“All right, then.” He put a hand on Penny’s shoulder. “What name seems fitting?”
Penny clasped her hands together in excitement. “I do love naming animals. When Honeysuckle was a pup, I—”
“Your dog’s full name is Honeysuckle?”
“Yes. I remember thinking hard about it as I tried to pick the right name. A sweet flower seemed the perfect name for a sweet pup. I’ll help you think of the perfect name for your horse too.”
“Hmm. I admit I’m a bit nervous. I’m not sure I could ride around town on a horse named Darling or Sweety.”
She took a step back. “Are you not fond of endearments?”
“I . . . well, I don’t know. I haven’t much experience.” His face flushed with color. With no beard to hide it, he looked red as an apple. “Just go on and tell me what you’d name the horse. I’m sure I’ll like it just fine.”
“Very well. I think she looks like . . .” She paused and pretended to be thinking, but it was the color in his cheeks that had caused her to stall. Thomas was a man who blushed! “She . . . she looks like a Josephine. And one day you’ll be glad she’s not absently following you. I think she’s a smart horse.” Then to the horse she said, “You’re a smart girl, aren’t you? You wouldn’t mind if Thomas called you Darling from time to time, would you?”
Thomas stared as the horse nuzzled Penny.
“I think she likes it, don’t you?” she asked as she stroked the animal.
“Josephine? For a horse? I thought you’d suggest something like Smoky or Thunder.”
“Look at her. She’s practically smiling.” Penny ran her hand over the soft skin on the mare’s nose. “It’s a good name. She really is a darling horse.”
He led the mare away from the hitching post. “I admit I haven’t seen her this calm the entire time I’ve owned her. But Josephine? Josephine, Honeysuckle. I wonder what you’ll name your children someday.”
Penny crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m sure my children’s names will be equally fitting. Keep calling her ‘the horse’ if you prefer. I was just trying to help.”
“Don’t go getting all high and mighty on me. I’ll give it a try and see if it sticks.” He put his boot in the stirrup. “I hired a couple hands to come help at my place. I need to get back out there and keep them busy.” He swung up into the saddle. “I’m hoping to have them work from dawn to dusk until I get my place running a bit better. They need the money and I need the help.”
“It’s good of you to hire them. I hope your crops aren’t the failure you think they’ll be.”
“Thank you. I’m not sure I’ll be able to go back to my own cooking after last night’s feast. Perhaps I’ll see you at the dining hall one of these nights.” The way he said it made Penny’s heart race once again. She felt almost certain he wanted to see her at the dining hall.
“I eat there every night. Usually it’s just me and a bunch of dirty men. I don’t think most of them have ever seen a nail brush.”
He put his hands out. “I’ll fit right in. Save me a spot beside you?”
“I will.”
16
Penny twirled her pencil between her fingers as she stared at the blank page. How does one go about beginning a novel? she wondered.
An hour later, she still had nothing written.
“What should I write about?” she asked aloud to Honey, who only raised her furry head and whimpered. “I know you want to go outside, but I can’t let you. You’ll run right for the creek and then traipse through Margaret’s house with your muddy paws.”
Honey’s chocolate eyes pleaded with Penny, chipping away at her resolve.
“Oh, all right. But if you get loose and go in the mud, then I might just set you free like Mother was always threatening to do.” Penny folded a blank sheet of paper and put it in her pocket just in case an idea came to her. “Come along,” she called to Honey, who leapt to her feet and barked excitedly.
“Trouble with your story?” Margaret asked when they came down the stairs.
“Yes.” She pulled out the blank sheet of paper and showed Margaret. “I want to write something compelling. Something about love and finding happiness. Those were always my favorite books. But I don’t know what to write. Or how to start.”
Margaret stopped dusting. “You just need inspiration. Something to get you going. I’d imagine if you picked the right idea, it’d get easier.”
Penny scrunched up her nose. “Like what?”
“You’re the writer.”
