What kind of place had God brought us to? These people were rough and scary—and surprising.
“We’ll need to try to make something to eat,” I whispered. “And check on Father.”
“I don’t like this place anymore, Ally,” she said as a tear slipped down her cheek. “I want to go home.”
“I don’t like it, either.” I held her for another moment, wishing with all my heart that we could leave. But it was too late to go back.
Paddy returned with the doctor as I tried to start a fire in the cookstove after checking on Father. He was much the same as the day before, though a bit more comfortable in the bunk bed. I didn’t tell him about Bess because I didn’t want any of the other men to hear. Not yet. Not from me.
After the doctor arrived, Sam, Paddy, and Johnnie stepped out of the bedroom while he examined her. Without a word, Sam lit the fire and stoked it while Paddy went for the water, his silent pain so intense, it made me want to weep.
These three men had loved Bess deeply, though I wasn’t certain what Paddy’s relationship to her had been. Were they siblings? Did his paralyzed face have something to do with his inability to speak? Either way, his devotion to Sam, Bess, and Johnnie was unmistakable.
Johnnie and Hazel sat on the floor together, and Hazel simplyheld his hand. His tears had dried, but grief was raw in his eyes. When he leaned his head on her shoulder, she gently patted his cheek. “If we had a kitty,” she whispered, “that would make us both happier.”
“I’d appreciate it if you’d cook something for the children,” Sam said, his voice gruff but gentle. His British accent was cultured, though it didn’t match his rough exterior. “I’ll let the men know there won’t be any meals today.”
I nodded, not willing to tell him I didn’t know how to cook. It would only complicate matters. I’d find a way to make do.
As he worked on the fire, I noticed a strange scar on the pad of his right thumb. It wasn’t large, but it had smooth edges and was easy enough to see. I didn’t want to stare, but curiosity got the better of me.
It looked like it had been made with a branding iron and was in the shape of an M.
Our gazes caught, and my cheeks burned with embarrassment.
He pulled his hand back and nodded at the stove. “That should do.”
Paddy came back with the water, and without asking, he started to make the coffee. I looked through the store of supplies, unsure what to do with the ingredients. When I found the eggs in the cupboard, I decided to scramble them.
Sam’s voice carried through the canvas walls from the front room as he told the men there would be no meals today. Several of them complained and asked why, but he didn’t respond.
When he reentered the kitchen, he glanced at the bedroom door and then went to the table and took a seat. Putting his elbows on his knees, he leaned forward and clasped his hands, bringing them up to his mouth.
I cracked eggs into a bowl as Paddy finished making the coffee, and then he began to pace.
It wasn’t long before the bedroom door opened, and the doctor came out. He wasn’t the same man who had examined my father the day we arrived. This man was older, with a kinder, wiser face.
Sam rose.
“I’m afraid I couldn’t determine the cause of her death,” the doctor said, his shoulders lowered with disappointment. “She wasn’t sick or ailing in any way?”
Sam shook his head.
“I saw no signs of mistreatment or poison.” He sighed. “It’s as if her heart simply gave out and her time here was done.”
Johnnie turned his head into Hazel’s shoulder as his little body trembled with more tears.
“Thank you for coming.” Sam reached into his pocket and pulled out a small sack.
The doctor held up his hand. “There’s no need to pay me. Mrs. Kendal was a beloved woman in our dreary little part of the world. Her warm hospitality was enough payment.”
Sam opened the pouch and took out a small gold nugget. Handing it to the doctor, he said, “There is a man ailing upstairs. Mr. Adams. Could you look in on him?”
My breath caught at the unexpected request.
The doctor patted Sam’s arm and took the nugget. “I’ll see what I can do.” Before he stepped into the front room, he looked at me. “Could you prepare Mrs. Kendal’s body for burial?”
Surprise caught me off guard, but I nodded quickly. I’d helped prepare other bodies for burial, and it was the least I could do for Bess’s kindness in taking us in when we had nowhere to go. “I’ll see to it after I prepare something for everyone to eat.”
