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  She walked over to him. “Sean, I never told you Annie was blind. In fact, I’ve never told a single person that.”

  “It’s still a lie to deceive people. I would think you’d know that.”

  “Of course I do, but Annie was so pitiful when she first came here. She was so hungry and desperate that she pretended to be blind so I’d take her in.” She crossed her arms and stared at the stars, blinking back tears at the memory. “Her father had abandoned her. What would have happened to her if I’d said no?”

  He heaved a loud sigh and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I understand what you did, Laura, but I wish you would have confided in me. I’d have kept your secret.”

  She lifted a hand to his cheek, the day’s light stubble tickling her palm. “I know you would have, but things were different between us back then. You were still upset with me for choosing the school over a life with you.”

  He closed his eyes and shook his head then gently pulled her against his chest and held her. “I was never angry with you, sweetheart, but rather at myself for making you choose. If I could do it all over I would do things far different.”

  Laura’s breath caught in her throat. All these years she’d thought he was upset at her. “What would you do differently?”

  He stroked her head in a loving caress. “I’d never make you choose between me and the youngsters. There was no reason when you could have had us both. I let my pride keep me from the woman I love for far too long.”

  The tears she’d held at bay now trickled down her cheeks. “Oh, Sean. Do you mean you still love me?”

  He cupped her cheeks. “Sure do. And I still want to marry you.”

  Laura’s heart pounded hard. The thing she secretly had pined for all these years was within her grasp. “Are you asking?”

  He stiffened. Then he spoke. “Are you saying you’d agree if I did?”

  A wide smile tugged at her lips. “What was the question?”

  Sean’s big hands ran down her head and cradled her cheeks again. Tears glimmered in his eyes. “Would you marry me, Laura, darling?”

  She nodded. “I’d love to.”

  His lips crushed against hers, and her joy knew no bounds. All the worries of the past weeks fled as her future began to take shape. After a moment, Sean threw back his head and laughed. “Just think, I came here tonight expecting dinner and a hayride, and I’m leaving with a fiancée.”

  Annie’s hand halted in midair at Sean’s boisterous laugh. What in the world was there to laugh about? She shook her head and resumed patting Josh’s back. The boy had had a harder time going to sleep on the tack room bed than she’d expected. Riley sat a dozen feet away in Bertha’s stall. With the excitement of taking the children on a hayride, the poor cow had gotten overlooked. The gentle swish swish of the milk drifted in the open door, and she matched the pace of her patting, feeling a special kinship as they both worked so closely together.

  Something must have happened on today’s ride to change Riley’s mind, because he said he was willing to give keeping the boy a try. Josh had smiled a lot more since they returned from their ride and had moved at the table so he could sit next to Riley at supper, although he grew a bit apprehensive when he learned he had to sleep in the barn. And yet, he still never uttered a peep. His breathing deepened, and she dared to halt her ministration. When he didn’t move or fuss, she pushed up from her spot at the head of the bed and tiptoed out.

  When she reached the stall, she blew out a deep breath. “Asleep. Finally.”

  Riley twisted his neck and glanced up, a solemn expression on his face. “Will getting him to sleep be that hard every night?”

  She shook her head and smiled. “No, it’s just that this is new to him, and I think he’s a bit confused why he’s here instead of with the other children. But he’ll get used to it and to you.”

  He sat up after a few moments and rolled his shoulders. “I think Bertha’s done.” He stood and, wiped his hand on his pants, and held it out to her. “C’mon, I’ll walk you back to the house and put the milk in the cellar.”

  “No, I think it’s better if I stay here. I wouldn’t want Josh to awaken and find himself alone.”

  He nodded then took the bucket and walked outside, his long-legged gait quickly taking him out of view. Was he angry at her for pretty much forcing Josh on him? He hadn’t said a lot to her on the hayride, but then they couldn’t talk about much with all the children there, chattering or singing.

  She walked back into the tack room and stared down at the little boy. She longed to make things good for him. To see him smile again so she could enjoy his beautiful dimples. To hear him talk. “Please, Lord, let Riley be a good father to Josh,” she whispered.

