Page 45 of Winterset

Anna looked over at Reed. He smiled and made a slight bow to her. Warmth stirred in her. “Thank you,” she told him.

“I was glad to do it,” he replied.

“Reed took us to see Perkins yesterday,” Alex told her.

“Really?” Anna glanced toward Reed, surprised that he would have taken them along the same route where they had found the body.

“We drove by way of the road,” Reed explained, obviously aware of what she had been thinking.

“I see. And how was your patient?” Anna asked.

“Ever so much better. He can get up and walk around, though he still wears a bandage,” Alex went on.

“And Perkins said he was well enough that he thought we could take him back to London with us if we wanted,” Con finished.

“That’s wonderful news.”

“We’ll be very careful to keep him away from the boa,” Alex assured her.

“I am sure that would be a good idea.”

“And the parrot,” he added after a moment’s thought.

Anna smiled. “Well, I have no doubt that he will enjoy his new home. And I think it’s good that you are going home.”

Con nodded. “Rafe explained it to us—how Kyria would feel she would have to stay if we stayed, and if she stayed, the baby and Miss Farrington would, too, so the only way he can get them back to London is if we go, too.”

“That’s a very clever plan,” Anna said, her eyes twinkling.

“Yes,” Alex agreed, and his eyes twinkled back at her. “Rafe is very good at persuading everyone to do what he wants.”

“No doubt he told the same thing to Kyria,” Con added. “I told him so, and he laughed. But, still, it’s true. And, actually, I wouldn’t mind seeing Mama and Papa again.”

“I think you are both very wise,” Anna assured them. “You should go back to London. But I have to tell you that I will miss you both very much.”

“Will you?” Alex’s smile was radiant. “You’re the best, Anna.”

Con nodded. “I think you are the first woman who likes us who’s not one of our sisters.”

“Come, now. Surely not all the women you have met are that foolish.”

“I think they are,” Alex told her confidentially. “And quite a few men, as well. Kyria had to get rid of more than one suitor because he didn’t like us.”

“Well, obviously Kyria is not foolish. Now, will you let me give you a hug before you go, or are you too big?”

In answer she was seized in a double hug. Tears started in her eyes, and she realized, a little shocked, how very much she would miss the twins.

“All right, boys, we’d best be getting on,” Reed told them. “Why don’t you go on out to your ponies while I say goodbye to Miss Holcomb?”

The boys did as he suggested. They were, as Kyria had pointed out the day before, more subdued than usual, though “subdued” was a relative term in regard to them.

“I hope they will be all right,” Anna commented after they had gone. “I would hate for this to have hurt them.”

“I think they will get over it,” Reed replied. “Children are very resilient. Rafe and Kyria will be a great help to them. But it was a terrible thing to see. I—I wanted to make sure that you were recovering from the shock, as well.”

“Thank you. I think I am. I have had nightmares the last two nights. I suppose it is inevitable. But last night was better than the night before.” She looked at him, remembering how comforting it had been to lean on him, how strong and safe his arms had felt around her. She knew that if only she could go into his embrace now, she would feel better.

Anna glanced away, hoping that her thoughts did not show in her face. “Have you heard anything further about the murders?”