The Turn of a Wheel (Kansas Crossroads Book 17)

by Amelia C. Adams

  “He’ll be all right,” Ruth said as she sprinkled the yeast on top of the warm water in her bread bowl. “We’ll see to it.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that.” Wade arched his back. “All I want right now is my own bed, but I wonder if I could beg some dinner off you first.”

  “Of course.” Ruth turned and pulled out the last of the bread from earlier, along with some stew and two slices of pie. “Are any of your men with you?”

  “No, I came by myself to fetch my lovely wife.” Wade squeezed Margaret’s hand. “I seem to be missing Jack, though.”

  Ruth grinned. “He went out to the stables to see to the horses and fell asleep on a pile of hay. I don’t think he got much rest last night, riding hard to bring Alex in.”

  Wade chuckled. “No, I imagine he didn’t. Let’s leave him be—he must need that rest awful bad if straw feels better than a bed.”

  Ruth made sure Wade was getting enough to eat, then set the bread dough to rising. Then she gathered up some fresh linens from the closet so she could take them upstairs and change the bed Margaret had been using so it would be fresh for whoever happened to need it next.

  She had just rounded the corner into the lobby when she ran right into Mr. Runyon.

  “Oh! I’m sorry,” she said, taking a step backward. “I didn’t see you.”

  “That’s because I popped up rather suddenly,” he replied. “I was in the parlor reading the newspaper. That’s quite a lot less messy than being in the parlor eating bread and honey, don’t you think?”

  “I beg pardon?”

  “The nursery rhyme. ‘The queen was in the parlor eating bread and honey.” It’s the Song of Sixpence, I believe.”

  “Oh. I wasn’t thinking along those lines—I was concentrating on my next task.”

  He chuckled. “That’s all right. I don’t expect everyone to follow along with my odd trains of thought. Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “No, and if you tried, Mr. Brody would shoot you.”

  At Mr. Runyon’s surprised expression, she laughed. “I’m changing out linens in the ladies’ dormitory, where guests must never step foot, and most certainly not male guests. So you would do best to tuck yourself up down here and wait for me.”

  “Wait for you? Does that mean you’ll walk out with me after all?”

  He looked so hopeful, she couldn’t turn him down again. “Let me speak to the other girls and see who’s available to cover for me, and then yes, I’ll walk out with you.”

  He beamed. “That’s wonderful. I’ll wait right here in the parlor like a well-behaved gentleman until you get back to me.”

  She chuckled as she climbed the stairs. Changing out the bed only took a few minutes, and she checked in with Dr. Wayment on her way back downstairs. Alex was sleeping, and Dr. Wayment said he’d stay another hour to make sure all was well before leaving. He did ask for someone to sit with Alex around the clock for the first twenty-four hours, and Ruth promised she’d see to it.

  She delivered the dirty linens to the basket in the corner of the kitchen and spoke with the other girls about their schedules. Nora said she’d be more than happy to sit with Alex when the doctor left, and Callie and Emma said they’d take turns after that.

  “It seems we’re all set,” Ruth said. “Is it all right if I leave for a little while, then?”

  Carrie grinned. “I noticed that someone was waiting for you in the parlor.”

  “Yes, he’s waiting for me.” Ruth felt her cheeks grow warm. “Nothing’s going to come of it, though. Remember, I’ve taken a job in Kansas City.”

  “Jobs can be un-taken,” Carrie said. “Go on. Have some fun. We’ll take care of things here.”

  “Thank you. I shouldn’t be more than an hour, perhaps ninety minutes.” She paused. “In case I am, though, here’s Alex’s medication.” She fished the bottle from her pocket and gave Nora very careful instructions.

  “Everything will be fine. Now shoo,” Nora said, and Ruth laughed.

  “All right. I’m going.”

  She went upstairs and changed into a lighter dress, then came back downstairs and met up with Mr. Runyon in the parlor. “You look lovely,” he told her as he stood to greet her.

