Jessie, don't start crying again. It's going to be all right. You
want to know that he's safe, don't you? ' 'Yes, yes, of course I do.
It's just that I don't know the Nortons, and I . . . ' He started for
the door. 'Pack light, Jessica. One bag for you and one for Caleb. '
'I have to talk to Grace before I go anywhere.'
'It's out of the question.'
'Will we be coming back to Rockford Falls after we take Caleb? ' 'No,
we're going directly to Texas.'
'What about my things?
Everything I own is packed in Grace's wagon.'
'I'll have it taken over to the livery stable. The owner can keep an
eye on it. You can ride a horse, can't you? ' 'Yes, ' she said,
though she didn't add the fact that she couldn't ride well. 'I'd like
to purchase a gun before we leave, and I'd like you to teach me how to
use it. I want to be accurate.' He didn't like hearing that she
wanted a weapon. 'Just aim and shoot, ' he said. 'That's all there is
to it. You don't need to carry a gun anyway.'
'Yes, I do, ' she argued. 'Will you teach me how to use it? ' You
already shot York's gun.'
'I want to be accurate, ' she insisted.
He didn't waste time debating the point. 'We'll leave as soon as Caleb
wakes up. Now what? ' he asked when she shook her head at him.
'He has to eat first.'
'Fine, ' he said. 'After he eats, we'll leave. You might want to pack
some food he likes, ' he thought to add.
'How long will it take us to get to the Nortons' home? ' 'Not long, '
he promised. 'And, Jessie, I don't want you to tell anyone where we're
taking Caleb. Don't even say Nortons' name again, because someone
might overhear. All right? ' l 'Yes.' He was walking out the doorway
when she called out to him.
'Cole? ' 'Yes? ' 'Promise me you won't let anything happen to my
son.
' 'I promise.' And time remembered is gnef forgotten, And frosts are
slain and flowers begotten, Rebecca sat on the stone bench in the small
garden in the back of the hotel. Her packed valises were on the ground
beside her. It was safe and quiet, and very secluded this time of day,
