Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
As Zack trundled the wagon to the barn, Amelia put away the picnic things.
Poppy had found a red ball among the toys and rolled it back and forth to Gampa.
Kat drank water from the bucket on the counter.
They’d be all right for the few minutes it would take Amelia to put the blanket back in the upstairs closet, so she clattered up the steps to tuck it away.
As she stowed the items, Poppy called out. “Gampa, come. Play with me.”
Amelia’s nerves twitched. Had Pa wandered off? She made it downstairs in record time. Banging came from the pantry.
“Kat, stay with Poppy.”
Amelia moved close enough to see Pa tossing things from the shelves. “Pa, are you looking for something?”
Giving no indication he heard, he pushed a heavy pot to the floor. The thunk echoed through the house.
Amelia edged closer. “Pa. Pa.”
When he didn’t respond, she touched his arm. “Pa.”
He spun to face her, nostrils flaring. “Don’t you take one more thing from me.”
His mind was confused. Could she distract him? “Would you like a cup of tea?”
“Don’t think you can make me forget.”
What did he think she wanted him to forget? She’d like to see him remember everything—including who he was.
“It’s your fault.” He shook his fist in her face.
She stepped back. Maybe he wouldn’t strike her, but she couldn’t be sure.
“Pa!” Kat screamed and rushed forward.
Poppy wailed so loud the rafters rattled.
But Pa didn’t appear to notice any of it and turned back to pushing things from the shelves and mumbling under his breath.
Amelia couldn’t make out what he said. Maybe if she did, she could calm him. “I’ve made tea.”
He pushed his hand toward her as if getting rid of something.
Time to try another tack. “Pa, could you look out the window and see if the horses are all right?”
A pause as if the words were getting through, and then he returned to his frenzied activity.
Poppy’s distressed wailing rose in volume.
Amelia would never put the child in danger, but Pa seemed to calm around her. It was worth a try. If she sensed his distress mount, she’d snatch the child and flee outside.
“Pa, I think Poppy’s hungry. Would you like to share a snack with her?”
His movements slowed. “Poppy? Poppy’s a baby?”
“Yes, and she’s hungry. Can you help me?”
“Of course.” He stumbled from the room, eyeing the objects on the floor and sending Amelia an accusing look as if blaming her for the mess.
Poppy shrieked when he moved toward her.
Kat stood ready to block any anger from her father.
Zach strode in. Seeing Poppy’s distress, he scooped her up and held her tight. She clutched him hard enough to make him cough.
“Hush, baby. I’ve got you.” He took in the scene. “Bad moment?” he whispered. “Come here, Kat.” He wrapped an arm around her and held her close.
Amelia nodded. “Pa, help me put out the dishes.” Supper wasn’t ready, but he always seemed calmest sitting at the table.
“All right.” He claimed his customary chair, folded his hands together on the wooden surface, and waited.
After three deep breaths, Amelia could breathe more easily. She choked back a sob. “Has he been like this before?”
“Maybe once or twice,” Kat answered. “He scares me. Does he know what he’s doing?”
Poppy nuzzled against Zach’s neck. “Gampa scared.”
Scared or scary? Maybe both. Oh, if only Amelia could do something to ease the pain and concern in Zach’s and Kat’s faces. This had to be so hard for them.
Pa seemed settled. She put a biscuit on his plate in the hopes he would think about food.
Zach took his usual place kitty-corner from his father, holding Poppy on his knee. Perhaps hoping to anchor his pa in the present, he talked about the cows, how he was going to get started cutting that hay tomorrow, and other things about the animals.
Seeing Poppy safe, Pa calm for now, and the anxiety in Kat’s eyes disappearing, Amelia turned her attention to preparing supper.
Later, as Amelia put the serving dishes on the table, Poppy climbed off Zach’s knees and onto the chair next to Pa. She patted his hand. “Gampa good.”
“Guess I am.”
The pair smiled at each other.
Amelia grinned at Kat as she sat, and Zach nodded her way—a sign of relief and understanding.
“I’m guessing Gil won’t be joining us,” she said.
“Not tonight.” A low growl accompanied Zach’s words. “He says his bottle was a gift.”
Amelia guessed Kat’s eyes were as wide as hers.
“Someone was here?” Amelia squeaked.
“Wouldn’t put anything past that Sobel skunk.” Kat spat the words out.
Zach shrugged. “Knowing Gil, he probably has a number of ‘gifts’ hidden around the place.”
That night, Amelia found it difficult to fall asleep.
So many things tangled in her thoughts… memories of Debra triggered by the tiger lilies, sharing those memories with Zach, the upset with Pa, Zach’s tenderness as he comforted not only Poppy but also his younger sister.
