Caleb had heard of the Pendergast family. They reminded him of Ruef and his style of politics. “Seems every big city has their power-hungry folks.” He tipped his hat. “I’m obliged for the help.”
The lawman tipped his hat in return, and Caleb urged his horse in the direction of the Emporium and down the street. It didn’t take long to find his way to the Gifford place. He tied the horse off at the fence, then made his way through the gate and up the porch steps to the front door. The windows of the house were open, as was the inside door. Caleb could see through the screen door that two people sat in the front room. The man was already getting to his feet before Caleb could knock.
The man bore the same blue eyes as Kenzie. “Can I help you?”
“I’m Caleb Coulter. I wired you that I’d be coming.”
Mr. Gifford smiled. “Kenzie’s friend. Welcome.” He opened the screen door. “We’re pleased to meet you.” He turned toward the front room. “Mother, it’s Kenzie’s friend Mr. Coulter.”
“Please call me Caleb. I’d like to be your friend as well.”
“I could use a friend. Times have been a little difficult around here.” The old man led Caleb into the front room, where an older woman sat in a rocker, knitting.
She smiled up at him. “We’re so glad to have you.” She paused her needles for a moment and looked at Mr. Gifford. “Call Etta in here. She should meet Mr. Coulter as well.”
Mr. Gifford nodded and headed back the way they’d come.
Mrs. Gifford smiled at Caleb. “My brother’s child came to live with us last year. She’s been mighty good to have around in Kenzie’s absence.”
“I can well imagine that Kenzie’s absence has been hard to fill. She’s a remarkable woman, your daughter.”
Mrs. Gifford gave a sad sort of nod. “I wish her father might have seen her value sooner. I’m afraid he never knew just how special she was until she left us.”
“Sometimes that’s the way of it.” Caleb heard the old man returning. “But it’s never too late to appreciate someone.”
Mr. Gifford reappeared with a mousy, bespectacled woman in tow. Her face was slightly bowed, but she raised her eyes to glance over her gold-rimmed glasses.
“Mr. Coulter, this is Cousin Etta. She cooks and cleans for us. Reads to us too.”
Caleb nodded. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m a good friend of Kenzie’s.”
Etta seemed too timid to speak, but she gave a slight nod of her head before doing an about-face to leave the room.
“Etta’s fixing supper. I hope you like fried chicken,” Mrs. Gifford said.
She looked up to see his reaction, and Caleb beamed at her. “I do. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that I love it.”
Kenzie helped Judith put supper on the table. The poor girl was a nervous wreck with Caleb gone and Victoria tormenting her.
“This stew looks delicious,” Kenzie said as she placed a big platter of biscuits beside the pot.
“I hope it is. I can’t remember if I salted it. You might want to taste it.”
“We can salt it when it’s in our bowls. Why don’t you let Camri know the table is set, and I’ll go fetch her highness?”
Judith giggled and relaxed a bit. “I appreciate that, Kenzie. You’ve been so good, helping me deal with her.”
Kenzie shook her head. “It’s not right for her to treat you as she does. She ought to be grateful, given the situation.”
“Well, thanks just the same.” Judith had started for the stairs when a loud knock sounded at the front door. “I’ll get it,” she said.
“I’ve got it,” Camri announced, coming from the front room.
Kenzie left them to figure it out and made her way upstairs. She knocked on Victoria’s door. “Supper is ready.”
Victoria opened the door. “What are we having this time?”
“Stew and biscuits.” Kenzie looked past her at the messy room. “You really should learn to pick up after yourself.”
