She didn’t want to think about him kissing her or her kissing him back, or the rush of feelings his strong embrace elicited. If he thought so poorly of her, why would he have done that? He was still mourning her sister. Wasn’t he?

  He finished eating. “Thanks for breakfast. I’ll most likely stop to talk to my mother on my way back from town. See if my father has gone to the mill today.”

  “Thank you,” Ruby replied in a soft tone, and they both knew she meant for his acceptance of Jane. She’d expected him to be difficult, and before now he’d deserved that standing in her eyes. He needed to change her opinion of him.

  He got up and settled his hat on his head before heading out.

  * * *

  Ruby thought about Georgia throughout the morning, wondered about the atmosphere at the Sommertons, thought about Vivian. Her concern continually wavered back to Nash, and how he was dealing with the appearance of an unknown brother—on top of seeing that his children were cared for, getting a new horse settled in and now Jane. Ruby had no place prying into his family’s business, but she hoped he would tell her how his mother was doing once he’d seen her.

  There hadn’t been time to discuss anything with Georgia before Ruby had been given charge of her niece and nephew. She didn’t think Claire was old enough for school yet, and no one had spoken of it.

  “Do you go to school?” she asked her that afternoon while Joel napped.

  “Papa said I can go after my birthday.”

  “Okay. Well, until then I suppose we should work on letters and numbers.” She glanced at Jane. “How about you?”

  The girl shrugged. “Can’t read. Never been to school.”

  “We will have class in the afternoons, then, while Joel sleeps.” Ruby would do the best she could now, but the girls needed slates and readers. Thankfully, Claire had several books on a shelf in her room.

  As she was reading to the girls, the sound of an approaching horse caught her attention. Ruby went to the kitchen window and held back the curtain. A buggy pulled to a stop in the dooryard, and a slender man in a brown suit climbed down.

  Opening the back door and crossing the porch, she greeted him in the yard. “Hello?”

  He removed his hat. “Ruby Dearing? I haven’t seen you in years.” At her blank look, he said, “David Morris.”

  “David? Of course. I remember you.”

  They’d attended school at the same time. David had been a diligent pupil, while she’d spent all her time gazing out the window and watching the clock. He’d also been friendly, and one of the few students who had ever spoken of her father. He’d never been condemning, but openly concerned. While others sometimes whispered behind their hands, David had asked how her family was doing. She’d once spotted him buying all the jars of jam her mother had sold at the mercantile.

  “Your father had the livery,” she said.

  “That was him.”

  “You have a little sister. Penny?”

  “She’s married and living in Washington County.”

  “What brings you here today?”

  “Nash sent me. I’m the doctor.”

  “You?” She’d briefly considered that perhaps Nash would ask Miles, but of course that situation was too new and strained for favors.

  “I know. Surprising, isn’t it?” He grinned. “Doc Stevens passed on a couple of years ago. I had started a practice in Illinois, but the town council convinced me to come here for a while.”

  “So. Nash told you about Jane?”

  His expression turned serious. “He thought my observations would help in a legal proceeding, and he’s right. Once the state is aware of the situation, they will take action.”

  “Thank you for coming. I could have brought her into town, but she’ll be more comfortable here. She’s like a skittish colt.”

  Ruby led him into the kitchen.

  “Hello, Claire,” David Morris said.

  Nash’s daughter said a bashful hello from her seat at the table.

  “Jane, this is Dr. Morris,” Ruby told the girl. She considered removing Claire and Joel from the room while the doctor spoke to Jane, but then decided the conversation would be over Joel’s head, and Claire would learn about her situation eventually. Hearing it in Jane’s own words was probably best.

  “I ain’t sick,” the girl declared.

  “No, of course you’re not. The doctor is going to take a look at your cuts to make sure they’re not infected.”

  “Miss Ruby doctored ’em just fine.” Jane gave the man a long, assessing look and then gauged Ruby’s matter-of-fact expression. “I guess it’s awright, though.”

