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FOR THE NEXT THREE days Titus not only worked on the wagon with Bill Bentley, he did it with a vengeance.
This family was starting to mean something to him. He didn’t know his family. He didn’t even know if he had one, but he could help the one he was with.
Each day he joined Bill in the shed, replacing worn spokes, refitting the tongue, patching holes and making sure that the conveyance was ready to roll in the spring.
“You’ve been a mighty big help to me,” Bill said wiping his greasy hands on a rag.
“I think this wagon’s in better shape now than when we started out.”
Titus smiled, “You and your family need to be safe,” he said.
“Then you should trail along with us,” Bill said. “Nothing like having an extra soul along to keep an eye out for trouble.”
“You think there will be trouble?”
“I don’t know but the trail hasn’t been easy so far.”
Titus nodded thinking of the trials of the road. He’d traveled enough now to know that it didn’t take much to turn travel to tragedy.
“I’ll think about it.”
“I’m sure you’re anxious to hear from the sheriff. It’ll put your mind at ease.”
“It will,” Titus said. “I’d like all concerned to know that you and your family are safe.”
“I’m sure they’ll be pleased to know you’re well,” Bill added with a smile.
Titus thought of Jed and Birdie, even the Sheriff. He was sure they’d be sad if something happened to him, but would it change their lives?
He was just a man they’d taken pity on, not family. If he disappeared completely, would it make a difference to their lives?
“I hope you decide to come along,” Bill said slapping Titus on the back. “We’re all fond of you.”
Titus smiled in appreciation. “Maybe I will.”
“Will what?” Calvin skidded into the shed, Melvin on his heels.
“Titus here might travel on to Biders Clump with us.” Mr. Bentley said.
“That’d be great,” Melvin said. “Maybe he’d let us look after his horse and mule.” He turned to his brother a hopeful grin on his face.
“You mean, maybe he’d let you ride them for him.” Bill said.
The boys smiled angelically at Titus then turned back to their father. “Ma says come to lunch.”
Bill Bentley ruffled his son’s blonde locks and grinned. “We’ll be right there.”
Together the boys charged back toward the house shouting plans for how far they’d ride on their own if Titus let them have his horse for a spell.
Bill chuckled, “Those boys are as rowdy as my brother and I were at that age,” he said. “I think they might drive their mother up the wall though.”
“It’ll be better when you’re settled again. I’m sure this new town must have a school, and things for boys to do.”
“My brother said Biders Clump got a new teacher a couple of years ago and that he’s good with all of the children.”
“I’m sure you’ll be happy to be settled.”
“I will, but I’m enjoying the journey as well. I always like seeing new places. Still I think I’ll be happy to get back to normal. For now, I think we’d better get in for lunch, or we’ll be having a cold dinner.”
Titus followed Bill into the house to see lunch on the table and Sarah Jane pouring coffee into cups.
As he stepped through the door, she looked up and smiled sending a warm shiver to his middle.
“The wagon’s in fine shape,” Bill said, drying his hands which he’d washed at the bucket by the door. “Should be smooth sailing when the weather clears.”
“I’ll be glad to be settled,” Molly said. “I’m grateful for this place and for all that the Brothers have done for us, but I’ll be glad to get back to a town and have my own place.” She looked around the simple adobe home and smiled. “This is good, but it isn’t mine.”
Bill reached up taking her hand and pulling her down beside him at the table before saying grace.
Titus looked up at Sarah Jane who’d sat down at the other end of the table, wondering how she felt about a new home.
Didn’t all women want a house a place to call their own?
Sarah Jane looked up offering him a soft smile, and he ducked his head not wanting her to know he’d been studying her.
She was a pretty girl, kind, and fun, but he had nothing to offer a girl like her. He would spend his days traveling trying to find out who he was, no woman would want that?
“Titus will you be traveling with us when we move on?” Sarah Jane asked him back from his thoughts.
“I’m not sure yet. It depends on what’s going on in Hester.”
“Perhaps once Laughing Dog returns you’ll be able to make a decision,” Molly said.
“We could check in, and see if Father John’s heard anything after lunch,” Sarah Jane suggested.
“That’s a good idea,” Bill agreed.
The usual lunch chatter continued over the meal, but Titus’s mind kept coming back to the idea of family, so it caught him by surprise when Sarah Jane took his empty plate.
“Ready?” she asked a twinkle in her eye.
“Oh, yes,” Titus said rising awkwardly and heading for the door.
Together they stepped into the gray day heading in the direction of the church.
“Have you ever been to Wyoming?” Sarah Jane asked, once again catching him by surprise.
“Not that I know of,” he smiled.
“Perhaps you have kin there?” Sarah Jane suggested.
“How would I find out?” Titus said. “I don’t even know where to start.”
“You have a good point,” Sarah Jane agreed, “but you could ask around if you travelled with us.”
