Gunfire Echoes by Geonn Cannon

Author:Geonn Cannon [Cannon, Geonn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781938108006
Amazon: B007F50O0O
Goodreads: 21199227
Publisher: Supposed Crimes LLC
Published: 2012-02-27T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

The tub was in the parlor between the sitting area and the kitchen. Ada filled it one bucket at a time - from well, to the stove to boil, dumped into the tub. It was extremely hard on her arms, but she'd gotten used to it, having done the same routine once a week every Saturday. Still, she wished there was an easier way to get clean. She filled the tub three-quarters full, boiling an extra bucket and leaving it next to the tub.

She rested for a moment and ran her hand through the water to make sure it was cool enough for a bath. She rubbed the weariness from her arms as she walked back into the bedroom to retrieve Rose.

Katie was sitting on the bed, holding Rose's hand and laughing about something. Valerie was slumped in Ada's chair, fanning herself. Her skin had been threatening to turn a deep red tint on the ride from Paradise, but now it seemed to have returned to a more healthy pink. Ada was happy to see a bright sheen of sweat had also appeared on her friend's forehead. Valerie saw her staring and toasted her with a glass of water. "Here's the good doctor now."

Ada smiled and said, "You ladies hassling my patient?"

"Sorry, Doc," Rose said with a smile.

Katie smiled and said, "We should probably get outta your hair."

The two women took turns carefully embracing Rose and offering quiet well wishes before they headed to the door. As Valerie passed the door, Ada stopped her with a hand on her arm. "Take the wagon back to town. I need to return it anyway."

"We can walk. You may need the wagon, Ada," Valerie said.

"I'll make do. I don't want you walking that far so soon after your little incident."

Rose said, "Incident?"

Ada and Valerie hesitated but Katie replied, "Valerie here almost killed herself going out every day, searching for..." She realized why the others hadn't said anything, but she couldn't stop now. "Searching f-for your body."

Valerie shook her head dismissively, but Rose said, "Thank you, Valerie. That... means a lot to me." There were tears in her eyes and she exhaled sharply to steady her voice. "Get out of here, 'fore you see me crying."

"Stay well," Valerie said.

"We'll see you soon. I'll let Wilbur know you're definitely not bucking for a raise."

"Well, I wouldn't say that," Rose said.

When their friends finally left, the sun was burning the sky red at the horizon. Rose wiped her cheeks and plucked at the towel covering her breasts. "This is starting to feel more heavy than comforting," she said.

"You're in luck," Ada said. "All that running I was doing, your tub is ready and waiting for you."

Rose's eyes widened. "Tub?"

"You ain't got a tub?"

"Doesn't seem very prudent, is all," Rose said. "I usually just wash at the pump or, if I really need it, at Paradise Rose." She glanced at the door. "A tub?"

Ada laughed and held up a robe. "Can you sit up?"

Rose used her

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