Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
K athy was laughing in the kitchen, playing with Sev, when she heard excited male voices from the hall. Gen wiped her hands, concern showing on her face. “Could you watch him so I can find out what’s happening?”
“Sure.” Kathy lifted one of the little people and dropped it down a circular slide. Sev laughed and tried to do the same with a car about three sizes too large. She played with him until Gen came back.
Gen crossed her arms. “Okay, so here’s the deal, and I don’t want you to get upset.”
Kathy was on her feet instantaneously. “You realize by saying that I’m already upset, and I don’t know why.”
Gen lifted her hand. “Barry found a rattlesnake in his room in the bunkhouse. ”
A shiver went down her spine, almost as if a cold hand had run down her back. “How did it get in?”
“That’s the thing. Dusty and Barry think someone put it there.”
Kathy gripped the back of the chair. “Why?” She shook her head. “Gen, all he’s trying to do is heal and start his life. He’s been through so much.”
Gen bent over and picked up Sev. “I know. He’s worked so hard. When he first came here, saying good morning to him would set him off. It’s been like watching someone slowly come to life. You’ve been the reason.”
“No, Dr. Wheeler has been working with him, and he’s trying so hard.” Tears welled in her eyes. “He just needs a break. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have things like this being constantly thrown into your face.”
“My brother is good, but if Barry didn’t have a reason to work toward being better, nothing Jeremiah says would matter. Having that one person in your life is so important.”
Kathy heard the wistfulness in Gen’s voice. She sniffed and nodded. “You were there for Andrew. I remember.”
“And he was there for me.” Gen nodded. “When the two of you get through this, and you will, you’ll be stronger for it.”
Kathy glanced in the direction of the bunkhouse. “I love him so much. The moment I woke up in his arms after that car accident …” She sighed. “I can’t say it was instant love, yo u know, like some of the romance books we read, but it was close.”
“Oh, that reminds me. Hold him.” Gen dropped Sev in her arms, and then Kathy watched as she jogged away. Sev looked at her, and his face scrunched up. He reached toward the hall and screeched, “Momma!”
“Oh, no. We’re not going to cry.” Kathy spun the little boy, who grabbed at her shoulders and laughed. “See. No cries.” Kathy spun in the other direction. “Zoomies!” Thankfully, Gen hustled back into the kitchen on her fifth rotation. “Girl, I’m glad you were quick. I’m getting dizzy.”
Gen traded her Sev for the bag she had in her hand. “He’s going through a bit of a separation anxiety phase. Aren’t you, Buddy?”
The little boy wiggled to get down, and Gen put him on the floor. He went over to the cars and castle in the kitchen corner and sat down to play. “See, he’s over it as soon as it starts.”
Kathy laughed. “That’s why I teach the older kids. If they start crying, I think I’d start crying, too. Then we’d all cry, which would be a mess of epic proportions.” She motioned to the bags. “What’s this?”
“I went crazy this past winter and ordered a bunch of books from Riley Edwards. There are others in there: Susan, Caitlyn, MaryAnn, Abbie, Cat, Bella, and Kris. I keep trying to remember to bring them to town for you.”
“No way! There has to be fifty books in here.”
Gen laughed. “Enjoy them and then pass them on to Allison. I wish they would come to Deadwood to that book signing they hold every year.”
“I met Riley Edwards once.” Kathy laughed.
“No, you didn’t!”
“I did. Fan-girled like crazy. She probably has a restraining order out on me.”
Gen laughed. “I know, right? I could only imagine meeting all our favorite authors. If they ever show up in one place, I’m there.” Gen crossed her fingers. “We’ll keep wishing.”
“Amen.” Kathy set the bag on the counter. “Are you going to Tegan and Kate’s reception next Friday night?”
“We are. It’s been forever since someone threw a party. Clara and Ryan are watching Sev since Clara’s hip won’t let her dance, and Ryan won’t go without her. Senior will make an appearance, and then he’ll probably kidnap Sev and bring him back here.”
“I told Kate I’d help with the decorations.”
“You should check with Stephanie,” Gen said, grabbing her coffee cup. “More while we wait?”
“That would be nice. Edna, Kate, and I are going to see her after coffee on Monday morning. It sounds like Edna and Kate meet at the diner regularly.”
Gen nodded, pouring a cup of coffee for Kathy. “That’s what Ciera says. Edna is harmless, and she really just wants to help.”
“Except for the Bigfoot thing.” Kathy laughed.
“And UFOs. I’m not sure why Bigfoot has been her topic of interest lately. Ciera said she had a picture of something she thought was the thing and then found out it was just a wild hog.”
Kathy frowned. “Really? It looked kind of like an upright hog, then.” Kathy added cream and sugar to her cup.
Gen glanced at her. “You saw it?”
“Yeah, I was sworn to secrecy, but it was blurry.” She shrugged. “What other supernatural critter will she hunt next?”
“There isn’t much left unless she thinks shifters are real.” Gen cocked her head and looked at her. At the same time, they both burst out laughing. “We should buy her a hot shifter book.” Gen laughed.
Kathy blinked and then laughed. “Dragon, wolf, bear, or tiger? She’d have a heart attack while clutching her pearls. I bet Edna has never strayed from the straight and narrow.” Kathy laughed so hard she snorted. “Could you imagine?”
“Never!” Gen howled with laughter. “The thought of Edna doing anything inappropriate, let alone reading a steamy paranormal. Heck no!”
“Her crochet needles may melt together.” Kathy snorted again, which caused them both to laugh harder.
Senior opened the back door and stepped in. “What on earth did I walk into?”
“Edna and dragon shifters.” Gen managed to say and then laughed harder .
Kathy stood up, fighting the laughter, and asked, “Is everything okay out there?”
“Oh, sure, you betcha,” Senior said. “My hands aren’t stupid. They shut the door on the darn snake, and it’s going to stay in that room until Ken tells us we can dispose of it.”
“Did someone really put it in his room?”
“Appears that way to me, but I’m not the law. Ken will make those determinations.”
“I should go out there,” Kathy said, but Senior put up his hand.
“Andrew and Barry are working on something right now. Give them ten minutes or so.”
Senior walked over to the corner and picked up Sev. “Hey, little man. Let’s go pet the horses. These women are a little crazy right now.” He lifted the little boy over his head and set him on his neck. “Ready?”
“Yay!” Sev said as they headed to the kitchen door.
Senior opened it and then said, “Duck.”
“Quack. Quack,” Sev said and bent down hugging Senior’s neck.
“That’s right, partner.” Senior laughed as the screen door shut behind them.
Kathy looked back at Gen, who was still trying to stop laughing. “Edna and a dragon shifter!” Gen howled and slapped her leg. “With Bigfoot!” Gen slid from her chair and landed on her butt on the floor. Kathy tried to help her get up, but they were laughing too hard. Finally, she sat down on the chair Gen had unassed, giving up any effort to control the laughter. It was too funny.