KodyAnne let out her breath as she slumped over and propped her elbow on her knee with her chin in her hand.
“Unless . . .” Melanie stiffened and stared at the wall. A smile crept across her face. “I’m so dense. Gretta, a girl who works for me got married not long ago. She’s been yakking about how her husband doesn’t like her working and thinks she needs to quit. What do you think? You said you’re a good cook. How are you at washing dishes and waiting tables?”
KodyAnne’s head came up, and a smile crossed her face. “I can do that.”
Melanie sighed. “You couldn’t be any worse at it than Gretta.” She stood. “Come in tomorrow and watch for a while. See what you think.”
“Oh, Melanie, thanks.” A heavy load seemed to slide from KodyAnne’s shoulders. “I wanted to pay you back for letting me stay here. Now I can. I’ll work for room and board until another room opens up then I’ll need only enough to pay my way and Charlotte’s.”
Melanie laughed. “We’d shake on it if we were men, but why don’t we hug instead?”
KodyAnne jumped up and hugged her new friend who squeezed her tight.
“Let’s go see your father now.” Melanie pulled back.
The walk of less than a city block, didn’t take long. Mrs. Harper let them in. “Hello, Melanie. I didn’t expect to see you, but I was expecting Miss Delmont.”
“Is Papa worse?” KodyAnne’s stomach quivered at the thought.
“No, he’s about the same.” The nurse led them down the hall. At the door, she stopped. “Remember, he doesn’t need excitement. He’s been sleeping most of the day. Dozing in and out. He may not be awake now, but you can sit with him a few minutes. Don’t stay long.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll wait for you.” Melanie hesitated. “But if you need me . . .”
“No, it’s all right. I’ll be fine.” KodyAnne stepped through the doorway. Papa lay in the bed just as he’d been earlier. He wasn’t her natural-born father. She knew that, but she couldn’t imagine a more loving father than her Papa. He’d been there for her from the time he and Mama asked her if she’d like to be their little girl. He’d taught her to ride and take care of her first pony. He never refused to let her go hunting with Tyler and him. He paddled her when she used what he called filthy street language then held her while they both cried so she understood he cared how she turned out. Best of all, he took the whole family to church and taught them all to reverence the Lord.
She sat beside him and watched him lying so pale and quiet. His chest barely moved as he breathed. This wasn’t the vibrant papa she remembered. She brushed moisture from her eyes. He wouldn’t live long. Something spoke to her heart so she knew. She wanted to stay with him tonight. Sit right here all night long so he wouldn’t be alone.
The door behind her creaked open.“KodyAnne.”
She turned to see Melanie standing in the opening.
“We have to go. Mrs. Harper said your time’s up.” Melanie looked sad like she might cry. “I promise you can come back first thing in the morning.”
KodyAnne stood and glanced toward the window against the back wall. She bent to kiss her father’s leathery cheek and whispered near his ear. “I’ll be back, Papa. I won’t leave you here alone.”
She and Melanie left the clinic and went back to the boardinghouse just as the sun slipped behind the distant horizon, leaving their world dark and lonely.
~*~
KodyAnne lay in bed beside Melanie and listened for her breathing. For the longest time, she couldn’t hear a single sound, but finally a soft rush of air came from the other side of the bed. Still, she didn’t move. For what seemed like hours, she waited until the occasional soft swirl of air became regular. In and out. In and out. Melanie had gone to sleep.
Inch-by-inch, KodyAnne slipped from bed, taking care she didn’t disturb the covers. On the floor at last, she waited. Not a single sound or movement. Soft moonlight filtered through the curtains and touched the bed giving her enough light to recognize shapes in the room. She slipped her nightgown off and draped it across the straight-backed chair. The trousers and shirt she’d stuffed in her saddlebags when she undressed for bed earlier were easy to find. She pulled them back on and picked up her boots.
