“Ahem,” he cleared his throat. “Why don’t we put Joe in charge. He’s the oldest and very reliable.”
Sarah’s glorious smile rewarded him for his effort.
Pearl also flashed a smile. “What a good idea. I’ll step in and tell him and remind the other children to be good.”
“I’ll help Fiona set another place.” Rosilee opened the sideboard drawer to get silver flatware then found a crisp damask napkin that matched those at the elegantly laid table. Belle took a dinner plate and crystal from the large side cabinet. They hurriedly arranged a twelfth place at the table.
Pearl returned from the kitchen. “The children are settled in, had their blessing, and are eating. Emily is ready to serve us now,” she said and let Drake help seat her.
The others followed her lead, Nate choosing a seat as far from Belle as possible. Sarah slipped in beside him. When everyone but Fiona had settled at the table, the only place left was that at the foot of the long table opposite the Judge, the place usually reserved for the hostess. With a last glare at the Judge, Fiona sat down and snapped her napkin across her lap.
The Judge said, “This is a special evening, no mistake about that. We’re celebrating several things. Belle and Lex and their family are back in our midst, and for that we are thankful. Nate and Gabe saved Joe from his rascal of a stepfather. Though it’s too bad the man died, we’re thankful Joe was spared, and that Nate survived the rescue and his injuries are healing.” He followed that with one of his sermon-length blessings.
From around the table three or four conversations sprung up simultaneously. Nate heard talk of horses, cattle, Austin, law, and someone’s new dress. He lost track of any one thread, and concentrated on looking occupied with his food. Inside, his stomach battled a knot of worry.
Belle darted anxious glances his way. He figured he cast a few her direction, too. She sat at the Judge’s left and Nate sat at Fiona’s left. He couldn’t understand the conversation at the other end of the table, but he saw that Belle seldom spoke.
Neither did Nate. Mostly he smiled and pretended to listen to the conversation around him while his mind searched for a solution. Should he confront Belle, pretend he didn’t know her, try to strike a bargain with her? So far, he hadn’t a clue. He let his chin drop on his chest and cursed to himself. As if Hargrove wasn’t a big enough problem, now Belle appeared.
“You’re not eating. Is something wrong?” Sarah asked so low only he could hear.
“Not much of an appetite today.” Turmoil churned his stomach and he thought he might have to excuse himself and go lie down. Any minute he expected Belle to point a finger his way and denounce him. He forced down the bile in his throat and toyed with food on his plate.
Across the table, Storm said, “Man, you look pale as a sheet. You all right?”
He pasted on a smile and lied, “Not used to being up so much since the cave business. Guess I’m tired, but I’m fine.”
The aroma of warm apples and cinnamon drifted from a tray of hot pie slices as Polly brought in dessert. She set a saucer of the warm sweet and a little pitcher of cool cream in front of him. Worried as he felt, his nose sent a perk up message to his stomach. He ate a few bites of the best pie he’d ever tasted, but his roiling stomach threatened to reject it if he ate more.
From Nate’s right, Fiona announced, “Pearl baked the apple pies for us. Her own special recipe.”
Dinner finally ended and they all trooped into the parlor. At the Judge’s request, Belle played the piano and sang. Nate hadn’t known about her musical talents. Her clear, sweet voice should have soothed his nerves. At least she couldn’t tell anyone about him while she sang. When she had finished and all the goodbyes were said for the day, he exhaled his relief.
Giving fatigue as his excuse, he sought the sanctuary of his room upstairs. With minimum preparation, he crept into his bed and collapsed. He couldn’t live like this much longer. The ups and downs of fear, deception, passion, regret, and wariness wrought their havoc on his mind and nerves.
One more day he had avoided exposure as a fake. But how long would Belle keep her silence?
***
Sarah floated down the stairs on Saturday morning. Luke and Cindy raced ahead of her.
Fiona greeted them, “Now wasn’t it a lovely evening we had?”