  “Thank you. I’m glad for the excuse to change out of my work clothes for a little while.”

  They exited the hotel and descended the porch stairs. Ruth was gratified to see how well the tulip and daffodil bulbs had produced—that had been her project the previous autumn, and she hadn’t known if they would take in the dusty Kansas soil. The riot of yellow and crimson made her heart happy.

  “I wonder if—”

  “What is it that—?”

  They spoke simultaneously, and Ruth laughed. “I’m sorry. Please, go ahead.”

  Mr. Runyon smiled. “I wondered if there was a candy counter or an ice cream shop where we might go.”

  “Mrs. Dempsey over at the boarding house usually makes desserts, but her back’s been aching since winter.” Ruth thought for a moment. “The best place within walking distance is likely the general store.” Mr. Brody had a carriage and horse that he rented out to guests of the hotel, but that seemed like a lot of trouble for just a short excursion.

  “The general store it is, then. And what were you hoping to ask me?”

  “I was curious about your business here in town. You said something about banking?”

  “That’s right. My father is a banker in Wichita and asked me to handle some transactions on his behalf. Your Mr. Hancock has been quite helpful.”

  “Yes, he’s a very agreeable person. He married one of the waitresses from the hotel, actually, so we’ve all come to know him.”

  “That’s a rather romantic way to meet one’s spouse.”

  “We’ve had a lot of romantic meetings at the Brody.” Ruth skirted around a small mud puddle in her path.

  “Rather encouraging.”

  “It is?” She glanced over at him. Just what was he thinking?

  “It is.”

  They reached the general store, and he held the door wide for her. Mr. Appleby stood behind the counter as always, his apron stretched across his ample middle, and he greeted them with a smile.

  “How may I help you folks today?”

  “I’d like to see your finest selection of confections and lollipops, good sir,” Mr. Runyon said with a flourish of his hat.

  Mr. Appleby chuckled and motioned to the barrels of candy that stood before his counter. “Here you are.”

  Mr. Runyon clasped his hands behind his back and looked contemplative. “I can’t decide whether I want lemon drops or licorice, so I believe I must have both. And you, Miss Barnes?”

  “Licorice sounds good to me.”

  “Excellent. Good sir, we’ll take a penny’s worth of lemon drops, and a nickel’s worth of licorice. Divided into two sacks.”

  Once they’d made their purchase, they continued on their way. Ruth hadn’t arranged for a chaperone because it was daylight and she hadn’t felt the need for one. Now she wished she’d invited a friend along just to take some of the awkwardness out of the situation and to give her a little more to talk about. She couldn’t seem to come up with anything to say.

  “I’ve had a little bit of excitement,” she offered when she finished her first piece of licorice. “I’ve accepted that job offer I told you about, and I’ll be leaving for Kansas City in two weeks.”

  Mr. Runyon’s brow furrowed. “You won’t be at the Brody any longer?”

  “No, but I’m looking forward to my new post. It will be a nice change for me.”

  “Hmm. Well, Kansas City is definitely a pleasant place. I’ve only been there a few times, but it made an impression on me. A bit more cultured, I would say—I heard tell of an opera being performed downtown.”

  “That’s my hope.” Ruth reached inside her sack for another piece of licorice.

  “Perhaps I could come visit you there.”

  Her hand froze. “I . . . beg pa
rdon?”

  Mr. Runyon smiled. “I’m sure I can convince my father to give me more errands to run, and one of those errands could be to Kansas City.”

  “But to come all that way . . . just to see me . . .”

  “Oh, it wouldn’t be a sacrifice at all. The journey would be quite rewarding, knowing you were at the end of it.”

  Ruth had no words. Was he honestly planning to come halfway across the state just to see her? That was . . . that was so much more than she expected or even wanted. Yes, he was a nice man, but he couldn’t think she’d welcome that kind of attention so early on, could he?

  “Let’s make our way back,” she suggested. “I was only able to arrange for a short time off, and I don’t want to risk being late.”

