Sunshine streamed through the windowpane—brilliant, warm, life-giving sunshine. Audrey parted the bedroom panels to see a drenched landscape. Rivulets of running water meandered over sodden fields and through trenches that had been cut through roads and yards. An eagle soared overhead, white head dazzling against a cobalt sky. No thunder, no lightning, not a single raindrop to mar a brand-new day.
She hurriedly splashed water on her face, and then pulled a clean dress from the closet. The sun was out and Willow was alive! Sadie and her favorite saying cut through her mind. “God’s in his heaven, all’s right with the world.”
Running a brush through her hair, she then pinned it in a tidy knot on the back of her head. Sadie and Adele did well, but the house still needed a thorough cleaning, and there was a mountain of wash awaiting her. Everything they owned was damp and muddy, and the bedding needed to be washed and aired.
She snuck a peek in Willow’s room and found her awake and smiling. “There you are. I wondered if everyone had gone off and left me.”
Audrey laughed. “Surely you’re teasing. This room has become a second home to most of us. We’ve spent more time here than anywhere else.”
Willow sobered. “I don’t remember anything about it. Wouldn’t you think I’d remember something?”
Audrey wanted to ask if she remembered the promise she had wrung from her. I want you to marry Tucker if anything happens to me. Promise me.
Tucker would have had something to say about the matter. He wasn’t a man to marry casually. He adored Willow. No one on this earth could have taken her place. Love was a funny thing. What mysterious spell caused a man or woman to fall so hard for someone that no one else would do? She loved Eli, and she dared let herself hope that in time he’d return the same affections, but he’d yet to say the words. But his actions last night had been those of a man—
Willow’s voice broke through her meanderings. “Exactly how did the accident happen?”
“You really don’t remember any of it?”
“Nothing. I know Tucker’s explained it more than once but I can’t seem to grasp the circumstances.”
“Don’t worry. Your memory will clear soon. You were helping move some of the horses from the wagon train when you slipped and fell. It’s rained for nearly a month here—footing is treacherous. The horse got excited, and before Tucker could gain control the animal kicked you in the head. You’ve been unconscious for days. We didn’t know if you would live or not. Then you developed a very high fever and your condition worsened. Oh, Willow, we were so afraid we were going to lose you.”
Willow closed her eyes. “How did Tucker handle the situation?”
“That man practically lived in this room. We had to force him to go home and get some rest. He was here day and night—refused to leave your bedside except for necessity.”
Willow smiled. “He really did that?”
“He really did. He loves you. I don’t know what he would have done if you hadn’t recovered.”
“He’s a special man.”
“A very dedicated man, and you’re worth every moment of his adoration. You make a good pair. I’m so glad he came into your life.”
“So am I.” Willow glanced at the window, blinking back tears. “And now? Am I going to fully recover?”
“You’re on the mend, and the doctor thinks you’ll be up and around soon—though he warns it will take time to regain your strength.” Audrey straightened the bedsheets. “There’s no hurry. We’ll look after everything until you’re back to your old self. The folks from the wagon train are still here, but they’ll be moving on as soon as the roads are passable. The sickness has run its course, and we’re well on our way to returning to normal, whatever that might be.”
Copper hobbled into the room. “And you’re never to have anything to do with horses ever again. And that’s an order.”
A faint grin hovered on Willow’s lips. “What happened to your ankle?”
“I slipped and fell. Audrey and I were carrying buckets of ice to pack you in, and I went down. My fault—I should have been more careful.”
Audrey wanted to relate the hectic trips to the icehouse, but she decided the tale could wait. Willow’s shadowed eyes could barely stay open.
“Ice? You went to the icehouse? Where all those bodies are…?”
Copper shuddered. “It was horrifying.”
Willow shook her head. “I see nothing’s changed since I’ve been sleeping.”
Oh, much had changed. Audrey knew the moment would come when they would have to tell her about the judge’s death. “You’ve been very ill but you’re getting better.” She turned to Copper. “We’re running low on supplies. I thought I’d stop by the general store and pick up a few needed items. Do you need anything?”
“I’ll make a list. Willow, will you be all right up here by yourself? We’ll check on you often, and of course Tucker will be in and out.”
“I’ll be fine, Copper. I’m so very tired.”
“You must sleep. The rest will be good for you.” Copper rearranged the pillows. “I’ll make broth for lunch.”
Willow wordlessly nodded.
