“Sir, the baby is the orphaned child of a friend.” No way would she let anyone think she’d born a child. Though, she could well be a widow.
“Well, well, well. This just gets better and better.” He swung a leg from the saddle.
“It’s about to get even better.” She slapped the horse hard and hollered. “Hi yi.”
The horse reared and pranced. Sobel fought to keep his balance. The last she saw of him, he’d managed to get back in the saddle but struggled to control the animal.
“And don’t come back,” she yelled. She began to shake. The vile man made her feel unsafe.
No. She would not let him rob her of her sense of security. Gil was nearby. He would help her. So would Pa or Kat. Not that she needed help. She lifted her chin. She’d handled Sobel on her own and would continue to do so. What was it Grandmother said about coming prepared? Grandmother had carried a hatpin—a small but deadly weapon.
As Amelia made her way back to the house, she chuckled to think of her grandmother actually using that weapon, but it gave her an idea. She had a large safety pin upstairs. Attaching it to her apron would arm her.
Back at the house, she hurried past the curious Kat. “What did he want?”
Guess it was too much to hope the girl hadn’t noticed.
“I told him Zach was with the herd.”
“He’s a snake.”
“Couldn’t agree more.” Amelia wouldn’t have been surprised to see Kat spit. “I need to check on supper.”
The meat had cooked. She prepared vegetables and jam tarts.
It sure would be great if Zach came home tonight. Not that she was ready to admit Sobel’s visit had unsettled her.
“Rider coming,” Kat called.
Amelia dashed to the door. If Sobel had returned—she palmed a sharp knife.
“It’s Zach.”
“Uncle Zach,” Poppy called. “I go see him.”
“No, Poppy, wait here.” Kat caught the baby’s hand to restrain her.
He had to take care of his horse. Then he stopped at the pump to wash off some of the trail dust. Grinning, he hurried toward the house.
Amelia let herself believe some of the eagerness was for her.
“Welcome home.” Her greeting brought a brightness to Zach’s eyes that echoed in her heart.
Released, Poppy toddled up to him, and he swung her into the air, earning him a throaty giggle.
“More,” she said, and he did it again.
He greeted his pa, tweaked Kat’s braid, and met Amelia’s gaze.
Would he see how glad she was to see him? Because of Sobel, of course.
“Gil’s been feeding the men?”
“They finished up a few days ago. But while they were here, they came to eat and sleep and leave again. No complaints, so I assume he’s feeding them.”
“Good. Good.”
Nothing more? Was that all there was to say after being gone for more days than she cared to count?