  “So soon? I’d hoped for at least an hour with you.”

  “I’m sorry.” She felt bad for her little lie, but she felt it was necessary. She couldn’t allow him to think she cared more for him than she did, and the longer they were together, the more delicate the situation would become.

  “To be separated from you will be devastating, but I do understand the hold an employer has over his employees.” Mr. Runyon held out his arm in a sweeping gesture to indicate that they should change direction, and they headed back toward the hotel.

  Once they were inside, Ruth thanked him for the outing and the candy, then raced up the stairs, pretending to be concerned about the time. She sat on the edge of her bed and sought to catch her breath, not only physically, but internally. What had just happened? She didn’t know the man at all, and yet he was making proclamations that were entirely out of bounds. It would be best for her to keep her distance—she couldn’t give him the least amount of encouragement.

  Chapter Ten

  After trying uselessly to settle her thoughts, Ruth changed back into her work dress, then went down to the second floor to check on Alex. Nora sat beside him, reading a novel, which she put down when Ruth came in.

  “I thought you’d be gone several more minutes,” she said quietly.

  Ruth glanced at Alex, who was sleeping with his mouth open. He looked somewhat endearing that way. “I don’t care much for Mr. Runyon. He wants to come visit me in Kansas City—as though we’re promised or something. He’s becoming too attached.”

  “Probably best that you didn’t stay out longer.” Nora smiled sympathetically. “I’m all right here if you’d like to finish your break.”

  “I’m a little too edgy to relax. Is there any ironing to be done?”

  Nora looked at her in astonishment. “Are you actually volunteering to iron? My goodness. You must be feeling agitated.”

  “I’m willing to put aside my animosity toward flat irons if it distracts me from everything else going on in my head.”

  “I’m sorry, but it’s all done. Josie and Callie finished it up while you were gone.”

  Ruth shrugged. “Then I’ll go ahead and take over here. I need to feel useful somehow.”

  “I’ll leave you my book, then.” Nora stood. “And here’s this.” She pulled the medication bottle from her pocket and handed it to Ruth. “It wasn’t time yet, so I didn’t give him any.”

  “Thank you.” Ruth slid the bottle into her own pocket and took the chair. “I’ll see you downstairs later.”

  When Nora left the room, the only sound was Alex’s quiet breathing. Ruth picked up the book and flipped to the first page, but she found the hero—a ship’s captain—a bit too smug, the story a bit too morbid, and the bride’s head a bit too empty. She set the book aside, thinking she’d borrow a different one from the shelf in the parlor the next time she passed through that way.

  She glanced at Alex, realizing that his breathing had changed, and noticed that he was awake.

  “Hello,” she said. “How are you feeling?”

  “Like . . . like I’ve been shot through the leg.” He attempted a smile. “Might I have some water?”

  “Of course.” She put an extra pillow behind his back so he would be able to drink without choking, then handed him the water glass from the side table.

  He took several sips, then handed the glass back. “Thank you. My mouth was so dry.”

  “That’s because you were sleeping with it open.”

  “I was?” He looked mortified. “I only do that when I’m exhausted.”

  “I think you have every right to be exhausted. No need to be embarrassed—it was actually cute.”

  “Cute?” He looked almost equally as mortified about that. “I beg you to forget you saw anything. I do have some dignity to preserve, after all.”

  “I’ll forget the entire incident—I’m very good at that. Nora, on the other hand . . .”

  He groaned. “Just how many waitresses were in here while I slept?”

  “I’m only aware of myself and Nora, but I stepped out for a little while, and any number of things could have happened while I was gone. The entire staff could have been in here, for all I know.”

  He shook his head. “Miss Barnes, I believe you’re trying to torture me.”

  “What?” She pasted on her best innocent look. “I would never! And I thought you were going to call me Ruth.”

  “True, true. But I still think you intend to torture me. And here I am, sick and afflicted, having to subject myself to your unkind treatment . . .”

