I went to bed after that, and I fell quickly into an exhausted sleep. The sort where you sleep all the way thru the night, without
waking even once.
I woke up the next morning, hearing bumping and shuffling down the hallway outside my door. I listened for a couple of more minutes,
and heard voices, which were quickly hushed.
I got up and went to my door, opening it a crack to look out. Kenny was standing there, not too far from my door, and he was
talking to someone. I opened the crack a bit wider to look down the hallway. It was Guthrie, standing there. He was
still in his sleeping pants and t shirt, and barefoot, so I knew he'd only just woken up. Kenny, on the other hand, was fully
dressed, down to the boots on his feet, and the ball cap on his head.
"Come on," Guthrie was saying.
"I gotta go," Kenny said.
"After breakfast," Guthrie said. "The family thinks you're stayin' for breakfast."
"Well, now they don't have to worry about it," Kenny said.
"You've got to talk to Adam and Brian," Guthrie pointed out.
"You tell 'em thanks for last night and all for me," Kenny said.
"No," Guthrie said, and raised his voice a bit.
"Man, Guthrie, you need to lighten up."
Guthrie came over closer to where Kenny was, nearly nose to nose. "I tried to help you last night," he pointed out, sounding
angry.
"I didn't ask you to," Kenny said. "And how did you help me? You say you told Brian pretty much everything, and that Adam called
my folks. So now, I gotta go home, and listen to my mom carry on about why I can't behave like a southern gentleman."
With a suddenness that startled me, Guthrie gave Kenny a shove. "I was tryin' to keep you from killing yourself. Or somebody
else on the road."
"I can hold my liquor, Guth. Nobody was in any danger."
"Idiot," Guthrie said, very, very quietly, but with a straight stare at Kenny.
After a moment's silence, Kenny sighed. "You're probably right."
Guthrie gave him another shove, and then turned to stalk back down the hallway to his bedroom.
Kenny stood there, watching, and when Guthrie's door had closed, he turned to head towards the stairs.
I'd opened my door wider as Guthrie walked away, so Kenny saw me standing there. He didn't seem startled, or
even surprised.
He paused, looking at me.
"Guthrie's right," I said. "You are an idiot."
"Oh, I know what you think of me, Harlie," he said, sounding resigned.
"And I know that you don't care," I accused. "And that's okay. But you should care what Guthrie thinks."
"I care," he said quietly.
"If you did, then you'd stay around until breakfast, and take everything that's coming to you. You owe Guthrie that much. He
tried to help you!" I said.
"Why don't you stay out of stuff, that you don't understand anything about, Harlie." He turned and walked towards the stairs.
He was midway down, when I came out of my bedroom, following.
"Maybe I should go outside with you," I said, in heavy whispered sarcasm. "Warrior might decide to try and take another bite out of you."
"One of these days that dog of yours is gonna go after the wrong person, Harlie, I'm just sayin'," Kenny said, and kept
walking.
Kenny was at the front door by now, opening it, and I saw a truck parked next to the house in the early morning light. He was out the
door, and I went down the rest of the stairs, going to the front window to look out.
I lifted the edge of the curtain.
"What's happening?" a voice behind me spoke.
I jumped a little, and then said, with a nod outside, "Kenny's leaving."
Adam lifted the curtain a bit higher so he could see out as well. "I see that." He sounded sort of sad.
We watched as the truck backed up, nearly over Hannah's flowers in front, and then peeled out a little, throwing rocks, and
then spun down the driveway.
"Well," Adam said, letting the curtain drop. "That's that."
He ran a hand over my back. "What do you say we go get breakfast started, huh?"
I nodded in reply, and tagged after him as he went to the kitchen, turning on the lights, and starting the coffee pot.
I went to the cabinet and began taking down plates and cups, and then began to set the table.
"Are you mad?" I asked him. "Because he left like that?"
"No, sugar, I'm not mad," he said, and went to pull out the egg skillet. "Get the eggs out for me, will you?"
I set the stack of plates on the table, and went to retrieve the two cartons of eggs. I put them down on the counter, and
then watched for a moment, as he began to heat up the skillet.
"Will you make omelets?" I asked him. And then, when he looked at me, I said, "Please?"
"Get out the cheese," he said. "And then chop up some ham to put in them."
"Okay," I said, and went to do those things.
We were working, alongside of each other, in companionable silence, preparing things to go into the omelets, and both
of us drinking coffee.
