Four Furlongs by C K Crigger

Author:C K Crigger
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781647340193
Publisher: City Lights Press
Published: 2020-04-08T04:00:00+00:00

16

I doubt Porter Anderson’s name comes up very often in a discussion about the ideal guardian for a young girl, but there you are. On the spur of the moment, I couldn’t think of anyone more fitting for the role than he. I have personal experience with him as a rescuer, a protector, and a friend, so I may be prejudiced. If I am, I’m not the only one. His wife-to-be has also benefited from his inborn “Sir Galahad” trait. It’s what I was counting on. The only problem I could see would be in convincing him of his aptitude. I’d have to present Neva’s sad tale with a lot of heroic flash and dare.

I didn’t want to place Porter in jeopardy, mind you, but he’s the sort of man who laughs at danger and is willing to take risks. He’s well able to take care of himself, of course, which makes his attitude understandable.

Convincing Neva of Porter’s suitability, I soon discovered, saddled my plan with a problem.

I finished detailing Porter’s stellar attributes, only to find Neva’s wide—truthfully, a little cow-like—eyes staring at me as though I’d gone mad. “But Miss Bo—China, I don’t know this man. Even if I did, I can’t do it. It’s not right. He might get hurt.” Then she dealt my argument what she no doubt supposed was the final blow. “It isn’t respectable!”

I cocked my head. “You’re probably right. But what’s more important, Neva, respectability or safety? I know which I’d choose if I were in your place.”

She blushed. “But Mrs. Ba ... this woman I know already thinks I’m a tramp. And my family. Mrs. B ... she doesn’t like my clothes. She says—”

Neva was so upset she couldn’t even complete a full sentence.

“Then we’ll need to keep this episode a secret. Porter is good at keeping secrets. You’ll see.”

She kept saying no, while I kept saying yes.

I brought forth several convincing arguments on why she should do as I said, even as I bustled around my bedroom gathering a few things I knew she’d need over the next few days. The girl had nothing. She’d escaped her granddad this morning without brush, comb or change of knickers.

I put a couple dollars in the bundle I made up for her while she stood with her back to me, listening to her grandfather thump and snort in the office below. Her shoulders were so stiff it was a wonder the muscles didn’t break in two.

“I know it sounds a bit far-fetched, Neva. And not quite the thing. But that’s why it’s precisely what you need to do. No one would ever expect to find you with Porter.” I handed her the neatly tied bundle, along with one of my old jackets. She’d come away in her shirtsleeves and I wondered if she even owned a coat. Well, she did now.

She took the bundle I handed her and absently donned the jacket. “Maybe this man won’t want to help me.” She looked almost hopeful.

“He’ll do it.

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