  “Unkind treatment? My goodness. You certainly feel sorry for yourself.”

  “Yes, I do! I’ve been shot in the leg, remember? And now you want to bring crowds of people in here to watch me sleep. What’s next—the entire passenger list of the next train?”

  “Oh, undoubtedly. None of them have anything better to do than help me carry out my diabolical plan.” She sat back and regarded him. “Now, please be serious for a minute and answer my question. How do you feel? Are you hungry yet?”

  “I should probably eat something. As to the injury, it stings like fire ants, but I suppose that’s natural.”

  “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been shot in the leg.”

  “And now you’re mocking me. You’re cruel, woman! Simply cruel!”

  “I know. How will you ever put up with me?” Why was it so much easier to talk to Alex than it was to Mr. Runyon? Perhaps because Alex had no expectations. Perhaps because his humor felt more natural. “I’ll be right back.”

  She stepped out into the hall and over to the staircase. Leaning over the balustrade, she caught sight of one of the waitresses passing in the lobby below and called out to her.

  “Yes?” Emma came to the foot of the stairs.

  “Could you make a tray for Mr. Barker, please?”

  “Of course. I’ll be up in a few minutes.”

  “Thank you.” Ruth returned to the room. “You certainly are spoiled, you know. We’re hardly taking our eyes off you for a second.”

  “And while that makes me feel very special indeed, it also makes me feel a bit watched.” Alex chuckled. “When do you think I can be left to my own devices?”

  “I’m not sure, but I think that once you’re settled in and have been for several hours, we can be a little less vigilant.” She sat down again and smiled. “I don’t mean to make you feel like a spectacle.”

  “You’re just following doctor’s orders. I must say, though, that if I survived the trip to get here, surely I’ll survive from here on out.”

  “That would seem to be a good indicator.”

  “So, tell me.” He shifted a little on his pillows. “What have you been up to today? I need some entertainment.”

  She picked up the book and showed it to him. “Would you like to read a macabre story about a ship’s captain who was forced to put his first mate in chains so he wouldn’t interrupt his illegal wedding, and—”

  Alex held up a hand. “No, thank you. I have no comprehension how anyone could stand to read such stuff.”

  “But there might be a daring swordfight or exciting battle with a sea salamander—”

  “Oh? Did you see such things in there?”<
br />
  “No. And I’m not even sure there are such things as sea salamanders. I’m just trying to entertain you, as you asked.”

  “You’re very kind. And no, I don’t believe sea salamanders exist, which is disappointing.” He shifted again. “Tell me about your day. That will be exciting enough for me.”

  “I doubt it. I’ve done my regular kitchen duties, I made a bed, and I went for a walk with one of our hotel guests. He bought me some licorice.”

  “Licorice? My goodness. It’s been quite a while since I’ve had any of that.”

  “Would you like some? I’ve got nearly a nickel’s worth left.”

  Alex raised an eyebrow. “That’s quite a lot. He must think highly of you.”

  Ruth hesitated. Should she share her concerns? She was aching to speak to someone, but she hardly knew Alex . . . She chuckled to herself. She certainly knew him better than she did Mr. Runyon. They hadn’t spent a great deal of time together, but she felt that Alex had been much more open with her from the start, even when they were at odds.

  “I’m sorry if I’m being impertinent.”

  “Oh, no. It’s not that.” Ruth smiled, trying to be reassuring. “I was just weighing my options. Should I share my thoughts with you and risk becoming entirely too vulnerable, or should I say nothing and continue to wonder and worry alone?”

  “It sounds as though something serious is bothering you. I’m glad to share your burden, if there’s some way I can help. You know I won’t go running off to tell anyone,” Alex said, motioning down at his injured leg.

  “Yes, that is one nice thing about you. We can be relatively certain that you’ll stay where we left you.” Ruth pulled in a deep breath. “All right, I’ll confide in you, but you must remember that I’m probably being far too sensitive about the situation because of my past.”