A Heart's Blessing - Linda Ford Page 0,32
Delcie at the doorway and leaned there to watch. She tried not to be self-conscious about his presence.
He laughed as she scooped up Sally. Then like a light had been doused, he stopped and returned to the preacher.
Strange. What had come over him?
It was soon time for the children to go to bed. She got them washed and changed and tucked under the covers then sat and read to them. Sally was asleep before she finished.
Kent looked thoughtful.
She wondered what was on his mind but didn’t have long to wait. “I’m glad Mr. Remington is here. I wish he could stay.”
“You know he can’t. He’s only here because of the preacher. Then he will go back to his place.”
“I know. But I wish.”
“You miss your pa. I understand.”
“I wish I had a new pa.”
The words slammed into Delcie’s midsection. She knew the children deserved two parents, but she didn’t intend to marry just to provide them with a father. “I guess you’ll have to be happy with me and Auntie Laura and Aunt Hilda.”
He flipped to his side to face Delcie. “But what if they get married like Aunt Jenny did? Then we’d be all alone.”
She knew it was a possibility but hadn’t thought Kent was worried about it. She wrapped her arms around him. “Honey, whatever happens, I will take care of you and Sally. We’ll be a family, just like your mama wanted. You remember what she said?”
“That I must be brave and help you take care of Sally. I try to watch Sally.”
“You do a great job of watching her, but remember it is my job, and you are my helper. A very good helper.” She didn’t want him feeling overly responsible. It was too big a load for a child.
“Do you think Mr. Remington would let me help him?”
“I can’t say. But you have to remember you can’t go to his place without permission.”
“I know. That’s how you hurt your ankle.”
She chuckled to think Kent thought it was because she had gone uninvited. “At least my ankle wasn’t hurt really bad.” She could limp along now. “Now you go to sleep.” She kissed him and left the room.
Laura sat at the table, a lamp lit to allow her to write in her journal.
“What are you writing about the day?” Delcie asked.
“It was more eventful than usual. The preacher, the doctor, the thieves at large.”
“You didn’t mention Mr. Remington.”
“I was about to. You beat me to it.”
Delcie pretended a great interest in examining the nailbed of her index finger.
Laura laughed softly. “It’s all right if you think he’s handsome.”
“I don’t.”
“Really. Maybe you should have a better look.” She laughed again.
“Laura, you’ve been looking.”
“Well, I do have eyes. Even if I don’t have a heart toward men.”
At that, they both fell silent.
It was getting late but neither Delcie nor Laura made any move toward going to bed.
“Knowing there might be dangerous men lurking about, I don’t think I’ll sleep a wink,” Delcie said, but then yawned widely.
The preacher’s voice reached them, and Delcie went to see how he was doing. Mr. Remington sat on the chair beside the bed, listening to the preacher.
“My head hurts dreadfully.”
“The doctor says it will for some time. But it’s good to see you’re clear in your mind. Do you remember what happened?”
Despite his swollen face, the preacher looked irritated. “Two men stopped me. Demanded money. I had only two coins. I guess that angered them because they pulled me off my horse and attacked me. Last I remember was one pulling a knife. Then the other hit me on the head with the butt of his pistol.”
Mr. Remington nodded. “Were there only two?”
“That’s all I saw.”
“What did they look like?”
The preacher closed his eyes.
Delcie thought he had faded out again but then he continued, his words slow, as if being dragged through a dark tunnel.
“One tall. Dark, long hair. Deep voice. Other skinny as a rail. Wild, sandy-colored hair. Narrow-set eyes.”
“Thanks, Ezra.” Mr. Remington patted the preacher’s shoulder. “Now rest.”
The man closed his eyes and breathed deeply.
“Is he sleeping?” Delcie whispered.
“I think so. At least his mind is clear and now we know better what we’re looking for.” Mr. Remington rubbed his hand over his head. He stood, went to the window, and adjusted the curtains.
Delcie thought they were already tightly drawn. “What are you doing?” She made no attempt to hide her suspicions.
“I need to let Burnsie and the others know what the preacher said but I don’t like leaving you