  “Mr. Sommerton tells me you were living at the Billings ranch up north,” he said conversationally.

  She nodded.

  “He said the rancher’s boys were mean to you. What did they do?”

  Again, Jane looked directly at Ruby, who kept her expression calm and nodded encouragement.

  “They slapped me. Pushed me down a lot and kicked me. Took my food.”

  “Did you get three meals a day? Have plenty of milk?”

  “I cooked for them—with whatever supplies Mr. Billings brung from town and whatever he killed and cleaned. Mostly rabbits and squirrels, sometimes fish or some beef. Din’t never taste very good ’cause I don’t know how to cook it. He kept a sack of beans, and I got the hang of that.”

  “Did Mr. Billings hit you?”

  She shook her head and glanced at Ruby. “He just watched when them boys did it. Din’t say nothing when they took away my food.”

  Ruby’s chest ached, but she put a confident smile on her face for Jane’s sake.

  “Why don’t you sit on the edge of the chair here for me, Jane?” David asked. Her story was a difficult one to hear, evident by his careful expression.

  She complied and let him look her over, listen to her heart, look in her eyes and ears.

  “I want Dr. Morris to see your shoulder,” Ruby told her, and unbuttoned the back of her dress to expose the bruises.

  “Is this tender?” he asked, gently pressing around the area.

  Jane winced. “Don’t poke it!”

  “I’m sorry. How long ago did you get these bruises?”

  “Dunno. Couple weeks maybe.”

  “I think you may have had a fractured rib. Does it hurt less now than when it first happened?”

  She nodded.

  Claire had watched the whole process with wide, assessing eyes. “My papa won’t let anyone hurt you anymore.”

  “That’s right,” Ruby assured them both. “Dr. Morris and Mr. Sommerton are going to see that you’re safe from now on.”

  David spoke with Jane for a few more minutes and then Ruby told the girls they could go play in Claire’s room.

  “It’s a crime that people get away with treating other human beings that way,” David said in a low voice that revealed burning anger.

  “And the horse he sold Nash is a magnificent animal,” she told him. “He obviously treated the horse better than the child.”

  “Some of those marks are older than others, some newer. It’s plain she’s been mistreated over a span of time. I believe her story.”

  “What will you do now?”

  “I’ll send a telegram to the authorities right away.”

  Ruby nodded. “We won’t let her go back there.”

  “It’s not that the agencies are unscrupulous or don’t care,” he told her. “It’s just that they place so many children, they can’t possibly check on all of them.” He gave her a kind smile. “I can see she’ll be well cared for here.”

  Ruby shrugged. “I’ve never taken care of children before, but I’ll do the best I can.”

  “I’m confident you’ll be a big help to Nash.”

  “I hope so.” She was thankful for his concern and grateful for the tender, matter-of-fact way he’d treated and spoken to Jane. Perhaps Ruby could repay his kindness with an invitation to supper. He might have a wife waiting at home, though.

  “Are you married?” Ruby couldn’t resist asking. She had enjoyed meeting someone from her childhood who didn’t seem to hold her past against her.

  “Sorry to say I have not had that pleasure,” he answered. “Medical school and a job took all of my energies, and then I worked at establishing a practice.”

  “And then you did it all over again here.”

  He nodded. “That’s a fact.”

  She offered him a smile. “Why don’t you stay for supper? We can catch up while I fix a meal. Nash should be here soon, and the hands will show up.”

  “I’m not half-bad in the kitchen,” he told her. “I’ll stay if you let me help.”

  “Do you know how to cut a chicken without mangling it?”

  “I can probably figure it out. Chicken anatomy wasn’t part of my training, but bones are bones.”

  She laughed.

  Ruby fried plenty of chicken for their supper that evening. David told her about his years at medical school and seemed genuinely interested to hear about her time spent onstage and the people she’d met.

  Until now no one had shown much interest in her life during those times. She told him about her favorite plays, shared the excitement of leading roles and solo parts.

