She set the toys on the shelf in Hyacinth’s room.
Her niece sat on her bed. “Can I come out yet?”
“Not until I say so. You play in here and think about how to be a good girl.”
Garnet went down to the kitchen and finished preparing the noon meal. When it was ready to eat, she took a plate to her niece. “You eat in here. I don’t think Grandpa and Grandma want to see you right now.”
She walked down the hall and knocked on the Millers’ door. “Dinner is ready.” Without waiting for them, she returned to the kitchen. They could come or not, she didn’t care.
She sat at the table. When the two guests came downstairs both looked sheep-faced. They took their seats.
“Since Adam isn’t here, I’ll say grace.”
Dear Heavenly Father, hallowed by Thy name. Thank you for delivering Hyacinth and Joey from an evil man and preserving Adam’s life. Bless those who are about to partake of this nourishment and those of this household who are absent from this table. Amen.
After they’d eaten in silence for a few minutes, Eunice cleared her throat. “I’d forgotten how demanding caring for a small child can be. All the bending and stooping is tiring.”
Garnet wasn’t buying that excuse. “I’ve always believed Hyacinth and Joey were easily cared for compared to other children.”
Harold harrumphed. “They’re spoiled.”
“What would you have them do? Be seen but not heard? No playing on Sunday? No laughing, no joy? Is that your opinion of the correct way to raise a child?”
Harold pointed his fork at her. “We know our Christian duty. ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child’ is what the Bible says.”
“It also says ‘suffer the little children to come unto me for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ Don’t you quote things out of context, Harold Miller. I know the Bible as well or better than you do. Nowhere in the Bible does it say to be cruel to children.”
Harold sent her a surly glare before he turned his attention to his food. As soon as the meal was over, Eunice helped clear the table.
Garnet regretted the whole bath episode. “Were you injured when you fell?”
“I’m sure I’ll be sore tomorrow but there’s no permanent damage done. The experience reminded me I’m twenty five years older than when Dessie was Hyacinth’s age.”
“Why don’t you go up and rest and I’ll finish the dishes.”
Eunice dried her hands on a towel. “If you’re sure you don’t mind, I’m still tired from that sedative.”
Garnet quickly finished cleaning the kitchen. She didn’t want to go to the parlor and talk to Harold. There was no mending waiting and she’d finished Hyacinth’s sweater. Besides, her knitting was in the parlor. The only outlet left for her nervous energy was to bake.
***
Once they were at the livery, Adam arranged to keep his horses and mule there and store his camping gear. He took his saddlebags and rifle with him and he and Joey walked back to the café.
He arrived to find Garnet seated in the kitchen munching on a cookie.
“Smells good in here. Why aren’t you in the parlor or resting?”
“You missed lunch but I saved you each a plate.” She rose and walked to the range. “Eunice is resting.”
She turned back and tried to make light of the situation. “She wanted to give Hyacinth a bath. I think she’d forgotten how fussy her granddaughter is about everything being just so. I guess Harold is reading. Someone gave him a Denver paper. He took it up with him.”
When the two males were eating, she filled them in on the whole bath debacle. “Hyacinth is probably asleep. I made her eat in her room.”
Adam dug into his food. “Raising kids is work, even good kids like Joey and Hyacinth.”
“I suppose but I’ve never considered them work. They require extra time and supervision, but I enjoy them.”
Joey swallowed. “Thanks, Garnet. We like being with you and Adam. Can I go upstairs now?”
“You need a bath. I’ll be up in a few minutes. I want to talk to Adam a bit first.”
Joey went upstairs.
Tears welled in her eyes. “Oh, Adam, what will I do if I lose them?”
He stood and pulled her into his embrace. “Honey, their grandparents got a taste of what caring for children can be. They needed that dose of reality to show them they’re not as young as they were when their children were this age.”
She buried her face against his broad chest. “Eunice mentioned she realized that fact even though she thinks the children are spoiled. Harold thinks Joey and Hyacinth need to have their hides tanned.”
