Return to Whispering Pines

by Scarlett Dunn

  Addie was emotionally spent. Not only was she worried about Davey, but after she’d happened on Jack and Clarissa conversing on the sidewalk, she realized that his relationship with Clarissa was more involved than he’d led her to believe. Then there was her meeting with Frank. No matter that Rose had warned her what to expect from Frank, coming face-to-face with him shook her to the core. It was almost more than she could handle in one day, and she hadn’t given a thought to riding home in the dark. Right now she didn’t care if she had to ride to Denver alone in the pitch-black night. She certainly didn’t want to be around Jack Roper. After seeing him with Clarissa, she knew he’d been trifling with her, and she was angry and hurt. The kindness he’d shown the children was the only reason she didn’t say something she would later regret. “Thank you for your concern, but I’ll be fine. I doubt that Frank’s gang is anywhere near Whispering Pines.”

  “I wasn’t thinking about Frank’s gang. I don’t think a woman should be riding alone in the dark. It’s your choice; we can either get a buckboard, or if you insist on riding by yourself, I’ll be riding right behind you all the way.”

  Addie glared at him. So it wasn’t that he wanted to see her home, he just didn’t think any woman would be safe after dark. Seeing the set of his jaw, she knew her wishes would be ignored. She threw her hands in the air and started walking, but stopped suddenly when she heard someone calling her name. She turned around and looked down the sidewalk. “I don’t believe it!”

  Jack turned to see a well-groomed man quickly approaching, wearing a three-piece suit, a bowler hat, and carrying a walking cane. Then it clicked. Prescott Adler. The man Addie left behind in Boston.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Prescott?” Addie said his name as if she couldn’t believe her own eyes. She took a step toward the man she thought she’d never see again.

  Remaining stone-faced, Jack took measure of the man.

  “Addie!” Prescott ran the last few steps separating them, pulled Addie into his arms, and kissed her right in front of Jack and every other person walking down the sidewalk.

  Jack stared slack-jawed at the couple locked lip to lip. He glanced around and saw the wife of the mercantile owner sweeping the sidewalk in front of their store. She stopped midmotion when she glimpsed Prescott and Addie in their passionate embrace. Jack figured everyone in town would hear before nightfall that the new schoolteacher was having a tryst right in the middle of the street. Heck, he hadn’t held Addie as close when he kissed her. Jack’s emotions quickly blossomed from fairly amused to furious in the span of a kiss. He was mulling over his choice of punching the man or just shooting him. Fortunately, he wasn’t forced to decide before Addie pulled away from her ardent suitor. In his estimation, she sure waited long enough to disentangle herself from the dandy from Boston. She must have enjoyed his kiss.

  Addie’s face was flaming red. “Prescott! Remember where you are!” Her schoolteacher tone automatically surfaced as she glanced around to see who’d been watching. She spotted the woman in front of the mercantile with a scowl on her face. Oh, heavens. She knew her reputation would be in tatters if it wasn’t already known that Jack had been sleeping at the farm. She didn’t know what had possibly fostered Prescott’s impassioned display. Not only had he held her much too close to his body to be deemed appropriate, his kiss was much too intimate.

  Prescott reached out for her again and squeezed her to his chest. “I do apologize, my dear. You can hardly blame a man for his amorous attentions after having been separated from you for several weeks.”

  If Addie was stunned by his kiss, she nearly fainted at his endearing words. He sounded more like a man returning from war than the man she left behind in Boston; the same man who’d barely remembered the day of her departure. During the time he’d squired her around Boston, he generally ended the evening with an innocuous peck, sometimes on the lips, but more often as not, he kissed her cheek. He’d certainly never kissed her with such unbridled passion. Perhaps he had missed her more than she’d imagined he would. “This is not the time, nor the place, for such demonstrations of affection.”

  Jack arched his brow, wondering if Addie was suggesting she would rather be in a room alone with this tenderfoot.

  Extricating herself from Prescott’s grip again, Addie’s hand flew to her hair, making sure she wasn’t disheveled. Her eyes darted to Jack, and registering his narrowed eyes and tightly clenched jaw, she said, “Prescott, this is Sheriff Roper. Sheriff, this is Prescott Adler.”

