Chapter 11

R obert hated keeping the truth from Ruby, but no point in causing her concern, right? Especially if the rustlers were gone. Perhaps seeing his red tunic would discourage them from further illegal activity, or so he hoped. Even now, they could be on their way to sell the horses before the Mounties found them. Though they couldn't run far enough or fast enough to outrun the long arm of the law, but perhaps they hadn't heard that a Mountie always gets his man.

In the meantime, he had to get these animals to the fort, and he didn't mind enjoying Ruby's company on the way.

She stayed at his side until Joe called a halt for the noon meal beside a muddy stream.

The oxen drank, then tackled the dry prairie grass. Robert tended the horses, making sure they got water and were able to graze the short, dry grass.

Ruby watched. "Doesn't seem like very good eating."

"But it's full of nutrition. Buffalo thrive on it. So do domestic animals."

"That's what Joe said." She inhaled. "No scent of green here. Just dry yellow." Her eyebrows rose as if reminding him they'd enjoyed smelling the color green.

He grinned.

They joined the others for the cold meal. Then everyone stretched out to rest, except Robert, who stayed alert to watch the horses. Joe circled the camp. Knowing the scout was always alert to any danger eased some of Robert's tension.

Robert was mistaken in thinking the others all rested, for he spied Ruby perched on a rock by the stream. Her back was to him and the others, but the way her head tipped down, he understood she'd found something to draw. He shifted so he could watch her. What was she drawing? Curiosity overcame him, or was that only an excuse to go to her?

She lifted her head as he approached. Glanced back. "It's you." A smile of welcome.

Or at least he wanted to believe that.

"Whatcha drawing?"

"Reeds." She pointed her pencil toward the marshy area. "Such a bright green." She sighed long and loud. "However, I must draw them in black." She plucked one. "See how they snap off in segments."

"I remember using them as pretend logs to build tiny houses."

Her pencil stilled. "Let me guess. You built miniature houses wherever you went."

He sat up, startled by the question and by the truth he'd never before seen. "I guess I did that a lot. You can make tiny houses out of so many things—twigs, rocks, ice, snow—" He broke off. "I never thought it meant anything, but maybe it was me saying I wanted a house…a home."

"I hope you get what you want. You're a good person. You deserve it."

"Thank you."

She returned to drawing reeds. One by itself in great detail, and then a bunch of them leaning at different angles.

"The house I'll build on my land will be made of logs."

"I suppose you have it all planned out down to the tiniest detail." She sat back, studied the drawing, and then added two more pencil strokes.

"Maybe."

"Have you made a drawing?"

"Nope. It's all here, though." He tapped his head.

"Would be a shame if you lost it." Her eyes were steady, expressionless.

He held her gaze without blinking, shuttering his reaction of surprise and then amusement. "I've never lost anything up here." Again, he tapped his head. "Can't lose it on the ground or accidentally drop it in the fire."

The air tinkled with her quiet laughter. "I suppose that's true." She closed her notebook and stowed it in her pocket.

He adjusted his position so he could watch the horses. Joe reported he saw nothing in any direction to cause him concern. Still, the tightness across Robert's neck didn't let up. The animals were of fine breeding stock. A prize for anyone who owned them. It would be nice to think the rustlers would leave them alone, but he wouldn't relax until the horses were safely inside the NWMP corrals with Mounties guarding them.

Nor would he let up guard until then, knowing he and the horses put the wagon train in the path of danger. Joe and Gabe and Gabe's sons assured him they were prepared to defend both the wagons and the horses.

It was not something Robert wanted to witness.

Joe rode closer. "Time to move out."

"Bye." Ruby tossed the word over her shoulder as she hurried to help put away the dishes.

Robert readied the horses to leave while the others hitched the oxen to the wagons. For a bit, he rode with the horses, who seemed content to follow the wagons. He angled to one side to see ahead.

Would Ruby march with him again this afternoon? But he didn't see her anywhere. Of course, she could be riding. No reason that should disappoint him.

Ruby prepared to walk beside the wagon. Only she didn't plan to stay in that position. But before the wheels made a dozen revolutions, Angela glanced down.

"I don't mind if you spend the afternoon with Robert."

A tangle of grass caught Ruby's toe and almost tripped her. She righted herself. "You have the wrong idea."

Angela's answer was a look rife with disbelief.

