"Why?"
"Pay attention, and I'll tell you. I was near the River Road on Thursday, rounding up two stray cows before the storm broke, and saw Mr. Parker ride home. Another man rode with him, which was lucky for Mr. Parker, I guess, because Mr. Parker was all bent over and looked something terrible."
"Miss Hennessey said he made it home alone."
"He didn't. I followed them. That's how I got this stupid cough." Danny blew his nose, then said, "Besides, if Mr. Parker went to southern Missouri, near the Kansas border, it was more than a day's ride. He had to spend the night somewhere and get a doctor's help for his £irm."
"Maybe Mrs. Parker didn't tell enough in her letter. That's not Miss Hennessey's fault."
"It's the same story that was given out to the neighbors. You're just making excuses for her, Peg." Danny reached for a clean handkerchief and again blew his nose.
"And you—^you're lying here in bed with nothing to do but make up ridiculous stories! I know Miss Hennessey better than you do, and she—"
Peg stopped abruptly, as the picture of James, Miss Hennessey's cousin, rose vividly into her mind.
"She what?" Danny asked.
Peg stammered out the story about James, then burst into tears. "But she tried to convince him he's wrong," she sobbed. "Miss Hennessey is loyal to the Union. She told me she is!"
By the time Peg had pulled herself together, wiping her eyes on the comer of Daimy's bedspread because a handkerchief of her own wasn't handy, she was startled to see that Danny had tossed his nightshirt and mustard plaster on the floor and was fully dressed.
"You're not supposed to get out of bed," Peg protested.
"I told you, I'm all right," Danny said. "Get your coat."
"Where are we going?"
"To visit the Parkers."
"You think they're spies, don't you? Well, they're not!" Peg shot back.
"I didn't say they were spies."
"Just because Mr. Parker was shot, it doesn't mean he was contacting Quantrill. Danny, you know there are plenty of bushwhackers who've robbed and killed innocent people. I beUeve Mr. Parker's story about being robbed."
"All of it?"
"Well . . ."
"Peg, think about what you've told me. Haven't you wondered, while Miss Hennessey explained, if she was telling the truth?"
"Yes," Peg admitted. "But her answers made sense. They were believable."
Danny put his hands on Peg's shoulders and looked into her eyes. "They were believable because you wanted to believe, didn't you?"
"She brings me here to visit you, Danny." Peg flung her arms about her brother and clung to him. "I want to come. I miss you."
"I miss you, too, and I'm glad you're here, but we need to find out as much as we can about them."
Peg groaned. "Why?"
"Peg, remember. We're at war. Think what could happen to our country if the Confederates win! Would you like it better if I told Ennie and Alfrid what I suspect?"
"No!" Peg vigorously shook her head. "You can't tell anybody, Danny! You know, from what's been going on in southern Missouri, that the military patrols don't ask questions or look for the truth. If they heard of any suspicion, they'd just arrest them—Miss Hennessey, too."
"Then let's you and me find out the truth."
Peg hung back, scowling, so Danny grabbed her
hand. "We can't," she said. "It's cold outside. You'll get sicker if you go out."
Danny opened the chest beside his bed, scattering the stack of clean handkerchiefs on it, and pulled out a knit cap and scarf. As he tugged the hat over his ears he said, "Now are you satisfied?"
"Ennie won't be."
He whipped the scarf around and around his neck. "Ennie doesn't have to know. She's in the kitchen making sweet potato pies, with Gussie there to lend her a hand."
Exasperated, Peg stomped to the door and threw it open. "All right, Danny!" she said. "I'll get my coat, and I'll go with you to visit the Parkers, because I want to prove to you that you're wrong, wrong, wrong!"
With the softest of footsteps they crept downstairs and left the house through the front door. Circling the house, they made their way to the bam.
"Do you mind riding bareback?" Danny asked.
"No," Peg said. She climbed halfway up the side of the stall and swimg her left leg onto Flash's broad back.
Danny put the bridle and reins over Flash's head, while Peg leaned down to stroke his neck.
"He's older and quieter," she said, remembering how smartly Flash and Fury had once stepped out as they pulled the Swensons' buggy.
