Sinking to the floor, Audrey pulled off her wet shoes the moment she got home. Two days after the wagon train arrived, the epidemic had turned macabre. New bodies were arriving at the funeral home daily. The work had become routine now, which disturbed her. The victims, and their grieving loved ones, deserved better than someone rushing through preparation in order to hurry on to the next victim. Willow came down the stairs as Audrey lay back in a chair and closed her eyes.
“Oh, poor thing. You’re exhausted, but Tucker has called a town meeting about this dreadful epidemic. Something has to be done, not only about the bodies, but about the ones who are not yet affected. Do you feel like going?”
Audrey wanted so badly to refuse, to go upstairs and stretch out on her bed and sleep for days. But she knew Willow was right. Something had to be done. The only good light on this time was the fact that she saw Eli several times a day as he delivered the dead. The situation was quickly nearing a breaking point. The parlor couldn’t keep up with its clients. “Let me change my dress, and I’ll be ready to go.”
She smiled. “You have time to eat a bite. Perhaps that will restore you.”
“Well, we can always hope.” Audrey climbed the stairs to the third landing, feeling as if the steps grew steeper with each passing day. A pox on Claudine for coming up with this poorly designed house. It was bad enough when she was fresh and energetic, but almost impossible when long work hours with inadequate rest and food sapped her strength. She took time to wash and tidy her hair before slipping into a clean dress and going downstairs.
Over supper she listened to Willow and Copper prattle. Too tired to join in, she smiled at appropriate places, nodded occasionally, allowing their conversation to flow past her like a peaceful stream.
Willow fell silent and reached over to take Audrey’s hand. “You don’t have to go tonight. Tucker will understand.”
Audrey stifled a yawn. “No, I’m all right.”
Copper pushed her plate aside and leaned back in her chair. “What are they doing with all those bodies?”
“There are fifteen now,” Audrey murmured, “and still counting. Men, women, and children.” Copper had been so busy trying to cook for the ill, watch Tate, and look after Wallace that she hadn’t been brought up-to-date on the situation. Willow had her hands full with the sick. “The caskets are stacked in the icehouse until the rain lets up and the ground dries enough to…”
Copper winced. “Please. You don’t need to elaborate. How horrible for the families. Where’s the ice coming from?”
“I have no idea, and I haven’t thought to ask.”
“The millpond,” Willow supplied. “During winter they cut huge blocks of ice and store them in the icehouse. They keep until winter comes again. This time of year, the ice must be very low.” Willow covered the bread and stored it in the cabinet. “We need to be on our way. The meeting is about to start.”
As they were about to leave, Audrey reached out to touch Willow’s arm. “I’m so sorry that this illness has taken the luster away from you and Tucker. We’ll still have plenty of time to alter Claudine’s dress for your vows.”
Her friend smiled, the lines around her eyes testimony to the long hours she’d spent nursing the sick of late. “That is so kind of you, but our time will come.”
Wrapped in layers of warm clothing, the women waded through running streams toward the church house. Dim lantern light seeped from the windows, almost blotted out by the rain. September was drawing to an end and October was near.
Deet Jackson held the door open for them. “Come on in here, ladies. It’s not a fit night for man or beast out there. How’s Wallace?”
“He’s sleeping, so we felt it would be all right to slip out for an hour or so,” Willow explained.
Deet patted her shoulder. “Hard to watch, isn’t it? But Wallace knows the Lord, and he’s in safe hands. He’s not been happy since Claudine passed.”
“I know, and it’s selfish of me to want to keep him here, but it’s hard to give him up too.” Willow touched the corners of her eyes with a folded handkerchief.
Audrey marveled at the care shown by this grizzled old man. Deet Jackson, in spite of his appearance, had a soul filled with compassion.
Townsfolk milled about the stuffy room. A few strangers sat among the regular members, and Audrey suspected they came from the wagon train. Most had suffered the loss of at least one family member. Her heart ached for them. Her eyes searched the crowd and found Nellie’s husband. How was the now-single father managing without his mate?
Her gaze sought and found Eli. He was alone tonight. Apparently Tate was home in bed. For a brief moment their gazes touched, then moved on.
Tucker rose and faced the crowd. Audrey had been so overwhelmed with work she had failed to notice how lined his features had grown. She glanced at Willow, whose eyes fastened on the man she loved. She must be worried sick about the additional load he carried.
“Glad you could all come. You know the reason we’re here. We’ve got a major problem on our hands. As you know, a lot of people with the illness have died. Too many. We have a serious need to separate the well from the sick.”