"Guthrie's upset," I said, after a bit.
When Adam was silent, I went on. "He tried to get Kenny to stay this morning. He told him that he needed to
talk to you and Brian. Kenny wouldn't listen, though."
"I don't think Kenny's really in a mind-set to listen to anybody right now," Adam said.
"Guthrie told him he's an idiot," I said.
"Well," Adam said. And though that's all he said, I could tell that he agreed with Guthrie.
"He was just trying to help Kenny," I said, casually, handing Adam the extra cheese grated in a bowl. "By bringing him here,
I mean."
Adam turned to give me a look. "Are you trying to make a certain point? Or just defending your brother?"
I shrugged lightly, feeling my face get a little warm. "Just defending, I guess."
Adam went back to his omelet-preparing, and I finished setting the table, and then hoisted myself up onto the counter beside
the stove, to watch him cook.
We could hear the sound of other McFaddens approaching, both from the back stairway, and from the living room. The sound
of boot steps, and the rise and flow of voices.
"Peace and quiet is over," I said, and he nodded.
"Yep," he said, in agreement.
"It was nice, just you and me for awhile," I said.
Adam smiled at me, and then winked. "I agree."
7
Guthrie was stiff and silent at breakfast. His very body language suggested that he didn't want to talk, or interact or
be messed with at all.
As the day's work plans were discussed, everybody ate their omelets and toast with homemade pear jelly. After
breakfast, Clare said she needed to go into town to mail some things for the fall class she was going to take. She offered to
get the groceries that we needed while she was in town.
Brian began to fuss. He told her to wait until later, and he would go with her.
"The post office is closing early today," Clare told him. "Maisie has a wedding to go to, so she's closing at noon."
"Well, you don't have to mail it today, do you?" Brian pointed out.
"I don't have to. But I want to," Clare said, with spirit, and I smiled inwardly.
"I'll go with her," Evan spoke up. "I can get the stuff at the farm supply while we're in town."
"There you go," Clare pointed out. "I'll have my very own bodyguard."
"Alright," Brian said, relenting.
"I can go with you and help," I told Clare, and she smiled at me. "It's fine with me," she said, "If it's okay with the boss man here."
"Fine," Brian said.
So I ran upstairs to pull on my boots. I checked my dresser drawer to see how much money I had tucked away. My savings
had dwindled to almost nothing, and there was only about fifteen dollars.
Still, I thought that I might be able to get a fairly nice birthday gift for Adam with the money. I really had no idea what
to buy, though. Adam's hard to buy a gift for. He doesn't really have any hobbies, because he's always so busy around the
ranch, or with the family. He always says that there's nothing that he needs.
I knew there wasn't much use in it, but I caught up with him out by the barn before we left for town.
"What would you like for your birthday?" I asked him, trying the direct approach.
Typically, his response was a slow smile, and the words, "I don't need anything, sugar."
"Well, what's something that you want?" I asked.
"Oh, I don't know," he said, looking thoughtful. "How about some molasses cookies?"
"I'll make you cookies, for sure," I told him. "But I want to get you a present, too."
"Save your money," he said, tapping me on the nose with his finger.
"Grrr," I said, in annoyance.
"I have an idea," he said, and I looked at him, actually falling for it.
"What?"
"I'll take a hug every night for a week as my present. And twice a day on the days that have an A in them."
I rolled my eyes at him, and sighed, intent on finding Clare and getting ready to go. "Okay," I said.
"Hey, hey," he said, and I turned back.
"What?"
"First one due right now," he said, and I rolled my eyes again, and went over, reaching up to give him a hug.
"Thank you," he said, releasing me, and smiling.
"You're welcome," I said, and then as I walked away, I called back over my shoulder, "I'm seriously considering to do
that embarrassing picture in the newspaper thing of you-so just beware."
"Uh huh," he said, and turned to walk into the barn, calling back over his own shoulder to me, "If so, I'd have to seriously
consider that backside tanning I promised you."
I was still smiling at our exchange as I met up with Clare, beside Evan's truck.
We'd been waiting for several minutes, Clare and I, talking about Adam's birthday, and whether she had any ideas, when Evan
and Daniel finally appeared.
"Ready, girls?" Daniel asked, in a teasing tone.
"You're coming, too?" I asked, glad about it.
"If it's alright with you," he said dryly.
"I suppose," I said, teasing.
So we crowded into Evan's truck, with him driving, Clare in the middle, and Daniel next to the other window, with me perched
precariously halfway on his lap.
