Page 25 of Hope’s Enduring Echo
Leo
Leo propped his chin in his hand and watched the landscape outside the train window. The rocking motion of the car could lull a person to sleep if not for the sounds of iron wheels grating on iron track, wooden joints popping, and the wind’s discordant squeal through the open windows. Such an unpleasant chorus. But he didn’t want to sleep anyway. He needed to pay attention to his surroundings.
After his many weeks of riding the train, he had become familiar with the view and used landmarks to grasp where he was. But one landmark—the spot where the dinosaur bones lay—remained unknown. Since his searching had thus far proved fruitless, his parents were encouraging him to give up and spend the remainder of his break at home with his family. But he wasn’t ready to quit. Those bones were out there. God would lead him to them when He deemed best.
He spotted a rocky outcropping shaped like a pirate’s ship midway up a sloping rise, which meant the curve leading to the Wards’ footbridge was close. He slung the knapsack on his back and put on his hat. After tightening the strings beneath his chin so the wind wouldn’t tear his hat loose, he moved out on the car’s landing and prepared to jump when the train slowed for the curve.
He liked getting off at the footbridge. Even if he had to skirt around the cabin so Mr. Ward wouldn’t spot him and suspect he was sneaking a visit with Jennie, it was better to go over the footbridge than slosh across a low point in the river. Sometimes if it had rained up in the mountains, the water was so deep even at the low spots that he’d get soaked as high as his waist. He didn’t mind a bath, but he wasn’t fond of submerging himself in cold river water that smelled like fish and minerals.
The brakes squealed and the train slowed. His leap was near. He braced himself, knees slightly bent and hand gripping the cool metal post at the landing’s corner. The cars clattered and wobbled as the rails curved, but he held his footing until the landing met the center of the curve, and then he leaped onto the hard ground. The impact jarred him. He staggered forward and caught himself on the rock wall. He stayed there safely distanced from the iron wheels until the caboose passed by. Then he adjusted his hat and pack and turned toward the footbridge.
He’d taken one step onto the bridge when the sound of laughter reached his ears. Female and lighthearted. Who else was out here? He scanned the area, and he spotted two bobbing heads approaching from the west. He recognized the floppy hat Jennie sometimes wore when she walked the pipeline, but who was with her? His mouth fell open. Was that Mrs. Ward trailing Jennie?
He stood stupidly and stared while they came closer and closer. They were still perhaps ten yards away when Mrs. Ward stopped and cupped her hand above her eyes. A smile broke over her face and she waved.
“Why, hello, Leo!”
Jennie stopped and looked in his direction. She, too, lifted her hand in a greeting.
Leo moved to the center of the bridge and waved to them. He waited until they’d reached the pipeline section directly below the bridge, then bent forward with his hands on his knees and grinned down at them. “I see you’ve hired a helper, Jennie.”
Jennie pointed to Mrs. Ward over her shoulder with her thumb. “Not a helper. An apprentice.”
Leo straightened and scratched his ear. “What did you say?”
The pair exchanged grins. Mrs. Ward hollered up, “I’m taking over for Jennie at the end of the summer. She’s training me in what to look for.”
If Mrs. Ward was taking over the route soon, then Jennie would be free to attend school. One of his prayers was being answered in a most unusual way. A smile grew in response to the joy flooding him. “Is that so?”
Jennie nodded. “And she’s doing great. On Monday, she had to turn around after only a mile in on the first half. She said her legs were tired. But each day, she’s gone a little farther. Here we are on only her fifth day, and she made it all the way to the front end of the line and back to center by lunchtime.”
The pride in Jennie’s voice was unmistakable. Leo barely knew the woman and he was proud of her, too. He knew how much effort it took to stay balanced on top of the pipe and walk its full distance. “You walked seven miles on your fifth attempt? That’s incredible. You should try out for the Olympic Games, Mrs. Ward.”
“No, thank you.” Mrs. Ward made a face and rubbed her lower back. “As a matter of fact, I’m going to let my youthful, nimble daughter inspect the second half on her own. I’m feeling my age.” She laughed again. “We’ve planned a picnic lunch at the cabin, Leo. Would you like to join us?”
