Dillon, p.18
Dillon, page 18
“You don’t even know where you might be going.” For all she knew, he was taking her to a tent in the mountains.
Bethany answered him. “At the orphanage, they told me you were with a nice couple at a ranch.”
“And you believe I am still there.” He couldn’t help but challenge her assumptions. “You want me to take you home? Are you prepared to live in very humble circumstances?”
* * *
Bethany would not let Mike see how desperate she was. Any more than she would let his silvery-blue eyes unnerve her. She remembered how those eyes had affected her when she last saw him. Angel eyes, she’d silently called them, feeling like he could see clear through her and into the depths of her heart which, at that time, shook with fear. Her mother had been dead for several months. Her father remarrying another woman. It was all so unsettling for a seven-year-old. But Mama had assured her that Papa would take care of her.
She no longer believed in angel eyes. She no longer depended on anyone to take care of her.
“We can’t stay here.” At Father’s death, the true state of his affairs was revealed. He had left nothing but debts. The man who owned the debts had threatened to bodily remove them from the house that was now his. That wasn’t the worst part of it. The man kept cornering Bethany and letting her know she and her stepmother could stay if Bethany was ready to extend a few favors in his direction.
She stilled a shudder and wiped her hands down her sides at how persistent he’d become.
“We’re ready to go,” she repeated, heading for the luggage where she scooped up a valise in each hand.
“We won’t be leaving now,” Mike said, his expression plainly saying she was foolish to even suggest it.
“Why not? There’s no reason for staying.” The sooner they left, the better.
“The horses are tired. It’s almost dark. Are you planning to sleep outside, under the stars, with no protection from the elements?”
Bethany would have gladly done so. She would sleep on the hard ground with no covering if it got her away from that oily man. But Ilsa was far too frail. “Of course not. I wasn’t thinking.”
Ilsa pushed to her feet. “I’m sure you’re hungry. Come to the kitchen and I’ll make you a meal.”
Mike looked from Ilsa to Bethany and back. “I have to tend the horses.” He headed for the door.
Bethany hurried after him, not speaking until they were outside. “Please come back for supper.” And stay until that man—she couldn’t think his name, far less speak it, without spitting—would have given up hope for any favors from her this day and gone home. She’d get Ilsa to persuade Mike to spend the night with them.
Mike kept his back to her as he unwound the reins.
She wondered if he would refuse. “Ilsa would feel much saf—” No, she wouldn’t use that word. “Better, if you were here. You could stay the night. After all,” she rushed on, “you have to sleep somewhere.”
He turned slowly and impaled her with his bright eyes. For the space of several intense seconds, he didn’t speak and she didn’t blink, determined to reveal nothing but courage and strength. Then he gave a slight nod. “It’s true. I have to eat and sleep somewhere.” He climbed to the wagon seat. “I’ll be back.”
Bethany waited until he drove away before she let the air rush from her lungs. She waited until her nerves had settled before she returned to the house. Ilsa was in the kitchen, looking into the bare cupboards.
“Ilsa, you sit down. I’ll fix us something to eat. Mike said he’d come back.” That left her needing to prepare food for three. Quite a challenge when they were down to their last few mouthfuls.
Ilsa sank to the nearest chair. “I hate to beg, but Marnie did offer to help us. Go ask her for something we can serve.” Every word carried weariness and pain.
Bethany hurried from the house. She stopped when she knew she was out of sight and squeezed her hands into fists. The sky overhead was clear and crystal blue. Not unlike Mike’s eyes. She uncurled her fists, and a slow smile claimed her lips. God was in His heaven and all was right with the world. If not now, then soon. God, it’s hard to trust You when things have gone so awfully wrong. But trust that doesn’t endure trials is not trust at all. Thank You that Mike came.
She hurried across the backyard to Marnie’s house. “Ilsa sent me,” she said when the woman opened to her knock. “Her brother is here, and we don’t have enough to provide him a meal.” Her cheeks burned at having to beg.
“Come in. I was thinking of you, so I made a pot of stew ’specially for you and Ilsa. How is she?”
“She’s better than she was.” A fever coupled with shock and discouragement had laid her low for a few weeks, but she was determined to get on with life. Whatever that might look like now.
Marnie brought a pot from the stove. Bethany thanked the woman, took the potholders and carried the food home. “She’d already made supper for us. She’s a good friend. I’m sorry you’re going to have to say goodbye to her.” Marnie had been Ilsa’s dear friend for as long as Bethany could remember. She put the pot on the stove and knelt beside Ilsa. “You’ve lost so much. Father, your home, your friends…”
“You’ve lost the same.”
“But I’m gaining my freedom and a new life.” Ilsa knew but a fraction of how Mr. Doyle had harassed and threatened her.
Ilsa glanced past Bethany. “I believe we have a caller.”
Bethany hurried to her feet and turned to look out the window. Mr. Doyle. What was he doing here? She couldn’t tell if he saw through the glass or not but the way he leered made her step back out of sight.
Ilsa groaned. “Surely he’ll leave us alone now that Mike is here. If he comes to the door, tell him we’ll be gone first thing in the morning.”
Mr. Doyle took a step forward then stopped and looked to the right. His expression grew passive and friendly, and he lifted his hand in greeting. He spoke to someone.
Mike came into view and stopped at the door to knock.
A scowl drew Mr. Doyle’s mouth down.
Bethany opened the door.
“Seems I’ve interrupted a caller,” Mike said.
“It’s of no importance.” She glanced past Mike to Mr. Doyle.
The man gave her a look that made her skin crawl then walked away.
She hoped to never see him again. But as she stepped aside to allow Mike in and saw the hard set of his jaw and the ice in his eyes, she wondered if what lay ahead was any better than what she was leaving behind.
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