  Prescott extended his hand to Jack. When he’d seen Addie talking to the tall cowboy, he thought they seemed fairly engrossed in their conversation, and they were standing quite close to each other conveying a familiar relationship. “Sheriff.” Prescott couldn’t help but notice the sheriff’s intimidating stare.

  “Mr. Adler.” Jack intentionally looked him over. Yep. Tenderfoot. He glanced back at Addie. “Didn’t you tell me Mr. Adler is the benefactor of the orphanage?”

  Pleased to find an opening to make sure this cowboy knew he’d already staked his claim, Prescott responded before Addie had the chance. “That’s correct, Sheriff.” He smiled affectionately at Addie. “We became quite close when she came to work for the orphanage.”

  Jack pushed his Stetson back on his head. “So I see.” He pointed to the folks who had stopped to watch the sideshow. “Unfortunately, most folks out here are not accustomed to such displays in the street in the middle of the day. Maybe in the saloon, but not in polite society.”

  His comment rankled Addie. She waited for Prescott to defend her honor. Since her patience was running thin with Jack anyway, she wasn’t inclined to wait long. Taking a step closer to Jack, she put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Are you equating me with . . . with a common trollop?”

  Jack raised his eyebrows at her. Point made. He almost said If the shoe fits, but refrained.

  “I’m certain out here in this wild territory, even the unsophisticated would understand the unfettered affections of a suitor after a separation.” Prescott pulled Addie back to his side, and away from the sheriff.

  Jack really, really wanted to punch Prescott. “Out here in this wild territory, we unsophisticated folk are forced to overlook the unconventional behavior of big-city folk from time to time.”

  Addie saw the stare-down going on between the two men. Seeing Jack’s eyes had turned a steely gray at the offense she was certain Prescott intended, she thought it prudent to redirect the conversation. “When did you arrive, Prescott?”

  “On the noon stage. I just inquired about directions to your farm and was headed to the livery to hire a driver.”

  Jack almost snorted aloud. Didn’t the man even know how to ride?

  “I have much to tell you about the orphanage, but right now I was riding to Mr. Coburn’s farm. Mr. Coburn and his wife adopted Davey. Davey wasn’t in school today, and I want to make sure he is not ill.”

  “Do you think it is necessary to check on him after missing one day of school?” Prescott asked.

  “Yes, I do. He was only adopted a few days ago, and I intend to make sure he is happy in his new home.”

  “I don’t think it wise for you to interfere so soon. A new adoption can take time for all parties involved,” Prescott countered.

  It didn’t go unnoticed that Prescott didn’t inquire about the girls, or about the orphanage. “Wise or not, I’m going. You are welcome to accompany me, or you can come to the farm tomorrow after school as I won’t be there until later tonight.”

  Prescott frowned at her, but he’d wait until later to express his displeasure that she elected to ignore his sound advice. “Very well. We shall hire a driver to transport us to where you need to go. I’d like to have time to chat.”

  “We can take a buggy,” Addie said.

  “We still need a driver,” Prescott said. “Don’t they have hired drivers here?”

  Addie was getting testy that they were wasting time. She wanted to see about Davey
and get home before midnight. “I can drive a buggy.” Before Prescott voiced an objection, she spoke to Jack. “Sheriff Roper, now that I have an escort to the Coburns’, it will not be necessary for you to accompany me.”

  “All the same, I think I’ll ride along to make sure Davey is doing okay.” Jack wasn’t about to let her go riding off with this dude who wouldn’t know how to handle trouble if trouble came calling. He’d take bets that this character didn’t even carry a sidearm, much less know how to use one. And he wanted to hear for himself why Davey wasn’t in school. As far as he was concerned, Roy Coburn had yet to prove he could be a decent parent.

  Addie figured if Jack came along she wouldn’t be forced to talk to him because there wouldn’t be enough room for him in the buggy. “Suit yourself.” She turned and started walking toward the livery.

  “I usually do,” Jack retorted to her back. He found himself trailing the schoolteacher and the dandy down the sidewalk.