  The second the words were out of her mouth, she knew the truth. She wanted to be Josh’s mother. But even more, she wanted to be Riley’s wife. Leaning back against the saddle block, she blinked her eyes, trying to comprehend when her feelings had taken such a sharp turn. When had she fallen in love?

  “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” His gaze searched the room as if hunting the source of her disturbance.

  “Um … nothing’s wrong. I just thought of something rather shocking.”

  “Oh.” He glanced at Josh, looking a bit like he wondered what he’d gotten himself into.

  “How’d your ride go today?” Annie longed to meet Riley’s gaze. To stare fully into his eyes and see if her love for him might be returned.

  “Fine, I reckon. Josh seemed to enjoy it. When we arrived at the ranch, he had a big smile on his face, and when it was time to leave, he was eager to climb back in the saddle.” He reached for the blanket and started to cover the boy but then stopped. “Do you think I should put the quilt over his legs?”

  Annie shook her head. “No. Even with the window open, it’s still warm in here. No wonder you often sleep outside or in the stalls.” She wasn’t certain because of the low lighting, but she thought maybe Riley was blushing.

  He cleared his throat. “It is cooler, but that’s not usually why I don’t sleep in here.”

  “No?” Her curiosity shot off like a racehorse at a starting line.

  “No.” He turned then lightly took her arm. “Let’s go out so we don’t wake Josh.”

  Smiling at his concern, Annie stepped down into the barn and walked over to Gypsy’s stall. But her smile dimmed as she realized that if she hoped anything could develop between her and Riley, she had to tell him the truth.

  He reached out and patted the horse then forked his fingers through Gypsy’s mane. “I don’t sleep well, because I sometimes have nightmares about the war.”

  Annie laid a hand on his arm, wondering at the horrors he had seen. “I’m sorry.”

  He shrugged. “Josh was actually a big help today. We went back to the ranch, and he helped me clean up. The place looks much better, and good thing, because Mr. Johnson came by while I was there and said he already has someone who’s interested. One of our neighbors may buy the land to expand his holdings—Mr. Brown.”

  Brown? Why did that name sound familiar? Suddenly, she gasped.

  Riley grabbed her arm and reached for his gun. “What is it?”

  Annie giggled. “Sorry. I just remembered something I was supposed to tell you.”

  He relaxed and holstered his gun. “For pity’s sake, Annie. I just about shot Bertha.”

  She laughed softly, drawing the old cow’s curious stare. “I’m really sorry. It’s just that a Mr. Brown came looking for you. He said he had something that belonged to your father that he needed to give you.”

  Riley started. “Like what?”

  “I don’t know. He must have arrived right after you and Josh left.”

  Riley reached out and stroked Gypsy then glanced outside, as if considering riding over right then. “What else did he say?”

  “Nothing.”

  “I’ll ride over and see him tomorrow.”

  “Good idea. If you can wait until
Mr. Ramsey returns to check about Josh being out of the house, I’ll watch him for you.”

  “Watch him for me?” Riley’s brow lifted. “You say that like he’s my son or something.”

  Annie shrugged and stared at Gypsy’s face. “I guess I was just hoping.”

  “Don’t get the cart before the horse.” It was time to come clean with him about her blindness, but she feared he would hate her when he learned the truth. Summoning every ounce of strength she had and saying a prayer for courage, she lifted her head. “There’s something important I need to tell you, and I hope you’ll wait to hear my explanation before getting upset with me.”

  “What’s that? You didn’t bring home any other children today, did you?”

  She gave his arm a playful shove. “No, silly. It’s just that—”

  Heavy footsteps pounded in their direction, and Riley yanked her behind him and drew his gun. Annie peeked around his arm, hoping it wasn’t another group of raiders. Surprise washed over her when Laura and Sean ran in. Their buoyant smiles disappeared in the face of Riley’s gun.

  “Whoa!” Sean lifted his big hands, and Annie had a hard time not giggling at the sight.