“I’m not much of a writer. Do blank pages but plenty of ambition qualify me as a writer?” Penny scratched Honey’s neck a moment, then stepped away from the dog and looked out the window. “I simply don’t know how to turn my dream into something more.”
Margaret studied her a moment. “One of these days I’m hoping you explain to me how you ended up here with nothing but a new dream.” She pursed her lips and Penny could tell she was debating what to say next. “I won’t hassle you. I’ve an idea though. I saw Em Reynolds earlier. You remember her, don’t you?”
“I do. I spoke with her at the social, only briefly though.”
“She’s anxious to know you better. Why don’t I ask her to take you around the town? She could help you meet more people and maybe one of them will spark an idea.”
Penny nodded. “I’d like spending the day with Em. If she’s willing, I’d gladly go with her.”
“You could go out on one of the country roads after your time in town. See what farm life is like. It’s what we’re best at around here.” Margaret smiled and Penny was sure she’d seen a bit of mischief in it. “You could stop by Thomas Conner’s farm. He’s new at farming. I don’t think he could teach you much about the planting or harvesting, but you could deliver him some food. He talks of coming to the dining hall, but even if he comes in the evening that’s only one meal. The man needs three square meals in him. I worry about him.” Her eyes softened. “Most of my boarders are simply part of the job, but there are some like you and Thomas who become more to me. You’d take him a basket of food for me, wouldn’t you?”
“Margaret! You can’t fool me. You’re scheming and I see it.” Penny laughed as she crossed the room toward her friend. “You get that gleam in your eyes. It practically screams mischief.”
The conspiring woman laughed. “I am scheming! I admit it. And you, dear girl, are loving it. I saw the way your eyes followed him at the social. You couldn’t stop watching him, and I can hardly blame you. He’s a fine-looking man. I’m merely giving you another chance to enjoy the Azure Springs scenery.”
“He spoke of you with such admiration. I wonder if his sentiments would be as fond if he knew you were working behind his back.”
Margaret reached up and dusted the top of the mantel. “I think he’s come to trust me. In fact, I think he believes I have his best interests at heart. And I do now, just as I always have. I’m thinking of his stomach.” She winked. “Do you want the man to go hungry?”
“If it’s his stomach at stake, then I’ll help.” She pointed a finger at Margaret. “But don’t go getting any other ideas.”
“Oh, Penny, life would be too dull then.” Margaret smiled. “I hope you find your inspiration.”
Penny turned toward the door, eager for fresh air and anxious to pursue whatever inspiration she could. Only when she turned did she realize Honey was not there beside her.
“Honey!” she said. Then louder, she yelled, “Honeysuckle!”
A bark sounded in response. It came from the kitchen.
“No! No! No!” Penny ran from the front room. She’d just been stroking her head. How could she have gotten away?
“I told you to keep an eye on that animal.” Margaret trailed Penny from the front room to the kitchen.
After she stepped into the kitchen, Penny stood completely still. Her feet would not move. Her mouth was ajar. The scene before her was too awful, too horribly awful for her to even know what to do.
“Stop that!” Margaret called to Honey. “Penny, stop standing there like a fool and get your dog away from the meat.”
Penny jerked back to reality, raced to Honey, and grabbed her collar to pull her away from the roast she was devouring. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered as she dragged the dog past Margaret. “I don’t know what’s gotten into her.”
“I run a boardinghouse with rules and order.” Margaret’s voice was steady. “I gave your dog a chance, but between her leaving mud all over the floor and now eating the evening meal, I have to tell you she cannot stay.”
“I understand. I’m so sorry.” Penny’s head was down as she spoke. She could already feel tears stinging her eyes.
“Chin up, girl, and hear me out. I like Honey as well as the next person. She’s a dog full of life and personality, and that hair is something else. But I’d never be able to keep this place running if I didn’t have a few expectations. I expect people who work for me to work hard. I expect guests to abide by curfews and avoid drinking. You know Robert was kicked out not long ago and I liked him, but he came into my boardinghouse intoxicated. I can’t pick and choose which rules to enforce and keep this place running smoothly.” Margaret walked over and patted Honey’s head. “I expect all dogs to behave themselves. You may stay, but Honey can’t.”
