Painting wasn’t hard. Keeping the paint only on the places that needed painting, that was the hard part. By the time Piper made the last swipe of paint on the porch posts, her hands and arms sported a multitude of white spots.
“You’ve got a little paint on your face, Danny.” Nurse Hankins had shown up that morning after, as she said, catching a nine-pound, three-ounce boy for Mrs. Jefferson. “There’s a mirror in my room if you want to clean up.”
“I have paint on my face too?” Piper touched her cheek.
“You are a bit speckled.” Nurse Freeman laughed. She’d just come in from checking on some of her patients. “Not to mention the streaks of white in your hair.” She glanced at the other nurse. “She’s looking something like you, Janet.”
“I’ve earned every bit of frosting I have.” Nurse Hankins ran her hand through her short hair that did sport a fair amount of gray, but no paint as far as Piper could tell, in spite of the fact the nurse had found a smaller brush and painted the window facings. She didn’t get the first spot of paint on the window glass.
Nurse Freeman held up the old shirt she let Piper borrow. “You did know you were to use the brush and not dip the shirt in the paint, didn’t you?”
“Sorry. Do you want me to wash it?” Piper picked at a spot of paint on her hand. It was already the middle of the afternoon, and if she was going to get to Wendover before dark, she needed to get started. “I did clean up any paint I got on the floor.”
“Now, now, Alice. Give the girl some credit.” Nurse Hankins covered a yawn with her hand. “Mercy. I do hope no baby wants to discover the world this night.”
“You should have taken a nap,” Nurse Freeman said.
“And leave poor Danny working alone? My mum taught me better than that.” Nurse Hankins grinned over at Piper. “Plus, I do like our view out the windows. Didn’t want us to have a blind cabin.”
When Piper looked puzzled, Nurse Freeman explained. “A cabin without windows. I suppose Nurse Hankins worried you might paint the window white.” She shook her head and smiled. “And from the looks of this shirt, that appears to have been a possibility.”
“Guess I was pretty messy.” Piper looked down at her bare feet. She’d been smart to take off her riding boots.
“That you were,” Nurse Freeman said. “But the doors and the porch posts look great. So white and clean. No need to concern yourself over a few paint splatters.”
“My mum used to say it would all come out in the wash,” Nurse Hankins said. “If not right away, then eventually.”
“That word ‘eventually’ is a good one to remember,” Nurse Freeman said. “It could be you’ll need some kerosene to get that paint off. We have some if you want to give it a try.”
“I think I’ll head to Wendover and do the paint removal there,” Piper said. “If I douse myself in kerosene, I’ll need a bath.”
“A bath.” Nurse Freeman sighed. “Maybe I should visit Wendover and take my turn in that bathtub of Mrs. Breckinridge’s. I do miss soaking in a hot-water bath.”
“Can’t be riding off now, Alice,” Nurse Hankins said. “We have babies to catch.”
Piper saddled Bella and waved goodbye to the nurses as she rode past the center. With a sigh, she relaxed as Bella headed down the trail. She was tired, but it was a good tired. Neat or not, she had done what the nurses asked. Painted every wood surface in sight. Milked Clara. Eaten wild raspberries off a bush near the barn and made friends with Nurse Hankins’s dog, Bandit. When Piper asked what breed the short-haired black-and-brown dog might be, Nurse Hankins laughed and said mountain dog was as close as she could come.
By the time Piper forded the Middle Fork River and started up to Wendover, deep shadows were falling over the hills. It felt like coming home. That surprised Piper. She was miles from her home in Louisville, but she liked the feeling of belonging here in this place, at least for a summer. Rusty ran to meet her with his tail wagging, and Ginger came out of the barn, followed by a couple of her more adventuresome pups.
Kermit walked down Pig Alley toward Piper as she slid off Bella. “Pushing it kinda late, aren’t you, Danny? Mrs. Breckinridge don’t like you girls being out by yourself after dark.”
“I know. I had to finish the painting they wanted done at Wilder Ridge Center.” Piper led Bella toward the barn.
“Good to know you were painting. I was feared you might have broke out in the white-spotted measles.” Kermit chuckled and reached for Bella’s reins. “Don’t expect this ever again, but I’ll take care of your horse. Everybody on the place has been looking for you. Including Mrs. Breckinridge.”
