Prairie Song by Thomas Jodi

Author:Thomas, Jodi [Thomas, Jodi]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2013-04-05T11:20:43+00:00

Chapter 17

Maggie was bombarded with hugs from Cherish and Barfield as soon as she entered the house. They had a hundred questions for her and she tried to answer theirs as she asked her own questions about Cherish. Maggie laughed and hugged her niece, feeling a joy surround her that she had never known before. Everything in her life was brighter—as if someone had cleaned the smoke-caked lantern that surrounded her eyes.

Cherish told Margaret of the raid on Hank’s place and of the Indians she met, but she left out Brant Coulter’s name altogether. She didn’t want her aunt to worry about him.

Bar explained how the lawyer had been by twice and how the guards had sent him packing both times. The afternoon settled into a party atmosphere. Even old Hattie seemed glad to see the young ladies back, though she didn’t remember their names. So many people had come and gone from her house over the years that she viewed everyone as transient.

Maggie made a fabulous supper, silently hoping Grayson might come by.

Azile was of little help to anyone, for she was upset by the past days’ events. She seemed like a flesh-covered ghost walking from room to room. She’d drank herself to sleep for so many nights that dawn no longer cleared her eyes.

Cherish gave Azile time off to go into town and visit a woman who knew about signs and who might be able to tell her the meaning of the raven at her window every morning. In truth, the women were glad when Azile left; her fears darkened their reunion.

As evening passed, a peace fell over the house. When Grayson didn’t come, Margaret politely offered both the guards a meal. They seemed hesitant at first, obviously having heard about her shooting at Holliday’s; by the time she served dessert, however, they were dishing up mighty compliments in their funny northern voices.

Margaret would never allow herself to flirt, yet she couldn’t help but notice the way they looked at her: not like she was some dried up widow, but like she was a lady. They were as respectful and kind as if they’d been with a friend’s mother or sister. Even when she went inside, she heard no harsh remarks when they thought she wasn’t listening.

Maggie smiled to herself. Grayson had changed her, not just on the inside, but somehow on the outside as well. His unshaken belief that she was desirable had softened the edges of her personality.

Bar fell asleep on the floor while Maggie and Cherish did the dishes. Cherish excused herself to check on the horses Brant had left in their barn. Maggie climbed the stairs exhausted. Both women seemed to need a moment alone with their thoughts and dreams.

“I’ll be perfectly safe,” Margaret insisted as she shoved the last bit of breakfast into her mouth and dusted the crumbs from her hands. “Bar will be with me and I’ll have a gun in my pocket.”

“Ain’t anyone goin’ to mess with Miss Margaret,” Barfield chimed in as he lifted his plate toward Cherish for a third refill.

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