“Good. I like that young man.” She pulled her housecoat tighter about her waist. “Good night, Clint.”
“Good night, Camelia.” He sipped on his coffee. Maybe it would do both him and Laura good if they spent a whole day apart. She was too familiar with him, so much so that she’d disobeyed his order to stay in the house.
* * *
The next morning, Clint walked to the bunkhouse to find Parker and to tell him he’d be going to town with the women. He’d wrestled all night with letting them go. Worry ate at him like a rat ate away at a piece of cloth.
What if they ran into the rustler? Would Parker know what to do? He was young but seemed to be able to take on anything Clint and Richard threw at him. Yesterday he’d managed to help capture the rest of the rustlers, without getting shot. Luke was a good ten years older than the younger man and he’d not been so blessed.
Parker was just leaving the bunkhouse when Clint arrived. “Just the man I wanted to see,” he said as a means of greeting.
“Morning,” Parker replied.
Clint grinned. “Morning. I have a special job for you today.”
The young man straightened his shoulders and stood a little taller.
“The women have decided they want to go into town today. I need you to escort them.” He watched to see Parker’s reaction.
The boy gave nothing away.
“When do they want to leave?” he asked.
“Within the hour.” Clint wasn’t sure if he should impress upon the boy the importance of keeping the women safe on this trip or not.
Parker looked him square in the eye. “Your family will be safe with me, sir. I’ll keep a close lookout for that rustler.”
That’s what Clint wanted to hear, but he didn’t think it would keep him from worrying. He nodded. “I appreciate that.”
He returned to the barn where Clint decided he’d muck out stalls until the women left.
As he worked, Clint silently prayed. Lord, please keep them safe.
Chapter Nineteen
Laura sighed with relief as they entered town. Leroy Parker, or Parker as everyone referred to him, had her nerves wound so tight she could almost scream with the tension. His body language said he was as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Maybe now that they were in town, the young man would lighten up.
She prayed the sheriff would catch the leader of the rustlers because the men on the ranch were behaving irrationally.
“Thanks for seeing us into town, Parker. Feel free to go relax while we shop. I’m sure there’s something you’d rather do than wait around while we shop.” Laura smiled what she hoped was her most encouraging smile.
“Oh, no, ma’am. My orders were to stay with you and Mrs. Murphy until I got you home safe and sound.” He shifted in the saddle and looked about as if expecting someone to jump out at them from between the buildings.
Laura sighed. She set the brake on the wagon and looked at Camelia.
The Irishwoman was almost as bad as Parker. She’d jumped at every snap of a twig or rock under the wheels of the wagon. Her face looked pinched and unsure. She held Hope in her arms as if afraid to let the child go.
Grace sat between them. She leaned against Laura’s side.
Laura gazed about the small town. She’d hoped to find Priscilla and see how the young woman was doing. She couldn’t believe a whole month had passed, and she hadn’t heard from Hope’s mother or her grandparents, or that she’d spent so many hours worrying that one of them or both would come and take Hope away.
Parker got off his horse and tied it to the hitching post in front of the general store. He then hurried to Camelia’s side of the wagon. “Here, let me help you down.”
“Thank you, Parker. Take Hope and I’ll follow.”
Laura didn’t wait for the young man to finish with Camelia and Hope. She eased down from the wagon and then turned to help Grace. Grace’s eyes looked tired as she reached for Laura.
Once the little girl was in her arms, she tugged at her ear.
“Ear huts.” She laid her head on Laura’s shoulder as Hope had done many times in the past.
Heat radiated from her little body. Laura felt her forehead and found it hot to the touch. She turned to Camelia, who had joined her on the sidewalk. “Grace is sick,” she said. “She’s burning up with a fever.”
“We should take her to the doctor.” Camelia looked at Hope. “Are you sick, too?”
Hope shook her head and frowned. She tucked her fingers into her mouth.
