Eli found himself momentarily distracted by the sound of Miss Lassiter’s laughter. It was a sound he’d heard quite a bit during the past week, though rarely when he was in her immediate presence. Not a polite titter or girlish giggle, hers tended to be a robust laugh, full of merriment and outright enjoyment. Hard to believe all of that exuberance could be contained in such a petite frame. A second later he had to school his expression as he realized he’d smiled in response.
“At any rate,” Mrs. Collins continued, “it’s good to see the old Thompson place all spruced up. It was so sad the way it got so run down after Mrs. Thompson passed away last winter.”
Audrey approached them with Viola and Penny in tow. “Momma, is it true we have to wait until next week to find out what happens to Annabel Adams?”
“Afraid so, girls.”
Audrey’s lower lip poked out. “But that’s such a long time.”
“Which means you’ll have an opportunity to practice patience. Now back to clearing the table.”
Audrey didn’t seem at all happy with that answer, but she nodded and moved toward the table.
Eli, however, was more focused on his sister. “Penny, am I to understand you’ve actually read this nonsense?”
She responded with a guilty smile. “Aunt Sadie read it to us this afternoon.” Her expression turned earnest. “And it’s not nonsense, Eli. Annabel Adams is so brave and good-hearted.”
Miss Lassiter, was it? He should have known. He’d have a word with her on the subject, but he wasn’t such an oaf that he’d dress her down in front of her friends.
As Penny moved away, Mrs. Collins offered him a smile. “It really is quite harmless and entertaining, you know. Everyone’s been talking about The Amazing Adventures of Annabel Adams ever since it appeared in the Gazette this week. Printing it was certainly a smart move on Fred Chalmers’ part. I reckon there’ll be a whole lot more folks than usual lined up for his paper next week.”
Eli supposed from a business perspective it did make sense. But that didn’t mean he approved of his sister reading such drivel. “Any idea who this Temperance Trulove really is?”
“No and Fred Chalmers isn’t talking.”
Why should he? Keeping the author’s identity a secret only piqued the subscribers’ interest all the more.
Time to change the subject. “I’m in the market for a carriage and a horse. Do you know where I might find something of quality?”
“Danny would be more able to help you with that than me.” They moved toward the boy, who was gathering up an armload of dirty dishes.
Once Eli explained what he needed, Danny nodded. “There’s a couple of rigs whose owners would likely part with them for the right price. What kind are you looking for?”
Eli was surprised at how grown up the eleven-year-old suddenly appeared. Apparently he was all business when it came to the livery stable. “Something suitable for getting around town and for short excursions. With enough room to seat three or four comfortably.”
“Mr. Anderson’s buggy is your best bet then. It’s extra roomy and still in fine shape, but now that his kids are moved on he wants to replace it with something that has less seating and more room to haul goods. As for horses—”
“My brother runs Kestrel Stables,” Miss Lassiter interjected. “He raises the finest horses in these parts. He and Josie are away right now, but I’d be glad to show you his stock.”
That’s right, Miss Lassiter’s brother was married to Mrs. Collins’s sister—that’s how the two came to know each other. He’d met Ryland and Josie Lassiter once when they’d visited Mrs. Collins. Ryland seemed like a fine man, much more levelheaded and grounded than his sister.
“She’s right,” Danny offered. “Ry and Josie raise some mighty fine mounts. It’s where I’d go if I was looking to make a purchase.”
Eli met Miss Lassiter’s gaze. “And can you make deals on his behalf?”
She lifted her chin as if taking offense. “Of course. Ry was the one who taught me most of what I know about horses, so he trusts me. And Henry, Ry’s foreman, will know which animals are for sale and which are not.”
Something flashed in her expression, there and gone so quickly he didn’t quite make it out. “In fact, since Cora Beth mentioned that we’ll have someone else in to do the cooking tomorrow, I was thinking I might take a trip out to the ranch. You’re welcome to accompany me to look over the stock if you like.”
Eli hesitated. Something about her smile made him a trifle uneasy. On the other hand, a horse was an important purchase and he wasn’t inclined to wait the month or so until her brother returned from his trip.
Besides, if she was up to something, he was certain he could handle it. “Thank you for your kind offer. Just let me know what time you wish to depart.”
Sadie placed the hamper next to the sack Mr. Reynolds had already loaded in the back of the buggy for her. As she stepped back she noticed him eyeing her suspiciously.
“Are you making deliveries to the ranch?”
She allowed him to take her hand and help her up. “You could say that. Kestrel is Viola’s home, remember? She wanted to send gifts to her friends there and Cora Beth let her raid the pantry. There are a couple of pears to feed to her pony, a few jars of preserves for the cook, a jug of apple cider for Henry—that sort of thing.” No point mentioning the items she herself had packed just yet.
She cast around for a change of subject as he climbed up beside her and decided the weather was as good a topic as any. She waved a hand to draw his attention to the clouds scattered against the dark blue field of sky. “Looks like we’re in luck weather-wise. If we are in for more rain today, it’s several hours out.”
He nodded as he picked up the reins. “I agree. We should be back in town well before any foul weather sets in.”
After that the conversation lagged. Sadie tried not to fidget as she wondered when and how she should broach her plans for her little side trip with him.
Dear Father above, help me find the right words. This all felt like the right thing to do last night when I planned it, but I’m just not certain he’s going to see it that way.
After about five minutes, Mr. Reynolds finally broke the silence. “There is something I wish to speak to you about.”
“Oh?” From his tone, this did not sound like a conversation she was likely to enjoy.
“In case it has escaped your notice, my sister is young and very impressionable. As are the other children in Mrs. Collins’s household. I think it would be best if you refrain from reading that weekly serial to them in the future.”
His words took her completely by surprise. “Why ever not? The children enjoy it and it seems harmless enough.”
He raised a brow at that. “Do you truly think it appropriate reading material for children?”
“I wouldn’t have read it to them if I didn’t.” Did he think her so irresponsible? And what would he think if he knew she was the author? “The heroine exhibits high morals, healthy curiosity and steadfast courage. Have you even read the story?”
He brushed her question aside. “I didn’t need to. I’ve seen its ilk before. It’s a frivolous piece of work, one that is liable to put notions in innocent young minds that are at best nonsensical, and at worse dangerous.”
How dare he! She shifted in her seat to face him more fully. Did the man realize how pompous he sounded? “Dangerous? That’s a bit melodramatic, don’t you think? I suppose you’d prefer that I read to them from