"I was only thanking him for his kindness in showing me around." She had thanked him but maybe not this morning. But the words were too far from the truth and stung her conscience. "Why don't I drive for the afternoon? My feet need a rest."

"That's not necessary. Besides, I wouldn't want to?—"

Ruby didn't let her finish but found a handhold and swung up to the seat, nudging Angela aside.

"I don't mind you enjoying the company of a man." Angela retained the reins, forcing Ruby to pry them from her hands.

"My turn." She signaled the animals to stop. "Hurry so Gabe doesn't overtake us."

Angela didn't move, then exhaled loudly. "Fine. If that's how you want it." She swung down. "Just remember I offered." And then she trotted away.

That is how I want it. Or rather, that's how it must be. Yes, she'd grown fond of Robert, viewed him as a good friend, but their lives were headed in different directions. They'd both known it from the start. Angela was more than welcome to walk with Robert. After all, she was the homebody type.

Ruby squeezed her hands into knots. She wouldn't look back to see if they walked together. But she was uncomfortable in her present position and slid to the side, which might have allowed her to glance back. The dust of the horses billowed out. Irene came into view.

No one else was visible. Not that Ruby cared, and she returned to midposition on the hard bench. She had better things to do than wonder what Robert was doing. Like…like…well, even if she couldn't draw what she saw, she could make mental notes. There was the dry prairie grass known as prairie wool. She'd searched for the reason for that name and learned it wove into dense mats when dry. She had yet to find an example of that, but maybe tonight she would.

There were low bushes. Joe called them buckbrush. He said deer fed on the leaves and branches. Seemed unpalatable to her way of thinking, but as Joe pointed out, she wasn't a deer.

They passed the spicy-smelling sagebrush. She smiled as she recalled Robert asking if she meant smell or color. A glance around revealed no one watching so she enjoyed the moment.

Half a dozen more times as they traveled, she adjusted her position to get more comfortable, telling herself that was the only reason, even if it did allow her to check over her shoulder for Robert. Not once did she see him. Was he purposely staying out of sight?

Not that it mattered. Of course, it didn't.

Gabe called for them to stop in a thicket of trees with a slough nearby. The animals would drink there, but the travelers would have to be satisfied with the tepid water in the barrels. She drove the wagon into place, forming the customary triangle of wagons, providing the campsite they'd have with a modicum of shelter against the wind.

Angela hurried to help her unhitch the oxen.

"Did you enjoy the afternoon?" Ruby kept her attention on the animals as she questioned Angela.

"I did not spend it with Robert, if that's why you're asking." She led the team toward the water.

Ruby stared after her. Of course that wasn't why she asked. At least. she wanted to believe that. As she joined Ma in the center of their three-cornered enclosure, she looked around. Took note of where the men were, gathering burning material, making a rope enclosure to hold the horses, checking the oxen for sores. But?—

"Where's Robert?"

Ma paused from bringing out food. "I don't know."

Hazel, busy with little Petey, barely glanced up. "Haven't seen him since noon."

Working together to build a fire, both Irene and Louise shrugged.

Young Dobie trotted up in time to hear Ruby's question. "He's scouting."

Louise called her adopted son to her. "You can put out the log stools."

Angela returned and set about mixing up biscuits.

Ruby twisted her hands together. Robert had gone scouting. Wasn't that Joe's job? Of course, the men helped.

Angela lifted her gaze from the dough in the bowl. "He's a Mountie. I would think he often goes on forays into the woods or over the prairies. Maybe even into the mountains."

Why did Angela feel the need to add that? Did she think Ruby was concerned over Robert's safety? Well, of course she was, but no more than she would be for any of her fellow travelers. She went to Ma. "What needs to be done?"

"Why don't you make dessert? We have canned peaches?—"

Ruby was going through the supplies before Ma finished. "Peach cobbler it is."

She soon had the peaches in a Dutch oven, poured the batter on top, and set the pot over the coals to bake.

While they worked and the food cooked, Ruby continued to scan her surroundings. Just making sure everything was in place. Not looking for anything or anyone in particular. Or so she kept telling herself.

"Everything is ready," Ma said.

"Supper," Irene yelled, sending a jolt down Ruby's spine.

The others gathered in. Bertie with his pets in tow, the men from tending the animals, Dobie following Cecil.

Ruby watched the five-year-old with his new father and smiled. She'd have to tell Robert about him. He'd appreciate hearing how Dobie got a new family, even though there were very sad parts to the story.