Sarah nodded as she helped Cindy fill a plate from the sideboard array of oatmeal, eggs, biscuits, gravy, and thick slabs of fried ham. “Yes, it’s good to have Belle and Lex back with Sammie and Rosie.” She settled Cindy at the table, then turned to help Luke. “I enjoy our family being together.” All her family, with Nate included at her side. She peered around Luke and glanced into the hall. “I checked on Joe and Nate before I came down. Nate wasn’t in his room.”
“No, he rose early and went to the law office,” Fiona answered. “Said he needed to get some work done for Mr. Gabe.”
Sarah’s spirits rose another notch. Working for Gabe. Maybe today Nate would arrange to stay on in Kincaid Springs.
Nate had been asleep when she peeked in on him last night, so she hadn’t spoken to him alone. Visions of them together sprang to her mind as she ladled oatmeal into her bowl and sat down.
Grandpa gave her shoulder a pat as he passed her chair. “Joe coming down?”
“No, last night’s exertion was too much for him. He had a rough night. I should never have let him come downstairs. I felt guilty this morning, but last night I hated to keep him cooped up while everyone else was down here.”
“We need to send for that costive old quack Percival?” Grandpa asked.
She shot him a reproving glance for his reference to Dr. Percival. “No, but I had to give Joe laudanum during the night and he’s groggy and in pain today. I think he’d better wait another week or so before he spends much time on the crutches.”
Grandpa placed his heaping plate on the table and took his seat. Quick as a flash, Fiona snatched his plate and removed the ham and gravy and substituted a bowl of oatmeal and a dollop of baked apple slices to round out the scrambled eggs and biscuits.
Sarah suppressed a giggle at the indignation on his face.
He turned up his nose at the oatmeal. "I don’t eat baby pap.”
“You know very well it’s oatmeal. ‘Tis my belief oatmeal is the main breakfast food for hearty men all over Scotland.” Fiona paused. “Kincaid is a Scottish name, isn’t it?”
“You’ve heard me say as much, and this Scot happens to own this house. A man should be able to eat what he darn well pleases in his own home.”
Fiona stood her ground, hands folded respectfully in front of her. “Pearl gave strict orders about exactly what you’re to eat. She said ‘tis how she helped you with your rheumatism.”
He glared but gave a resigned shrug. When Fiona turned her back, he stuck out his tongue at her and the children giggled.
Grandpa asked Sarah, “Are you going back to teaching Monday?”
“Yes, Carlotta loves taking over for me, but I’ve played hooky long enough. Fiona said she’d care for Joe while I’m at school. That is, if you don’t mind.”
“Now, girl, we’ve been over this. You know I’d be much happier if you lived with me all the time. House is too big for one old man, even with several” he looked at Fiona and raised his voice, “insubordinate staff members to keep him company. Needs young folks here brightening up the place.” Fiona merely smiled.
For several years, Grandpa had tried to get Sarah to move in to town and live with him. His house was only ten minutes in the buggy from her school, so it wouldn’t make her trip long.
“Thank you, Grandpa.”
Fiona looked thoughtful. “You know, ’tis too bad Joe doesn’t have one of those fancy chairs with wheels I saw once. An old lady sat in the one I saw and someone pushed her about. Wouldn’t it be fine for the lad?”
“You mean a wheelchair?” Grandpa asked. “Now, wait a minute.” He bent his head and steepled his fingers over his stomach. “Seems to me
George Bingham had one of those when he broke his leg some years back. I’ll take the rig out and see if he still has it.”
“Judge Grandpa, sir?” Luke asked.
Grandpa smiled at him. “Call me Grandpa, son. Plain Grandpa.”
“Grandpa, reckon Cindy and me could build us a fort in that little barn? There’s hardly anything in it.”
“We’d be neat and not bother your stuff 'less you said we could,” Cindy added.
“Now that’s a real good idea. Soon as I get back from Bingham’s place, I’ll help round up some things for you to use.”
He turned to Sarah. “Why don’t you let these two ride with me? They haven’t seen that part of the county.”
The children looked so excited, she hadn’t the heart to say no. “All right, if you’re sure you don’t mind.”
“Now don’t be losing the children,” Fiona cautioned.
Grandpa glared at her. “Hmph. Raised me three of my own plus one of the grandchildren. I’m not likely to start leaving a youngun here or there after all this time.”
