She rolled over once again, and Kip let out a small whine from his spot beside her bed.
“Sorry, boy, I’ll try to settle down.” Kip was right. There weren’t many hours left before sunup—she needed to stop this fretting and get some sleep.
She had a feeling she’d need all her wits about her tomorrow.
Chapter Ten
As usual, on paper delivery day, Everett rose before dawn. Not that he’d have gotten much sleep, anyway. This morning, however, with his hand still throbbing, he had to figure out an alternative to making the deliveries to the local merchants. He solved that problem by paying Jack and Ira a little extra to make those deliveries for him in addition to the household deliveries they normally made.
When Daisy breezed into his office, he braced himself for a bit of awkwardness, but it turned out to be an unnecessary precaution. She gave him a quick “good morning,” then set a small jar on his desk. “Here’s more of that ointment I used last night,” she said. Then she headed upstairs without stopping for her usual chitchat.
Had her smile been a bit more forced than normal? Or was that only his imagination? He was relieved, naturally, that she’d chosen to act as if nothing had happened—wasn’t he?
As he applied the ointment, he remembered how good it had felt when Daisy did that for him. Then he grimaced—he was turning into a blasted mooncalf.
He’d better focus on his work before he lost all sense of self-respect.
But by midmorning he was so off his game that he actually welcomed the distraction when Chance walked in. The greeting died on his lips, however, when he recognized the young girl accompanying him.
“Abigail!” What was his sister doing here? More important, how in the world had she gotten here?
“Hello, Everett. I’ve come to visit,” she said unnecessarily.
That was all she had to say for herself? “Abigail Blythe Fulton! What—how—” He was having trouble deciding whether to start with questions or a severe scolding.
“I came in on the train, and your friend Mr. Dawson offered to show me to your office.” She gave Chance a dazzling smile.
Chance’s smile had an I’m-really-enjoying-this edge to it. “I met the train this morning because I was expecting some parts I’d ordered. They didn’t arrive, but I found this young lady there, asking Zeke where your place was. When I found out she was your sister, I thought I should escort her here myself.”
Did that mean she’d traveled completely unaccompanied? Everett’s blood froze at the thought of what could have happened to her. He tore his eyes away from his sister long enough to nod Chance’s way. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, I’ll leave you two to your visit.” Chance tipped his hat toward Abigail. “Nice meeting you, Miss Abigail.”
Abigail gave him a bright smile. “And you, as well, Mr. Dawson. You’ve been most kind, just like a real cowboy.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, Abigail, surely you’re not still infatuated with those silly romantic notions. Not every man in Texas is a cowboy. In fact, Chance here came west with me from Philadelphia.”
Abigail’s lips formed a pout. “Aren’t you glad to see me, even a little bit?”
Everett huffed in exasperation. “Of course I’m happy to see you, but that’s entirely beside the point. How did you get here?”
Abigail finally had the grace to look abashed, but she rallied quickly. “By train, of course.”
“Don’t be impertinent.”
She crossed the room to stand directly before him, hands clasped together in front of her. “Please don’t be cross. After all, I made it here safe and sound, and it was such a grand adventure. I could almost imagine I was an adventuress, like Nellie Bly.”
“That imagination of yours is going to get you into serious trouble someday, young lady.” Then he pulled her to him in a hug, a fierce longing to protect her from all the ugliness in the world overtaking him. A moment later he set her away, keeping his uninjured hand on her shoulder. “Miss Haversham will be hearing from me. I don’t understand how she could have let you travel all this way on your own. I pay her dearly to make certain you’re well looked after.” Had it been just a few days ago that he’d congratulated himself that Abigail would never be faced with a solo journey the way Daisy had?
“Don’t blame Miss Haversham.” Abigail’s smile faltered, and she dropped her gaze. “I’m afraid I misled her.”
Not surprising. “What did you do?”
She removed her bonnet, still not quite meeting his gaze. “I led her to believe you sent for me and that I needed to leave immediately.”
His exasperation once more overtook his concern. “And she believed you?”
Abigail nibbled at her lower lip a moment. “The official-looking telegram I sent her was quite convincing,” she finally said in a small voice.
This was too much, even for his impulsive little sister. He dropped his hand. “Abigail! Such actions are not only dishonest, they’re rash and unthinking.”
“I know.” Abigail’s expression turned to something very like a childish pout. “It was wrong, and I’m truly sorry. But it’s the only way I could get away.” She met his gaze full-on. “And I had to get away from that stifling place.”
“Thinking that the ends justify the means is a slippery slope you don’t want to start down, Abigail.” He ran his right hand through his hair. “Regardless of whatever tales you spun for her, however, it’s still unconscionable that Miss Haversham let you travel alone.”
“Actually, I wasn’t alone when I departed. Miss Haversham hired a very stern woman, one even you would approve of, to accompany me. But partway into our journey, the poor woman took ill. She got off the train at one of the stops in Illinois, and I decided to continue on without her.”
“You decided—” Everett’s blood ran cold at the idea of his overly trusting little sister traveling such a distance on a train full of who knows what kind of people, entirely alone and unprotected. “That was quite reckless. Do you have any idea what could have happened to you, a young girl traveling alone?”
