Chapter Twenty-Seven
Heath’s words rolled around inside Rachel’s head all that day. She didn’t want him to give up on her and it seemed the case. After breakfast, he disappeared saying he was going to scout around.
She missed the way his fingers brushed across her cheek and the way his breath softly disturbed the hair at her temples right before he got ready to kiss her. An ache for his presence filled her. She wished she could talk it over with her stepmother, Jane Shining Star, like she’d always done with anything that troubled her.
But she couldn’t. Wanting to feel close to the woman who’d raised her, she moved aside the door in the floor and went below with Eden in her basket. Removing the white buffalo robe from a trunk that had been returned from the barn, she buried her face in its softness then wrapped it around her.
That’s where Sally found her a little later. “Rachel dear, is everything all right?”
Rachel wiped her eyes and swallowed the lump in her throat. “As well as it can be.”
“Oh, honey, it’s plain to see that your heart is breaking.” Sally knelt beside her and put her arms around Rachel’s shoulders. “Tell me what I can do to help?”
“If you could bring back my stepmother…”
“I would if it were possible.” Sally smoothed back Rachel’s hair. “What’s wrong?”
“Just feeling blue I suppose and missing my stepmother.”
“I didn’t think you had anything left after the fire and all.” Sally fingered the soft folds of the robe. “What is this if you don’t mind me being nosy?”
For a second panic set in then Rachel remembered that Jane Shining Star was far beyond the reach of hurt and prejudice. She no longer had reason to hide the beautiful robe.
“It’s a treasured wedding gift given to my Comanche stepmother by her father when she came to live with my father. We kept it hidden all these years for fear of reprisal. I kept it in a trunk, and it escaped the flames.”
“Well, honey, you don’t have to keep it hidden now. It came from a magnificent animal. It’s also a source of comfort to you and as such you should bring it out in the light of day where you can look at it and remember the good times you shared with your stepmother.”
A sob escaped Rachel’s mouth. “She loved me so much and I loved her. I didn’t care that she was Comanche.”
“Of course not. I wish I could’ve met her. She sounds like a wonderful woman.”
“You’d have liked her.”
Sally felt around in her pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. “Dry your eyes and let me get you up these stairs. I think we could both use a cup of tea.”
As though hot tea could make trouble leave and keep friends safe.
Blowing her nose, Rachel picked up Eden and took Sally’s extended hand. It wasn’t until they were back in the kitchen that she noticed Sally carried the robe. The woman laid the beautiful white hide on the table and got the water on to boil.
“It’ll be ready in a flash.” Sally turned. “Now, while we wait for the water, tell me where you want to put the robe. But if it were mine, I’d put it on my bed so I could reach out and touch it when these spells come.”
“Yes, that makes perfect sense.”
In her take charge way, Sally carried it into Rachel’s bedroom and returned. A short while later they sat at the table sipping a nice cup of dandelion root tea.
“I don’t think you’re telling me the whole of it,” Sally said, her eyes piercing Rachel’s. “It’s true that you miss your family, more at times than at others, and it’s true that sometimes such a longing for loved ones washes over us like a black wave. But, that’s not all that’s got you blue.”
Rachel set down her cup and sighed. She couldn’t keep anything from this woman. She might as well tell her. She knew Sally well enough to know she’d pester her until she did.
“The outlaw gang still wants to kill us and if you must know, Heath has given up on me.” She tried to still her trembling chin.
“Oh posh! I don’t know where you got your information, but I’ll tell you one thing. My brother, even if he is deaf as a post, thinks you hung the moon. And the stars. And anything else that’s up in the sky.” Sally gave a short laugh. “He doesn’t just like you, he adores you. He hasn’t been the same since he brought you home so I could nurse you back to health.”
“Then why did he tell me he wasn’t going to ask me to marry him again? Just tell me that. He’s tired of waiting and cutting his losses.”
Sally sprang to her feet. “You just wait until I get through with him.”
