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Sarah peeked in Carl’s room. The boy’s eyes were huge. His freckles stood out against his pale, tear-stained face. He seemed to be holding onto the baby for dear life, even though she had leaked through to his blood-streaked clothes.
“Miss Sarah, is my s—sister gonna die?”
Sarah’s heart hurt for the little boy. Someone should have been comforting him, but he had guarded Emma by himself. She scooped him into her arms and sat on the bed with both of the children in her lap. She hugged him, and between kisses on his head, she murmured reassurances that all would be well.
After a few moments, she pulled back. “Carl, I’m so proud of the way you took care of Emma. Let’s get you both cleaned up.” She glanced up at Thorn who stood in the doorway. “Would you please get me a pitcher of warm water?”
He nodded and disappeared, returning a few minutes later with the water. “While you take care of the children, I’ll take care of the mules.”
“And see about Drew?”
Thorn nodded and left.
“All right, Carl. Let’s get you and Emma cleaned up, then maybe the doctor will let you see your sister. And I’ll fix us something to eat.”
***
After lighting a couple of lanterns, Thorn wheeled the wagon into the barn and removed the harness from the first set of mules.
Drew stepped up beside him. “Need some help? I used to be good at this kind of thing.”
“Help’s always appreciated.” Thorn watched the younger man struggle with his crutches as he removed the harnesses from the mules. “You know what you’re doing. Fair bet you didn’t learn that from your grandfather.”
Drew made a sound, probably meant to be a chuckle, but the unexpected sob muffled it. “I used to help my pa with the animals, hitching up the buggy for Ma and Sarah.” Drew stood on the far side of the light. The sliding of leather across the mules’ backs, the chinking of metal bits, and the night owl’s hoots filled the air. “I’d give anything if they hadn’t died and left us at Grandfather’s mercy. Mercy, ha. That man had no mercy for anyone.” The pounding of his fist against the barn wall battled the other night sounds. “Why does God let there be wicked men like Grandfather, Stanley, and the man who hurt Helen?”
Mac wanted to add the names of the men who hurt Lizzie. But like Drew, he didn’t know them. And he couldn’t answer Drew’s question, a question he’d asked in his own mind more than once over the last two years.
When the last of the harness was cleaned and put away, Thorn took the lantern and walked with Drew back to the house to check on the women.
Early the next morning, Mac poured himself a fresh cup of coffee, then set the pot back on the stove. He would need plenty of it if he was going to make it through the day. The night had been long and tiring as he’d sat with Drew, who insisted on keeping watch in case the attacker returned.
He glanced at the younger man whose head rested on the wooden table. They had talked for hours after Rose took the children upstairs with her. Mac couldn’t help but smile as memories of her dealing with the children played out in his thoughts. She was a good mother. And with all she had been through, she deserved a large family. Would she be willing to come home with him, help him with his girls? He let out a gust of disgust. No sense even thinking about that yet.
The knob on the outside door twisted. Mac dropped his cup and grabbed Drew’s rifle.
The door opened. Judith walked in. When she saw the rifle, she screamed and dropped the basket she carried.
Drew’s head jerked up from the table. “What in the—?”
Rose stepped into the kitchen with Emma in one arm and holding Carl’s hand with her other hand. “Judith, stop that this instant. Thorn, put down that gun. Drew, take Carl.”
Mac couldn’t help but chuckle when everyone obeyed the little general.
“Is it safe to come out now?” Doc stuck his head out of Helen’s room.
Carl shook loose of Drew’s hand and raced to the old man. “How’s my sister?”
“She’s doing fine, but she’s asleep right now. If you stay real quiet, you can go in and sit with her. But remember, stay real quiet unless she wakes up, then come and get me or Mrs. MacPherson.”
Carl nodded so hard his hair flapped on his forehead, then he shot into the bedroom.
“What’s going on here?” Judith bent and grabbed her basket.
***
Sarah stepped farther into the kitchen. “Helen was attacked last night. She’ll be in bed for a few days. I need you to fill in for her here in the kitchen.”