She paused at the door then stepped to the dresser where her purse lay. Maybe she should take it. Just in case. She felt the bulge of her derringer inside. Not that she expected to use it, but a lady should never go out at night without her purse. One never knew what might be needed. Satisfied she had everything, she slipped out the door and tiptoed down the hall to the stairs. As soon as she closed the front door of the boardinghouse behind her, she let her breath out in a rush. She glanced toward the diner next door then the other way toward the jail. Not a soul had stirred. She lifted her gaze to the stars above. Thank you, Lord.
In her stocking feet, she slipped down the boardwalk to the jail. A light burned inside, but she saw no one. Feeling as if she were mist in the night, she moved past and stopped on the steps leading to the rocky street below. She looked from her boots to the wide expanse of sharp gravel. Pebbles hurt her bare feet. She glanced at the jail behind her. Still no movement. Without a sound, she sat on the boardwalk and put on her boots. Now she wouldn’t have to worry where she stepped.
The clinic was a two-story house that had been converted into a waiting room, operating room, and hospital downstairs. She’d heard someone say the Harpers lived on the second floor. There were no lights shining through any windows she could see. She circled the building to the side where Papa waited.
There was the window. She crouched below it and peeked over the sill. A part in the curtain revealed the bed and a lamp turned low on the table set back from it. Papa was still there, hopefully sleeping to regain his strength.
KodyAnne stood and flattened her hands against the glass at the top of the bottom pane. Using her fingertips she pushed up until the window budged a crack. Before she lost the progress she’d made, she pulled one hand away as fast as she could to slide her fingers into the gap at the bottom. The window started slipping, but she caught it and with both hands lifted enough to swing her leg over.
She hadn’t broken into a house since she was little, and Mike had done all the hard work then. This wasn’t as easy as it looked. She caught her breath and pulled again until the window was high enough she could turn her hands over to push. At that moment, a shadow fell across her and the window sailed to the top, taking her heart with it. Her shriek stopped before it started when a hand clamped across her mouth.
Chapter 7
KodyAnne wobbled half in the window and half out. She lifted wide eyes to the doctor’s wife who held her in an iron grip.
“If I let you go, will you be quiet?” The woman spoke just above a whisper.
KodyAnne nodded. Blood slowly flowed back to her brain so she could think. She’d been caught, but would she be allowed to stay?”
Mrs. Harper removed her hand and, still holding the window, backed up a step. “Come on inside.”
A quick hitch and jump had KodyAnne more than half in. From there, it was easy to slide the rest of the way. As soon as both feet touched the floor, she straightened and turned to face the nurse. “I needed to come. I don’t want him to be alone tonight.”
The nurse nodded as if she understood. Compassion shone from her eyes. “You can stay, but don’t wake him. Sleep is the only thing we can do for him now.”
KodyAnne’s breath caught at the woman’s words, although she’d suspected the same already. He wouldn’t live long. She turned toward him, but the nurse touched her arm.
“There’s something you need to know.”
KodyAnne’s heart skipped a beat. What more could there be? She turned with dread weighing her down.
“About an hour ago, your father woke. He appeared to be better. I think he pushed himself because he had something to say.” The woman’s gaze searched KodyAnne’s face. “Honey, he told me he was dying. He asked me to tell you.�
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The air rushed in as KodyAnne gasped. She didn’t want to hear this.
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean from the bullet wound. He said to tell you his heart was giving out. He’s known for a while, but it was getting worse. From what I pieced together, the doctor he went to said he didn’t have long. What he said confirmed Dr. Harper’s suspicions that the bullet shouldn’t be making him so sick. He wanted to get the box to make sure you children were provided for. I’m so sorry for the way things happened, but I hope you get that box. It’s only right.”
“Thank you for telling me.” KodyAnne’s mind swirled with this new information as she crept on silent boots to the chair beside her father’s bed. Papa had done this because he was dying? He said he didn’t trust lawyers. The truth was he didn’t have time to wait for the legal system to work. No wonder he’d been desperate enough to pull his gun. He hadn’t known what else to do. Right or wrong, she understood him better now.
