“Not tonight.” A low growl accompanied Zach’s words. “He says his bottle was a gift.”
Amelia guessed Kat’s eyes were as wide as hers.
“Someone was here?” Amelia squeaked.
“Wouldn’t put anything past that Sobel skunk.” Kat spat the words out.
Zach shrugged. “Knowing Gil, he probably has a number of ‘gifts’ hidden around the place.”
That night, Amelia found it difficult to fall asleep. So many things tangled in her thoughts… memories of Debra triggered by the tiger lilies, sharing those memories with Zach, the upset with Pa, Zach’s tenderness as he comforted not only Poppy but also his younger sister. But one thought lingered longer than the others.
Was Gil’s gift from the past? Or had someone brought it more recently? Who and for what purpose? The only answer she found was Sobel trying to cause problems. There wasn’t one positive thing to be said about that man.
As soon asAmelia began clearing the breakfast dishes the next morning, Zach headed for the door, where he paused. “I need to go out to the crew to get men cutting the hay, and I need to make sure the cattle are doing well but—” His gaze went to his pa who seemed as calm as a still cup of water. “I hesitate to leave you here with—” His gaze went toward the bunkhouse. “Though I guess Gil will be sober by now.”
It was Sunday, but Zach had said nothing about church. Had he forgotten? Although in his letters—that weren’t his—he’dmentioned that he was often too busy to attend. It wasn’t her place to suggest this would be a good time to start going again.
“We’ll manage just fine.” Amelia infused as much confidence in her voice as she could. “Kat is also here to help.”
Kat blinked. Either she was surprised to be included or wishing she hadn’t been.
Poppy trotted to Zach. “You go?” Her voice trembled.
He scooped up the little one and tossed her in the air, bringing joyous giggles. Then he held her nose to nose. “I have to go, but I’ll be back.”
Then, for another long, tense moment, he studied his father. He put Poppy on her feet. “Do your best,” he said as he left the house.
Amelia chuckled and turned to Kat. “Did that sound like he expects us to fail?”
Kat rolled her eyes. “Of course he does.”
“Well, that man is in for a surprise.” She hoped she wasn’t rejoicing prematurely.
“Zach likes to think he can control everything.” Pa’s unexpected words jolted a laugh from both Kat and Amelia.
Kat helped Amelia clean the kitchen and prepare vegetables for a pot of stew.
Pa was restless.
“Sometimes he likes to work in the garden,” Kat said.
Putting aside the fact that it was supposed to be a day of rest, they guided Pa to the garden to work on the weeding. At first, he understood the task. Soon, though, his mind drifted, and he and Poppy built roads in the dirt. Thankfully, a solid gate closed off the fenced garden area. Neither of them could escape, and Amelia sank down in the corner, content to enjoy a moment of peace.
Then she sat up, her attention on a movement on the horizon. A horse and rider? It disappeared before she could be certain.
She shook her head. She was imagining things.
The next morning,Zach rode into the yard with two men. They entered the barn and then exited armed with scythes. He went to the cookhouse to inform Gil he’d be cooking for the pair, warning him to stay sober and do his job.
As expected, the men balked at cutting hay even though Zach worked side by side with them. Sweat trickled down his back and pooled in his armpits as he swung the scythe over and over, setting up a rhythm that laid smooth swaths behind him. The slough grass was tough, forcing him to lean into the task and use his body strength to cut through the grass that would feed the horses over the winter.
Chuck and Slim worked beside him. Each took a few tries to create their own rhythm.
When they returned to where they’d started, they paused to drink water.
“Boss.” Chuck swiped at his brow. “You know that Sobel’s got no honor.”
“I figured so.”
