Miss Laura led the way, followed by a man he’d never met who carried a satchel and quilt under one arm. Becky was right behind him, followed by a stoic Henry, and Tess, who was dabbing her eyes with a hanky.
Miss Laura spotted him as she lowered herself from the final step. “Oh good, Riley. I’m glad you’re back. We missed you and Josh at lunch.”
He smiled. “My business took me a lot longer than I expected.”
“Well, I hope it was good news.”
“It was wonderful news.” He glanced at the man and nodded a greeting. “What’s going on?”
“Becky’s father was in town to deliver a load of cotton and stopped by to see her. I told him what happened, so he’s taking her on home.” Laura introduced him to Mr. Carpenter.
Although he didn’t know Becky as well as some of the other children, his heart still ached to see her go.
“We said our farewells upstairs because I didn’t want the younger children to get up when we just got them down for their naps. Did you want to say good-bye?”
“Sure.” He crossed the room and stopped in front of Becky, who leaned against her father’s leg. He squatted on his boot heels and gently tugged on one of her blonde braids. “I’m sorry to see you go, sweetheart, but I know you’re glad to get to be with your parents again.”
Becky nodded then launched herself at him, hugging him around his neck. His gaze connected with the girl’s proud father, and he smiled.
A few minutes later, the wagon rolled away, taking the first of the children. Miss Laura and Tess had tears running down their faces, and Henry didn’t look that far off from crying himself. Annie had come from the barn, all red-faced, and kissed Becky good-bye, then she had turned around and fled back to the barn.
“Miss Laura, Josh is finishing up his lunch. I’d like to go talk to Annie. Would you mind keeping an eye on him?”
“I’ll help,” Tess volunteered.
“Thank you. If he’s tired, maybe you could have him lie down on the settee, then I’ll fetch him as soon as I can.”
Laura nodded, and he hurried to the barn. He found Annie in the very back, sitting on an upturned crate. A sharp pain lanced his heart to see the stubborn, independent woman in tears. He crossed the space between them and lifted her to her feet, pulling her into a hug. Her arms wrapped around his waist, and her tears wet his shirt.
“Becky’s gone, isn’t she?”
“Yes. I’m sorry. Don’t be upset.”
His words of comfort only brought more tears. He held her, leaning his cheek against her head. It pained him to see her in so much anguish. He brushed his hand along her hair, and for the first time, he had to admit how much he cared for her. What did it matter if she couldn’t see? She was braver and had more spunk than any woman he knew. “Shh … things will work out.”
She shoved at his chest, but he didn’t let her go. “How can you say that? Nothing will work out. All the children are leaving. I hate that Otis Ramsey!”
“Hating the man only hurts you, not him. I’ve been angry for so long, and it was all a waste of time. You’ve got to give your doubts and fears to God, and trust Him that He is working out His will.”
Annie’s breath caught in her throat. Riley was talking about God? She knew what he said was true, but she’d let her pain and anger cause her to lose control of her emotions. She felt so safe, locked in the circle of his arms, that she never wanted to leave them. She glanced up, their gazes connecting for a mere moment before she looked down. Riley lifted her chin, cupped her cheeks, and wiped away her tears with his thumb. “Don’t worry about the future, Annie. I’ll take care of you.”
Her heart jolted. Did he mean what she hoped he did? Guilt threatened to steal her joy at Riley’s declaration. She had to tell him that she wasn’t blind. She looked up again, determined that nothing would stop her from telling him the truth. But then his lips crashed down on hers, and she grabbed hold of his shirt with both hands. He kissed her like a starving man, spreading delight to every part of her, then suddenly, he pulled back and turned her loose.
“I’m sorry, Annie. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Why did you?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. You just looked so lonely.”
“Kissing me is your way of comforting me? Is that how you comforted Miranda?”
His brow wrinkled. “What? How do you know about her?”
She tugged free of his grasp, hurt beyond words at his rejection. Why had he kissed her? Was he just comforting her as he said?