"Maybe he's been lonely since Fury died," Danny said. He opened the stall door, and reins in hand climbed onto the horse in front of Peg. "Hang on to me," he said.
Peg wrapped her arms around his waist and relaxed, adjusting to Flash's rolling movements.
They were quiet as they rode away from the Swensons' house, expecting Ennie to rush outside at any
moment, demanding to know where they were off to and what Danny thought he was doing out in this chill air. But no one had noticed them, and soon they were on River Road, taking the turn to the Parkers' house.
The closer they came, the more apprehensive Peg grew. "I think this was a terrible idea!" she complained. "I don't know what to say or what to do."
"Stop worrying," Danny said. "We just decided to pay a call to see how Mr. Parker is faring. It's as simple as that."
"After they tell you how he was shot, will you believe them?"
"I don't know," Danny said. "I hope so."
When they arrived at the Parkers' house a large, mottled gray horse was tied to the hitching post.
"They've got company," Peg said. "Maybe we'd better not go in."
"They'll have already heard or seen us," Danny answered. He jumped off Flash and tied him to the post, then reached up to help Peg down. "I wonder if it's the man I saw riding with Mr. Parker."
"Was he a neighbor? Did you recognize him?"
"No, he wasn't from around here. I've never seen him before."
"Do you remember what he looked like?"
"Yes. No beard or mustache, and long—"
"Good morning."
Peg looked up to see Mrs. Parker in the open doorway, a warm smile on her face.
"Good morning, ma'am," Danny quickly said. "We came to see how Mr. Parker is doing."
"He's recovering nicely," Mrs. Parker said. She glanced over her shoulder into the parlor before she
asked, "Won't you come in? How about tea and a muffin or two?"
"Thanlc you," Peg said, looping she didn't look as guilty as she felt. She trotted up the steps to the front porch and submitted to Mrs. Parker's energetic hug, but Danny edged around Mrs. Parker at a safe distance as he entered the house.
Mrs. Parker led them past the parlor, which was empty, except for the furniture the Millers had left behind. "Come into the kitchen. It's warmer, and you'll find Violet there."
Peg thought she heard the back door close as they approached, but Miss Hennessey sat alone at the worn wooden table, gazing at them over her teacup, as though nothing could possibly disrupt her quiet, lazy morning.
"They came to ask about Louis," Mrs. Parker said. "Isn't that thoughtful?"
Miss Hennessey beamed affectionately at Peg, then turned her smile on Danny. "Sit down, please," she said. "Nellie has baked the most delicious muffins."
Neither Peg nor Danny had to be asked twice. The muffins were delicious, although Peg nearly choked on hers as Danny bluntly asked, "May we see Mr. Parker?"
"He'll be joining us soon," Miss Hennessey said. "He's recovering nicely and the fever is completely gone."
"I'm glad," Peg said. "You were so sad and so worried about him."
"Worried about me?" Mr. Parker came into the room and sat at the table with the others. He wore a loose, coUarless shirt that fit snugly over the bulge of a bandage aromid his upper right arm. "There was no need to worry. I come from hardy stock." He smiled at
D
anny. "You must be Miss Kelly's brother. I've heard many fine things about you."
Danny automatically reached out a hand, and looked embarrassed when Mr. Parker extended his left hand, instead of his right. "I'm sorry you were shot," Danny said.
Peg winced as he added, "Peg didn't know the whole story of what happened to you, and if you don't mind, sir, I'd like to hear it, too."
"There's not much to tell," Mr. Parker answered. "I had ridden south to Butler and had planned to go even farther to see someone about purchasing some livestock."
"That's quite a ways to go for livestock," Danny interrupted.
"The owner's a friend. He offered me a good price."
Livestock? Peg wondered. When their stay here is supposed to be a temporary one?
Mr. Parker went on as though Danny's statement was of no importance, but Peg could sense a tension in the room. Both Mrs. Parker and Miss Hennessey were listening intently.
"I had no warning. I was riding through some pretty desolate countryside when I heard the crack of a rifle, and the bullet slammed into my arm."