“But my escort couldn’t travel, and it wouldn’t have been any better for me to travel back to Boston alone than to go forward. And nothing did happen, so all is well.” She clasped her hands, her eyes pleading with him to understand. “Oh, Everett, I know lying to Miss Haversham was wrong and I promise to write her a very pretty and penitent letter of apology, and if you want to put me on a strict diet of bread and water for a month I won’t complain. But truly, I could not stand to be in that place any longer. And you made Turnabout sound so wonderful in your letters. You know I’ve always dreamed of one day traveling to Texas.”
Turnabout—wonderful? How had she possibly gotten that from his letters? “Yes, you will most assuredly write that letter of apology, a letter that you will hand deliver when you return to the school on tomorrow’s train.”
Abigail’s whole expression crumpled. “You can’t send me back so soon. I’ve only just arrived.”
He refused to let himself be moved by her plea. “You are mistaken. I can, and I will.”
“You don’t understand. The telegram I gave Miss Haversham said I wouldn’t be returning—at all. She’s having all of my things packed and sent here.”
Where had his sister learned such devious behavior? “That’s quickly remedied. I’ll send her a telegram today informing her that there’s been a mistake.”
Her expression turned mutinous. “If you send me back, I’ll run away again.”
Everett clenched his jaw in frustration. The idea of his sister pulling this dangerous stunt yet again was enough to turn his hair gray. He had to find a way to convince her to see reason. “Abigail, you only have another year and a half of school left.” By that time, he would have moved someplace with more polish and refinement than Turnabout. “Once you’re through with your schooling, of course you can live with me.”
“A year and a half is forever.” She moaned. “Please, d
on’t make me go back, not right away. I promise I won’t get in your way. I’ll even be a help. You’ll see. I can keep your place neat and clean, and do your laundry and cooking. I can even help here in the office if you like. I—”
“I didn’t send you to boarding school all these years so you could turn into a household drudge.”
“Then why did you send me to that place? It certainly wasn’t to make me happy.”
That gave him pause. Had she truly been so unhappy at Miss Haversham’s? He quickly dismissed that thought—she was just being melodramatic. “I sent you there to make certain you received a good education and that you were surrounded by persons of breeding and good character.” He absently rubbed his chin, then winced as his injured digits protested.
“What’s wrong?” She saw his injury, and her demeanor immediately changed to one of concern. “Oh, my goodness, what did you do to your hand?”
He waved aside her concerns. “I smashed it yesterday. It’ll be fine.”
“Well, it doesn’t look fine.” She stepped closer and gingerly touched the back of his hand. “In fact, it looks awful. Did you have a doctor look at it?”
“I did. And he agreed with me that it’ll be good as new given time.” Sensing her distress, he moderated his tone. “It looks worse than it is.”
“But it must be terribly painful.” She straightened. “I’m more pleased than ever that I’m here. I can take care of you.”
“I’ve been managing fine, thank you.”
She tilted up her chin. “You do need someone to look after you.”
“I don’t—”
She held up a hand and cocked her head toward the stairs. “What’s that?”
It took him a moment to realize she was talking about Daisy’s singing.
Before he could explain, she gave him a wide-eyed look. “Everett, do you have a woman upstairs?”
Why did he suddenly feel self-conscious? “That’s Miss Johnson, my cook. And don’t go changing the subject. We were discussing your return to Boston.”
Abigail ignored the last part of his statement. “A cook. Why didn’t you mention this Miss Johnson in your letters?”
“Because it’s a recent development. Now, as I was saying—”
But Abigail was no longer paying attention.
“I want to meet her.” Without waiting for permission, she headed for the stairs. “Besides, I want to see what the rest of your place looks like. You can continue your scolding later.”
With a growl of frustration, Everett followed his too-impulsive-for-her-own-good sister upstairs. As he did so, it occurred to him to worry about what the meeting of these two impulsive and sometimes reckless females would result in.
* * *
Daisy, working at the ironing board, tensed as she heard that telltale squeak of the stairs. She took a deep breath and steeled herself to face Everett for the first time since she’d headed upstairs this morning. But the person who appeared wasn’t Everett, but a slender, well-dressed young lady with ginger-brown hair and sparkling eyes.
“Hello,” the young lady called out. “I’m Abigail, Everett’s sister. And you must be Miss Johnson.”
Everett’s sister? When had she arrived? And why hadn’t she been told the girl was coming? Surely this wasn’t something that would have just slipped his mind.
She spied Everett just behind his sister, and he looked none too happy. What was going on?
Remembering her manners, Daisy set down the iron and wiped her hands on her apron. “Glad to meet you, Abigail.” She closed the distance between them. “And yes, I’m Daisy Johnson, your brother’s cook and next-door neighbor.”
“I’m so pleased to meet you.” The girl’s smile was infectious. “And also very glad to know Everett no longer has to subsist on his own cooking.”
