Chapter 16
Sam spent the next quarter hour grilling Charlotte for news from the city. Her sparse answers must have disappointed him, for she knew nothing of militia movements, sparring matches, or the availability and cost of the best hunting knives.
Joshua soon joined them, and Charlotte was happy to turn over the burden of conversation to him. He and Sam traded stories of life in the bush, how the sap had run early last spring, and where the best fishing holes were hidden.
The sound of steps on the front stoop silenced them.
Charlotte’s breath caught. Simon. She’d worked so hard to get here, but now the prospect of seeing him left her strangely uneasy.
He’d built a life for himself here, complete with a makeshift family, if Sam were to be believed. What kind of welcome would he give her?
A moment later, Simon strode through the door, an older man at his heels. His eyes widened as he took in the occupants of the room and settled on her. “Charlotte?”
She noted the changes in him. He’d grown a beard, dark and curly to match his too-long hair. His shoulders filled out his shirt differently, too. The lithe, graceful boy had grown into a sturdy man. She searched his face for signs of welcome. “Hello, Simon.”
His frown deepened. “What in the world are you doing here?”
“I came to find you, of course.” Charlotte straightened.
“Father sent you?” Some of the shock had faded from her brother’s face, but he still shook his head as though he couldn’t fathom who stood before him.
Her hands clenched in her lap. “Not exactly.”
A throat cleared and the older man stepped forward. “You’ve forgotten your manners, Simon.”
Simon flushed. “This is my sister, Charlotte.” He turned to Charlotte. “Mr. Foster. My, ah, neighbor.”
Charlotte turned and nodded at the older man. He was similar in height to Simon, though perhaps twenty or thirty years his senior, his hair almost completely gray. “How do you do, Mr. Foster?” She looked up, expecting to hear a similar greeting in return.
The older man’s gaze was fixed on her face, his mouth gaping slightly, as though he couldn’t believe his eyes.
At the sound of Charlotte’s voice, he snapped back to attention, but instead of a nod or a handshake, he gave a courtly bow.
“How do you do?” He straightened, his eyes coming to her face again as though he couldn’t stop himself.
“Pardon me.” He cleared his throat, a hint of color staining his cheeks. “You remind me of someone I once knew.”
Simon interrupted the strange interaction. “If Father didn’t send you, then why are you here? And in winter of all times.” He shook his head. “I thought you were sharper than that.”
Charlotte stood to avoid her brother’s probing gaze and wobbled. Only Joshua’s steadying hand on her arm kept her from tripping over her own feet.
“Careful now.” Joshua’s voice was gentle. Their gazes locked for a moment, and she had the sense he understood her fear. Simon couldn’t reject her, not in front of these strangers. Not when she’d tried so hard to find him.
Her brother’s gaze switched suddenly to Joshua, eyes narrowing. “Who are you?”
“This is Joshua Robertson,” Charlotte answered, searching for an explanation to stifle the conjecture brewing in Simon’s expression. “I hired him to bring me.”
Her brother shot a narrow look at Joshua before his attention swung back to Charlotte. “You traveled alone with a strange man? Have you no thought for your reputation?”
Joshua bristled and would probably have spoken, but Charlotte beat him to it.
“I have no thought for my reputation?” Outrage bubbled up to smother the hurt from Simon’s cold welcome. “That is quite a statement, coming from you. Do you have any idea what people are saying about you? About us?”
“I’ve embarrassed Father, have I?” he said without remorse. “Well, don’t expect—”
“You must be famished,” Mr. Foster broke in, directing his words to Joshua and Charlotte. “My wife sent over enough stew for everyone.” He smiled. “Which is more than can be said for chairs or beds.”
“Beds?” Simon looked at Charlotte as though he was only now realizing the implications of her arrival. “Just how long do you plan to stay?”
“Come, Simon, this is no time for an interrogation. These folks are hungry and weary.” Mr. Foster shook his head in disapproval. “I can’t think what’s come over you.”
The brother she remembered would have bristled at such direct criticism. This Simon looked abashed. “I didn’t mean to be impolite, but I think it’s fair for me to ask how long you plan to stay.” He squared his shoulders, his eyes settling on Charlotte. “And why you’re here.”
“I’m here to see you, of course. I was worried.” Charlotte couldn’t keep the defensive note from entering her voice.
“That’s the only reason?” Simon lifted his brows, exactly as he’d done when they were children.
Charlotte sighed. “There are some developments I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Developments? Do explain.”
He was goading her on purpose. He’d always known how to rile her. She sent a self-conscious glance around the room. “I think it’s best to discuss this later. It’s a private family matter.”
At her words, the smirk faded from Simon’s face. “I don’t have secrets from the Fosters. They’re family to me now.”
“That’s true enough.” Sam piped up. “Saves me a heap o’ work, having him around to help Father.”
Charlotte responded with a weak smile. It was all she could do to bite back a hasty, hurt retort. She was Simon’s family. She was the one who’d needed his help.
It wasn’t the happy reunion scene Joshua had expected.
Where was the flighty dreamer Charlotte described?
Her brother had the strong, competent look of a man used to the hard work of survival.
A man Joshua could understand and, he suspected, a man he could come to respect.
Judging by the state of his homestead, Simon wasn’t one to let the grass grow under his feet.
“How was your journey?” Mr. Foster turned to Joshua. “Travel this time of year can be a challenge.”
Charlotte sent Joshua a panicked look. “The marsh slowed us down,” he replied, glossing over the two nights in the Wilkie cabin. “Nearly wore my horse out, getting through that mud.”
Mr. Foster nodded. “Aye, it would. You come across any other travelers?” The older man’s casual tone belied his sharp gaze.
“Not a one,” Joshua said easily. “Not many folks moving about at this time of year.”
“Not normally, no. But we’ve heard tell of gatherings . . .”
Simon cleared his throat. “They’d be unlikely to meet anyone on the bush road.” He spoke deliberately, his eyes on Mr. Foster, as though his words held a warning.
The older man shrugged. “Aye, Simon, I expect you’re right.
” He turned to his son. “We’d best be on our way, Sam.
Your mother will wonder what’s become of us.
” Mr. Foster nodded at Charlotte as he herded Sam out the door.
“It was a pleasure to meet you, my dear.” As he passed Simon, his hand clasped the younger man’s shoulder and he leaned forward to murmur something Joshua couldn’t make out.
Then, with a last, long look at Charlotte, he followed his son out the door.
Joshua shook his head. Far from answering his questions, this meeting with Charlotte’s brother and the Fosters had only complicated matters.
Were they partners in some nefarious business that Cole had gotten wind of?
He thought back to Mr. Foster’s gentle, kindly face and Simon’s open directness.
Unlikely. So why would Cole want news of Simon?
Joshua turned his attention back to the siblings. Simon looked between Joshua and Charlotte as though he couldn’t decide who deserved a dressing-down more.
“I’m sorry I must trespass on your hospitality for tonight,” Joshua said, directing Simon’s attention to himself. “I’ll leave at first light. My homestead is a few hours to the north.”
Simon gave a reluctant nod. “Very well. There’s an empty stall in the barn.”
“He can’t stay in the barn,” Charlotte said in outrage.
“I’ll be fine in the barn.” Joshua had no desire to add to the tension between the siblings. Besides, he’d slept in far worse in his day.
Joshua could see Charlotte gearing up for another attack, but he also saw something else. The dark shadows under her eyes and the droop to her shoulders. She was exhausted. More than anything else, she needed rest.
And before she could rest, she’d need to clear the air with her brother.