Laura sighed. “Camelia, would you mind taking Hope with you? You can get the supplies you need, and I’ll take Grace to the doctor. I have a feeling if we are in town too long, Clint will become worried and come looking for us. This way, we can get both our shopping done and Grace can see the doctor in the same amount of time.”
“Yes, that’s a good idea.” Camelia turned in the direction of the general store. “Come along, Hope.”
Laura grinned. Hope really had no choice as Camelia was carrying her.
Parker stepped up beside her. “I’ll go with you. Mrs. Murphy will be safe enough in the store.”
Laura tried not to be irritated. “Thank you, but didn’t you have some shopping you wanted to do, as well?”
He ignored her protest and began walking beside her. “Yes, and I’ll get what I need when we come back for Mrs. Murphy.” Parker smiled a rare smile.
As they walked, Laura asked, “If you don’t think I’m being too nosy, what is it that you are shopping for today?” She thought engaging him in conversation might take his mind off of guarding her and Grace.
“I’ll be buying charcoal and paper.” He continued to keep an eye open for danger.
Laura grinned. “You are an artist?”
“I wouldn’t say that.” He shrugged. “I just enjoy drawing.”
They arrived at the doctor’s office. Parker opened the door for her. A little bell above the door jingled, announcing their arrival. The doctor came out with a frown. He took one look at Parker and said, “Tell me you didn’t bring another man to patch up.”
“No, sir, I brought Mrs. Lee and Grace Shepard this time.”
The old man looked at Laura and Grace. His gray eyes swiftly assessed them. “She’s sick?” He indicated Grace.
Laura answered, “She has a fever.”
“Then bring her on back.” He looked to Parker. “Have a seat, young man.”
Parker did as he was told.
Laura followed the doctor into his examination room. She looked about at the many bottles and things there. It was clean but cluttered.
“Just set her on the table over there.” He poured water into a washbasin and began scrubbing his hands. “When did the fever start?”
Laura knew Grace hadn’t been sick when they left the house. “About an hour ago, I’d say.”
He nodded. His gray eyes softened when he looked down at Grace. “Hi, Gracie. Are you sick?”
“Uh-huh.”
He touched her forehead.
“Ear huts.” She tugged at her right ear.
The doctor moved to a candle and lit it. “Well, that’s not good.” He returned with the lit candle. “Be real still so I can have a look see.”
“Otay.” Grace tilted her head so that he could use the candle for light and look inside her ear.
He tsked. “No wonder you have a fever. That ear is mighty red inside.” The doctor patted her on the head. “Good thing for you, I know how to make the fever and the hurt go away.”
Big brown eyes looked at him. “Ear huts.” She pulled at it again.
“I know.” He moved to a cabinet and pulled out a little brown bottle. “Mrs. Lee, would you be so kind as to get this child a cup of water?”
Laura looked to where he pointed at a pail of water. She saw
the ladle and two coffee cups sitting beside it. “Yes.”
The doctor continued talking. “I’m going to give her some powders and oil for her ear. She’ll need to take both for about a week. Then I want to see her again. Understood?”
Laura nodded as she handed him the cup of water. He turned to Grace. “Gracie, you need to take this and let me put warm oil in your ear and after a little while it won’t hurt anymore. All right?”
“Aw white.” She took the powder he had on a small spoon, made a face and then grabbed the cup. The little girl gulped at the water.
He laughed, then returned to his cabinet where he pulled out a small peppermint stick. “This will help with that yucky taste.” He handed Grace the candy.
Laura watched, fascinated, as he filled the same spoon with a little oil and held it over the candle’s flame to warm.
The doctor grinned at her. “This doesn’t take long to warm up so don’t overheat it.” He touched the oil and then motioned for her to do the same.
It felt almost hot but not hot enough to burn her finger. She looked up at him for further instructions.
“That’s how warm it needs to be when you put it in her ear.” He pulled a couple of cotton balls out of a glass jar and returned to Grace. “Tilt your head sideways, child, so I can pour this in.”