For long moments after Mrs. Harper left, KodyAnne sat and watched him breathe. He didn’t snore, but his breathing didn’t appear to come easily, either. With each intake, a soft whistle sounded followed by a gurgling rattle when he breathed out. After a while, her chest hurt from listening.
A Bible lay on the table beside him. KodyAnne reached for it with both heart and hand. Without conscious thought, she turned to the middle. The twenty-third Psalms opened before her, and she began to read in a soft voice. “‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.’” Was it wrong to want her father to live? God had given her so much, but she wanted her father, too. He wouldn’t live long even if he survived the shooting. She understood, but could she accept it when she still missed her mother?
She sighed and looked again at the page. “‘He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside the still waters.’” When she reached the forth verse, her voice choked. “Oh, Papa, can you hear this? “‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.’ Jesus is with you. We don’t ever have to be afraid.”
“Not ’fraid.” His weak voice brought tears to her eyes. His next word breathed out with that horrible rattle. “Home.”
“I know, Papa. Don’t talk. It’s all right.” She slipped to her knees beside his bed and touched his hand. “I love you.”
His mouth twitched, and his gaze met hers. “Love.”
Her heart missed a beat when pink drool appeared in the corner of his mouth.
“Love Jesus. Forgive.” A beautiful smile lit his face as he looked toward the ceiling, took in a deep breath, and let it out.
KodyAnne cried out. “Papa.”
She held his hand in both of hers, but there was no life there. He was gone. She stood, laid his hand on his chest, kissed his bristly cheek, and went in search of the Doctor’s wife.
~*~
KodyAnne stood outside the doctor’s clinic in the moonlit night feeling more alone than she’d felt since she was seven years old and her first mama died. She had a new job, a place to stay, family, and a new friend in Melanie, but still she felt alone. Mike was here in Willow Springs, too. He’d take care of her just as he’d done when she was cut adrift before. But Mike didn’t want her. She’d seen the look on his face when he understood what Papa asked of him. He didn’t want to marry her, and she didn’t plan to let him. He’d given up his freedom for her once before when he stayed with her at the orphanage. She wouldn’t let him do it again no matter how much she loved him. Or maybe because she loved him.
She shook her head. Tyler would be out at the willow at midnight. Papa said if they were separated to meet there if at all possible. Had he expected things to get so out of hand? Surely not. She didn’t have time to think. She needed to find Tyler, but what could she do for transportation? It was a long walk to the willow tree, and it must be getting close to midnight. She had to have a horse.
Not sure where to go or what to do, she turned toward the boardinghouse, avoiding the boardwalk. Her boots made too much noise against the wood. She glanced toward the bank and the clock above the door. Eleven-thirty. The entire town seemed to be asleep. How could she get Pistol out of jail? Okay, not really jail, but the sheriff had him locked up in the livery. She passed the boardinghouse and the diner and stopped at the corner where the two main streets in town intersected. A dog howled in the distance, but no two-legged pests threatened her freedom. Mike’s big two-story house stood half a city block ahead. A few miles beyond was the willow tree. If Mike was home, she’d go ask him for help—maybe.
Mike was a preacher now. He might not want to help her. He might think Tyler was a real outlaw, like everyone thought their father was. Did Mike even have a horse? She looked to her right and narrowed her eyes. Pistol was that direction, but she couldn’t get to him. She’d get caught if she tried. She turned to look again at Mike’s house. The boy who delivered her saddlebags said Mike went with the doctor, so he must have a horse . . .
~*~
Michael followed Doc Harper outside and closed the door behind him. “Well, that turned out better than I thought it might.”
“Yes, I’m glad to say it did.” The doctor nodded. “You never know when you start out, though, what you’ll find. You’re probably finding that true in your profession as well.”
