Robin (29 page)

“Do you have any idea how utterly absurd you look with Wren’s lace-edged handkerchief dangling from one of your nostrils?”

THIRTY-FOUR

              “There, now, Ty Morgan, don’t you worry about John. I counted all the way to ninety-nine before we got here so the bleeding should have stopped.”

              Ty reached for Henrietta’s pudgy hand.

              “Oh, and I have a little surprise for you,” she said. “Right here in my reticule, if you would be so kind as to help me out of this wagon.”

              Listening to this woman babble was one thing, but it was the twinkle of victory in William’s eyes as he’d escorted the sisters to see Robin that irked him. And Doc was no help—telling Benson to take all the time they needed because it would do Robin more good than any medicine.

              Henrietta straightened her skirts. “Hand me my parasol. It’s right there behind the basket of food Florence Blair sent along. She’s such a dear, and Anna, too. They’re leaving, you know? Oh, of course. If anyone would know it would most certainly be you. Oh, those dear girls from Chicago. I was just telling Albert, I says to him, ‘Albert, even though these young ladies have come to see their sister, I doubt they will want to start cooking right away,’ so it was indeed a blessing that my dear friend thought of sending—”

              “Yes, it was very thoughtful, Henrietta. I will send her a note of appreciation along with you when you return to Cedar Bluff, if you don’t mind. I’m sure you’re anxious to get back to town, what with the post office and all.”

              Henrietta patted his hand. “Never you mind the post office. I just put a note on the door saying we went on an errand of mercy to deliver food and cheer to Ty Morgan. Now, if you would be so kind as to offer me a cup of cool water, I must get out of this sun. With skin as lovely as mine I mustn’t expose it to the harsh elements.”

              Ty ducked as she flipped open her parasol. “Would you please hold this for me, Ty? I mustn’t forget your surprise.” She handed him her parasol while she dug in her reticule, then fanned herself with the envelope she brought forth. “Florence Blair asked that I deliver this. Of course, I was only too willing—knowing you must be most anxious to hear her news.” She sniffed the envelope. “Oh my, Florence has such lovely things. Even her stationery is scented.”

              Ty took the letter. “Let’s get you out of this sun, Henrietta.” He took her by the arm, picked up the basket of food, and urged her toward the house. Mrs. Blair had not penned the missive he held in his hand. He recognized both the handwriting and the scent of lilacs
.
Anna.

              Ty opened the kitchen door to find Emma facing John, one hand on the old man’s shoulder. He set the basket of food on the table. “Get too crowded up there?”

              Blushing, Emma took a step back. “That, and this crazy old man needed more attention than Robin.” She handed John the wet cloth she held in her hand. “Here, put this on the back of your neck.”

              She motioned for Henrietta to sit. “How nice of you to bring food. Heaven knows no one has taken the time to do much cooking since Robin’s accident. Could I get you a cup of cool water?”

              “I’d like buttermilk, please, Emma.” Henrietta fanned herself with her hands. “Florence Blair sent the food. She’s leaving town, you know. I’m sworn to secrecy—though everyone knows I would never divulge a confidence—but John, I don’t suppose you could ever guess whom she will visit?”

              John snorted. “If you’re sworn to secrecy I ain’t supposed to be guessin’, am I?”

              “Oh, you funny man.” Henrietta covered her mouth with three fingers and batted her eyelashes. “Do the initials E. P. remind of you anything? I did offer to find an address, you know.”

              Emma sloshed the glass of buttermilk into John’s lap, and Ty squelched a laugh.

              “Oh, how clumsy of me. I’ll get you another one, Henrietta.”

              “You mind gettin’ me somethin’ to sop this stuff off my lap?”

              “Use the cloth from the back of your neck.” Emma was back in a minute and set a fresh glass of refreshment on the table for Henrietta.

              “This rag is wet.” John’s scowl deepened. He mouthed to Ty
,
What’d I do?