"Who shot you? Did you see them?"
"It was just one man. I was so startled I took time to turn to look, and there he was, riding toward me from a grove of trees."
"Oh!" Peg cried and squeezed her fingers together, vividly imagining the pain and the fear that Mr. Parker must have known.
"My horse is both sturdy and fast so, fortunately, I was able to outrun my attacker. I found help at a farm
near Butler, and after my wound was cleaned and bandaged I rode on home."
"Alone?"
"Alone."
From the comers of her eyes Peg saw Danny turn to look at her, but she refused to meet his glance.
Mr. Parker looked from Danny to Peg, then added, "As I said, I was alone, except that as I approached River Road I met an acquaintance who saw the plight I was in and accompanied me to the house."
This time Peg, with a flash of triumph, did meet Danny's eyes. That certainly explained what he had seen, and should have ended his suspicions once and for all.
But Danny didn't give up. "Weren't you afraid of running into Quantrill?" he asked. "He and his raiders were in those parts."
Mrs. Parker broke in. "Everyone's afraid of Quantrill."
Peg was startled at the deep sorrow in her eyes. It was a mirror of Miss Hennessey's expression, and she was puzzled. Here was Louis Parker, safe and sound, with his wound healing well. Shouldn't that make them happy?
Mrs. Parker got to her feet. "I'm going to wrap up some of these muffins for you to take to Mrs. Swen-son," she said. "Louis needs to rest, although I know he enjoyed your visit. We all did."
She left no doubt they were being dismissed, so Peg and Danny rose, too, accepted the muffins with thanks, and wished Mr. Psirker a complete and successful recovery.
As they climbed on Flash's back. Peg couldn't resist whispering, "Mr. Parker was telling the truth! See how wrong you were?"
no
"I see things you don't see," Danny retorted.
"Like what?"
He waited until they had left the Parkers' house behind and were back on River Road before he answered. "Like the horse."
"What horse?"
"The horse that was tied to the hitching post when we arrived."
"Oh," Peg said, surprised. "I forgot about the horse."
"Didn't you hear the back door close before we entered the kitchen? Someone left the house in a hurry when we arrived—someone who didn't want us to know he was there."
Peg took a deep breath. She could hear the determination in her voice as she said, "Then we haven't a choice. Somehow we'll need to find out who he was and why he was there."
Just as Peg had expected, Ermie was greatly displeased about Danny's escape from his bed and from his mustard plaster. She quickly stirred together a mixture for a new poultice, wrapped it in cheesecloth, and pinned it to a clean nightshirt, warning him of dire consequences if he were to leave his bed again without permission.
"But we wanted to give Mr. Parker our regards," Danny said, then tried to smother a cough.
"I've already done that," Ennie informed him, "and brought the poor man some soup, besides."
Does everyone send soup to sick people? Peg wondered. Does it really ynake them feel better?
"We even brought you some of Mrs. Parker's muffins," Danny said.
"I can do without the muffins, thank you," Ennie
112
told him. "They're a little heavy, but then Mrs. Parker doesn't have my light hand with batter nor my special receipt."
Danny gave in. "I'm sorry I disobeyed you," he said.
"And well you might be," Ennie told him. She placed a hand on his forehead. "You seem a mite feverish. I'll give you a dose of tonic."
"Not tonic, please! It's nasty-tasting stuff!"
Danny grimaced as Ennie poured a dark, clear liquid into a large spoon and held it out, making sure Danny swallowed every drop. Peg tried not to giggle at the miserable faces he was making. She had warned Danny that Ennie would be upset, and she'd been right.
Ennie kept a sharp eye on both Danny and Peg, but she did allow Peg to play draughts with Danny, read to him, and carry up countless cups of a honey and lemon juice mixture, thinned with strong tea.
She hovered so closely that Danny was unable to say any more to Peg about the Parkers until it was almost time for Peg to leave.
"Find out what you can about who that was in the Parkers' house," he whispered.
Peg sighed, wishing her visits to Danny could be uncomplicated, with no stupid suspicions to worry about. "Most likely, he was just a neighbor stopping by," she said.