“No.” Rachel grabbed Sally’s arm. “Leave him be. He knows his own mind. You’ll only make things worse. This is between Heath and me and I’ll thank you to stay out of it.”
“If that’s the way you feel about it.” Sally sat back down.
“It is.”
“Well, I don’t have to like it.” Sally refilled their cups. “What happened to that sweet Tillie? I haven’t seen her in a coon’s age.”
“She’s teaching school on the Thorn Hill Ranch. I don’t see her much either.”
“When this is all over and we’re not under siege anymore, I think we oughta throw a party and invite all our neighbors.”
Rachel brightened. “That’s a wonderful idea.”
They could have tables full of food and lots of music and dancing. She wondered if Heath danced. She could just imagine him holding her close and twirling her around until she lost her breath. And then she remembered the distance he’d placed between them, and she sucked in a tremulous breath.
I won’t ask you to marry me again. You know where I am when you make up your mind.
She was going to surprise him.
Just as soon as she figured out how to say the words.
Mid-afternoon, Heath rodeup and came inside. He wasn’t surprised to see Sally. That was good. She could keep Eden while he and Rachel rode over to Tillie’s.
He’d spent the day thinking about things while trying to figure out Zeb’s next move but it sure appeared they had focused on Tillie.
Both women looked up when he strolled into the house. Rachel’s gaze met his. “I was worried about you.”
“Sorry. I was keeping an eye on Zeb and time got away from me. I’ll have some coffee then we need to ride to the Grant place.”
“Sure. I’ll have it ready soon.” Rachel hurried to the stove.
“Wherever you’re going, I’ll keep the little darling,” Sally offered.
Rachel took down a cup. “I’d like that. Thank you, Sally.”
The woman gave them a pointed stare. “I’m curious why you’re going to Tillie’s. You both act like you’re hiding something.”
“Well, it’s—” Rachel didn’t know how to finish.
Heath laid a hand on Rachel’s arm. “I overheard something the outlaw gang said that suggested they were going to focus their efforts on Tillie.”
“And Zeb is in cahoots with them?” Sally asked.
“I think he might be the leader.”
Sally’s face darkened. “I should’ve whacked his rear end good with that broom when I had the chance! Those types never do a speck of honest work.”
Rachel laughed. “I don’t think one whack would’ve made much of a difference.”
After Heath had his coffee and some meat and bread Rachel forced on him, they set off with Jax beside them. Tillie was just riding into the yard when they arrived. Jax immediately engaged in a game of chase with Tillie’s dog Boomer.
“Get down and come in,” she said dismounting.
They did and went inside.
Rachel took her hands. “Tillie, I’ve kept something from you, but I can’t any longer. Your life is in danger.”
With Heath at her side adding bits and pieces, Rachel told Tillie everything. “And that’s why Zeb Thacker came posing as my uncle.”
Tillie put a hand to her heart. “I always found it odd that your father kept you from making any friends. Now I understand. Also about that nice Austin Morgan. A detective for the stage lines, huh?”
“That’s right.” Heath rose from his chair in the parlor to look out the window. Night would fall in a couple of hours. “The circuit preacher carried a note to the stage lines for us.”
“But how does this concern me?” Tillie asked.
Heath turned. “I overheard the outlaws talking last night and they think you’re hiding the stolen loot here.”
“Oh dear! I’ll have to warn Yancy to be on the lookout.”
“And keep a rifle handy,” Rachel added.
“I absolutely will.”
“How are things with Becca?” Rachel asked. “I haven’t seen her in a few days.
“I think her father’s keeping a closer eye on her and she’s coming to school. Such a sad case. Becca grieves for her mother so badly. She needs a woman’s guidance.”
Heath went out to find Yancy, leaving the women to talk about the ranch school. He felt a little better about things. At least Tillie was aware of the danger. That’s all he could do.
He took in the shabby appearance of the Grant place. The corral fence was broken, everything needed a coat of paint, and weeds were taking over. He’d have to see about coming to help.