Daisy grinned. “Your brother didn’t tell me you were expected, or I would have cooked something special.” She cut Everett an accusing look, then wondered if he’d intended to tell her before their little encounter last night. “But don’t you worry,” she said, shaking off those uncomfortable thoughts. “The food might not be special but it’ll be plentiful enough.”
Abigail brushed at her skirt. “Don’t blame Everett. My visit was a surprise.”
“A surprise.” Daisy cast another glance Everett’s way and realized why he looked so grim. “I see. Well, I’m sure it was a lovely surprise.”
Kip, lying in the doorway, let out a couple of attention-getting yips.
Abigail immediately spun toward the sound.
“That’s just Kip,” Daisy said. “He’s probably wanting an introduction.” Did Everett’s sister share his dislike for dogs? “Don’t worry, though,” she added quickly. “Kip stays over on my side of the wall, just like your brother asked.”
Abigail glanced up at her brother. “You banished this sweet animal from your home?” She shook her head sadly. “I shouldn’t be surprised.” Then she turned to Daisy. “Unlike Everett, I love dogs. I always wanted one of my own, but they aren’t allowed at Miss Haversham’s. Do you mind if I pet him?”
“Not at all. And he loves it when you scratch him behind the ears.”
Abigail stooped down in front of Kip and ruffled his fur. “Aren’t you just the handsomest animal?” Then she glanced back, her expression one of childish delight. “Look, Everett, he has one blue eye and one brown eye.”
“I’m aware.”
The fact that he’d noticed surprised Daisy. But his dry tone, indicating he didn’t find it particularly endearing, did not.
“Oh, that must be your place.” Abigail was looking past Kip into the room beyond.
“It is.” What did the girl think about the sparse, makeshift furnishings?
But Abigail went back to cooing over Kip, and Daisy cut a questioning glance Everett’s way.
His expression had a long-suffering look. “I’m sorry if having an extra person to cook for complicates things for you. As Abigail stated, I wasn’t aware she was coming until she showed up on my doorstep.”
She could tell he wasn’t pleased by that occurrence. “But now that she’s here, surely you can look on it as a nice surprise.”
“Nice is not the word I’d use. Abigail ran away from school and is refusing to go back.”
Ouch. That couldn’t be easy to swallow for a man who liked to be in control of everything. “Don’t worry about it putting me out. It’s just as easy to cook for three as two. You just enjoy your visit together, for however long it lasts. If you two want to eat alone, I can take my portion to my place and eat there.” In fact, it might be better all the way around if she did.
“That won’t be necessary.” He cast an exasperated look his sister’s way. “Besides, if I’m alone with Abigail any time soon I might end up changing my mind about letting her stay for now.”
As if suddenly aware he’d said more than he intended, Everett’s expression closed off. He cleared his throat and turned to his sister. “Come on, Abigail. Let me show you where you can sleep while you’re here.”
The girl immediately popped up. “Whatever accommodations are available will be fine.”
“That’s a good thing,” he said as they crossed the sitting room, “because I use the spare bedchamber for storing odds and ends. You’re lucky the place came with a small bed in there.”
Daisy knew him well enough now to read the affection beneath his dry tone. Regardless of how he felt about how his sister had traveled, he was undeniably glad to see her.
Daisy moved to the stove to check on the stew. She didn’t have a good read on Abigail yet. At first glance, she could very well be the spoiled little socialite Daisy had expected. But there was a spark of something—innocence, playfulness, vulnerability—that told her Abigail might have more to her.
Had she really run off and traveled here on her own? Daisy could understand Everett’s concern. So many things might have gone terribly wrong.
A moment later, Everett returned to the kitchen, alo
ne. “Abigail is settling in,” he explained. Then he cleared his throat. “I apologize again for my sister’s unexpected arrival. She’s always tended to act impulsively, but this is the first time she’s acted with such blatant disregard for her safety.”
Was he actually worried how she was taking this? “There’s no need to apologize to me for your sister.”
“Abigail is bright, good-hearted and generous. She’s also overly trusting, impulsive and more of a child than she will admit.”
Understanding dawned. He wanted to make certain she didn’t take too dim a view of his sister. “There are worse faults to have,” she said with a smile.
He didn’t return her smile. “If her welfare was your responsibility, you might not think so.”
“I can see how her escapade would shake you up. But she’s safely here now, so you should make the most of the chance to visit with her.”
His irritation seemed to deepen. “It did not shake me up. I’m merely concerned for her safety. Undertaking such a journey, without letting anyone know what she was about, was foolhardy and reckless. It only proves how much of a child she still is.”
Before Daisy could respond, the downstairs bell sounded, indicating someone had stopped by the office. Everett tugged at his cuff. “Don’t let Abigail get in your way. If she becomes a bother, send her down to me.”
Daisy returned to her ironing, pondering the pointed look Everett had given her before he left the room. She supposed, on the surface, her trip here bore some similarities to Abigail’s. She’d slipped away, traveling on her own to a destination where she wasn’t expected.
But there were important differences. She was much older than Abigail. Her trip had been shorter. And she’d covered familiar ground, so she knew what she’d be facing. So there’d been nothing foolhardy or reckless about her journey.
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