When they arrived back in Decatur late that afternoon, their first stop was a dress shop for some clothes for the girls. Mary and Hannah were wearing the only dresses they had.
"While the girls and I do some shopping, will you please make sure there is a tub and plenty of hot water back at our room." Kate leaned over and kissed Ben's cheek.
"I will, but then I must track down a lawyer and take care of the document for Simmons. Otherwise we won't be leaving for home tomorrow." Ben got down and helped Kate and the girls out of the buggy.
"See you soon. And Ben, I love you."
Ben smiled, though, a bit wearily. "I'll be back as soon as possible."
With preparations made for bathing the girls, Ben asked the hotel clerk for a recommendation for legal services. Fortunately, there was a law office on the same block as the hotel; so Ben hurried hoping to catch someone before closing time.
The sign on the door read "Fredrick Schurger, Attorney at Law." A well-dressed gentleman, who looked to be in his forties, was sitting at the desk when Ben walked in.
The lawyer rose and removed his glasses before offering Ben his hand. "Good day. I'm Fred Schurger. How can I help you."
Relieved to receive a cordial greeting at this time of day, Ben grasped his hand firmly. "Good afternoon, sir. My name is Ben Cartwright and I am in need of your services." He went on to explain the circumstances that had brought Kate and he to Decatur. "And we were hoping to leave town tomorrow morning since we are traveling with small children. This all came up rather unexpectedly."
"I see. Well, Mr. Cartwright, I am afraid that there is information at the courthouse I will need to prepare such a document, details about the location of the farm, and that will not be possible until tomorrow. I have a form letter that I keep around for situations such as this. If you would sign and date it, I will attach it to a document stating you are relinquishing any rights to the Calhoun farm or proceeds from the sale of it. I will file a copy with the land office, send one to Pete Simmons, and one to you. Does that sound satisfactory?"
"Yes, it sounds like exactly like what we need."
"Then if you will sign and date this and write your address on this other page, I will take care of it as soon as possible."
Ben filled in the required information and handed the papers back to Schurger. "How much do I owe you?"
"Oh, I think ten dollars should cover it."
"Thanks for your help." Ben gave the money to Schurger and shook his hand. "Those poor little tikes only had the clothes on their backs. I left my wife with the girls at a shop down the street. How many dresses do you suppose my wife has managed to buy in an hour?"
The lawyer chuckled. "My guess is you will now have two of the best dressed little girls in town! Good luck to you!"
Ben gave him a worried smile. "Thanks, I'm probably going to need it!"
Opening the door to the dress shop, Ben saw a stack of boxes on the counter. He spied Kate and pointed at the boxes. "Are all those yours? I didn't stop at the bank before coming here."
Kate placed a hand on her hip. "Oh Ben, it's really not that much. The girls need to look respectable for the trip home."
"All right then, where is the clerk so I can take care of the damages."
Kate gave his arm a gentle swat.
"That will be thirty-six fifty." The shop clerk looked very pleased to be ending her day with a good sale.
Kate fluttered her eyelashes at Ben. "See that wasn't so bad, was it?"
Ben laid the money on the counter and whispered to her. "Ah, yes, but I have a feeling that this is only the beginning!"
He gathered all the boxes and headed to the buggy, then he helped Kate and the girls get seated. They finally got back to the hotel, bathed the girls and dressed them in fresh nightgowns. Ben had ordered some dinner and had it sent to their room. Mary and Hannah were almost too tired to eat, but they did manage to eat a few bites. Ben carried each of the girls to the cot he had placed right beside the bed. They instinctively snuggled close together as Kate covered them and kissed them goodnight. With his hand on Kate's back, Ben leaned in and gently caressed the girls' heads.
"Now a kiss for my very tired, big girl." He pulled Kate close and kissed her tenderly.
It was true. Kate was tired. Not just from taking care of the girls, but also from the emotional stress of the day.
Ben smoothed back her hair. "Why don't you change and then I'll rub your back for a change."
"That sounds nice. I won't be long."
Kate moved behind the dressing screen to change as Ben cleared the plates from dinner and set the tray out in the hall. Soon Kate reappeared in her nightgown.
Ben turned a straight-backed chair sideways. "Here come and have a seat."
Kate sat down and pulled her hair to the side off her shoulders. Ben gently and carefully massaged her neck and shoulders. He could feel her muscles relax under his large hands.
"Oh that feels wonderful, thank you, Ben."
After he had worked for a few minutes, he placed a kiss on the back of her neck. "Where's your brush?"
"It's behind the screen."
Ben returned with the brush in hand, and then began methodically brushing her long, auburn hair. Kate could feel herself fading as he rhythmically stroked her hair.
"I think my sleepy girl needs to get to bed." He helped Kate into the already turned down bed.
Like Mary and Hannah she snuggled into her place closest to the cot, and patted the other side of the bed. "Don't be long."
Ben sat down on the chair and slipped off his boots. He sat there thinking. What he wanted to do and he was going to do were two entirely different things; so he went behind the screen and changed into his nightshirt. When he returned, Kate's breathing told him she was already asleep as he slid into bed. He carefully moved his arm under her shoulders and rolled her toward him into her customary sleeping position with her head on his shoulder. Kate roused just enough to drape her arm over Ben's chest. Now he felt like he could go to sleep.
About an hour later, Ben and Kate were jolted upright by Mary's screams. Hannah began to cry as well, having her sleep disrupted.
"Sh… sh…. Mary. It's alright, Hannah." Kate lifted Mary into bed with her.
Kate rubbed Hannah's back while comforting Mary. Ben grunted and laid back down facing away from Kate and the girls. Kate rolled her back to Ben's in a futile attempt to shield him from the disturbance. Mary's cries slowed to tiny sobs.
"Shhh Mary, I'm here and Uncle Ben is here, too. Can you tell me what's wrong?" Kate whispered soothingly to the whimpering girl.
"The fire...I saw Mama go to Papa." Mary covered her eyes with her trembling hands.
"Oh honey, I'm so sorry. You just snuggle up to me and I will rub your back."
Ben could hear the fear in Mary's small voice. With a sigh, he rolled over and swung his arm over Kate and Mary. He could not see the faint smile on Kate's lips, but he could feel her relax into him. Mary did calm down with the added sense of security of knowing Ben was so close and she eventually fell back to sleep. However, the frightened little girl called out several times during the night and thrashed about a lot, making sleep difficult for all of them.