“He came in here a few times with his brother. I’m sorry to say that he passed away only a couple of weeks ago. The undertaker mentioned it to me in passing. I hope that isn’t bad news for you.”
Eleanor glanced at Merrick, concern written all over her face.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” Merrick said. He laid a hand on her arm, then realized what he’d just done and yanked it away, his face going warm.
But Eleanor didn’t even seem to notice. “That fellow she met at the depot introduced himself as Mr. Whiteside. Perhaps that was his brother?”
Drexel watched the conversation between them. “They worked that farm together.”
“Do you know where it is?” Eleanor asked.
“I’m sorry, I never asked.” Drexel finished wrapping the fabric in brown paper and handed it to her. “Let me get the rest of your order.”
Eleanor was quiet while they waited, her mind clearly on her sister. Merrick wished he knew what to say. If the lady hadn’t come by to see Eleanor, it was likely that she’d gone to the Whiteside farm with her children. He pressed his lips together, hoping Whiteside’s brother wasn’t taking advantage of the situation. They weren’t married, after all, and that farm could be an awful long way from town.
Eleanor quickly chose a pair of new, sturdy shoes from the options Drexel brought out. And after he packaged up everything else they’d ordered, they made the walk back to the house in silence. Merrick carried two of the crates. Drexel promised to send the rest later since Merrick wasn’t about to let Eleanor carry them.
As they grew closer to the shop, an idea sprung to mind. “Jake Gilbert runs the land office. He might have record of what parcel of land belongs to the Whitesides.”
Eleanor stopped, hope coloring her features. “If he does, I could go out there to visit.”
“I’ll take you,” he added. He’d already offered to bring her out there to visit, and he wasn’t about to take back that promise.
“I don’t want to take you away from your work.”
“Nonsense. I don’t know what kind of man this Whiteside is, and besides, I’m not about to let you go riding about the valley on your own. We’ve had rustlers and wanted men all around here, not to mention the men from the silver mine.” It was probably the most he’d said to her since he’d met her, but he meant every word—and he needed her to hear it for her own safety.
She nodded. “Thank you.”
“All right,” he replied. He didn’t know what he’d expected, and now that he’d said all of that, he didn’t know what else to say.
They covered the remaining distance home in a short time, and Merrick’s mind had already drifted to the list in his pocket. He could get a good start on those items today. There was plenty of daylight left, after all. He ought to give Eleanor money to go to the butcher’s. Then there might be a good meal waiting for him when he closed up for the night.
He could almost taste the pies and roasts and fresh bread when Eleanor stopped suddenly.
“Rebecca!” she shouted, and she ran from his side—straight to the woman standing outside the door to the smithy shop.
Chapter Seven
ELEANOR THREW HER ARMSaround her sister. “Tell me everything!” she said. “I was so worried about you. Where are the children? Where are you staying?”
