Before the Larkspur Blooms (8 page)

“Still.” Maude gave her a significant look before she walked away.

“I don’t want to intrude on your day,” Brenna said nervously, worry etched in her brow. “But may I speak with you a moment?”

“Of course,” Hannah replied, smiling. She adored this woman—everything about her was sweet and caring. She only wished she could do more for her. “Where are the children?”

“Penny is watching them.” Brenna’s voice lightened a smidge. “What I’d do without that girl, I don’t know.”

Hannah was sure Brenna had something on her mind but didn’t want to rush her. She had her pride, albeit a bit tattered. “That’s good,” she said kindly. “Gives you a moment to get out.”

“So true. A few minutes a day is all I need to deliver my sewing. And with the growing town, I’m seeing a real need for stitching repairs and even some special projects.” She glanced around. “Hannah?”

“Yes?”

“I hate to tell you this, but a nasty raccoon broke into our pantry three nights ago. I guess Stevie forgot to close the door all the way. Pretty much cleaned it out.” Her hesitant voice and downcast eyes almost undid Hannah. She knew what it must cost her friend to come to her for more help.

“Brenna, you should have told me right away. Three days? Surely the children are famished.”

“We’re making do.” It was barely a whisper. “I’m sorry. I appreciate what you’re already doing for me and my brood each week. Do you need any extra cleaning done in your house? Something I might do in trade for—”

“Hush now.” When Brenna’s face clouded up, Hannah put her arm around the woman’s small shoulder. “Nothing I can think of at the moment.”

Brenna sniffed. “I hate asking like this.”

“I know you do. However, youngsters have to eat. I have a loaf of bread and some stew I can spare, and probably more after I take stock. I’ll get it to you within the hour.”

A burst of masculine laughter made Hannah look up. Chase and his men were headed their way. Thankfully, Rome was not with them.

Brenna gave her a quick hug and then turned to leave.

“Don’t go on our account, Mrs. Lane,” Chase called, warming Hannah with his attractive smile. Jessie was a lucky woman to have such a fine, upstanding husband, who was also a pleasing sight to look at. “How is that houseful you have?”

“Just fine, Mr. Logan,” Brenna said, cheeks flushing slightly. “Thank you for asking.” She glanced once at Hannah, then hurried away.

Chase gestured to the group. “I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to barge in and run Mrs. Lane off. Just wanted to say hello and invite you out to the ranch. Jessie sends a message that she needs a dose of female company. Shane keeps her running.”

“What about Sarah?” Gabe said, always protective over the child he’d helped deliver from the orphanage in New Mexico. “She’s a girl.”

“She don’t count for conversation.” Jake laughed. “’Less you want to sing songs and count.” He laughed again and inched a step closer. His shirt was clean and buttoned to the collar. “I could pick you up later today in the buggy and bring you out, Hannah.”

Hannah smiled, appreciating Jake’s offer. “As much as I’d like to, Jake, I can’t today. I have a few things to take care of.” She glanced between the men and saw that Brenna was now out to the street. As soon as she could get back to her restaurant, she’d pack up any leftovers and take them over to the young mother. It must be a horrible feeling to see the hunger in your young ’uns’ eyes. Would she run into Thom again when she passed by the livery? She bristled. Some people were just too stubborn for their own good. “Tell Jessie I’ll stop by on Monday sometime in the late morning. Tell her too that I’m really looking forward to seeing her.”

Chase cleared his throat and clamped a hand on Jake’s shoulder. He’d watched the way Jake stood taller in Hannah’s presence. The boy had clearly taken special care with his appearance, too. “Jessie will be pleased to see you Monday, Hannah. Jake here forgot all about the ranch and things he needs to get done today. A place that size can’t run itself.”

Jake jerked away almost angrily, startling Chase. Something was going on in Jake’s head, and that
something
had him worried. He remembered Jessie’s fretting and wondered if he needed to have a conversation with the boy about Hannah. Was it that or something else entirely?

Blake’s cool gaze assessed the men. “I could give you a list if you want, Jake. Starting with mending fences and ending with digging out the water hole.”

Jake scowled.

Chase hadn’t meant to embarrass Jake, but he could feel the boy’s resentment as sure as if a wet blanket had dropped over the group. “Let’s go, men, time to let Mrs. Hoskins get back to her day.” He tipped his hat as Jake strode off toward his horse. Gabe and Blake followed.

Hannah stopped Chase as he turned to leave. “What’s bothering Jake?” Her eyes searched his with genuine concern, and he wondered if he should tell her what he and Jessie suspected.

In loyalty to Jake, he quickly decided against it. He shrugged. “I’m not sure, but no need to worry, Hannah. Jake’s a big boy. He can take care of himself.”

She let go a small sigh. “I just hate to see him miserable.”

