The Brides of Chance Collection Part 80

"Good idea," Daisy agreed gratefully. "Let's load her up, then."

Together the two women situated the meager bundles that made up all Daisy and Jamie owned. The workbasket with Daisy's tatting, Jamie's blanket, and some dried meat and apples filled two saddlebags. Hattie's medicine satchel and extra supplies took up nearly the same amount of s.p.a.ce.

They'd risen with the sun, and by the time they were ready to set out, the morning air was still chilly. Hattie saw Daisy shiver and was glad she'd thought to bring along her old cloak.

"Here, Daisy." She rummaged through a saddlebag to pull it out. It was worn and mended, but it would keep Daisy warm on the ride. Jamie would sit on Hattie's lap, and she'd wrap her cloak around him.

"Yore so good to me, Hattie." Daisy fingered the material.

"I'm jist pa.s.sin' on the Lord's blessings. Lovejoy sent me this here fine new cloak, so I've no need of the other. It's old, but it'll still serve."

"I'm glad to have it." Daisy thanked her and shrugged it on. "Yore sh.o.r.e it's all right for me an' Jamie to come while you have visitors already?"

"Absolutely. In fact, it'll do Jamie good to meet Logan and Bryce. They're fine men. Besides, they'll be leavin' afore summer's ended." Hattie tamped down a wave of sadness. At least Logan and Bryce would still be there when she and Daisy brought Jamie home this evening.

He wouldn't be there when Hattie got home. The thought of not telling her he was going away for a while, of not seeing her before he left, sent a pang through Logan's heart. Later, when he told her why he'd had to leave, she'd understand.

If he waited for her to come home so he could say good-bye, it'd be another week before he could catch the train to Charleston. Too much was riding on this trip for him to wait to see Hattie before he left. Bryce would stay behind to keep watch over Miz Willow until Hattie got back. Besides, he'd understood Logan's need to go alone.

"Like I said before, this is your adventure." Bryce shrugged. "I'm here to help where I can, but it's your path to follow."

Otis Nye had given Logan three of the beautiful checker sets and mentioned he'd been working on chess ones, too. They weren't ready yet, though. Asa had been more than happy to send along two completed nativities. Ted and Fred danced a little jig at the thought of getting more money for the pelts they trapped and rushed to the barn to get one of every animal listed in Jack's letter.

They'd each given him their blessing and trusted him to work out the best deal he could. Logan only hoped he'd not give them reason to regret it.

"Go on, then," the old woman ordered. "I cain see yore itchin' to leave. It's sommat more important than the wandrerin' spirit that brought you here, I ken. I ain't about to keep you from followin' yore heart-'specially since you promise it'll bring you back to us!"

He hadn't felt right telling Miz Willow or anyone not already involved about the whole thing-if it failed, Otis, Asa, Fred, and Ted would already be plenty disappointed without having the whole holler know about it.

This trip was important to too many people for him to botch it up. This was a man's work, and he needed to shoulder the load. Back at Chance Ranch, he'd always been the youngest brother. The smallest, the jokester. Not the brother whom anyone would entrust with complicated business dealings or negotiations. Pretty much anything that demanded tact was delegated to someone else.

But the people of the holler saw him as a man. Asa, Otis, and the twins trusted him with their most valuable possessions and sent him to barter their skills and bring back a deal that would change their lives. Hattie entrusted to him the welfare of the holler. He wouldn't let them down. He couldn't.

He put his Bible on his lap and turned to 1 Corinthians 13. The circuit rider back home gave him the reference before he left, and now Logan wanted to read it again.

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

There it was. G.o.d's words stood right in front of Logan. It was time to put away childish things and take on the responsibilities of a man. It was the only way he'd fulfill G.o.d's purpose for his life.

Lord, Hattie's become a dear friend to me, and I reckon she's become more important even than that. If that's Your will and part of the reason You brought me to Salt Lick Holler, then I ask You to work in her heart. Don't let her be hurt that I had to leave. You're leading me to Charleston same as You led me here, and I can only ask that You give me the focus to fulfill Your plan instead of dreaming up my own. When I return, I pray that I'll bring good news for the families of the holler, and, if it's Your will, a wedding ring.

Hattie judged it would be a long day in the saddle. Daisy's old mule was slower than usual, loaded down with more than it was accustomed to carrying. Hattie kept Legs at a sedate walk, going nowhere near as quickly as she'd galloped to Hawk's Fall.

The animals were tiring by the time the sun shone high in the sky, and Hattie figured they deserved a break. They all did. Jamie had been quiet and still almost the whole way so far, snoozing through most of the morning. She knew of a small waterfall not too far ahead.

"Hey, Daisy," Hattie called back. "Thar's water a little ways up. How 'bout we stop for some dinner?"

"Sounds good to me," Daisy agreed. "Ole Fetch here could use a drink. So could I, come to think of it."

