Chapter 12

R obert bedded down close to where the horses rested, contained by the rope corral the others fashioned. He'd be sure to thank them for it.

He lay on his back, his hands locked behind his head. He'd checked far and wide for evidence of being followed. Seen nothing. Which should've eased his worry. But it didn't. He'd get this same feeling as a kid waiting for Pa to get home. Wishing he'd come home sober and happy. Knowing the chances of that happening were unlikely.

Understanding others were on guard and watching, knowing the men understood his concern, he should be able to relax and go to sleep.

But more than the thought of rustlers had his mind twisting. Ruby was so close, and yet he couldn't spend time with her. That knotted things up inside him. How often during the afternoon had he seen something he would've liked to point out to her? The rabbit standing alert and watchful as he rode past. The herd of deer in a hollow. Knowing her keen interest in flowers and plants, he'd sought the colorful spots on the ground. He'd even stooped to pick a red flower to give to her, but it was crushed and unrecognizable by the time he returned to the camp.

Sleep came softly. He awakened when Walt nudged him, and he sat up, instantly alert.

"Anything happen?" he asked.

"A curious coyote wandered by, and an owl hooted." Walt shrugged. "That's all."

Robert pulled on his boots. "I wish I could believe it's good news."

Walt adjusted his hat, his gaze following Irene as she made her way to the tent they shared. "What would it take to make you believe those men aren't following?"

"I don't know." Robert let the words out on a huff. "Maybe knowing they're behind bars."

"Daylight will soon be here. I'm going to get a little more shut-eye while I can."

"Thanks." He hoped Walt would understand all that he meant.

Walt nodded. "Anytime." He strode away to join his wife.

Steps silent, Robert circled the camp, stopping often to listen and to look into the distance. Some might say he was hoping for trouble, but that wasn't it at all. He'd not relax until these horses were delivered. And those traveling with him were out of danger.

He continued to check his surroundings, pausing twice to speak to Joe in hushed tones as the man circled the camp.

A figure slipped from the wagons, and Robert watched, waiting to make sure the person got back safely. A smile crept over his face as he recognized Ruby. She stilled as if listening and looking, then headed in his direction.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping?" Had he managed to keep the welcome out of the words that burst forth?

"I'm not tired. Thought I'd keep you company." She faced him, her features barely visible under the night sky. "If you don't object."

Both of them whispered, giving him a reason to lean closer. "No objection." She smelled of sweetgrass. Her hair hung loose, the faint moonlight glistening off it. He could almost forget?—

He must never be distracted from his duties. Straightening, he lifted a hand to indicate the direction they needed to go.

She moved quietly and didn't speak as they passed the wagons and began to circle the horses.

Pausing, he scanned the marshy area and the bushes close at hand. Then lifting his gaze, he studied the distance. Nothing stirred except for the grass swaying in the wind.

Beside him, Ruby also looked toward the horizon. "You were gone a long time yesterday."

Ignoring the accusation in her voice, he chose instead to hear the longing. "Missed me, did you?"

"I didn't say that, did I?" No doubt she meant to sound dismissive, but he could have told her she hadn't succeeded.

"Maybe not in so many words, but that's fine. I missed you too. I saw red flowers I thought you'd be interested in and brought one back for you."

"Really? Where is it?"

He let humor and pleasure mingle in his voice. "Alas, it did not fare well in my pocket."

"Oh." Her disappointment reverberated in his chest, and he dropped his arm across her shoulders.

"I'm sorry." He was about to suggest they might walk together during the day when one of the horses whinnied, and several shuffled their feet. "Sounds like trouble." Not wanting her to be alone in the dark, he caught her hand and hurried to the pen. "Settle down. Settle down." He murmured the words over and over as he circled looking for the cause.

There it was. He drew to a halt and pointed to the coyote slinking by. Seeing humans, it trotted away and disappeared into the gloom.

Joe met them, coming from the other side. "Just a lone coyote."

"Yeah."

"Morning coming." Joe faced the lightening eastern sky.

From the campsite came the sounds of people yawning.

Bertie called, "Where Limpy?" The dog barked. "He here."

Gabe trotted out to join Joe and Robert. His eyes widened when he saw Ruby.

"I'll go help Ma." She hurried away without a backward look.

Robert watched her departure for a short time, but not long enough to cause Gabe concern. The three of them went to the livestock, preparing for departure.

"Breakfast!" Ruby called.

The men joined the others. The smell of coffee had Robert grabbing a cup and hurrying toward the fire.

As he drank the hot brew and ate the savory food, he tried to think how to suggest Ruby walk with him. Before he got a chance, they prepared to leave, and his hands were full getting the horses ready. Then he held the lead ropes while the wagons rolled out, and the horses followed.

