Under a Falling Star (16 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

A
lbert’s head snapped up from his desk when Win barreled through the door of his office at seven o’clock the next morning. His brother’s face, uncharacteristically red, made Albert wince. Win smacked his hand on the mahogany desktop, making Albert jump.

“What in tarnation?” Albert snapped. He jerked his thumb to the side, directing Win’s attention to the back wall where Nate sat with a plateful of hotcakes and bacon they’d picked up from the Silky Hen ten minutes before.

“Sorry,” he whispered angrily, coming close so Nate wouldn’t hear. “But I can’t help it. Are you just going to sit there and do nothing? Let Dalton Babcock steal Susanna away?” Win glowered at him with a face full of stubble that needed shaving. “Well, are you? Because if you are, you’re not the brother I thought you were.” It hadn’t taken more than a few sentences to bring his ire back up to full force.

So, that was it. This whole mess with Susanna was spreading like wildfire. “Getting a mite personal, aren’t you, Win? What side of the bed did you get up on this morning? Surely not the right one.”

“Go on and make it into a big fat joke. I’m not the one who’s going to be crying in my beer when Babcock up and carts her off.”

“I’ve hurt her badly, Win. That’s not something she’ll be able to get over quickly, if ever.” He glanced down at the folded note he’d read at least twenty times when he’d found it last night after coming in from his check of the town. Whoever it was behind the saloon had skedaddled when they heard him coming.

Win grunted. “That’s codswallop.”

“And another thing about Susanna Robinson. Nobody carts her off against her will. That woman has a mind of her own, and no man will make it up for her. If she wants to go with Babcock, I can’t stop her.”

“You can bloody well tell her the reasons you left your man-loving, unfaithful, lying wife behind.”

Heat rose up into Albert’s face. He struggled not to get irritated with his brother who was only trying to do what he thought best. “How do you know I haven’t already?”

“Because I know you! You’re too upstanding, you’re—”

Albert straightened in his chair, letting Win know with a glower he was coming very close to subjects better left alone. “Keep your voice down! I’m
not
upstanding. If I were, I wouldn’t be in the trouble I’m in now. But let me be perfectly clear: Susanna should love me for me, and forgive me for me. Her decision shouldn’t have anything to do with Floria’s actions. Or my reasons for leaving her. I won’t try to gain back Susanna’s love by tarnishing the reputation of Nate’s mother—even if it is the truth. I could have spoken up sooner, but I didn’t. If Floria’s immoral ways stay between you and me—Nate will never find out.”

Win wasn’t backing off. “You damn well—”

“Watch your language,
Uncle
Win.”

A look of wonder washed over Win’s face, and he seemed to calm down straightaway. “How’s the little fella doin’?” he asked. “I still can’t get my head around the idea that you have a son—and I have a nephew. That’s big, Albert. Really big.”

Albert smiled at the sound of wonder in his brother’s voice. “I know, Win,” he teased. “Actually, I think he’s doing pretty good. Chase and Jessie kept him overnight for me. He fell asleep in their buggy, so they took him to their ranch. After supper, they tucked him in next to Sarah, and Chase rode all the way back to town to let me know. Then first thing this morning, Chase brought him into town on the back of his horse. Nate couldn’t have been happier. I’m grateful they did so much to make him feel at home.”
But from this moment on, I’m seeing to all his needs.

The starch left Win completely. “That’s good to hear,” he said in a contemplative tone. “Because he can always stay with me too, if need be. I’m amazed Corey never discovered Floria had a child. After all these years, it’s pretty astonishing.”

“Well, he only went to check on her when I asked him. It wouldn’t have been too difficult to keep the secret, being they lived a distance apart. And she moved twice, putting him through his paces to find her.”

Finished with his breakfast, Nate walked over with his cup and plate, a milk mustache under his nose. He still wore the same clothes he had on yesterday at the cemetery. Albert smiled and reached out, taking the boy’s empty plate. Nate set his cup on the desk.

