“I’m dyin’.” The words were offered simply and without emotion. “What else can I be sayin’ to her?”
Charlie nodded. “But she doesn’t know. She thinks you’ve nothing more than a back injury to overcome. Although, by now, she’s starting to figure out something’s not quite right.”
“Me kidneys are failin’. Doc says the time’s not long.”Clancy gave him a tired smile. “For sure that will be hard news to take in.”
“You have to tell her just the same. She can’t just go on thinking you’re going to recover.”
“I know that, and I’ve been plannin’ to tell her. I wanted to see if she took to any of the young men I picked out. But there’s only one that I feel confident of, and that’s yarself. It’s always just been you, Charlie.”
Charlie nodded. “I’ve lost my heart to her. I think she’s starting to feel something for me as well. I want her for my wife. I love her.”
“We did it yar way, Charlie. I said nothin’ about yar interest. Let ya be friends, just as ya wanted. I like what I see. Ya have me blessin’ to marry her.”
“So the time has come to be honest with her. She deserves to know the truth, Clancy.”
“Aye, Charlie. And for sure, I’ll be tellin’ her. I’ll do it today after she comes back.”
Charlie started to say something, but the sight of Melody marching down the street toward the tent community, a look of pure anger on her face, stopped him. He looked to Clancy and nodded his head in her direction. “It would seem that she’s back.”
Clancy gave a nod. “Aye, and she’s ragin’, to be sure. I know that look.”
Charlie couldn’t help grinning. “Good. That means she didn’t much care for Mr. Oberling.”
“It would seem that way,” Clancy said, chuckling. “So much the better for ya, Charlie.”
13
Melody was surprised to see Charlie sitting with her father outside the tent. She was still seething over Jason Oberling’s reaction to an innocent dog invading their picnic. A part of her knew she’d overreacted. It was a good excuse to make it clear to him that she wasn’t interested in furthering their relationship, but she felt guilty for treating him poorly. Her guilt only served to make her all the angrier. And then there was Da and whatever was going on with him. That was starting to make her just as angry. How dare he not be honest with her?
“Well, yar back early and without the fella who took ya,” Da observed. “What seems to be the trouble? Did he harm ya?” Da’s expression turned from curious to concerned.
“No, Da. He didn’t harm me, but he tried to shoot a stray dog, and it made me mad. I can’t believe a starving pup deserves to be shot. He was just trying to get a free meal.” She shook her head. “People can be so disappointing, and I’m tired of their nonsense. I don’t intend to go out with any more of these men. If they come calling, you’ll just have to let them know I’ve changed my mind and will remain withyou. When the railroad sends you west, then I’ll be at your side.”
Da shook his head. “Ya shouldn’t be lettin’ one bad-tempered fella spoil ya on all of them. Why, Charlie here is a good man and doesn’t deserve yar rage.”
She gave Charlie a slight smile. “Sorry. I feel no malice toward you. You’ve been a dear friend.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Charlie said, grinning. “And just for the record, I’d never shoot a stray dog. I would have invited him to the picnic.”
Melody glanced into his eyes, and for a moment, she forgot about her anger and worries. He really was the best of friends. No doubt he was here to try to help Melody figure out Da’s situation.
“Did ya have lunch yet, Charlie?”
“No. I did bring a couple of roast beef sandwiches, though. You’ll find them on the table inside. But how about I take you and your father out to eat at one of the cafés? You can save the sandwiches for later.”
Melody looked at her father. Maybe with Charlie’s invitation to lunch, Da would eat a decent amount of food. “What do you say, Da?”
“Maybe Charlie could be eatin’ his sandwiches and take ya to supper this evenin’. I’m wantin’ to spend some time talkin’ to ya first.”
Melody nodded. Maybe she would finally get some answers about what was going on with her father. She looked to Charlie. “Would supper work?”
“I’d be happy to take you to supper. Your father too, if he wants to come along.”
“We can be seein’ about that later,” Da replied.
Charlie got to his feet. “Then I’ll get my sandwiches andtake my leave. I’ll return around five thirty, if that suits you, Melody.” He disappeared into the tent and quickly returned with a dish towel–wrapped bundle. Unfortunately, it reminded her of the picnic.
She pushed the thought aside. Da wanted to talk to her. Hopefully he’d tell her what was going on with his health. Of course, she couldn’t be sure that’s what he intended to talk to her about, but she prayed it would be in regard to his condition.
