They came to the first way station to change horses.
The driver called, “Folks, time for a quick break, but be late getting aboard and be left behind.”
The threat of being left behind in this desolate place would make all of them hurry. There was only a crude barn, a set of corrals for the horses and a dugout home for the bewhiskered man who sauntered over to help with the animals.
Nate dismounted, led his horse to water, then made haste to help the ladies down.
Missy hurried to the well to drink her fill of water.
Nate pulled Louise’s hand around his elbow to rest on his arm. When she leaned heavily on him, he dipped his head to study her face. Was she gritting her teeth? “Are you okay?”
She nodded, then worked her jaw loose. “I need a drink and to stretch my legs.”
He filled a dipper and she gulped back three swallows, then stopped and handed the dipper back with a word of thanks. He again pulled her hand around his arm as they walked along the dusty path.
She stopped at the corner of the corrals and leaned on a post.
“You sure you’re okay? It’s not too late to change your mind.”
She turned on him, pierced him with a sharp look. “Are you suggesting I go back? And do what? Fight Vic? Do you really think I’d stand a chance against someone so despicable and sneaky?”
“I was only thinking of you. We’ve just been gone a few hours and you already look exhausted.”
She drew herself upright, no longer leaning on the post. All hint of tiredness had been erased from her demeanor. “I am only thinking of my baby.”
Their gazes held, hers full of fury and determination, his, he supposed, full of resignation. “Put that way, I guess you have no choice but to cowboy up.”
“Cowboy up?”
“Means you do what is hard instead of moaning about it.”
She nodded. “Exactly what I mean to do.”
He grinned. “Awfully good to see there is some spark left in you.”
She rumbled her lips. “I might lose my spark, but I’ll never lose my fight.” Her hands pressed to her stomach and he understood she would fight whatever enemy threatened her baby.
“You won’t fight alone.” Although she’d made it clear this was Gordie’s baby, he felt more than a little concern for the little one’s safety. “I’ll make sure all three of you get to Eden Valley Ranch.”
Her gaze burned a path through his thoughts as if she didn’t believe him. Didn’t trust him.
Why would she think that? He’d never done anything to give her reason to doubt his word. “You don’t trust me. Why?”
Her reply was cut off by the coach driver. “Folks, get aboard unless you want to stay here.”
Louise hurried back to the coach with Nate on her heels. He knew he wasn’t wrong in thinking she was grateful she didn’t get a chance to answer his question.
Louise sat in the coach wishing it didn’t have to move. The constant swaying made her seasick. The jolting from side to side brought on spasms in her stomach muscles. But with a gentle bounce they were on their way once again. She hung on to the leather strap and tried to think of something besides her stomach.
Nate was right. She didn’t trust him. But what purpose would be served in admitting it? As to her reasons, they were too numerous and too convoluted to tell. Throughout her life she’d had no evidence she could trust anyone.
Not even God? her conscience accused her.
There were times she trusted Him. Like when she’d told Gordie they were going to have a baby. She’d been thrilled at the thought of another little Porter in the family. Gordie had seemed to enjoy the idea, too.
But then Gordie had been killed. It was hard to trust after that.
They jerked over another hole in the trail and she bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out a protest.
You don’t need to trust when everything is going according to your wishes. It’s when things are difficult and hard to understand, you need to trust.
She recalled hearing the words in a soft, gentle voice. Not Aunt Bea. They seldom talked about such things. It was Mrs. Porter who had said them. And Louise did her best to believe them. But there were days she wanted things to be easier. Then it would be easy to trust.
They swayed hard to the right and she could do little but think about keeping from crying out against the pain in her ribs.
“That young man is keeping a close eye on you,” the lady across from her said. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Miss Rowena Rolfe.”
Louise and Missy introduced themselves.
The three women looked toward the men awaiting their introductions.
The cowboy said, “Sam.”
The other man grinned, revealing stubs of yellowed teeth. “Sparky George.”
No one asked if George was his first or last name, and after a minute he settled back.
Miss Rolfe continued, “I’m journeying to Fort Macleod to join my brother.” She leaned closer and whispered, “He tells me there are ten men to every marriageable woman.” She blushed and lowered her gaze.
The two men to her left slanted looks in her direction. The cowboy turned away quickly, but Sparky George studied Miss Rolfe several seconds.
Miss Rolfe looked out the window at Nate. “If that is a sample of what’s available, I believe my decision to go to Fort Macleod will be a wise one.”
Missy chuckled. “He’s married to her.” She jerked her thumb toward Louise, then pointedly nodded her head toward the men beside Miss Rolfe as if to suggest they might be available.
Miss Rolfe shrank into her corner, clearly not liking the possibilities one man in particular on this ride offered.
Missy grinned widely.
“How far are you going?” Miss Rolfe asked.
Seemed she had a need to pass the time with conversation, while all Louise wanted to do was close her eyes and pray for the day to end. Yes, she’d pray. Things couldn’t get much more difficult or hard to understand, so it seemed like a perfect time to start trusting God. I know I’ve not been faithful. I lied before the preacher and before You. I hope You can forgive me for that. But please, if You care about me at all, help me make it to Eden Valley Ranch. After a silent groan, she added, Help the baby to stay where he is until we get there.
She closed