He and the children left, but Fiona didn’t move from her spot. She sat staring at her hands and Sarah thought she saw her wipe fingers across her cheek. Suddenly, Fiona said, “Excuse me a moment.” With that, she rushed from the room.
Certain Fiona had been crying, Sarah hurried after her. She followed her upstairs to Fiona’s suite. Sarah rapped on the closed door, then opened it. Sure enough, Fiona sat in a chair by the fireplace, sobbing into her handkerchief.
“Whatever is wrong?” Sarah asked. She pulled another chair near and sat down, then took Fiona’s hand.
“Himself’s a good man, and there I was chastising him.”
This didn’t make sense. “Fiona, there has to be more to it than that. You’ve been at each other’s throats all week. I swear you argue like two old married...“ Sarah stared at Fiona, whose blush broadcast the accuracy of Sarah’s statement.
“That’s it, isn’t it?” she asked. My stars, Fiona and Grandpa acted like some married people she’d seen. “You and Grandpa are sweet on one another, aren’t you?”
Fiona stopped sniffing long enough to say, “As if the likes of me could marry a man like Himself, or”--she gestured around her--“live in a house like this.”
“You already live here. The only change would be marrying Grandpa.” Sarah smiled. Grandpa and Fiona in love. Who would have guessed? “Has he asked you?”
“That he did and I told him he’d gone soft in the head in his old age.”
Sarah leaned back in her chair. “My, I’m sure that soothed his aching heart.”
“Now don’t you go making fun of me.” Fiona bristled. “I know me place in life. It’s lucky I am to have this fine position, but I’ll not be making Himself a laughing stock by wedding him.”
“Oh, Fiona. Do you know how long it’s been since Grandpa’s wife died? Do you have any idea the number of women who’ve tried to capture him over the years?”
“Well, of course they would. He’s a fine figure of a man and full of interesting things to say. But me mind’s made up.”
“You’re a fine figure of a woman and full of interesting things to say. For him to even ask you after all these years is a miracle. Please, if you care for him at all, say yes to him.”
“I can’t, dearie, but I thank you for not being offended by Himself’s offer to me.”
Sarah clasped both Fiona’s hands between hers. “On the way here on the train, I thought people would think you were the children’s grandmother. It was a lovely thought, and now it can be true if you let it.”
“Thank you for that, too.” Fiona withdrew her hands and gave a final dab to her eyes. “Well, I can’t be pining away here when there’s work to be done. You check on Joe and I’ll be about me business running this household.”
Fiona hurried back down stairs. Sarah walked slowly toward Joe’s room lost in thought. What could she do to help Fiona see how perfect she and Grandpa were for one another? Pearl might have an idea. She’d ask tomorrow after church.
***
Nate had intended to put in a full day at the law office, but his body defeated him. Fatigue weighed him down and he had to call it a day shortly after eleven. He closed the last file as the door opened and Lex stepped in.
Nate’s heart leapt to his throat and pounded. He felt sweat bead between his shoulders. Hell, he’d known something like this was coming since he spotted Belle last night. At least Lex hadn’t brought the sheriff with him. Nate braced himself for guns, fists, threats or all three.
“Gabe around?” Lex asked.
No, he caught the train to Austin this morning to visit his folks.”
“Oh, yeah. He mentioned it last night. Guess I forgot.”
Sure you did, thought Nate and took a deep breath. Might as well get it over with. “Anything I can do for you?”
“Maybe.” Lex’s somber expression must be a departure from the nature that put the smile lines on his face. In fact, his large brown eyes looked almost fearful, and his freckles stood out against skin gone pale as paper. “My wife thought she might have met you somewhere. You know her?”
And you mean in the Biblical sense, Nate thought. He recalled the shy, backward girl he’d known in Tennessee. That girl and the one he’d met last night held no resemblance, were in fact different people. “No, I can’t say I ever met Mrs. Tremont before last night.” She had a different last name back in Tennessee, but Nate couldn’t remember it.
Lex chewed his lip and turned his hat in his hands. “You’re sure?”
“If ever I had met a woman of your wife’s beauty and sophistication, I’m certain I could never forget her.”
