He clutched her hand. “Sounds like you’re coping. Don’t let the doubt win. Send your prayers and good thoughts his way.”
“I have been. If I’m awake and not talking to you or Mama, I’m praying for Josiah and for us to help him and survive.”
He told her about the conversation with the men and how they had remained committed. “They never wavered, Red. We can depend on them.”
“I believe we can trust them not to sell out to Josiah’s awful neighbor and double-cross us. Apparently the man tries to frighten or buy everyone.”
“We’re going to set up a couple of nights in Los Perdidos. We plan for Mama to say she is suffering from nerves and collapse. We can say we can’t continue to Kansas until she’s been treated by a doctor. If there’s a vacancy, the two of you will check her into the boardinghouse where your brother stayed. You’ll be able to learn something there.”
“What will you do?”
“We men may stay with the wagons. We’ll decide when we get there. None of us has ever been in this town before so we don’t know exactly what to expect.”
“Josiah’s letters described a lot but I see there are many things he omitted. Do you recall that he mentioned a girl named Yolanda Ramirez? Her parents own the boardinghouse where he stayed and Yolanda works there.”
“I’ve memorized his last two letters. He barely referred to her in each. You believe he and she are sweet on one another?”
Red smiled at him. “Josiah would never have mentioned her name even to me unless he was very attracted to her and thought his feelings were returned.”
“More reason to stay at the boardinghouse if they have a vacant room.”
After two more days of travel without further trouble, they pulled into Los Perdidos in mid afternoon. The town was small, probably not over two or three hundred people. The business area was two blocks long. Peyton stopped the wagon in front of the marshal’s office.
He left his gun and rifle in the wagon. “I’ll ask how to find a place for Mama to stay.”
When he entered the marshal’s office, the man was dozing in his chair with his feet on the desk. Peyton cleared his throat.
The marshal woke with a start. He planted his feet on the floor and stood behind his desk with a hand on his revolver. “Who are you and what do you want?”
Peyton forced a smile. “Easy, Marshal. We’re just traveling through, but my mother-in-law needs to see a doctor and will probably need some place to stay for a day or two while she recovers. Thought maybe you could point me to a good boardinghouse.”
Marshal Cain narrowed his eyes. “Where is it you’re going?”
“Headed toward Kansas. Is there a doctor in town?” Peyton’s answer appeared to satisfy the marshal.
The man forked a thumb over his shoulder. “Old Greer has an office in his house eight doors north. Adobe house painted blue.” He sneered, “Don’t know what they were thinking.”
“If Mama has to remain in town is there a decent place where we can find her a room?”
“Boardinghouse is across the street and down about three buildings. Frame building. Can’t miss it.”
“Last question, is there a livery stable and wagon yard?”
“No wagon yard but reckon Wimberly at the livery will let you park next to the corral. You’ll have to take that up with him. You’ll see his place at the edge of town heading north.”
“Appreciate your help, Marshal.” Which was an out and out lie. He’d explained their presence to the marshal and felt certain the information would be passed along soon.
“Mister, you didn’t tell me your name.”
“Knight. Mother-in-law is Mrs. Davis.” Peyton extended his hand and shook with the marshal.
“She contagious?”
“Naw, worried about her son. I expect she needs something for her nerves and a bed that doesn’t bounce and bump.”
“Myself, I like beds that bump, buck and bounce.” The marshal laughed at his own jest.
Peyton longed to punch him in the teeth. “I understand that. Thanks again for your help.” He turned and strode out before his frozen smile cracked and he let the marshal see what he thought of him.
He spoke to Abigail and the men then climbed back onto the wagon bench beside Red.
“We’re going to stop at the doctor’s office first. Mama will make sure she is told to remain here a couple of days.”
Red’s green eyes twinkled. “Of course, I’ll need to nurse her.”
“That’s right, Red. She’s practicing crying now. By the time we get her inside the doc’s office she’ll be practically collapsed.”
Her expression turned solemn. “It’s the way she and I really feel. It will be a relief for her to give in to her sorrow and fear until we can go to Josiah’s ranch.”
“I can’t take you there until we know the situation. It could already be occupied by Lawson. The good thing is he can’t get to the deed.”
Chapter Eleven
Judith helped Abigail walk into the doctor’s office. Peyton was on her other side after first checking to be certain the doctor was available.
Dr. Greer held open the door for them. “Right in here. We’ll have you calm in no time. Get on that table.”
Mama sobbed convincingly. “I don’t need to sit on any table. I need to see my boy.” She cried into her handkerchief.
Judith held an arm around Abigail’s shoulders. “Please, Mama, let the doctor talk to you and examine you.”
Peyton lifted her onto