“He’d better not try in front of me is all I can say.”
She raised her head. “Thank you. Talking with you always makes me feel better.”
“Come on, let’s go up there.” Holding her hand, he led her to the stairs.
In the parlor, Joey was telling his grandfather about finding the camp and animals.
Harold held his paper. “You liked riding a horse, did you?”
“I did but Adam kept the reins in case something scared the horse. I held on to the pom… pommel. We brought Brandy and Mossy and two other horses to the livery.”
Harold raised his eyebrows. “Is one of them going to be your horse?”
Joey shook his head. “Naw, horses are a big respon’bility. I’ll have to know how to take care of one before I can own one. Adam said he and Garnet have to talk and I’ll have to be a little older.”
Harold chuckled and looked at Adam. “Learned that lesson, did you?”
Adam laughed. “Sure did. Not making promises unless Garnet and I discuss the matter first.”
Garnet felt the heat from a blush spread across her face. “Joey, you need a bath.”
Adam stood. “I’ll supervise then it’s my turn. We both smell like horses, right, Joey? I’m surprised your aunt let us inside the building.”
Joey laughed at Adam’s comment.
She really couldn’t be civil to Harold right now. “If you’ll excuse me, Harold, I’m still overtired from the stress of yesterday. I’m going to lie down a while.”
Chapter Twenty Three
That night in their room, Garnet crawled under the cover. “They asked for a detailed explanation of what happened yesterday. I wish I hadn’t now but I confessed you’d come here to get Frank.”
“Nothing wrong with that. Hyacinth’s bath sounds like a major debacle.”
She snapped to defend herself, “It was but that’s not all my fault. Harold was out of line.”
He slid between the covers. “Hey, I didn’t blame you.”
“Sorry. Guess I’m feeling guilty. You know I have a temper but I usually do a better job of controlling myself. Oh, Adam, think how hard Dessie must have been whipped as a child to still have scars as an adult.”
“Bad enough he treated her like that. Now I know he’d do the same to Hyacinth and Joey, I’ll find it hard to be civil to him. Makes me wonder if he’s treated Eunice the same way. There ought to be laws protecting children and wives.”
“Oh, I hadn’t considered his treatment of Eunice. If his temper is that harsh, he probably has taken it out on her too.”
“I’ve no respect for a man who hits a woman or a child. I don’t mean a light spanking to a child where there’s no physical damage. Still, we don’t punish Joey or Hyacinth that way.”
“They were already trained when I met them. I’ve merely continued as their parents had. Joe worked such long hours, mostly Dessie cared for them.”
Adam laid an arm across her waist and kissed her temple. “Don’t worry any more. We’ll keep them. Snuggle down and get some sleep. Café opens early.”
***
Monday Garnet was busy. Some people who’d come for the Harvest Festival had stayed over until today. She was grateful for the extra customers.
Being so rushed left no time to worry about Eunice and Harold. The children were in school and Adam helped her. The Mille
rs were left to entertain themselves on their own.
On one trip to the kitchen, Garnet stopped to talk to Adam. “I saw the Millers walk in front of the café. Do you know where they were going?”
He flipped a steak in the skillet. “Not a clue. You’ve kept me so busy I hardly spoke to them. After you told me Harold thought Hyacinth needed her hide tanned, I’ve had to force myself to be civil. I hope they stay gone all day.”
They didn’t but it was evening before Garnet and Adam had time to share a conversation with the Millers. They sat at the kitchen table after the café closed.
Joey worked on his times tables while Hyacinth practiced printing her letters.
Joey looked at Adam. “You think it’s gonna snow soon?”
He nodded. “I do. If we don’t have a blizzard by the end of the week, I’ll be surprised.”
Eunice sent Harold a glance. “I hope snow doesn’t arrive before Wednesday. That’s when we’re leaving.”
Garnet set slices of apple pie for each person. “There won’t be enough to prevent your trip. You only have to get to Curdys Crossing to reach the rail lines.”
