'Surely you've noticed I've stopped complaining.'
'Yes, indeed I have noticed,' Mary Rose assured her friend.
'I realized how tiring my behavior was when I was walking home from town. Don't you remember the blisters I got on my toes? Well, being alone and all, I had time to think about my attitude.'
'I sure have enjoyed hearing you laugh, Eleanor. You're nice to be around now, and you help out so much, I'm beginning to wonder how we ever got along without you.'
'Thank you, Adam.'
'When were you alone?' Mary Rose asked.
She happened to look at Cole and noticed he was trying hard not to smile.
'Did I say I was alone? I wasn't,' Eleanor blurted out. 'Forget I mentioned it, Mary Rose.'
She wasn't going to do any such thing. Something had happened on the way back from Blue Belle, and she was determined to find out what it was.
'Eleanor, will you help me clear the table and bring in the coffee?'
'Certainly,' Eleanor replied. 'I try to be helpful. I hope you'll remember that.'
Mary Rose collected some of the dishes and went into the kitchen. Eleanor followed her a minute later with the leftovers. She put the plates down on the sideboard, then turned to collect the coffeepot.
Mary Rose wouldn't let her leave the kitchen. She hurried over to block the doorway, then whirled around, folded her arms across her middle, and said, 'Start talking, Eleanor. What happened on the way home from town? Something's going on all right.'
'No, honestly,' Eleanor protested. 'I was never alone. I'm being sincere. Please don't do anything hasty.'
'Like what?'
'Don't make me leave. Please don't vote against me.'
'What in heaven's name are you talking about?'
Eleanor proceeded to tell her everything.
Mary Rose became furious. It was cruel and heartless of Harrison and Cole to frighten Eleanor. She spent a good ten minutes soothing her friend. Her anger simmered all the while. Eleanor was so pleased to have her friend's sympathy and understanding, she recounted the horrible experience once again, embellishing the details as she went along. By the time she was finished, she'd gotten all worked up again.
Douglas was thankful his sister had left the dining room because he wanted to talk about Corrie without interference.
'I've had time to think about what Harrison said,' he announced in a low voice so Mary Rose wouldn't hear. 'Crazy Corrie could have hurt Mary Rose. You never should have let her go up on the porch, Travis.'
'She wasn't in any danger. Corrie likes Mary Rose. She left the quilt in the cave for her, didn't she?'
'How do you know it was Crazy Corrie's quilt?' Douglas asked. 'Oh, for God's sake, Douglas. If you want to start something with me, just do it. Don't use stupid arguments.'
'She is crazy,' Cole interjected. 'How do you figure that?' Travis asked.
'Normal folks don't greet visitors with a shotgun sticking out of their window. I'm siding with Douglas. He's right…'
'No, I was wrong,' Harrison announced.
Everyone turned to him. He let out a sigh. 'I overreacted. I still wouldn't have let her go up on the porch, but I shouldn't have blown up the way I did during supper.'
'Then why did you?'
Harrison shrugged. 'I've been a little on edge lately.' Adam leaned back in his chair. 'I find it curious,' he remarked to no one in particular.
'What's curious?' Cole asked.
'You boys can be quiet when you want to, yet Harrison knew you were in the bunkhouse searching through his things. He let you think he was sleeping.'
'So?' Cole prodded.
'I'm finding it curious Corrie could get inside the cave, cover Mary Rose, and then leave, while Harrison was sound asleep. Yes, sir,' he added with a smile. 'I'm curious all right.' Cole turned to Harrison. 'You saw her, didn't you?'
'Yes, I saw her.'
'Why didn't you tell us?' Travis asked.
'I didn't say anything because I didn't want Mary Rose to know. She was sleeping. Corrie wasn't crazy that night. There was a look of tenderness in her eyes when she stood over Mary Rose and looked at her. I don't know if her moods change with the winds, however, or if she could in fact turn dangerous. Since I only saw her for a couple of minutes, I wouldn't be willing to put Mary Rose's life in her hands just yet. I still believe your sister needs to remain cautious.'
'What did she look like?' Douglas asked.
'Like someone took a hatchet to her.'
Travis shuddered. 'The poor thing,' he whispered.
'How come she doesn't talk?' Cole asked.
'I'm not certain she can.'
'You mean her throat…' Travis couldn't continue. He was rattled by the picture of the woman he was getting in his mind.
Cole was the only brother who seemed to take it all in stride. 'Why didn't you tell Mary Rose you saw Corrie?'
'I felt it would be intrusive. Corrie belongs to her. She should be the first to see her.'
'Do you think Corrie will ever let her?'
'I doubt it, but she might,' Harrison conceded.
'Mary Rose will probably faint, or scream,' Travis said. 'Hell, I would.'
Harrison shook his head. 'No, your sister will take it all in stride.'
Adam nodded. 'You know her well, Harrison.'
'There's a storm brewing,' Douglas remarked.
'Did you hear thunder?' Cole asked.
'Hell. MacHugh hates thunder.'
The brothers laughed. 'He hates everything,' Travis said.
'He sure likes Adam,' Douglas remarked. 'What'd you do to make him follow you around like a puppy after you rode him today?'
'I took Harrison 's advice and praised him. He likes hearing how fine he is. We're kindred spirits, Douglas.'
'Will you take care of him for me when I leave?' Harrison asked Adam.
'You aren't taking him with you?' Douglas asked.
'The journey across the ocean would be too much for him.'
'Let me guess,' Cole interjected. 'MacHugh hates water, doesn't he?'
Harrison 's expression turned serious. 'Promise me something, Adam. No matter what, don't sell him. If I can't get back here, you keep him.'
Adam agreed. 'Do you think you will come back?'
Before Harrison could answer, Travis asked him another question. 'Are you still going to leave in another week?'
'No,' Harrison answered. 'I've decided to leave the day after tomorrow.'
'Why'd you change your mind?' Cole asked.
'Mary Rose.'
He didn't think he needed to say more, but Douglas wouldn't let it go. He demanded details.
'Are you trying to rush us into telling her sooner? It's our call, Harrison, not yours. Why can't you wait longer?'
'I think he should leave soon,' Travis interjected. 'I'm getting tired of chasing after Mary Rose. She'll be safer once he's gone.'
