The Librarian of Boone's Hollow - Kim Vogel Sawyer Page 0,49
Hogwash.”
Mr. Gilliam harrumphed and smacked the reins on the horse’s rump. The beast broke into a trot.
Addie sucked in her lips and held back a snicker. Miss West’s graying bun and genteel appearance didn’t match the fire snapping in her grayish-blue eyes.
“If you’re interested in my opinion, I will tell you whose offer I believe you should accept.”
Addie cleared her throat, erasing any humor from her tone, before answering. “I would welcome your opinion, ma’am.”
“I would choose Nanny Fay Tuckett. If you were my daughter, I would feel more assured about your staying with a single, older woman than a middle-aged, unmarried man, even if there is a chaperone residing under his roof.”
Daddy and Mother would agree with Miss West. “Then I’ll make arrangements with Mrs. Tuckett when we reach Boone’s Hollow.”
“The arrangements can wait until tomorrow. I’ve prepared a pallet for you in my living quarters for tonight. As for Mrs. Tuckett”—Miss West produced a handkerchief from her sleeve and patted her throat with it, sighing—“I’m sure she’ll prefer you call her Nanny Fay, the same as everyone else in town does. The people of Boone’s Hollow don’t stand on many city conventions.” She returned the handkerchief to the cuff of her sleeve. “If it proves too difficult for you to board with her, you can always take a room at the hotel or in one of the boardinghouses in Lynch.”
Something in the woman’s expression sent a prickle of unease across Addie’s scalp. “Is there a reason why staying with her would be difficult?”
Miss West gripped her hands in her lap. She gazed over the edge of the wagon’s side. “I’m not a talebearer, Addie. I’ll allow you to draw your own conclusions.”
Boone’s Hollow
Addie
“AN’ HERE YOU ARE, ADDEL-ADE Cow-herd. Welcome to Boone’s Holler.”
Why had Mr. Gilliam’s attitude taken such a turn? Midway up the mountain, he had seemed to cloak himself in derision. His tone now dripped with ridicule. The way he spoke her name—in choppy syllables, as if trying to flay her—made her cringe.
“If people are unkind, kill them with kindness.” Mother’s directions to her when she suffered bullying on the schoolyard played in Addie’s memory. She injected warm appreciation into her voice. “Thank you, Mr. Gilliam.”
He snorted.
Addie shifted to her knees and peered over the wagon’s edge. The rattly conveyance rolled slowly along an uneven dirt street. She blinked several times, certain the heavy shadows were hiding the actual town. But no matter how many times she cleared her vision, the sight remained the same. A wide dirt road with thick bushes and trees lining both sides spread in front of her. A spattering of wooden buildings were tucked beneath the branches overhanging either side of the road. She counted three places of business on the right—a tiny wooden building marked Post Office-Telephone Office, a rambling log structure with Belcher’s Genral Merchendice painted on its false front, and a huge barn. On the left were an equal number of houses, constructed of logs or planked wood. The first house’s door bore a doctor’s shingle. She searched both sides again. Where was the library?
Mr. Gilliam drew the wagon to a stop in front of the barn, set the brake, and hopped down. He stomped to the rear of the wagon and yanked the back gate free. He leaned the gate against the wagon wheel and scowled at her. “End o’ the road. Come on outta there now.”
Addie glanced at Miss West, who was glowering at Mr. Gilliam the way a schoolteacher disciplined an unruly student. Apparently, she was bothered by the man’s unpleasant demeanor, too, which told Addie it was out of the ordinary. She must have done something to bring it about. But what?
She unfolded her stiff legs and rose. The wagon rocked slightly, making her feel unstable. Using the wagon’s side as a handrail, she moved to the end and then sat on the edge of the bed. Mr. Gilliam stood a few feet away, hands on overall-clad hips, observing her. She waited for a few seconds, hoping he would offer a hand of assistance, but he didn’t. She slid out, grimacing when her skirt caught on the rough wood.
Addie helped Miss West alight, then turned to Mr. Gilliam. His stormy expression warned her to keep her distance, but she needed his help. “Sir, would you please retrieve my suitcases?”
He blew out a breath that spoke unquestioningly of aggravation and climbed into the wagon’s bed. He handed her the cases one by one with