              Emma sat beside Henrietta and folded her hands on the table. “How thoughtful of Florence to take time from her busy schedule to think of us.”

              “If you’ll excuse me, ladies—and gentleman—I have some business to attend to.” Ty nodded to each. He winked at John. “Looks like you’re in good hands.

              Henrietta would no doubt keep them occupied long enough for him to read Anna’s letter. He climbed the stairs then paused outside Robin’s door. Should he knock, and let Doc know where he was? That was unnecessary. Doc knew he was across the hall.

              He moved a soiled shirt from the rocking chair by his window and stretched his legs in front of him as he slid one finger under the rose-shaped seal. He unfolded the paper and Anna’s familiar fragrance wafted through the room.

My Dearest Ty: It’s only fair that you hear what I have to say from me, before dear Henrietta tells you. By the time you read this, Mother and I will be on our way to Pennsylvania. I intend to finish my schooling, and Mother will visit an old friend, Eunice Parker, for a few weeks. I want to thank you, once again, for your forgiveness. When I think of how badly I hurt so many people it breaks my heart. I thank you, too, for praying that night in the church for peace that would pass all understanding. You shall always be my first love, Tyler Morgan, and a piece of my heart will remain in these hills forever. But my fervent prayer is for Robin to recover and take her rightful place as the mistress of the Hawk. Your mother would have loved her. Farewell, my dear friend. I seal this letter with all the love of our youth and one last kiss. I wish you only joy and happiness.

              Anna Kathryn Blair

###

Emma and John were still in the kitchen when Ty emerged from reading Anna’s letter.

              “Bad news, Ty?”

              He shook his head at Emma’s raised eyebrows. “Later, Emma.”

              Laying a hand on John’s shoulder he motioned for him to follow and headed for the bunkhouse. “Have you seen Sam or his pa this morning? I need to talk to him and would like for you to be in on the conversation.”

              “He weren’t around when I rode out. Ain’t seen nobody since then ’cept a whole bunch of womenfolk a squawkin’ around like hens what just saw a fox.”

              “It was quiet when I brought Henrietta to the house. That hand on your shoulder wasn’t making a sound.” Ty grinned.

              “Don’t get no ideas. Henrietta and her talk of E.P. done took care of any notions you might think on. And I stink like sour milk.”

              Ty glanced at John. He’d sure like to ask him abou
t
E.P.
,
but he’d save it for another time. “Where is Henrietta? You didn’t let her go to town alone, did you?”

              “Didn’t let her, but reckon I didn’t stop her neither. Albert will find her if she has trouble on the way home. Surprised you didn’t hear her leave. That woman can out-puff Kansas wind.” He grabbed Ty’s arm. “Jumpin’ bullfrogs, you’re gonna walk me to my death if you don’t slow down a mite. Remember I done lost a whole lot of blood. What’s your big hurry? Sam said they weren’t goin’ nowhere.”

              They reached the bunkhouse, and Ty fished the letter from his pocket. “Here. Read this."

              John hitched one foot up on the small bench on the porch of the bunkhouse and mouthed each word as he read. He refolded the letter and handed it back.

              “Well?” Ty peered into the older man’s face.

              “Well, what?” John wiped his forehead with his bandana. “If you is a askin’ me what to do next, don’t.”

              “Could you talk with Obed and find out what he plans to do with Jacob? Robin deserves to know.”

              “And I’ll ask you again—what’s your hurry? Doc ain’t sayin’ when or if she’ll be able to even go back to the Feather, let alone tryin’ to keep up with the little tornado.”

              “What if she wouldn’t have to go back to the Feather?”

              “You aim on keepin’ her here, are ya?”

              “It’s on my mind, yes.”

              “And that Benson fella has it on his mind to take her back to Chicago. You’re both a forgettin’ Robin’s got a mind of her own. Seems to me she’s the one what needs to be answerin’ your questions instead of me.”

