by Linda Ford
* * *
Levi struggled to sort out his thoughts. What was there about Beatrice that kept him off balance? He wanted to see her as a city girl. Unfit for ranch life. And she was. But she was more. Or was she less? He wished he could decide.
He’d expected her to grimace when she stepped into the barn. Instead, she’d been intrigued by the odors and even managed to make them seem pleasant. Yes, she’d been put off by the smell of pigs, but he didn’t know anyone who wasn’t. And wouldn’t Soupy have been amazed at her assessment of the cookhouse? A hundred cook fires at the same time. It gave him a mental picture that made his mouth water.
He shook his head, hoping to clear his thoughts. All that mattered to him was that Beatrice took care of Maisie and that Charlie stayed out of trouble.
How did he manage to get both Charlie and Beatrice here at the same time? He couldn’t possibly be in two places at once.
“Ma, can I help you to your room?” She was able to hop about, but he preferred she didn’t cross to her bedroom on her own.
Maisie looked from Beatrice to Levi. “It’s too early for Beatrice to retire. What will she do if I go to bed now?”
“I’ll take her for a walk down to the river if she likes.” He’d said the words without thinking and now that they were out, they couldn’t be pulled back.
“I’d like that,” Beatrice said.
Maisie nodded. “Then I’ll prepare for bed and Beatrice can tend to my dressing.”
Before she could struggle to her feet, Levi jumped forward and helped her upright. He’d pick her up and carry her, but Maisie would fight him so he settled for holding her firmly as they left the kitchen and crossed the living room. He threw back the covers, eased her to the bed and lifted her injured leg, then stepped back, loathe to leave her to Beatrice’s inexperienced hands.
Beatrice eased forward.
Ma must have sensed her uneasiness. Though she could hardly miss the way Beatrice wrung her hands and the way she chewed her bottom lip.
Ma spoke softly to her. “Don’t look so frightened.”
Beatrice nodded but didn’t relax.
Maisie smiled. “Why don’t you tell me the sort of things you did to amuse yourself as a child?”
She got a faraway look in her eyes. “I read lots. Did needlework. I’m quite good at it, actually.” Her smile was faintly apologetic.
“Didn’t you play?”
She shifted her gaze toward the window. “I was taught a young lady should properly conduct herself with decorum.”
Levi had no idea what that meant, but Beatrice made it sound as if she was not allowed to enjoy normal childhood play.
Maisie put into words Levi’s thoughts. “Maybe here you can learn life is meant to be enjoyed.”
Beatrice smiled and the tension slipped from her eyes. “I’ve already seen glimpses of that.”
Levi wanted to ask for specifics. Was he part of what she had enjoyed?
But she stepped forward. “Now let me tend your dressing.” The look she gave Levi dismissed him from the room.
His neck burned. He had no intention of seeing his stepmother with her petticoats pulled up to reveal her legs. “I’ll be in the other room if you need anything.” He closed the door behind him as he left the room, but stayed in the front room, his head turned toward the bedroom in case Maisie called for his assistance.
He heard Maisie’s calm voice, but he could not make out her words. He thought he heard Beatrice although he couldn’t be certain and took a step toward the door. Then he stopped. No need to press his ear to the door. If Maisie needed him, she’d let him know.
His thoughts wandered as he waited, searching for a place to put Beatrice in his mind. She was a city girl but anxious to be on her own. What did that mean? From a rich family but expressing pleasure at the simple things of ranch life. Light and easy in his arms. But a classy white lady.
She simply did not fit into any of his classifications. And that left him unsettled, wondering if she had the same problem trying to see where he fit.
It was obvious he was a half-breed.
She had no such problem.
Maisie’s oft-spoken words echoed in his head. “Boys, there will always be those who say things about you. Hearing them say it doesn’t make it true. You don’t have to believe what they say about you.”
He tried not to believe what others said. But Helen had taught him one thing he would never forget. What others believed about him did make a difference. In the way they treated him, whether or not they were willing to associate with him or even be seen with him.
The doorknob rattled and Beatrice stepped out carrying a basin of water and some soiled rags.
He sprang forward. How had his thoughts gotten so far off track? Was he trying to convince himself that Beatrice was like Helen? The idea condemned him. If he wanted to be judged on his own merits—not his heritage—shouldn’t he be willing to offer her the same consideration? “How does her leg look?”
The water in the basin sloshed and he took it from Beatrice’s trembling hands. “Are you okay?”
“She did very well,” Maisie called. “Now take her out for some fresh air.”
Fresh air? He’d detected no odor. “Your leg is infected?” He set the basin on the closest hard surface, pushing a stack of books out of the way to make room for it, and hurried to her side.
“Levi, will you stop fussing. No, my leg isn’t infected. But remember it’s Beatrice’s first time at dealing with a wound. It’s been a little challenging for her.” Maisie lifted her head to look at Beatrice. “You did very well.”
“I was so afraid of hurting you.” Beatrice’s voice quavered.