  * * *

  Addie spotted Mr. Coburn walking from the barn, so she pulled the buggy next to him. “Mr. Coburn, Mr. Adler has come all the way from Boston to check on the orphanage. Since Davey wasn’t at school today, I thought he may be ill.” Addie tried to mollify Roy Coburn because he’d definitely taken offense at Addie’s appearance at the farm.

  Jack didn’t know what Addie had discussed with Adler in the buggy ride to the Coburns’, but he felt certain it wasn’t the children.

  “If he’s our son now, I have a right to do as I see fit,” Coburn said. “I’ve already told you we have a lot of work on the farm, and the boy don’t have time for school.”

  “Mr. Coburn, it is imperative the children have an education. Davey was not adopted for free labor.”

  “He knows his numbers, he told me so himself. I reckon that’s about all a man needs to know to be a farmer.”

  “Davey may not want to be a farmer. He needs an education until he decides what he wants to do with his life,” Addie countered, her temper simmering on the edge.

  Jack noticed Adler hadn’t said a word. “Where is Davey?”

  Coburn jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “He’s out back. We’ve been building a shed. He told me you taught him some about building.”

  Without asking, Jack rode to the back of the house. Let Addie and Prescott deal with Coburn. When he spotted Davey, he dismounted and walked to him. “Davey, how come you missed school today?”

  Davey glanced up at Jack, but he continued working. “Mr. Coburn needed my help.”

  “You could always help after school.” Jack picked up the extra hammer and started nailing boards.

  Davey shrugged. “I guess.”

  “How’s it going out here?”

  Another shrug. “Okay, I guess.”

  “Do you like it here?”

  “It don’t matter one way or the other.”

  “Of course it does.” Jack stopped hammering. Davey reminded him of himself when he was a boy. Twelve going on one hundred, with a world of hurt on his shoulders. “Do they treat you good?”

  Davey still didn’t look at him. “I guess.”

  “Why didn’t you go to church yesterday?”

  “Mr. Coburn said he don’t go all the time.”

  Jack tried to remember how often he’d seen Sarah Coburn at church, but he honestly couldn’t recall.

  “Addie’s out front if you want to go say hello.”

  Davey stopped working. “What does she want?”

  “She wanted to check to make sure you are okay.”

  “Is Jane and Claire with her?”

  “No, they’re at Morgan’s.”

  “You can tell Miss Addie I’m fine.”

  “Why don’t you tell her yourself? I’m sure she wants to see you.”

  “I need to finish before dark.” Mr. Coburn didn’t like for him to slack off. He’d already gone to bed without his supper Sunday night for not moving fast enough when he’d told him to do something.

  Jack hammered a few more nails, trying to think of a way to get Davey to start talking, but he heard someone walking behind them. He turned to see it was Addie and Prescott, with Coburn right behind them.

  “Davey, how are you?” Addie asked.

  “I’m fine. Just got to finish this work.”

  Addie stood beside Davey, but he continued working. “I don’t want you to miss school. It’s much too important for your future.”

  “I already told you, it’s up to me when the boy goes to school,” Coburn said.

  Addie thought she might have more sway with Mrs. Coburn. “Where is your wife?”

  “She’s inside working. We don’t have time to stand around here and gab all day. We’re farmers with a lot of work to do.”

  Prescott wanted to leave. “Addie, I think Mr. Coburn has a point. It is up to him when the boy goes to school. After all, he is the new father, and he needs time to get acquainted.”

  She’d listened to Prescott’s opinion on the way to the farm, and her exasperation surfaced. “The boy’s name is Davey, and he is accustomed to attending school. I should think you, of all people, would appreciate the value of an education.”

  “Of course, I do. But everyone needs time to settle in their new roles with adoptions. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen these situations. You’ve only been doing this a year, but the superintendent of the Boston orphanage has told me of many adoptions that took some time for all to adjust.”

  Jack couldn’t say that Prescott didn’t have a point. Yet, he also noted Prescott hadn’t even said hello to Davey, and he obviously knew him. “Why don’t we compromise, Roy. Try to see to it that Davey gets to school three days a week right now. I was teaching him to ride, and he’s a natural. He could take the horse to school.”

