A Promise to Believe in by Tracie Peterson

Author:Tracie Peterson [Peterson, Tracie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Books & Bibles, Literature & Fiction, Historical, Romance, Mystery & Suspense, Western & Frontier, United States, Religion & Spirituality, Contemporary Fiction, Christian, Religious & Inspirational Fiction, Contemporary, Christian Fiction
Amazon: B00B5J4XBW
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Published: 2008-09-01T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“Goodness, but you’re all soaked to the skin!” Patience Shepard declared. “Girls, I have clothes you can change into. You just come with me. Mr. Bishop, I’ll be with you directly. Just stand there by the fire.”

“But I’ll drip all over the rug,” he protested.

Patience laughed. “It won’t be the first time it’s been dripped on. You’ll find we don’t worry about such things around here.”

Gwen allowed Patience to hurry them off to her bedroom. She fussed over Lacy’s long, wet hair and insisted she sit by the fireplace to dry it. “You’ll get sick for sure if you don’t get it tended to.”

“I’m made of tougher stuff,” Lacy said with a laugh, “but the fire does sound good.”

Gwen was quickly out of her wet jacket and blouse. She was grateful for Mrs. Shepard’s tender care. It was nice to be watched over.

Patience handed Gwen a dark brown garment. “Here’s a serge skirt. I have blouses in the wardrobe that will be a little bit big, but they should work until we can get your clothes dry. Just help yourself.”

“If you have an iron,” Gwen said, putting the skirt aside in order to change out of her own wet things, “I can always dry it out that way.”

“I’ll put the irons on,” her hostess declared, “but in the meantime, just hang them on these hooks by the fireplace. They’ll dry out pretty well, and you can iron out the rest of the dampness after you have some supper.” Patience moved to the door. “I’ll leave you girls to change. Just join us downstairs when you’re dressed.”

“Thank you so much,” Gwen called after her. She turned to find Lacy struggling out of her wet pants.

“Mercy, but I’m glad I packed my split skirt,” Lacy said, putting the pants aside. She reached to unfasten the ties on her saddlebags. Pulling dark blue material from inside, she smiled. “See? Nice and dry.”

“Well, don it quickly. We don’t need you catching your death.” Gwen took up the skirt and pulled it on. “Sure glad we came here. That wind is really howling out there. I hope it doesn’t snow.”

“Even if it does, it’ll pass quick enough. It’s that time of the year.” Lacy got into her split skirt and then pulled a wrinkled but dry blouse from the other side of her bag. She slipped into the calico top, then without bothering to button or tuck it in, she squatted down by the fire and began to work her fingers through her wild hair. “Hmmm, this feels wonderful.”

Gwen explored the wardrobe and found a simple blue cotton blouse that had seen better days. She drew it out and quickly dressed. Joining Lacy at the fire, she sat on a small stool and watched her sister for a moment.

“Lacy, I want the truth.”

Her sister looked up rather sheepishly. “I suppose I can guess what this is all about.”

“Did your disappearance the other night have to do with looking for Pa’s killer?”

“Yes.”

Lacy didn’t even try to lie, and Gwen was grateful.

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