A Kiss for Cade (22 page)

Abraham’s eyes filled with uncertainty. “Now, Miz Laticia, I don’ think we ort do that.”

“Give me that!” she grabbed the whip back and Harry ducked and covered his head with his arms. Giving the horse a smart flick to the rump, she set the buggy in motion. The sudden lurch knocked Harry aside, throwing him into the ditch. A back wheel caught the quarantine sign and dragged it down the road.

Scrambling to his feet, Harry yelled after the departing buggy, “I said you can’t go in there!”

Zoe was about to step into the jail when the carriage whipped into town. Jumping out of the way, she gasped when she recognized the children’s great-aunt, Laticia.

“Miss Wiseman!” She caught up and ran alongside the buggy. “You’re not supposed to be here. We’re quarantined!”

“Balderdash! I’ll go where I please!”

The elderly black driver tipped his hat to Zoe as the buggy rolled to a stop in front of the merchantile. Grinning, Abraham set the brake. “How’ do, Miz Bradshaw.”

Sawyer stepped up to intervene, but Zoe waved him away.

Laticia sat straight as a board on the buggy seat, dressed as if she’d come for a funeral. Her plumed black hat was cocked to one side, and a stiffly starched collar, as black as a raven’s wing, encased her long neck like a vise. Black bodice, black skirt, black shoes, black gloves, and a black cane with an ivory head completed her depressing attire. The kids were right to hide from her. Zoe had forgotten how scary their aunt was.

As Laticia glared down her long nose at her appearance, Zoe’s mind raced with the implications of the unexpected visit. Since Laticia hadn’t come for John and Addy’s funeral, it was odd that she’d show up now.

“Miss Wiseman, there’s sickness here. You have to leave now.”

“I’m not afraid of a little thing like sickness. Abraham! Help me off this seat!”

Abraham jumped off the buggy and extended his arm to the elderly matron. “Now, you be careful, Miz Laticia. It’s a mite steep getting down.”

“Humph. I’m perfectly capable of getting out of a carriage.”

Once her feet were on the ground, and she had balanced her weight with the heavy cane, she dismissed Abraham with a sharp nod. “Go on over to the livery and wait for me there. I have business with Mrs. Bradshaw.”

“Yes’m.” Abraham shuffled off and Laticia turned to Zoe.

She felt herself shrinking under Laticia’s scrutiny. The woman had eyes like a vulture’s and the children were right. She smelled funny, as if her clothes had been stored in a dank wardrobe. “Is there something I can do for you, Miss Wiseman?”

“I came for the children.”

Zoe’s spine stiffened. “For whom?”

“My nephew John’s children. Where are they?”

“They’re playing in the back of the store—”

“Pack their belongings. They’re coming with me.” The matriarch dabbed a hanky along her jaw. “And get me a cool drink while you’re about it.”

Zoe struggled to grasp the meaning of her declaration. She was here for the children? She wanted to take them home with her? Surely she wasn’t serious.

“You want them to come for a visit?”

Moving the handkerchief to her upper lip, the old woman frowned. “News of my nephew’s death reached me only this morning.”

“I’m sorry. I sent word.”

The woman raised her cane. “I don’t fault you. I’ve been away visiting acquaintances in Wichita, but I’m back now. I will see to the children.”

“That’s absurd! Their Uncle Cade is here to see to them.”

“Piddytash.” Laticia glared. “What does that…that bounty hunter know about children?”

Loathing was so apparent in her tone that Zoe’s skin crawled. What did Laticia know about Cade? Nothing, she’d wager. Drawing up straighter, she prepared for battle. “Addy left the decision of who would raise the children up to him.”

Laticia dismissed the idea with a wave of her cane. “She obviously wasn’t thinking rationally before her death. Had she been, she would have left the children in my care.” She banged the tip of her cane on the packed dirt road. “Now, off with you! Bring me my great-nieces and nephews! Abraham doesn’t like to be out after dark.”

“But Miss Wiseman—”

“No buts! Bring those children to me!”

Zoe’s cheeks warmed when she realized Laticia’s strident words had attracted a crowd. When she saw Cade crossing the street, relief flooded her. She held her breath as she watched the elderly lady’s demeanor stiffen as he approached.

“Cade Kolby. The prodigal son returns,” Laticia scoffed.

He glanced at Zoe. She shrugged. She didn’t know what to say. All she could do was hope Cade could intimidate the grouchy curmudgeon.

“Miss Wiseman,” Cade began, “are you aware that the town is—”

“I am not muddled. I know the town is quarantined. I’ll leave as soon as you bring the children. Now do it!”

Cade frowned. “What children?”

“John’s children.”

“Addy’s children are staying right here.”

Laticia whacked the post above his head. “Don’t be impertinent with me, young man.”

Zoe turned to locate the sudden sound of cursing. Harry hobbled up, dragging the quarantine sign with him. “Crazy old fool. Knocked the fence down and drug the warning halfway to town!”

Lifting both hands, Zoe called a halt to the fiasco. “Everyone, calm down. Miss Wiseman, come inside, and we’ll discuss the matter over a glass of lemonade.”

“Stop wasting my time, young lady. Get the children.”

“The kids aren’t going anywhere.” Cade stepped up on the porch, dodging the woman’s flailing cane. He seized her arm and ushered her inside the store. Zoe followed. The screen door banged shut behind them.

Brody and Will spotted their aunt, jumped to their feet, and bolted toward the back door, screaming.

Zoe ran ahead and blocked their path. “Stop right there!”

“It’s her!” Brody shouted, trying to squirm around Zoe.

“It’s the old witch!” Will screamed.

Kneeling, Zoe gathered the boys to her, attempting to calm their fears. “Your father’s aunt isn’t here to harm you.” Zoe never approved of the way John had tormented his children with Laticia’s imminent presence.