  “It all sounds quite exciting,” he told her. “I can picture you onstage.”

  “Some of it was exciting,” she agreed. “But traveling is a hard life, and I was never sure of work. Some years were exceptional and others very lean.”

  “I should like to hear you sing, Ruby Dearing,” he told her.

  “Something quite glamorous, no doubt.”

  “Of course.”

  Steam from the potatoes warmed her skin as she mashed them. “Oh, I went down south for to see my Sal, sing polly wolly doodle all the day. My Sal, she’s a spunky gal, sing polly wolly doodle all the day.”

  David chuckled and picked up the lid of her pan to tap with a wooden spoon in time to the song. The children heard the commotion and came running.

  “Fare thee well, fare thee well, fare thee well my fairy fay. For I’m going to Lou’siana for to see my Susyanna, sing polly wolly doodle all day.”

  David joined in on the next verse. Joel danced, and Claire jumped up and down. Jane didn’t seem to know what to think. She blinked and watched them as though they were all crazy.

  “Behind the barn, down on my knees, sing Polly wolly doodle all the day. I thought I heard a chicken sneeze—”

  The back door opened and Nash entered the kitchen.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Nash looked from one person to the other, Ruby’s face flushed and her hair in wild ringlets, his children dancing, and David Morris wearing a grin so wide it split his face. Was Ruby cooking or holding a house party?

  “Papa!” Claire spotted Nash and shot forward for a hug. He accommodated her, and Joel was next. Nash picked up his son and felt his little heart beating like a trip-hammer with excitement.

  At Nash’s sudden appearance, Ruby appeared flustered, and scurried about setting the table.

  “I invited David to stay for supper, since he was out,” she said. “He cut the chicken for me.”

  David, was it? “Thanks for coming out, Dr. Morris.”

  “My pleasure.”

  Yes, he could see that. The doctor looked to be having the time of his life. Boots hit the wooden stoop behind Nash as the hands made their way in.

  Silas and Dugger were subdued around the children and their guest. After they’d finished eating, Silas offered to wash the dishes, for which Ruby appeared grateful.

  Nash invited the doctor into the other room, where they drank their coffee. David Morris had taken over after Doc Stevens had passed on. David had come to Crosby after Laura’s death, so Nash knew him, but they hadn’t interacted much.

  “It was wise of you to have me look at young Jane,” the doctor said. “It’s clear to me she’s been mistreated. She’s small for her size because she’s undernourished. I’d say she’s closer to thirteen.”

  Nash felt sick all over again at the thought of Jane’s abuse and hunger. “Can we take care of that? Will good food help her now?”

  “Of course it will help, and she’ll gain strength and put on weight, but I don’t know about growth. Poor nutrition in childhood affects a body for a lifetime. Depending on how long she’s been in this condition, her bones and muscles, possibly even her organs, may not have developed the way they should have.” He sipped his coffee. “Or it could be a combination of poor nutrition and genetics, and she’s small by nature. Only time will tell. I would very much like to watch her progress.”

  “Yes, of course,” Nash replied. “I’d feel better knowing she was being checked on.” He absorbed the information and tapped his fingertips on the arm of the chair.

  “I will recommend she eat a balanced diet. Liver would be exceptionally good for her if she likes it. I’ll give Ruby a few suggestions.”

  Nash looked him over.

  “It’s fortunate Ruby came back when she did,” David said. “I’m sure you’re thankful to have a woman around the house again—especially one like her. She always did light up a room. And she’s sure not hard on the eyes.” He raised a hand. “No disrespect intended.”

  Nash gave his head a half shake. “She’s a big help.”

  “Well.” The doctor sat forward in his chair. “I want to thank her for the fine supper before I head out. Thanks for the hospitality.”

  Nash shook his hand and followed him to the kitchen, which was empty.

  In the semidark dooryard Ruby and the children were playing tag under the moon. Ruby’s deep-throated laugh rang out, countered by high-pitched squeals.

