Shelter from the Storms Chapter Twenty Seven
Excerpt from Ch 26
Nick didn't answer at first. Kicking some snow up into the air with the tip of his boot, he growled out of frustration, "Yes to both questions, told Jarrod as much too. For the first time in my life, I'm not just jumping in without thinking everything through."
Nick stood in front of Hayden's General Mercantile; he was waiting for the stagecoach. He'd sent a rather lengthy, expensive, telegram to his mother. He might not have done so, but he hoped that by including some of the necessary basics, she'd have time to work though some of the emotions she was bound to feel. As he waited his mind turned to Elizabeth and Tabitha, who was at the boarding house. The young child had surprised them both by asking why Jarrod was mad at Nick, Elizabeth and herself. When they'd tried to assure the child that Jarrod was not upset at Tabitha, the young girl had signed 'If not mad at us, why he not smile when he see us?' into the palm of her stepmother's hand-as Elizabeth's vision was still blurry. Elizabeth had sat down on the couch and started, slowly to explain the delicate situation to Tabitha. He'd walked to the corner of the room, giving the mother and stepdaughter a chance to 'talk' alone.
When a shocked look leapt onto the young girl's face as she'd sat straight up and signed what Nick assumed to the question "What?" he figured Elizabeth had just told the young girl why her uncle went to prison in the first place. Within a few minutes, the young girl was jumping to her feet and making the same sign only with more force. While he assumed she'd learned about Beth's murder, Nick had had no time to ask if he was correct before Tabitha was racing over to him and signing to him. He'd asked Elizabeth what the child was saying.
Elizabeth had let out a slow breath and told him, "She's saying she's sorry for what her uncle did, and…" she shook her head, blushing a little-out of embarrassment, "she's begging you to help your brother see I'm not like that brother, along with the rest of your family. That is, if they have a problem with this as well. Truth is, she likes you…no, she didn't include that last line. I am doing that." At the last sentence, Elizabeth couldn't help but chuckle just a little.
Nick had asked Elizabeth to tell the child Heath was backing them up. When it came to everyone else, he could promise nothing but that he'd do his best… along with the fact they had his friendship no matter what took place. He'd then walked out of the boarding house and made his way to the general store. Now, seeing the stagecoach entering town, Nick stepped off the boardwalk and onto the top step, hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.
For Victoria's part, she could see Nick when he stepped off the boardwalk. The words on her son's lengthy telegram rang in her ears once more.
"Saved by Elizabeth Hyatt Kegan, a twenty-one year old widow. STOP. Her stepdaughter is deaf STOP Going to help Elizabeth to take Tabitha to Deaf school STOP Need a chaperone STOP Audra or you available? STOP I like her STOP I am going to court her STOP You need to know one thing STOP While she does not claim him, Cass is her brother. STOP She IS a GOOD woman. STOP See you soon, Nick STOP
The thoughts in her mind and in her heart started raging against each other once more. However, before she could dwell on the matter any more, the stagecoach was stopping in front of the store, the driver was handing the luggage down to a young lad who had exited the store the moment the coach started coming to a stop, and Nick was opening the door to the stagecoach. He stepped aside while the other passengers, a man, his wife and daughter all climbed out. Nick then helped his mother out of the coach.
"I rented a room for you for the night." Nick picked up her two bags before turning to lead her to the boarding house. "Elizabeth and Tabitha are waiting there for us. Last time I saw Jarrod, he and Heath were talking to the sheriff."
Victoria frowned. "Sheriff? Just what has happened?"
"Oh, they're simply visiting now. As for what brought this all about…" Nick shook his head and started from the beginning. By the time he was finished, he and his mother were standing in front of the boarding house. With two stories, a porch that was wrapped around every side of the building and the balcony that was attached to the upper half of the business, and various windows that would allow plenty of light in, the red building was rather impressive.
Victoria, who was grateful Elizabeth had helped spare Nick's life, wanted to make sure her hot-tempered son knew it. "I'll have to give her my heartfelt thanks for taking you in. The idea of you freezing to death sends a chill down my spine."
"Mine too," Nick smiled and started up the stairs only to be stopped by his mother when she reached up and touched his arm. His smile disappeared when he saw the serious look in her eyes. He could pretty well guess what she wanted to talk about. "Would you allow me to introduce you to Elizabeth and Tabitha before we do any serious talking?" He hoped that meeting Elizabeth first would help relieve some of the concerns his mother had. However, Victoria-too worried about her sons-would not have it.
"I'm more than willing to go to Fremont with you and Elizabeth in order to get Tabitha enrolled in the school for the deaf. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be here." Victoria clasped her hands, halfway wishing she had something to polish. "However, your telegram stated you are thinking to court the young woman. You can't be serious about that one. You need to stop and think about what could happen as a result."
Nick counted silently to ten-knowing his mother had more than just cause to make such a statement. "As I told Heath, I have thought about it-all of it. I am not jumping into this with my eyes closed, the way I have done in the past. Please, before you decide whether or not to give me your support, at least meet her and give her a chance." He turned away from his mother and finished walking up the stairs.
For a moment, Victoria didn't move. Nick couldn't be serious. He couldn't have thought everything through, and still want to court Cass Hyatt's sister. No, this courtship idea had to be cut off before it got any farther along. Though, for the moment, she supposed she was going to have to put that issue aside while she met the young girl who needed to be taken to Fremont.