I was complaining about it, good-naturedly, when Daniel said, "Well, I'd let Clare sit on my lap, but I don't think my brother would
like that much," and everybody laughed.
Once in Murphys, we stopped at the hardware store first, then the lumberyard. Clare and I stayed in the truck, while Evan and
Daniel went inside. We were talking, and I had my feet propped up on the dashboard. Clare was offering me a stick of gum,
when I saw Seth rounding the corner of the lumber yard. I noticed that he was wearing the shirt that all the employees there wear,
and I realized that he must be working today.
Keeping in mind my promise to Adam, I had no intention of talking to him, but I thought if he looked my way, I might
wave, at least. He did look my way, but before I could lift my hand in a casual wave, he stopped walking totally, and
glared at me.
There was no mistaking the fact that it was me he was aiming that glare at. His face looked like granite.
"Wow," I said, without thinking about it.
Clare turned to me, and then followed my gaze to where Seth stood.
"Wait a minute," she said, bristling. "Is he looking at YOU like that?"
I turned away and faced frontwards again. "Never mind," I said.
"Well, I do mind," she said, with all the indignation of an older sister for a younger one. "What's his problem?"
"I don't know."
"Maybe I'll go over and have a little chat with him," she said, and I panicked, pulling on her arm.
"Clare, don't," I pleaded. "Just let it go."
"Well, he's going now, anyway," she said, and I turned in time to see Seth disappearing around the back of the lumberyard
building again.
"Have you been having problems with him again?" she asked.
"No. The opposite," I said, and, at her questioning look, I said, "He was actually nice the last time I saw him. He apologized for
being so rotten all those times. He said he was trying to be a better person."
At her quick look of concern, I said, "And before you start worrying, I already told Adam about it."
"Okay," she said.
Evan and Daniel were coming back out of the lumberyard, each of them carrying a sack. Presumably, of nails and other
such interesting things.
"Just because I told Adam, that doesn't mean I want Evan and Daniel to know about it," I said, giving her a pleading look. "Okay?"
"Well," she hesitated. "Alright. Unless we see him again today before we leave town. If we do, and he's still aiming that venom your
way, then I'm going to tell them."
"There's no point to that," I argued. "You don't know how they are-"
"Yes, I do," she argued right back, as the boys opened their respective doors, after putting the sacks into the bed of the
truck.
"Where are we off to now, girls?" Daniel asked, jokingly, as they both slammed their doors. I was squeezed in between Clare and
Daniel now, so it was a tight fit.
"Post office," Clare spoke up.
"Then let's hit Marie's for some pie," Evan suggested.
"I'm all for pie," Clare said.
So we went to the post office, and Evan parked. While Clare went inside to mail her paperwork for her class, Evan said he
was going to walk over to the feed store to talk to Nancy.
"Tell her to come over on her break to have some pie with us," Daniel called after Evan.
Daniel and I sat there for a few minutes, and I saw Seth again. He was crossing the street directly in front of where we
were parked, and he paused at the corner, leaning against a stop sign. He lit a cigarette, and just stared towards us.
I shivered a little. I didn't want to say anything, because I didn't want Daniel to notice. He obviously hadn't seen Seth
standing there, and I didn't want to draw his attention to him.
It was creepy, though, the way that he just stood there, staring towards us.
Seth straightened up from the stop sign, and walked a few paces down the sidewalk, closer to the door of the post office.
Then he leaned again, this time against a post.
Clare opened the door of the post office, and came out, and stopped immediately. She walked towards Seth, and then stopped,
saying something to him. I'm fairly certain it was along the lines of, "Is there something I can help you with?" in a sarcastic tone.
Daniel saw immediately, as he'd heard the door of the post office flap shut the same as I had.
"What the hell-" he muttered, under his breath, and got out of the truck.
"Daniel, don't," I protested, clutching at his arm.
Just as Daniel's feet hit the street, Seth tossed the cigarette to the ground, and then flicked another glance my way, and
walked back across the street.
I scooted over to the edge of the seat, my feet hanging down, as Daniel reached Clare.
There was a muffled conversation, and as Clare started back towards the truck, Daniel stood where he was,
watching Seth walking from a distance.
"Keep moving!" he hollered towards Seth.
"Moving right past you, McFadden!" Seth yelled back, and I saw Maisie looking out the door of the post office, no doubt wondering what
the yelling was about.