  “Sorry.” Shoving his pistol back in his holster, Riley blew out a breath. “I almost shot you. What are you doing running into the barn like that? It’s not raining or nothin’.”

  The biggest smile Annie had seen on Laura’s face in weeks also danced in her eyes.

  Laura glanced at Sean, who looked her straight in the eye and grinned, then turned back toward her and Riley. “Sean and I are getting married,” Laura squealed.

  Married? That was the last word Annie ever expected to hear her friend say.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Annie waved good-bye to Riley and Josh as they went out the back door after lunch. “I sure hope Riley has an easier time getting Josh down for his nap than I did getting him to sleep last night. Maybe I should go help him.”

  Laura shook her head and carried her plate to the sink. “No, he needs to learn how to care for the boy himself.”

  Annie’s heart sank. If he did that, he wouldn’t need her. “I almost told him last night.”

  “Told him what?”

  “You know.” She flicked her eyes toward Tess and Becky washing and drying the dishes then pointed to her eyes. Annie wished she’d waited to tell Laura until later, but in all the excitement last night about Laura’s engagement, she forgot about it. In spite of the hard days ahead with the school closing, her friend had hardly quit smiling. If only her own future were as secure.

  Someone pounded on the front door, and Laura and Annie glanced at one another. Laura sighed. “I suppose that’s Mr. Ramsey.”

  “Probably is that curmudgeon at the door since he didn’t come earlier,” Mrs. Alton muttered as she wiped down the stove then placed the rag in the washbasin for Tess to rinse. She grabbed the lunch she’d saved for her husband. “Guess this is a good time to head out. Don’t forget I won’t be back this evening. I just put a pot of beans on to simmer for your supper, so make sure you stir them.” She waved and closed the back door.

  Annie wished she had some place to hide, but she still needed to wash off the table and help the girls finish cleaning up. Otis Ramsey made her skin crawl with his leering gazes. Still, her curiosity pulled her to the doorway.

  “Mr. Ramsey.” Laura spoke without enthusiasm.

  “Afternoon, Miss Wilcox. Is that boy gone?”

  He peered through the open doorway, and Annie saw that, once again, he’d brought another man with him. When he glanced her direction, she ducked back.

  “Yes, the boy is no longer staying in the house, as you requested.”

  Demanded was more like it, Annie thought.

  “Good. Now, I’ve brought Mr. Phelps here to have a look at the place. I’m sure you’ll be accommodating, all things considered.”

  Annie could almost see Laura rolling her eyes. Didn’t the man take a hint?

  “I thought I made it clear that we operate a school here. We have a schedule to keep. I can’t have you parading people through the house anytime you like.”

  “It’s costing me considerable money to stay in this town, and it’s unreasonable of you to not allow me to show it to prospective buyers.”

  “No, it is not. If you’d like to walk around the outside of the property when the children are inside, that is fine. If you wish to come inside the house, I insist you make an appointment.”

  “You insist? Don’t you know I could throw you out any time I like?”

  Annie dared another peek. She rarely ever heard Laura so riled.

  “Maybe I’ll just cut another week off.”

  “Try it, and we’ll see what the sheriff has to say. I found my lease agreement last night, and it says I’m to have a thirty-day notice when the owner of this property decides not to lease it any longer. So that still gives me three weeks before we have to be out.”

  Mr. Ramsey sputtered like a pot of stew boiling over on a hot stove.

  “If you wish to show the house, you may do so from ten to eleven or three to four on Saturdays. Good day.” Laura shut the door and collapsed against it, looking spent.

  Annie walked into the room and clapped. “You’re one plucky lady.”

  Giving her an embarrassed grin, Laura shook her head. A knock—not so hard as the last—echoed through the room. Laura’s eyes closed as if she were steeling herself for another battle. She turned and opened the door, her body stiff.

  “Mr. Carpenter! What a nice surprise.”

  Annie’s heart clenched. Becky’s father? He couldn’t have possibly received Laura’s letter yet. What was he doing here?

  Laura stepped back and let him in, also looking a bit confused. “It’s good to see you again.”

