Robin (26 page)

“What I figger is, Doc will let us know when and if we can see the little gal.”

“You aim to keep me out of my own home?”

“If that’s what it takes to keep you from causin’ commotion. That’s my niece in there. I ain’t proud that I never knowed her ‘til a few weeks ago, but I don’t aim to let you two hotheads do nothin’ that will make it worse for her. Now tell me, Benson—did ya get the telegram off to her sisters?”

William pulled two stools from their nails on the wall and handed one to Ty.

“I did. They should be here by Sunday."

THIRTY

              Robin fought to surface from the deep pit that threatened to suck her into its depths. Noises from somewhere vibrated through her body, and her head throbbed. Angry voices sounded familiar. She tried to open her eyes and strained to climb through the fog that clouded her vision.

              Where was she? If she yelled, would anyone hear her? She tried to call out, but her head hurt with the effort. She pulled her arms from whatever encased them and her hand struck something hard and cold, then the crash of splintering glass broke the silence. The door opened, and she made out the unmistakable form of Emma Ledbetter.

              “Goodness, child. What a way to wake up. You needn’t have thrown the lamp you know.” Emma stooped and kissed her forehead. “But it’s worth anything you broke to see your pretty eyes open.”

              Robin reached for her head, but Emma caught her hands.

              “Don’t take the bandage away, Robin. You fell from John’s wagon. Do you remember?”

              Robin closed her eyes. “Emma? Where am I? Why are you here? I heard angry voices. It sounded like Uncle John. And . . .” She wanted to rub her head to take away the pain but Emma gripped her hands.

              “Yes, John was one of them. But don’t fret, sweet girl. Everything is all right. You keep resting. I’ll be right here. Doc had Ty move a bed into the room so I can be close.”

              She turned her head and tried to make the room come into focus. “I’m at Ty’s?” A flash of memory came and her pulse raced. “Where’s Jacob?”

              “He’s with the hands at the bunkhouse. He’s fine. All the men will look out for him.”

              “Emma, was there a man trying to get Jacob?” A tear slid down her face and trickled into her ear. If only she could make her brain put all the pieces together.

              “There was a stranger, but we don’t think he meant any harm to Jacob. It was a good thing he was there, too. William sent him back here for help after you fell.”

            
 
William
.
His was one of the voices she heard—William and Ty and Uncle John. “Is William still here? And where’s Uncle John?”

              Emma smiled and wiped Robin’s face with a damp cloth. “The last time I saw him he was scolding Ty and William all the way down the stairs.”

              “Why?” Robin pushed the covers away. “Where’s Jacob?”

              Emma cradled Robin’s head. “I told you, sweetheart. Jacob’s with some of Ty’s men. They’re taking good care of him.” She lowered Robin’s head to the pillow. “Now, promise me you’ll stay quiet while I go fetch Doc. He’ll want to see you now that you’re awake. Promise?”

              “Oh, Emma. I don’t have the strength to do anything but shut my eyes. But I want to see Jacob.”

              “Don’t know as Doc will let anybody that rambunctious up here yet, but I’ll put in a word for the boy.”

              The door clicked behind Emma, and Robin squinted through bleary eyes. The room had yellow walls—like sunshine. Her room at home had yellow walls, too.

              She clutched at the covers as she felt herself slip into the pit again
.
I don’t want to fall. It’s so far down and so hard to get back to the top. I want to go home
.
As she spiraled, her own voice taunted
.
Home? Where’s home?

###

John moved from the wall when Emma came into the barn hightailin’ toward him. Tears rolling down her face could mean only one thing—something happened to Robin. With two steps he met her and gathered her to him with one arm while she sobbed.

              Ty and William jumped to their feet, their faces white.

              “Oh, John,” Emma’s voice cracked.

              John put his other arm around her. One hand patted her back. “Emma girl. Is Robin . . . ?”

              She nodded and dust flew as both younger men bolted for the door. John wanted to join them, to get to his niece as quickly as possible, but he still held Emma in his arms.

              “When?” He croaked out the words.

              “Shortly after you came out here with Ty and William.” She stepped away from him and pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve. “Robin wants to see Jacob.”

              John held the woman at arm’s length. What did she just say? “She wants to see Jacob? Then she isn’t . . . she didn’t . . . ?” He pulled her to him once again, sagging with relief.

              A long minute later, Emma was still clutched to his chest. He could get used to his arms being full of this woman real fast. “I thought you was a tellin’ me that she done—that she was gone for good.”

              Emma leaned away to look at him. “Oh, heavens, no, John!”