“She’s here?”
“Got here middle of the day. Asked where you were straightaway. Well, after she fed her chickens and geese. Hardly anything comes before that when she gets back here. But could be you should head on up to the Big House. Mrs. Breckinridge wants something done, she generally wants it done yesterday.”
“Am I in trouble?” Piper asked.
“More likely you’d know that better than me, wouldn’t you?” Kermit looked over his shoulder as he started into the barn. “If’n you are, it won’t get no better dragging your feet out here.”
Ginger licked Piper’s hand while Rusty jumped up for a pat and the pups started play fighting. “He’s just pulling my leg, isn’t he?” Piper ruffled Rusty’s ears and stroked Ginger’s back. “I brought Bella back in fine shape and found the way to Billy’s house and nobody got shot. I even milked a cow. That ought to get me a medal. Not trouble.”
“Piper.” Marlie ran down the road from the Garden House. She didn’t use Piper’s nickname. That made her more nervous.
Marlie skidded to a stop in front of her. “Good. You’re back. We were worried you might stay at Wilder Ridge another night.” She gave Piper a better look. “What in the world? Is that goose doo-doo all over you?”
That made paint not sound as bad. “I’ve been painting.”
“Oh. Well, Mrs. Breckinridge told me to watch for you and make sure you went to the Big House right away.”
“Maybe I should clean up first.”
“You don’t know Mrs. Breckinridge. She wants to see you now. Paint and all.”
Worry jumped up in Piper that Mrs. Breckinridge might have brought bad news from home. Had something happened to Leona or the baby? When Piper thought about Leona struggling to have her baby the way Mrs. Whitton had, her heart started beating faster. That didn’t seem like anything Leona could survive.
“Don’t look so tragic,” Marlie said. “It’s not bad news. Your aunt is here and—”
“Truda?”
Of course, it was Truda. Piper didn’t wait to hear more. She whirled and ran toward the Big House. She wondered if Truda had been there long enough to go see Dr. Jack. Or if she even wanted to see Dr. Jack. Truda had not once mentioned him in her letters after Piper wrote that she’d met the doctor. No How does he look? What is he doing? Nothing. But Piper knew she had to be curious.
In the dining room, the supper dishes had been cleared away and account books and papers were spread out in front of Truda and Miss Aileen. A pencil was stuck behind one of Truda’s ears and her reading glasses were propped on her nose. She looked the way she did whenever Piper visited her at the bank. She could almost see numbers circling around her head.
“Piper.” Truda pushed back from the table and held out her arms.
Miss Aileen stood up too and frowned at Piper. “Good gracious, Danny, did you fall into a flour bin?”
That was better than goose doo. “It’s paint. But it’s dry. It won’t rub off on anything.” Piper gave Truda a hug. “You should have let me know you were coming.”
“Why? Were you going to bake a cake?” Truda smiled.
“Who knows? Maybe I could. I’ve been doing plenty of other things I’ve never done before.” Piper laughed. “But I’m so glad to see you. Are Mother and Father all right? Has Leona had her baby?” She didn’t wait for answers but rushed on. “I saw a baby being born last week. It was amazing.”
“Everybody at home is fine. The doctor says another month at least for Leona. She’s not happy. Poor child. Your mother has been over there every day. Wanda Mae can hardly contain her excitement. In fact, she’s so wrapped up in helping Leona get the nursery ready that I think she’s almost glad you decided to forgo your debut season.”
“Not half as glad as I am. It’s an adventure a minute down here. I actually milked a cow.”
“And painted something besides your face, I hope.” Truda touched a spot on Piper’s cheek.
Miss Aileen spoke up. “You should have cleaned up.”
“I was afraid it would get dark before I got back if I did that, and you did say I should stay one night.”
“One night. Two.” Miss Aileen waved her hands as if it was no matter. “You do whatever the nurse midwives need when you go out on district.”
“Yes, ma’am. But I got Billy home and finished the painting.” Piper would wait to tell her about the standoff with Mann Taylor. No need worrying Truda. “I can go clean up now, but Marlie said Mrs. Breckinridge wanted to see me. Was it just because Truda is here?” Piper smiled over at her aunt. “I’m so glad to see you. Have you been to the hospital?”
