Chapter Six

Previously:

His eyes widened as he read William, be patient and trust me. I removed the main obstacle didn't I? I can get the rest of the obstacles moved. Do not do anything for now. Meet me at the Empire once the round up is over. I should have things in place by then. The message might not have sent thunderbolts through Carson only the note was signed by the very 'friend' who had shot him, causing him to fall over the edge of the cliff and into the river below. 'Lousy aim and careless' he shook his head. When Carson heard footsteps outside the bunk house, he quickly folded the paper and slid it into one of his pant pockets and exited the building. He would have to put this paper in his journal.

Carson had intended to get a horse and ride into town only to have Ava bump into him. The poor child had looked so frightened-as if she was going to be in trouble. However, after writing in the dirt in order to communicate with her, he'd been able to get her to accept she'd only startled him. He was not mad at her. Now, more in an effort to help the child feel better, Carson and Ava sat on the front porch practicing the alphabet in sign language. Though, she hadn't been too happy when he'd refused to remove the gloves. 'Would be tons easier, I admit' Carson thought to himself; however, he just couldn't risk it. As it was he was having a hard time concentrating as he really wanted to get into Stockton. He just didn't know how to leave without upsetting Ava. He was 'saved by the bell', as it were, when Theresa stepped out onto the porch and instructed her daughter that it was time for Ava to go in and finish her schoolwork. It was all he could to keep from smiling from ear to ear as he saw the sulky look that came onto the child's face as she reluctantly went inside.

Theresa watched as her daughter closed the door behind her, and then turned her attention to Carson. "I saw what happened earlier. I mean, what Ava did and how you handled it. I want to thank you for being so patient with her. She's much too skittish at times. I fear it's because others have not been so kind."

Carson nodded as he pulled out his pad and pencil. It wasn't long before he was handing the paper to Theresa.

"Unfortunately, too many people are that way. Glad the two of you have a place here until you get a place of your own," she read the words out loud. She handed the paper back to Carson, giving him a grateful smile. "You know the best way to practice the alphabet is to use it even when you're not having a lesson as it were."

Carson would have finger spelled out an answer only he was only up to the letter H. That being the case, he simply nodded, not feeling like writing and knowing he couldn't risk answering verbally.

Again, Theresa saw the look of a man who desperately wanted something, but did not have it. It hurt her heart. Impulsively, she reached out and touched his upper arm. "If I may be so bold as to say, you should think about working for the Barkleys year round. It will be good for you to."

'I have no intention of leaving again if I can help it' Carson thought as he looked from Theresa's eyes to her hand and then back to her face. The simple action had Theresa blushing and quickly removing her hand only to find Carson holding it. For a split second it was as if some force was keeping the two of them from moving. Though, the feeling evaporated as he quickly let her hand go and hurried towards the barn. As much as he preferred Theresa's company, he had already fought the impulse to hurry through the lessons the kind-hearted child had wanted to give him-in order to get into Stockton. If he didn't get away from Theresa, what with the feeling he got when she touched him, he'd never make it to town.

Theresa watched as Carson hurried passed her and headed for the barn. Naturally, she thought she had crossed lines in touching his arm and saying what she had. She couldn't help but feel badly for him; still, she couldn't say she was sorry for anything she said. She had meant every word. Theresa also wanted to see him smile; she had a feeling she'd like that.

"He's a good one. I can tell." Silas sent Theresa three feet into the air when he walked up behind her and spoke. He quickly apologized. "Didn't mean to make you jump, ma'am. I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize, and I think so too. Of course, if my mama was alive and standing here, she'd tell me you can't tell if a man is good or bad when you've only just met him." Theresa spoke to Silas but her eyes were on Carson as he sped away from the yard on his horse.

"Most of the time, I would agree with your mama." Silas who, was still a bit rattled by the smile he'd seen in the kitchen, added, "But he's an exception to the rule…. Like the Barkleys and a few other people I have met. Nothing bad about that one, I can tell."

"Just troubled," Theresa turned to give her good friend a knowing smile, as she'd heard what the gentleman had left unsaid.

"One that has a load on his shoulders for sure," Silas agreed before turning around and walking around the corner of the house. He had vegetables waiting for him to pick.

Theresa continued standing on the porch until Carson was completely out of site. Then, slowly, she turned around and went back inside to finish what she'd been doing before she'd stepped outside to get her daughter. The whole time she was praying Carson Hudson would someday resolve whatever his issues were.