              “Land’s sake, Emma girl. I thought my heart was gonna stop right there.”

              She wiped her eyes on the front of his shirt. “You love that little girl, don’t you, John Wenghold?”

              He kept one arm around her while he fished in his pocket for his bandana. Sure would be nice if he didn’t make such a snort when he blew his nose, but likely she’d understand. “I surely do. Funny how she sorta hobbled her way in, you know? But I’m thinkin’ we better put them boys’ hearts to rest. The way they lit out of here, I reckon they’s thinkin’ she’s dead, too.”

              Emma slipped her arm around his waist as they walked to the house. “Doc was going into the house when I came to get you. I reckon he’ll put a stop to any of their foolishness. It wouldn’t surprise me if she’s asleep again. She’s very weak.”

              “Wait a minute, Emma girl.” John slipped his hand into hers and pulled her to a stop. “I . . . well, I reckon I been alone so long I’m plumb addlebrained when it comes to sayin’ anything to a woman. But I sure do ‘preciate all you’ve done for us since that little bird showed up out here in this wild country.” He wanted to say more, but Emma got all teary-eyed again. What did a young man say to a lass to make her all buggy-eyed and giggly? If things kept going smooth for a couple days he’d see if William would give him some hints. He’d ask Ty, but the last look he saw on Anna Blair’s face wasn’t anything he ever wanted to witness on Emma’s.

              Ty and William hovered outside Robin’s door, anguish filling their faces.

              John shook his head. He should’ve hollered at ‘em right away. “I’m sorry. The two of ya ran before Emma could finish tellin’ us what she came to tell us in the first place. Emma weren’t cryin’ cuz Robin is dead. Them were glad tears. Robin woke up.”

              Ty thrust his hands in his pockets. “Then why won’t Doc let us in? He said one of us should bring Jacob in first.”

              “Cuz it ain’t you Robin was wantin’. She woke up askin’ to see the one man in her life she probably loves the most. And it weren’t none of us a standin’ here wastin’ time when we could be fetchin’ the boy.”

              Ty’s face crumpled as he reached for Emma. “Is it true? She’s alive?” Tears streamed down his face. “Thank You, Lord Jesus. Thank You for keeping her. Thank You for giving me one more chance to tell her all I’ve wanted to say for so long.” He bolted down the steps in two leaps, calling for Jacob before he hit the yard.

              William wiped his face. “I suppose you think that display proves who truly loves Robin?”

              “Does it?” John shrugged. “I’m not the one to say, you know.”

              William sighed. “I told you before. I came to keep a promise to Robin’s pa. I’ll do anything to make sure she’s safe and financially secure. She knows I care for her. I’ve never declared any more than that.”

              John glared at him. “Are you sayin’ you don’t love her?”

              William lifted one shoulder. “I suppose I do love her, but perhaps not in the way she deserves. It would be unfair, at this point, to insist she make a choice. From all indications, Ty Morgan has more than just a desire to see her cared for. I think he truly loves her and the boy.”

              Emma laid a hand on William’s shoulder. “There’s been question in your mind about the boy returning to Chicago, hasn’t there?” Emma’s lip twitched.

              John pulled her closer. This time he’d be ready if she needed an arm around her.

              William nodded. “Jacob is well entrenched here. He has so many people unwilling to part with him. I thought it would help Robin be able to leave him, and give us a chance to build our marriage before having children of our own.”

              “She won’t leave him, William,” Emma said. “Women’s hearts are different, I suppose. But she’ll give you up before she’ll turn loose of the boy.”

              He nodded again. “I can see that now. But tell me this––will she give Ty Morgan up to keep the boy?”

              John shook his head. “She won’t ever have to decide between the two, William. Ty couldn’t leave the boy any more than Robin could.”

              “But you’re leaving out the fact that there’s still a stranger lurking. What if he shows himself and lays claim to Jacob? What then?”

              “You got me in a corner, son. I don’t have any idea what would happen, other than I could pretty well guarantee there’d be one whale of a fight. What I think I’m hearin’ is you don’t relish none of that.”

              William shrugged. “I’m saying if the stranger is Jacob’s pa, then he’d have first rights to the boy. I think there are courts that would agree.”

              “Maybe in Chicago there are courts like that.” John swiped his hand through his hair. “Out here we’d ask the man what took him so blamed long to come after him. Why sneak around? You love someone, you go after ‘em. It don’t take no fancy court to decide somethin’ like that.”

              William smiled. “You’re trying to tell me something, John. Spit it out.”

