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When Annie slept, Daniel covered her with a quilt. He looked down at her as she rested on his pillow, then cursed himself for a fool. If anyone should find her here...
Softly he closed the door behind him, quietly he descended the stairs. Silently he slipped into the parlor where the guests were gathered. His heart stopped when he saw Jane Barber. He’d forgotten about her—one of the worst gossip-mongers in the village. His need to protect Annie escalated to desperation, but he looked in vain for Evelyn.
Luckily, Jane sat with her back to him. He made a small urgent motion to Jake, hoping Alec had taught him some of the hand-signals they’d used while gentling ponies. Come quickly, it said, come quietly. The youth was sitting on the floor beside the hearth but got up and joined his brother at the door. He’d attracted no attention, and Daniel felt his panic dissolve.
“Where’s Evelyn?” he asked in a low voice.
“In the kitchen. They’re making coffee.”
“Go get her for me? Tell her to meet me in the hall. Do it as quietly as you can, okay?”
The lad disappeared through the kitchen door as Daniel slipped out into the entryway again. He found himself pacing, stopped and ordered his thoughts under control. When Evelyn came out, he was leaning against the newel post.
“Jake said you wanted me?”
“Need you is more like it. I did something stupid and I need your help.”
“What is it?”
“Annie was in Gra... in Frank and Patricia’s room. I don’t know why, but she was crying when I went up.” He lied blatantly but felt no guilt. “Evelyn, I put her in my room. She’s asleep.”
“Daniel...” His sister gaped at him.
“I said it was stupid. But she was so upset, I didn’t think.”
“We can’t let anyone find out. Owen wouldn’t mind—he trusts you. But there are so many other people here. And Jane... it would be terrible.”
“Help me, please. I can’t let her suffer just because I’m stupid.”
“All right. You get back in there—no, go outside then back in by the kitchen door. Make yourself conspicuous. I’ll go upstairs. I’ll think of something.”
“Thank you, mavourneen. I knew we could count on you.”
As Evelyn flew up the stairs, Daniel sauntered around to the kitchen to help his mother and Carolyn with heavy trays of cups. No one, it seemed, had noticed his absence from the gathering. As he passed coffee around, he heard everyone planning the Fourth of July festival. The town would be fifty years old, and they all wanted a special celebration.
They were talking about the horse races as Evelyn approached Owen and put a hand on his arm. “Papa, Annie’s upstairs and she’s not feeling well.”
“It’s not headache, is it?”
“Oh, no, just a bit of indigestion.”
The tension left Owen’s face. “Indigestion” was the word his Annie used to describe any discomfort that wasn’t headache. “I’m going to bring her some peppermint tea. But it might be better if she were to sleep afterwards. She could stay here tonight.”
“Are you sure it’s no trouble?”
“None at all, Owen,” Molly answered. “You must know that by now.”
“The guest room’s already made up,” Evelyn added. Daniel had some trouble hiding his laugh. Again the statement was true, and Owen need not know it was he and not Annie who’d spend the night there.
“Should I go up and see her?” Owen asked.
Evelyn patted his arm again. “Maybe later.” She was gratified when he sank back into his chair. She made a wicked face at Daniel as she left the room, was rewarded by a grateful smile.
Molly saw it, though, and stared hard at him. He got up to follow as she motioned him into the kitchen. “What goes on?”
Evelyn explained the situation while her brother stood silent. Molly looked him up and down. “Haven’t you the slightest bit of intelligence at all?”
“No, ma’am.”
“It wouldn’t be so bad were Jane not here. And yet it seems that she has changed somewhat—she seems not so bitter as before. Still, we cannot allow anyone discover this. Oh, Daniel, I once did think you had a brain.”
“Once he did,” Evelyn put in, “but that was before he fell in love.”
“Aye.” Molly eyed him once more. “And that was quite some time ago, I fear. Now get yourself back in there, and for pity’s sake, do no more thinking tonight!”
He kissed her cheek and obeyed. He joined in the plans for the festival, offering half a dozen wooden toys for the craft table competition. Jane Barber volunteered to help the ladies make rag dolls for prizes, and the surprised silence was broken by Carolyn who, as always, offered to host the lemonade stand.
***
DANIEL ESCORTED EVELYN, Owen, and Carolyn out as the party broke up; Evelyn had convinced them Annie was sleeping soundly. Lowell had their buggy ready and, as good-nights were exchanged, Evelyn gave her brother a broad wink. He sent her a salute of thanks as they drove away.
He walked down the lane and leaned against the corral fence, his chin supported by his arms. The sky was glittering with stars, and he tried to drink in the serenity of the night. Then, directly behind him, he heard the soft footsteps of his Navajo friend.
First Jesse, then Annie. Now Alec. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve this day.
“Daniel.” The voice that was so rich and deep, that soothed nervous mustangs and comforted frightened children, just now made the woodsman’s hackles rise. “Who killed my mother?”
“I can’t tell you. I have no proof.”
“You told my father.”
“I’ve told no one.”
“My father knows.”
The woodsman shrugged.
“You told him,” Alec averred.
“No.”
“Then how does he know?”
Something within him snapped, and Daniel’s voice was no more than a growl. “I don’t know, Alec. Maybe he figured it out for himself. Maybe if you weren’t so damn stupid, you could figure it out, too!”
Horrified by the insult he’d thrown, Daniel reached out and grabbed at the air, as if he could snatch the words back. Then he realized that Alec had paid no attention to the slur but was deep in thought, staring hard at the ground before stalking away. Daniel sank to his knees beside the fence post, rested his head against it and groaned aloud. What have I done?