Tara spoke. “I’ll hire you on a trial basis to start off and give you four dollars a week. After you prove yourself, I’ll give you a raise. It’s the best I can do.”
Relief shot through Addie, and she watched a happy smile form on her mother’s lips.
“That’s only fair. I can start work tomorrow if you wish.” Ingrid stared out the window. “The sooner the better.”
Tara reached for Ingrid’s hands, surprising Addie. “We all have things that haunt us. Work will help fix that, but you need to move in and get settled first. How about starting Monday morning? I like to start new things on a Monday.”
Ingrid nodded. “That will do fine. Thank you.”
“We’re going to make some beautiful creations together, Mrs. Jancy.” Tara’s necklaces tinkled as she showed them to the door.
Outside, Addie turned to her mother. “Is your head swimming yet?”
“I can’t believe my turn of fortune. A place to live and a job, all in one morning. And you, Daughter, can teach school again. I remember how you loved your students.” Sadness filled Ingrid’s eyes. “I apologize for leaving you in that impossible situation and not taking you and your sisters somewhere safe. I was too scared of your father.”
“I know. Let’s not speak of this ever again. I want to forget those horrible years—and him. I’ve wiped his name from my memory. You should do the same.”
“I loved him once, in the beginning, and he gave me you girls.”
“I have no good memories, and I won’t let the bad ones ruin our day.” Addie forced cheer into her voice. “Let’s go tell Ridge the news.”
Thirty-Seven
A little over a week later, Addie and Ridge drove into the small community of Seven Mile Crossing. A couple in another wagon directed them to Ben Halsey’s farmhouse.
A tall, thin man wearing suspenders, crushing a floppy hat in his hands, answered the door and let them inside. “Zelda’s in here, Miss Addie. I haven’t left her side to send you a telegram.”
“I’ve been very worried and knew something must be horribly wrong.”
“Yes, ma’am. She’s in a bad way. She might not be able to hear you.”
Supported by Ridge, Addie followed Ben into a bedroom and found Zelda on a bed. Ben waved her to a straight-backed chair next to her old friend. Addie took the blue-veined hand with its papery skin. “Zelda, I’m here. It’s me, Addie.”
The old midwife’s eyes opened; her voice was weak. “Addie, child. It’s good to see you.”
Addie barely knew when the men left her alone with Zelda. “I made it through prison and married a wonderful man, Ridge Steele. He’s an outlaw but a good man, and we love each other.”
Zelda tried to talk, but her mouth was so dry. Addie spied a glass of water and wet the corner of a washcloth, then dabbed it on Zelda’s cracked lips.
“Ezekiel?” Zelda asked.
“He’s where he can’t hurt anyone ever again. Mama shot him.”
Surprise filled Zelda’s eyes.
“Mama finally had enough and put an end to it. She’s safe with me, living in Hope’s Crossing. She’s sent for my sisters and they should arrive any day.”
“Good.”
A scurry of little feet sounded, followed by a moment’s silence outside the room. The door creaked open and she saw the three-year-old boy she’d protected for the first time since he was an infant. He was blond-haired, blue-eyed like his mother, and Addie’s heart melted. Images of that long-ago night in the schoolhouse flitted through her head, despite her attempts to push them away. All the blood. The horror. How shaky her hands had been as she’d tried to help Jane Ann. Then, unable to save her, she’d watched the girl’s eyes close for good.
Zelda smiled. “This is Nico, short for Nicolas.”
“I’m so happy to finally meet you, Nico.” Addie lifted him into her lap. “You’re such a handsome little man.”
He nodded and silently held up three fingers.
“I see. You’re three years old. What a big boy.”
Nico nodded.
“Zelda, thank you so much for keeping him safe. When you left with him that night, I didn’t exactly know what I was asking of you.” Tears filled Addie’s eyes. “I’m sure it wasn’t easy raising him.”
“Ben helped.”
“Thank goodness for that. I’ll be sure to show my appreciation.” Addie kissed the top of Nico’s head. “I’ll take him home now.”
“We d—did it, Addie.” A tear eased from the corner of Zelda’s eye.
“Yes, we did.”
“P—prison?”
“It was hard. I won’t lie. But I made it. I would’ve done anything for Nico.”
Hearing his name, he looked up