Titus shrugged, his coat feeling heavy over tight shoulders.
“I’ve traveled a good bit now I know that,” Titus said. “I just wish it would lead me somewhere.”
Sarah Jane laughed, and he turned to look at her. “I’d say you’re somewhere right now.”
Titus smiled her little reminder jarring him out of his thoughts. “I guess I’m worrying too much about everything at the moment.”
“I think you can be forgiven for that,” Sarah Jane said. “It must be hard, but perhaps you need to let it go and maybe something will happen.”
“You think so?”
“Sometimes if I look too hard for something, I can’t think of where it could be, then I stop looking and pretty soon I find it.”
Titus laughed, he knew what she meant, but in two years he still hadn’t been able to find what his memory had lost.
“So you think I should come along with your family, and see if anything comes back?”
“Unless you have something else more important to do?” Sarah said her dark eyes dancing with mirth.
Making the turn that led into the village square, they saw Laughing Dog coming out of the church.
“Laughing Dog,” Sarah Jane called, leaving Titus’s side and hurrying to the brave.
Titus continued his stroll toward the church his eyes on the interaction between Sarah Jane and the young Indian man.
“Did you get what I asked for?” Sarah Jane questioned smiling up at the man.
“I get.” Laughing Dog said, pulling the ribbons from the same hidden pocket in his jacket that he’d put her pennies into.
“Good now please take them to Morning Star.” She said pointing and pushing him in the direction of the young woman who was busy with even more wash.
Laughing Dog looked at Sarah Jane then down at the yellow ribbons in his hand then toward Morning Star and grinned, striding across the square his head held high.
Titus smiled, at once relieved that Sarah Jane wasn’t interested in the brave, and pleased at what she’d done to point the brave in the right direction.
What woman wouldn’t like a pretty gift?
Sarah Jane turned almost walking into Titus as he stepped into the door way of the church and smiled brightly at him.
“That was sneaky,” Titus said, returning her grin.
“I know, but I couldn’t take it anymore,” she said with a shake of her head. “Besides Mama Peaks told me she was going to sew them into a tent if they couldn’t figure things out for themselves.”
Titus laughed a deep rumbling in his chest. After meeting the old woman he believed she would have done it. “I’m glad you saved them that. I can only image how embarrassing that would be.”
“Probably,” Sarah Jane agreed, “but better than the two of them dancing around each other and being miserable the whole time.”
Titus turned watching as Laughing Dog handed the ribbons to Morning Star who stood up from her wash smiling brightly, her eyes soaking him in.
Sarah Jane elbowed Titus in the ribs. “I’ve done my part, now it’s up to them.” She said grabbing his arm and dragging him inside.
“Ah I wondered how long it would take for you to show up once Laughing Dog returned.” Father John said as the two walked in.
“What did you learn Father John?” Sarah Jane asked anxiously moving to the front of the church.
“I was just reading through the telegram,” the priest said. “Here you read it for us.” He finished handing it to Sarah Jane.
“Titus. Good work.” Sarah Jane began looking up at Titus with a smile. “Wired Sheriff Pike at BC. That must be Biders Clump.” The young woman interjected, “Jed and Birdie are fine. Advise you travel on with family and see them settled.”
“That’s good news isn’t it,” Sarah Jane said handing Titus the paper. “Everyone knows that everyone is safe.” She giggled softly at her comment making Titus smile.
“I’m glad to hear that Jed is well,” the young man said.
“Always nice to get good news now isn’t it?” Father John said, looking at them kindly. “It’s hard to simply trust that those we care about are well when we are far away from them.”
Titus turned his blue gaze on the priest. “That’s too true parson,” he agreed. “I’ve worried over whether I even have a family for more than two years now.”
“Then you must trust to providence my son,” Father John said. “Sometimes that is all that we can do, and frankly it is the best thing we can do anyway.”
“Thanks padre,” Titus said feeling somehow calmer.
“I will light a candle for you and for your family whoever and where ever they may be.”
Titus clasped the other man’s hand appreciatively. It was a comfort to know that someone else understood.
“Shall we go tell my parents?” Sarah Jane asked noting how Titus had relaxed at the priests words.
“I’m sure they’ll be happy to hear the news,” Titus said giving a wave to Father John and offering Sarah Jane his arm. “They’ll know that their family is aware of their delay, but that all is well.”
Sarah Jane took Titus’s arm pleased at the physical contact that the gesture permitted as they walked through the doors and into a fresh falling snow.
“Father?” a young priest no older than Titus stepped out of a side door moments later. “I thought you were only lighting a candle for Titus’s family.”
“Brother Matthew,” Father John said, “I’m lighting one candle for his family, one for the Bentley’s and one for Titus himself,” He smiled knowingly. “If the way Sarah Jane looks at him is any indication he’ll need it.”
Brother Matthew turned looking at the doors of the chapel where the couple had exited so recently looking confused.
