Cole was watching his brother closely. "You don't seem too broken up over her leaving," he remarked.
Adam shrugged indifference. "It's her life. She can do whatever she wants."
"What if she took off on her own?"
"There isn't anything I can do about that."
Cole smiled. "It isn't working, Adam."
"What isn't working?"
"Your I-don't-give-a-damn attitude. You're trying to act like you aren't worried about her, and we both know you are."
His brother didn't deny it. "I wish I knew what was in that telegram. Whatever it was scared her. Maybe someone close to her got sick. That would scare a woman, wouldn't it?"
"That would scare a man too," Cole said. "You don't think she's in any kind of trouble, do you?"
"It can't be anything serious. I was pretty sure that there was something wrong, but she denied it. She looked me right in the eye and told me she didn't need any help. She said it was just a minor inconvenience."
"You think she was telling you the truth?"
"About her problem being a minor one? Yeah, I do. She's led a real sheltered life, and I can't imagine she has any real serious problems."
"I think Genevieve's real smart, but even smart people do crazy things when they're scared."
"Such as?"
"Riding out at night all alone."
Adam refused to believe that she would take such a chance. "I'm sure she got a ride with someone."
Cole didn't argue with him. "Maybe you ought to go into town and have a little talk with Clarence. You can be real intimidating when you want to, and I'll bet you could get him to tell you what was in that wire."
"If he tells me, he'll lose his job. Wires are supposed to be kept confidential."
"So?"
Adam shook his head. "Clarence is too ethical." He spat the words out as though they were foul. He stood up, grabbed his hat, and headed for the door. "I've wasted enough time."
"Where are you going?"
"Back to work as soon as I change my shirt. I'm going to be up half the night catching up on all the paperwork, and tomorrow I've got to start breaking in the mustangs so we can sell them at the auction next month, and I-"
"You're going after her, aren't you?"
Adam gave his brother a look that suggested he wanted to punch him for asking such a stupid question. "What do you think?"
He didn't stay outside long enough to hear Cole's answer. He went upstairs to his room, stripped out of his shirt, and washed the dirt and grime off. He could have sworn the scent of lilacs was on the towel he used, but that was the only reminder that Genevieve had occupied his room.
Her suitcase was gone from the corner. There was an empty space in the wardrobe where her clothes had hung, and the jewelry and hair clips he'd noticed on the dresser yesterday when he'd come in to get clean clothes were also gone.
She hadn't left anything behind. Yet the memory of her smile lingered in his mind, and he knew it was going to take him a long while to forget her.
He decided to get busy. He went downstairs to grab something to eat before he tackled the paperwork. Mary Rose was sitting at the kitchen table with a pen and paper in her hands. She smiled when she saw him.
"You're back early. Are you hungry? I made soup, but it isn't as good as Mama Rose's."
"I thought you went home," he said.
"We're leaving in a few minutes. I wanted to copy down this recipe first. Sit down and I'll get you a bowl. You are going to try my soup, aren't you?"
"Sure," he said.
She stood up and reached for the apron she'd draped over the back of her chair. Adam had only just taken his seat when he bounded back to his feet.
"The apron," he announced.
She slipped the garment over her head and then looked down to see if something was wrong with it.
"It looks fine to me."
"Not yours," he said, his impatience evident in his brisk tone. "The apron Genevieve was wearing. Was it hers?" he asked, wondering if women packed such things when they traveled.
"No, I loaned her one of Mama Rose's. I didn't want her to get her dress-"
Adam cut her off. "Did she give it back?"
"For heaven's sake, of course she gave it back. What's the matter with you?"
"Nothing's the matter. Where is it?"
"The apron?"
"Yes, damn it, the apron. Where is it?"
Her eyes widened in reaction to his bizarre behavior. It wasn't like Adam to ever lose his temper, but he appeared to be on the verge of doing just that. He was usually so calm and in control. Nothing ever riled him.
"Why are you getting so upset about an apron?" she demanded.
"I'm not upset. Now answer me. Where is it?"
She gave him a frown to let him know she didn't appreciate his surly attitude.
"I suppose it's hanging with the others on the hooks in the pantry."
Adam was already halfway across the kitchen before his sister had finished explaining. She followed him to the doorway and stood there watching him sort through the clutter of coats and hats and scarves and bibs, tossing them every which way until most of them were on the floor behind him.
"You're picking all those up," she said. "Adam, what's come over you?"
"Where the hell is it?"
"It's the white one on your left with the two lace pockets," she said. "Why do you want it?"
Adam lifted the apron from the hook and quickly searched the pockets. He felt like shouting with victory when he pulled out the crumpled piece of paper. Just as he had hoped, in her haste to leave, Genevieve had forgotten the wire.
He unfolded the paper, moved into the light, and read the message.
Then he exploded. "Son of a bitch."
"Watch your language," Mary Rose demanded. She moved close to her brother's side and tried to see what he was holding.
She wasn't quick enough. He had already refolded the paper before she could see anything.
"What is it?"
"A telegram."
"That's Genevieve's," she said. "I was standing next to her when Clarence gave the wire to her. Shame on you, Adam. You shouldn't have read it. It's confidential."
Cole came up behind his sister in time to hear her protest and offered his opinion.
"Sure he should read it. Who's it from, Adam?"
"A woman named Lottie."
Adam finally looked at him. Cole could tell from the look in his brother's eyes that it was serious. Mary Rose didn't seem to notice, however.
"I know what it says," she announced.
Adam turned to her. "You do?"
"Yes."
"And you didn't tell anyone?"
"Don't yell at me," she snapped. "Genevieve told me her friend was expecting a baby and promised to have her husband send a wire to let her know if she had a boy or a girl."
"Is that so?" Adam asked.
Mary Rose nodded. "She had a girl," she said. "I can't understand why you would get so upset over someone else's personal…"
She stopped talking when Cole put his hands on her shoulders and suggested she take a good look at Adam's expression.
Their brother looked furious. "How bad is it?" Cole asked him.
In answer, Adam handed the wire to him. Cole unfolded the paper and read the message out loud.
"Run for your life. They know where you are. They're coming for you."
"Good Lord," Mary Rose cried out.
Cole whistled at the same time. "Son of a…"
"How could anyone want to harm such a sweet, loving young lady?" Mary Rose asked.
"I thought you told me she wasn't in trouble," Cole said.
"That's what she told me," Adam muttered.
"She lied."
"No kidding. Of course she lied."
Mary Rose shook her head. "She must have had a good reason not to involve us."