This Loving Land - Dorothy Garlock [31]
“Jesse, how could you?” Ellen twisted her hands anxiously. “How could you hurt him over a . . .”
Jesse’s look silenced her. Gently, he took her elbow and guided her to the buggy. Summer came to stand beside the step.
Smiling bravely, Ellen held out her hand. “I’m truly sorry our visit had to end so crudely. Please forgive them. You’ll find men of the west are quick-tempered and brutal at times. Travis is a tease and Jesse takes everything to heart. In a few days, this will all be forgotten.” She laughed nervously. “You’ll come for a visit?” Summer nodded. “I’ll be back to see you. I’ll be back real soon.”
Jesse climbed into the buggy and took up the reins. Ellen waved her handkerchief. Travis spurred his horse and disappeared in a cloud of dust. The drovers fell in behind the buggy.
Summer and Sadie silently watched Ellen’s departure. They were stunned by the scene they had just witnessed. The insulting remarks hurled by Travis and the cold violence displayed by Jesse were so shocking to Summer that they seemed something from a bad dream.
John Austin broke the silence.
“What did he mean, Summer? Why did he call Mr. Thurston a son-of-a-whore? Why was Mr. Thurston so mad?”
Summer whirled on him. “Don’t you ever say that word again, John Austin Kuykendall! Do you hear me? Don’t you dare say that word again!”
“I just wanted to know.”
“If you want to know something,” his sister retorted angrily, “the woodbox is empty.”
“Why are you so mad?” The boy looked puzzled. “You don’t hardly ever get mad.”
Suddenly, Summer was ashamed. She was also confused. Her emotions had run the gamut in the last twenty-four hours. She had been suspicious of the visitors because of Slater’s attitude, been reassured because of Ellen’s, and was now disillusioned because of Jesse and Travis.
“I’m sorry, John Austin.” She hugged him to her. “I’m sorry.”
The boy grinned up at her. “It’s all right, Summer. I think I know what it means, anyway.”
Summer looked horrified. “Get in there and eat your breakfast.” She followed him into the house and sat down at the oil-cloth–covered table and rested her chin in her hands.
“You won’t be lonely out here, will you, Sadie?” Summer was suddenly depressed.
“Lonely? Me? It’s grand here!” The smile left her face. “Why did you ask? Don’t you like it here?” Her voice held a worried edge.
“Of course I like it. It’s my home.” Summer considered the worried look on Sadie’s face. “And you and Mary are welcome to stay for as long as you like.”
Big tears came to the green eyes and Sadie swallowed with difficulty. “I’ll be a help to you. I promise.”
“You already have been, Sadie. You’re a much better cook than I am.” Summer pushed back from the table and got to her feet.
Sadie was pleased and showed it. She smoothed her apron with nervous hands. “I like doin’ homey things.”
She went to the window. Keeping an eye on John Austin was an ingrown habit with Summer. He was squatting in the dirt with a sharp stick in his hand. He looked so lonely sitting there. She frowned and turned to Sadie.
“Mrs. McLean didn’t take much notice of John Austin,” she said, as if to herself. “Did you think she was pretty?”
Sadie turned her head away when she answered. “Yes, she’s pretty all right.”
“Mary took a shine to Mr. Thurston. “ Summer gave the other girl a teasing scrutiny.
Sadie tossed her head. “Nobody’s likely to get him away from her. “ She emphasized the last word.
Summer smiled at her defiance. Sadie was pretty, with her bronze curls and green eyes, but it was her quick wit and spirit that Summer liked.
“Did you like Mr. Thurston?”
“Heap more’n I liked Travis McLean.” Sadie’s face was turned away, but Summer knew from the sound of her voice her mouth was taut with anger at Travis. This puzzled Summer. Before she could say anything, Sadie was speaking again. “It ain’t for me to be sayin’ nothin’ ’bout the McLeans. That Mrs. McLean can’t see me for dirt.”
“You didn’t get to know her, Sadie. Every time we came near you, you scampered away. She was nice,