He tried to remember if Laura had mentioned where she and Mrs. Duffy planned to go, but nothing came to mind. He went to a couple of the stores he’d seen Laura go to, but she wasn’t there. Then it dawned on him that perhaps she’d gone to Mrs. Duffy’s house. Laura had told him roughly where the place was, and since she’d driven them in her carriage, Will figured he’d be able to find her. It took some doing, but after about thirty minutes he found the place.
Mrs. Duffy came to the door. “Is it over?” she asked.
“In more ways than one,” Will replied in a hushed voice. “I need to see Laura.”
She pulled back quickly. “She’s right here.”
He came in and immediately spotted Laura. She had been sitting in a rocking chair and got to her feet. They locked gazes, and she bit her lower lip. Tears filled her eyes. She seemed to know without him saying a word that things had not gone well.
“He’s ... dead?” she asked.
Will nodded. “Yes. He pulled a gun on Edward, and Gus had to shoot him.”
She sat back down. “I feared that would be the outcome.”
Will came and knelt beside her. “I know. Your father wasn’t the kind of man to be hauled off to jail. I’m so sorry, Laura. I know what he meant to you and how much you loved him.”
“The man I loved ... didn’t exist.” She looked at Will. “I didn’t even know Granite Evans.”
Will pulled her into his arms, and she began to weep.
25
Laura closed the door to her father’s office and refused to set foot inside. She told Will that if any of the law officials needed entry there or elsewhere in the house, they were welcome, but she’d rather he handle their visits. She couldn’t bear to see where her father had died even though Etta had cleaned up the blood. Will promised her that either he or Edward would take care of everything.
It seemed like a bad dream to know that just a few months ago, Father had been her whole world. He had welcomed her home and seemed happy to have her close by. Now Laura realized it had all been lies. He hadn’t loved her. Hadn’t wanted her.
Now she understood why he truly sent her to boarding school and visited so seldom. At least he had loved her mother. Of that, there was no question. Laura tried to find comfort in that, but her pain refused to abate. Why couldn’t he have loved them both? After all, Laura was a part of her mother and the love they shared.
On Sunday, Will showed up to drive Laura to church.Curtis brought the carriage around while Will greeted her at the door.
“I really don’t want to go. Father was just killed yesterday. I’m sure folks are talking about it and will have so many questions.”
“Probably, but I’ll keep them away and protect you. That’s the job I have taken on—the one I want for the rest of my life.” He touched her cheek gently. “And you have friends there who love you. They’ll want to help you carry this burden.”
At church, they learned that Melody and Marybeth had both gone into labor. Faith Cooper delivered this news, as Granny Taylor was helping to attend Melody and Marybeth. The pastor led the congregation in prayers for both women, then gave a sermon on the rich man and Lazarus from the sixteenth chapter of Luke. By the time services ended, Laura was more than ready to return home. She didn’t want to answer questions about what had happened to her father, and she didn’t want to deal with the curious looks she got from those who didn’t know her well.
Will stayed at her side the entire time, shooing people away when they approached with questions. Faith Cooper came and embraced Laura. She had no questions, just words of love, and it touched Laura so much to know she cared.
“If you need me, you have only to send word. I’ll come and just sit with you if you’d like. I’ve hired a woman to help me at the boardinghouse, and she’s so capable I could leave her to manage the entire thing for a time.”
“Thank you, Faith. You are so kind, and I have no words for how much that means to me.” Laura felt her eyes dampen and did her best to fight back the tears.
“I know Granny feels the same way, although she’s a bitbusy at the moment.” Faith smiled. “I can just see her running back and forth from each house to make sure those girls are well cared for.”
“Do you suppose I could be of any help to them?” Laura was surprised by her own question but pressed on. It was the right thing to do. “I have had some nursing training, and at college we had classes in midwifery.”
“You know, I would imagine you could be of service. Why don’t you go home and change, then make your way over? Seems to me having a trained nurse would be most useful.”
Laura nodded and looked to Will. “Let’s go, so I can help.”
He smiled. “Of course.”
Will had her back at the house in a matter of minutes. They hurried inside, and Laura was quick to take off her gloves and hat and leave them by the door.
“I’ll be down in just a minute.”
She hiked her skirt and raced up the steps in a most unladylike fashion, wondering if she’d shocked Will with her actions. She didn’t think that would even be possible. Will seemed to know her better than she did herself.
