Rose moved her head slightly from side to side, making her newly made bun wobble. She gave Wes another onceover. Her lips might no longer be bright red, but they were still full and expressive when she smiled. “Well, hungry’s something I can cure. I got coffee boiling and apple turnovers about ready to come out of the oven. I didn’t know what time folks got up around this place, so I started early.”
“Apple turnovers?” Wes stood slowly. “Take me to the cure.”
As Wes followed Rose out of the room, Adam pulled Nick from the folds of the curtain. “I wish you could join us,” he whispered as he pressed his cheek against her hair. He was hungry too, but only for another taste of her.
“Me too,” she said honestly. “But I can’t take the chance. None of those upstairs will be down for another hour, but Charles or Lily might wander through the kitchen. Tell Wes I’ll talk to him later.”
Adam wrapped his arm about her waist. “We’ve a lot to talk about, you and I.” He pulled at her gun belt.
“I answer to no man,” she whispered in almost a challenge.
“Then maybe you’ll listen to one.” He kissed her lightly. “Get some sleep. We’ll have time to talk later.”
He couldn’t resist tasting her lips once more. He felt he could stand there all day and kiss her. She had a way of giving so much with a kiss. The world seemed a long way away when she was in his arms.
“Go,” she whispered, and shoved him gently.
She watched him move away knowing she couldn’t tell him where she had been during the night. He wouldn’t understand what she had to do. He’d shown that when he allowed Mole to live after Dancing died. How could she tell Adam that she found one of the raiders from the stagecoach killings just before she crawled into the office window? She’d followed the bandit for an hour, then lost him to a whorehouse that never quieted enough for her to enter.
Adam would never understand that this time justice wouldn’t depend on the sheriff’s office. She’d lived too long as a Shadow not to know what had to be done.
As Nichole moved to Adam’s room, she could hear Wes teasing Rose. Nichole wondered if she’d ever be able to step into the light and live like a normal person. She could hardly remember life when she hadn’t had to watch her back and judge every sound for danger. As she crossed into her tiny bedroom, she heard Rose whack someone with what sounded like a wooden spoon. Wes yelled, giving himself away as the victim.
“Now, I draw the line at your eating four dumplings!” Rose shouted. “You may be the doc’s brother, but you can starve a few minutes while I scramble up a dozen eggs for breakfast. We’ll have to roll you out of here if that dough rises again after all you’ve eaten.”
Wes rubbed his hand as though she’d hurt him greatly. “Oh, Rose, darling, those are the best things I ever put in my mouth.”
“Don’t you Rose-darling me. I know you’re just after my dumplings. Besides, maybe they ain’t all I can cook. Wait till you taste my biscuits layered in butter and honey.”
Wes winked at Adam. “Rose, darling, I think I’m in love. Will you marry me?”
“No, sir.” Rose huffed and moved over to the stove. “I got me a respectable job now, I do, and I aim to keep it.” She smiled over her shoulder. “But you’re welcome to come by anytime for a taste of whatever’s cooking.” Her dancing eyebrows indicated there might be quite a selection on the menu.
Both men laughed. Adam wasn’t sure just what the cook meant, but Wes was smiling like it didn’t matter one way or the other.
As Wes lifted his second forkful of eggs, Charles walked through the kitchen acting as if he didn’t see anyone in the room. He took a handful of fresh towels from the counter and vanished into the hallway.
Lowering the fork, Wes stared at his brother. “Bergette’s here?”
Adam nodded without stopping eating.
“Hell,” Wes shrugged. “I thought this place was too good to be true. What’s she doing here?”
“It seems Papa Dupont wanted her to marry a McLain. Thought it might help him win a state office,” Adam mumbled. “I’ve made it plain that I’m not interested, but I could put in a word for you if you’re interested in the job. To the old man one McLain is as good as another and Bergette’s always been so fond of you.”
Wes shoved a forkful of eggs in his mouth. “You do that, little brother,” he challenged. “I’d love to talk it over with the sweet little thing.”
Adam leaned back and enjoyed his coffee. “She’s come to tell me she forgives me and I can go back to Indiana with her. She doesn’t seem to care that I’m no longer interested in marrying her.” He grinned. “But you’ll hear all about it from Bergette. She should be down soon and my shortcomings are her favorite topics.”
“Rose!” Wes finished his eggs and grabbed his hat. “You think you could wrap up a few of those biscuits for me? Miss Bergette may love my brother here, but she hates the sight of me. If I’m lucky, I can get out before Charles wakes up the witch and she flies down the stairs to stomp on me.”
“You ain’t afraid of her, are you?” Rose laughed.
Wes looked surprised she’d ask such a question. “Any man would be a fool not to be.”
Rose handed him a tea towel wrapped around hot biscuits. “You come back anytime. I’ll protect you, honey.”
Wes laughed. “I just might do that, darling.”
Adam followed his brother to the front door. “Send word when you camp tonight and I’ll join you for supper.”
“I’ll do that if you bring Nick. I’d like to hear what old Wolf’s been up to these past months.”
“Nick doesn’t follow orders, but I’ll tell her about the invitation.”
They moved onto the porch as dawn lightened the sky above the run-down houses across the street. “You’re crazy about the girl, Adam,” Wes said.
“She’s not right for me. We’re too different, but she’s in my blood. Half the time I’m so mad at her I can’t get words out, and the other half I have to fight from crushing her against me.”
The balcony creaked above them and both men silently saluted a good-bye. Wes walked to the side of the porch where he’d left his horse tied. Adam leaned against the wall and listened. Someone was above him, he could feel a presence even though he guessed whoever it was wouldn’t move until he went back inside.
After waiting a few minutes, he decided he didn’t care who heard him talking with Wes. Unless it was Nichole, no one else would understand what they were talking about.
Walking slowly back in the house, Adam turned down the hallway to his bedroom. If he was lucky, he could get a few hours sleep before the day started.
Sister Cel stepped from his room as he reached for the door.
“Morning, Sister,” he whispered. “You’re up early.” In truth he’d decided the nun never slept. He’d seen her moving about the house after midnight and always before dawn.
“Morning, Doctor,” she answered formally. “I brought Nichole a tray, but she’s sound asleep. I guess she hasn’t recovered from the loss of sleep while taking care of Dancing.”
Adam yawned. “I think I’ll try to catch a few hours of shut-eye myself. I spent the night in my office chair after I fell asleep reading.” He stepped past the nun. “Will you wake me if any patients come in this morning? I don’t have any scheduled, but that doesn’t mean much in this town.”
“If I have time, Doctor. If I have time. I have much of the Lord’s work to do this morning. I’ll pass the message along to Rose if I leave the house.”
He didn’t pry. The nun usually left with a basket of food each morning. No one questioned her or objected. Several of the farm families paid in trade and she saw that none of the food went to waste.
“Thanks,” he mumbled.
“If the Lord meant us to sleep the day away, He wouldn’t have the sun come up every morning.” She crossed her arms, as if judging him. She reminded him of a bully who only picked on one person, and somehow he was the unfortunate one.