In places, dust billowed around the wheels and filled the coach, but mostly, they dealt with mud. Addie sat on the outward side, admiring the spectacular scenery—green valleys dotted with orange and yellow wildflowers and, at other times, nothing but rocks and jagged cliffs. More than once, she glimpsed deer and moose and a large animal Mr. Zacharius called elk.
Water splashed around them as they crossed a stream.
She settled back, content to wait for a chance to ask Nash about those letters. He’d have a reasonable explanation, of course. And she’d explain why she’d had such a strong reaction—but wait. Was that necessary? She’d taken the surname Stone to escape people murmuring behind their hands when they saw her.
Of course, she’d tell him should their friendship turn into anything more serious, but not until then. She’d not risk knowledge of her true identity making him wary around her.
They rattled onward. Dark shadows striped the trail and obscured the scenery. The edge of the road disappeared in the gray light. How deep the valley was attheir side! Her teeth chattered. It didn’t seem safe to race on into the darkness. She gripped the window frame and peered ahead. But the look provided no reassurance. They might be heading into danger for all she could see.
Her heart thumping in her throat, she sat back and closed her eyes. She didn’t want to see what lay ahead.
“Whoa. Whoa.”
She jerked up at Hawk’s call. Had they arrived at safety? The last overnight stop before they reached Golden Valley?
Mr. Bertrand flung open the door and stepped down. “I’m counting on better fare than we had back there.”
His comment rankled. “We did very well, especially since Shorty wasn’t expecting us.”
“Harrumph.”
Mr. Zacharius signaled the ladies to go ahead of him, and Addie urged Mother to her feet.
Nash helped them down. As soon as they were safely on solid ground, he turned his attention to helping Hawk.
“You folks go on in,” Hawk called while he dealt with the horses.
Mr. Bertrand marched into the low cabin with the others on his heels. He grumbled that it didn’t look any better than Shorty’s place.
But there were three rooms. Perhaps she and Mother would be allowed some privacy. In which case, she’d see about a proper wash and clean clothes, though the items would be impossibly wrinkled from having spent days stuffed into a valise.
“You sit. I make tea.” A dark-skinned, diminutive woman spoke from beside the stove.
The others plopped wearily at the table, but Addie went to the stove. “My name is Addie Stone. Can I help?”
Dark eyes considered, and then the woman nodded. “I am Dawn. You take cups to them.”
Two steaming cups in her hands, Addie returned to the table. Dawn followed with two more. She waved Addie toward a chair, but Addie shook her head.
“I’ll help.” Supper would be expected. And welcomed.
Again, dark eyes in a beautiful face studied her. Again, Dawn nodded. “You help.”
A big worktable occupied space in the kitchen area. A variety of vegetables lay on the surface—some that Addie didn’t recognize. Dawn put a large frying pan on the stove to heat, and then in a soft voice, instructed Addie on preparing vegetables. She added a root that smelled like onion to the hot pan.
Venison steaks sizzled, and the vegetables were cooked when Nash, Hawk, and a third man entered. The latter was tall and broad-shouldered with dark brown hair tied at the back of his head.
“This is Bart,” Hawk said. “Hello, Dawn.” He sniffed. “Smells good.”
“It’s ready.”
They gathered around the table. Although Addie had chosen a chair next to an empty one, Mr. Zacharius took that chair, and Nash sat across the table’s far end.
His gaze met hers. Full of uncertainty. Her behavior had given him cause to wonder, but she’d fix that as soon as possible. Seeing that name had shaken her, but she’d give him a chance to explain. Surely, he’d have a reasonable—acceptable—explanation.
The meal was excellent. Even Mr. Bertrand found it impossible to complain.
Addie insisted on helping Dawn with the dishes even though the other woman said it was her job. That done, and with Mother settled on the bed in the room off theliving area, Addie gathered up her courage to face Nash. Their discussion must be in private.