Leo had eaten before getting on the train, so he wasn’t hungry. But it would be nice to enjoy the sunshine with Mrs. Ward and Jennie while they ate. Except…“I would, ma’am, but I don’t want to cause problems.” He didn’t need to add more. They would understand.
The pair exchanged a glance, and then Jennie grinned up at him. “It’s all right, Leo. Daddy isn’t mad at you anymore.”
Leo drew back, unsure he’d heard correctly. “He isn’t?”
“No.” Remorse briefly pursed her face. “He doesn’t want me traipsing all over the hills with you by ourselves, but he said if you wanted to visit the cabin, he wouldn’t stand in the way.”
Leo whistled through his teeth, amazed. A small miracle, for sure, considering how adamant the man had been. God was surely working things for good. “Well, then, in that case, yes, I’d love to join you. But I don’t need anything to eat. I’ll just chat with you all.”
“That sounds fine,” Mrs. Ward said.
Leo crossed the bridge and waited for the women to climb the slight rise above the pipe. Then they walked the rocky path to the cabin together. When they’d progressed far enough to see the cabin ahead, Leo noticed a kitchen chair in the middle of the yard. Mr. Ward was perched on it like a king on his throne. The sight jarred him almost as much as the leap from the train car.
Rags was lying on the grass near the man, chewing on something. As they approached, the dog looked up, yipped, and dashed toward them, his ears flapping like wings and with a doggy smile on his face. He darted to Jennie first and danced a happy circle around her legs. He then leaped at Leo, bouncing off his knees and nearly toppling him sideways on the sloped ground.
“Whoa there, Rags.” Leo laughed and tried to catch the writhing ball of fur. “You’re getting too big for that.” He dropped to one knee, and Rags rolled on his back, offering his belly for a rub. Leo complied, still laughing. He grinned up at Jennie and Mrs. Ward. “You must be feeding him well. He’s twice the size he was when I found him.”
Mrs. Ward winked. “He does like to eat, as does his master. And speaking of which, I need to get the picnic items laid out. Excuse me, please.” She continued to the cabin, stopping and delivering a kiss on her husband’s temple on her way past him.
With Rags bounding around their feet, Leo and Jennie crossed the yard to Mr. Ward. Rags flopped down again, panting, and the man laid his hand on the dog’s head while looking into Leo’s face. Leo wouldn’t call his expression friendly, but neither was it intimidating.
Leo stuck out his hand. “Good day, sir.”
After a moment’s pause, Mr. Ward gave Leo’s hand a brief shake and then returned to stroking Rags’s head. “Good day.” He scanned Leo from head to toe. “Still huntin’, huh?”
Leo removed his pack and placed it on the ground. “Yes, sir. I plan to explore the upper area of the southwest ridge. I pretty well covered the lower to mid ranges earlier this week.” He’d found another shark tooth but no dinosaur bones. “If I don’t have enough daylight to go all the way up today, Mr. DeWeece and I should be able to reach the peak tomorrow since we’ll have the full day.”
Jennie inched sideways in the direction of the cabin. “I’m going to wash up and help Mama bring out the food.” Her wary brown eyes zinged between the two men as she went. “You two…enjoy your chat.” She darted inside.
Mr. Ward stared after her, as did Leo. He didn’t realize how much he depended on Jennie’s presence as a buffer in case the man became unpleasant. He’d been there only a few minutes and already he was uncomfortable. He needed to increase his prayers for the family. How awful it must be for Jennie and Mrs. Ward to live under a cloud of constant tension, never knowing when Mr. Ward’s mood might go dark. For the moment, though, he seemed content if not cheerful to sit in the sun and pet the dog’s head. Leo sent up a quick prayer of gratitude for the peaceful moment.
Jennie and her mother returned, Jennie carrying a folded quilt and Mrs. Ward balancing a tray holding sandwiches, peaches, a pitcher, and four glasses. Jennie snapped the quilt twice and it fell in a somewhat smooth square onto the grass.
