Keeping Secrets (9 page)

Peg, who had climbed from the buggy, braced herself as Mrs. Parker stepped back, spied Peg, and descended upon her, arms opened wide.

“You must be Peg! Violet wrote about you!”

Peg politely submitted to the hug then looked about for Miss Hennessey.

“She’s gone inside to greet my husband,” Mrs. Parker said.

Peg took a few steps in the direction of the house, but Mrs. Parker blocked her way. “We’ll wait out here,” she said.

Even though it was the third of October, it was warm outside in the sun. “I’d like a drink of water, please,” Peg said. “If you have a pump in the kitchen …”

“The water’s cooler at the well,” Mrs. Parker said. She took Peg’s hand and led her around the side of the house, where she dropped the bucket into the well, then turned the crank to pull it up. Peg picked up the metal cup that rested on the rim of the well and drank deeply. The water
was
cold and tasted delicious. She gulped down the last drop.

A middle-aged, slender man, who wore riding boots, a hat pulled low over his ears, and the dark, homespun clothing worn by many farmers, appeared around the corner of the house. He smiled as he strode toward Peg.

Mrs. Hennessey, who followed behind him, introduced him as Louis Parker.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Parker,” Peg said politely.

He bowed over her hand. “I’m sorry I don’t have time for a visit,” he said, “but I have a long ride ahead of me. Perhaps next time, Miss Kelly.”

Hurried goodbyes were said before he strode to the pasture after his horse.

“Come for a drive with us, Nellie,” Miss Hennessey
insisted. “I promised Peg that after the two of you had met, I’d take her immediately to visit her brother.”

“Give me one minute to get my bonnet,” Mrs. Parker said and ran into the house.

Peg, who had retied her own sunbonnet, sat squeezed between the two laughing, chatting women as Miss Hennessey guided the buggy to the Swensons’ farm. Ignoring their lighthearted conversation, which flitted back and forth over her head like butterflies, all Peg could think about was Danny.

The road led through a patch of deep-shaded woodlands and out along low-lying hills. Peg squeaked with delight and bounced on the buggy seat as she finally spotted the familiar two-story house that crowned the top of a rise overlooking the Missouri River. Smoke drifted lazily from the chimney of the kitchen fireplace, and Peg realized—her stomach growling assent—that the Swensons had probably just finished their noon meal.

As Miss Hennessey guided the horse and buggy into the side yard, Peg couldn’t wait a second longer. She crawled over Mrs. Parker’s lap and leaped to the ground. Running toward the kitchen door she yelled at the top of her lungs, “Danny! Danny!”

The door burst open, and Danny ran out, the alarm on his face quickly changing to a grin as Peg ran to him, her laughter spilling into the sunlight.

“You’re taller!” Peg shouted. “No fair, Danny Kelly! You’re taller and stronger, and here I thought I’d catch up with you!”

Out of the open door popped Ennie Swenson, her husband Alfrid right behind her. Ennie was as short and plump as ever, Alfrid as tall and lean. Gussie, the hired girl, peeked around the door frame, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Hugs first, or polite introductions? Peg flew into the hugs. The grown-ups could take care of properly meeting one another.

By the time they had introduced themselves, Peg had settled down to just an occasional bounce and a broad smile. She clung to Danny, pulling one hand away only to press it against her stomach as it gave a loud growl.

Bluntly, Gussie said, “Girl, I bet your last meal was breakfast, and who knows how long it’s been since then? Come with me, and I’ll fix you a plate.”

“Miss Hennessey, Mrs. Parker, we have some cold chicken,” Ennie quickly offered, but Miss Hennessey shook her head.

“You’re very kind, but we’ll decline your generous invitation. I know you have much to talk about with Peg, and Nellie and I have to catch up on all the years we’ve been apart.”

“Years?” Ennie asked.

“Yes, four,” Mrs. Parker said, while at the same time Miss Hennessey answered, “Five.”

Mrs. Parker rolled her eyes and giggled. “Oh, dear, has it really been that long, Violet? I seem to have lost all track of time.”