“You were very gentle. Thank you.” Maisie squeezed Levi’s hands. “Take her out for a walk. Get her to relax.”
“Yes, Ma.” It never entered Levi’s mind to refuse until he had cleaned out the washbasin and set the soiled rags to soak in cold water.
Why had he offered to take her for walk, told Maisie he would do so, as well? It wasn’t as if they had any intention of becoming friends. She was a city girl. He was country to the core and proud of it.
But she had taken care of Maisie and that was all that mattered.
He had agreed to escort her on a walk and when he said something he generally meant to keep his word.
She stared at the cupboard, though he could see nothing to hold her interest.
“Are you ready?” he asked her.
She started and drew in a sharp breath. “For what?”
“A walk?” Had she not heard Maisie’s suggestion? Had she forgotten his offer? His eyes narrowed as he studied her.
Or was it his company she objected to?
But she followed him out the door and fell in step at his side as they followed the trail through the trees to the river. For several minutes before they stepped into a clearing they heard the murmur of moving water. Water flashed silver and blue, highlighted with gold from the lowering sun. The rain had freshened the air.
Levi held out his arm to signal her to stop. He could have saved himself the effort. She hadn’t moved since they reached the edge of the trees.
He pointed to the right, to the huddle of ducklings following in the mother duck’s wake. “Oh,” she gasped involuntarily.
The duck turned, raced the babies into the shelter of some reeds and flew away.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. She looked past him. Her eyes widened.
“Levi, look.”
At the sharp note in her voice, he turned slowly, thinking how foolish he was to bring her out here without a gun to defend her.
He saw no wild animal. No wild man. “What is it?”
“Look in the shadows of that rock.” She pointed.
He squinted to bring t
he object into focus. He blinked and stared, speechless.
“It’s a child,” Beatrice whispered.
“I see that, but what is it doing out here all alone?”
Chapter Four
Beatrice blinked, wondering if her eyes deceived her. But no, there was a child huddled against a boulder. She could see clearly enough to make out a little girl. “Is she lost?” She turned to Levi as she asked the question and saw how bottomless his dark eyes had grown. His black shirt made his features more angular.
“I don’t see anyone else around.”
They eased closer as they spoke.
Levi’s hand caught Beatrice’s elbow. “Go slow. We don’t want to frighten her.”
They were close enough to see the child’s almost white-blond hair had once been braided, but now hung in tangles about her tear-streaked face. Her purple dress was blotched with mud. Her bony knees stuck out from under the skirt in matching V’s. A half-grown kitten was clutched to her chest.
The kitten meowed plaintively.
“Honey, are you lost?” Beatrice asked gently. “If so, we can help you.”
The child’s eyes widened. She sprang to her feet. Levi reached out to stop her but the child fled into the trees.
The dark shadows swallowed her up.
“Come on, we have to make sure she’s okay.” Levi grabbed Beatrice’s hand and they chased after the little girl.
“There she is.” He ran faster, tugging Beatrice after him.
She flung out her arm to protect her face against the flailing branches.
Then he stopped, her hand still gripped firmly in his.
She might have pulled free but the woods were dark and filled with all sorts of terrors.
“I can’t tell which way she went. You go that way and I’ll go this. We’ll meet at the far side of these bushes.” He dropped her hand and was gone before she could protest.
For a moment she stood immobile. The evening air had a damp coolness to it and the light from the west gave the air a golden glow. She couldn’t hear Levi. Behind her came the murmur of the river. Courage returned. She couldn’t get lost if she could hear the river. All she had to do was follow the sound and find the trail that would take her to the house.
That poor child had no such assurance of safety. Careful of where she stepped, she eased through the branches that would allow her to skirt the thick bushes. She stopped after a few feet to listen.
At first all she heard was her own rapid breathing, then her breathing returned to normal and she heard a faint “meow.” The kitten. Unless the cat had escaped that meant the child was nearby.
Afraid she might frighten the little girl away, Beatrice stood very still and studied her surroundings. There in the shadows. The child tried to hide.
“I won’t hurt you.” She didn’t move, feeling the little one’s fear as clearly as if it was her own. She knew how overwhelming it was to find oneself in a strange place, with no parents to help and protect. “I just want to help you.” She waited, letting the child take her measure of Beatrice. “Would you like me to help you find your parents?”
The child didn’t move but her eyes seemed to consume less of her face.
Beatrice held out her hand. “Do you want to come to me?”
The little girl looked at her kitten as if consulting it. She shook her head.
“Oh, little dolly, I know what’s it’s like to feel all alone and frightened. Let me help you.”
The frightened little girl took a step forward, then stopped, shuddered and took another.
Beatrice didn’t move until she could reach one of the little hands and she caught it and pulled the child close. Her tiny hand clung to Beatrice’s fingers.
Beatrice knelt to face the little girl. She was so fair, with contrasting dark brown eyes. A true beauty. “What’s your name?”
“Dolly,” the child whispered.
“As in Dorothy?”
A nod yes.
