Page 89 of Return to Telegraph Creek

Miss June’s eyes were shining with excitement, and she seemed to have some news.

“Can we come in, please?”

I nodded, grinning.“Of course.You own the place, don’t you?”

Miss June rolled her eyes.“That’s true enough.But I respect people’s privacy, unless I have reason to interfere.”

She gestured to Trick, who followed her into our small room and went to stand by the window.Trick looked—different.She looked…satisfied, and like she had something to say.

Oscar’s gaze shifted between them, then locked onto Trick.“You look like you wanna say somethin’.”

Trick turned to face him and actually blushed.I don’t know as I’d ever seen her blush before.

I turned to Miss June.

“What’s goin’ on?”

Miss June sat on the edge of our bed.

Oscar, who’d propped himself on one elbow as he leaned against the pillows, sat up.

“Well, it seems as though we may have a solution to our problem,” she said, glancing at Trick.

“Go on.Tell ’em,” Trick said.

“Well”—Miss June spread her hands on the coverlet—“it seems that Trick—I mean, Maggie Corrigan, because that’s her real name—has quite enjoyed the life she’s been living the past few weeks.”

“Maggie Corrigan!”Oscar said.“Why, that’s such a nice name, though I don’t know if I can imagine you as anyone but Trick.But I’ll try to call you Maggie from now on.”

Trick—Maggie—shrugged.“Don’t matter.I’ll answer to either of ’em.But I’m gonna need a regular name if I’m to live on the farm with Cal and the children.”

“Live on the—” I said, my gaze going from Maggie’s to Miss June’s and back again.“You’re gonna…you’re gonna help Cal raise those wee ones?”

Maggie laughed.“Oh, I reckon Cal will be doin’ most of the child raisin’.But I’m gonna live there with her, and we’re gonna make a go of the place.”

Oscar stared at Maggie like she was shooting stars out of the top of her head.

“Truly?Are you and Cal…?”

I knew what Oscar wanted to ask, but he was having trouble figuring out how to ask it.

Maggie laughed, but the blush on her cheeks deepened.“We ain’t lovers,” Maggie said.“Not yet, anyway.Only friends.But I reckon we’re the best of friends, and all’s we need is each other.”

My vision blurred, and I blinked the moisture away, then cleared my throat.

“Well, I think that’s a wonderful idea.I think you and Cal can be wonderful parents to those children, and if you’re workin’ together, I’m sure the two of you can make something of that place.”

“Thank you, Jimmy.We surely mean to.”

“Does Cal know what you’re proposin’?”Oscar asked.

“I told her about my idea a few days ago.She told me I was misguided, but if I wanted to help her and the children out, she’d be mighty thankful,” Trick said.“I still need to convince her how much she’d be helpin’meout.I don’t wanna go back to my life at The Angel.Not that t’was all that bad, but I feel like I can finally be the person I’ve always wanted to be if I go live with Cal and help her with the farm and the animals.I’m smart, I’m strong and I can learn how to till a field.I already know about animal husbandry.I simply never had a place to…husband any.”Trick grinned.

I turned to Miss June.

“You’ll miss her here, won’t you?”I said, wondering what she thought of the plan.

“Oh, I’ll have lots of men asking where she’s gone, I’m sure.But I’ve got a lot of girls here who don’t have many options and would rather do this work than be scullery maids, so that won’t be a problem.Maggie’s been a good draw, but she’s got this opportunity now, and Cal sure could use her.So, I’ve given her my blessing.”