The last thing Jake needed was for Hannah to get closer to him, trying to help. The boy was sure to misconstrue her intentions. “He’ll work it out, whatever it is.” Chase turned to leave, but Hannah stopped him short.

“I’m glad I remembered before you rode off. There’s a little something I want to talk to you about.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, wondering what Hannah Hoskins might need from him.

She came close and kept her voice low. “An old friend of mine has come home to Logan Meadows. I was wondering if you would introduce yourself to him. Befriend…”

“Thomas Donovan?”

“You’ve heard.”

He nodded. Most everyone was now gone from the meeting area, leaving the two of them alone. “Who hasn’t? An ex-convict moving into the community is more gossip worthy than who’s sparking who each spring.”

“Logan Meadows is his home, Chase. Where else should he go?”

He held out his hands. “I’m not judging. I was friends with his mother before she passed on. I never knew him, since he was gone by the time Jessie and I moved to town.”

Her smile wobbled, and she looked away. “Albert has helped set him up in a job with Win at the livery, and he’s living over at the Red Rooster.”

He couldn’t stop a half-teasing groan. “With Violet Hollyhock? Oh, the poor man.”

Hannah gave him a stern look. “She’s not so bad, and you know it. Jessie would feed you cold supper for a week if she heard you talking that way. That woman is the only grandmother she’s ever known.”

Chase wedged his hat onto his head, barely able to keep the grin from his face. His wife loved that ancient woman. “Don’t I know it. I promise to look Thom up as soon as I can, Hannah. Even if it means enduring teatime over at the Red Rooster.”

I
t was almost six in the evening as Thom, a bit doggedly, climbed the ladder to the loft and hoisted himself onto the platform where hay was piled ceiling high. He was worn out from a long day of stall cleaning and wheel mending, but even after only two days, it was amazing how one’s body kept working without one’s mind even having to think about the tasks. He began tossing armfuls of hay down into each stall.

“Thom, I’m leaving,” Win called up. “After you bring the horses inside and lock up, would you mind stopping by the Silky Hen on your way home? Mrs. Hoskins has a problem with her water pump.”

Thom straightened and ran his arm across his sweaty forehead. Win was looking up at him, the reins of the horse already in his hand.

“I don’t mind.”
That’s a barefaced lie.
He’d be lucky if God didn’t strike him dead right there in the loft. After their conversation yesterday it would be awkward seeking Hannah out, even if it was to help.

“Thanks. I meant to do it earlier and forgot,” Win said, smiling up at him. He was younger than Albert by two years and shorter by three inches. They both had brown hair and thick eyebrows. Today Win hadn’t shaved, leaving a thick stubble covering his square jaw. “I’m usually called upon to fix things around town, you know,
pumps, windmills, and such. Her pump is pretty straightforward. You know where the tools are in the storage shed?”

Thom nodded.

“Good. It’s free of charge given that she’s a widow. In exchange, she usually sends me home with a nice meat pie or something else just as tasty. It’s yours, of course. I’m late or I’d do it myself.”

The muscles in Thom’s jaw tightened. “No problem. I’ll take care of it just as soon as I’m finished here.”

Win nodded. “Tell her I’m sorry I forgot about it,” he called as he left. “I expect she’s plenty annoyed with me.”

The clip-clop of hooves finally faded. Thom climbed down and stabled the six horses, running a brush quickly over each. Mentally he ticked off the list of chores Win expected him to complete before leaving. As he rushed to finish, Maximus, Win’s orphaned bison calf, followed him around, hungry for attention. Thom constantly had to sidestep to keep from being tripped. With a handful of hay, he persuaded the bison into his outdoor pen, then fastened the gate. Lastly, in the grain room, he found the barn cat asleep on top of three sacks of oats.

“Out you go.” He picked her up and set her in the aisle outside the door. “Time for you to go to work.” He snapped the padlock closed as she blinked up at him sleepily.

Thom glanced down at his clothes and curled his lip at the grime that stuck to him like a magnet. He swiped at his hair, divesting it of bits of hay and cobwebs he’d collected in the loft, but he knew it did little to improve his appearance. Lifting his arm, he gave a sniff. He was due a bath, but he’d not be able to accomplish that until tonight, after supper. Well, there was no help for that now. Collecting a wrench and a handful of silver washers from the shed, he took his horse’s reins and headed up the street.

Up to her elbows in bubbles, Hannah attacked a dirty pot with her scrub brush, anxious to get home to Markus. Thank goodness she’d had a busy turnout today—twenty-four meals, seven with dessert. Just like old times. If only more days could be like this one.

It wasn’t hard to figure out that the two new restaurants were hurting business. Charley’s had opened on the north end of town seven months ago, causing a pinch. Then when an older couple new to town had heard about the railroad, they’d opened Nana’s Place. That was three months ago, and half of her regular clientele had gone missing the first week. Still, it was hard to begrudge them trying something new.