A Man for Temperance (Wagon Wheel) by Gilbert Morris

Author:Gilbert, Morris [Gilbert, Morris]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Published: 2013-12-01T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

FOR THREE DAYS AFTER Brennan found Belle, there was little haste on the journey. Temperance had improved rapidly and was back to full strength, with a glow of health in her cheeks. She now sat beside Belle in the wagon, balancing herself automatically as the oxen pulled them along at a faster clip than usual. Turning, she studied Belle, who was holding Timmy on her lap facing her. Her ribs had improved rapidly, although she still winced at times when she made a sudden movement.

“I think Timmy likes you,” Temperance smiled, studying the fat baby who was gurgling and reaching for Belle’s face.

Belle ran her hand over the baby’s silky hair. “He probably thinks I’m a clown with these purple eyes.” All of her bruises had turned purple but were fading. “I expect that’s why he likes me.”

“Be careful you don’t hurt your ribs. I’m glad they weren’t broken.”

“Thad said I would be laid up for a month or more. He said he got his ribs broken once, and it hurt worse than anything he ever had.”

“How did he break them?”

“In a fight somewhere.”

Gus, who had been asleep under the canvas, suddenly appeared. He leaped easily onto the seat and crawled into Temperance’s lap. He looked up, studied her, and said, “Yow!”

“That cat sure loves you.”

“He ought to. I found him when he was a starving kitten and I treated him like a baby. He’s spoiled to pieces.”

“Nice to have something that loves you.”

The remark caught Temperance’s attention. “Yes, it is,” she said curiously. Then she asked the question that had been on her mind for three days. “Are you anxious to get back home?”

“Be good to get back to Baton Rouge. I’ve got friends there, but I’m going to New Orleans.”

“You know anybody there?”

“No, but it’s not hard to meet people in that place.”

Rena, who had been riding in the back, suddenly appeared. She did not crowd in the front seat but knelt behind it, balanced between the two women. She was fascinated by Belle but studied the woman cautiously. “Were you a saloon woman?”

“I’ve been just about everything, honey. Some I wish I hadn’t been.”

“Why’d you do it then? My ma was a saloon woman,” Rena said and studied Belle’s face to see the reaction.

“So was mine,” Belle said. “I ran away from her when I was fourteen years old.”

“I’m twelve. I’m going to run away if my aunt and uncle are mean to me.”

“What about Bent and Bess? You can’t run away and take two kids with you.”

“I’ll find a way.”

“Maybe they’ll be just what you need,” Temperance said quickly.

“That’s not what Ma said.”

Temperance opened her mouth to make a remark but discovered she had none to make. She was relieved of the responsibility when Brennan, who had been walking alongside the lead oxen, called out, “Whoa!” and the wagon lurched to a stop. “We’ll stay here for the night,” Brennan said. “Been hot today.”

That was a signal for the work to begin, and everybody except Belle went to his or her chores.

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