Miss Hennessey smiled at Peg. “I’ll be back to pick you up at three o’clock,” she told her.

“Thank you. I’ll be ready,” Peg answered politely, although her attention had been captured by the fragrant odors wafting from the open kitchen door.

She didn’t wait to watch Miss Hennessey and her sister drive away. She raced into the kitchen, tugging Danny with her, and dove into the nearest chair. Ennie’s chicken was good, hot or cold; the baked yellow squash, with butter and a touch of cinnamon, was still
warm, and the apple dumpling Gussie set before her rivaled Ma’s.

After welcoming Peg again, Alfrid said, “Danny, I can easily finish our fence mending by myself. You stay here and visit with Peg. Look how glad she is to see you. Or could it be Ennie’s apple dumplings that have Peg so excited?”

“The dumplings, of course,” Peg said and grinned at Danny.

As Alfrid left, Ennie served Danny and Peg second helpings of the dumplings, then plopped into a chair at the table. “So the Parkers are living on the Millers’ place,” she said to Peg. “I hear they didn’t buy the land but are only renting. Thad and Gennie Miller moved out west, you know, after their second son was killed.”

Peg swallowed noisily, sure of what Ma’d have to say if she talked with her mouth full. Trying her best to remember the Millers, she said, “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“It was after the raids last year,” Ennie said. “Union patrols suspected the Millers of having southern sympathies and arrested their son, Joshua. Amos, the younger son, was so upset he ran off and joined the bushwhackers.”

Danny spoke up. “Then they
were
southern sympathizers.”

“Some said
yes
, some said
no.
I, myself, never thought so,” Ennie said with a sigh. “But then, nowdays, who knows? How many people, loyal to the Union, changed their allegiance because of the cruelty of those Union patrols?”

“The bushwhackers are cruel, too,” Danny insisted.

“That’s right,” Ennie said. “They’ve done horrible things to many innocent people. These are hard times for all of us. I can only pray that they’ll soon be over.”

As she smoothed her apron across her ample lap, a smile brightened her features. “No more talk of war,” she said. “Let’s talk about pleasant things. How is your mother, Peg?”

“Fine,” Peg said. She drank a long gulp from the glass of sweet milk Gussie had placed before her, then wiped off her damp milk mustache with the back of one hand.

“And you, dear? Is all going well with you?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Peg answered.

“You’re growing up to be a lovely young lady, Peg.”

“Thank you,” Peg said. She looked at the large bite of apple on her fork, put it back into the bowl and cut it into a daintier piece—the size a young lady would eat.

Ennie leaned toward her, eyes twinkling with curiosity. “Tell me about Miss Hennessey,” she said.

Peg looked up, surprised. “You just met her.”

“She certainly seems very pleasant,” Ennie began. “Your mother has never mentioned Miss Hennessey. How long has she known her? Where did she come from?”

Peg thought a moment. She’d have an eager audience if she told Ennie in great detail about Miss Hennessey’s flight from Quantrill’s raiders and Frances Mary bringing her to St. Joe and shelter at their home. But the apple dumpling was gone, her stomach was full, and she’d rather spend her short time here with Danny.

She tried to remember Ennie’s questions as she answered, “Ma hasn’t known Miss Hennessey for very long … just a couple of weeks. She lives in St. Joe, and she comes from Boston.”

“Don’t you know anything about her family?”

Peg stared in surprise. “Her sister’s name is Nellie Parker, and she was here just a few minutes ago.”

Ennie sighed and hoisted herself from her chair. “Never mind,” she said and gave her apron a shake. “Why don’t you children run outside and play?”

Peg tried not to look as aggrieved as she felt. Not more than fifteen minutes ago Ennie Swenson had called Peg a young lady, yet now she was sounding just like Ma! Peg tossed back her shoulders and tried to look as old as she felt.

Danny grabbed Peg’s arm, jerked her to her feet, and propelled her out the back door. He didn’t stop until they had reached the field behind the barn.

“Stop that!” Peg pulled away with such force she lost her balance and flopped onto the grass.

Danny dropped down beside her. “Then don’t act so prissy in front of Ennie.”