“Good. You rest now. We’ll be back later.” She bent to place a kiss on her friend’s cool forehead. “Welcome back.”
Audrey followed Copper out of the room. “How’s your ankle?”
“Better. I can manage the stairs if you go ahead of me and let me take my time.” Copper sat down on the top step and scooted down to the next one.
Audrey eyed the snaillike progress. “You’re going to go down all two flights that way?”
“Do you have a better idea? I’m afraid to hop for fear I might lose my balance and tumble to the bottom.”
“All right, if you need me I’ll be downstairs.”
Copper eventually hobbled into the kitchen and started a list. Audrey went to Wallace’s room and found a cane, which she brought to the ailing friend. “Here. Maybe this will help.”
Copper accepted it and took a cautious step. “Yes. It helps enormously. Thank you. Now find me a man’s hat and a wad of chaw and I’ll be ready for the old folks’ home.”
Audrey giggled. “When I get back from the store I want to strip the beds and wash all the linen. We need to take advantage of the sunshine. No guarantee it will be here tomorrow.”
“That’s a pessimistic thought. I prefer to look on the bright side.”
“Fine, but remember this is Thunder Ridge.”
“Where it never rains,” they parroted in unison.
Audrey laughed. With the list tucked in her pocket, she set off for town shortly afterward. People were out and going about their business. She hadn’t seen this many folks stirring since arriving in Thunder Ridge. Apparently everyone was taking advantage of the break in the weather.
She located the items Copper wanted and set them on the counter. Tom Curtis peered at her over his spectacles. “Sure am glad to hear your friend is doing better.”
“Thank you. We indeed thank the good Lord for her progress.”
He totaled up the purchases. “Will that be all, Miss Pride?”
“For the time being. Looks like business is brisk.”
“Guess the sun brought them out. Now if I could just get a supply wagon through it would be nice. We ain’t had one coming into or going out of Thunder Ridge since it started raining.”
“Yes, it’s been a real nuisance but I understand it’s been a blessing too.”
“That’s a fact, Miss Pride. We’d been as dry as cornmeal for so long it was beginning to look like we’d have to abandon the town and go elsewhere. ’Course that illness was bad, but I suspect that Redlin fellow has the grit to do whatever he sets out to do. He was might near desperate when he stopped here, with his people sick and dying.”
“It would seem that was the sole reason he chose to stop here.” She had a feeling Josh Redlin would be mighty hard to restrain once he set his mind to a task. And she wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the wagon master could, as Copper implied, be rather stubborn at times.
“I hear tell the roads are all right a few miles out of town, but it’s pure trouble getting from here to there. But then, I guess someone real set on coming might be able to swing it, though I can’t see why they’d want to. Ain’t nothing here a body would be that interested in seeing.”
“Oh, I don’t know, it’s a lovely little town.”
“It is at that, but the weather is something fierce. Either too wet or too dry.”
“Or noisy,” she added.
He agreed. “That thunder sure did jar a person’s senses.”
She paid for her things and left. On her way home she passed the funeral parlor, but it didn’t appear much was going on. Perhaps Tom could use help at the store. She must remember to ask him.
Copper was waiting for her, and Audrey helped put away the groceries and went upstairs to strip the beds and gather up laundry. From the looks of the pile of unwashed clothes, they would be hard put to get it done today. Copper had managed to fill the iron wash kettle and build a fire under it. The water, while not scalding hot, was warm enough to start the wash. Audrey carried cool water from the rain barrel and filled one tin tub for rinsing. The second tub held a blend of hot and cold water, with a cup of shaved lye soap Copper had prepared. The first load was put to soak while Audrey sorted lights from darks, putting them in separate piles. Most of the garments were stained with red clay. She scrubbed them on the washboard, rinsed, and then wrung them out and hung them on the line to dry. A brisk breeze soon sent sheets and clothing flapping on the line.
After the wash was finished, and the first load of dried laundry brought inside, Audrey climbed the stairs, with Copper bumping up the steps behind her. Willow was asleep but woke when they entered the room. “What are you going to do now?”
“Give you a bath and wash your hair. How does that sound?” Copper asked.
“Like pure heaven. I can’t wait.”
Audrey had carried a bucket of warm water upstairs. Now she and Copper removed Willow’s gown and gently bathed her. She had lost weight, her body heartbreakingly frail. Copper washed her hair and toweled it dry, and then spread the clean tresses across the pillow. Audrey expected Willow to ask about Wallace, and it was a relief when she didn’t. Tucker had requested that he be with Willow when they told her of her uncle’s passing.