“Pretty much.” Michael ran a weary hand through his hair, combing it back from his eyes. He’d spent the last few hours praying while Doc Harper sewed some pretty gruesome-looking cuts and set a broken bone. Able Tate wouldn’t be walking for the next month, but according to Doc Harper, he’d heal if he took care of himself. At first, Michael wasn’t sure what the outcome would be.
He took a deep breath and walked with the doctor across the yard to the buggy William Tate had hitched and waiting for them. “It’ll be good to get home and get some sleep.”
The doctor didn’t answer but stood on the far side looking toward town.
Michael stepped around the back of the buggy to see what had caught the older man’s attention. During the day, the water tower in Willow Springs was visible from the Tate farm, but at night only a fire big enough to do damage would show out this far. He breathed better when he didn’t see any orange glow. “What are you looking at?”
“Someone’s riding across country coming this way. Sure hope it isn’t a messenger for one of us.”
Andy. Had something happened to her? Or her father? If he’d gotten worse or passed away in the short hours they’d been gone, would she send someone to get him, or did she even know where he went?
Michael saw the silhouette of horse and rider coming at a gallop toward them. Someone was in a hurry for sure. The horse leapt the ditch and headed up the road still coming toward the Tate’s. Nothing out that way except Willow Pond where the original town used to be. After they’d moved the town to the present location, the old buildings had been torn down leaving the pond and a grove of willow trees growing beside it. Plans were in the making for a city park, but it was pretty isolated right now. Except for one building about a mile down the road. His stomach turned as it always did when he thought of the brothel. The large house of ill-repute, tucked away from decent folks, tainted the earth at the end of the road.
The horse and rider approached and didn’t slow down. They weren’t going to stop. Michael started to turn away when the horse entered a bright patch of moonlight. They were close enough to see and recognize. The rider was a young boy he didn’t know, but the horse was—
“That’s Fireball. My mustang. Hey, stop!” Michael ran toward the road in a futile attempt to catch his horse, and got a mouthful of dust for his effort. Fireball earned his name by being the fastest horse in the county. Michael swung toward the doctor. “That kid stole my horse.”
Doc Harper shrugged. “Sure looks that way.”
“Well, he can’t get away with it. I’m going after him. There’s nothing out there but that—” He couldn’t force the word past his lips. “If he’
s going to that place, I can take Fireball back.”
The doctor chuckled. “I guess you could at that.”
Michael headed toward the farmhouse. “I’ll see if William will loan me a horse. You go on without me. I may be a while, but I aim to come home with Fireball.”
“Okay, be careful. I don’t want to patch anyone else up tonight.”
Michael waved over his shoulder and knocked on the door. When he and William headed toward the barn to saddle a horse, the doctor’s buggy was long gone.
“Is this all you have?” Michael had to reach up to the plow horse’s broad back. He’d never ridden anything so big. Or so slow as he imagined this horse would be. “I’m in a bit of a hurry to catch that thief before he gets away with Fireball.”
William shook his head. “I sure do wish I could help you out, but we’re doing good to keep this team after the run of expenses we’ve had this last year. You know I’d hand it right over if I had better.” He slapped the huge horse on the neck. “One thing about this old fellow, he may be a mite slower than your Fireball, but he’ll get you wherever you want to go. Steady and sure.”
Michael swallowed his disappointment. He might never see Fireball again. What would Dad say if he lost the most expensive gift he and Mom ever gave him? He’d been with them almost five years when they took him to the barn on his sixteenth birthday and showed him the new mustang foal they’d bought just for him. He’d raised Fireball until they were as close as a man and horse could be. He’d proved to Mom and Dad how responsible he was when he broke his horse to ride and never asked for help with the care or training. Oh, he was responsible, all right. He shouldn’t have left Fireball at home tonight.
“Okay, I’ll ride . . . what’s his name?”
The light of laughter sparkled in William’s eyes as he threw a saddle over the horse’s back. “This one’s Steady.”
Michael nodded toward the horse in the next stall. “And that one’s Sure?”
The Preacher's Outlaw Bride Page 7
