Free Wagon Train Sisters (Women of the West) by Shirley Kennedy Page B

He paused again. “But there’s another reason I returned, and that reason is you. I tried, but I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Ben thought I was crazy, but somehow I knew you were in trouble. Nothing, not even Frank Bryon’s wishes, was going to keep me away.”
    He spoke softly but with an intensity that so surprised her she couldn’t think what to say.
    “I think about you a lot, Sarah Gregg, more than I want to. A corner of his mouth lifted in a wry smile. “Have I answered your question?”
    No, he had not. Why had he stopped? She wanted to hear more, but before she could ask, Jack laid a gentle hand on her cheek. “Ben and I will be leaving in the morning. He’s anxious to get to Gold Creek.”
    It was as if he’d yanked the ground out from under her. “And you?”
    “And me.”
    Her heart ached with disappointment. She could hardly speak, but she must keep her voice steady, not overly concerned. “I understand completely. We’re so grateful for all you’ve done, but we’ve held you up long enough.”
    “Glad I could help.” He moved closer. Just as she thought he might wrap her in his arms, a dog barked. From the distance came a baby’s wail. He took her elbow. “We’d better get back or the whole camp will know the wicked Widow Gregg is out here in her nightgown.”
    She forced a laugh. “I guess we’d better.”
    He walked her to her tent, said a quick goodnight, and left.
    * * * *
    Jack was crawling into his bedroll when, next to him, Ben woke up in mid-snore and asked, “So we’re leaving in the morning?”
    “Yes.”
    “Glad to hear it. We need to get to Gold Creek, Jack. Been dawdling around long enough. The Bryans will be fine now they’ve got Hiram to take care of things.”
    “I know.” Shut up, Ben. Get back to sleep .
    “You don’t want to leave her, do you?”
    Damn Ben . “What I want doesn’t matter.”
    Ben raised up on one elbow and peered at his friend. “What do you want? I mean, not for tomorrow or next week, but for the rest of your life? Just wander around? Play cards? Maybe find a little gold? She’s a great little gal, Jack. Lots of pluck and pretty besides. Seems to me—”
    “You should know by now I’m not a marrying man.”
    “Just because you haven’t had any luck with women in the past doesn’t mean—”
    “Good night, Ben.” Conversation over. Jack turned his back. He touched the gold ring that hung from the chain around his neck. Jenny . He was only a boy when he knew her,only a boy when she died, but her death would haunt him forever.
     
     

Chapter 6
     
    In the morning, Sarah wasn’t surprised when her father claimed his back was sore and would Hiram please feed and yoke the oxen. They’d returned to their old routine: her good-natured brother doing all the work and Pa back to hobnobbing with his neighbors. Jack and Ben were still with the company when the wagons started to roll. As yet, they hadn’t said goodbye. Surely they would, but why should she care? Time to put Jack McCoy out of her mind.
    Pa couldn’t get out of all the work. He drove one wagon while Sarah and Ma walked alongside. Directly behind, Hiram drove the other wagon. Becky sat next to Hiram, causing Ma to mutter, “That lazy woman! Why doesn’t she walk like the rest of us?”
    To lessen the oxen’s burden, almost everyone walked, but not Becky. She didn’t care how much the poor beasts had to haul and rode beside her husband most of the time. Sarah glanced back at her sister-in-law. “She’d better watch out,” she whispered to Ma. “If she doesn’t walk more, she’ll get fat.”
    They both giggled softly. As they walked through a forest of beautiful fir and cedar trees, past a meadow full of wild flowers in full bloom, Ma remarked, “If not for Florrie, I could almost enjoy this day, what with the sun shining and all.”
    The beauty of the trail uplifted Sarah’s spirits, too. “Do you realize we’re more than half way there? Just think, we’ve