Judith’s eyes widened as she raised a trembling hand and grasped the collar of her dress. “Is she...how is she?”
Sarah sucked in a breath and nodded. “Helen’s resting in her room. The man cut her. The doctor will be checking on her during the next few days. Please assist him in anything he asks.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Judith glanced at Helen’s bedroom door, then started breakfast.
“Drew, we need to talk.” Sarah rested her hand on her brother’s shoulder.
“In a minute.” He patted her fingers but looked at the doctor. “Are you going to tell me who did this to Helen?”
Doc rubbed his hand over his white hair and headed toward the back door. “Sorry, son, but like I told you last night, the sheriff’s handling it.” He stopped for a moment and looked over his shoulder. “If she wakes up before I get back, give her some broth and tea.”
He slipped outside before anyone could stop him.
Drew rubbed his hand over his face. “What do you want to talk about, sis?”
Sarah bit the inside of her cheek as she watched Judith stand by the dry sink with her back to them, not working but turned just a bit towards the table. Oh, how she hated eavesdroppers, always looking for information to trade or use. It reminded her so much of Stanley and the way her simplest words had been used against her and Drew.
“Let’s go to the parlor.”
“I can’t leave Helen. Say what you need to.”
Sarah glanced over at Thorn, who shrugged. She flicked her eyes over to Judith and back to Thorn.
He nodded and stood. “Let me help, Judith. I think we’ve about drained the pot.” Their voices droned on as he talked with the woman.
Sarah pulled a chair as close to Drew as she could and sat. She kept her voice low. “I met with my lawyer in Denver. He told me that Grandfather had lost everything and then had a stroke.”
Drew stood so fast that his chair fell over backwards. He clung to the table to keep from falling over as he balanced on his good leg. “How could he have lost everything?” The words came out low and guttural between his clenched teeth.
Thorn took a step toward them, but Sarah shook her head. He lifted Emma from her arms and turned back toward Judith who had turned to stare.
“Please sit down.” Sarah pulled his chair upright. By his pale face and trembling hands, she knew this was hitting him hard. He’d just learned that everything he had worked for had been taken away. She understood what he was feeling, to have all choices taken away, to be left to another’s mercy, to have no say in one’s future. He had refused her offers of help in the past. Would he let her help him now?
She chanced a glance at Thorn. He gave her a quick smile and turned back to talk with Judith while Emma gummed a bread crust. “While this is still sinking in, let me say something. I’ve been thinking about this all night, and I have a solution, if you want to hear it.”
He sat and dropped his head between his hands, his elbows resting on the table. “What choice do I have?”
Sarah twisted her fingers together. “It is just an idea, but I think it would work. We could...”
She stopped. Judith stood across the table, holding the coffee pot in her hands, but wasn’t trying to refill any of the cups.
Sarah tightened her fists in her lap. “Judith, this is—”
Someone pounded on the front door. Setting the pot down, Judith scurried to answer it. A moment later, Stanley’s voice bellowed down the hall and filled the kitchen. No one could make out the words as he and Judith stayed in the hall. Hopefully Judith would turn him away, and they wouldn’t have to deal with him until later in the day. She needed time with Drew to go over her plans.
No luck. Not that she’d ever thought Judith could stop the man. Stanley burst into the kitchen with Judith hurrying in behind him. “I just received word that a woman was attacked here last night, Sarah. I wanted to make sure you weren’t hurt.”
“I’m fine. Someone attacked Helen.”
Stanley’s eyebrows drew together as he frowned. “Helen?”
“My friend and housekeeper.”
“Oh, the mousy brown-haired thing.” He nodded while his face relaxed. “Good, everything is fine then.” He cast a glance at Drew. “How much longer are you going to be lazing around? We have a lot to go over concerning the miners in Black Hawk and Nevadaville.”
Drew stood but gripped the table with one hand. “Didn’t you hear what Sarah said about Helen? I won’t be in today.”
