“Mm-hmm.”
“Right. So we did that and then we argued about whether we should see the doctor or the sheriff. I was still of a mind that it should be the doc, but Mr. Shepard, well, he’s my boss, so we went to the sheriff’s office. Turned out it was a good decision because the doc was there.”
“Two birds, one stone.”
“That’s what Sheriff Ben said. We made our report whilethe doc tended to Mr. Shepard. Afterwards, we took the horses back to the livery, and here we are.”
“And here you are,” Lily said softly. Her gaze swiveled to Roen Shepard. She could find no evidence that pointed to Ridley’s medical attention, but then he was still wearing his coat. She was thoughtful as she regarded her son again. “Do you think I’m satisfied with your explanation?”
“It’s the truth.”
“I believe you. It’s just not thewholetruth.”
“Oh.” He had a short reprieve as Hannah, Ham, and Lizzie chose that moment to rush into the kitchen carrying cards and clamoring for Lily to tell them who had the better hand.
“I’ve been teaching them poker,” she explained somewhat sheepishly. “I was bored with Old Maid.” Lily thought Roen’s chuckle rumbled too pleasantly in her ear for her peace of mind. She busied herself examining the hands her children thrust in her direction. “Ham’s full house is better than two of a kind, girls. Now, go on. No more interruptions.”
After they ran off, Lily rose from the table, stirred the stew, and then portioned it out into two bowls. She placed the bowls in front of Clay and Roen and added a plate of bread, which she put between them. “No ceremony,” she said, taking her seat once more. “Eat up. Clay, I know you can talk with your mouth full so don’t let that stop you now.”
Clay’s dark sideways glance was suspicious. “Are you funnin’ me?”
“Where do you come by these expressions? No, that doesn’t require an answer. Yes, I was funnin’ you.”
Clay nodded, swallowed. “You probably want to know what happened after we rode out this morning.”
“That would be a good start.” She listened attentively to her son’s description of the work he performed for Mr. Shepard. It was clear not only that he was learning some useful skills but also that he was proud of his contribution. She did not want to dismiss his account by hurrying him along, but it required extraordinary patience on her part.
“So we were packing up after we ate,” Clay said, “and I saw something moving off to my left. Not close, mind you. Probably wouldn’t have noticed it at all except that there was this glint, like something caught the sunlight and reflected it.Mr. Shepard didn’t see it so I asked if I could look through the telescope. He handed it over and that’s when someone took a shot at us.”
Lily’s lips parted but no sound emerged.
“Uh-huh,” said Clay. “You heard me right. I’m not hurt, Ma. Not a scratch, but Mr. Shepard got hit when he flung out an arm and pushed me to the ground. I’d guess you’d say he was a hero.”
“I prefer to reserve judgment,” Lily said calmly.
Clay nodded as if he’d expected that. “Now you know all of it. The whole truth like you asked for.” He tucked into his stew again and spoke around a hot mouthful of it. “Good stew, Ma. I told Mr. Shepard that the fried chicken Mrs. Butterworth packed for us was the second best I ever had. Yours being the first, of course.”
“Of course.” Lily’s mouth lifted in a wry slant. “Do you think flattery is going to change my mind?”
“Change your mind about what?”
“You know very well.”
He did. “I’m not gonna stop working for Mr. Shepard, Ma. I’m not. I told you he pushed me out of the way. And it was probably an accident that he got hit. That’s what he and Sheriff Ben think, and I’m inclined to believe they’re right.”
“You don’t want to argue with me now, Clay.” Out of the corner of her eye she saw Roen surreptitiously shake his head at her son. It explained why Clay’s mouth snapped shut. “I don’t require your assistance, Mr. Shepard.”
“How well I know,” he said. “I simply didn’t want to hear him argue either.”
Lily couldn’t quite tamp down her smile. “Would you like something to drink? I have tea. Coffee if you prefer. I don’t keep beer.”
“Tea, please.”
Lily got up and put on the kettle. She leaned back against the sink while she waited for the water to heat. “Is this the first someone’s taken a shot at you?”
“While I’m conducting a survey it is.”
“What are you not telling me? Someone’s taken a shot at you but not while you were going about your work?”