The wheels covered mile after endless mile with the horses keeping pace. At times, dust hid the scene around Robert. He would then stop the horses and wait for it to settle so he could scan the horizon.

Joe rode up to him. "I'll be watching for trouble."

"Of course." How foolish to think he didn't have the help of the other men.

A little later, they stopped for the noon break, allowing the animals to get water, eat, and rest.

Robert stayed with the horses as they drank.

"Brought your meal." Ruby handed him a plate of food. "Knew you'd be hungry."

"Thanks. I see you loaded the plate."

"Big man means big appetite."

"Thanks." She might think he meant the food, but he also meant the approval in her voice when she mentioned his size. Nice to know she admired it.

"Bertie is big. Does he take after your father?" Maybe her admiration stemmed from love for her father.

"No. Pa was of average height. Bertie's size is all his own." She leaned back on one elbow, watching Robert eat. "Ma often says how grateful she is that a man his size isn't given to anger. He would be impossible to control."

"He seems good-natured."

"He is. Frightened of things. And running off from time to time." She stared past him. "I've never known him to be any other way, but he was born as bright as any of us. Then, an epidemic hit the area. People died. And Bertie never fully recovered."

"Wasn't it hard to uproot him?"

"Ma spent a lot of time talking to him. The promise of seeing Carson made him almost eager to come."

Quiet descended on the camp as the travelers rested.

"You should rest, too." Not that he wanted her to leave, but he knew how long and tiring the days could be.

"As should you."

"I've ridden all day. Doesn't require a lot of effort." He hadn't seen her since breakfast. "Did you ride?"

"Some of the way. Young Petey is fussy today, and Hazel has a headache, so I've been carrying him." She glanced back toward the wagons. "Maybe he'll sleep this afternoon."

"If he does, would you like to walk with me again?" He'd ask one of the other men to take the horses.

"I'd like that." She took his empty plate and hurried back to camp.

Ruby smiled as she returned to the wagons.

He'd invited her to walk with him. Not that it meant anything other than they might see flowers of interest, and perhaps he'd enjoy company. But she failed to convince herself it didn't mean something more to her.

She wiped the dish clean and stowed it with the others, then sat in the shade of a wagon and closed her eyes. Angela lay nearby and turned toward Ruby but, seeing her head tipped back and eyes closed, didn't try to start a conversation.

When Joe called time to move out, she contained her desire to hurry to join Robert. After all, it would take time to get the oxen back in place and the horses ready to move.

Plus, she didn't want anyone to think she was overly eager, so she made sure Hazel and Petey were riding in a wagon, and Petey slept. She spoke to Dobie, who wanted to know if she thought Cecil would give him a ride. Before she could answer, Cecil appeared and lifted the boy to the back of his horse.

Bertie walked by Gabe and Ma, happily talking to his pets.

Ruby slowed her steps, letting each wagon pass her.

Robert sat astride his horse, holding the lead rope of one string of horses. He handed the rope to Walt and rode to the side of the trail, swung from his saddle, and fell in step with Ruby.

He smiled a greeting, but neither of them spoke.

Then, they both spoke at once.

"Petey's sleeping," she said.

"The horses are coming along fine."

They laughed. Did he find their comments as ordinary as she did? Did he have a host of more important things burning at his tongue like she had?

"Tell me about the house you're going to build." She wasn't thinking of sharing it with him but wanted to picture him living in it.

"It will be of logs cut on my own land." Pride rang in his voice. "Carson has offered to help me with the construction."

"I can see my brother doing that."

"And then I'll help him build his house."

"Of course. I never thought otherwise." She flashed a smile his way to assure him she wasn't judging.

"The kitchen and living room will face the valley so we can enjoy the view."

She half stumbled. Checked the ground as if to blame it for her feet faltering. We? Did he see her in his house? Had he forgotten she'd be far to the north? In Banff? Sharing her drawings of flowers and plants with those cataloging such? But he went on as if he hadn't realized what he said.

"Both those rooms will be spacious for a growing family." Brightness flooded his features. "The back of the house will hold a large pantry and three bedrooms. There will be an attic for storage. It will be sturdy and welcoming." His gaze sought and found hers and lingered.

Was he seeing her? Or his dream? Was he seeing her as part of his dream?

A pregnant silence hung between them as she imagined herself in the house he built, watching from the window while he did his chores, waving when he looked up and smiled across the distance. She drew in a sharp breath and held it until her thoughts righted. There was no place in his dreams for her. Or for him in hers.

"It sounds very nice." Her voice might have wobbled. Surely not enough for him to notice.

"Doesn't it?" Hope colored his words, but she couldn't say if it was the anticipation of his dream or if?—

There was no imagining her in it. She tried for another topic. Came up empty-handed. Flowers would be good, and she scanned their surroundings. But something other than a bright patch of color caught her attention.

