Page 6 of Cade’s Quest (The McIntyres #1)

Chapter Five

L ater that afternoon, Cade left the doctor’s little clinic with Summer. When they stepped outside, he stood there for a long moment, letting the sun warm his face. “I didn’t realize something so simple could feel so good.”

“Take all the time you need.” She tightened her arm around his. “What would you like to eat for supper?”

“Surprise me.”

Summer laughed. “I guarantee that after Mrs. Perkins’s food, it will be just that. I’m not the cook she is. I do have a pretty good garden, though, so I’ll pick fresh vegetables to go with the pot roast Mrs. Perkins sent.”

“I’d say you have it under control, Sis. I’m ready to go now.”

“My house is just a short distance, and we don’t have to cross the street.”

Cade laughed. “I’d say that’s good news judging from the passing wagons and horses.”

“Yes, it is. I’ve never seen it this busy in a while. The stagecoach is just coming into town. The driver is as blind as a bat, so we’ll stay out of his way.” A little groan escaped Summer’s mouth. “I’m so, so sorry, Cade. I didn’t mean you.” She released another groan. “I need to just shut up.”

The stage created a loud noise when it passed with all the horses and jangling of harnesses.

“Sis, don’t feel guilty about that. I am as blind as a bat right now.”

“Remember what the doctor said. This is only temporary,” Summer reminded him.

“Maybe or maybe not. Those sharp grains of sand could’ve shredded my eyes.”

“I don’t even want to think that way. Whatever you’re left with, we’ll face it together and figure out what to do so stop thinking about it.”

He stopped. “Are you shaking your finger at me?”

“No. But I should be. We’re passing an interesting house right now. Two old maid sisters live there. One paints landscapes and the other recorded a written history of all the town’s settlers. I love chatting with them.”

“I wish I could read a copy sometime. I love town history.” As Cade took the next step, the toe of his boot caught on the uneven sidewalk. He would’ve fallen if Summer hadn’t grabbed him. “Thanks. I’m clumsy.”

“No, you’re not. You have a good excuse, and I think you’re doing a great job.”

“I haven’t fallen on my face yet but just give me time.” They went on and he was more careful. His thoughts turned to their growing up years. “You were always a stickler for keeping things tidy, so I imagine your place is spotless.”

“I still like an orderly house. I suppose you still cling to your sloppy ways.”

He gripped her arm tighter, sliding his foot forward. “Of course, I am. And four years of sleeping under the stars didn’t provide much opportunity for change. Tom was a bigger slob than me.”

“What did he want with a kid?”

“He was crippled from a horse accident and couldn’t get around too good. I was his ‘fetch and carry.’ Tom treated me okay until he got in the bottle. Then I stayed out of his way until he sobered up. Like everyone else, Tom had his good side and bad.”

“I’m glad he wasn’t mean. If you keep going straight for another block, you’ll find the church and if you go the other way past the doctor’s place, you’ll see the jail. The stables are across the street. Everything is pretty simple.”

“Sounds that way. Thank you for giving me a picture of the town.”

They took a few more steps and Summer stopped. “This is it.” She opened a gate and led him through then into a house that smelled of honeysuckle.

“It smells like a flower garden in here.”

“When we get your bandage off, I’ll take you outside. Honeysuckle grows solid on the side of the house. It’s really beautiful.” She led him to a sofa. “You can lie down here while I pick some things from the garden. But first, I’m going to rearrange the furniture so you don’t trip over anything.”

“Do whatever you have to and don’t worry about me.”

But she was already scooting furniture around. He sat on the sofa feeling helpless.

At last, she sat down beside him. “Let me explain the layout of the house. I have a parlor, kitchen, and small bedroom.”

“Sounds compact. I think I can manage not to get lost.”

“Oh, and the outhouse is beyond the kitchen door. I’ll stretch a rope from the house to it so you can find your way.”

“That would be most appreciated.”

“Okay, I’ll get you a pillow.” She rose and came back in short order. “Stretch out now.”

“I confess I am a little tired.” He lay down and she lifted his legs up onto the sofa. “There’s so much I want to talk about. I hate to waste it sleeping.”

“Only a short nap and you’ll feel better. You lost a lot of blood.”

“Is that what you tell all your patients?”

“It is. And they listen.”

“Hmp! Must be your bedside manner.” Cade didn’t think he was sleepy but before he knew it, he was out.

He awoke to delicious smells. Cade got to his feet and cautiously felt his way to the kitchen. “I hope I didn’t miss supper.”

