Chapter Twenty-Three
On a gorgeous Thursday morning under a weak sun, Rachel bent over the rub board doing laundry. Nearby in her basket she’d about outgrown, Eden cooed happily, her alert blue eyes following every move Rachel made.
The beautiful baby girl grew by leaps and bounds and little resembled the newborn someone had left. She’d begun staying awake longer and babbled. The infant stuck her thumb in her mouth. She was such a good little thing, never crying unless she needed fed or changed.
Rachel realized she was going to have to make Eden some toys soon.
She put the diapers she’d washed over in the rinse tub and glanced around the yard for Jax. She hadn’t seen him in a while.
Lifting a diaper from the tub, she wrung out the water and pinned it to the clothesline.
When she turned for another, Becca stood there in her bare feet. Rachel jumped, her heart beating wildly. The girl had an odd way of sneaking up on a person. Rachel glared at Jax who never barked at the girl. Some watchdog he was. Still, she knew he would when danger came.
“Hello, Becca,” Rachel said, pretending Becca’s sudden appearance hadn’t startled her. “How are you today?”
The girl looked down, clutching a handful of her dress. “I want to see Samuel Eden. You said I could.”
“Yes, I did. I’m glad to see you. Are you hungry, Becca? I made some gingerbread this morning. It would be awfully nice with a glass of milk, don’t you think?”
Becca shrugged. “I guess. Can I carry Samuel to the house? Paw said I gotta ask and not just take him.”
“Your father is right. And yes, you may carry Samuel to the house for me.” Rachel hid the grin that persisted. It was touching how the girl insisted on calling the babe Samuel. Though she liked Becca, she didn’t fully trust her. This time she’d watch the girl like a hawk and not leave her alone for a second with Eden. She didn’t want a repeat of the abduction. The memory of that horrible anguish was still too fresh.
Becca gently took Eden in her arms and Rachel picked up the basket. Together they went into the house.
Minutes later, Becca set Eden in the basket with blankets around her. Rachel cut a big slice of gingerbread and put the plate in front of the girl. “Does your paw know you’re here?”
The girl shook her head. “Nope. He thinks I’m at school.”
“It’s not a good thing to deceive your father. Why didn’t you go to school today?”
Becca ducked her head. “They laugh at me.”
“Who laughs?”
Becca mumbled, “Everyone.”
Rachel handed the girl a glass of milk. “Honey, tell me why they laugh. Maybe we can do something about it.”
“Don’t got no shoes.”
“You don’t have any shoes,” Rachel corrected.
“That’s what I just said.”
“I see.” Although she had no quick solution in mind. Even if she had the money, she wouldn’t know where to get them. She knew the trading post didn’t carry anything like that. Maybe Estacado would have them. She’d ask Heath.
One thing she knew, Becca’s feet would freeze without shoes.
In the meantime, she’d talk the situation over with Tillie. Maybe Tillie could put a stop to the ridiculing.
Rachel’s heart twisted. The way the girl gobbled up the gingerbread she suspected it had been a while since Becca enjoyed such a treat. Probably hadn’t had any since her mother died. The girl needed someone to take better care of her. She needed a real place to live. A sheepherder’s wagon wasn’t a fit place to raise a child. And although Rachel knew Becca’s father was doing the best he could to provide, it wasn’t enough. The girl desperately needed clean clothes and a bath.
Something had to be done. And today.
Becca played with Eden while Rachel finished the laundry then she said she’d take Becca home and hitched up the wagon.
She called to Jax and he leaped into the bed of the wagon.
Instead of taking Becca to her home on wheels, Rachel pulled to a stop in front of a sprawling ranch house.
Mrs. Thorn opened the door before Rachel had a chance to knock. “How absolutely delightful to have some company.”
“Hello, Mrs. Thorn. I’m Rachel Malloy and I think you know Becca. Her father is the windmill man for your ranch. The baby Becca is holding is Eden, my daughter.”
“Please come in. I’ll put the tea on.” The elegant lady with sparkling eyes ushered them into the parlor. “Have a seat.”
“No tea for me, Mrs. Thorn. I’d like to discuss something if you might have a minute.”
Mrs. Thorn nodded. “Of course.”
Rachel told the woman of her concerns with Becca and her father. “That wagon is less than ideal for a young girl. I thought we might put our heads together and come up with a solution.”
Mrs. Thorn pursed her lips. “I see what you mean. I’ll have to speak to my husband about this, but I think I know of something that will suffice. There’s a small dwelling not far from the bunkhouse. I believe Mr. Thorn is storing extra feed in there right now. If he can move that somewhere else, we could clean it out.”
“A house? A real house?” Becca’s eyes grew wide.
The rancher’s wife patted Becca’s arm. “Yes, dear.”
Eden grew fussy but hushed when Rachel took her from Becca. “Another matter is shoes. I’d happily give Becca some if I had them, but you know a fire burned everything I owned.”
“I can help with that too, my dear. My daughter who’s away at a finishing school is about Becca’s size.” Mrs. Thorn stood. “I’ll just be a minute. Make yourselves comfortable.”
The woman returned shortly with her arms loaded down. By the time they left, Becca was wearing a pair of brown high-topped shoes and a new dress. The girl carried a box full of more dresses.
Rachel hugged Mrs. Thorn. “Thank you so much. You’re truly a generous caring lady.”
“I’ve enjoyed this, dear. It’s more blessed to give than receive. Besides, I like to feel needed. Please come back again. I’d love to visit with you when you have time. And don’t worry. I’ll find Becca and her father a place to live.”
“It means more than you know.”
Rachel left Becca with her father after telling the man about her conversation with Mrs. Thorn.
“Thank you, Miss Malloy,” he’d said with tears in his eyes.
Rachel was relieved that the man hadn’t gotten angry for meddling in his affairs. A man’s pride was often a ticklish thing. More often than not it got in the way of progress.
The next stop was at the little schoolhouse. Rachel found Tillie getting ready to leave for the day.
“I wondered where Becca was,” Tillie said after Rachel told her the events of the day. “I figured it was something like that. Don’t worry. I’ll put a stop to the ridiculing. I’ll not have that in my school.”
“I knew you wouldn’t.”
“How nice of Mrs. Thorn to give Becca some shoes, clothes, and maybe a better place to live. You won’t believe this, but…” Tillie pulled a pair of shoes from under her desk. “I brought these from home for Becca today only she didn’t come to school.”
Rachel hugged her friend. “Thank you.”
“Let’s get together soon. I’ve missed you.”
“And I you. We will soon. In fact, ride home with me.”
“Thank you for the offer, Rachel. I will.”
Joy flooded Rachel’s heart all the way back. As Mrs. Thorn so aptly put it, it felt wonderful to help someone in need.
She and Tillie turned into the yard and she pulled hard on the reins. “Whoa.”
A nice-looking man stood on her porch knocking.