Daniel came over and got into the driver's seat, slamming the door, and then looking toward me.
"What's going on?" he demanded curtly.
Before I could answer Clare gave me a push to urge me into the middle of the seat, and climbed into the
other side. "She doesn't know what's going on," she spoke up for me.
I was grateful for her help, but Daniel started the truck engine, and went on, "What is it with you and that kid? He keeps turning
up, like a bad penny or somethin'."
Well, I didn't think that was very fair of Daniel. The way he said it made it sound as though I had something to do with Seth always being
around. I gave Daniel a look to let him know what I thought of his question, and then clamped my lips shut tight.
"What about Evan?" Clare was asking, as Daniel pulled out into the street.
"He can meet us at Marie's," Daniel said, and drove down the street, and turned the corner, parking in front of the café.
Clare climbed out, and I felt, rather than saw, Daniel looking at me, before he too, got out.
"Come on," he said, holding the door open for me.
"I don't want any pie," I said, shortly.
"Come on, toots," Clare said, leaning in her open window. "Let's go have a big cup of Marie's strong coffee."
"Uh uh," I said.
"You could have waited for me," Evan's voice came from behind Daniel, as he and Nancy walked up, hand in hand. "I wasn't that long."
"Hi, Clare," Nancy said. "Hey, wild child," she said to me cheerfully.
Clare said hello, and I managed a 'hi'.
It didn't take a brain surgeon to decipher that there was tension brewing in the cab of the truck.
"What's up?" Evan asked, sensing that tension.
"That Foreman kid," Daniel said, his tone disgusted. "Tryin' to cause trouble."
"What happened?" Evan asked, immediately on edge. Then, without waiting for a reply from Daniel, he looked to me. "Is he startin' up with you again?"
"Let's go in and have our pie," Clare suggested, in an attempt to mediate. "We can talk about it in there."
"Okay," Daniel agreed, and as Clare, Nancy and Evan stepped up onto the sidewalk in front of the café, and then paused to
wait, Daniel, who was still holding the door, said, "Come on. Let's go in," to me.
"I said that I don't want any pie," I said.
"Well, you're not stayin' out here in the truck," Daniel said, sounding irritated.
"Oh, that's right," I said, with sarcasm. "Seth might come and kidnap me. Just steal me right away, in broad daylight."
"You're gettin' real close to the brat mark," Daniel said.
"Oh, well," I said, carelessly, and pointedly looked down at my fingernails, picking at a cuticle.
Daniel slammed the truck door then, and went on into the café, following the others who had already gone inside.
I could see where they chose to sit. It was a table near the window. I saw Marie come over to greet them, and then the four of
them began to converse as Marie bustled away.
I saw all of them casting glances out towards the truck every couple of moments, and I felt like crying suddenly.
How did a simple trip to town turn into such a mess? I thought for a few minutes, about what might have made Seth change
from being so sweet and reasonable, to his more typical scary self. Then it dawned on me that it might be
because the sheriff had come to question him again, asking him about he and his friend being hired to look for fences in the area.
I'd only told Adam that yesterday. Could the sheriff have moved that quickly, to go and question Seth?
I felt my heart sort of sink. That would explain his anger, alright. But had he really thought that I wouldn't tell somebody
what he'd said?
I saw the door to the café opening, and Daniel came back out, coming up to the driver's side open window, and resting his
hands there.
"Squirt," he said, quietly.
I kept my head down, looking at my nails.
"Hey," he said. "Why are you behaving this way?"
"I don't think you should accuse me of something, when you don't know the whole story," I said, still avoiding his eye.
"I didn't accuse you of anything," Daniel denied.
"Well, you were thinking it," I said. "That's why I asked Clare not to say anything to you and Evan, about the way he was looking
at me. Because I knew you'd jump to conclusions."
I turned to look at him. "And, besides, Adam already knows."
"How could he know about today?" Daniel asked.
"I don't mean about today. He knows about-" I hesitated, and then looked back down at my fingernails. "Never mind."
Daniel sighed. "Alright. Let's just let it go for right now. We can talk about it later. Marie wants to talk to you. Come on inside."
I sat, feeling stubborn.
Daniel opened the truck door, and said, "If I owe you an apology, after we've talked later, then I'll give you one. But right now, I want you
to come in."
I hesitated, another moment or two, and Daniel said, "I'm not asking you. I'm telling you. Now, come on."
I had no desire to make a bad morning turn worse, so I scooted across the seat, and got out.
7