Not ashamed to admit it, he said, “Yes, it has something to do with Olivia.”
“Oh.” Annie and her husband exchanged a knowing smile.
Adam leaned back against the chair with a frown on his face. “I’m worried about her.”
Annie gave him a look filled with concern. “Why are you worried about her?”
“Did she reject your proposal?” Stephen chipped in and guffawed.
Annie playfully hit him with a wide smile on her round face. “Oh, stop, Stephen. Can’t you see that he’s worried about her?” She shifted her gaze to her brother-in-law. “What’s wrong, Adam?”
He sighed and said, “The townsfolk destroyed her village some days ago. I confirmed it yesterday.”
Annie’s hand went to her chest as her face fell. “That’s so sad.”
Adam nodded. “I haven’t told her yet. I don’t know how to.”
“Do you want me to come with you to tell her?” Annie softly asked.
Adam thought about it for a moment. It would be nice to have someone else break the news to Olivia, but he wasn’t a coward. He would do it, as he had gotten to know her a little, rather than have Annie, who was a stranger to her, to do it.
He shook his head. “Thank you, Annie. However, that’s not what has me worried. With the destruction of her Indian family, she has nowhere to go. She can’t stay with Cora and Boone forever. She lived with the Indians for eight years without having anything to do with white people.
“I’m worried that she might not cope with being away from the practices of the Cheyenne Indians.”
Annie nodded. “I can see why you’re worried about her. But surely you can find something for her to do in the town. And she could come and stay with us in the meantime. I would love the company.” She looked at her husband. “That’s if you don’t mind, my love.”
“I don’t mind at all. She’s welcomed to stay with us,” Stephen responded with a small smile.
Happiness filled Adam. “Thank you, both.”
He wasn’t sure Cora would want Olivia to leave, though. His foster mother was a nurturer. She enjoyed taking care of people. She had wept pitifully when he and Stephen had to leave the house.
“Please find out what she can do. Perhaps she can work in the general store, the bakery, or the sweet shop. Or perhaps she can start up something like laundry and become a washerwoman,” Annie suggested helpfully.
Adam shrugged. “She told me that she used to teach the Indians about the bible.”
“Teach?” Annie asked with excitement.
Adam nodded, wondering why she looked so enthusiastic.
Annie laughed with delight. “I think this is God’s doing!”
Adam almost told her to leave God out of this, but he kept silent and waited for her to continue.
Her face flushed with enthusiasm, Annie said, “I have been looking for a replacement teacher for myself as I will soon put to bed.” She looked down at her extended stomach.
Stephen smiled. “I think it’s a very good idea.”
A thrill of pleasure went through Adam. He nodded. “It’s a wonderful idea. I will broach it with Olivia.”
With a twinkle in his eyes, Stephen said, “Please do. We don’t want her leaving Ruby Rock just yet, do we?”
Adam refused to answer. He, instead, focused his attention on his pie.
“Perhaps she would agree, and then you could get to know her better. Who knows what will happen after that? Maybe you could finally settle down in place of going after criminals.”
Blushing, Adam quickly finished his pie and got up. He hastily left the table after thanking Annie for the meal.