“I just do, and I don’t need your comfort, especially if you’re going to be sorry afterwards.” She hurriedly left the barn, but he followed.
“Annie, wait.”
What a horrible day. Annie rushed out, just wanting to get away from the man she loved—a man who didn’t care a bit for her. He was right about a home being people, because she’d never wanted a home as much as she wanted him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Three days later, Annie ran upstairs after breakfast to change her soiled apron. She found Laura in their room counting coins at the desk. She had several stacks of eagles and double eagles as well as some smaller coins—more money than she’d ever seen at one time, and yet she knew it wasn’t nearly enough to accomplish all that she needed.
Eyes filled with regret, Laura slid two double eagles toward Annie. “I wish I could give you five times that amount. I feel bad that I haven’t paid you a fair wage all these years.”
Annie placed her hands on Laura’s shoulders and hugged her from behind. “You gave me a home, food, clothes—you gave me life. I’m sure I’d be dead by now if not for you.”
Laura smiled in the mirror that was set above the desk. “I don’t know how I could have made it without you all these years. You have been such a blessing. But what will you do?”
Untying her apron, Annie shook her head. “I don’t know. Probably travel to a new town and start over.”
“I’d hate to see you leave town.” Laura turned in the chair. “Maybe Sean could add a room and you could stay with us.”
“Thank you, but no. I will miss you terribly, but I have no desire to live with a newly married couple, and that wouldn’t be fair to you. And besides, I think it’s best for all if I leave town. There will be some folks who will never forgive me for deceiving them.” She nudged her chin at the coins, hoping to change the subject. “So who are the other stacks for?”
Laura slid over two gold eagles. “These are for Riley but it hardly seems enough for all he’s done.”
Annie ducked her head at the mention of Riley. She’d avoided him as much as possible in the past days, but he hadn’t made any special effort to talk to her. At least she could be happy that he and Josh seem to have developed a good relationship.
“These coins are for Mrs. Alton, and this eagle is to get the boys to Austin.”
“What about you? Did you save any money for yourself?”
Laura smiled. “I don’t need money. Sean will take care of me.”
Sitting on her bed, Annie stared at her friend. “But what about your wedding?”
“We don’t need much. I’ll wear my Sunday dress, gather some wildflowers, and I hope you’ll stand up with me.”
“It would be my honor.”
Laura pocketed the coins. “Well, I’m about to make a few people either happy or disappointed, depending on their expectations.”
Annie stared at the pair of double eagles in her hand—forty dollars. More money than she’d ever had, and yet she suspected it wouldn’t go very far when she had to find a place to live and buy food. Maybe she could find a nice boardinghouse to stay in. That way she wouldn’t be alone.
She’d have to find some kind of employment, but what was she suited for? She didn’t have enough education to be a teacher. Maybe she could find someone who needed a nanny.
One way or another, she would have to earn some money. Suddenly, she sat up as a distant memory flashed across her mind like
lightning in a spring sky. The watch. Of course. If it had survived burial the past seven years, she could probably sell it. But would selling a stolen watch be dishonest? She couldn’t return it to its owner because she had no idea who he was, and selling it would help her find a position where she’d be helping others. Surely that would be all right.
She trotted downstairs. It wouldn’t take her long to go to the tree and dig up the watch. As she reached for the door handle, Laura called. Annie closed her eyes for a moment then turned.
Several crates sat on the dining table with books and other items stacked beside them. The children huddled around the table as if awaiting orders. Laura crossed the room toward her. “I wonder if you might take Camilla and Lissa outside and occupy them while the rest of us pack. Rusty is with Riley and Josh, but the younger girls are a bit bored.”
The girls would slow her down, but she could kill two birds with one stone. “Of course.”
The usual ten-minute walk took thirty with the young girls in tow, and the trees had grown since Annie had last been here. But she’d know her tree when she saw it.