Not long after, they sat in the shade of an old oak, munching on cheese and jerky. Jamie scooted himself to the bank of the water. Hattie started to get up.

"No." Daisy's whisper stopped her. "Let me take care of it."

"Not with yore arm as it is," Hattie refused. "I'm jist gonna sit close to him to make sh.o.r.e he don' fall in. He should have a little fun-he's been so good through this whole thing."

"All right." Daisy leaned back against the tree and watched as Hattie walked over to Jamie and sat down beside him.

" 'At-uh." Jamie spoke the word and gestured.

"That's right. Water." Hattie dipped a tin cup in the water and handed it to him.

" 'Ank-oo." Jamie took a sip of the water.

"Yore welcome, Jamie." Hattie slipped him a piece of cheese. "Finish yore dinner."

"Yez, Hat-ty." He ate the cheese and took a few more sips of the water. "Here." He handed her the cup so she could drink.

"Thankee, Jamie." She smiled and took a big sip before refilling the cup. "How 'bout we take this to yore mama?"

"Ma," Jamie agreed. He put his hands on the ground and started scooting toward her. Jamie would never walk on account of his palsy, but he managed to move around just the same.

Hattie stayed beside him, keeping pace with him until they reached Daisy. She handed him the cup.

"Here, Ma." He carefully gave the water to Daisy.

"Jist what I needed," Daisy said appreciatively before taking a drink.

They packed up what was left of the food and saddled up again. Hours later, they came to the fork in the road that led to Miz Willow's house.

"We're almost home," Hattie whispered to Daisy so as not to rouse Jamie. "Logan and Bryce sleep in the barn, so we'll probably wake them when we take care of the animals. I'll put Jamie in bed first."

"All right."

Hattie carried the four-year-old into the house and tucked him in bed next to Miz Willow. She and Daisy would use the pallets Miz Willow had set up on the floor. She came back out to find Bryce leading Legs to the barn.

"Woke you up that easy, did we?" Hattie couldn't hide her surprise.

"Hadn't fallen asleep yet." Bryce led Daisy and Fetch into the barn first.

"Where's Logan?" Hattie didn't see him and wondered if he was still asleep.

"He had to go," Bryce confessed. "He said to tell you he's sorry he couldn't wait for you to get back from Hawk's Fall, but the train to Charleston left last night. He'll be back in about a week, give or take a few days."

"He's gone?" Hattie asked in disbelief. She'd been at Hawk's Fall for three days, and he'd left, just like that? "Why?"

"Well..." Bryce shuffled uncomfortably. "It's not my place to say. He asked me to tell you he's sorry, and he'll be back as soon as he cain."

Hattie nodded as though she understood, but her thoughts roiled around in her mind as she helped unload the animals.

Why wouldn't he tell me why he was going? Did he wait until I wasn't here on purpose? I entrusted him with the holler-the people I care about. How could he have gone?

Chapter 20.

I'll be with you in just a minute, sir-" Jack Tarhill looked up from the counter at his fancy shop, and a grin broke across his face. "Logan Chance! You got here in an awful hurry."

"Sure did." Logan smiled back. "Good to see you, Jack." He slapped his palms on the counter. "Nice place you got here." He gave a low whistle as he looked around at embroidered towels, ribbons, mirrors, pianofortes, music boxes, and the like.

"Frilly, more like." Jack shook his head. "But it keeps me in business. Speaking of which, I'm supposed to meet Barton Rumsford for dinner in about ten minutes. I was just about to leave. Why don't you come along?"

"If there's food, you can count me in." Logan's stomach rumbled, showing the truth in his words.

"I see." Jack laughed. "Well, let's go get that hollow leg of yours filled up."

An hour later, Logan groaned. "I can't put away another bite."

"Good," Barton Rumsfeld proclaimed. "Now we can get down to business."

"Fine by me." Logan liked Bart-he was a short man with a big laugh and the belly to match it.

"Let's go to my store, and Logan'll set out the things he brought in the back room," Jack suggested. "I need to be getting back."

About twenty minutes later, Logan unwrapped the bundle of furs and displayed them on a large flat table Jack said he used for products coming in and out of the store. Bart didn't say a word until he looked over each fur carefully, front and back.

"Good stuff," he decided aloud. "Skinned well, no bald spots. Clean, too."

"These are the types of pelts Jack mentioned in his letter," Logan explained, "but the Trevor twins also have the occasional white-tailed deer or bear hide. Lots of rabbits, too."

"I have all the rabbit fur I need. It's pretty common these days." Bard stroked his full beard. "The deer and bear might come in useful. If they have it, they can telegram ahead before they send it so I'll know if I've a place for it."

"So you're interested in setting up a deal?" Logan didn't press too hard but moved the meeting along.