"Robert." She pointed to the south to a gray twisting cloud hanging along the horizon. "Is that smoke?"

He followed the direction of her finger. "Not smoke. It's a dust storm." His voice grew fierce. "Go to the wagons." He raced to Walt and spoke. Walt galloped ahead, shouting instructions.

"Stop the wagons. Pull in tight to each other, back end to the wind."

Robert was on his horse, pushing the herd against the wagons.

A good plan. The wind would drive them, but with the wagons before them parked side by side to form a barrier, they wouldn't drift away.

He dismounted and uncoiled rope to form an enclosure such as they used at night. Seeing his intent, Ruby hurried to help. Joe and Cecil joined them, securing the animals as best they could.

Already the precursor of the storm blew at her skirts and tossed her hair.

Robert grabbed her hand. "Come. We've done what we can." They raced for the wagons and dove beneath the closest one. She turned toward the approaching cloud. A roar like an angry bull accompanied it.

The horses and oxen bowed their heads and kept their backs to the wind. And then the dust swallowed up everything. She pressed her face to her knees to avoid inhaling the driven dirt.

Robert wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, cradling her against his chest, shutting out much of the wind and dust.

The wagon shifted both from the gale and from the horses pressing closer. The roar increased. Ruby slipped her arms around Robert's waist and held on.

Please, God, make it stop. Keep us safe.

The storm continued, buffeting them, blasting them with dirt. And then the velocity decreased. The growl softened to a moan. The tightness of Robert's arms eased.

"The worst is over." His words whispered against her hair.

Ruby didn't want to sit up. Didn't want to face him. Or let him guess how safe she'd felt in his arms. Most of all, she didn't want to confess to herself how good and right it felt. But he caught her chin and tipped her face back.

"We're safe. Nothing but dirt to deal with." A layer of gray coated his face.

She jerked upright and swiped at her face. Looking at the dirt on her hands, she guessed she carried her fair share, even though she hadn't been as exposed.

"I need to check on the horses." He slipped away.

The others were moving around, also assessing the damage. She crawled into the open.

Ma studied the inside of her wagon. "Dust everywhere." A patient sigh. "Everyone is safe and sound. That's what matters."

"Ma. Ma." Bertie limped up to Ma, tears streaking a muddy trail down his cheeks.

"Bertie, it's over and we're all fine."

Ruby, her sisters, and Louise hurried to Bertie, speaking words of comfort.

"But, Mama, my cats is gone."

"We'll find them." Ruby headed to the wagon where the pets usually rode. "I can't imagine them running away," she said to Angela who accompanied her.

"Nor can I."

Ruby swung into the back. "Smoky, Fluffy, where are you?" Although the enclosure was small, it offered dozens of places two cats could hide. She made enticing noises to draw them forth. Nothing. "Could they have jumped out?"

"I guess it's possible. Let's find them." Angela turned away. Others were calling the cats and searching for them.

Angela had gone to help, but Ruby didn't leave the wagon. Why would cats leave shelter in a storm? Unless Bertie had them out, which he sometimes did. Perhaps he'd taken the cats to hold for comfort.

"Kitty?" she called softly.

A faint meow answered her.

"Where are you?" She tried to pinpoint the sound and followed it until she discovered the pair huddled inside a crate. The lid must have been up when they went in and fell closed in the wind.

She let them out. "Bertie, they're here."

Swiping away his tears, Bertie trotted over and hugged the cats.

With the crisis over, Ruby went in search of Robert. Only to make sure his horses were all accounted for.

She found him coiling up the ropes. "They're safe and sound?"

"Thankfully, yes. Bertie settled?"

"He thought his cats were lost." She told of finding them.

A smile tipped his mouth. "I'm glad." His gaze lingered, searched her face…her eyes. "Ruby, I?—"

"Robert, about?—"

They spoke at the same time and then broke off.

He waved her on. "You first."

"I—" How was she to frame her comment? Make him understand she appreciated his kindness, his friendship, but it could mean nothing more. "No, you go first."

"Are you sure?"

She avoided meeting his eyes as she nodded.

"Very well. Ruby, when I talk about my house and my home, I see you in it. Can you?—?"

With a touch to his arm, she stopped him. "Robert, I have committed to working for The Society."

"I'm sure they'd understand if?—"

"It's something I want to do." Did he grasp that she didn't desire to be excused from the offer? "My drawings are important to me. I want them to be used."

"I see. So there's no hope for us?"

"Haven't we always known our paths went different directions?" She squeezed his arm, feeling his muscles twitch. "We can still be friends."

"Friends. Of course." He avoided meeting her eyes. "I see we're ready to move on. I'll have to ride with the horses." He swung into his saddle and took a lead rope in his palm. Not once did he look back.

Ruby crossed her arms over her chest and held on.