The sound of birds chirping brought his head around. “Are those inside or out?”

“Outside. I have the window open. I love to hear the birds singing. I guess I take after Mama. Except in winter, she always had the window open so she could hear the birds.”

“I remember.” He chuckled. “I can’t seem to find the table.”

“Let me help you.” She took his arm. A chair sounded against the floor. “Here you go. Sit down. You’re not late. You’re just in time. I was about to wake you.”

The squash and turnips were excellent with the pot roast. Cade insisted on feeding himself and didn’t make too big a mess he hoped.

He started thinking about their childhood and laughter tumbled out.

“What’s so funny?” Summer asked.

“I was just remembering the time when we were kids and you had that little baby carriage for your doll.”

“How can I forget.”

“Jess got one of our baby pigs and slipped it in there with your doll. You hollered loud enough to wake the dead and started chasing him all over the place. Everyone except you laughed so hard.”

Summer chuckled. “I could’ve killed our brother. That was a rotten trick.”

“Yes, but it was funny. Even Mama laughed.”

“I miss those days, Cade. We felt so safe and always knew we were loved. Doc Perkins cares for me, no question, but it’s not the same.” She squeezed his hand. “I want to go back with you to the homeplace, but I do owe the doctor for these four years. I don’t know what to do.”

“Sis, I’ve found that when a decision isn’t clear, don’t do anything. Just let it sit for a while. The thing is, I know where you are now and can come see you anytime. It was the not knowing that really got me down.”

“That’s wise advice and I think I’ll just let a decision sit for now until a way forward presents itself. Are you getting tired?”

“A little I guess.” He yawned. “But like I said, I don’t want to waste our time together sleeping.”

“Stop. We have lots of time together. Doc Perkins isn’t going to take the gauze from your eyes for a while yet. Are you in such a rush to get back?” she asked.

“Not a rush, but I do want to get started fixing up the house now that I’ve set my mind to that.

And hopefully, Miz. Baker will have found that paper where she jotted who took the rest of us and where.

I sure hope the twins and Ashland are okay and being treated right.

I really worry about that. What if they’re with mean people? ”

“We’ll find them, Cade,” Summer said softly, covering his hand. “If it takes us a year, we’ll find them. And Jess too.”

They talked a little more before turning in. “I’m looking forward to sleeping in your screened-in porch. It’ll seem like I’m back at Tom’s camp. He never bothered to build a home.”

“That’s odd but I guess it takes all kinds. He sounds like a mountain man.”

“I guess he kinda was.”

“I’m relieved he treated you well.”

“As much as he knew how. He wasn’t very big on social graces but he taught me a lot of practical things.”

“I’m glad. Take my hand and I’ll show you the bed on my porch.”

Cade loved the fresh breeze on the screened-in porch. As the warmth of the sun faded into night, a cricket began to chirp then another. Soon, he had a whole chorus of the little chirpers and put his hands over his ears.

But a big smile formed. He’d found Summer so he was making progress. Hope lodged deep in his heart. Maybe he’d fail at finding everyone, but he was sure going to try to right this wrong done to them by those murdering raiders.

Cade awoke the next morning to the smell of coffee on the stove.

Summer was already up. He stood and stretched, feeling the best he had of late.

Carefully, he felt his way through the house to the kitchen using the path Summer had created for him.

So far, he hadn’t broken anything. Give him time though and he surely would.

He felt his sister’s presence. “Good morning,” he said, feeling his way to the table.

“Morning, Cade,” she said brightly. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“Nope. It was the birds chirping in my ear.” He sat down in a chair. “For a moment, I thought I was in a forest.”

“A forest would be nice. Here’s your coffee.” She moved his hand to the cup. “Remember, I have that wedding to attend today. The ceremony is at ten o’clock this morning. I hope you’ll be all right until I get back.”

“Don’t worry about me, Sis. I’ll manage just fine.” He sipped on his coffee. “This is sure good. Sorta tastes like home.”

“I think so too.”

From the direction of her voice and banging of pans, she must be at the stove. “What are you doing?” Cade asked.

“Taking up the salt pork and fixing our eggs. Why?”

“No reason. I’m just not used to being blind, so I try to figure out things for myself. Hope I’m not going to make you regret bringing me here.”

“Not a chance. Cade, I’m so happy you’re here. I could hardly go to sleep last night because of the excitement bubbling inside.”

“Me too.” He cautiously took another sip of coffee. He’d made it to the outhouse and back several times with success. “What else would I find if I go out the back door other than the outhouse?”