"Yep. Otter and beaver skins are always in demand, and right now mink's all the rage for ladies' coats." Bart thought aloud. "I've got a friend who's using the spotted skunk skins. 'Course, that's on the basis that the quality is still high."

He started listing what he could pay per pelt depending on the size and type of animal. Logan nodded solemnly and accepted the terms. Bart offered more than twice what the Trevor twins were already getting. Logan would celebrate the good news later-for now, he didn't want Bart to lower his price.

"Sounds reasonable. I'll run it past the Trevors. They do pretty well, but I will tell you they stop trapping for a particular animal when the numbers get low."

"Smart boys." Bart nodded wisely. "Does no good to get them all at once, or there won't be any next time around. Can't tell you how many times that's happened. Awful thing." He stood up and held out his hand. "Let's shake on it."

Logan was more than happy to oblige. When Bart left, he took the furs with him and left money behind. Logan would go back to the holler with at least one family taken care of. Now for the others. He walked out onto the shop floor and waited while Jack helped a customer buy a gilded frame.

"Now that I've got a minute," Jack said as the woman left, "why don't we take a look at what you brought for me?"

This time, Logan simply set out the boxes and let Jack unwrap the carvings inside, let him feel the smooth texture of the wood, notice the fine detail for himself as he uncovered each piece. The products would speak for themselves.

"Well, now." Jack gave a low whistle as he looked at the entire nativity spread out before him. "That'll make a fine display. Fine craftsmanship."

"The best," Logan agreed.

"Hold up a minute while I put it out." Logan helped Jack carry the pieces out to a prominent display area and watched his friend expertly set them up.

Logan sucked in a sharp breath when he saw the figure Jack wrote on the price tag. It was a lot of money. But Jack's store did quite well in Charleston. He'd know better about fine art than Logan did.

They went back to the table and opened up the checker sets. Jack ran his hand along the board, testing its weight and the smoothness of its surface before picking up the checkers and turning them over in his hands. "Good size. Perfect shape. The staining on the wood is even and precise." Jack squinted at the bottom of a checker. "He's even carved circles on the bottom of each piece! And that's nothing compared to the clean lines of the crown on the top."

They both heard a bell, and Jack walked out to help the customer. Logan finished unpacking all of the round checkers and set them up as though ready for a game. Jack came back in, smiling from ear to ear.

"Guess what just sold?"

He'd been gone for five days. Hattie could scarcely believe how much she missed Logan Chance.

Good thing he took off now so's I'll be prepared for when he leaves for good. I knew from the git-go he weren't goin' to stay. So I'll stop pining like some young maid after her beau. Logan's not my beau, and it's wrong of me to have let my feelings go so deep. Besides, he up and left without a word. He didn't even explain to Miz Willow where he was goin'. It's that scamp in him that's made him hie off. Best I realize that now, so I don't make a fool of myself when he comes back.

Hattie had told herself the same thing every day since she'd brought Daisy and Jamie back to Salt Lick Holler and found out Logan had gallivanted off. She had no business missing him-it wasn't as though he was missing her. She beat the rug with more force than she meant to, sending a cloud of dust into her face.

See? If that ain't proof yore notions about Logan Chance are clouding yore vision, nothin' will be.

She heard a heavy pounding on the door and walked around to the front of the house to find out who was causing the ruckus. She tried to ignore the flutter of hope that Logan had come back, but her heart clenched when she saw Nate Rucker instead.

"It's time, Hattie!" Nate grabbed hold of her shoulder with one powerful hand and scooted her through the door Daisy had opened. His eyes were wide and frantic. "Abigail's havin' the babe!"

"It's all right, Abby," Miz Willow crooned. "Breathe in and out, long and slow. That's it. The cramps'll let up in jist a minute."

"Hoo." Abigail let out a shaky breath, her eyes screwed tightly shut. "Ooh." She fell back against the chair as the pangs subsided. "That one were powerful fierce."

"You've got a bit afore the next one will come on." Hattie laid clean towels on the bed before pulling up the sheets and laying more towels for good measure. She went to the kettle to pour some motherwort tea.

Abigail sipped some of it before handing the mug back. "I'd like to walk a bit."

"Whatever makes you more comfortable," Miz Willow agreed.

"I've given up on comfortable," Abigail gritted out before doubling over with another onset of cramps.

"Yore doin' jist fine." Hattie held Abigail's arm to support her. "Think on yore precious babe. Yore gonna make a fine mother, Abby."

"I hope so." Abigail straightened up and paced around the cabin, letting gravity do its work.

"I know so," Miz Willow declared. Awhile later, Abigail's cramps were coming on much faster. She'd been in labor for nearly nine hours.

"I reckon it's time we git you to the bed, Abby." Hattie helped Abigail out of the rocking chair and winced at how tightly Abby clenched her hand as a spasm rocked her body. "Won't be long now."