Grace did as she was told, all the while sucking on the candy stick. Her eyes widened as he poured the oil into her ear, but she didn’t cry or fuss.
He poked cotton into her little ear and hummed.
Laura waited until he was done and then asked, “Will the fever go away soon?”
“She’ll need to take the medicine to keep it down, but yes, as the infection leaves her body, the fever will, too.” He put the bottle of powders in a paper bag, a small bottle of oil and a handful of cotton balls. “Just give her the powder with meals and fill her ear with oil in the morning after she wakes and before bedtime.” He grinned over his shoulder at the child sucking away at her treat. “You might get some more peppermint sticks if you go to the drugstore. It will help the other medicine go down.”
Laura laughed. “Thank you, doctor. I’ll make sure to get plenty.” She opened her small purse. “What do I owe you?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. I’ll put it on Clint’s bill. He can pay me next week.”
Laura shut her purse and walked over to get Grace. She looked to the doctor. “Sir, I was wondering how Priscilla Maxwell is doing. Last time I talked to her, she seemed very sick.”
Sadness entered the doctor’s eyes. “I’m sorry to be the one to tell you that she passed away a few days ago. We buried her in the town cemetery yesterday.”
A few minutes later, Laura, Grace and Parker left the doctor’s office. Her heart was heavy at the loss of Hope’s mother. She was so young. Her parents were probably beside themselves. Had Priscilla told them about Hope? If so, would they want their granddaughter now that their only child was gone?
Laura felt torn. What would she do if they came to take Hope away from her? Fresh heartache filled her.
* * *
When they got back to the store, Laura went inside. She sighed as a sense of heaviness filled her. This was the last place she’d seen Priscilla alive. She spotted Camelia and Hope standing in front of the toy section.
Camelia had turned when she heard the bell over the door ring. Once Laura was close enough, she asked, “How is our wee one?”
“She has an ear infection.” Laura watched as Parker walked to the shelf holding books and paper.
“Oh, our poor, wee baby.” Camelia stroked Grace’s cheek.
She squeezed Grace’s hand. “The doctor prescribed peppermint sticks twice a day.” Laura grinned at Camelia’s shocked look. “He said they help the medicine go down.”
Camelia knelt in front of Grace. “Well, if the doctor ordered it, it must be important.”
Hope reached for Laura, who took her with ease. Camelia looked relieved not to have to stand still holding the child.
“I’ll get the candy when I go to the counter. I’ve only a few more items on my list and then we can head back,” Camelia said.
In a very soft voice, that Laura hoped Parker wouldn’t hear, Laura said, “I’d like to take the girls to the wagon to wait for you. I’ve just learned that Priscilla, Hope’s mother, has passed.”
Camelia nodded. “You go on, honey.” She patted Laura’s shoulder. “I’ll keep an eye on Parker.”
Laura took Grace’s hand. She slipped out onto the boardwalk, thankful that Parker hadn’t seemed to notice her departure.
She put the girls in the bed of the wagon and then climbed up on the seat. Laura watched both the girls. Grace lay down on the blanket and closed her eyes. Hope looked at her friend and then to Laura.
Hope stood and toddled over to the seat. She held her arms up for Laura to lift her onto the seat with her.
Laura picked her up and held her close. This little girl would never know her real mother. The sadness of the thought caused her eyes to burn with unshed tears.
“Excuse me.”
Laura looked to the sidewalk where Elizabeth Maxwell, Priscilla’s mother, stood.
“Hello, Mrs. Maxwell. How are you today?” Laura wasn’t sure how she got the words past her tight throat.
“I’m well, Mrs. Lee. I couldn’t help but notice how cute the girls look today.” Her eyes shone up at Hope. She hugged her handbag closer to her side.
She said the only thing she knew to say in this situation. “Thank you.” Would Mrs. Maxwell take Hope from her?