Beatrice thanked God for letting her use an endearment that made the child trust her. “How old are you?”
“Five,” she whispered again.
“Where are your parents?”
Dolly rocked her head back and forth.
“When did you last see them?”
“I don’t know,” she again whispered. Then her eyes widened and she would have escaped if Beatrice didn’t have a good hold on her.
She followed the child’s frightened gaze and saw Levi a few feet away. “Stay there. She’s afraid.” She turned back to Dolly. “This is Levi Harding. He can help us find your parents. Will you let him do that?”
Dolly nodded.
Levi edged closer, cautiously, making sure he didn’t alarm the child. He knelt by Beatrice’s side. “Were you lost last night?”
Dolly shuddered and clutched the kitten tighter. “I was scared,” she whispered.
Levi waited for her to calm. “Were you with your mama and papa?”
An affirmative nod.
“Were you with anyone else?”
A shake of her head to indicate no.
“Were you in a wagon?”
Again, yes.
Levi rose to his full height. “Then I will find them for you.” He indicated Beatrice should stand and when she did so, he whispered close to her ear, his breath fanning her hair. “They must be frantic with worry. I’ll do my best to follow her tracks back and if that fails, I’ll search the trails. The child can’t have wandered too far.”
Beatrice nodded. “I’ll stay here with her.”
He glanced past her. “You could take her to the house.”
She considered it. “I get the feeling she would be uncomfortable with that. I’ll wait.” The woods were growing darker by the moment. “I’ll wait by the river right at the foot of the path. If you haven’t returned by the time the sun drops below the horizon, I’ll go to the house.” That would give her enough time to get back before darkness descended. She turned to Dolly. “Did you hear? Does that meet with your approval?”
Dolly nodded.
“Pray I find them quickly.” He squeezed her shoulder and slipped into the shadows.
“I will,” she called, not knowing if he heard her or not. She was alone with a child in the darkening woods. Fear edged her thoughts but she clung to the courage his touch had given. She took Dolly’s hand. “Let’s go.” She followed the sound of running water back to the river and returned to where the path led to the house. “Let’s sit here to wait.” She sat on a fallen tree and pulled Dolly up beside her.
The little girl had the pungent odor of having wet her pants. Should Beatrice suggest she wash in the river?
“This is Smokey.” The whisper introduced Beatrice to the kitten. “Do you want to hold her?”
“I’d love to.” She took the kitten and let it sprawl in her lap. “It’s so soft.” She’d never had a pet. Never been allowed one. It took her about thirty seconds to realize she might have missed a source of comfort. There was something soothing about stroking the kitten, who purred loudly.
“She’s my friend,” Dolly whispered.
“Honey, why are you whispering? It’s okay if you talk out loud.”
“Mama told me I had to be quiet ’cause Papa was sick. He needed me to be quiet so he could get better.”
“I see.” Only she didn’t. How long had the father been ill that the child thought she must continue to whisper? Hopefully Levi would return with some answers.
“It’s getting cold,” Dolly whispered.
“It is, isn’t it?” She’d hoped Levi would return with the parents but the reunion would have to take place at the ranch. “Let’s go to the house.”
Dolly shrank back. “Maybe I’m bad.”
Beatrice won
dered if she had heard the agonized whisper correctly. “What makes you think you’re bad?”
But Dolly didn’t answer as tears pooled in her eyes and she gathered Smokey into her arms.
Beatrice waited but when it became obvious she wasn’t going to get any answers, she rose, took Dolly’s hand and turned them toward the trail.
Dolly stood rooted to the spot.
“It’s okay. It’s a very nice place.”
“Is it your place?”
She wished the child would stop whispering. “No, I’m just helping, but they are very nice people. Levi has helped me several times.” It was hard to believe she’d been there less than a day and found herself perilously close to trusting him. Remember Henry, she reminded herself. Remember what your father was prepared to do. Never give a man any right or opportunity to again hurt you.
Dolly let out a long sigh. “Okay.”
Hand in hand, they walked the trail back to the house. Dolly drew to a stop in the clearing.
“It’s okay, little Dolly.”
Dolly nodded and allowed Beatrice to lead her inside and there they ground to a halt. Beatrice was every bit as uncertain of what to do next as Dolly.
“Would you like a bath so you’ll be nice and clean when your mama and papa get here?”
The child had very expressive eyes that at the moment revealed a whole bunch of emotions—fear, hope, sadness and embarrassment. “I had an accident.”
“That happens sometimes.” When Levi returned with the parents they would have clean clothes. In the meantime, a bath, a good hair brushing and scrubbing of the current outfit seemed in order.
She listened for any sound from Maisie’s room but heard nothing. Perhaps she’d slept through the noise of them entering the kitchen. She didn’t have to worry about Dolly, who was so quiet it made Beatrice wonder what had happened to her.
Moving as softly as possible, she put water on to heat and found a big laundry tub. As the water heated, she thought of what to feed the child. Like Levi said, there was always bread and jam and fresh milk.