Garrett who shrugged and said, “Life’s different out here, Hiram.”
His father was now viewing her as if she’d grown two heads. Unconcerned by that, she asked, “How long do you plan to stay in Paradise?”
“Just long enough for my son to gather his things, so he can return with us.”
Garrett didn’t seem pleased by the response.
Fannie said, “But for the moment, I just wish to find a place to sit that isn’t moving. Between the train, then the stagecoach, and the wagon ride here . . .”
“You can sit at one of the tables over there under the shade,” Spring said sympathetically. Ed had a number of trestle tables set up. “There’s also food available if you’re hungry.”
Melody said, “I’m starving.”
“Then let’s find a spot and get you all something to eat.”
As they walked, Spring noticed Garrett gently stretching his shoulders and back. “Are you okay?”
“Just a little stiff.”
His father asked with concern, “Are you certain you don’t need more medical attention? We can probably find another doctor in one of the bigger cities.”
Hearing that, Spring was offended on her brother’s behalf.
Garrett replied plainly, “I’m fine. Dr. Lee is a superior physician. I owe him my life.”
His mother rubbed his forearm comfortingly and asked, “Have the villains been found?”
He told her the news Whit shared earlier.
Melody said, “That’s good.”
Garrett added, “The sheriff is hoping to find Matt Ketchum soon.”
“I hope so, too,” his father said. “Seems like a pretty lawless place.”
Spring took offense again but remained silent.
Garrett didn’t. “I’m fairly sure more people are attacked in the District than here.”
Hiram grumbled, “If you say so.”
On the way to the table they stopped by the food station run by Chauncey Miller’s wife, Lacy, and Lucretia Watson and filled their plates with pieces of roasted chicken, slices of beef, vegetables, and biscuits. They then took seats at a table with enough free space to accommodate them, and the visitors sighed with relief.
“I’m exhausted,” Melody admitted. “Garrett, you’re never allowed to travel this far from home ever again.”
“Understood,” he replied, smiling.
Fannie noted that Spring hadn’t gotten a plate. “Are you not hungry, Spring?”
“I’ll eat later. If I have to help with one of the mustangs, it’s better if my stomach is empty.”
“Oh.”
Vernon glanced up from his plate. “You’re just pulling our leg about riding those bucking horses, right?”
“As Garrett said earlier, life here is different.”
Hiram asked, “Do other women do what you do?”
“I’m sure there are some in other places, but around here, I’m the only one.”
Spring turned to Garrett. “I see where you get all your question asking.”
He chuckled. “They’re just as impressed by you as I was when we met.”
Hiram said, “My son said in one of his letters that you met in a snowstorm?”
“Yes. Came across him in the middle of a blizzard.”
Garrett said, “The Lee family has kept me alive three times now. Her grandfather Ben found me in the road after I’d been shot, and took me to Dr. Lee’s office. I’m forever in their debt.”
Spring met the sincerity in his gaze and saw his mother watching them for a moment before she returned to her plate of food.
A few moments later Spring noticed Colt coming their way across the grass. He was wearing the black suit he always favored and she realized it had been quite some time since she’d seen him in anything else. His legendary devotion to caring for people was honorable but she worried that he never seemed to rest. “Here comes my brother now.”
Hiram hastily wiped his mouth with his napkin. He’d removed his brown suitcoat earlier due to the warm day, but now put it back on. Watching him brushing himself off and straightening his vest as if he were about to meet royalty was amusing, but she was pleased by the show of respect.
Colt nodded Garrett’s way when he reached the table. “Odell said your folks were here. I wanted to come say hello.”
Garrett did the introductions.
“Pleased to meet you all,” Colt responded. “And Mr. McCray, it was an honor to be interviewed by Garrett for your newspaper.”
“People back East need to know about you, and I can’t thank you enough for saving his life.”
“You’re welcome. Things like that rarely happen here, but I’m glad to have helped.”
“Is he fit to travel? I’d like to return home as soon as possible. He’s enjoyed himself here, but his true place is back East.”
Garrett’s jaw tightened. Colt’s eyes glanced at Spring’s. She kept her face blank.