  “She’s something else, isn’t she?” David said, with admiration in his voice. “She’d different from how I remember her. She seems more content.”

  Nash looked at his expression and back out at his sister-in-law. He had to admit she was beautiful and spirited, and he’d never seen anything but kindness in her demeanor. The way this man spoke about her and looked at her didn’t set well with him, but Nash had no right to feel protective and no reason to feel uneasy.

  David took his hat from his buggy and settled it on his head. “Thank you for supper, Miss Ruby!” he called.

  “You’re welcome!” she replied with a wave. “Come back anytime.”

  Once the buggy had pulled away, Ruby led the youngsters to the house. “Time to get ready for bed.”

  Nash took Claire and Joel into Claire’s bedroom to read to them. Ruby took Jane to her room and let her undress and put on her nightgown herself. “I’ll prepare the room beside mine. Whenever you’re ready, you can sleep there if you want.”

  “A room all to myself?”

  Ruby stood at the mirror, worked a brush through the ends of her hair, and then used her wide-tooth comb on the rest. “There are plenty of rooms in this old house. Nothing fancy, but they’re clean and comfortable.”

  Jane studied the room that had been Ruby’s mother’s, and her gaze lifted to Ruby’s in the mirror. “Do you want me to sleep in there now?”

  Ruby set down the comb and braided her hair in a thick plait. “You’re welcome to stay in here with me as long as you want, but when you’re ready for your own room, it will be there. I only want you to feel safe. That’s all, just safe.”

  “I don’t hardly know what to say, Mizz Dearing.”

  “You can call me Ruby. It feels more like family, doesn’t it?”

  Dressed in an oversize nightgown, Jane perched on the side of the bed and glanced toward the door. “What is Mr. Sommerton reading to them?”

  “I’m not sure.” Ruby folded Jane’s clothing thoughtfully. “Did anyone ever read to you?”

  “No.”

  Ruby opened one of her trunks. She moved aside clothing and trinket boxes until she uncovered several books. She found the one she wanted and pulled it out. “This was my favorite when I was a girl.”

  Jane peered to see the cover as Ruby approached. “What is it?”

  Ruby perched on the edge of the bed. “It’s called Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates. It’s all about a boy and his family who live in the Netherlands.”

  “Are the Netherlands far away?”

  “Indeed. The amazing thing is an American woman wrote this story without ever being there. I read about her. She did a lot of studying, and she had Dutch neighbors who helped her with the background and customs.”

  “What’s customs?”

  “Well, every country has its own way to celebrate holidays. We call them traditions or customs. Like for Christmas here we cut trees, bring them indoors and decorate them with popcorn and paper rings. We hang up stockings for Santa Claus to fill with nuts and fruit. People in other lands have their own traditions.”

  “Did you ever have a tree like that?”

  “Every year when I was a girl. My sister and I used to go with my daddy to choose the tree, and we’d watch while he chopped it down. Then we’d drag it home on a sled.”

  “And you hung stockings? I know there isn’t really a Santa Claus.”

  “Yes, we did.” Ruby paused for a moment. “Did you ever hang a stocking or have a Christmas tree?”

  “Nah. But I seen a tree before. There was one in the window of the bakery across from the home where I stayed.” Jane focused her attention back on the book. “What’s the story about?”

  “Well, a young boy—I think he’s fourteen or fifteen—enters an ice-skating race along the canal with his sister in hopes of winning a wonderful pair of silver skates.”

  “Does he win them?”

  Ruby opened to the first page. “Why don’t we read it, and you’ll learn what happens?”

  “All of it?”

  “Not tonight. We’ll read a little at a time. Would you like that?”

  Jane raised uncertain eyes to examine Ruby’s face. “What if I have to leave before we finish?”

  Her doubt and fear touched Ruby. The girl kept up a good front, but she was scared and alone. A child adrift in a world that didn’t offer many chances. Ruby held back tears to say, “Let’s not think about that, all right? If it should happen, you could take the book with you.”

 

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