“I’ll figure something out,” Penny said as she looped the leash around the dog’s collar. “I’ll take her out now, and when I get back, if it’s all right with you, I’ll tie her up behind the house until I have a plan.”
“That’ll be fine. I am sorry, Penny.”
“Sir,” Trenton Stephens called when Thomas walked by.
“Yes?”
“I’ve been farming my whole life.” Trenton threw down the handful of dirt that was in his hand. “And I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Thomas stepped closer. “Like what?”
“It’s normal for an animal to disturb a planting. They’ll cause a little damage. A loose cow might kick up a row or two. But nothing like this.” He pointed toward the fields. “Joe and Hector both agree. Someone’s been in your field. Look at your rows. They’re ruined. It’s as though a herd of animals ran through, trampling all your new plants. But it was a horse, and my guess is that it had a rider. A loose horse on its own won’t run circles like these tracks are testifying of.” Trenton stepped closer. “Someone did this on purpose. There’s no other explanation.”
Thomas felt his muscles tighten. He took his hat from his head and crumpled it in his fist. Someone was out to get him. He could feel it. Here in Azure Springs, living off the soil and the sunlight, he had hoped he’d be able to sleep at night without watching his back. Maybe peace was something people dream of but never really have.
“All right.” He shoved the wrinkled hat back on his head. “I’ll hire someone to watch the fields at night. How do we salvage the harvest? What do we do now?”
Trenton shook his head. “We’re getting too late to replant. You’ll still get some from these fields, but it’s not going to be a good year even if the weather works in your favor.”
“Save what you can. Tell Joe he’s to stay all night. I’ll pay him extra wages for his time.” He turned away from the hired man. “I’m going to get to the bottom of this. I’ll find out who’s behind it.”
“You already know who’s behind it. There’s only one man who boasted of owning this place.” Trenton pointed in the direction of Jeb’s property. “You know it’s Jeb.”
“I don’t know that it was him and neither do you until we can prove it.” He felt his temper flaring. Through gritted teeth he said, “But if it is him, he’ll pay for this.”
“He’ll fight you to the end.”
“He’s just talk.”
“No. Look at your field. Besides, I’ve heard that Jeb’s always talking big at the saloon about driving you out.”
“I wouldn’t stake too much on the words of a drunk man.” Thomas looked again at his trampled field. The little plants were broken and bent. He felt the air go out of him. The heat and the rage left. He’d vowed to lead a different life. Before, he’d always entered every business deal with his fists up. Now here he was and all he wanted was a quiet life. Was that so much to ask?
“I’ll sort this out. You just look out for my fields while I’m away.” Thomas walked toward his barn to saddle his mare.
“Hey there,” he said to Josephine once inside. “Looks like life’s not going to be so easy out here.” He reached out and tried to stroke the mare. She balked as usual. “I don’t like it either,” he said in a soft voice. “I was done fighting. I ran away from all that. It eats a man up. Changes him when he’s always worried about who’s out to get him or how to stay ahead of everyone else.” He reached out his hand again. “What do I do though? Do I let whoever it is just come and take what is rightfully mine?”
Josephine stepped toward him.
“Well, look at that. I’m going to assume you’re telling me we’re on the same side.” She let him pet her neck. “I think Penny was right—there’s a good horse in there.”
The mare came closer still.
“I think you liked Penny too. I can’t get her out of my head.” He walked to the mare’s side and threw a blanket and saddle onto her back. “Let’s ride out and see Hugh about our problems here. Then we’ll go see if we can visit Penny. I’ll tell her you missed her.”
Josephine fought him less than usual as he rode hard and fast to Hugh’s place. The roads were full of ruts and overgrown patches, but the ride itself went quickly.