              John nodded. “I knowed you weren’t no city slicker. What I’m a sayin’, and you listen up. You knowed Robin all your life. You watched out for her and all, but you never could up and say you loved her. Now, you flip that gold piece over and you got a man what only has knowed her for a couple of months, and he can’t wait to tell her them words.”

              “You know for a fact Morgan’s engagement to Anna Blair is off?”

              “Doc told me Ty showed him the ring hisself. I ain’t heard it from Ty.”

              William’s gaze darkened. “It seems a bit unfair for us to stand outside Robin’s room and try to make a choice for her. I won’t make a scene, but neither will I sit back and presume we know what’s in her heart. So what if Ty’s engagement is off. If he can change his mind with every twist of the Kansas wind, then Robin will only become another victim of Morgan’s storm, won’t she? How do you know he won’t marry her just to keep the boy? Is that any better than my reasons for being here?”

              John wiped his hand across his mouth. Doggone if William didn’t have a point. “What you’re sayin’ is you aim to fight for Robin’s hand? You maybe done chawed off a hunk of life what might end up tastin’ bitter before you get it swallered.”

              William rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll take my chances. I invited myself here, but I won’t leave unless, or until, Robin tells me to go.”

              “I reckon that’s fair enough. But ya know you and Ty will most likely be buttin’ heads again, don’t ya?”

              William shook his head. “You needn’t worry, John. We’ll behave like gentlemen.”

              “Humph. Ain’t nothin’ gentle about neither one of ya. Guess we’ll have to see if lovin’ the little lady what’s layin’ in that bed yonder can make men out of ya.”

              John winked at Emma. Yep. A good woman could sure make you feel like a man. His heart nearly thumped out of his chest
.
Jumpin’ bullfrogs. A
mI
in love? Now wouldn’t that buy granny a new hat—and a pink feather to put in it?

THIRTY-ONE

              “Did Robin wake up? Can I bring Tripper for her to see?” Jacob jabbered and jumped in Ty’s arms all the way to the house. “She’ll like my dog, won’t she? Why you carryin’ me? I’m big now.”

              “I know you’re big, but I can still walk faster than you can. And to answer your first question, yes, Robin woke up, and she wants to see you. But you can’t take Tripper in the house.”

              “But she wants to see him, I know she does. Can I, please?”

              Ty stood Jacob on his feet when they reached the porch. “She’ll see him when she’s feeling better.” He knelt in front of the boy. “Now, listen to me. Robin is awake, but she’s still very hurt, so you have to promise you won’t talk loud or jump on the bed. You do what Doc Mercer says. No arguing.”

              “Can she talk to me?” He opened the kitchen door. “Can I tell her I gots Tripper?”

              “You can tell her, but keep your voice soft.”

              Doc Mercer met them at door. “You take him on up to Emma, Ty, then join me and John down here, if you don’t mind.”

              “I can’t see her?” Ty wanted to argue, but he wouldn’t—not in front of Jacob.

              “Not yet. Just do as I say and you can maybe look in on her later. Depends on what Emma says.”

              Jacob was halfway up the steps when Ty caught up with him. “You mind Emma, now. You hear?”

              Jacob reached for his hand when they got to the top. “Are you mad with Doc Mercer?”

              “Disappointed, Jacob. I wanted to see her, too.”

              “I’ll tell her, okay?”

              Ty smiled at the boy. “Yeah, you do that. I’ll see you after bit.” He trudged down the stairs to join the other men already seated in the kitchen.

              John shoved three pieces of pie around the table as though he were shuffling cards. Ty gritted his teeth. His mother would be ashamed for company to see the chips in her white ironstone plates, even if it were only men.

              “Where did this come from?” Ty sighed and stuffed a bite into his mouth. He couldn’t remember when he’d last had food. “Mm-mm, apple. And the tip is the best bite, you know.”

              “Robin brought the pie along for the celebration. It’ll go to waste if we don’t eat it.” John cut his triangle into two pieces. “Now, if you had any smarts you’d be a followin’ what I did and you’d have yourself two of them tippy mouthfuls.” He grinned and waved a forkful under Ty’s nose.

              “You don’t have more pie, John, just more pieces.” Ty nodded toward Doc. “You have something on your mind?

              “Humph, he ain’t had nothin’ on his mind for as long as I ever knowed him.” John smashed his fork on the crumbs of crust on his plate.

              Doc reared back in his chair. “Well, at least
I
go
t
a mind which is more than I can say for some other old codger sitting at this table.”

              Ty took a deep breath. “Stop it.”

              The two older men jerked at his outburst.

