A Heart's Blessing - Linda Ford Page 0,24

and squinted to see what it was. Mr. Remington! What was he doing sneaking around the backyard, looking in the shed and behind the fence? What was he up to? The man, despite his kindness and good words, needed to be watched carefully.

It was half an hour or more before he returned. Gave him plenty of time for snooping. His freshly shaved face and brushed hair did not convince her he’d only been taking care of personal needs. She had seen otherwise.

She’d tell him to leave except Laura could not do all the baking and everything else that needed doing so Delcie could stay in the sickroom to watch Preacher Peabody. Hilda should be back sometime today, and that would ease the workload. She left Mr. Remington to take care of the preacher and went to help Laura. She mixed up a large batch of cookie dough and soon had trays of cookies baking. She prepared a rice pudding and put it in the oven to bake. Meanwhile, Laura made soup and put stew meat to simmer.

Bread dough was shaped into loaves and set aside to rise.

They had decided not to open the dining room for breakfast and had left a note on the door informing people of the fact. They turned their attention to making breakfast for themselves and Mr. Remington. The preacher wouldn’t be eating yet. Please, God, help him recover.

The children came from the bedroom, yawning and rubbing their eyes. She hugged them both then sent them back to get dressed.

Kent stopped halfway across the floor. “Is Mr. Remington still here?”

“He’s taking care of the preacher.”

Grinning widely, he trotted back to their bedroom.

She couldn’t let the children get too fond of their neighbor. Not after she’d seen him snooping around this morning.

“You look troubled,” Laura said.

“I am.” She recounted what she’d seen that morning. “I don’t intend to make the same mistake twice about trusting a man.”

Laura nodded. “Nor do I. We’ll both be cautious. Maybe he can go home today.”

“I’d send him right now except we need someone to help with the preacher. Unless you want to take care of his personal needs?” She knew Laura wouldn’t, even without her friend looking shocked and shaking her head. “So we’re stuck with him for the moment.”

The children returned. Breakfast was ready. She went to the door and invited Mr. Remington to join them. He stood looking out the window. Something about the set of his shoulders made her study him a moment. What was he thinking? What plans did he have and how would they affect Delcie and the others at the café?

She would be on guard to make sure nothing bad happened.

5

Ryder hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. He’d only meant to offer to help the ladies. He knew how busy they were. But he couldn’t help overhearing their comments. So they weren’t about to trust him? Fine. He wasn’t about to trust anyone either. They’d put up with him. As if he wasn’t helping them. He’d go home this very minute if not for a number of factors. First, the preacher needed care. Secondly, there were people out there willing to beat a man half to death for no reason. It wasn’t likely that Ezra had more than a dollar or two on him. Whether the ladies liked it or not, he intended to make sure they and the children were safe.

“Breakfast is ready.” He heard the caution in Miss Morton’s voice and didn’t immediately turn.

“Please join us.”

“Thank you.” He followed her from the sickroom. “I see you can walk today. That’s good.”

“It certainly is.” They sat at the table with the others. For the sake of the children he would not let his mood affect his behavior.

“Did everyone sleep well?” he asked.

“I did.” Kent nodded vigorously.

“Me and Miss Rags too.” Sally’s eyebrows drew together in worry. “She sad ’cause she think you might be gone when she woke up.”

He saw the two ladies look at each other and didn’t need to see their expressions to know they didn’t care for Sally’s comment. He decided to nip their concerns in the bud. “You know I live right next door, don’t you?”

She nodded. “Once I had a papa. But I don’t remember.”

Her remark fell into a well of silence.

Unaware that her comment caused a collective holding of breath, she continued. “I maybe remember Uncle though. Maybe.”

Ryder felt his lungs relax when it seemed Sally wasn’t going to be upset.

“Your papa was a good man,” Miss Morton said. The