"Miss Mary, will she keep her word about buying me a hat?"
"Yes," Mary Rose promised.
Clive nodded. He strutted back to his stagecoach, muttering under his breath all the while. Mary Rose knew his bluster was all for the men's benefit. Clive couldn't act relieved, not if he wanted to keep his mean reputation in tact.
The driver climbed up on the perch, took the reins in his hands, and then called out to Mary Rose. "I was feeling a bit poorly early in the week, but now…"
He paused in his explanation to glare at Eleanor. "Now I ain't too sure how I feel. How long is she gonna stay?"
"For a spell," Mary Rose answered. "There's always room for you, Clive. You know that."
"I'm feeling better," he said. "I might be able to fight off this illness… for a spell. Bye now, Miss Mary."
"What was that all about?" Eleanor asked.
Mary Rose waved to her friend before answering. "He's telling me he won't get sick until you leave. Why don't you go and sit in one of the chairs on the porch while I go inside and talk to Adam. It's going to take a while," she predicted. "He's going to have to welcome you before you can set foot in our house."
"What if he won't welcome me?"
Mary Rose didn't want to think about that possibility. "Adam is compassionate. I'll have to tell him what happened to you. Will you mind?"
"Will he tell everyone?"
"No," she assured her.
Eleanor agreed. "Do I have to sit there alone?"
Mary Rose looked around her for someone to keep Eleanor company. Harrison became her only candidate for the task, but only because he was the slowest one getting away. Cole had already reached the main barn, and both Travis and Douglas were hot on his heels.
Harrison didn't particularly want the duty, but he was gallant enough to do as Mary Rose asked.
He made her beg first, however, which she thought was extremely rude of him.
She had to chase after him too. "Will you slow down?" she demanded when she finally reached his side. "Why are you frowning like that?"
"I was concerned about you," he admitted. "You shouldn't have gotten inside. She had a gun, Mary Rose. You could have been hurt. She already shot at Clive," he reminded her.
"Eleanor wouldn't hurt me, or anyone else for that matter. She's afraid, Harrison. She's had a bad time lately. Be kind to her."
Harrison knew he was going to have to be a gentleman about this. He shouted to Douglas to come and get MacHugh, and when the brother arrived, he followed Mary Rose over to the porch.
She was finally able to go inside the house. Adam was in the library, sitting behind his desk. He was diligently working on one of his ledgers and didn't notice her standing in the doorway for a minute or two.
She patiently waited, and all the while she fought the tears gathering in her eyes.
She finally gave up trying to remain composed. She was fighting the inevitable, after all. For as long as she could remember, she'd been disgustingly predictable. Regardless of the severity of the insult or injury done to her, she could always control herself and maintain her dignity until she got home and spotted her oldest brother.
Then she would fall apart.
Today she proved to be as predictable as a downpour during a picnic. All it took was for Adam to notice her.
"Oh, sister, what happened to you?"
Mary Rose promptly burst into tears and threw herself into her big brother's arms.
February 13, 1864
Dear Mama Rose,
We just finished poring over a month-old newspaper Travis traded some skins for up near Perry, and a gentleman by the name of Benson reprinted Lincoln's speech he made in Gettysburg. We had already read about the battle there back in July, where so many brave men gave their lives. Benson said our President made the speech on the site of the cemetery he dedicated on the site of the battlefield. Adam wept when he read the words, and he copied it all down just right so we could send it to you.
Cole thinks you've probably already read it, Mama, but we all think it's too important not to read at least twice.
You and Lincoln are in our prayers.
Douglas
Chapter 8
Mary Rose threw herself into Adam's arms and wept like a little girl. He put his arms around her and patted her until she calmed down. It took her several minutes to regain control. Then she sat on the edge of the desk and poured her heart out. She told him all the horrid details of everything that had happened to her in town. She lingered over the Catherine Morrison episode. Adam examined her injuries while he listened, calmed her with his gentle voice as he said, "Is that so?" over and over again. In no time at all she was feeling fine again.
Her brother took her to the kitchen and washed her face so he could get a better look at the wounds to determine if stitches were going to be necessary. She held her breath until she heard the verdict, then smiled with relief over his decision. Stitches weren't needed after all.
She was finally ready to get on with the business of the day. She started to give Adam his handkerchief back, noticed it was soaked with tears and old blood, and tossed it into the laundry basket instead.
Her brother suggested she go upstairs and get cleaned up. He returned to the library to finish his work. "Relax this afternoon, Mary Rose. You've had enough excitement."
She chased after him. She couldn't pamper herself with a bath as long as Eleanor was sitting on the front porch fretting. She needed to get her settled in, and then she was going to take the supplies she'd purchased to Corrie. She had made the woman a promise to return today, and Mary Rose didn't want to break her word.
"I've indulged myself in childish self-pity long enough," she told her brother. She stood in the doorway and watched Adam take his seat behind his desk once again. She noticed the ledgers were open, knew then she was interrupting his work, but decided he was just going to have to be patient a little longer. The books could wait. Eleanor couldn't.
"Don't forget to put some medicine on those cuts."
"I won't forget," she said. "We need to talk about Eleanor now. She's waiting on the porch. I told her she couldn't come inside until you gave permission. Will you talk to her… in private? She wants to tell you what happened to her before you make up your mind to let her stay or not."
Adam was surprised by the request. "In all of your life, have you ever known me to send anyone away?"
"No, but Eleanor's a different situation. She's going to throw the family into chaos for a little while. Are you in the mood to put up with her?"
"What about your brothers? Shouldn't they have a say?"
"They'll do whatever you think is right," she countered. "Cole will be difficult, of course, but he'll figure out a way to avoid her until she settles down."
Adam leaned back in his chair and gave his sister a speculative look. "Exactly how long is Eleanor going to be staying with us?"
She couldn't look at him when she gave her answer. "For a spell."
"Is that right? And exactly how long is 'a spell,' Mary Rose?"
She shrugged. "I wish I knew," she whispered. "Talk to her, please? She's scared. She needs a safe place."
Adam let out a sigh. He stood up and came around the desk. "All right," he agreed. "Go on upstairs now. I'll take care of Eleanor. Her last name is…?"
"Border," Mary Rose answered. "Shouldn't I stay down here while you talk to her?"
Adam shook his head. "That isn't necessary."
She started up the stairs to the second floor. Adam was almost to the front door when she turned and called out to him.
"I want to make certain she…"