Addy had always gently reminded her husband that Laticia was family and shouldn’t be used as a threat, but there was no denying that John’s method of discipline, if not exactly fair, had proved infinitely more effective than a hickory switch. The children regarded their great-aunt as Lucifer—a very unpleasant, musty-smelling evil—and Zoe could see why.

“Boys, say hello to your Great-Aunt Laticia,” Zoe prodded. Their mouths fell open, but no sound came out. “Girls,” she called. No answer. “Girls! Are you in here?”

Zoe ushered the boys to kitchen chairs. “Sit here while I find your sisters.” She poured Laticia a glass of lemonade. “Please sit down, Miss Wiseman. I’m sure you’d like a rest after your trip.”

“I’m not here to socialize.” The elderly matron wrapped her gnarled fingers around the glass and took a long, noisy gulp. Her lips curled, and Zoe cringed.

“Not enough sugar. Nobody knows how to make lemonade anymore.”

“Sit down, Laticia.” Cade pulled out a chair for her. “What is this about the children going with you?”

“It’s Miss Wiseman to you, young man.” She squinted, her eyes pinning him. “Never could figure out how you and Addy were kin. She had a brain.”

Cade poured lemonade for Will and Brody. Zoe cleared her throat. “Do you know where the girls are, Cade?”

“I haven’t seen them. I’ve been trying to talk Bonnie out of going home.”

Zoe shook her head, scooped up a stack of clean towels from the kitchen counter, and walked into the bedroom to search for the girls. She needed a moment alone. Her gaze centered on a huge lump in her bedspread. Butch! That dog had gotten into her bed again. She set the towels on a shelf and yanked back the spread.

Holly and Missy, heads down, huddled together in the middle of the mattress.

“What are you doing here?” Zoe whispered. “Aunt Laticia has come to see you.”

The girls grabbed her around the waist and clung tight. “No, Zoe. Tell her we’re sick,” Holly pleaded.

“Tell hew we wan away,” Missy cried.

She gathered the girls to her. “Girls, there is nothing to be afraid of. She loves you. She’s just…she’s just…”

“Smelly?” Holly offered.

“I was going to say ‘different.’ She’s different.” Actually she was smelly, but Zoe couldn’t encourage the description.

She returned to the kitchen with the girls in tow to find Laticia and Cade embroiled in heated debate. Seating Holly and Missy beside their stone-faced brothers, she turned to Laticia. “More lemonade, Miss Wiseman?”

The woman handed Zoe her empty glass. “The children should be with family. The Brightons may be fine people, but they’re not family.”

“There is another alternative,” Zoe offered, glancing at Cade as she poured. “One that I wish you both would seriously consider.”

“And what might that be?” Laticia’s hostile look gave Zoe chills.

“Let me have them.”

“Humph! Haven’t you been listening? I said
family
should have them. You’re not family.” Laticia’s stare intensified. “You need to find yourself another husband and have your own babies.”

Zoe refused to look at Cade. She didn’t want to see that “keep quiet” look on his face. She was sick of everyone telling her to have her own babies. If she could, she would have had a dozen by now.

Cade broke in. “You’re absolutely right, Laticia. The kids should be with family. I’m family, and I will keep them.”

Zoe lifted unbelieving brows.

Cade squared his shoulders and crossed his arms over his chest. “Until things settle down here.”

“And then what?” the woman demanded.

“That’s my problem. Have Abraham take you home.”

Laticia’s cane came down with a whack against the floor, startling all four children a good half foot off their seats.

“I’ll stay in this town as long as I want, young man. It’ll take more than the likes of you to make me leave.” She whirled to look at the children, giving each one a good once-over. “You, there.” She pointed to Holly. “Come here and give your auntie a kiss.”

Laticia tapped an arthritic finger against her cheek. Zoe nodded for Holly to comply. The girl slowly got up from her chair and walked stiff legged toward the woman. She stayed as far away as she could while still bending to reach her aunt’s cheek, where one stray black hair protruded. Zoe’s stomach turned over. The children watched, repulsion shining in their eyes.

Springing to their rescue, Zoe suggested, “Children, why don’t you take a glass of lemonade over to the livery for Abraham? He’s probably very thirsty by now.”

“Yeah!” Brody yelled, jumping up from the table. “Mighty thirsty!”

The other three scrambled to see who could get out the door the fastest while Brody quickly grabbed up the pitcher of lemonade.

“Don’t stay too long,” Zoe called as the screen door slammed behind them. She turned back to Laticia. “Perhaps I can make arrangements with Gracie Willis for you to stay the night in her guest room.”

“Gracie who?”

“The mayor’s wife.”

“Oh, yes. Gracie. The mayor’s wife.” The spinster ran pointed fingernails through the sides of her gray hair, then rearranged her hairnet. “Yes, I believe I could be comfortable at the mayor’s house.”

“Well, then. I’ll run over and let Gracie know to expect you shortly.” Zoe rested her hand on Cade’s shoulder for strength. “Would you mind taking Miss Wiseman’s things to Gracie’s?”

Laticia butted in. “Don’t have ‘things.’ Don’t need ‘things.’ I got what I have on. I don’t plan on doing anything to get dirty.”

Zoe squelched a fleeting thought. She would love to catch Laticia out of those clothes so she could launder them. Laundry. Heavens! She had patients’ sheets to wash tonight!

Chapter Twenty-Eight

G
racie, I’m sorry to ask, but I don’t have any room for her to stay with me.”

“It’s no trouble, dear. One night with Laticia Wiseman won’t kill us.” Gracie laughed as she set out the coffee service.

“I’m not so sure. She’s pretty domineering.”