For all of them, Whispering Mountain was the center of the world. No matter how far he roamed, he always knew how to get home.
They'd be in Austin before dark, and Travis knew an old couple who rented rooms to state legislators when the Congress was in session. It was more expensive than he would have paid if he'd been alone, but Sage needed a safe place, and he guessed Dr. Bailey and his wife could use the extra money in the off season. The doc had retired from public practice a few years ago, but the Rangers still called him in when they needed his help.
Also, Duck wouldn't have to be around so many people in a home. They'd learned fast that the boy didn't like crowds. He'd hold to Travis, or disappear into Sage's skirt folds as soon as he saw a stranger. They still planned to take him out in public for short trips, but both agreed that it would be better if he had a place to sleep and eat where it was quiet.
Sage leaned against the back of the bench. "As soon as I get to Austin, I'm going to have a dress made in just my size. I'm tired of cutting every dress down that I buy at Elmo's, and the dresses Martha has made me over the years have all had the same pattern."
Travis hadn't noticed. "You can ask Mrs. Bailey if she knows someone. My guess is if there is a good dressmaker in Austin, she'll know about it. Some of the congressmen who stay with her bring their wives and I've heard she loves being their unofficial tour guide."
"That's a good plan. Of course, I'll want to go in every shop myself to make sure."
"Of course." He smiled. "How about I make a deal with you? Every morning after breakfast Duck and I will go with you to whatever shops you want. Or if you want to shop alone, we'll stay home. Then we'll eat lunch at one of the hotels or little cafes along Congress Avenue."
"Sounds good," Sage agreed.
"But," Travis added, "in the afternoon you stay at the Baileys with Duck while I check in with the Rangers. I also plan to visit with a judge I know who'll give me some advice. I don't want to sit for this test on the law without even knowing what to study. Don't expect me to run all over town with you. I'll need to look over that box of law books we're hauling." When she looked disappointed, he added, "That doesn't mean you and the boy can't go for walks, or ride around in Mrs. Bailey's buggy. I've heard she loves to go for a drive down to the Colorado River in the afternoons and watch the sun set."
"All right," Sage agreed. "The mornings are mine. The afternoons are yours. Half a day is better than no time."
She crawled up beside him on the bench. "How much farther?"
"We'll be there before dark."
Fear floated in her eyes.
"Don't worry," he added. "You're going to love Dr. and Mrs. Bailey. They've got this big house right off the main street. She has a garden of herbs like none you've ever seen. I've heard folks say that every woman who stays there goes away with clippings enough to start her own garden. She's president of the women's quilting group, too, and has women over several times a month for tea then an afternoon of quilting." He tried to remember what else he'd heard. "Oh, and every Sunday she goes to church."
Sage smiled. "Sounds like great fun," she lied.
"I know." He understood. The McMurrays had never taken the time to make many friends. The only reason he knew about the Baileys' place was because he'd had to ride guard for one of the senators last year and he'd heard the man's wife talking about the place. "Maybe you'll meet some people your age."
"Maybe," she echoed, then forgot her worries as the outskirts of Austin came into view. By the time they'd gone another two miles, she could see farms packed so close together they could see one another's rooflines.
Travis watched her excitement, realizing he'd never seen the beauty of the place before. Even in winter Sage constantly pointed out things he hadn't noticed. She pulled out her sketchpad and drew outlines of homes, saying she wanted to show Martha how things looked.
When they turned onto Congress Avenue, she laughed at everything she saw.
They ate at a real café with Duck sitting between them, then they drove to the Baileys' just before dark. Mrs. Bailey seemed delighted to see Sage and told Travis they could have the left wing of the house all to themselves. It had a private entrance and a sitting room between the bedrooms that he could use as a study. Travis didn't bother to ask the price; he knew it would be expensive and he also knew he could afford it.
Sage's bedroom was all soft and frills while his across the little sitting room was clean and serviceable. The next morning a light breakfast waited for them when Travis entered the middle room. Sage was already dressed and ready.
He grinned. "I don't think the stores are open this early."
"Mrs. Bailey gave me a list of where I might find everything I need. She even told me of three women opening a new shop and said they might be able to help me with a dress that fits me. She said they haven't even opened yet and all the richest people in Austin are visiting them and doing fittings in their parlor."
Travis ate and tried to listen. An hour later they were on their way. Within three shops they'd developed a pattern. Travis would walk his sister into the shop to make sure all was safe, then he'd take Duck outside and they'd sit on benches usually placed outside the shops. Duck liked to watch the horses and wagons rolling by. Travis watched the people.
He had his share of enemies around the state and didn't plan on running into any of them on this trip.
He and Duck stayed too long in one shop, and Sage insisted he buy a new suit and coat for himself. Travis complained as he tried on the suit, but drew the line at new shoes. He'd wear the dark clothes he thought made him look like a preacher, but he'd keep his boots.
When Sage had all Travis could carry, they had tea at one of the hotels and walked back to the Baileys'. Duck curled up on top of the buffalo hide in the sitting room and fell asleep.
Travis covered him with a quilt. "He didn't sleep well on the cot in my room last night. I think I'll move it in here for me and let him sleep right where he is now for tonight. He likes watching the fire, and I think he missed being close to it last night."
"I'll keep a close eye on him."
After moving the last of the boxes into her room, Travis reached for his hat. "You'll be all right here alone?"
She yawned. "I'll be fine. I might take a nap. Shopping is harder work than I thought it would be." She smiled at him. "This morning shopping/afternoon resting plan might be a good one. Duck and I will probably sleep the afternoon away."
He grinned, knowing the minute she knew he was gone she'd be in her room opening every box he'd brought in and examining what she'd bought. "I should be back by dinner."
Sage forced herself up to walk him to the side door. "We'll be here." She'd pulled the pins from her hair and was already braiding it.
Travis grabbed his cane and left. He knew the streets of Austin well and planned to cover as much ground as possible before dark.
An hour later the pain in his leg forced him to stop. He crossed into a saloon, took a chair by the window, and watched people passing as he sipped on a beer. In truth, he didn't like alcohol of any kind. He'd seen it make cowards brave and fools take their own advice, but he had to do something in the saloon if he planned to occupy a chair.
One of the girls came over and asked him if he wanted company. When he said no, she drifted to the next table, where the men seemed happy to have her join them.
When he'd sat as long as he thought he could without ordering another beer, or attracting attention, he moved on. The next time he stopped to rest, he picked a café and ordered pie and coffee. The coffee was weak, but the pie excellent.
He circled by Judge Gates's office and left a note with his secretary, then continued strolling the streets. All kinds of people passed him. Men in fancy suits who spoke with northern accents, laborers carrying supplies from one building location to another, drunks and gamblers.