“You remember your uncle Win?” he asked. Win smiled, and took a small step toward the boy. “We were at his place yesterday to see the buffalo.”

Nate’s expression, so much like Floria’s, caused a rush of culpability in Albert.

Nate nodded. “Sure. He has the big barn with lots of horses. By the creek with the frogs.”

Pride swelled Albert’s chest. They’d seen the creek, but not mentioned frogs at that time. He’d have to take Nate down there soon. Hunt up some large bullfrogs. The thought brought a surge of pleasure that chased away the responsibility he was feeling over the boy and how things had turned out with his mother. Surprisingly, Nate hadn’t mentioned Floria once this morning.

“That’s right,” Win said. “You can come over any time I’m there. Play with the barn cat.”

Nate darted a questioning look at Albert. His angelic smile was almost Albert’s undoing. “That’s right. You’re going to be spending a lot of time there when I have work to do. You’ll pay attention and not get into the buffalo pen, though, correct?”

“Yes, Pa.”

Win hid his smile behind a large hand, and Albert could almost swear his brother had tears in his eyes.

Nate looked between them while he balanced on one foot. “Want me to take the plate and cup back to the restaurant?”

“That’s all the way at the end of the block,” Win replied. “How about if I walk down there with you?”

“I ain’t no baby.” Nate strolled over to the front window and looked out. “I can walk down the street by myself.” He watched a couple of horsemen ride past, then looked at Win over his shoulder, no smile in sight. “But I don’t mind if you come along.”

“That’s a good idea, Win. I have a few more reports to write. Do you mind taking Hannah’s dishes back to her?”

With Nate still watching the street, Win leaned in closer. “Not at all, but first I have something to tell you. The reason I busted in here so angry this morning is because last night Babcock walked Susanna home in the moonlight. They stopped to lollygag on the bridge. If the way she was giggling like a schoolgirl has anything to do with it, I’d say she was enjoying herself a lot. I’m telling you, Albert, if you don’t do something quick, you’re going to lose her.” He pointed a finger in Albert’s face. “And this isn’t the first time, either. He’s been friendlying up to her for a few days.”

“As much as it hurts me to say this, Win, you have to let it go.” He hated voicing the words, but what else could he do? She’d made her intentions perfectly clear in her note. Still, if truth be told, the thought of Babcock walking her home made his insides twist with jealousy. Could one of the shadowy figures he’d seen in the alley last night behind the saloon have been Babcock? Plotting something Albert could arrest him for? The timing was perfect. Oh, he’d like it to be Babcock, yes sir, he would.

Nate sauntered back from the window and stopped by Win’s side. He gazed at Albert with an unreadable expression. “I want to see my ma.” His voice was shallow, and void of emotion. When Albert didn’t answer, his eyes glassed over faster than Albert thought possible, and a moment later a tear streaked down one cheek.

Albert pushed out his chair and reached for his son. Nate hesitated when Albert tried to pull him into a hug, gazing into his eyes. “Are you my pa?”

Win scooped up the dirty plate and cup and backed out of the office, pulling the door closed behind him, leaving the two alone.

“Yes,” Albert replied, a deep sadness tearing his gut. “I’m your pa, Nate. I’m not going anywhere.”

Another tear slipped out. He dashed it angrily with the back of his small hand. “How come Mama said I didn’t have a pa? Then later, she said I did and that I was going to live with him?”

How confusing for the boy.

By now, Nate’s small face had crumbled with the grief he’d been trying to hold in. His sorrow had finally caught up with him. It only took a tiny tug from Albert to bring him into his arms. Nate buried his face against Albert’s neck, and his body rocked with the first quiet whimper. That was followed by several larger sobs. “Shhh, now. Everything is going to be all right.”

“Why?” Nate persisted.

“I don’t know the answer to that, Nate. I wish I did. There’s no telling why she told you those things. But I can promise you this: if I’d know about you before, I wouldn’t have left you behind.”

