Revealed (20 page)

‘‘Miss Maudie, it’s been too long.’’ ‘‘It’s so good to see you again.’’ ‘‘Are you feeling better?’’ ‘‘We brought you some vegetable soup and those oatmeal muffins you bragged on last time.’’

Holding their hands, Miss Maudelaine backed up a step, drew in a breath, and beamed. ‘‘Oh, my dears, too long it’s been. And yes, I’m feelin’ much better these days. Especially now.’’

Annabelle smiled. True to Kathryn’s word, the Irish lilt in the woman’s voice made everything she said sound pretty. The woman’s white hair glistened like morning frost in the sun, and she possessed a regal air that invited attention.

‘‘Seein’ you ladies again is like water to a thirsty soul. Hannah, lovely as ever you are, dear. And my favorite man of the Word, how is he farin’ these days?’’

‘‘Patrick’s doing fine, Miss Maudie, as are the children. They all send their love.’’

‘‘And I return it to them, to be sure. And Kathryn . . .’’ Miss Maudie made a
tsk
ing sound. ‘‘Just look at you, darlin’. All beamin’ with that mother glow again. You’ll soon be bringin’ another sweet babe into the world. And how is that dear husband of yours? I’d love to see Jac—’’ She caught herself, starting to call Larson the name he’d once gone by, and gave her head a shake. ‘‘To see Larson is what I meant. I’m afraid your husband might always be Jacob first to me.’’

‘‘He’s doing well and sends his love too.’’

‘‘I wish you could’ve brought that precious William with you. I bet he’s grown a foot since I’ve last seen him.’’

Annabelle saw Miss Maudie’s eyes flick in her direction, and she felt the warmth of the woman’s smile all the way to her toes.

‘‘Yes, William has grown,’’ Kathryn said. ‘‘And he’s into everything too, which is why I left him in town with Larson this morning. Besides, I wanted this to be a ladies’ day. We brought a special friend with us, Miss Maudie.’’ Kathryn gently drew Annabelle forward. ‘‘Annabelle, I’d like to introduce Miss Maudelaine. She oversees the main house here at Casaroja. And Miss Maudie, this is Mrs. Jonathan McCutchens, a very dear friend of both Hannah’s and mine. Annabelle leaves tomorrow for the Idaho Territory. We wanted to spend her last day together, and both Hannah and I wanted the two of you to meet . . . so we just decided to tear ourselves away from packing and bring her with us.’’

Miss Maudie clasped Annabelle’s hands. ‘‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. McCutchens. May I call you Annabelle?’’

‘‘Of course.’’

‘‘And I prefer Miss Maudie, if it pleases you.’’ She winked. ‘‘
Miss
Maudelaine
makes me feel so old.’’

As they sat in the front parlor, Annabelle sipped her spiced tea, admiring the delicate china cup and saucer. And the house! All the beautiful furnishings and plush carpets. Kathryn hadn’t done Casaroja justice in her description of it, or the surrounding property. But of course, Kathryn wouldn’t think any place grander than the cabin Larson had built for her on their ranch up in the mountains, along Fountain Creek.

‘‘Thank you for bringin’ me the soup, dears, and the muffins. My favorite, by far.’’

Annabelle felt a cool touch on her arm. Miss Maudie was leaning forward and smiling in her direction.

‘‘Now, Annabelle dear, tell me a bit about yourself. Both Kathryn and Hannah claim you as a dear friend, so I know God must’ve cut the three of you from the same cloth. Did you get to know one another at church? Or through the quilting circle in Willow Springs, perhaps?’’

Hearing the woman’s assumptions, Annabelle nearly choked on her tea. She carefully placed the saucer and cup on the table and cleared her throat, then shot a hasty look at Hannah and Kathryn. She gathered from their expressions that neither of them had told Miss Maudie about her past.

Annabelle cleared her throat. ‘‘I actually met Kathryn a couple of years ago when . . . a mutual friend introduced us one night. And then Hannah and I met at Kathryn and Larson’s wedding December before last.’’

She’d kept her answer within the confines of the truth, but somehow it still felt deceptive. The conclusions this good woman would no doubt draw would paint her in a light she had no right in which to be painted. She tried to catch Kathryn’s attention, and Hannah’s, but without success.

Miss Maudie’s countenance sparkled. ‘‘Isn’t it a wonder how God weaves friendships into our lives? Little do we know what He’s doin’ at the time. But then, reflectin’ back on things’’—she waved her hand—‘‘that’s when you’re able to see His hand workin’, for sure. I think it’s wonderful He’s brought together three such fine women.’’

