Joanne Bischof by The Lady & the Lionheart (epub)

Author:The Lady & the Lionheart (epub)
Format: epub

C H A P T E R 1 8

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Standing with Angelina and her sisters, Ella laughed as they told her a story of Charlie from several years ago. Something about a cow and a mud puddle. They had nearly reached their climax, voices shrill with excitement, when Charlie stepped into their circle and held out a hand.

“Now that’s enough of that, I’ll have you know,” he blurted.

“We were just getting to the best part!” Danielle said, and though her face was youthful, her voice held a richness that had Ella thinking she was the oldest of the three women.

“The best part of that story is ‘The End,’” Charlie interjected.

They laughed and Ella smiled up at him.

“You three are a bad influence on her.” He feigned a whisper just for Ella. “Don’t believe a word they say about me.”

“Oh, I just hope they have more stories,” Ella teased.

Angelina’s dainty brows danced. “We have quite a collection.”

“You know?” Arms wide, Charlie ushered them away from his tent which only released their chorus of feminine giggles. “That’s all for today. Bye-bye.”

The sisters waved at Ella, then thanked Regina for the cake she’d served after church. They’d sat outside eating the lemony confection while Ella had wandered over to Little Joe to see how he was faring and to feel his forehead for any signs of a fever. She wished she’d had the forethought to bring him some ice as that had comforted Holland so.

Charlie hoisted up a wooden plank that had served as a bench, then carried it out. Returning, he hefted one of the barrels and took it out as well. His steps were a little slower when he came back, expression somber. “Before you go, Ella, I need to speak with you. It’s kind of important, so not just now. Once we get the baby settled, would you have some spare time?”

She nodded. His smile was sad, sending a cool sensation into her toes. He hoisted the other barrel, placed the bulk of it to his shoulder, and strode out into the sunshine.

A moment later, he rushed back in. “She’s here.”

“Who?”

“The Madame.”

In a whoosh that took Ella’s breath away, he scooped her up and strode over to the wagon. Ignoring the steps, he lifted her onto the mattress. “Stay very quiet. Don’t. Make. A sound.” He slammed the curtains closed.

Ella crawled to her knees and shoved the hair away from her face. Peering through a slit in the curtain, she watched Charlie grab up her shawl and stuff it under Holland’s mattress. He and Regina exchanged a guarded look.

Uncertain, Ella shifted deeper into Charlie’s bed until the hard side of the wagon was against her back. She glanced around the dim space to try and make sense of this. Charlie’s abundance of clothes and top hats was scattered about, his essence everywhere. She went to look through the slit of light, but something drew her focus back to the sidewall of the green wagon. Markings. She squinted. Tallies. Dozens…no…

She touched the scratches in the wood.

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