Her suitcase was gone from the corner. There was an empty space in the wardrobe where her clothes had hung, and the jewelry and hair clips he'd noticed on the dresser yesterday when he'd come in to get clean clothes were also gone.
She hadn't left anything behind. Yet the memory of her smile lingered in his mind, and he knew it was going to take him a long while to forget her.
He decided to get busy. He went downstairs to grab something to eat before he tackled the paperwork. Mary Rose was sitting at the kitchen table with a pen and paper in her hands. She smiled when she saw him.
'You're back early. Are you hungry? I made soup, but it isn't as good as Mama Rose's.'
'I thought you went home,' he said.
'We're leaving in a few minutes. I wanted to copy down this recipe first. Sit down and I'll get you a bowl. You are going to try my soup, aren't you?'
'Sure,' he said.
She stood up and reached for the apron she'd draped over the back of her chair. Adam had only just taken his seat when he bounded back to his feet.
'The apron,' he announced.
She slipped the garment over her head and then looked down to see if something was wrong with it.
'It looks fine to me.'
'Not yours,' he said, his impatience evident in his brisk tone. 'The apron Genevieve was wearing. Was it hers?' he asked, wondering if women packed such things when they traveled.
'No, I loaned her one of Mama Rose's. I didn't want her to get her dress-'
Adam cut her off. 'Did she give it back?'
'For heaven's sake, of course she gave it back. What's the matter with you?'
'Nothing's the matter. Where is it?'
'The apron?'
'Yes, damn it, the apron. Where is it?'
Her eyes widened in reaction to his bizarre behavior. It wasn't like Adam to ever lose his temper, but he appeared to be on the verge of doing just that. He was usually so calm and in control. Nothing ever riled him.
'Why are you getting so upset about an apron?' she demanded.
'I'm not upset. Now answer me. Where is it?'
She gave him a frown to let him know she didn't appreciate his surly attitude.
'I suppose it's hanging with the others on the hooks in the pantry.'
Adam was already halfway across the kitchen before his sister had finished explaining. She followed him to the doorway and stood there watching him sort through the clutter of coats and hats and scarves and bibs, tossing them every which way until most of them were on the floor behind him.
'You're picking all those up,' she said. 'Adam, what's come over you?'
'Where the hell is it?'
'It's the white one on your left with the two lace pockets,' she said. 'Why do you want it?'
Adam lifted the apron from the hook and quickly searched the pockets. He felt like shouting with victory when he pulled out the crumpled piece of paper. Just as he had hoped, in her haste to leave, Genevieve had forgotten the wire.
He unfolded the paper, moved into the light, and read the message.
Then he exploded. 'Son of a bitch.'
'Watch your language,' Mary Rose demanded. She moved close to her brother's side and tried to see what he was holding.
She wasn't quick enough. He had already refolded the paper before she could see anything.
'What is it?'
'A telegram.'
'That's Genevieve's,' she said. 'I was standing next to her when Clarence gave the wire to her. Shame on you, Adam. You shouldn't have read it. It's confidential.'
Cole came up behind his sister in time to hear her protest and offered his opinion.
'Sure he should read it. Who's it from, Adam?'
'A woman named Lottie.'
Adam finally looked at him. Cole could tell from the look in his brother's eyes that it was serious. Mary Rose didn't seem to notice, however.
'I know what it says,' she announced.
Adam turned to her. 'You do?'
'Yes.'
'And you didn't tell anyone?'
'Don't yell at me,' she snapped. 'Genevieve told me her friend was expecting a baby and promised to have her husband send a wire to let her know if she had a boy or a girl.'
'Is that so?' Adam asked.
Mary Rose nodded. 'She had a girl,' she said. 'I can't understand why you would get so upset over someone else's personal…'
She stopped talking when Cole put his hands on her shoulders and suggested she take a good look at Adam's expression.
Their brother looked furious. 'How bad is it?' Cole asked him.
In answer, Adam handed the wire to him. Cole unfolded the paper and read the message out loud.
'Run for your life. They know where you are. They're coming for you.'
'Good Lord,' Mary Rose cried out.
Cole whistled at the same time. 'Son of a…'
'How could anyone want to harm such a sweet, loving young lady?' Mary Rose asked.
'I thought you told me she wasn't in trouble,' Cole said.
'That's what she told me,' Adam muttered.
'She lied.'
'No kidding. Of course she lied.'
Mary Rose shook her head. 'She must have had a good reason not to involve us.'
'We are involved if trouble is coming here,' Cole replied.
'I thought we had become good friends over the past week. She acted as though she didn't have a care in the world. Are you going to go after her, Adam?'
'Hell, yes.'
'Mama Rose is going to be beside herself with worry when she hears about this.'
Adam gave his sister a hard look. 'She isn't going to hear about it. There isn't any reason to worry her.'
Mary Rose agreed with a quick nod. 'Yes, you're right. I won't tell her.'
Adam started for the door, but Mary Rose grabbed hold of his hand to detain him.
'Why are you so angry?'
'It's a hell of an inconvenience to drop everything and go chasing after her, and I don't much like knowing trouble's coming to Rosehill. Cole, you're going to have to put off your trip to Texas for another week or two and stay around here.'
'I will,' he assured his brother.
'If anyone comes looking for Genevieve-'
'I'll know what to do.'
Adam left Rosehill fifteen minutes later. Genevieve Perry was about to find out what real trouble was.
Chapter Five
Genevieve was trying hard not to be afraid and failing miserably. She sat in front of her campfire with her legs tucked underneath her, gripping a gun in one hand and a heavy tree branch in the other. There weren't any stars
