She laughed and reached for an apron. “Let me finish, and that way we can get to my folks’ place all the faster. What time is it?”
“A quarter past six.”
She nodded and began drawing the bacon from the skillet. She arranged it on the plate Owen had ready, then put the cast-iron skillet to one side.
“I have buttered toast all ready. And coffee,” he said, barely suppressing a yawn. “I was going to fry eggs once you got up.”
“This is enough,” Susanna declared. “Why don’t we make little bacon-toast sandwiches and leave the coffee for Manueland Tina? I really want to see how Mother is doing, and I won’t be able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast.”
“I understand.”
Susanna took a piece of the buttered toast and tucked a couple of pieces of bacon in the middle. “There,” she said, folding it all together, “the perfect breakfast on the go.”
Owen took two pieces of toast and twice as much bacon and made a sandwich. “I guess I’m ready.”
They opened the door to the front lobby and found Manuel sitting at the check-in desk. He smiled. “I see you got your breakfast.”
“Yes,” Susanna said, holding it up. “There’s some leftover bacon and plenty of coffee if you’d like some. We’re heading to the house.”
Manuel nodded. “A quiet night is a good night, sí?”
“I like to think so.” Susanna headed for the door. “I promise one of us will be back to relieve you.”
“Don’t worry. I’m happy to stay. I slept a little on the sofa. Mr. Harrison said it was all right to do when I had to be here all night.” He quickly added the latter explanation.
“I’m completely fine with that idea,” she assured the boy. “I sleep in my room when it’s my turn to keep the hotel at night. Uncle Harrison put that bell in place,” she said, pointing to the pull, “for that very reason. It’s quite a loud bell.”
Manuel smiled. “I’m glad you do not mind my sleeping.”
“Do you have a lot of people to tend this morning?” Susanna noted it was nearly six-thirty.
“No. There are only two guests, and they’re staying until Saturday.”
Susanna nodded, feeling relieved. “I’ll be at my parents’ house. Just send someone to us if you need anything.”
He nodded. “We will be fine. You’ll see.” He smiled, revealing crooked teeth. “Tina and I are praying for your family.”
“Thank you, Manuel.”
Owen opened one of the double doors and ushered Susanna outside. The day was pleasant, with clear blue skies overhead. All around them, the town was waking up and coming to life, and Susanna couldn’t help but smile. She really liked this little town. The summer heat wasn’t so very bad—at least not if one could escape into a nice adobe house. Of course, she hadn’t tried the winter here, and others had warned her it could get quite cold. But surely no worse than Kansas.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Owen said as they approached the house. “Are you worried about what you’ll find?”
“I suppose I’m anxious, not really worried. I just want to know for myself how things have gone. When Mark was dying, I would fall asleep on the fainting couch in the corner of the room. Each time I woke up, it was with that same sort of anxious curiosity. I wasn’t really worried about knowing the truth. I just wanted to get it over with.”
They knocked on the door, and then Susanna walked inside.
“Father, it’s me.”
He sat at the table, drinking black coffee, as Susanna knew he had done most every morning. He looked surprised to see her.
“You should still be sleeping. You’ve hardly been gone six hours.”
“I know, but I wanted to see how Mother was doing.”
He smiled. “The doctor was here at five thirty. Blessed man, I didn’t know anyone made house calls that early. He said her fever has dropped considerably. He believes she’s turned a corner and will recover if we are devoted to getting her through this.”
“Of course we are.” Susanna was almost offended that the doctor would even question such a thing. Then again, maybe it had been whispered around town that their family was enduring a difficult time with one another. Susanna hoped not.