  “I got better things to do with my horse than ride back and forth to town.”

  That made two men in one day Jack wanted to punch. “Well then, if he can’t take the horse, and you don’t have time to take him, I’ll ride out here and get him.”

  “I also want Davey to go to church every Sunday,” Addie said.

  Her tone angered Coburn. “I want you off my property right now. We go to church when we please, and I’ll give the say-so when, and if, the boy goes to school.”

  “Addie, it’s time to leave. We’ve pushed our good will too far,” Prescott said.

  “Now see here—” Addie started, but Prescott took her by the arm and whispered in her ear. “I believe you are too close to the situation, my dear. This is what I warned you about when you live with the children.”

  If Prescott hadn’t been standing there, she’d have taken Davey home with her right then and there. Since Prescott was her employer, she had to listen to him whether she wanted to or not. “Davey, if you need anything, please let me know.”

  Davey didn’t respond, so Addie turned to leave with Prescott.

  Jack didn’t move. “Coburn, Miss Addie didn’t mean to offend you. I think you could be more accommodating to make sure Davey continues with his education and that he attends church. You know it’s important for children to do both.”

  “Maybe you don’t hear so good. He’s my son now, and I’ll make the decisions. So you can go with your friends. If I hear more from the lot of you, I’ll talk to the judge about my rights.”

  “You can talk to the judge, but so can I. I’m certain the judge would appreciate the merits of an education.”

  Coburn stared hard at Jack. “We have nothing more to talk about.”

  Jack had never had any encounters with Roy Coburn before this, but he found him to be an unreasonable man. He remembered thinking one time when he saw Sarah Coburn in church that he’d never seen her smile. Judging by the way Coburn barked orders, Jack wondered if he did the same thing to Mrs. Coburn. Maybe he should get her alone and speak to her about her husband. She might have some sway with him, but Jack doubted it. Coburn seemed pretty set in his opinions. Jack decided it was best that he walk away before he lost his temper. “Davey,
if you need anything, you know you can count on me.”

  Davey had stopped working to listen to the exchange between the two men. “Yes, sir.”

  “Get back to work, boy,” Coburn instructed.

  Davey resumed working at Coburn’s command.

  In Jack’s estimation, Davey looked sad. As much as he hated to leave Davey behind, he didn’t have a choice. “Davey, I’ll come out from time to time, and we’ll keep up with your riding lessons. I’m sure you’ll have some free time.”

  “We’ll let you know when there is time for foolishness. You ain’t welcome to stop by anytime you want,” Coburn said.

  Jack was holding back his temper as he mounted his horse, but Coburn had pushed him too far. “Coburn, I’m the sheriff here, and I’ll stop anywhere I darn well please, anytime I please. Not you, or anyone else, can say different.”

  “I wouldn’t have adopted this boy if I knew I had to put up with all of this nonsense.”

  Jack really wanted to say he could void the adoption anytime he wanted. Problem was, he didn’t want Davey to feel like he was being rejected because of something he did. “Davey, I’ll see you in a few days.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “I’m sorry I don’t have time for dinner, Prescott, I must get back to the farm.” Addie was mentally exhausted from the events of the day, and she didn’t feel like listening to more of Prescott’s opinions about the situation with Davey. They’d argued all the way back to town about her interference with Coburn.

  “Surely you can take another hour before you must leave,” Prescott responded.

  “It is almost dark and I have a long way to go.” Addie was reminded Jack didn’t want her to ride alone after dark.

  Jack saw the buggy in front of the hotel and reined in behind them. He could overhear their conversation before he dismounted.

  “I don’t like the idea of you riding all that way in the dark. Let me get my bag and I’ll go with you and spend the night at the farm,” Prescott said.

  “I couldn’t allow you to do that. No one will be there but the girls, and it wouldn’t be proper for you to stay all night.” Addie didn’t dare mention that Jack had stayed at the farm. But the children didn’t even realize he’d spent the night. Of course, she could ask Granny to come to the farm to act as chaperone. But she really wanted some time alone tonight.