Silvie smiled and said, “It’ll be right up, and I’ll be back first with your coffee and tea.”
After Silvie disappeared into the kitchen, Grandpa Hutchison leaned a bit forward and looked at Grace. “Were you going to say something, dear?”
“Umm, I wondered who would do that? Why did she lie?” Grace answered without looking at anyone around the table.
Clay stammered, “I don’t know, but it was a lie, Grace. Every word.”
She lifted her head and smiled at Clay. Her heart wanted to believe him, but her head told her to be a bit wary. She decided to take each day as it came until either her heart or head won the confrontation.
The conversation picked up after that, and the family enjoyed their meal. The waitress offered apple pie for dessert, but Cora said there was fresh peach cobbler at home and everyone decided to wait. Clay pushed his chair back from the table.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to run to the mercantile, and I’ll see if I can find Wade,” Clay said before he walked away from the table.
“The mercantile is open on Sunday?” Elizabeth asked.
“Only for two hours after services,” Grandpa explained. “It’s for folks who only get into town once a week for services or maybe only once a month. Some of the ranches are a far piece from town.”
Elizabeth nodded and sipped her tea while the others chatted until Clay returned.
“I don’t know where Wade is?” He told his family and shifted from one foot to another hoping Elizabeth wouldn’t ask him any direct questions. He didn’t find Wade in the saloon, and he didn’t see Lucinda. He knew Wade put Lucinda up to her little act to make Grace jealous and he certainly hoped they weren’t together. He couldn’t explain that to Elizabeth. Grandpa needed to try and do something with Wade before he ruined his entire life.
Grandpa announced, “We’ll head on home. Wade knows where he lives.”
“But,” Elizabeth said, “he came with us in the wagon. How will he get back?”
“He can rent a horse at the livery,” Grandpa insisted. “We’ve waited long enough for him.”
He held his arms out for his granddaughters and Grace and Elizabeth slipped their arms through his. A smiling Grandpa Hutchison proudly escorted them back to the wagon.
On the walk back, Cora said to Clay, “What is wrong with your brother? He’s going to ruin a good thing. Elizabeth is an angel, and she’s trying so hard to put up with him.”
Clay shrugged wishing he had an answer to Cora’s question.
Chapter Nine
The afternoon was quiet at the Hutchison household. Grandpa sat in the parlor with the women reading the Bible aloud while they worked on embroidery or knitting. Clay needed to attend to chores even though it was Sunday. They gave the ranch hands Sunday mornings and afternoons off to attend church and personal business. Clay didn’t mind doing what needed to be done, but he tried his best to reign in his anger while he did Wade’s chores, too.
Clay was mumbling to himself about Wade’s inappropriate behavior in front of his wife, the family, and church not to mention the fact that he disappeared into the saloon and was most likely spending the afternoon with Lucinda.
Mason’s voice pulled Clay out of his thoughts. “After what I saw at church this morning, I thought I might find you in jail for shooting Wade.”
Clay tossed another pitchfork full of hay into a stall and turned around. “He’s my brother, and I doubt I would’ve shot him, but I debated laying him out cold right there in front of the church, but grandpa’s look stopped me cold.”
“I’ve seen that look. I don’t understand why Wade would put Lucinda up to lying that way in front of Grace. The town knows about Wade and Lucinda. I never thought she’d do that in public. Is Grace angry?”
“I’m not sure if it’s anger or hurt. Grace doesn’t understand why I sent for her if I had Lucinda and then she wouldn’t talk to me.”
Mason whistled. “You need to fix this. I can tell you care about Grace from the way you look at her. What about Elizabeth? How is she handling this?”
Clay shrugged. “Not sure. Even after Wade took off for the saloon, she was still concerned that he wouldn’t have a way home after he never met us for lunch.”
“She’s a beautiful woman. I don’t understand Wade’s problem. I got to know her a bit on the stage ride to town. I think growing up in an orphanage made her strong, yet she needs to feel as if she belongs. Wade’s behavior is inexcusable, but then should we really expect better from him?”
“No, we shouldn’t. I think he planned that Grace would believe Lucinda and leave town leaving him as the only married brother and he’d inherit. The plan backfired at least somewhat. Grace didn’t say she was leaving, and Wade embarrassed himself in front of the family and half the town. We’ll see what he has to say when he gets home,” Clay answered and asked Mason to stay for supper.
“I’d like that. Ma said she and pa were invited to the Wilson’s for supper and I was on my own.”
Clay laughed. “So, you decided to stop over here and get a good meal.”
Wade shrugged. “Why not. Cora is a good cook.”
“That she is, but we had our noon meal at the café. You might get cold ham and biscuits for supper.” Clay said as he threw one last pitchfork of hay into a stall.
“Cora does make a good biscuit,” Mason answered and followed Clay out of the barn.
The two men laughed and talked as they headed toward the house. The family welcomed Mason and Clay was partly right. Cora served cold ham
