Page 67 of Return to Telegraph Creek

“Yes, sir,” Peter said in a small voice.He swallowed.“We’re mighty grateful to Miss June.”

“You and me both.When Oscar and I rode into Telegraph Creek almost a year ago, Oscar was injured, and I was desperate.Miss June and the girls took us in and treated us like they’d always known us.Miss June nursed Oscar back to health.Why, she’s only just finished helpin’ me with a big gash in my side.There ain’t no shame or worry in folks helpin’ other folks.You remember that, all right?”I chucked him on the chin and smiled.“Maybe Oscar and I’ll take you into town someday soon and get you a real cowboy hat and some good, solid boots, so’s you can be even more help to your ma.”

Peter stood a bit taller, and his eyes widened.“All right.”His gaze drifted to my middle.“You gotta big gash in your side?”

“Yeah.You wanna see it?”

Oscar snorted, and took off his hat, shaking his head from side to side.

“Yeah,” Peter said, as if ’twould be the most exciting thing in the world.I remembered myself at his age and I supposed injuries were pretty fascinating before they simply became a part of life, and nothing to be amused by.

I tugged my shirttails out of my pants and lifted them so Peter and Lizzie could see the scar of my injury.

“Shucks,” Peter said, a little breathless.“How did you get cut like that, Jimmy?”

I laughed and looked at the healing cut, remembering how thoughtless I’d been and in a rush.“Not bein’ careful, that’s all.”

“Slid down the side of a mountain on his ass,” Oscar muttered.“Like a damn fool.”

Lizzie giggled, and Peter smiled.

I shrugged.“P’raps ’twas foolish.Anyway, I only wanted to get to Telegraph Creek and see your momma.”

Cal had finished cleaning up the baby, and she looked o’er when she heard the word.Her gaze focused in on the wound in my side.

“You shouldn’t have risked your life for me.”

I lowered my shirt tails and tucked them into my trousers, pressing my lips together and shrugging.“Well,” I said, “I suppose I’ll decide who I’ll risk my life for.”

“I need a new dress!”Lizzie said, moving in next to Peter and taking his hand.“Please?This one’s torn, see?”

I gazed at the little girl’s clothes, which were worn, dirty and needed replacing.

“I reckon we can get you a new dress, Lizzie.Maybe we can get your ma some nice things, too—and even Sam.”

Cal had gone back to Sam and didn’t hear what we promised the two older children.I only hoped she’d allow us the privilege of getting the children something better to wear.Knowing what we knew of Cal’s priorities, she was likely to indulge these youngsters that she held so close to her heart.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Trick’s Treasure

We rode back to The Angel with lighter hearts, hoping that Cal and the children would be all right for the next few days and that maybe we’d get through to her on our next visit.

“You know, I reckon she almost told us the truth.But then the baby started fussin’,” I said, glancing at Miss June as we rode back to Telegraph Creek.

“I think you’re right.I’m hoping we’ll find out everything when we go back to see her and the children on Sunday.”

“You sure you wanna go Sunday?”Trick said.“Ain’t we gonna miss the service?”

She was so deadpan, I almost thought she was serious.But Miss June laughed and rolled her eyes.

“I suppose you’re right.Perhaps we’d better go another day.”

Oscar pulled Onyx up sharp and gaped at Trick and Miss June like they’d plum lost their minds.

“You ain’t serious.Churchservice?”he said, with a look on his face like he had a mouthful of lemons.

Trick collapsed o’er her horse’s neck, laughing and pointing at Oscar like she couldn’t believe he’d fallen for it.Oscar narrowed his eyes.