Berry nodded and glanced up at the sky as a cloud moved to block the sun. A dark shadow swept the valley and the sheep began to seek shelter. “Speaking of rain...”
Laurel followed his gaze. The undersides of the approaching clouds were gray and vaguely threatening. She heard the rumble of thunder in the distance. “Have you seen everything you wanted to see?” she asked. “We should be heading back. That’s a fast-moving storm.”
Alex Berry was philosophical about it. “It may be providential. In exchange for a soaking, I’ll see firsthand whether or not there’s flooding.” The words were no sooner out of his mouth than lightning flashed above the mountaintop.
Laurel prepared herself and Abby for the clap of thunder that followed. Still, it was loud enough to cause her to flinch and Abby to startle. Jelly and Mr. Berry were in no way ready for the boom that echoed through the valley. Their horses bolted. Berry, whose command of his animal was tentative at best, was thrown almost immediately. Laurel had no thought for the government man’s welfare as she gave Abby a swift kick and urged her to run hard after Jelly.
There was another jagged lightning strike, this one close by, and the following thunder rolled and rumbled and shook the ground they were pounding. Laurel leaned forward in her saddle. There was a second crack of thunder from a bolt of lightning that she never saw. Her hat flew from her head and she felt the sting of the first fat raindrops on her face.
The rain came hard and fast then, but it was not so blinding that Laurel couldn’t see Jelly’s terrified face when she and Abby drew alongside. It took her two tries to grab the reins and then a hard yank to get them out of Jelly’s white-knuckled grip. Abby’s presence was a significant help as Laurel managed the reins and Jelly. When she had them both under control, she dismounted, putting herself between the animals and setting a hand on Jelly’s knee.
“She might bolt again,” said Laurel. “Why don’t you get down and walk her back? That way you won’t get hurt if she runs.”
Jelly’s brow furrowed. He looked back at where the government man was sitting up and pouring water from the brim of his bowler. “What about him? You might need my help.”
“I’ll look after Mr. Berry. You go on back.”
He nodded but the knit in his brow did not ease. “You lost your hat.”
“I’ll get it.”
Jelly dismounted and looked toward the station. “Hey! It’s Rooster.”
“There. You see? I have all the help I need.” Laurel gave his shoulder a nudge and he started off. She shieldedher eyes from the rain as Rooster came upon her. “Glad you’re here. Mr. Berry took a spill.”
“I see. Where’s your hat?”
“Lost it when I was chasing down Jelly. I’ll get it.”
“I’llget it. And Mr. Berry, too. You’re soaked through. Better you go back with Jelly and make sure no harm comes to him.”
Laurel was too grateful for Rooster’s arrival to argue with him. Berry would be in better hands with Rooster than he would be with her anyway. She’d had enough of grinning and bearing him through their tour. The unexpected rainstorm provided timely relief. “See you when you get back.” Because she was already wringing wet, Laurel elected to walk beside Abby. They caught up to Jelly and arrived at the station together. Laurel sent Abby to the barn to be cared for while she went to the house to change. By the time she’d returned downstairs, the rainstorm had ended and there was a suggestion of sunshine between the passing clouds.
Laurel was prepared to leave the house when she heard Mrs. Lancaster hurrying toward her from the kitchen.
“I showed Mr. Berry to one of the spare rooms,” the cook said, wiping her damp hands on her apron. “I didn’t know what else to do. He was wet through and his suit was soiled. I told him I’d clean it as best I could. He has a change of clothes.”
“That’s fine.” It wasn’t fine, but then Mrs. Lancaster hadn’t had any other options.
“He’s not staying here tonight, is he? I heard him suggest it, but I didn’t catch your reply. Am I right that you were properly insulted?”
“Indeed,” she said dryly. “Dillon was making arrangements for Mr. Berry to room in town. I’m going to see if he’s returned yet. Keep our guest here while I’m in the barn and don’t let him in my office.”
“You better lock the door, then.”
Laurel agreed that was a good idea and took care of it while Mrs. Lancaster stood watch. “I won’t be overlong,”she promised and hurried out before Mr. Berry appeared at the top of the stairs.
When she arrived in the barn, the men were gathered in a circle, their heads bent as though they were studying something. Rooster appeared to have whatever it was they were looking at in his hands, but Laurel couldn’t see past their tight ring to know what it was.
“What do you have there?” she asked as she came upon them. Since Jelly was the shortest member of the circle, she peered over his shoulder. Rooster wasn’t quick enough to hide what he held, although that certainly seemed to be what he had in mind. It got caught between him and Call as he tried to shield it from her. “Rooster? That’s my hat. Let me have it.”
Jelly and Dillon turned sideways to make room for Laurel to join the circle. She held out her hand and gestured to Rooster to give it over. He did so but with considerable reluctance. Laurel barely gave it a glance. She was more concerned that Jelly was still dripping.
“Rain’s stopped, Jelly. Go on home and get dry. You’re done for the day, and all and all, I’d say you did well.”
“But—”
Laurel pointed to the open barn door. “Go.”