Lex heaved a huge sigh and looked embarrassed. “Told her I’d ask you for her. She must have been mistaken.”
If only it could be this easy. Nate couldn’t believe he’d get off with a simple denial. “Perhaps she met someone who resembled me.” He pasted on a grin. “Please tell her how happy I am to make her acquaintance now. Her singing and playing last night was concert hall quality. Has she given recitals?”
”No, no, nothing professional.” Lex relaxed visibly and his love and pride for his wife shone from his eyes. “She used to play the piano for the Presbyterian Church here before we went to Austin. Now she just plays for friends and relatives, and at home for me.”
His smile returned and Nate marveled at the transformation. No wonder Lex had success as a politician. With his wide smile illuminating his face, friendly-as-a-puppy-dog look, deep resonant voice, and Kincaid money behind him, he couldn’t lose.
“Well, glad you’re helping out here.” Lex looked around as if reminding himself of the place where he once had worked. “Spent close to thirteen years here. Gabe said he and Grandpa had asked you to stay when your business friends move on. They offer you a partnership?”
“They mentioned me staying on, but no details were mentioned. Never got that far. I have a lot to work out before that could happen.” An understatement.
“Like to hear how it all turns out. ‘Course I guess I will. You can’t keep a secret in this town.” The worry returned to Lex’s face.
“I’ll let Gabe and the Judge tell you. Guess I’m kind of private. Never was one to give out details myself.” That ought to reassure him if he still harbored doubts.
“Well, I’d better get home and let you get out of here. My wife and kids are waiting for me to take them on a picnic. I put a lot of store by my family.” With that veiled warning, he turned and left.
Nate moved to the window and watched Lex walk away, then turned back to get his coat and hat. In spite of his denials, he hadn’t convinced Lex that he offered no rivalry for Belle. Or, maybe Lex simply wanted to protect his wife from any gossip. Perhaps, hearing about the railroad scheme, he worried for the town. How could Nate assure him he posed no threat if he stayed?
Hell, he met one setback after the other. He’d better get to Monk and see how things were coming along. No soo
ner had the thought popped into his head than Monk stepped through the door, carrying a box.
“Saw Tremont leaving.” He set the box on a table and opened it. “Got this at the hotel. Thought we could eat here in private and talk.” He set out two thick sandwiches.
“Man, I’m ready for this.” Nate pulled his chair up to the table, ready to dig in. “Where’s Hargrove?”
“Having him a nap. Bastard had a girl in his room most of last night. Guess he didn’t get much sleep.”
“How much money has he raised?”
Monk met his gaze. “You ready for this? Almost fifty thousand.”
“Damn. Bet he’s about ready to pull out, isn’t he?”
“Tuesday morning. It don’t look good, Nate. He knows you want out and knows I always side with you. He’s suspicious and he’s trying to shut me out. Wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to slip out on us.”
“I supposed Dorfmeyer is still nosing around, too.”
“Like a dog after a bitch in heat.”
“I swear to you, if we get out of this, I’m never pulling anything again.”
Monk nodded agreement. “You got a plan?”
“I’ve had several. None worth a damn.”
“What’re you gonna do then?”
“Pray a lot.” Nate shook his head, wondering how this would all end and afraid he knew. “I’m still working on it. Give me time.”
Monk stood and sighed. “Time’s running out.”
***
Nate joined Sarah on one of the pews usually reserved for Kincaids or Tremonts. They were three rows from the lectern. The children wiggled in front of them with their cousins, except for baby Parker who sat with Drake and Pearl. This morning Sammie and Rosie Tremont crowded onto the pew also to make a line of nine squirming bodies.
“Good to see you, Mr. Barton,” someone from across the aisle said. “Sure glad you rescued the boy.”
Nate nodded and smiled. On the way into the church he’d been stopped a dozen times and offered congratulations and good wishes. He’d never seen the like. Everyone who hailed him as a hero made him feel worse and better all at the same time.
Sarah touched the head of Luke and Robbie and the boys pivoted in their seats to look at her. “No giggling and wiggling or you’ll have to sit with the adults.”
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