But as they sat around the campfire, there was one spot empty.

"Is Robert coming?" Ma asked.

Joe answered. "He's looking around."

Ma's eyes widened. She and Gabe did one of those silent exchanges. But no one asked the question burning Ruby's tongue.

"What's he looking for?" she blurted out.

"The things I'm usually on watch for." Joe stood tall and solemn.

Made sense. But it didn't make her feel any better.

Gabe asked the blessing. They dished up food. Still no sign of Robert. Shouldn't someone be concerned? But the men all ate like it didn't matter if Robert needed help or not.

Ma set aside food for him.

After the meal, Ruby kept silent as she helped wash dishes and clean up the campsite. Dusk was fast approaching.

"Ma, I'm going for a walk."

Ma arched a brow. "It's getting late."

"I'm only going as far as the pond. I want to watch the sun go down."

"Very well. I expect you to return when you hear Gabe playing the guitar."

"Yes, Ma." Ruby hurried toward the water, stopped when the ground grew spongy, and stared in each direction. Robert was a Mountie. He knew how to take care of himself. No one else seemed concerned about his absence. It didn't make sense for her to be.

But she was. She hugged her arms across her chest. Again, checked every direction for signs of a rider. Seeing nothing, she swallowed back a groan. What if something had happened to him?

Joe sauntered past and handed her a sprig of sweetgrass. "Mosquitoes gonna be coming up soon. I'm going to build a smudge for the animals."

"Thanks."

He left her in solitude, and she resumed studying her surroundings.

Wait. She straightened. Was that dust? A tremor ran down her spine. Or smoke? At least they were close to water. They could escape in the swamp if they needed to.

But the swirl grew larger. Stayed gray. And then she made out a horse. And a red jacket.

"Thank God he's safe." While he rode closer, she hurried back to the campsite. She said nothing to the others as she waited for him to reach them.

But she couldn't stop her gaze from going to him when he swung from his horse, handed Joe the reins, exchanged a few words with him, and then strode toward the gathered travelers.

"Glad you're back." Gabe clapped him on the back.

"We saved you supper." Ma handed him a full plate.

"Thanks." Robert looked around for a place to sit, spied a stool near Ruby, and sat there.

Joe returned. "Horse is taken care of. Left your tack by the horses."

Nothing he said, nothing any of them did called for concern, and yet Ruby couldn't shake feeling something bothered Robert. The horses? Was he worried there were too many of them for him to herd safely? Wasn't that why Gabe had suggested he join them?

Gabe picked up his guitar. When he and Ma sang "Home Sweet Home," Ruby studied Robert. Not openly, of course. But while dragging a stick through the dirt. Or checking something on her arm. Or from the corner of her eyes.

Three times, she caught him looking at her, but she couldn't decipher his expression.

He finished eating at the same time Ma and Gabe finished their song. Then, he joined the others in singing. His voice was deep and calming. Assuring her he wasn't concerned about?—

Well, anything.

If he wasn't concerned, then no need for her to be. She filled her lungs and sang more robustly.

"That's it for tonight." Gabe set his guitar to the side.

Joe rose. "Tonight, with the extra horses here, we will double the guard. Cecil and Gabe on first watch. Walt and?—"

Irene interrupted him. "I'll do watch with Walt."

When Joe frowned, probably ready to argue, Walt held up his hand. "It's fine with me."

The scout nodded. "Robert and I will take the last watch." He smiled at Hazel. "Let's get Little Warrior to bed." He took sleepy Petey from his mama and headed for the tent they shared now that they were married.

Ruby smiled after them. It was nice to see Hazel loved and loving again after Peter's death.

"Good night, all." Robert strode past the far wagon and out of sight in the dusky light.

Angela went to the wagon she and Ruby shared, casting a look at Ruby. For some inexplicable reason, Ruby didn't want to end the evening. Oh well. No point in sitting staring at the dying coals while everyone else retired. She traipsed after Angela.

She took up her bedding. "I'll sleep under the wagon." They often did so rather than crowd into the narrow space between crates and trunks.

"Might be mosquitoey tonight," Angela warned.

"Joe gave me a sprig of sweetgrass." Ruby spread her blankets, put the sweetgrass by her head, and wished for sleep.

But her troubled thoughts gave her no peace. Why did having Robert riding with them make her restless and unsettled?