Tears filled the other woman’s eyes. “She looks so much like Prissy did at that age.” She reached up and touched Hope’s small hand.
Hope pulled it away and clung to Laura.
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Laura prayed that neither of them cried. She looked about the busy town. What would the gossips in town say?
Mrs. Maxwell swallowed hard. “It is for the best. Priscilla is in a better place.”
Laura prayed that Priscilla’s mother was correct and that Priscilla had gone to be with the Lord. She looked at Hope. The little girl smiled shyly at her grandmother.
“I’m glad I ran into you today. I’ve been hoping you’d come into town so that I could see little Hope.” She smiled up at Laura. “Dear, I know Priscilla wants you to raise her. My husband and I have a little house here in town that we’d planned to give to Priscilla but...” Mrs. Maxwell paused and swallowed. “Well, we’d like to give it to you and Hope when you move back to town.”
She offered a smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Maxwell.” What more could she say? It sounded as if the Maxwells weren’t going to try to take Hope from her, but they were going to give her a new house. Laura wasn’t sure she should accept it. What if they changed their minds and decided they wanted Hope to live with them?
Chapter Twenty
The moon drooped low in the sky. Clint stomped up the steps of the house. Laura sat in one of the two rockers. She’d been quiet over the last two days and he was starting to worry about her. He slid into the rocker beside her and yawned. “I’m sorry I didn’t get back in time to put Grace to bed. Was she upset?”
“No, she was pretty tired. I think the powder that the doctor gave her makes her sleepy. Thankfully it also keeps her fever down.” Laura looked up at the full moon. She wore a light sweater and had tugged it tightly about her waist.
“What’s troubling you, Laura?”
She glanced over at him. “Am I that obvious?” Laura pushed the hair that had fallen out of her bun behind a shell-shaped ear.
“Probably not to anyone but me. I’ve noticed you’ve been pretty quiet since you went to town. Are you concerned that the leader of the rustlers might still be out there?” His gaze moved to the shadows.
She shook her head. “No, I’ve about forgotten him.”
> Clint nodded. “Well, that’s good, because we don’t have to worry about him any longer.”
Her eyes searched his.
“Part of the reason I had to leave after supper was because one of the bulls had gotten out of his pasture. On our way back from fixing the fence and getting him back inside, the sheriff rode out and said they’d captured the last of the rustler gang. They are all behind bars tonight.” He pushed his hat back and leaned farther down into the rocker.
Laura smiled. “That’s wonderful news. Now maybe you’ll stop shadowing the house.”
He peeked up at her from under his hat. “I haven’t been shadowing you.”
“Yes, you have. Every time I looked up, there you or one of your men were.” She smiled. “Thank you for caring about us.”
Clint wondered if he cared too much. What she said was true. He’d made sure that he or one of his men could see the house at all times. “You’re welcome.”
He watched as Laura tilted her head back and stared at the moon again. The air outside was cool but not cold. He sat watching her for a moment and then remembered he’d been trying to find out what was bothering her. Clint cleared his throat and asked, “If it’s not the outlaws, then what is it?” He was persistent. Whatever was bothering her, he wanted her to talk to him about it.
She sighed. “The other day, when we went to town, I found out that Priscilla had passed away.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Clint sat up a little taller in his chair, praying he’d be able to find words to comfort her, if that was what she needed. Maybe she just needed him to listen. He knew he could do that.
“Her mother saw me and the girls and stopped by to say hello.” She turned fear-filled eyes to him. “Clint, she recognized Hope and offered us a house in town to live in.”
Clint was at a loss. To him, that sounded like a good thing. But obviously, Laura wasn’t happy. “That was generous of her.”
“It was, but I’m afraid that she might change her mind when I go back to town.” Tears began streaming down her face.
He was out of the chair and had pulled her into his arms before Clint realized he’d even moved. She sobbed against his shirt. Her tears seeped in and touched his chest.
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