He didn’t want any of them to know that his brother’s words had sent pleasure running through him.
It was left to be seen how things would play out.
Chapter 7
Feeling refreshed as usual after a good night's rest, Olivia left her room and walked down the hallway. After a few days of complete rest with little or no chores and delicious meals, she felt like herself again.
Color had come back to her face and she had recuperated fully. And it was thanks to Cora and Boone.
And Adam.
Twin red spots-stained Olivia’s cheeks. Yes, and Adam. She looked forward to the marshal’s visit every day.
She was definitely going to miss them all, but she had to return to her family. She couldn’t imagine how worried they would be about her absence. They might even think the worst had happened to her.
As usual, Cora was standing by the stove in the large kitchen, and Boone was seated at the table devouring his rich breakfast of cornbread, fried eggs, bacon, biscuits, and cheese.
She had noted that the Stanfords ate heartily. They had rich and filling meals daily. Although Olivia missed having cornmeal with White Bird and her family, she enjoyed the delicious meals Cora made.
Cora turned from the stove as soon as Olivia entered. “You’ve arrived just in time. Take a seat, dear.”
Olivia laughed. “At this rate, I won’t be able to pass through the door when it’s time to leave.”
An intense silence suddenly descended in the room.
A frown marked Boone’s face. “Leave?”
Cora looked as if she was about to cry. Olivia chewed on her bottom lip. Oh, dear, she hadn’t meant to cause them misery about her leaving.
Nodding, she answered, “Yes. Surely you both know that I can’t stay here forever.”
Cora placed the pan she was holding back on the stove and positioned her hands on her hips. Giving her a matter-of-fact look, she said, “I don’t know where the problem is, seeing that we’re not complaining about your stay here.” She looked at her husband. “Or are you displeased by her presence here, Boone?”
Boone shook his head vigorously. “Definitely not.”
Olivia could only thank God inwardly that wherever she went, people seemed to want her to stay with them. It brought joy to her heart at the amount of love she was receiving from the Stanfords.
Lowering her eyes so she could get a grip on her emotions, she said, “Do not think me ungrateful for all that you have done for me. I simply wish to return to my Indian family. They will be worried about me.”
Another blanket of silence fell in the kitchen.
Olivia lifted her head and saw that Cora had turned away. Boone looked at her steadily.
“I thought you didn’t know the whereabouts of your Indian family,” Boone calmly stated.
“I don’t but Adam promised to help look for them.”
“Has he found them?”
Olivia shook her head. “Not that I know of.”
Cora whirled around. Olivia was sorry to see the tears in her eyes.
“Then why don’t you wait for him to find them first?” she suggested with hope in her wet eyes.
Olivia sighed. “But for how long will I wait? They might not even want to be found by a white man considering what they went through. So, Adam might not find them on his own. But with me by his side, we’d be able to track them together.”
When the couple said nothing, Olivia pressed on. “Please understand that I have enjoyed my stay with you, but I have to go back. That’s where my life is now, not here. But I promise to come and visit now and again.”