“Come on, boy. This Helen woman is just a housekeeper. Business comes first. A lesson your grandfather should have taught you. I’d hate to write your grandfather and tell him you’re slacking off.” He tapped his cane on the floor. “Or what the outcome of that would be.”
“Grandfather—” Drew looked down at Sarah’s hand tightening on his wrist. He twisted his hand around and held her fingers in his fist. “I won’t be in today. The miners can be dealt with tomorrow or the next day.”
Stanley’s eyes narrowed. His face grew redder and redder. “Be there tomorrow, or you will pay the consequences.” He turned and stomped out, muttering as he left. Judith scurried after him.
Sarah waited for several moments for the front door to crash closed, then couldn’t hold back a small cry of joy. “Oh, Drew, I’m so proud of you for standing up to Stanley.”
He let go of her hand and dropped onto the chair. “Helen comes first. I won’t leave her unprotected.”
“Good, now let’s have breakfast, and later I’d like to talk in private.” Sarah reached out her arms for Emma.
***
Sarah sat at the table, waiting for Drew. Between caring for the children and Helen, they hadn’t had a chance to talk all day. But now Judith had gone home for the night, Carl and Emma had gone to bed, and Drew was waiting for Helen to go to sleep.
Thorn poured two cups of coffee, then sat at the table. He nudged one cup over to Sarah.
“Thank you.” She fiddled with the handle of the cup, turning it one way then the other.
“Want me to leave?” Thorn glanced at her. “Give you privacy with Drew?”
“I’d like your opinion. You might have some different thoughts on the matter.” Sarah wasn’t sure if Thorn really would know much about what she planned, but she had gotten used to his presence. It soothed her somehow.
Thorn nodded and took a sip from his cup.
Drew hobbled into the kitchen, leaned his crutches against the table, then dropped onto one of the chairs. Thorn filled a cup for Drew and set it in front of him.
“Helen’s asleep, but let’s keep our voices down while we talk.” Drew had dark smudges beneath his eyes, shadowing his unshaved face. His whole body slumped in the chair. “So tell me more of what happened to Grandfather, and what’s this plan you have?”
“There’s not much more. Like I said earlier, the lawyer in Denver reported that he’d made some bad investments and had a stroke. He’s lost everything.” Sarah didn’t want to tell Drew what her instructions were concerning Grandfather. She wasn’t sure herself why she’d provided for the old man.
Drew sipped his coffee in silence for a few moments, then gave her a half-smile. “All right, so what did you do to take care of the old goat? Don’t tell me how you feel about him. I already know that, but I also know what your heart’s like.”
Sarah blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. She reached out and slipped her hand over her brother’s. In as few words as she could, she told him her instructions concerning their grandfather.
Drew nodded. “That’s more than he deserved.”
“I’m having Grandmother’s portrait, the family Bible, and a few other things shipped out here. Is there anything you want from the house?”
His hand tightened into a fist under hers. “There’s nothing I want from there.” Suddenly he pulled away. “Wait a minute. You’re having them shipped here. Does that mean you’re not going back to Boston? You’re staying here?”
Sarah nodded. “There’s nothing back there for me but bad memories. No friends, no ties, nothing. I can start fresh out here. I like Colorado. It’s a place for a new start for Emma, for me, and I hope for you.”
From the corner of her eye, Sarah noticed Thorn’s shoulders easing down, and a smile came to his face. She turned her full attention back to her brother.
Drew’s eyes shone. “To stay here. For good? I hadn’t thought of staying here. I had, a little, but not really, more like a dream.” He glanced at Helen’s room. “I’d not allowed myself to consider it, knowing Grandfather would want me to return to Boston once things got up and going here. But if I can stay...”
Sarah nodded slowly. “You’re no longer under his employ, or under Stanley’s control for that matter.” Sarah dropped her hands to her lap and twisted her fingers together. She had to tread carefully or Drew wouldn’t listen. “I have a business deal to offer you. Please hear me out before you say anything.”
Drew sat quietly for a several moments, then let out a deep sigh. He nodded. “All right, I’ll listen.”
