“I don’t know.” She put her hands at her temples. “Oh, I should have asked, shouldn’t I? Since he works here with Yolanda and their parents, I assumed he shares her opinion of that scoundrel Lawson. I thought he would want to help Josiah but I can’t be sure, can I?”
“Honey, please, stop second-guessing yourself. You’re doing a great job. I’ll slip down and send Yolanda back up here so you can ask her where her brother stands. Guess I need a reason you need her, though.” He looked around as if searching for something.
“The tray… no we haven’t eaten the food yet. Tell her Mama needs… more water and could she bring it because you have to check the wagons before you retire.”
“Good idea. First, the two of you eat your supper. You can’t afford not to keep up your strength.” He stood and fluffed Mama’s pillows then set the tray on her lap.
He sent Red a stern look, as if that would make any difference to his strong-willed wife. “I’ll wait while you ladies eat your meal.”
To his surprise she ate the stew and biscuits, but in swift gulps for which his mother would have swatted he and his siblings.
“Slow down, Red. You’ll have indigestion. A few minutes won’t make a difference right now. We have to plan carefully.”
She sighed. “Remember you work for me. You shouldn’t be so bossy. I’m a grown woman. You’re not my father.”
He certainly had no parental feelings toward the red-haired beauty. To his chagrin, he had developed a dangerous attraction he was finding impossible to fight.
Mama spoke before he could defend himself. “He is the husband and head of the union. You should show respect since he has all our best interest in mind.”
Red sent him a glare. “This is terrible when the two of you gang up on me.”
Mama set down her cup. “Then stop giving us a reason, Judith Ann. If you’re so grown up then act it.”
He was grateful Mama took his side. He had a feeling she was a strong adversary but did not intend to find out the truth of his opinion if he could prevent it. He made light conversation while they ate.
With the meal over, Peyton carried the tray to the kitchen. He made eye contact with Yolanda. “When you’re finished here I wonder if you’d take more water up to my wife’s mother. I must check our wagons before I can turn in.”
She wiped her hands on her apron. “Of course, Mr. Knight. I’ll do so right away.”
Peyton thanked her and walked to where the wagons were parked. The three men were gathered around a small campfire. Ozzie squatted on his heels. Sarge had dragged a barrel from somewhere for a seat. Jeff leaned against the side of the wagon.
Ozzie looked up. “Evening. I wanted to get a bale of hay to sit on tonight that later we could feed to the animals while we’re here. Hay press they used produced those three-hundred pound bales. I’m not gonna try to lift one of them by myself.”
Peyton sent the man a sympathetic glance. “Don’t blame you. Too bad. Looks like the other boys could have helped you wrangle one out here.”
Jeff and Sarge avoided his pointed gaze.
“Reckon we’ll have to buy one bale, though. We have a lot of four-legged mouths to feed.”
He dug into his pocket and handed money to Jeff. “Better get some oats too if they have them.”
He leaned in and whispered, “Good news. May have an inside man who can get us onto the ranch and into the house.”
To all of them, he said, “Might as well split and sleep on a bed with one of you taking turns as guard. I don’t expect trouble, but we can’t take a chance this far from Kansas.”
Jeff clapped him on the shoulder. “You go on back to your wife and her mother. We have things under control at the wagons and corral.”
Peyton remembered to record the cost of the hay and oats. He was still keeping close account of their expenses. The staggering amount they’d spent made him question whether they were using Red’s entire inheritance. For her sake, he hoped not.
***
Judith opened the door to Yolanda and closed it behind the girl. She judged Yolanda to be about the same age as she was or maybe a year or two younger. As she accepted the pitcher of water, Judith indicated the chair.
She set the pitcher on the washstand then sat on the bed. “Please sit and talk with us. We have so many questions.”
Yolanda perched on the chair, nervously clasping her hands in her lap. “I hope I can answer them.”
Judith didn’t mince words. “Will you tell us if your brother is sympathetic to Lawson?”
The other girl gasped. “No, but we must be careful not to speak against him. There are many spies in town. He has many on his payroll who listen for any discontent. Those who speak out face terrible consequences.”
She leaned closer. “Once Papa said something only to a small group of men he thought were good friends. The next day he was told the boardinghouse would burn down if he spoke out again. He doesn’t know which man is the spy so has been very careful since then.”
“That’s terrible but I understand why he would be cautious. Living in an atmosphere where you must watch every word you say must prey on your nerves.”
“Papa and Mama worry all the time. My brother and I are suspicious of everyone and always alert. Only because I recognized you from Mac’s photo would I speak out to you.”
Judith hunted until she found paper and a
