Ana Seymour by A Family For Carter Jones Page B

supply. She was sunk in the cushionsof Dr. Millard’s comfortable carriage, oblivious to the scenery they were passing.
    “I’m sorry,” she said between hiccups. “I can’t seem to stop. She looked so alone there in that stiff bed.”
    Dr. Millard kept his eyes on his horse. “Just cry it out, child. You’re almost as worn-out as your sister. I should have made you stay at the hospital for a rest, too.”
    “You know I couldn’t do that. I have to go back. We need the rent money.” Kate had been scared and reluctant when Jennie had sat down this morning to tell her about the hospital stay, but both sisters had realized that without the rent money, they’d lose their house. Jennie would have to stay in Vermillion. Kate would have to be alone.
    “I wish you’d let me help.”
    Jennie shook her head. “I’ll manage. I intend to get another boarder to take Kate’s room.”
    “But what about the court order?”
    “At one time, Mr. Jones said that the group moving against us would be willing to allow me to have four boarders if my sister was not living there. I intend to talk to him about that offer.” In spite of the fact that she’d rather pet a rattlesnake than talk with Carter Jones about anything, she would swallow her pride and ask for his help.
    “Good. He seems like a nice young man, Jennie. He could prove to be of help to you.”
    A nice young man who could kiss her one minute then turn his back on her an hour later. “All I wantis the compromise on the court order. I don’t intend to have any other business with Mr. Jones.”
    Dr. Millard turned his head to give her a sharp look. “You sound angry.”
    “No. In order to be angry with Mr. Jones, I would have to care what he does or says or thinks. Which I don’t”
    “Ah.” The doctor reached an arm around Jennie and pulled her against his side in a fatherly hug. “You’ve taken on a big burden, Jennie. Just remember that it’s not a crime to ask for help from your friends.”
    Jennie sagged a little bit against his wool serge coat. “I know. I don’t want to sound ungrateful. But, Carter Jones is not one of those friends. In fact, Doctor, sometimes I think that you and Dorie are the only friends we have left.”
    The doctor gave her another quick squeeze, then she straightened up and they continued along the rutted road in silence. Jennie’s eyes stung and she could feel the trace of dry tears on her cheek, but their flow had ceased. The thought of once again confronting Carter Jones had stopped them cold.
    Jennie had never been in the district attorney’s office on the second floor of the tiny Vermillion courthouse. It wasn’t anywhere near as impressive as the law offices she’d visited in Virginia City when she and Kate had gone for the reading of their parents’ will and then later for help with the boardinghouse fight. In fact, it was small and bare, with a cheap desk that made it look as if it might be a tiny cubbyholefor the janitor rather than the man entrusted with justice in Vermillion and six surrounding communities. Carter may be a fancy Harvard man with clothes to match, but his workplace was more than modest. Jennie found it comforting.
    “How’s your sister?” was the first question he asked.
    “Fine, thank you.” She wanted to leave no doubt that they were no longer on the social terms that had been implied by the invitation to dinner three nights ago.
    “I heard that you got her situated in a hospital in Virginia City.”
    “Mr. Jones, I didn’t come here to discuss my sister. I came to find out the status of the order closing down my boardinghouse.”
    Carter shifted, making his chair creak. Jennie’s eyes went to his long fingers, which were playing with a row of pencils. “I just thought we’d wait a few days until you could take care of things with your sister…”
    “My sister is no longer living at Sheridan House. You once told me that under those circumstances, the town council was willing to give