              “I can offer her more, John. And if we can keep Jacob—”

              “You offerin’ her a ten-room house to clean and a boy to raise is more? A bunkhouse full of men to cook for is more? More than what, Ty? Ya got a ranch to run and a church full of people what think they own ya, and you owe them.”

              Ty clenched his fists. “My ma did it. And so did yours.”

              “Neither my pa or yours could offer anything else. It was all they knew, this land and cattle and all that goes with it. But William can give Robin a choice. Ya need to let her be the one what decides.”

              “What choice? Stuffy old ladies playing cards all day and planning dinner parties where everyone dresses like monkeys and smiles when they don’t feel like it? Are you telling me William Arthur Benson the Third doesn’t have a ten-room house, and that he won’t one day want to fill it with his offspring?”

              “I’m tellin’ ya that somebody else would be cleanin’ them rooms. Robin wouldn’t need to tote water from the well or tramp outdoors when she was wantin’ to use the necessary. And they could probably convince one of her sisters to be their nanny.” John shook his head. “Don’t forget my brother left three of them little birds in the nest. Robin ain’t gonna want to fly away and leave the other two clingin’ to a branch what’s just a flappin’ in the wind.”

              “I thought your offer of a home included the sisters. I can’t lose her, John. I want to talk with Sam and his pa. I’m as fond of the boy as Robin, and I intend to do everything I can to convince them to stay on here.”

              “What you gonna do with another old man? Ain’t I enough bother?”

              Ty shrugged. “Maybe Emma could put him to work in her mercantile.”

              John knocked on the bunkhouse door. “I’ll listen to you, Ty. But don’t you go puttin’ ideas in Emma’s head.”

              “Why not give Emma a choice? Let her make up her own mind, John? Could it be the Eunice Parker mentioned in Anna’s letter might be the initials E.P. that Henrietta mentioned? She’s from here originally, isn’t she? You ever heard of her?”

              John’s mouth hung open, his hand in the air.

              At that moment, Obed opened the door with his finger over his lips. “The boy’s still sound asleep. Would you mind if we stayed on the porch?”

              “Is Sam still asleep?” Ty grinned as John ducked his head. “Mr. Wenghold, here, is real good at giving advice, but doesn’t much like to listen to it, even if it’s his own.”

              Obed chuckled. “Haven’t you ever heard it’s more blessed to give than to receive? I’m sorry, but I was a preacher too long to let that opportunity pass. Sam rode out earlier with a young man by the name of Albert. I think they were going to try to get your horse, Mr. Wenghold.”

              “I reckon my horse would’ve found his way back without their help, but I’m obliged.” John moved to a chair on the porch. “I got throwed this mornin’ by that crazy animal, and I’m not too proud to tell ya these old bones hit the ground mighty hard. Think I’ll sit a spell.”

              “Did you sleep at all, Mr. Morgan?” Obed lowered himself to the porch with a groan. “Me and Sam sat up till daybreak. Guess we both got some stuff off our chests, and tucked away a whole lot more in our hearts.”

              Ty took advantage of the opening. “I know it’s soon to be asking, but have you given any thought to what you will do with Jacob?”

              “Oh, I’ve been giving that question thought since the day I left Missouri looking for my girl. But I never expected to find Sam, too. That puts a different curve to the road I planned to take.”

              Ty’s pulse quickened. Maybe he could help straighten that curve a bit. “You mentioned being a preacher. Do you have a church waiting for you in Missouri?”

              “Son, I don’t have anything or anyone waiting for me anywhere. The powers that be sent a young man from the city to fill the pulpit full-time before I left, and it made leaving a whole lot easier. The neighbor’s put his plow in what little ground I have, and he’s welcome to my cabin. I figured I would catch up with my girl, then go wherever she headed.”

              “Then you won’t be taking Sam back to your farm?”

              “I don’t think I could get Sam to leave here. You’ve been downright good to him. If you hadn’t given him a job, we’d never have met up again. I’m grateful.”

              Ty paced the length of the porch. “Mr. Mason? Would you still preach if you were to find a church?”