“George Winn?” Layla interjected, searching her memory. “Our neighbor, George Winn?”
Eliza nodded glumly.
“Well, that doesn’t make sense,” Layla replied pointedly. “Jack comes to work every day. I see him most times. How would he have time to also work for George Winn?”
Eliza’s hand went to her chest. “Oh, Layla. You’re such a good person. You try to see the best in everyone, even when they’ve done something terribly wrong. When I say he’s been working with George Winn, I mean he’s been selling Mr. Winn information about Mark’s ranch.”
“But—” Layla stammered, “I don’t understand.”
“Jack said Mr. Winn approached him a few months back. He told Jack that if he secretly passed over information about Mark’s businesses, he would reward him handsomely.” Eliza bit her lip. “I don’t know what he was thinking. We don’t need the extra money, but he did it anyway.”
Layla considered the idea. “Mark has mentioned lately that many of his business ventures have ended badly. There was a plot of land he wanted to buy, but the deal fell through. Then there was some farm equipment he went to Mr. Calhoun’s to fetch, but he came home empty-handed.”
“Don’t forget the seeds he wanted to buy,” Emmett added. “He told us about that just the other day.”
Eliza groaned. “He did try to buy seeds from here the other day. I should have thought something was amiss then when I didn’t have anything to sell him, but I didn’t. I was just happy that the store was doing well.”
Layla’s fingertips shot to her mouth, and she chewed on one of her nails. “But why, Eliza? Why would Jack do something like this? Why would Jack help Mark’s competitor?”
“That part he didn’t tell me, and I can’t say I understand why he did it either,” Eliza said dejectedly. “He just told me about the circumstances last night because he said he couldn’t keep up the façade. He couldn’t keep lying to Mark and reporting to Winn behind his back. He told me that he’s been passing information to Mr. Winn for some time now and—” Eliza fidgeted with her plum skirts. “I just thought he had extra money because Mark was giving him bonuses for showing up early and staying late. I didn’t know …”
“No, no,” Emmett rushed to soothe Eliza. “You’re an upstanding young woman, Eliza. Both Layla and I know that you would never do something to hurt Mark or our family in any way.”
“I wouldn’t, Mr. Fitzpatrick. I respect you and Layla. I value our friendship. I’m so disappointed in Jack.” She hung her head miserably.
Layla’s heartstrings tugged a little. She felt sorry for Eliza and knew what it was like to love someone so much but be disappointed in their actions. She pursed her lips, wondering what Mark would think of all this. Layla knew that Mark trusted Jack a great deal. He would most likely be devastated to find that his best ranch hand and confidant had betrayed him.
Absorbing Eliza’s information, Layla snapped to action. “We need to do something about it then.”
“Right,” Eliza agreed, lifting her head. “I only came into the store this morning because I was expecting Mr. Lawson to bring by a couple of pies. As soon as he left, I was coming over to your house anyway.” Eliza tapped her apron pocket where the store key was stowed. “Jack asked me to help him tell Mark the truth, and I want to get over there as soon as possible, so I can support my husband, even though …” Eliza groaned pitifully, too distraught to find the words.
“Fine, then we leave together,” Emmett said firmly.
“But, Father, you were looking forward to stopping by the store. Do you want to stay here?” Layla asked. She didn’t want to delay their return to Mark but knew her father had come here on an errand.
“Absolutely not,” Emmett replied. “You need me, and Mark needs us. Let’s get on home now.” He strode away from the store and back onto the dusty street.
“You’re right,” Layla said as she swiftly followed her father.
Eliza hurried to catch up with the pair. “I’m coming, too. I don’t know how Jack expects me to help, but I’d like to try.”
Layla focused on the road as she grew concerned for Mark and how much he was already going through today. This would just be one more thing to make his day more challenging.Oh Lord,Layla prayed silently.Mark needs you. I just know he’s not going to take this news well, and I pray you will help him.
As the group marched toward Mark’s ranch, Layla felt worse and worse about the situation. Mark trusted Jack, and she knew he would feel betrayed by Jack’s actions. Even though she prayed for Mark the entire walk home, she feared that he would still take the news poorly. She remembered his dark, flashing eyes and how his jaw clenched tightly when he was angry. Layla did not want to see Mark look that way ever again but worried that his fury would be unavoidable.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Mark stood on the front porch with Heath as they waved their goodbyes to Trudie. She left minutes before, but the pair held their spot since Heath seemed to enjoy waving. “Did Layla teach you how to wave, little man?” Mark asked as Heath flopped his tiny hand back and forth through the air.
“LaLa,” Heath said as if to affirm that it was indeed Layla who taught him this new skill.
“Well, I like it.” When Heath squirmed with a whine, Mark stepped away from the railing and put Heath down on the wooden slats of the porch. “Want to stretch your legs, son?” Mark said as Heath felt around for the spindles on the porch railing. Gripping them, he pulled himself up to a standing position. Reaching through the bars, the little boy fingered the winter flowers that grew in front of the porch.
It was a gloomy day. The clouds were covering the sun, making everything look gray. “I wonder when Layla will be home,” Mark said thoughtfully as he sat in one of the rocking chairs beside where Heath played. It had been a long morning, and even though he forgave Trudie and allowed her to play with Heath, he was exhausted by the whole thing. He wanted to talk over the situation with Layla and maybe have some dinner.
As Mark dreamed about how good a slice of Layla’s cake would taste, he saw her in the distance. He stood and moved toward the railing, raising a hand to his eyes to try and see her better. She was moving uncharacteristically brisk, and Emmett was bouncing right alongside her. He squinted as he saw a third figure with them. “Eliza James?” Mark murmured, and Heath must have heard him because he giggled loudly.
“Well, this is odd,” Mark said to Heath. Though anxiety gurgled inside him, he didn’t want to leave Heath unattended. Tiny hairs on the back of Mark’s neckline stood straight as they moved with such haste. He feared what news they might bring.
