Page 12 of Brian and Cora (The Bachelors of Three Bend Lake #2)
I do think I’m right that he still cares for Aunt Rose. When she’s not looking, he gazes at her with such tenderness. I don’t know what happened between them, but I still intend to do what I can to bring them together. Wish me luck. I get my stubbornness from Aunt Rose!
After we ate, I went upstairs to unpack.
Oh, the joy of unpacking my possessions in my very own elegant room, done up in amber and gold!
What bliss to no longer be cramped in an attic bedroom and have to hide my possessions or store them at Grandpapa’s.
The house even has two bathrooms, and I availed myself of a hot bath after I unpacked.
How wonderful to feel clean from head to toe and wear a fresh dress after a filthy journey.
(Although I’m saving my new outfits for a better occasion.) As I write this, my hair is still wet.
In spite of the house—mansion, really, as we suspected—being so big and richly furnished, there’s an air of peace and coziness about the place.
Perhaps, it’s because of all the books. There’s a library for most of the books, but Reverend Joshua, Uncle Andre, and Delia also have their own bookcases.
Any house with books everywhere would make me feel right at home. (Not that Papa’s house had many books.)
As nice as it’s been to relax in luxury, underneath, I still am set upon becoming a nurse.
So far, thank goodness, no one seems scandalized by my choice of vocation.
But with the town still in an uproar, I’ve judged it best to wait to talk to Dr. Cameron about apprenticing. With his brother, Dr. Angus, accompanying the posse, the fear for his safety must be constantly on his mind. Still, I chafe at the delay.
There. I’ve caught you up.
She sat for a minute, her pen still poised to write. Then she sighed and wiped the ink off the nib.
A knock sounded on the door. “Miss Cora,” a boy’s voice called.
That must be Micah. Setting down her pen, she stood and hurried to open the door.
A boy with dark brown hair and crystal-blue eyes stood there practically vibrating with excitement.
“Miss Cora, the posse’s returned.”
“Oh!” Cora gasped and clapped her hands together.
“They caught the robbers. Papa says to come to the parlor so he can tell everyone the details all at once.”
Goosebumps feathered over Cora’s arms and legs. “Oh, how wonderful! What a relief for everyone.”
He eyed her wet hair. “Can you come now?”
“Just a minute.” She whirled to the dressing table and quickly twisted her hair up into a bun, stabbing in hairpins. Hurrying back to Micah, she held out a hand. “Lead the way, kind sir.”
8:00 pm
Ivy,
My letter to you was interrupted with the most welcome news.
After being gone almost a week, the posse has returned, having captured the robbers!
The money is recovered. Two men were wounded and are recuperating at a farmhouse near the thieves’ hideout.
You can imagine the town’s relief and jubilation.
I did have a chance to meet Reverend Joshua Norton (addressed as Reverend Joshua to distinguish him from his father, Reverend Norton) as he gathered us to hear the details of the posse’s capture of the robbers.
Reverend Joshua is unlike any minister I’ve ever met.
He has crystal blue eyes (as does his son) that are apt to twinkle.
I’ve already heard one of his interesting tales of Africa.
He doesn’t hide his obvious love for his wife and son and father-in-law.
The bond between them all gives me an ache in my breastbone, and I can’t help wishing my mother had lived so I could have grown up in a family this close.
Micah is an endearing little scamp. He’s as different from my siblings as could be. I’ve already fallen in love with him. He’s bright, adorable, mischievous, yet thoughtful and caring, especially with Mr. Bellaire. You’d think the man was his blood grandfather.
As for the story…. Turns out the gang was hiding on an isolated farm that belonged to the leader, Frank McCurdy. He’d left the area years earlier, eloping with a saloon girl, and no one knew they’d returned with their three children, some servants, and the other bad guys.
They converted the farm into a fort and settled in, committing crimes here and there, but mostly keeping to themselves.
The day of the Harvest Festival, one of the deputy sheriffs, Chogan Redwolf, befriended the youngest McCurdy son, Walter.
(As you can probably tell from his name, the deputy’s an Indian from the Blackfoot tribe! I can’t wait to meet him!)
While scouting around the fort, Deputy Redwolf ran into Walter and persuaded the boy to help them.
Walter put syrup of ipecac in their morning porridge to cause them vomiting and diarrhea and opened the back gate to sneak in some of the posse members.
Deputy Redwolf climbed a nearby cliff and shot burning arrows into the haystacks and outbuildings to cause confusion, while one of the men ran around the outskirts of the fort to open the front gate for the sheriff and the rest of the posse, so they could attack from two sides.
Long story short, all except the leader and his wife were killed.
Two men from the posse were injured but should make a full recovery.
The happy surprise is Sheriff Granger and Deputy Redwolf returned engaged and were married today. They are adopting Walter. The poor child was repudiated by his family.
The elder Mrs. Norton brought over Walter to get acquainted with Micah.
The boy is solemn and reserved, no doubt from his background, which was quite abusive.
After a while, I started wanting them to be like normal little boys and make noise.
They played a game of checkers, but finally Walter seemed more comfortable, and they went outside.
Through the window, I watched Micah teach Walter to use his slingshot! His smiles melted my heart.
Since we’re strangers, Rose and I didn’t attend the sheriff’s wedding. We’re both worn out and looking forward to sleeping in comfortable beds that aren’t moving.
So, all’s well that ends well. How’s that for putting a trite saying over such a traumatic situation?
I can barely keep my eyes open, so I’m stopping here. Good thing, for my pen is scraping the bottom of the inkwell.
I might not miss my family, my dear Ivy, but I certainly miss you!
Sincerely,
Cora