Hugh approached when they neared his place. “What is it? Something’s wrong.”
“You told me Jeb wants my place. How bad does he want it?”
“Well, he’d tell everyone he was going to buy it and add it to his own property. He’d walk around and in his own Jeb way make sure we all knew his farm was about to take over the Dawson place and anything else he could get his hands on.”
Thomas slid out of the saddle and jumped to the ground. “What lengths do you think he’d go to in order to get what he wanted? What would he do?”
“I don’t know. His mouth was always going when we were boys, and even after. He would brag about what girl he’d get or how he’d own the town one day. If it wasn’t one big plan, it was another. But he’s just talk.”
“He got the girl, didn’t he?” Thomas fisted his hands at his sides, trying to contain his building frustration. But the anger left him when he saw the look on Hugh’s face. “She’s the girl you loved. That’s why you hate Jeb.”
Hugh’s cheeks flushed red. “She never knew. I was never brave enough to tell her. I kept thinking someday I’d make something of myself and then I could tell her how I felt. I was too late. But long before he married Eliza, I knew what kind of man Jeb was.”
Thomas walked over to Hugh and put a hand on his shoulder. “I hardly know Jeb, but I know Eliza would have been better off with you. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I should have known Jeb, with his sly ways, would end up with Eliza.” Hugh sighed. “Tell me why you’ve come.”
“Someone’s been in my fields. They were already late sprouting and now they’re nothing but trampled rows.” Thomas pressed a finger to his chest. “I was a sly businessman. I admit it. I was shrewd. I made deals that worked to my benefit, but I never stooped this low. I never sabotaged another man’s property just to get what I wanted.”
“Can you prove it was Jeb?”
“No. No one saw anything other than the ruined fields. I’m going to post a man to keep watch around the clock, but I don’t know if whoever did it will be back.” His crops were going to fail. All his hard work was going to amount to nothing. Maybe all his budding notions of hope and peace would be trampled like his tender plants had been. He kicked at the ground in front of him. “It’s all ruined.”
“It’s your land.” Hugh started walking toward the barn. “That’s the good thing about land. You treat it right and it
’ll work for you. Maybe not this year, but it will. Don’t give up on it.”
“I plan to work it and fight on. But I wonder sometimes if I’ll spend my whole life going from one problem to another.”
“I wonder that too.” Hugh laughed. “I’m going on twenty-six years of problems.” Then he paused and scratched his head. “We could ask the new sheriff what he thinks we ought to do. He hasn’t been in town long, though, so he won’t know much about Jeb.” Hugh looked down the road. “Caleb was the sheriff for years and years. He might help us. He doesn’t have a badge anymore, but he has experience. And he knows Jeb. I think he’s had a few other problems with Jeb over the years.”
“Other problems?”
“Only minor things. A brawl at the saloon and a property line dispute.”
Thomas leaned against the fence. “What could Caleb do?”
“He might have ideas. Maybe we could ask some of Caleb’s hands if they’ve heard any talk.” Hugh reached for a saddle. “I can go now.”
“You’re working. I can’t take you away from that.” Thomas shook his head. “You stay.”
“If you were the businessman you say you were, my guess is that you had a hard time trusting people. But you told me yourself that’s not who you want to be anymore. Here in Azure Springs, taking help from a friend doesn’t make you weak. It only makes you stronger.”
“You’re a different breed of man.” Thomas nodded slowly. “You’re right. I want a new life. I thought I’d find it in my fields, but maybe I ought to be paying more attention to the people around me. You, Margaret, Abraham, even Penny. All of you are showing me who I want to become.”
“Don’t go getting too serious on me.” Hugh rubbed his hands together. “I’m mostly just anxious to corner Jeb.”
“Don’t let your personal vendetta fog your thinking. He isn’t worth it. That’s one lesson I learned the hard way.” Thomas reached for the reins of his horse.
Yours Truly, Thomas Page 15