The longer Miss Maudie spoke, the more Annabelle’s discomfort increased. When she and Jonathan lived in Denver, and again when they were part of Brennan’s group, the people there hadn’t known about her past. But that seemed different somehow. Those people had never attributed her with the goodness that Miss Maudie obviously was.

‘‘Excuse me, Miss Maudie.’’ She paused, wondering how to phrase her confession. ‘‘But I’m afraid you’re mistaken about something. I’m not at all the—’’

‘‘I completely agree, Annabelle,’’ Kathryn interrupted, sitting forward.

Relieved that her friend had come to her rescue, Annabelle felt a twinge of disappointment that she’d had to.

‘‘You’re most definitely mistaken about something, Miss Maudie,’’ Kathryn said. ‘‘You used the phrase
three fine women
.’’ She emphasized the words, her expression tender as she briefly glanced at Annabelle. ‘‘You miscounted. I believe I see
four
women of such distinction sitting in this room.’’

The look Kathryn gave her said they would discuss it later.

And later that afternoon, when they were nearly back to Hannah’s home, Annabelle could stand it no longer. She stood and hunched over the back of the buckboard, peering at Kathryn and Hannah. ‘‘Why did you do that?’’

Still watching the road, Kathryn turned her head slightly. ‘‘Do what?’’

‘‘Give that good woman the impression that I’m like you two.
‘Three such fine women,’
’’ she said, doing her best to imitate Miss Maudie’s accent.

Hannah laughed. ‘‘You
are
a fine woman, Annabelle McCutchens.’’

Annabelle made a face. ‘‘You know what I mean. Regardless of how both of you may see me, there’s a difference between us because of the things I’ve done. And to present me as a . . . a lady to someone like Miss Maudie just feels deceitful to me somehow.’’

Kathryn pulled the wagon to a stop behind the Carlsons’ home and set the brake. ‘‘I think I know what you’re referring to, and I have an answer.’’

‘‘I never doubted that you would,’’ Annabelle said, winking. ‘‘Either that or you’d make one up real quick.’’ She easily avoided Kathryn’s playful swat.

Kathryn’s expression grew thoughtful. ‘‘Even though we’ve been forgiven, we don’t have the ability to forget. We carry around inside us the memory of poor choices we’ve made, and also of wrongs done to us, not of our choosing.’’ She gave Annabelle’s hand a gentle squeeze. ‘‘As you move on with your life and away from Willow Springs, you’re going to meet scores of people who will never know about the life you lived here. And most of them will never need to know. But I’m sure, somewhere along the way, God will prompt you to share your story with someone.’’ She shrugged. ‘‘Either to give them hope or to show them what a difference forgiveness can make in a person’s life. And when that time comes, there may be a cost to your sharing about your past, but there’ll also be a blessing in your taking that risk and being obedient to God’s prompting.’’

‘‘Kathryn’s right, Annabelle, you’ll know the time and the place. Just listen for His voice.’’

Annabelle nodded, certain she’d never find two women who she would love more than these. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Matthew working just inside the barn.

When he noticed them, he immediately stopped his work. ‘‘Here, let me help you ladies.’’

He went to Kathryn’s side first, Annabelle noticed. Watching him, she wondered if he still harbored feelings for her as he had at one time. If he did, it didn’t show. He held Kathryn’s hand and steadied her as she climbed down, then hurried to the other side to do the same for Hannah. Meanwhile, Annabelle climbed from the back of the wagon on her own accord.

Her feet had barely touched the ground when a wave of nausea swept through her. She clutched her midsection and gripped the side of the wagon for support.

Hannah was quickly at her side. ‘‘Annabelle, are you all right? Matthew, could you help her, please?’’

Matthew came alongside, but Annabelle waved him away, knowing he was only there at Hannah’s request. ‘‘I’m fine. I don’t need any help.’’ A dull pain, similar to her monthly ache but much worse, spasmed in her lower abdomen. She doubled over, taking short breaths through clenched teeth.

Kathryn’s arm came around her shoulders. ‘‘We need to get you into the house. Matthew, would you carry her inside, please?’’

Annabelle felt his arm come around her from behind. She put out a hand. ‘‘No . . . just . . . give me a minute to catch my breath.’’

Kneeling down, Kathryn gently brushed the hair from her face. ‘‘Have you had pains like this before?’’

Annabelle shook her head. She shot a quick look at Matthew, reading uncertainty—and doubt—in his eyes. She lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘‘I’ve had some cramping recently . . . but nothing like this.’’

