Chapter Nine #2
He glanced at her, wondering why she had all of a sudden become cooperative. Her behavior was very odd. Unless she was weary. That’s probably why she didn’t have the energy to argue.
The door was opened by a middle-aged man. He sported a full beard, and there were spots of white hair in both his hair and beard. Thankfully, when the man looked over Nolan and Deborah, there was kindness in his eyes.
“Pardon me, sir,” Nolan began, “but I was wondering if you could help us. I’m Nolan Avery, and this is my wife.
We fell off the train a few hours ago, and we’ve been trying to catch up with it.
Hopefully, the train authorities have someone searching for us, but until then, could we beg some food and drink from you? ”
He heard Deborah’s quick intake of breath when he called her wife, but thankfully, she didn’t rebut his statement.
“Oh, heavens.” The older man gasped. “Look at the two of you.” He motioned his hand for them to enter. “Please come in. You’re probably starved to death.” The man turned and peered into the next room. “Martha, come here. You must see this.”
The woman bustled into the living area, wiping her moist hands on her apron tied around her waist. Her jaw dropped as she looked them over.
“They were thrown from the train,” her husband supplied.
“Did you walk all this way?” Martha asked, moving to Deborah as she fingered the tear in the dress’s shoulder.
“Mostly,” Deborah said. “I twisted my ankle when I fell from the train, and my... um, my husband carried me most of the way.”
“Oh, you poor dears.” Martha shook her head. “I’ve just started to make supper. But in the meantime, you both need to wash up.” Martha looked at her husband. “William, find some clothes for the man. He looks like he’s Tommy’s size.” She gave Nolan a smile. “Tommy is my son.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I really appreciate your hospitality,” Nolan said.
The older woman looked back at Deborah. “And you can wear one of my dresses.”
Tears spiked Deborah’s eyes, and she nodded. “You are a Godsend,” she said as her voice broke.
Nolan didn’t exactly want to be away from Deborah, but he really couldn’t be in the same room with her while she bathed, even if he was her husband.
But as he washed in the hip-tub, he was grateful for William and Martha and their kindness.
William’s son’s clothes were a little baggy on him, but at least they were clean.
Once dressed and looking presentable, he hurried into the living room in hopes of seeing Deborah. But Martha was in the kitchen humming as she prepared supper, and from out the window, Nolan noticed William gathering up the chickens as he led them to their coop.
Nolan stepped into the kitchen. Martha’s humming stopped when she looked at him and smiled. “I’m glad you can wear Tommy’s clothes. He’d be happy to know they were being put to use.”
“Where is your son, may I ask?”
She frowned. “He’s in Heaven.”
“Oh, I’m sorry for your loss.”
She shook her head and moved back to the stove. “He’d been sick for many years. At least he’s not sick any longer.”
“Very true.”
Martha glanced around. “Is your wife still bathing?”
“I think so. I haven’t seen her.”
“The poor dear.” Martha shook her head. “I’ve never seen anyone so worn-out in my life.”
“Yes, Deborah has been pulled through the wringer, that’s for certain.” He stepped closer and motioned toward the table. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Nothing at all. Why don’t you go sit on the couch and relax?”
He chuckled. “Because I’m afraid I’ll fall asleep.”
“Yes, I’m sure you would. I can’t imagine how far you two have walked.”
The front door opened as William entered. Nolan turned to the older man. “Do you need help getting your animals housed for the night?”
“Not at all.” William closed the door. “I just finished. And,” he grinned, “I set up a place for you and your wife to sleep. I hope you don’t mind that you’ll be in the barn?”
Gratitude rested heavily in Nolan’s heart. “I’m just very happy that you are so helpful.”
“Well, it’s in the loft, so at least you’re out of the way of the animals.”
“Thank you again, William.”
“Tell me,” the older man said as he clapped his hand on Nolan’s shoulder, “where are you from?”
“We live in Willowhaven, but we are on our way to Bloomington, Illinois.”
“Illinois?” The older man’s bushy eyebrows lifted. “That’s quite a journey. I hope you don’t mind me asking what business you have there?”
“Not at all. We... um...” Nolan didn’t dare tell them the real reason. Who knew how far the Sapphire widow’s crime reached? “We have family there.”
The man sighed heavily. “Darn. I was hoping you were a lawman.”
Strange that William would mention that. “Why? Do I look like one?” Nolan joked.
“Actually, you remind me of a U.S. Marshal who was in this area five years ago.” William flipped his hand through the air. “But I’m sure that man has moved to a different territory.”
Nolan swallowed hard. He had been the U.S. Marshal in this area five years ago. “What do you need with the lawman?”
“Well, there’s a gang of outlaws who swing by the bank and rob the place from time to time. Thankfully, they don’t take it all, but still... it’s enough to discourage people from leaving their money there. My money is at the bank, and it’s just not right that these outlaws get away with stealing.”
Bank robbers? Nolan’s hopes lifted as his lawman skills returned. “Indeed, that would be a very good job for a lawman.” He shrugged. “The truth is, I was a U.S. Marshal years ago, so I think I could talk to the bank manager before my wife and I are on our way.”
“That’s great.” William smiled and rocked back on his heels. “You’ll be the town’s hero if you can catch them.”
Nolan chuckled. Hero? That was something he hadn’t been for a very long time. “It’s the least I could do to pay you back for helping Deborah and me.”
The door squeaked open from down the hallway, and Nolan’s attention jumped to the woman exiting a room.
Her damp hair was braided and hung down her back, but at least it was clean.
And she was clean. However, the dress didn’t quite fit.
The garment hung on her almost as poorly as his clothes hung on his frame.
Deborah smiled at him. She looked so weary. They both would drift off to sleep once their bellies were full.
He moved to her and slipped his arm around her waist. She sucked in a quick breath.
“You look much better,” he told her.
“I feel much better,” she said with a sigh.
He lightly brushed his fingers over her red cheeks. “The sun roasted your face. You’ll be hurting tomorrow, I fear.”
“I’m already hurting.”
“Not to worry,” William said as he stepped into the kitchen. “Martha has some cream that will soften the burn.”
“Indeed, I do.” Martha reached up to a shelf and took down a small container. She handed it to Nolan. “I’ll let you do the honors. Just be very gentle. The sun really burned her skin.”
He faced Deborah and grinned, waggling his eyebrows. “Do you trust me?”
Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened, but no words exited.
Instead, her gaze moved slowly over his face as she studied him.
Perhaps she didn’t trust him after all. He couldn’t blame her.
He hadn’t been exactly kind so far this trip.
At some point, he waited for her to snap at him and bring out the truth.
He prayed she knew how to hold her temper amongst strangers.