“This town’s growing. More than a hundred people a day are coming into the area, mostly men. And most of those don’t cook or bake, since a lot of them have wives or mothers back home who did that for them. Added to that, Helen has already established a reputation for her baking and has customers already. We know she’s a good cook and loves to do it. Also, before I hired her, I asked what her dreams were, and she said she wanted to own a bakery.”
Drew slowly tapped his right index finger on the table as he listened. Sarah wasn’t sure if he was truly listening or just waiting until she finished so he could return to Helen’s side.
“It’d be a business deal,” she said. “I’d have it drawn up legally, of course. I thought we could open a bakery and café. Helen could bake and, with a helper or two, could cook. You could manage it—you know enough about the business world, and what you don’t know, you could learn. I would supply the beginning funds.” She knew she was speaking too fast, but she had to get it all out before Drew said anything. “We’d set it up so you two could buy me out as the business grows, then you and Helen would own it together.”
Sarah let out a big puff of air. She leaned back against her chair and waited for Drew’s reaction.
Drew picked up his cup and took a long drink, set it down, twirled it around by the handle, then picked it up again and stared at the liquid as he swirled it around.
She turned to Thorn and raised her eyebrows. What did he think of the plan? Did he think Drew would accept it?
Thorn shrugged and tipped his head to the side.
Drew looked at her. “Sis, I’ve done a lot of thinking in the last...since Helen was attacked. I know I’ve been weak, not taking care of you, letting Grandfather use me against you.”
He held up his hand when she started to interrupt him, then he swallowed a couple of times. “But I’ve seen how you’ve built a new life for yourself and Emma out here. You’re getting stronger every day. I can see that. I want that for myself.”
Sarah wanted to clasp his hand, to let her little brother know that she was there for him. But that was not what he needed. He wanted to stand up by himself. Drew was becoming a man who would have made their father proud. He made her proud. Her brother would have the life he should.
Drew set his cup down. “I’ve seen men come out here with nothing and work hard. Some made it. Some didn’t. But they tried. They took control of their lives and tried. I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t. I’m ashamed to admit I let too much of Grandfather influence me.”
He smiled. “What you offer sounds like a good plan. I’ll need to talk to Helen when she feels better.”
Thorn cleared his throat. “About that. There’s something you need to consider. What if after this business is up and running, Helen marries someone who doesn’t want her working? Wants her to stay home and take care of her family? Could cause problems even if that husband let her work. A married woman and a single man working all day together might cause trouble.”
“Thorn.” Sarah gave him a look to quiet him. How could he even bring up something like that? What if Thorn’s question made Drew decide not to take her up on her offer?
“No, Sarah.” A deep red crept up Drew’s face. “Mac’s got a point. That’s something else I thought about in the last few hours. Helen and I’ve spent a lot of time together lately, especially after I hurt my leg.” He glanced at the closed door to Helen’s room, then back to Sarah and grinned. “Like I said earlier, I need to talk to Helen.”
Sarah wanted to shout for joy, but kept silent as she picked up the coffee cups the three of them had used. She hoped everything would work out like they planned.
Drew stood and set his crutches under his arms. “Thanks, sis. Think I’ll check on Helen before I turn in. I’ll leave the door open. You don’t need to say anything.”
Back in Boston it would be highly inappropriate, even scandalous, for Drew to be alone in Helen’s bedroom. But Sara couldn’t bring herself to say anything as she and Thorn turned to leave the kitchen. Helen was safe with Drew. He would honor her.
Drew balanced on his crutches and called to Sarah. “Just so you know, while you were gone, I saw Stanley talking to Pete Waller and a couple of other thugs around town.” He nodded to Thorn. “Night, Mac. See you when you get back.”
Drew knocked on Helen’s door. He stood with his ear against the door, then grinned and slipped in.
Sarah turned toward Thorn. The joy of the last few moments was chased away as a sense of loneliness opened up somewhere in the darkest regions of her chest. The feeling grew with each step she took. “I forgot you had to leave on your route in the morning.”