Kathryn stood. ‘‘Matthew, would you help Annabelle back into the wagon, please. I’m taking her to Dr. Hadley’s.’’

CHAPTER | SIXTEEN

H
ERE, LET ME HELP YOU.’’

The doctor offered his hand, and with his assistance, Annabelle sat up.

‘‘I’ll give you a few minutes to dress, and then we’ll talk.’’ He closed the door behind him.

Annabelle got dressed and smoothed the front of her skirt, trying to ease her concern by telling herself that she’d simply been overdoing it lately. She needed more rest. Her hand lingered on her abdomen, and she remembered another time, years ago. . . . She’d told herself many times since then that what had happened had all turned out for the best. After all, what kind of mother would she have made? Yet the same question still haunted her now.

A knock sounded on the door.

‘‘Come in.’’

Doc Hadley opened the door and motioned for her to join him on the bench beneath the curtained window. ‘‘Why don’t we have a seat over here? Let me say again how nice it is to see you after all this time, Mrs. McCutchens.’’ His smile was gentle. ‘‘I still like the sound of that. And let me assure you right off that everything seems to be fine with your baby. There are no problems that I can tell.’’

Annabelle let out a sigh, briefly closing her eyes. ‘‘Thank you, Doc Hadley.’’

‘‘My guess is that this was your body’s way of telling you to slow down and get some extra rest. And a mother-to-be needs to pay close attention to those signs.’’

She nodded. What fondness she held for this man. He’d doctored the girls from the brothel for years and had always treated them with tender concern—never harshly or with disdain.

He reached over and covered her hand. ‘‘You have my condolences on your husband’s passing. Did he suffer long?’’

Annabelle stared at his hand atop hers on the bench, then told him the details.

He nodded every few minutes, listening. ‘‘So you’re alone now?’’

‘‘Yes. And no. I’ve hired someone to take me to Idaho. We leave in the morning.’’ She leaned forward, laying a hand to his arm. ‘‘Unless you think I shouldn’t be traveling that far.’’

‘‘No, no. You’re still early on in your pregnancy, Mrs. McCutchens. No more than two months, I’d say, give or take a couple of weeks based on what you’ve told me. And like I said a moment ago, everything appears to be fine. It’s normal for your body to experience some changes during this time. But if you start cramping again, or certainly if you have any bleeding, you need to seek a doctor’s care right away. Bleeding isn’t wholly uncommon during a pregnancy, but most often it’s your body’s way of alerting you to a problem. So I advise that you get ample rest and listen to what your body is telling you.’’ Gray eyebrows arched, he waited for her affirming nod and then patted her hand and stood.

He hesitated. ‘‘Might I ask you about a young woman I treated at the brothel once?’’ At her consent, he continued. ‘‘She was very young, had long dark hair, and—’’

‘‘That would be Sadie.’’

‘‘Yes, I believe that was her name. Whatever happened to that child? I haven’t seen her for quite a while.’’

‘‘I’d like to know the same thing. I went by to see her when I got back into town recently and she was gone. They told me she just disappeared.’’ Annabelle felt a rush of protectiveness, and accountability. Her jaw clenched in response. ‘‘The girls woke up one morning and found her room empty. Someone took her, but they don’t know who.’’ She looked down at her hands. ‘‘There was blood on her pillow.’’

‘‘Well, that explains it, then.’’ Doc Hadley shook his head. ‘‘I’ve found myself thinking of that child at the oddest times in recent months, for no apparent reason. And every time I’ve given her over to God’s care again, not knowing what to ask for, really—just feeling the nudge to pray.’’

Annabelle felt a blush of hope at his words. ‘‘I’m determined to find her, even if I have to check every brothel, gaming hall, and saloon along the way.’’

‘‘And I think you’ll do it too. Be careful, Annabelle, and God be with you in your search.’’ He cocked his eyebrow again. ‘‘And also with whoever has her once you find them.’’

Later that night, Annabelle summoned her courage and picked her way across the dark yard, coffee cups in hand. She walked into the barn, armed and ready, somehow knowing that Jonathan would have wanted her to try.

The faint orange glow from the oil lamp told her where she would find him. She spotted Matthew in the far corner, leaning against a barrel, head down, intent on the paper in his hand. Nearing his side, she waited for him to look up. He didn’t. He
would
make her be the first to speak. The man was so stubborn sometimes, so sure of himself, she was tempted to—

Quelling the response that came naturally, she readied a smile and took a step closer. ‘‘Thought I’d drop in and see how you’re doing.’’