              He knew he was being short with them, but he was losing his patience. “I got more worthwhile things to do than listen to the two of you harp at each other. If you have something important to say, Doc, then spit it out. Otherwise, I’m out of here and you can find me upstairs with Robin.”

              “I got plenty to say, young man.” Doc peered at him over the rim of his glasses. “That man, the one you call the stranger—”

              Voices and the telltale thump of boots clipping across the porch stopped their conversation. In chorus they turned toward the door.

              Rusty held the door open while Sam and another man came inside. Ty recognized the stranger as the one who’d alerted him of Robin’s accident––the same one Doc mentioned. Could this be the man who’d watched them from a distance? He appeared harmless enough. Ty nodded to Rusty and Sam. “Good job, men. Thanks.”

              “Mr. Morgan? Uh . . .” Sam stepped closer to the man. “We didn’t ‘xactly catch him, sir. He was a sittin’ waitin’ on us. Just took us a spell to find him. I don’t reckon you’ll understand this, but . . .” He removed his hat and twisted it in his hands.

              Ty’s spine tingled. He had a hunch whatever Sam was going to say was nothing he wanted to hear.

###

Something poked into Robin’s ear, and she flinched to move it away.

              “Can you hear when you’re sleepin?”

            
 
Jacob
!
She struggled to open her eyes, and a giggle rewarded her efforts. “Did you stick your finger in my ear?” She smiled at the impish face before her. “It tickled, you know.”

              “Could you hear me? I said ‘Robin, Robin,’ but you didn’t open your eyes.”

              “I’m so sleepy it’s hard to wake up fast.”

              He poked his elbows onto the bed and leaned closer. “I’m sorry you got hurted. Ty told me I can’t jump on your bed, but I didn’t even want to. He’s dis’pointed cuz he wanted to come see you, but Doc said I could go first. Ty’s mouth did this.” Jacob used his fingers to pull his mouth down at the corners. “Then I told him I’d tell you he was dis’pointed and he did this.” He pushed his lips into a grin. “Can we go home when you get all waked up?”

              Robin shook her head, and waves of pain threatened to throw her into the pit once more. She grabbed for Jacob’s hands to keep from plunging into the void.

              “Um . . . That kinda pinches when you hold so tight.” Jacob’s breath brushed Robin’s cheek.

              “I need to hang onto you, little man, so you won’t run away from me again.” The throb in her head couldn’t compare to the pain she would incur if anything ever happened to this little boy.

              “Did you think I was running away? Would it make you sad?”

              Robin squeezed his small hands. “Very, very sad.”

              “I tried to catch up with Tripper and my . . .” He pulled on his hands, but she held tight.

              “Jacob, who was the man with the dog? With Tripper? You know him, don’t you?” Could Emma hear this conversation? Should she call for Uncle John?

              The boy’s face crumpled. “If I tell, will I be in trouble? Mama said he’d find us, but I couldn’t tell.” He sniffed. “I can’t wipe my nose when you hold my hands so tight.”

              “If I let go, will you tell me who the man is? You won’t be in trouble. I promise.

              Jacob sniffed again. “I guess you’ll have to hang on to ‘em, cuz I promised Mama, and it would make her sad if I told. I’ll wipe my drips like this.” He wiggled his face on his sleeve.

              Robin attempted to focus on the boy’s face, but the room spun, taking Jacob’s image with it. “Jacob, is the man your pa?” Was that her voice? It seemed so far away. She slipped off the edge of the precipice into the deep again, and a small voice ricocheted off the walls as she tumbled.

              “I don’t have a pa . . . pa . . . pa . . .”

###

Ty’s heart constricted as his gaze darted between Sam and the older man. His idea of who or what the stranger might be never wore a face so etched in care or eyes so full of sadness. The man stood straight and tall beside Sam. Older, by far, yet his broad shoulders and large hands suggested strength. Only when Doc Mercer shook his hand did the man’s eyes waver.

              “Obed, my friend. Won’t you have a seat?”

              The man gave a wan smile. “I believe Sam needs to be heard, then I’ll let Mister Morgan decide if I’m still welcome at his table.”

              “Sam?” Ty nodded.

              Sam’s shoulders straightened. “Sir, this here is Obed Mason.”

              Ty gasped. “Mason?” Fear and dread wrenched his heart, and his pulse hammered in his ears.

              “Yes, sir. This here is my pa.”

              “Your pa?” Ty’s mind reeled. What about the dog? How did Jacob fit with both of these men. Jacob with his big blue eyes? Surely this Obed person wasn’t the boy’s pa, too?