Doctor Smith nodded his agreement. “That’s right, folks. What looked to be a simple sickness has turned into an epidemic. What do you have in mind, Tucker?”
“I was hoping maybe some of you would be willing to take the ones who are well into your homes. Get them in out of the rain, and keep them away from others who are infected with whatever this disease is. Give us a chance to get the disease under control or let it run its course.”
Audrey studied the faces of the people gathered there. Murmured discussion rose and fell around the room. Finally Sully James rose. “Sounds like a good idea to me. Me and my missus can take five, if they don’t mind sleeping on the floor. We’ll put quilts down so they’ll be comfortable.”
“Thanks, Sully.” Tucker’s gaze moved around the sanctuary. “Anyone else? I know it’s asking a lot, but a lot is at stake right now.”
One by one the townspeople offered shelter and food to the people from the train. Then Cordelia Padget got to her feet and strode to the front of the church. As she faced the parishioners her features turned mottled. “Have you all lost your minds? These people are sick and dying. Why would you bring them into your homes? Let them stay with the train. In fact, pull those wagons out of Thunder Ridge, away from our homes and businesses. Let them fend for themselves.”
Reverend Cordell rose. “Cordelia, think. The Bible says we are to give a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name. Would you turn people in need away from your door?”
“In this case, yes. We have to look after ourselves. God doesn’t expect us to kill ourselves in order to help another.”
“Cordelia,” the reverend protested.
The woman’s eyes fixed on the pastor. “Is it your intent to bring death and destruction upon your flock?”
“Of course not, but to turn someone away because they might become infected—that’s hardly a reason to forsake our duty. Who knows who might fall victim next. Why, it could be you, Cordelia. Would you have us turn you away?”
“I won’t fall victim because I have the good sense to take precaution when danger is present. I don’t intend to expose myself or my family to harm. The rest of you can do what you please, but I warn all of you against being part of this irresponsible plan.”
Sully lumbered to his feet again. “Seems like we have an obligation to help these folk. They came to us, and I don’t see how we can turn them away. God’s given us an opportunity to serve. How do we know he’s not testing us in some way?”
Cordelia frowned. “God doesn’t test his people by sending an epidemic. That’s the Devil’s hand. The rest of you can do as you please, but we have a child to consider. An innocent, trusting child. His welfare must come first.”
“Others have children too,” Copper protested. “They’re helping.”
Audrey whirled to stare at her friend. She’d never heard her be so vocal in front of strangers. The rain did have her on edge.
Cordelia lifted an impervious brow. “That’s their business. We refuse, don’t we, Horace?”
The banker’s face turned brick-red, but he nodded. “As you say, love. Perhaps we could help in a monetary way?”
Cordelia’s lips tightened.
Horace cleared his throat and rose. “I believe we’ve said our piece. Come, dear. Let’s go home and see about Junior.”
With a commanding glance around the room, Cordelia swept toward the door, her husband following in her wake.
Willow rose to speak. “I believe we can handle at least six. The only thing I ask is that they realize my uncle is very ill and I don’t want him disturbed. No one will be allowed access to the second floor in order to shield him as much as possible from the illness.”
Audrey recognized that Willow’s sacrifice was great. If Wallace contracted the mysterious illness, he would be dead within hours.
Tucker smiled at her. “My thanks to all of you for your help. We’ll be assigning people to their new quarters straight away.”
Reverend Cordell sprang to his feet. “Excuse me, Tucker, but we need to make provisions for the sick, too. Would anyone object to sheltering them in the church? They would be out of the rain, which could help. We may need to help with food.”
“Good idea, Reverend.” Caleb stood up. “Eli will help me transfer the ailing here.”
“What about Sunday services?” someone asked.
Reverend Cordell turned sober. “Until the worst of this illness passes, I say we suspend services and each household conduct their own. The more this disease spreads, the harder it will be to stamp out.”
A tall man with dark reddish hair and tea-colored eyes stood and spoke from the back of the room. “The name is Redlin. Josh Redlin. I’m the train’s wagon master. I want to thank you all for what you’re doing. I’ll be happy to work with you transporting the sick, because we do need to get these folks in where it’s warm and dry. Fall’s closing in, and the chill is brisk in the morning.”
Others voiced their agreement, and the meeting broke up. Some gathered in small groups to rehash the subject. Audrey rather hoped that Eli would offer to walk her home, but when she looked at his seat it was empty.
