Norris shifted the conversation to the menu at the Roadhouse. As he talked about the different foods he was hoping to introduce to entice the crowds to keep coming since he didn’t always offer the musical entertainment of the Powell sisters anymore, Peter’s stomach rumbled.
“Seems as if Whitney needs to take a break for a while.”
“Wait. What did you say?” His full attention on Norris now, Peter wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly.
The man chuckled as they pulled up to the farm. “My wife is always telling me that I talk too fast and mumble. My apologies. What I was saying is that Madysen and Havyn are the ones who’ve been playing out at my establishment and it’s only on Fridays now. Seems Whitney needed to take a break. Ya know, with the loss of Chuck and all.”
Peter blinked at the man. “Oh.” How had he not known this? Of course, she’d been out at the gold camps with hima lot lately. He’d expected her sisters had played without her during those times, but hadn’t expected to hear that she was taking a break. Was she quitting? “Thanks for the ride, Mr. Norris. I greatly appreciate it.” Peter jumped off the sleigh.
“Not a problem, Doc. Good to see ya.” He pulled ahead to the milking shed.
The question now was, where was Whitney? There was a good deal he wanted to discuss with her. He walked over to where the dogs’ kennels were, hoping to find her there.
Sure enough, she was there in the middle of them. Crouched on the floor while the dogs vied for attention.
“Good morning, Whitney.”
“Peter, I didn’t think we had a training session this morning.” Her expression was puzzled.
“We don’t. But I hitched a ride with Mr. Norris out here and thought I’d check in on Ruth.” It was partially the truth. Fact was, he was more interested inherthan Ruth, but he kept that thought to himself.
She stood up and brushed the straw from her coat. “I’m glad you did. She hasn’t had much of an appetite. We’re concerned about her.”
“Losing a spouse will do that.” He squatted next to several of the dogs and rubbed their ears.
“She said that even though she’d tried to convince herself that Stan was gone, she really didn’t believe it until she heard the news. I guess no matter how much we attempt to brace ourselves for bad news, we can’t be prepared for what loss can do to our hearts and minds.”
Peter watched her carefully. How was she handling this new tragedy in their family? “I can imagine that it has taken its toll on you as well. How are you doing?”
Her brown eyes shot to his. Looking straight through him.“I’m not drinking, if that’s what you’re implying. I gave you my bottle, remember?”
He held up his hands in front of him. “I remember. And thank you for that, by the way. But I was asking more about your anxiety. Has this caused your own grief to resurface?”
“It never went away, Peter. Granddad has been gone but a short time.” Her shoulders slumped a bit. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t get so defensive with you.”
“It’s all right. I did the same thing each time I lost someone.” As long as she continued to open up to him, he wouldn’t have to fret and question as much about her. Grief and anxiety were cruel beasts that could send the sweetest people into the darkest depths.
“I appreciate your friendship. Thank you for listening.”
“Of course.” Oh, to share more with her than just friendship. He waited for the guilt to strike ... but it didn’t. “You know, I think you’re helping me to heal too. So I should be thanking you for your friendship as well.”
She tilted her head as she looked up at him. Their gazes locked for several seconds. “You’re a good man, Peter Cameron.”
While she was being open, he decided to ask another question. “What’s this I hear about you not playing with your sisters at the Roadhouse anymore?”
She squinted at him. “Ah, Mr. Norris.” With a shake of her head, she put her hands on her hips. “I needed a break.”
“I thought music was important to you?”
She groaned. “Not you, too, Peter.”
“What do you mean?”
“My sisters are already hounding me about this. And Ruth. And Dad. And John and Daniel.”
“I didn’t want to hound you. Just thought you might want to talk about it.”
The look she sent him made him step back with a chuckle.
