Page 38 of The Pursuit of Elena Bradford

38

Elena held her face up toward the sun and sent up a prayer of thanksgiving. For these two men who had found her. For the man who hadn’t killed her. For the cat she called Princess. For freedom. For the sun on her face.

She supposed she should go back in the shed and get her bonnet, but she couldn’t step back through that door. Besides, she liked the breeze ruffling her hair. She couldn’t remember how long it had been since she had been outside with her hair loose around her shoulders. Something like Kirby had painted it.

Kirby. He had embraced her with a kiss and then released her. Given her to Andrew. She’d felt him saying goodbye even though he wasn’t leaving. Andrew hadn’t kissed her, but it was his love that Kirby had meant when he said the cat and love had found her. She had felt love in his embrace and in his tears. Kisses could wait.

“I can walk,” she said when she heard them talking about going for a horse. They looked at her as if unsure. “Please. I need some water. I’ll even drink the spring water.”

That made them both smile. A good thing to see. Andrew had looked so tragic and Kirby so sad. Who would have ever thought that she, a woman who had seemed destined for a spinster corner, would have two men wanting her love? Two such wonderful men. She wanted to take both their hands and run back across the field to the Springs.

“If you get tired, we can carry you,” Kirby said.

And he could. So strong. So capable.

“Yes.” Andrew reached for her hand.

He might not be as strong as Kirby, but he had a different kind of strength. That of a good man who, when he loved, would love with all his heart.

She didn’t doubt that Kirby thought he loved her, but the west called to him more than family. She needed family.

Back at the hotel, Ivy ran to meet them on the path, tears wetting her face. Dear Ivy. Her heart stayed full to bursting with emotions. General Dawson waited at the steps up to the hotel. He grabbed Elena in a tight hug. Another man who loved her, although in a different way. It would be good to have him as a second father.

People on the veranda and lawn seemed to sense something unusual happening and edged closer to get a better look. General Dawson let go of Elena and barked an order at the curious to be on about their own business. Then he rushed them all inside to Dr. Graham’s office. The doctor was behind a desk that practically went from one wall to the other. Mother was the only other person in the room. The general shut the door behind them.

Her mother’s eyes widened at the sight of Elena. “For mercy’s sake, what have you done to your hair? Where is your bonnet? And your dress. It’s filthy.”

Elena pushed some loose strands away from her face. “I suppose I do look a bit disheveled.”

“A bit?” her mother started, but the general hushed her.

“Don’t fuss, Juanita. She is beautifully alive.”

“Oh, my dear girl.” Her mother stood then and held out her arms to Elena as she burst into tears.

Elena hugged her. She didn’t know when she’d hugged so many people. “I’m all right, Mother. Don’t cry.” She’d seen her mother dab at tears now and again but never sob like this.

Her mother dropped back down in her chair. “I’m so sorry, Elena. This is all my fault, expecting you to save us.”

“It has nothing to do with that. It was about Vanessa, after all.”

“We need to hear the whole story,” Dr. Graham spoke up.

“Let her at least sit down,” Kirby demanded.

The doctor gave Kirby a hard look but then merely nodded.

“Please, may I have a drink?” Elena eyed the pitcher of water on the doctor’s desk as Andrew pulled a chair over for her. She hoped it wasn’t spring water, but if it was, she’d drink that too. “The gag dried out my mouth, and it was so dusty in the shed. And then I kept yelling and hoping someone would hear me.”

“Gag?” Her mother looked near a faint.

“Please, Mother. I am all right.” Elena sat down and took a drink of the water Ivy brought her. Spring water, but she was so thirsty, she drank it all. Everyone watched her, waiting. She’d have to tell it all again. Andrew and Kirby stood behind her chair like two guards daring anyone to bother her. That made her smile.

She told it as succinctly as possible. Dr. Graham made notes but waited until she was finished to ask, “Did you recognize either of the men?”

“I’d seen the one dressed like a gentleman at the dances, but I never danced with him. I think the other man was a servant, but I didn’t remember seeing him before.”

“A servant didn’t report for work this morning, and Carson is gone.” The doctor sat back in his chair. “So, it seems both men have left the Springs and will no longer be a danger to you, Miss Bradford. The local sheriff can take over the search for them. If you or your mother or sister need anything, anything at all, I will see that you get it. A maid will bring you fresh water.”

Out in the lobby, Ivy and her mother headed toward the stairs. Her mother looked back at Elena when she didn’t follow them. “Come along, Elena.”

“In a minute.”

Her mother seemed ready to demand she come right then, but instead, she tightened her lips and turned toward the stairs.

Elena wanted to thank Kirby and Andrew again. Andrew was beside her, a silent source of strength. She looked behind her for Kirby. General Dawson had stopped him.

“I admire a man who can’t be bought.” The general pulled something from his pocket to offer it to Kirby.

Kirby didn’t take it. “She made her choice. It’s not me.”

“I see that.” He pushed whatever it was toward Kirby and went on. “Take it. Consider it an advance. For two paintings you do out west.”

“Of what?”

“Whatever you want to paint. A rock. A canyon. A bubbling pool in the Yellowstone area. And if you’ve changed your mind about that portrait, I’ll pay extra.”

“I’ll take the commission on the western art.” Kirby took what looked like a banknote. “But I’m keeping the portrait.”

“I thought you would.” The general pointed toward Elena. “I think she’s waiting to speak to you.”

Kirby lowered his voice, but Elena still heard him. “He won’t break her heart, will he?”

Andrew stiffened beside her.

“I suppose that remains to be seen.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out another card to give Kirby. “Here’s my address. Let me hear from you, and if the unexpected happens, I will write you to see if you want to come back for a second chance.”

Andrew muttered something about meddling old men.

“He is that,” Kirby agreed as he stepped up beside them. He gave Andrew a long look. “Just one thing, Harper. You’re a better dancer than a fighter.”

When Andrew laughed, Elena gave him a puzzled frown. “I’ll tell you about it someday,” he said.

Kirby was smiling too as he turned to Elena and smoothed back her hair. “I knew you would look like this with your hair down.”

“Thank you, Kirby, for the portrait. For rescuing me today. For being a friend.”

He dropped his hand away from her hair. “Goodbye, Elena.” After another glance toward Andrew, he turned and walked out the door.

Somehow she knew she’d never see him again.

“Are you all right?” Andrew asked.

“As long as you don’t say goodbye like that too.”

“My goodbye will be only until next time. I’ll expect to see you at dinner if you feel up to it. At the next ball. Among the flowers in the morning.” He smiled. “But maybe we shouldn’t do the hiding and seeking.”

She smiled. “That would take all the fun away, but I will stick to easy-to-find places next time. Actually, I was looking for you this morning.”

“And I was looking for you. I found your sketchbook but not you.”

“You found me when it mattered.” She smiled. “Did Princess really tell you where I was?”

“Close enough. That is one amazing cat.” He put his hand on her cheek. “And you are one amazing woman.”

She put her hand over his for a moment before she turned to follow her mother and Ivy up the stairs. She would see him again. And again and again.