Nate sniffed against his neck, the motion feeling like a stab in Albert’s heart.

“Why won’t you go to the train and let my mama out?” he asked in a tiny voice. “She’s cold and hungry and scared. Then I could go home with her and leave you alone. Please go find her . . . Pa.”

What should I say now? I don’t know.

“Pa?”

Truth was the best medicine, or a modified version of the truth to ease him into the reality. “Your mother is not trapped in the train, Nate. She died with the others. I’m sorry. I wish I could bring her back—for you.” And at that moment Albert realized that he spoke the truth. He’d take what came his way, if he could make it easier on his boy.

The door opened and Susanna entered. Her dress, a cobalt blue, with a tight fitted waist and puffed sleeves, was one of his favorites. It made her look like a princess going to the ball. She was halfway to his desk before she realized Nate was in his arms, and the child was crying. She slowed, then inched to a stop. “Please forgive me for intruding.” She turned.

“Don’t go!”

A torrent of gladness at seeing her rushed through Albert. He hadn’t expected her to intentionally seek him out this soon, if ever. The note she’d left him had said it all. Now, like a miracle, here she was not twelve hours later.

Susanna’s face softened as she looked at Nate in his arms. “Albert? Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Can you stay a little while? Just sit here next to me.” He gestured to a chair alongside him that he’d pulled up earlier for Nate.

She walked forward and lowered herself into the chair. A moment later she laid her hand on Nate’s back.

At the soft touch, the boy lifted his head.

“Nate spent the night with the Logans, Susanna. I’m very, very proud of him.” Albert couldn’t stop himself from tightening his hold on the boy. How he wanted to take the pain from him. “Chase said he conducted himself with very good manners.”

Nate had stopped crying but didn’t seem in any rush to move away. His head rested on Albert’s shoulder as he gazed at Susanna and listened to his pa’s voice. He sniffed and rubbed his eye with a fist, prompting Albert to pull his handkerchief out of his pocket and give it to his son.

Susanna smiled. “That’s wonderful news. I’ll bet you had fun. And I’ve brought you and your father some good news.”

You forgive me and want to get married?
“Good. We could use some.”

“I ran into Maude a little while ago. The house is yours if you want. It’s ready, and you can even move in today. As you know, it has all the large pieces of furniture that you’ll need.”

“That’s a relief. I’ve been pondering that for most of the night. This little fella could use some stability in his life.”

“I thought you’d be happy.” She glanced at her hands. “Well, that’s what I came to tell you. I really should be going.”

He didn’t want her to leave. This simple conversation had lifted his spirits immensely. “Are you on shift with the patients?”

She gave a wan smile. “Actually, I have today completely off. Still, I’m going to check on Julia, see if she needs anything. Later I’ll pick up the linen I left at Tap Ling’s for Dr. Thorn. The poor doctor is still stretched pretty thin.”

Albert narrowed his eyes. “What part of day off don’t you understand? You’re supposed to be resting. Why didn’t you stay in bed for a few more hours?”

“I’ve never been one to sleep in.”

A sad chuckle slipped out and she instinctively leaned forward. He wasn’t playing on her emotions, he simply knew the truth to her words. Susanna was always the first to volunteer and the last to go home. Seemed she enjoyed working hard. “Well, I’d think at least one day you could call your own with nothing to do but relax.”

When he picked up the note to draw her attention, her eyes widened. “I understand,” he said. “I do. I’ll respect your wishes. It’s the least I can do for all I’ve put you through.” He shrugged. “Just want to say I’m sorry it took me so long last night. It wasn’t my intention. Dwight rode in and got to baiting Thom. I didn’t want to see anyone come to blows.”

She stood, and straightened her dress. “That’s all right. I thought it must be something like that.”

“I’m glad to hear Babcock walked you home. I don’t like you out alone in the dark. I intended to see you home safely myself when I got back.”

She blushed. Probably wondered how he knew about her and Babcock. Were they just going to let their relationship go to the wayside?