White Sands Gold by Mike Torreano

Author:Mike Torreano [Torreano, Mike]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Western mystery; Mystical; Intrigue; historical fiction; Adopted hero; Adventure; Brooding hero; Hero as guardian; New Mexico setting; reluctant hero
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2022-05-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Lottie snuck a peek at the woman across the table from her. Ma hadn’t said more than two words this morning. After another scoop of a creamy concoction, Lottie set her spoon carefully back on the plate. “This is awfully good, what is it?”

“Just some dried wheat mashed up and topped with milk. Warm it in a pan, stir it together with some honey, and it’s a right nice dish.”

A dab at her mouth with a napkin, and Lottie started to get up. “That was a fine breakfast, thank you. Please excuse me, Mrs. Gilbert.”

“Won’t you stay for a while?”

The older woman’s eyes reflected a look of sadness. “Certainly.”

“Sometimes I get lonely with the boys gone so much.”

She might as well fish a little here as well. “You mean Twill and the other guardians?”

Ma’s eyes widened a bit. “Guardians?”

Lottie didn’t respond, waiting for Ma to.

The landlady glanced up at the freshly-painted ceiling, then at her guest. “How did you guess?”

Lottie maintained eye contact. “That’s what it wasa guess. One that you just confirmed.”

Ma gave her new boarder a half-smile. “I always did think you were a clever girl. Watched you on your trips to town over the years with your rotten father and your jealous brother.”

How did this woman know anything about her father? But she’d let that go. “You think my brother wasisjealous? Of what?”

“You. You got the smarts and the looks in the family. All from your mother.”

Lottie’s heart pounded. “You knew my mother?” Who was this woman?

Ma set her fork down and coughed into her napkin. “Is your room comfortable; do you need anything?”

“Yes, I need some answers. Why did you invite me to stay here? How come you know so much about my family?”

“All good questions, and thank you for accepting my invitation.” She hid several coughs behind a napkin to her mouth. “Now, I’m feeling like I need some rest. Would you accompany me to my room?” Ma started to struggle up.

Lottie hurried to her side and helped her to a stand.

“Please bring my knitting, thank you.”

Lottie picked up the needles and the wide stretch of tightly woven yarn between them.

“Isn’t it nice?” Another small cough. “Excuse me.”

“Yes, it is. The colors are so unusual. Where did you find the purple?”

“I come by it here and there. Glad you like it, I find it lovely, too. The best I’ve ever done, I think.”

Lottie walked Ma to her room and helped her lay back on the bed. “Can I get you anything?” She felt a sudden, surprising closeness toward this woman.

A wan smile. “Yes, my health, but there is no getting that back. Thank you, and please close the door as you leave.”

She laid her hand on the woman’s. Ma’s skin was so thin. Dark blue veins spiderwebbed across the back of it. Lottie didn’t move away, almost like she couldn’t.

Ma smiled at her. “Go on now, child, you have better things to do than fuss with me.”

Lottie pursed her lips hard. This woman had a hold on her, one she couldn’t put her finger on.

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