"Ask."
"What if Miss Hennessey won't tell me?"
"Then find out some other way."
"How?"
Exasperated, Danny grumbled, "Stop acting so stubborn. You can be a snoop when you want to be, so figure out a plan yourself. In the meantime I'll keep an eye on the Parkers' house."
"Ennie won't let you. She'll make you stay in bed until you're better."
"Never fear, I'll be better soon. You and I, Peg— we'll do what we can to help our country win this war."
Frantic with the hopelessness of the task, Peg snapped, "Winning the war is a job for generals. You're only thirteen, and I'm eleven. How much can we do to help the Union?"
"Whatever we can. We're Kellys," he said, "and Kel-lys don't give up. Think of Mike and what he tried to do."
"Miss Hennessey is my friend," she complained. "I can't believe she's doing something to hurt the Union."
"Then prove me wrong."
"All right, Danny Kelly! You'll see! I will!"
"And don't look so scared," he called as she left his room. "You'll give yourself away."
"Oh, shut up, Danny! I am not scared!"
But she was. She was terrified of what she might find out. Peg tried to push away the questions she'd had about Miss Hennessey, but they wouldn't leave and kept darting into her thoughts like biting, stinging insects.
As Peg reluctantly dragged down the stairs, her carpetbag bumping against her legs, she thought of Mike's and Frances Mary's bravery, which Miss Hennessey had pointed out. And she thought about Megan—shy, quiet Megan—who had fought off wolves and an armed robber in order to protect her family.
And Danny, himself, who had stood up against bushwhackers who had tried to destroy the farm and take his life.
/ want to he brave like Frances and Megan and Mike and Danny, Peg told herself. Frances was
scared. She told us so. And Megan, too. But they did what they had to do, and I can, too.
Determined, she clumped down the last two stairs, hugged Ennie and Alfrid, and ran outside to climb into Miss Hennessey's buggy.
As they reached the road that would take them home. Peg sat up as straight as she could and said, "I'm glad that Mr. Parker is feeling better."
"Thank you," Miss Hennessey said.
"I hope you didn't m
ind that Danny and I paid your family a visit."
"On the contrary. You were very gracious to do so."
Peg realized she was fidgeting and clasped her hands tightly together. "Did we come when we shouldn't have? I guess we surprised you."
Miss Hennessey quickly turned toward Peg. "Why do you say that?"
Peg took a deep, shaky breath. "Because someone was at the house. He left when we got there."
"Oh? What makes you think so?"
"There was a gray spotted horse tied to the hitching post when Daimy and I rode up. When we came back outside the horse was gone."
For a moment Miss Hennessey was silent. Then she said, "As I recall, one of Louis's neighbors had come by to talk to him."
"You didn't see the neighbor?"
Miss Hennessey's eyes bore into Peg's. "Did you?"
Peg shook her head, wondering what to ask next.
Miss Hennessey quietly asked, "Does it really matter, Peg?"
"I don't know," Peg answered truthfully. How far could she go in what she told Miss Hennessey? Maybe there was a better way to find out about the Parkers'
visitor. She'd give it more thought and not continue blundering along with questions that led nowhere.
Peg glanced down a nearby hill, aware that the luster of the red-gold leaves was fading. Shivering even though her coat was warm, she said, "Winter is coming quickly. There's a real chill in the air."
"There is indeed," Miss Hennessey answered. She began to talk about the heavy snows of the previous winter and how they caused such terrible problems to soldiers in the field, who often were lacking protective clothing, such as shoes and coats.
Although Peg was frustrated that Miss Hennessey hadn't given her straightforward answers, she felt a tiny glimmer of relief that she didn't have to face problems too large right now to handle. Please, please, please! Peg agonized. What will I do if Miss Hennessey and her relatives are Confederate spies!
The ride home was uneventful, with not even a Union patrol in sight. But when Peg and Miss Hennessey arrived in St. Joseph they discovered that all that was left of the town's newspaper building was blackened rubble and the stench of burnt, wet wood.
Keeping Secrets Page 9