Harold laid a hand on Joey’s shoulder. “You have a suitcase for the trip?”
Joey shook his head. “Grandpa, Garnet said I have to respect you and Grandma but I’m not going to live with you. Hyacinth and I want to stay with Garnet and Adam.”
His grandfather frowned. “Don’t you know children do as they’re told?”
“I do what Garnet and Adam tell me.” He looked at Garnet. “I’m trying not to be rude, Garnet, but I want to stay with you.”
Seated on Joey’s other side, Adam laid his hand on Joey’s back. “You’re staying here. Remember, we told you Garnet talked to an important lawyer.”
Her nephew smiled. “I didn’t forget. When Grandpa and Grandma talk like we have to go with them, it scares me.”
Eunice reached across the table to squeeze Joey’s hand. “We don’t want to scare you. Why does the thought of going to live with Grandpa and me frighten you?”
Joey laid his pencil on the paper. “Mama talked about growing up with you. She told me things you did to punish her and what she’d done to deserve it.”
The boy shook his head. “Mama was right. It was too much for a little girl. She didn’t want to visit you. We only came because she wanted to say goodbye to her Grandma.”
“Our own daughter didn’t want to visit us?” Eunice took out her handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. “Did you hear that, Harold?”
He slumped in his chair. “I did but I don’t understand. We did our best raising our three but none of them wants to be around us. We gave them a good home with all they needed. They’re ungrateful.”
Garnet couldn’t help sympathy for the couple, misguided as they were. “You left out several ingredients.”
Harold snapped, “Such as?”
Garnet looked from Eunice to Harold. “Compassion, joy, and love.”
Eunice leaned forward. “I’ll have you know we love each of our children.”
Adam asked, “How often have you told them? How do you show your love?”
Eunice spluttered, “I don’t have to tell them. Mothers love their children, they know that. We showed our love by providing them with food and clothing and a safe place to live.”
Garnet held out both hands. “The point of this discussion is to tell you that Adam and I will go to court if necessary in order to insure we have custody of Joey and Hyacinth.”
Harold stood. “I don’t have to listen to this. Eunice, are you coming?”
His wife rose slowly. “Yes, Harold, I’m coming with you. Maybe that’s part of the problem—I always follow your lead.” She nodded and turned to walk to the stairs.
Garnet put her elbows on the table and cradled her head in her hands. “That was unpleasant. Tomorrow is the last day they’ll be here. We should try to keep it as pleasant as possible.”
Joey looked up. “But we won’t have to go with them, will we?”
She shook her head. “No, dear. You and Hyacinth will stay here with Adam and me. Right now, it’s time for two children I know to get in bed.”
Hyacinth stood. “You’ll read us a story, won’t you?”
“I’ll be up in a few minutes and will read to you.”
When the children had climbed the stairs, Garnet turned to Adam. “We didn’t settle matters. If anything, all we did was generate animosity. I dread tomorrow and until the stage leaves Wednesday.”
“Everything will work out all right. Eunice and Harold have to realize you and I can do a better job raising Hyacinth and Joey than they can. In the meantime, let’s go put the kids to bed.”
Chapter Twenty Four
Breakfast began with the Millers’ silence. Adam joked with the children and kept the conversation going. Garnet admired the way he acted with her niece and nephew. “Whose turn to turn the sign to Open?”
“Mine.” Hyacinth raced to the dining room.
Garnet tilted her head. “Wasn’t it her turn last time?”
Joey grinned. “Yeah, but she likes to so much I let her have extra turns.”
Garnet hugged him. “You are such a wonderful boy.”
She had food going by the time the bell over the front door dinged that the first diner had arrived.
When she returned to the kitchen, Garnet carried the coffeepot. “Would you care for more coffee?” She hovered the coffeepot over Harold’s cup.
“Thank you.” He pushed his empty breakfast plate away.
Good meal and I’m stuffed.”