“Not yet. I was waiting for you to give me the grand tour. Meanwhile, I’ve been helping Miss Aileen with her books.”
“I do appreciate your help.” Miss Aileen sighed as she looked down at the table. “We need to find a way to stretch our dollars. This is a difficult time for everyone.” Then she seemed to remember Piper. “But Mrs. Breckinridge does want to speak to you, Danny. Right away. She’s upstairs in her bedroom, resting. So off with you.” Another wave of her hands dismissed Piper.
“More surprises await.” Truda raised her eyebrows in a look that Piper couldn’t quite interpret.
Piper started to ask again if she was in trouble, but she bit back the words and headed for the stairs. “Which room?” She hadn’t been upstairs in the Big House.
“Trust me.” Miss Aileen sounded irritated. “You won’t need a map.”
Miss Aileen was right. If she could find Billy West’s house up in the hills, then she could surely find Mrs. Breckinridge’s bedroom in what might be called the Big House but was hardly castle size.
She looked up as she went down the hallway. Someone was walking around overhead in the attic. Suze said all sorts of things were stored there.
The glow of an oil lamp came from the far bedroom where someone was talking. Piper hesitated in the hallway, but Mrs. Breckinridge must have heard her coming.
“Come on in, child.”
“I didn’t want to disturb you.” Piper looked around, but nobody was in the room except Mrs. Breckinridge, who was propped up on pillows in the bed.
“I was just telling Breckie about my trip. Breckie was my son, you know. He died when he was four, but I imagine him wise beyond his years in heaven. Anytime I have lost a baby or little child I was treating, and praise be, there haven’t been many, I was sure my Breckie would be waiting to usher them into paradise.” She blinked and blew out a breath before she sat up straighter to peer at Piper. “My word, child, did you get any paint on the walls?”
At least Mrs. Breckinridge knew it was paint. “Not on the walls, but on the doors and porch posts.” Piper rubbed a spot off her hand. “Nurse Freeman and Nurse Hankins were pleased.”
“Good girls, both of them, and the place did look in need of sprucing up last time I was by there. Any babies being born out that way?”
“Nurse Hankins delivered a little boy for a Mrs. Jefferson. And Mrs. West looked not far from her delivery date.”
“Ah yes, Billy’s mother. Aileen told me you took him home. Such a sweet little fellow. Aileen thought it highly irregular, but then she likes all her ducks in a row.” Mrs. Breckinridge’s gaze was sharp on Piper. “And you girls are her ducks. Don’t forget that.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Also keep in mind that I expect the highest standard of behavior from you.” She pointed a finger at Piper. “If I hear any different, you’ll pack up and be out of here.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Piper shifted on her feet. “Have I done something wrong? Dr. Jack asked me to take Billy home.”
“No, no. That was fine. A treat for the child. Heaven knows, the children around here get few of those. But they are such dear little ones.” A smile flashed across her face and was gone as once again her eyes were intense on Piper. “I simply want to make sure you understand the behavior expected from my couriers.” She shook her finger at Piper. “Absolutely no hanky-panky.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Piper frowned a little. “Not much chance for anything like hanky-panky around here.”
“So it would seem. But sometimes unsettling opportunities can sprout up like weeds in a bean patch.” The woman leaned to look past Piper out into the hallway. “Come in here, young man.”
Piper couldn’t imagine what young man could have Mrs. Breckinridge concerned about hanky-panky. The only man who was always around Wendover was Kermit, and he was old enough to be Piper’s grandfather. Truda was the one who had come to the mountains with the idea of seeing a man from her past. That thought made Piper smile as she turned to see whomever Mrs. Breckinridge had beckoned into the room.
Piper’s heart dropped, then bounced back up and started beating like mad. She shut her eyes and opened them again. That couldn’t be Jamie Russell in the doorway. She had to be dreaming.
He smiled his Jamie smile. “Hello, Piper.”
The sure knowledge of Mrs. Breckinridge’s eyes boring into Piper was absolutely the only thing that kept her from running to grab Jamie’s hands and dance in a circle like they were still kids. Instead, with the talk of hanky-panky behavior fresh in her mind, she stayed rooted to her spot.
“Jamie.” She hated that she sounded breathless. She pulled in some air and went on. “What are you doing here?”