Willow sank back against the pillow, her eyes closed. Copper motioned for Audrey, and they slipped out and made their way downstairs.
Audrey was gathering wash off the line when Tate appeared. “Afternoon, Miss Pride. You doin’ mighty fine?”
“Mighty fine, Tate. And you?”
“Tolerable, I suppose.”
She smothered a chuckle. “What brings you visiting?”
“I was wondering if you had any cookies you didn’t need. Seems I’ve got a powerful hankering for sweets this afternoon.”
“I imagine we could find a few. Why don’t you open the door for me so I can carry in this clothes basket and I’ll see what we have?”
“Be glad to oblige.” He skipped ahead and held the screen open while she carried the large basket inside. “I miss staying with you, but I have obligations. You understand.”
“Yes, obligations are important. How is your grandmother today?” She set out a plate of spice drops baked that morning.
“Just weary.” Tate bit into one and sighed with gratification. “Did you make this?”
“Made them fresh earlier today. Do you like them?”
“Uh-huh. I reckon you’re about perfect, aren’t you?”
Audrey laughed. “Perfect? Not me. I make a lot of mistakes.”
Tate shrugged. “You suit me just fine. I bet you’d suit Eli too, if I asked him.”
Audrey’s jaw dropped. “Don’t you dare ask him any such thing, Tate Gray. That would be most embarrassing.”
“I don’t see why. If he likes you and you like him, then you could come live with us and bake cookies every day.”
“You listen to me, young man. Little boys do not ask adults questions like that. It’s not polite.”
He bit into a second cookie. “If you say so. Can I take some these to my grandma? Might make her feel better.”
“Of course, I’ll wrap a few for you and your grandmother. I’m glad you dropped by today.”
“I’ll be back. Will you have more cookies?”
She smiled. “I’ll make certain that I do.”
Tate filled his pockets with cookies while she wrapped a few more for Mrs. Gray. Minutes later the back screen slammed shut.
In a short time a second visitor arrived. Caleb trailed Audrey back to the kitchen, but refused a cup of coffee. “I just dropped by to see if you needed anything.”
“No, I went to the store this morning. Willow’s doing fine, and Copper and I are catching up on the wash and the housework. Seems Adele and Sadie fell a little behind in their chores.” The older women had hearts of gold, but their bodies weren’t as cooperative as their spirits.
“That’s good. Town’s starting to stir except for Horace and Cordelia. They’re still barricaded in that house. Claim they’re not coming out until the wagon train leaves, and that may be a while yet. They want to bury their dead before they move on.”
Tucker stuck his head around the doorway. “I knocked, but nobody answered. Figured it was all right to let myself in.” He focused on Audrey. “Are you available?”
“Of course.” She untied her apron, knowing it was time to do the chore they had been dreading. They must tell Willow about the judge’s passing before she heard it from others. “I’ll be right there.”
“Want me to come, Tuck?”
“No, I’d appreciate it, Caleb, if you’d go and check on the crew. Work’s backing up on them. Someone needs to help.”
“Sure thing. I’ll go right now.”
Audrey climbed the stairs behind Tucker, not looking forward to the task ahead. Willow was awake when they entered the room. Her pleasant smile faded when Tucker took her hand and sat down on the side of the mattress. She frowned. “You have bad news, don’t you?” She bit her lower lip. “It’s Uncle Wallace. No one’s said a word, and I’ve been afraid to ask.”
His eyes gentled. “While you were unconscious, Wallace passed on.”
She met his eyes. At first she did not comprehend, and then her eyes slowly filled with tears. She turned her head away as they began to slide down her cheeks.
Tucker handed her a kerchief that was lying on the bedside table. “He was old and tired and sick. God took him home.”
She nodded. After a moment she said, “I know I shouldn’t grieve. He’s finally with Claudine.”
Audrey stepped closer. “Yes, and with God. He hasn’t been truly happy in a long time.”
“I know. He’s much better off now.”
Tucker eased her to a sitting position, his arms cradling her as he rested his cheek against the top of her head. “They had a strong love, and the judge lived a good long life. No one can ask for more.”
Willow buried her face in his chest, and Audrey quietly excused herself and then tiptoed from the room.
There were just times when a man and woman needed to be alone.