              John slammed his hand on the table and coffee sloshed from the cups. “Move your mouth enough to ask the man why he was sneakin’ around, Ty. I told you from the get-go the kid knew somethin’.”

              Obed squared his shoulders. “Believe me, Mr. Wenghold. If I’d been sneaking, you would never have seen me.”

              “You knew we were on to you?” Ty motioned for them to sit. “So why didn’t you come on in instead of just watching? Sam? Did you know it was your pa all along? Because if you did, young man, I’ve lost my trust in Rusty’s word.”

              “You can leave my son of out it,” Obed said. “He hasn’t laid eyes on me for over ten years. Men change in that time and so do boys.” He put his hand on Sam’s shoulder. “He wasn’t keeping anything from anyone. I imagine the last person he expected to see out on this prairie was this old hill-man from Missouri.”

              Rusty fingered the crease in his hat. “Boss, I done heard this story so if you don’t mind I’ll be checkin’ on things outside.”

              “One question before you go, Rusty.” Ty pointed to Obed Mason. “Is this the same fella who rode in the night of the storm?”

              Rusty shook his head. “No sir. Not the same man.” He put his arm around Sam’s shoulders. “Glad to be your friend, Sam Mason.” He nodded at Obed. “You, too sir. Just wish it would’ve had a better endin’ for ya.”

              John leaned toward Obed. “What does he mean, better endin’? You got your son, didn’t ya? Or was you wantin’ somethin’ else?”

              Obed folded his big hands on the table. “Finding Sam, here, was an act of grace on God’s part, Mr. Wenghold. I came looking for my girl, Sam’s twin sister.”

              Ty frowned. “Twin? You told me your sister was younger, Sam.”

              “She was, by five minutes.” He grinned.

              John scowled. “I reckon you knowed by now there ain’t been but one woman around here all the whilst you been spyin’ around. What made ya think you’d be findin’ your little gal in these hills, anyway?”

              Doc punched John in the shoulder. “You old piece of crow bait, let the man talk. I’ve already told you I know him so why are you acting like he’s an enemy?” He scooted his chair from the table and motioned for John to follow. “You cut us all another piece of Robin’s pie and I’ll pour the coffee.”

              John shook his head. “I don’t aim to miss nothin’ this fella has to say. You wanna stuff your mouth to keep from yammerin’, then you go right ahead.”

              Ty placed his hand on John’s arm. He loved this crusty old neighbor of his, but there were times he wanted to stuff a rag in his mouth. “I apologize for the interruptions, Mr. Mason. Please continue.”

              Obed turned to John. “I knew where my girl was headed, Mr. Wenghold. She left a note in my barn telling me she was leaving Missouri. Said her man planned to start his own ranch in Kansas, and she was sorry for taking the wagon and horses. I left as soon as I could pack a little grub and a bedroll. I figured she had a good day’s travel ahead of me.”

              “Ya up and lose her, did ya?” John crossed his arms. “One man a travelin’ on horseback shoulda been able to catch up with a team and heavy wagon if ya pushed.”

              Ty shook his head. “John, please.”

              “Oh, I pushed, Mr. Wenghold. But I didn’t want the lowdown weasel she was with to know I was following them.” Obed seemed to wrestle for control. His eyes dulled but never wavered as his gaze met Ty’s. “That’s my girl’s grave out on the prairie not so far from here. Sam’s sister.”

              Sam bowed his head briefly.

              Obed leveled his gaze at Ty. “Was it you who found her?”

              Ty nodded. “The day after a twister went through these parts. We found her and Jacob. Still don’t know how he managed to escape. But how did you know it was your daughter? Jacob either couldn’t, or wouldn’t, give us a name to put on the marker.”

              “I came across my team of horses dragging their harness close to fifteen miles east, near a town called Elmira.”

              “Nobody with the team, I take it?”

              “No one. The horses let me approach them. Called them by name, Pete and Charley, and they came right to me. Other than a couple of cuts they were in good enough shape. I led them on into Elmira and was able to sell one of them and the old horse I was riding to a farmer. I needed the money and a new mount. I threw my saddle on Charley and continued my search. Not the smoothest ride, but that horse could plod for days on end. I didn’t know how far I’d need to go, or how long it would take me. But I wasn’t going to quit until I found my girl.”

              Ty nodded at John. “That answers why the horse he rode didn’t look like a cow pony.”

              Obed shook his head. “Not many cow ponies in my part of Missouri. The horse I rode until then was the same one I rode to visit from church to church back in the hills. Didn’t need to be sleek or fast, just sure-footed.