  “I came to bring a wagonload of cotton to town. Heard a rumor about the school. I’d planned to come and visit Becky on my way out of town, but if what I heard is true …”

  “Please, come in and have a seat, sir. Let me explain what’s going on.”

  The short, thin man with graying black hair perched on the edge of the settee. His fingertips held his wide-brimmed hat that reminded her of the kind the Mexican residents wore. His wide moustache turned down on the ends, and his frown deepened as Laura told him what had happened.

  He muttered something under his breath, then glanced up with wide brown eyes. “Please, pardon me. But it irritates me to no end when selfish men accomplish their agenda. If I were a rich man, I’d build a house for the school, but as it is, I barely manage to pay for Becky’s tuition. Her coming here has been the best thing that has happened to her.” He shook his head. “Her mother and I will be delighted to have her home again, but it makes my heart hurt that she won’t get to finish her training here.”

  “Becky is a fast learner, Mr. Carpenter. Her skills have vastly improved to the point that she’s able to take care of herself for the most part. She does still need help getting her hair braided and finding something that’s out of place, but if your family will be consistent to put things in the same place and have plenty of patience, Becky will do fine. Read to her. Give her arithmetic problems to figure. And, please, give her plenty to do. Let her help with the meals, laundry, and other household duties.”

  He nodded, and his eyes lit up when Becky and Tess walked into the room.

  “Miss Laura?” Tess cocked her head.

  “Yes, I’m here, and so is someone else.”

  “Hey pun’kin.”

  Becky jerked her head toward Mr. Carpenter’s voice and she held out her arms, hurrying toward him. “Papa?”

  “Yes, I came for a visit, but … how would you like to go home today?”

  Sadness gripped Annie, just like it always had when one of the children left, only this time it was worse. Becky wasn’t leaving because she’d reached the point where she knew all they had to teach her; instead, she was being forced out because of a greedy man.

  Annie swirled and ran t
hrough the dining room and kitchen and out the back door. Why didn’t God do something? Could it be His will for the school to close?

  She swiped at the tears burning her eyes and hurried to the barn. How in the world could she handle saying good-bye to all six children?

  Riley rode Gypsy to the barn and dismounted. When he reached for Josh, he heard a noise coming from the barn. Sniffling, if he wasn’t mistaken. He dropped Gypsy’s reins, and carried Josh to the house. Maybe Miss Laura would keep an eye on him—unless by chance she was the one who was upset, but he doubted it. Not after the way she’d glowed with joy last night. A wagon he didn’t recognize was parked out front, with sprigs of cotton, probably the remains of a shipment someone brought to town, floating out of the back of the wagon like dandelion fluff. He hoped whomever the wagon belonged to wasn’t a prospective buyer, pestering Miss Laura.

  “Are you hungry?”

  Josh nodded.

  “Let’s go see if Mrs. Alton left us some food.” He went around to the back of the house instead of knocking on the front door and disturbing Miss Laura if she had legitimate company. He knocked lightly on the door, and when no one answered, he opened it and peeked in. Not a soul was in the spotless kitchen. His ride over to Mr. Brown’s had taken far longer than he’d anticipated, and he could hardly wait to tell Annie his news.

  He found two plates under a towel and set one on the table for Josh. “Sit down and eat. I’m going to see if Miss Laura is busy. All right?”

  Josh eyed the plate of cold roast beef, cheese, and stewed apples, then licked his lips and nodded. The boy reached for his fork and started to stab an apple.

  “We ask God’s blessing before we eat here.” Josh scowled, but then he ducked his head as he’d seen the other children do. After a second he looked up as if waiting for Riley’s approval. Nodding, Riley smiled and closed his eyes, said a short prayer, then looked at the boy again. “Go ahead and eat. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  He stopped at the dining room door and called, “Miss Laura?” She’d told him to come in at mealtime without knocking, but he still felt odd entering a part of the house other than the kitchen or dining room without being invited. When she didn’t answer his call, he turned to go back, but a rash of footsteps coming down the stairs stopped him.