Mrs. Ward set the tray in the center, then smiled at Mr. Ward. “Are you ready for lunch? Come join us.” She swung the smile in Leo’s direction. “You, too, Leo. We’ve eaten out here under the sunshine every day this week, and it’s such a pleasant change from being at the table in the stuffy cabin.”
Leo waited until Mr. Ward pushed up from his chair, limped to the quilt, and plopped down somewhat clumsily next to his wife. He sat with one leg bent in front of him and the other extended off the quilt. Jennie knelt across from her father and patted the open spot across from Mrs. Ward. Leo accepted the invitation and sank down cross-legged on the faded patches.
Mrs. Ward placed her hand on Claude’s knee. “Do you want to say grace?”
Mr. Ward cleared his throat. He glanced at Leo from the corner of his eye. “You go ahead, Etta.”
If the woman was disappointed about his refusal, no one would know. She bowed her head and thanked God for the food, the sunshine, and the opportunity to fellowship with a friend. At her “amen,” Claude grabbed a sandwich and started eating.
Mrs. Ward poured glasses of water for each of them before taking a sandwich and piece of fruit for herself. She and Jennie asked Leo about his searches, and they shared little happenings from their week—nothing of import but so very pleasant. Mr. Ward didn’t say a word the entire time it took to consume the sandwiches and fruit, but he slipped bits of bread and meat to Rags, all the while pretending he wasn’t doing it. Leo hid his smile so the man wouldn’t know he’d seen.
When they’d finished, Mrs. Ward placed the empty glasses and peach pits on the tray with the pitcher and stood. “Well, now, that was a nice break. Jennie, don’t bother with the quilt. Your daddy might enjoy stretching out on it and soaking up the remainder of the sunshine, the way he did yesterday. Am I right, Claude?”
He patted his belly and yawned. “Reckon so.”
The fondness in her eyes as she smiled in her husband’s direction stirred Leo’s admiration. And his compassion. Despite Mr. Ward’s crustiness and seemingly helpless state, she still loved him. What an arduous duty, remaining devoted to one who gave so little in response to her care.
Leo rose, and Jennie bounded up at the same time. She steepled her hands under her chin and turned a pleading look on her mother. “Mama, when Leo and Mr. DeWeece go fossil hunting tomorrow, may I join them?” She flicked a worried glance at her father. “If they find the skeleton, I’d like to be able to sketch it before it gets dug up and taken apart.”
Leo’s pulse skittered with eagerness. “That’s a fine idea, Jennie. I believe Mr. DeWeece would appreciate it, too. The excavation team will include a photographer, but Mr. DeWeece doesn’t carry a camera with him. A sketch would be the first record of the discovery.” If Jennie was officially credited for the rendering, it could garner scholarship money for her to go to college.
Mrs. Ward looked at Mr. Ward, but he’d already settled on his back on the quilt and lay with an arm looped around Rags and his eyes closed. She shifted her attention to Jennie, and the regret in her expression warned Leo of a denial even before she spoke.
“Honey, we were gone last weekend. And I’ve been away from the house for hours each day this week. I’m woefully behind on chores. I’m sorry, but I’ll need your help here tomorrow.” She turned to Leo. “If you go out next Saturday with Mr. DeWeece, maybe Jennie can go then. Assuming, of course, Mr. DeWeece gives his approval.”
“That will be fine. I’m sure he wouldn’t object, ma’am. Especially since he’s the one who suggested Jennie could make a career as an artist.” Leo picked up his knapsack and shrugged the straps into place. “Thank you for letting me visit today. I enjoyed it.” He shifted his gaze back and forth from mother to daughter as he spoke. “If I see you on the pipeline, I’ll give a wave, but if not, I’ll stop by next Saturday morning in case you’re able to join the excursion.” Both women nodded. “Bye, now.”
He set off, and even though he didn’t look back, he sensed Jennie’s disappointment-filled eyes watching after him.