Robin (12 page)

TWELVE

              Robin pulled her sleeping gown over her head and sat on the edge of the bed to survey her choice of apparel for the next day. A pair of stiff-looking britches hung across the back of the chair, and a blue long-sleeved shirt rested on top of them. Under that, hidden from Jacob’s sight, lay gray stockings and a pair of men’s
underwear, of all things.
She vehemently opposed such a purchase, but Emma convinced her the new britches left no room for the fancy tucks and lace
she was accustomed to wearing.

              She fluffed her pillow and propped it against the head of the ornately carved bed. The letter from William and the bank could no longer be ignored. Wren said he acted like having her address was very important. It could only mean one thing, but how would they ever come up with more than the pitiful little they paid each month to satisfy Papa’s debtors? Could she dare approach Uncle John?

              She tucked her gown under her feet and slid her finger under the seal.

            
 
My Dear Robin:

              Dear? Did all requests for money begin so . . . familiar
?

              It saddened me to learn of your departure to Kansas before I had the opportunity to make known my wishes, once again. After much cajoling and—I’m afraid—becoming rather a nuisance, I got your sisters to agree to give me your Uncle John’s address.

              I’ve had ample time to reflect on our last meeting and am embarrassed and ashamed at the way I conducted myself. I chose my words with little regard as to how they might sound to you. To assume that you would agree to become my wife at a time when you mourned your father’s impending death was most inconsiderate of me, and I beg your forgiveness.

              Robin sighed. Papa had been gone nine months. There’d been ample time for Mr. Benson to contact her before she left Chicago. It wasn’t the timing, or the choice of words—it was the lack of them.

            
 
I can only hope you will be willing to see me again, and perhaps reconsider my proposal of marriage. It would not be fair for me to assume you would give an answer without a proper courting. Therefore, I have seen fit to purchase a ticket to come to you. I shall arrive in Cedar Bluff on July 1 and will plan to stay one month. I have also purchased two return tickets to Chicago and will flatter myself to think that, by the end of my stay, you will make a favorable decision to accompany me home.

Until then, I remain

Sincerely, William Arthur Benson, III

              Robin closed her eyes and lay back against her pillow. William was coming to Kansas? One month. Could one month accomplish what twenty-two years failed to do? William, her forever friend and protector, now desired her to consider becoming his wife? Never once, even with his proposal, did he mention loving her. Oh, he brought her punch and sat sipping on the sidelines with her while they watched their friends dip and twirl the night away. And one year, at the school’s annual ice-skating event at Manning’s pond, he pretended to have a sprained ankle so she needn’t huddle around the fire alone. Yet, he never mentioned love.

              Daily, Papa had loudly proclaimed his affection for Mama. She would blush and fuss
—
Lionel Wenghold, the neighbors will think you a madman
.
And his reply remained the same until the day Mama died
—
Ah, my dear Margaret, without question I am mad. Madly in love with the loveliest girl to ever grace the streets of Chicago
.
Then he would pull Mama to her feet, tell her he loved her more that day than yesterday and kiss her soundly on the mouth, against her protests that it was indecent behavior in the presence of their impressionable daughters. Robin and Wren had eagerly awaited this evening ritual, but Lark would push her glasses higher on her nose, turn away, and scold the sisters for giggling.

              Robin stuffed the letter back into the envelope and slipped it under the picture of the Wenghold sisters on the table by her bedside. She blew out her lamp, padded in her bare feet, and knelt by the open window. A soft, warm breeze billowed the lace curtains. She pushed them behind her shoulders to gaze across the prairie unhindered. If God answered prayer, this would be the time to ask Him for guidance. But she’d not bother Him.

              She propped her elbows on the sill and cupped her chin in her hands. The moon gleamed full and bright across the grass. How far could one see on such a night? Forever, it seemed. As her eyes adjusted to the distance, a lone rider emerged from the shadows beyond the barn. Thankful for the darkness of her room, she watched until the silhouette melted into the night. Then she scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding as she grabbed her wrapper. She’d not told Uncle John about the dog. She must tell him about the stranger.

              Robin trailed one hand along the wall while descending the stairs. In Chicago she knew the number of steps and could navigate them even in the dark, but she’d not yet mastered it here.

              “Robin?” Uncle John’s voice drifted through the open door. “Don’t light a lamp. I’m on the porch leanin’ against the wall if you care to join me, but I’m not hankerin’ to be seen right now.”

              She stepped onto the porch and made sure the door didn’t slam behind her. “Then you’re aware—?”

              “Yeah, was watchin’ him. Didn’t do much but sit.”

              “Did you recognize him?” Robin strained to read her uncle’s face in the dim light. Most of the time, his eyes spoke volumes more than his words.

              “It weren’t Ty, that’s for sure.”

              “Could it be the stranger he had with him last night?”

              Her uncle shrugged “Don’t know. Haven’t seed that man enough to tell from afar. Funny thing how you get used to the way a fella sits a horse and can tell, even from a distance, if it’s a body ya know.” He led her to the swing. “Here, sit a spell. Been doin’ me some more thinkin.”

              Robin moaned. “Uncle John, I don’t much like it when you think.”

              He chuckled. “I been thinkin’ on how I don’t want you strayin’ too far away from the house. I know I told ya I wanted help out and about, but—well, seein’ as how this fella come a snoopin’ around here tonight, and we still don’t know nothin’ for sure about Jacob’s pa, I think it best you stick close.”

              “Couldn’t we work together? You said your mama helped your papa every day. Did he stay with her all the time?” Robin put her foot down to keep the swing from swaying.