“I’m tired.” Camilla lagged back, slowing Annie’s steps.
“I know, sweetheart, but we’re nearly there.”
“Where are we going? Seems too far for town.” Lissa stumbled, and Annie jerked up on her arm to keep her from falling.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, Miss Annie, but I’m kinda tired too.”
Annie’s gaze searched the tree trunks. If she didn’t find the one she was looking for in the next few minutes, she’d have to give up for today. The leaves overhead rattled in the stiff breeze, and their skirts threatened to trip them up. She glanced up at the sky, and noticed the thick gray clouds overhead. A storm was blowing in, and the last place she needed to be with two little girls in a Texas thunderstorm was outside.
Suddenly, she spotted her target. “All right, girls, you can sit down and rest a few minutes, and then we’ll head back home.”
“I think I got dust in my eyes.” Lissa rubbed her hands over her eyes.
“Don’t rub them. It will only make them hurt more. Try blinking fast. Here, sit down.” She helped the girls down behind a large oak to help block the wind. “Give me five minutes, and I’ll be ready to go.”
Annie ran her hands over the heart engraved in the tree. RM loves AM. She’d always wondered if the couple were married since their last initials were the same, but she supposed she’d never know. Kneeling, she dug out the rocks that covered her treasure. She could have kicked herself for not remembering to bring a shovel, but then that would have been hard to do with the children in tow and even harder to explain if someone saw her.
Using one of the rocks with a pointed end, she dug the dirt away, finally revealing the small pouch. She longed to check the watch—to see if the oiled canvas had protected it, but there wasn’t time. Sprinkles tapped her head and dampened her back. They had to hurry and return to the school.
“C’mon, girls. Let’s get going.” She stood, and a heavy gust nearly knocked her over. She turned around and stared at the empty spot where her two wards had been. Her heart lurched. “Camilla! Lissa!”
Thunder shook the rafters of the barn, and rain poured down outside, forming a river that ran into the barn. Hoping to keep Josh occupied so he didn’t become afraid, Riley tossed the boy in the air and was rewarded with his giggle. They had grown closer in the days that Josh had stayed with him. Josh still didn’t talk, but he was making more sounds, and Riley felt he’d talk once he became more comfortable.
Riley threw him even higher, and when Josh dropped down, he wrapped his little arms around Riley’s neck. Josh laid his head on Riley’s shoulder, and the final piece of the wall shielding his heart cracked and crumbled. He took a deep breath, receiving the love the tiny orphan offered.
He was stupid to refuse when Annie had first asked him to take Josh, but he’d been afraid. Every person he loved had died. But he hoped and prayed that nothing would happen to Josh. He walked to the doors and stared out at the deluge. In Texas, weather seemed to be all or nothing. They’d go months without rain and then get a month’s worth in a few hours.
Josh relaxed, and Riley realized he’d fallen asleep. He carried him to the tack room and laid him down. Love for the child already swelled in his chest, but unless Annie were there with them, they weren’t complete. He crept out of the tack room and back to the main doors. He never should have apologized after kissing her. He saw the joy in her eyes fade when he did.
Odd, how her eyes could be so expressive and so ineffective. But her sightlessness no longer mattered. He loved her enough that he wanted the chance to make a life with her. But had he already ruined his chances with Annie by shoving her away one too many times?
A blur to his right caught his attention, and he narrowed his gaze. Annie? What in the world was she doing out in this weather? He rushed to the tack room and snatched up a horse blanket and met her at the door.
“Riley! I lost Camilla and Lissa. I can’t find them. You’ve got to help!”
He brushed the water from her face and cupped her cheeks. “Hey, slow down. Where did you lose them?”
“We went for a walk, toward the river, and the storm blew in.” Tears mixed with the water still dripping from her hair. The pain in her eyes nearly tore his heart out. “I lost them.”
“I’ll find them.” Suddenly, he realized what she said. “Why were you clear down by the river?”
