Lacy Williams by Roping the Wrangler

Author:Roping the Wrangler
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

By the time Oscar banged inside, shaking a thick layer of snow from his person, Sarah had Cecilia and Susie somewhat calmed and sitting on the sofa. Their eyes were red-rimmed, but they’d retained a sparkle that even their cruel stepfather couldn’t dim. Once Sarah had shared her story about her past and that she wouldn’t let Mr. Caldwell bring harm to the girls, Susie had thrown herself into her teacher’s arms. Cecilia’s reception had been cool, but there had been a new trust in her eyes. At least Sarah hoped that’s what it was.

Sarah was determined to settle things with Mr. Caldwell tonight, whatever she had to do.

Except the girls’ stepfather did not follow Oscar inside. The younger man’s mouth was set and expression grim as he took off his hat and coat and spread them on a chair near the fire.

Sarah went to him in the kitchen area, where she’d started a pot of coffee—that much she could do in the kitchen without burning it. “Are you all right? Where’s Mr. Caldwell?” she asked in a low voice.

“He’s gone. Not in the barn. I checked the privy, too.”

“What?” She glanced over her shoulders to the pair on the sofa. They were whispering to each other and didn’t appear to have heard.

The horseman’s fingers were like blocks of ice when she pressed a mug of the hot beverage into his hands. “Thanks.”

“But he can’t be gone,” she whispered. “This is his place.”

“He leaves sometimes when he’s drunk.” Cecilia’s sudden words fell loud into the silence.

“But, honey, it’s snowing.” Sarah tried to reason with the girl, tried to understand what would make a man go out in this weather.

“It’s not just snowing.” Oscar ran a hand through his dark hair. “It’s a blizzard. Practically a whiteout.” He turned to Sarah, frowning. “I’m sorry. I won’t be able to get you home like I promised.”

She froze momentarily, mind spinning with all the repercussions of his words, then a look over his shoulder to the two urchins huddled on the sofa steadied her. If she couldn’t get home, she couldn’t. The girls needed her now.

She went to them, perching on the couch next to Susie, who leaned into her side naturally, as if Sarah was her older sister. Oscar pulled one of the kitchen chairs close and sat in it, propping his elbows on his bent knees.

“I thought about going out after him,” Oscar said.

“You can’t!” Sarah admonished. “What if you get lost? Or can’t find him? Or get hurt? You’ll freeze.”

His eyes stayed steady on hers and his ever-present grin was nowhere to be seen. “It is dangerous. Do you girls know where he might’ve tried to go?”

Cecilia shook her head, little face set but fear deep in her eyes. “Sometimes the next morning we find him in the wheat field. Once down by the creek. Sometimes he makes it into town and stays at the saloon.”

Oscar shook his head. “Even if I went looking, I couldn’t get far from the cabin for fear of getting disoriented and losing my way.

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