              “My pa wouldn’t allow her to work out on the prairie all by herself. No sirree, she stayed within his look-see most all the time. Me and your pa right there, too.”

              “Then why can’t we make it work like that? In Chicago, we three sisters divided chores. I know I have a lot to learn, but you can teach me. I’m a quick learner. And I’m stronger than you think, Uncle John. I limp, but I can work hard. And Jacob isn’t too young to have chores.”

              “You’d be willing to do that, girly? I think it only fair ya know I ain’t completely given up on the hope of findin’ ya a husband. Don’t know how I’m gonna work it—being as how you won’t let me mail out that notice—but I’m most certain gonna try.”

              “There’s something you need to know.” She studied her hands. “I received two letters when I picked up the mail today. One from my sisters, and the other one from William Benson.”

             
“
Th
e
William Benson what wanted you to marry him before you came here?” John frowned. “And what did the young man have to say? Did he want you to hightail it back to the big city?”

              “No, William plans to come here. He wants to court me.”

              John jumped to his feet, and the swing flung in a crazy swaying motion. Robin’s head thumped against the wooden slats.

              “He’s coming here? To the Feather? And when is this blessed event going to take place?”

              Robin rubbed her head and put her foot down to stop the swing and settle her queasy stomach. “He says he’ll arrive in Cedar Bluff on July 1. He plans to stay one month and hopes I will agree to return to Chicago with him at the end of that time.” Thank goodness she couldn’t see her uncle’s eyes. No doubt they were shooting fire.

              John punched at the porch post. “Well, now, isn’t this a fine feather on granny’s bonnet? And what are we supposed to do with a tenderfoot from Chicago for a whole month, I’d like to know.”

              Robin went to her uncle. “I’m a tenderfoot from Chicago, Uncle John. You have two weeks to break me in before the next one comes.” She giggled and squeezed his arm. “And before you get any silly notions, I have no intention of making a snap decision. There’s too much at stake—my sisters, Jacob, and—”

              “And what, girly?” He put his arm around her shoulders. “Are you terrible disappointed that Blair woman came when she did?”

              “I was thinking of you, Uncle John. As silly as it sounds, and as crazy as I think you are, I rather like it here. And I don’t know what William will think of Jacob. There’s so much more to consider than merely agreeing to become Mrs. William Arthur Benson the Third.”

              John turned her shoulders toward the door. “You’ll have to admit—that’s an impressive mouthful. What say we go in and finish this discussion over a glass of warm milk.”

              Robin wrinkled her nose. “Cold buttermilk sounds better to me. I think there’s still some hanging in the well.”

              “You go on in, I’ll fetch it. Never could pass me up a good cold glass of buttermilk.”

              “What if that man is still out in the shadows somewhere?”

              He stepped off the porch, silhouetted by moonlight, and cocked his head. “Hear them night birds a chirpin’? And them coyotes a barkin’? Them’s all signs there ain’t nobody around. Ya gotta learn to listen, so when it’s too dark to see ya still know what’s goin’ on. God made them creatures a whole lot smarter than He made most men. Take my word for it.”

              Robin clenched her hands. This morning she’d planned to leave, and tonight she longed to stay? Not that she wanted him to find her a husband. But Uncle John reminded her of Pa. And she loved her pa.

              “Uncle John, there’s something else I should tell you.”

              “Land’s sake, girl. You’re gettin’ downright chatty. What is it now?”

              “I stopped at the grave of Jacob’s mama today on the way home. While I was there, a dog came. He wasn’t wild or anything, but I . . . had a strange feeling someone was watching me.”

              “You didn’t see nobody?”

              “No. I didn’t wait around though. I didn’t want to say anything before, but now since that man was out there . . .”

              “Don’t know as the two is addin’ up to more than one, but I don’t want you a goin’ off by yourself again. You need somethin’ from town, I’ll go with you. Ain’t gonna leave you here alone, neither. Now, let’s have us that there cold drink before we say our good nights.”

###

John whistled as he made his way to the well. So the banker’s son was thinkin’ he could ride in here and court Robin away. Proud fella, wasn’t he? One month wasn’t a lot of time to come up with a plan, but he was sure gonna try. It helped to know Robin didn’t want to leave. It would give him a whole lot more comfort if Miss Blair would leave. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if the bo
y
ha
d
drawn his picture on the back of that notice. Might make the preacher quit straddlin’ the fence.

              A dribble fell from the bucket he’d pulled from the well and plinked in the water below. He frowned. Funny how one little drip of water would be loud enough for him to hear it plink. It was quiet as a church. Had he let his guard down too soon?

              Something hit his leg hard, and he jumped.

              “John, it’s me . . . Ty.”

              He dipped his shoulder toward the direction of Ty’s voice.

              “No, don’t let on I’m here.” Ty kept his voice low. “Keep pulling on the rope and listen.”

              John rubbed the spot on his shin. “What’d ya pitch at me, a boulder?”

              “I’ve been following a fella but lost him somewhere not far from here. Have you seen anything or anyone?”

              “You lost him? You gettin’ old, Ty? There was a time you could’ve tracked dirt in a dust storm.”

              “Crazy horse spooked.”

              “Throw ya, did he?” John chuckled and busied himself with the bucket emerging from the well.

              “No, he didn’t throw me, but I had to run him in circles to settle him down. You didn’t answer my question. Did you see anyone?”

              “As a matter of fact, I did. So did Robin. Fella sat out by the barn for a spell then sorta disappeared into the shadows. Didn’t seem to be in any hurry, or mind that he might be seen. First thing came to my mind was this Sam guy. Don’t it seem funny we’d have two strangers hangin’ around all of a sudden?” He lowered the bucket.