Eunice cleared her throat and sent her husband a meaningful stare.
Harold tugged at his ear lobe. “Yes, well, my wife and I talked things over. Frankly, she talked and I listened but she convinced me. We believe you two will make the best guardians for our grandchildren.”
Euphoria filled Garnet. “Thank you. You’ve made the right decision.”
Adam shook Harold’s hand. “Indeed you have. You won’t regret your choice. You have my word on that.”
Joey and Hyacinth cheered and hugged Garnet.
Her nephew pulled away and looked at his grandparents. “We don’t want to hurt your feelings or be rude, Grandma and Grandpa. We really like living with Garnet and Adam.”
Garnet had been in and out of the kitchen while Adam manned the range.
She laid a hand on the head of each child. “Time for school. There’s a cold wind today so be sure you wear your hats.”
Hyacinth pouted. “That old hat musses my hair.”
Adam tugged at her curls. “Princess Hyacinth, you don’t want to be sick.” He picked her up and tickled her stomach. “You could catch something that would make your hair fall out.”
She giggled. “Okay, I’ll wear that hat.”
He set Hyacinth on the floor then Adam laid his hand on Joey’s shoulder. “When you get home from school, do you want to go with me to check on the horses and Mossy?”
Joey’s eyes lit up. Not just his eyes. His entire face beamed. “Can I? That’d be great.”
“I’ll wait until you’re here before I go check on them.”
The children left for school.
During her between-meal slow down, Garnet sat at the table.
Harold looked at her. “I’m concerned about your life when you’re snowed in this winter. How will you survive?”
Garnet met his gaze. “I have some savings put by for the winter months but we have simple needs. The main thing I have to buy is coal. I’ve already stocked up on that and have enough for a year.”
She peeked into the dining room to check on customers then returned to the table. “We have plenty of food and get beef and swine year round from the nearby Rafter O Ranch. Our winter clothes are warm. I’ll only serve breakfast and lunch. With the extra time, we play games, read, knit and sew, and visit with one another in town.”
Eunice surveyed the room. “This is more comfortable than I remembered from when we were here
several years ago.”
Garnet assessed the kitchen. She loved this place. “Michael and his first wife spent her inheritance on this building. They weren’t practical but his wife had excellent taste and expected quality. The children and I are reaping the rewards.”
Adam ambled toward them then sat at the table. “Ahem, you forget me?”
Garnet smiled and caressed his arm. “Never. How could you think I’d forget you, Mr. Bennett?”
She hadn’t included him because she believed he’d soon be leaving, especially since the Millers agreed not to fight for custody. She’d always be grateful to Adam. She dreaded the day he would leave.
She couldn’t think about him going away on this day when she had so much for which to be grateful. Frank would never bother anyone again. The Millers weren’t battling for custody. Adam didn’t die when the crater opened. The children weren’t physically harmed when they were kidnapped.
***
When time came for the Millers to catch the stage, the wind was bitter. Overhead the sky was steel gray.
Adam set a suitcase on the boardwalk near the stage and extended his hand to Harold. “Looks like you’re leaving just in time to avoid being stuck here for the winter.”
Harold shook Adam’s hand. “Appreciate your hospitality but we’re ready to go home.”
“I understand. There’s nothing better than being in your own bed at night.”
Garnet handed them a basket. “This will feed you for a couple of days. If you don’t run into trouble, that should get you home.”
A wide smile graced Eunice’s face. “Thank you. I don’t like the stage or train stop food. This will be welcome.”
Two men Adam didn’t recognize climbed on top of the stage. He knew Ben was in charge of the Wells Fargo office and that’s why he no longer rode shotgun.
The new driver leaned down. “Everyone who’s riding with me, get aboard.”
When the Millers and two other passengers were inside, the driver snapped the reins. “Yee Haw.”
Adam stood with his arm around Garnet and waved at the departing stage. She fit perfectly in his arms. Keeping his hands—and other parts—to himself every night had been a test of his endurance.
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