among those dandies in Washington. Why?”
“Just a feeling.”
“Sounds like more than a feeling,” Rand remarked. “What are you going on?”
“For Moe to get that room, he had to produce someone to vouch for him.”
Rand paused to stare. “Was it Captain Wallace?”
“One and the same.” Trace turned his gaze to the figures across the way. “I’ve got a telegram to send before I come by. Keep things close to the vest until I get an answer.”
“Will do. I guess, with the company, you’ll be back in the upstairs over my place.”
“Not for long,” he replied. “I’m surprised that a woman in Mrs. Wallace’s condition would travel.”
“Perhaps, but Texas women are a bit on the stubborn side. She must have felt a strong urge.”
Trace gave him a sidelong glance.
“By all rights, she should be back at the fort, preparing for her lying in. Instead, she’s here, because she felt that a friend was in need. Sort of says a lot.”
****
“It hasn’t changed a bit,” sighed Penny, as she stepped into the house.
“You haven’t been gone that long.” Mary Rose laughed.
Penny moved to the center of the parlor, slid the ribbons of her bonnet from under her chin, and whisked the hat from her head. “We spent many an evening here,” she sighed, sitting on the sofa.
Mary Rose moved to the chair. Her mouth twisted in a sad smile. “Planning your wedding and arguing with Daniel.”
Penny smoothed her hand over her skirt. “He enjoyed every minute of it.”
“I’m sure he did,” Mary Rose agreed.
The captain’s step sounded on the porch, drawing both women’s attention as he appeared in the doorway behind them. Mary Rose glanced down and then stared at his tall black boots as her blood chilled.
“Mary Rose?” Penny’s worried voice shook her from her memories.
She gave a trembling smile. “Won’t you come in, Captain?”
“Thank you.” Standing behind his wife, he pulled his white gloves from his hands. “I didn’t realize it was just you and your brother.”
“Yes, Daniel and I lived here. Our parents passed away several years ago.”
“I see,” he murmured.
She watched as he pulled the fingers of his gloves out and collapsed the fabric to match the darts across the top. An awkward silence followed, until Penny raised a hand to her husband, saying, “I thought I mentioned that, Captain. Daniel and Mary Rose came out after the war. While their house was under construction, they rented a room from my father. That’s how we met.”
“Oh, yes. Yes, you did.” He nodded. “I had forgotten.”
“So much on his mind,” Penny murmured and offered a smile.
“Yes.” Yet the cold glances she received from the captain did little to make Mary Rose feel less anxious. Suddenly overcome with the feeling she’d just done something horribly wrong, she wished someone would come to her door.
Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Trace and Sheriff Weston moving to the house. Relief flowed through her even if she couldn’t let Trace see how much better she felt with him in the room. “Oh, your bags are here,” she said, drawing her eyes away from the cold calculating ones of the captain.
“Here you go, Mary Rose. I’ve got to get over to the office.” Rand said, putting down the bag he’d carried.
“Thank you, Sheriff.” Penny smiled.
“Where do you want them to go?” Trace asked.
Mary Rose stood and moved toward the stairs. By all rights, she should offer them Daniel’s room. Yet a cold hardness filled the pit of her stomach. Was it fear?
“I-I haven’t cleaned out my brother’s room yet,” she apologized. Looking up, she could see Trace’s troubled glance. Humph, let him worry.
“Then,” came Penny’s bright voice, “that is what I shall help you with.”
Mary Rose turned. “I can’t ask that of you, not in your condition.”
Penny rose from her seat and moved forward, her hands outstretched to her. “I hardly think putting things away in boxes will sap my strength. I am in a peculiar fashion, but women do recover. Let me help you, Mary Rose.”
How could she refuse? Her shoulders relaxed, and she squeezed Penny’s hands. “Thank you, I’d like that very much. Let me show you to your room. I’m sure you want to get some things straight, and I’ll let you rest for a while.”
She rounded the banister, Trace’s clean scent washing over her. Steeling her urge to return his glance, she placed a foot on the stairs. “Follow me.” She could hear footsteps behind her—Penny’s soft slippers, the captain’s heavy footfalls, and then the jingle of spurs