She shook her head. “We can talk about that later. Just saddle Gypsy, and let’s go find them.”
“I’ll go. You need to stay here with Josh.”
“No, I can’t. I’ve got to help find them. They’ve got to be scared and drenched.” She grabbed hold of the front of his shirt. “Oh, Riley! What if they fall in the river?”
He set her back and opened Gypsy’s gate. He hurried into the tack room and grabbed his saddle and blanket. Annie already had the horse out of the stall. He tossed on the gear then turned back to her. “I promise I’ll find them.”
“I told you, I’m going with you.”
Riley touched her shoulder, hoping she’d have the sense to understand. “Annie, you’ll only slow me down.”
Anger fired in her pretty eyes, and he rushed to smother it. “You’re the most confident and capable woman I know, but you need to know your limitations. A blind woman can’t search for the lost.”
She winced and her lips pressed so tightly together that they turned white.
He cupped one of her cheeks. “I love you, Annie Sheffield, but in this case, you’d only slow me down.”
She stared at him long and hard, as if she could see clear into his soul. He could no longer deny his love for her. He only hoped she’d forgive him for what he said.
“Riley—”
“I’ve got to go. We can talk later, darlin’.”
“Riley, let me go with you. I can see.”
He shook his head then stopped it in midshake. “What?”
“I can see. I’ve always been able to.”
Her gaze bore into his, and he knew the truth. Just like Miranda, Annie had deceived him.
Annie paced the length of the parlor then crossed to the front door again. She searched the horizon, but there was no sign of Riley or the girls. The storms had passed, but darkness would soon settle in across the land. “Please, God, help Riley find the girls,” she repeated.
Laura plodded down the steps. “Tess is having a hard time going to sleep in the room all by herself.”
“Yeah, Josh wasn’t too excited about sleeping on the settee again.” Annie glanced at the little boy, who lay on his back, relaxed in sleep. Her love for him had grown so much, but would Riley take him away, and never let her see him? She looked outside again, not wanting to think about such a horrible thing. “I should go out and help search.”
Laura wrapped her arm around Annie’s shoulders. “It would be dark before you reached the river. Riley and Sean
will find them.”
“It was good of Sean to go help look for the girls.” Annie was quiet for a few moments then she turned toward Laura. “I–I told Riley I could see.”
Her friend’s eyebrows shot up. “You did? How did he take it?”
She shook her head. “Not good. In fact, he just scowled and didn’t say a word.”
“He needs some time to get used to the idea, but I’m sure he’ll be happy once he does.”
“I don’t know. He seemed awful upset.” Annie narrowed her eyes and stared at something moving their way. “Look! There he is!”
They pushed through the doorway together and rushed down the steps. Riley rode into the yard, holding Camilla, who was sound asleep. Lissa sat behind him, her little arms around his waist. Riley lowered Camilla to Laura while Annie reached for Lissa, and they carried the girls inside. Riley dismounted and followed. He stopped at the doorway. With Lissa’s wet clothes seeping into Annie’s dry ones, she turned, her gaze landing on his muddy boots and pant legs. She lifted her eyes, encountering his icy cold stare, and her heart dropped to her boot tips. He would never forgive her.
“If you’ll just give me Josh, I’ll be on my way.”
Annie set Lissa in the rocker and went to the settee and picked up Josh. Her heart skipped a few beats as her hands brushed Riley’s when she passed the boy to him. He took the child and turned away. “Riley, please.”
He spun around, his lips puckered and eyes narrowed. “Tell Miss Laura that I’ll finish up this workweek. Then Josh and I will be leaving.”
He didn’t wait for a reply, but stalked away, taking with him Annie’s dream of their life together.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Friday afternoon, Annie sat in the porch rocker more glum than she could ever remember being. The girls’ parents had picked them up this week. Laura had gone with Sean to talk to the minister about tomorrow’s wedding, and they’d taken Henry and Rusty with them to get each boy a new pair of shoes. The house was oddly empty.
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