from his one eye to the other. “Have you given up on having a home?”

  “Not at all, but until you are ready for it, neither am I.” He didn’t mention Anna. The child would have to accompany them. “I’m hoping we’ll find the man at Bent’s Fort.” He watched her assess the information. Why wasn’t she pleased with his announcement?

  A smile crept across her face. She cupped her palms to his cheeks. “Perhaps you will be happy to hear that I have also come to a decision. I will search for Frank’s stepbrother only as far as Santa Fe. If we don’t find him there, or before there, I will let it go.”

  He whooped. “Glad to hear it.” He hugged her tight, his cheek resting on her head. “I’m hoping and praying we will find him at the fort so we won’t have to travel further south.”

  “That would be nice.”

  He could not miss the longing in her voice and his heart swelled with joy to know she wanted the same thing he did—to move on and start a real home.

  They sat on the grass, neither of them in a hurry to return, content to be together and anticipating their future.

  Judith bounced to her feet and held out a hand to him. “I have something I want to
show you.”

  “What?” He chuckled at her enthusiasm as she tugged on his hand to hurry him back to the camp.

  “You’ll see in a minute. Wait here.” She indicated a spot by the wagon.

  No one took more than a glance toward Gil as he leaned against the wheel, listening to Judith rummage around inside the wagon. The campfire blazed, dispelling the chill of the November evening. Luke and Donna Grace sat side by side, their attention on baby Elena. Warren and Sam talked together, looking at something Sam scratched in the dirt. Polly and Mary Mae played cats-in-the-cradle with Anna watching them. The Sheptons had retired to their wagon.

  “Got it.” She scrambled down and came to him, holding what looked like a photograph. Two feet away, she stopped. “I don’t know what I was thinking. This won’t be of any help.” She put her hands behind her back.

  “What is it?”

  “A picture of Frank. I thought it might help us find his stepbrother, but I forgot they aren’t blood related.”

  Frank? He was curious to see what the man who had been so careless of Judith’s feelings looked like. “Let’s have a look.”

  She hesitated then nodded. “I wouldn’t mind if you saw him for yourself.” She handed him the sepia-colored photograph.

  He stared. Tipped the picture toward the fire to see it better and swallowed hard.

  “This is Ollie.”

  “No, it’s Frank.”

  He tapped the picture with his index finger. “I’m as sure as can be that this is my stepbrother, Ollie. What kind of game is this?”

  17

  Judith snatched the photograph from Gil and stared at him. “You’re Frank’s stepbrother? You stole his money? You are responsible for his death?”

  “Judith?” Luke called. “What’s wrong?”

  Warren was on his feet and headed toward her.

  She didn’t want to talk to anyone and she fled to the wagon, climbed in the back and pulled the rope tight to close the opening.

  “Judith?” Warren spoke from the back.

  “Go away. I don’t want to talk.”