“I wasn’t prissy.”

“You were, too. You should have seen your face.”

Peg’s lower lip curled into a pout. “She said we were children.”

“You are a child. You’re only eleven.”

“Eleven’s almost grown-up.”

“It is not.”

“Is too.” Peg broke off a handful of grass, enjoying the stinging, sour fragrance as it tickled her nose. Laughing, she threw it at Danny.

Puzzled when he didn’t laugh, too, Peg demanded, “What’s the matter with you?”

Danny’s face was serious as he looked at Peg. “I could tell that you didn’t want to spend a lot of time gossiping with Ennie about Miss Hennessey,” Danny said. “But if you do know something about her, you have to tell me what it is.”

Taken by surprise, Peg could only blurt out, “Why?”

“The Miller house … the Parker house now … there’s something strange going on there.”

Peg leaned close, a little frightened by the seriousness in Danny’s voice. “What something strange?” she whispered.

“Ennie sent me over to the Parkers with one of her cakes and a bowl of eggs when they first moved in,” Danny said, “and I’ve ridden nearby a couple of times since … near enough to see, that is.”

Peg grabbed his arm, exasperated that it was taking him so long to explain. “See what? Tell me, Danny!”

“The Parkers live on a farm,” he said, “so by rights they should work it. But they’re not farming. They don’t have animals, and they’re not growing crops. How can they manage to survive on a farm if they don’t work it?”

Peg tried to remember all that Miss Hennessey had said. “They’re not staying long. It’s just … just temporary.”

“That doesn’t make sense. If they’re in these parts for a short time, then why not stay in town?”

“I don’t know,” Peg said.

“Maybe there are things about the Parkers and Miss Hennessey we
should
know. Our Union’s at war.” Danny tried to look serious, but his scowl soon dissolved into a grin. “I mean it, Peg,” he said. “You and I could find out.”

“How? By asking questions?”

Danny nodded. “And by keeping our eyes and ears open.”

Peg took a sharp breath. “Do you mean spying?”

“Not the I-Spy-peeking-around-the-corner games that little children do.”

Peg’s face grew warm, and she quickly looked away. Just a few weeks ago she and May had been playing spying on Marcus.

But Danny hadn’t noticed Peg’s embarrassment. “I mean carefully watching and listening to find out what the Parkers might be up to.” He looked at Peg intently. “Do you think you could do it?”

Peg sat up a little taller. “Of course,” she said. “I’m not a child.”

“Then tell,” Danny said. “How much do you know about Miss Hennessey?”

9
 

P
EG LAY BACK
on the soft grass, letting the sunshine seep through her skin and warm her bones. She had promised Danny to find out what she could about the Parkers and Miss Hennessey, and now he wanted her to tell everything she already had learned. But what did she really know that she could tell? Miss Hennessey had been a guest in their home—quiet and shy, but friendly—and Ma trusted her.

Her suspicions were only that—suspicions, with no proof behind them. How could she tell Danny about Miss Hennessey’s cousin, who was one of Quantrill’s raiders? Or about the deception under which Miss Hennessey and she were traveling as mother and daughter? Miss Hennessey had given Peg perfectly good explanations, and Peg had decided to accept them. But would Danny? What if he insisted on being
the big, protective brother and suspiciously jumped to the wrong conclusions?

“If all goes well, you’ll be able to visit Danny often,”
Miss Hennessey had said.

Everything has to go well! It has to!
Peg told herself.
What does it matter that the Parkers don’t have farm animals? What difference does it make if they live on a farm or in town? Who knows? Who cares? I’m not going to let silly suspicions spoil my trips to see Danny!

A fistful of grass blades landed on Peg’s face. She sat up, shaking her head, and sneezed.

“Well?” Danny asked. “What can you tell me about Miss Hennessey?”

“She’s nice,” Peg said.

“That’s all?”

“That’s all. Ma likes her, and so do I.” Trying to ignore the small but growing guilt that made her stomach ache, Peg scrambled to her feet. “Come on, Danny,” she said and held out a hand. “Let’s run down to the river. I can skip stones farther than you can!”