During the walk home, Copper said. “Audrey, Willow and I can help out at the mortuary. All you need do is ask.”
Audrey looked at her askance. “You’re offering to help? If I remember, you thought it would be too gruesome to work there.”
Copper shrugged. “I didn’t say I’d like it, but you seem to be surviving, and after all, what’s a friend for if she isn’t there to help? We help each other. It’s always been that way, always going to be.”
“She’s right,” Willow said. “We should have offered before. As soon as we settle our new guests, we’ll help.”
The offer was a huge load off Audrey’s shoulders. “I’ll admit I’m too tired and too overwhelmed to argue. You offered, and I’m accepting. Thank you.”
“You should have asked earlier,” Willow said as they entered the judge’s house. “Now off to bed with you. Copper and I can decide where to put everyone.”
Audrey was too weary to argue. “Maybe that good-looking wagon master will be with them. Did you notice him, Copper?” If she hadn’t, the woman had been struck blind. Tall and handsome, even though that beard was in the need of a good trim.
Copper raised her eyebrows. “You think that man is good-looking?”
Audrey turned to eye her. “Don’t you?”
Her friend shrugged. “Mediocre—at best.”
Willow laughed. “You have a strange idea of average. He’s a striking man. Not as handsome as Tucker, of course, but definitely more than passable, and how many times do I have to remind you. It isn’t about a man’s looks—it’s what he is on the inside that counts.”
As Audrey headed upstairs, a knock sounded at the door. She turned and opened it to find Eli and Tate. She was so stunned she just stood there staring at them. Eli’s features were graver than usual.
“Sorry to bother you so late.”
“It’s not that late.” Heat colored her cheeks and she stepped out of the way. Father and son walked past her and headed for the kitchen. She followed, pausing in the doorway.
Eli cleared his throat. “It seems that Tate has disobeyed again and sneaked off to the wagon train while we were meeting. I fear he’s exposed to the disease.”
“Oh, Tate.” Audrey’s heart sank. She reached out to touch the boy’s shoulder. “Why did you do that when you knew it was so dangerous?”
The boy shrugged. “I can’t figure me out. Grandma fell asleep and I thought I’d just catch a few frogs. Junior can’t come to the cellar anymore, and I ain’t got no one to play with so I took a walk and whadda you know. There’s the wagon train and some folks were puking out the back of their wagons. Before I knew it, I was right in the middle of ’em.”
“Don’t have anyone,” Audrey corrected.
“Huh?” Tate stared at her.
“I don’t have anyone to play with,” Audrey repeated.
“You ain’t got nobody either? We could play together if you want.”
Audrey gave up on the English lesson.
“Even if I wasn’t worried about my boy, Ma’s had another spell.”
“We understand completely,” Audrey interrupted. “He can stay as long as needed.”
“I know you have your hands full at the parlor.”
“Not so full that I can’t look after Tate’s interests.”
“I’ve got his things outside on the porch.” Eli nodded. “If it’s all right, I’ll bring them in now.”
“Yes, of course. And we’ll put Tate in that small room off mine,” Willow said. “I’ll go prepare the bed for him.”
Eli brought in a small bag and climbed the stairs with his son.
Following, Audrey waited at the end of the hall and eavesdropped. She shouldn’t. But she couldn’t help herself.
Tate’s youthful timbre floated to her. “I ain’t never slept in a house this big. Will I be scared?”
“You won’t be scared,” Eli said. “I promise you there’s nothing to be scared of, and Miss Audrey will be right down the hall.”
Audrey straightened. Miss Audrey. He was willing to turn his son’s care over to her? She grinned.
“Does she sleep up here too? If I get scared I’ll talk to her.”
“You leave Miss Pride alone, Tate. Don’t be bothering her, now.”
“I won’t bother her, but I wish she could come live with us. Do you think she would, Eli?”
“No, son. She can’t live with us.”
“Why not? She’s nice, and she smells good.”
“She just can’t.”
“But if she smells nice and talks nice, and she’s smart too, why can’t we have her? Nobody else wants her.”
Audrey frowned.
“It’s just not possible. We just can’t. Now hush up and get ready for bed.”
Audrey’s heart constricted. It was impossible only because Eli Gray hadn’t the slightest notion of consulting her about the matter. How did he know what she’d say? Who’d he think he was, the Almighty?
Tate, I’d be mighty tempted to take you up on your most generous offer. A second smile escaped her. She’d love to see how Eli’d squirm out of that one.