But one thought lingered longer than the others.
Was Gil’s gift from the past? Or had someone brought it more recently? Who and for what purpose? The only answer she found was Sobel trying to cause problems. There wasn’t one positive thing to be said about that man.
As soon as Amelia began clearing the breakfast dishes the next morning, Zach headed for the door, where he paused.
“I need to go out to the crew to get men cutting the hay, and I need to make sure the cattle are doing well but—” His gaze went to his pa who seemed as calm as a still cup of water.
“I hesitate to leave you here with—” His gaze went toward the bunkhouse.
“Though I guess Gil will be sober by now.”
It was Sunday, but Zach had said nothing about church. Had he forgotten? Although in his letters—that weren’t his—he’d mentioned that he was often too busy to attend. It wasn’t her place to suggest this would be a good time to start going again.
“We’ll manage just fine.” Amelia infused as much confidence in her voice as she could. “Kat is also here to help.”
Kat blinked. Either she was surprised to be included or wishing she hadn’t been.
Poppy trotted to Zach. “You go?” Her voice trembled.
He scooped up the little one and tossed her in the air, bringing joyous giggles. Then he held her nose to nose. “I have to go, but I’ll be back.”
Then, for another long, tense moment, he studied his father. He put Poppy on her feet. “Do your best,” he said as he left the house.
Amelia chuckled and turned to Kat. “Did that sound like he expects us to fail?”
Kat rolled her eyes. “Of course he does.”
“Well, that man is in for a surprise.” She hoped she wasn’t rejoicing prematurely.
“Zach likes to think he can control everything.” Pa’s unexpected words jolted a laugh from both Kat and Amelia.
Kat helped Amelia clean the kitchen and prepare vegetables for a pot of stew.
Pa was restless.
“Sometimes he likes to work in the garden,” Kat said.
Putting aside the fact that it was supposed to be a day of rest, they guided Pa to the garden to work on the weeding.
At first, he understood the task. Soon, though, his mind drifted, and he and Poppy built roads in the dirt.
Thankfully, a solid gate closed off the fenced garden area.
Neither of them could escape, and Amelia sank down in the corner, content to enjoy a moment of peace.
Then she sat up, her attention on a movement on the horizon. A horse and rider? It disappeared before she could be certain.
She shook her head. She was imagining things.
The next morning, Zach rode into the yard with two men. They entered the barn and then exited armed with scythes. He went to the cookhouse to inform Gil he’d be cooking for the pair, warning him to stay sober and do his job.
As expected, the men balked at cutting hay even though Zach worked side by side with them.
Sweat trickled down his back and pooled in his armpits as he swung the scythe over and over, setting up a rhythm that laid smooth swaths behind him.
The slough grass was tough, forcing him to lean into the task and use his body strength to cut through the grass that would feed the horses over the winter.
Chuck and Slim worked beside him. Each took a few tries to create their own rhythm.
When they returned to where they’d started, they paused to drink water.
“Boss.” Chuck swiped at his brow. “You know that Sobel’s got no honor.”
“I figured so.”
Slim adjusted his hat. “He keeps Morgan riding from one end of the valley to the other trying to keep ahead of his shenanigans.”
“Know that, too. He’s dead set on running me off my place and taking it over.” Bitterness pooled in the back of Zach’s throat.
“He ain’t against turning us against ya either.”
Chuck and Slim both regarded Zach with dead-serious expressions.
Zach swallowed another mouthful of water and wiped his mouth, taking time to consider the words before he spoke. “Is he succeeding?” How many of the men would prove traitorous?
“Not us, Boss. We been working for your pa since before he had to stop. And we’ll stand by you, too. All the old hands will.”
“Thanks.” It was a warning to be careful around the new hires. “You fellas would let me know if there’s something I should be aware of, wouldn’t you?”
They both nodded. Chuck added, “I suggest ya watch your back.”
The warning sent a spasm across Zach’s shoulders. “You mean to keep a close eye on the cows?” Were his home and family targets?
Chuck adjusted his hat. “Never trust a snake.” He picked up his scythe and returned to work.
The afternoon passed with agonizing slowness. A large portion of the grass lay flat and fragrant when the sun dipped toward the mountaintops. The day had proven productive. It was too early to stop but—
“Boys, keep working. You got me worried about things. I’m leaving to scout around.”
“Yeah, Boss. Good idea.”
Not encouraging words, but they drove Zach to ride home at a lope. Smoke drifted from the cookhouse chimney, suggesting Gil prepared a meal. Pa sat on a chair parked on the porch. Kat played with Poppy. Only one more to account for.