Linda Ford by Dreams Of Hannah Williams Page B

afternoon train yesterday. Even knowing he didn’t plan to return until today, she had waited long enough to be sure he hadn’t changed his mind before she’d returned to her work.
    She was still cleaning upstairs when she heard Mrs. Sperling and the boys and went down to join them. She glanced past them to see if Jake accompanied them and scolded herself yet again.
    “We went shopping,” Luke announced in his wild hog-calling voice. “Gamma bought us new shirts. Can I show her mine, Gamma?”
    Mrs. Sperling handed over a package wrapped in brown paper. The two boys tore at the paper and pulled out two store-bought blue shirts. Each held one up in front of him.
    Hannah admired them. “Now why don’t you sit down, and I’ll get cookies and tea?”
    Mrs. Sperling already sat at the table, her chin resting on her upturned hands. “That would be nice, dear.”
    The boys pulled out chairs. Sammy managed to upset his backward, and the two of them worked together to right it.
    Chuckling, Hannah left them to sort themselves out as she headed for the kitchen to make tea. She put out a good number of cookies and carried a tray back to the lobby. She poured a little weak tea into cups of milk, passed them to the boys, and offered them cookies. They each took two. Then Hannah turned her attention to pouring tea for Mrs. Sperling.
    “Thank you, my dear.”
    Hannah glanced at the older woman. Her cheeks were pale, her eyes glassy. “Are you feeling well?” she asked.
    Mrs. Sperling closed her eyes. “I’m afraid I have a headache.” She grimaced at Hannah. “A real one this time.”
    Sammy yelled something about the horses he’d seen on the street, and Mrs. Sperling flinched.
    “Boys, talk like gentlemen,” Hannah warned.
    Mrs. Sperling shivered.
    Hannah touched her hand. “It looks like you should go to bed.”
    Mrs. Sperling opened one eye and looked at the boys. “I can’t take my eyes off them.”
    Hannah knew the older woman could barely keep her head up. “Why don’t I take them for the afternoon?”
    “I couldn’t—” Mrs. Sperling began.
    “It will be fun.” She’d learned her lesson with the mattresses. Work could not be the shape of her life. She had to make room for fun as well. Besides, she had four rooms ready except for washing the bedding, and she intended to do that on Monday. “Why don’t I take them out?” They’d been confined long enough. So had she. She wanted to see what lay beyond the streets and houses of town.
    “I’d be so grateful,” Mrs. Sperling whispered.
    “Then it’s settled.” She touched Luke’s chin to get his attention. “How would you two like to go exploring today?”
    “Yeah!” they both yelled.
    “Finish your cookies and tea.” She shooed Mrs. Sperling upstairs, found Mort, and informed him of her plans, laughing when he looked as if she’d announced she intended to drive nails through her fingers. “We’ll have fun.”
    “Yes, miss,” he murmured, obviously not convinced.
    ❧
    Jake didn’t wait for the train to stop before he jumped to the platform. It had been a long day and a half, but he’d finally convinced Mr. Arnold to visit and assess for himself whether the rumors of sick cattle were founded. The man had promised to show up Monday morning. Two more days for Jake to cool his heels and chomp at the bit.
    He waited for the conductor to push open the boxcar door where his horse rode. As soon as the animal stepped out, Jake threw on the saddle, took care of his bags, and arranged to have a message delivered to Riggs and Martin. Only then could he head for the hotel. He’d check on his mother and the boys before he checked on the animals.
    Inside the lobby, he knew from the quiet the boys were not on the premises. He cocked his head toward the stairs, listening for sounds of Hannah hard at work. But there was only silence.
    Mort shuffled in from the kitchen. “Your mother is upstairs resting. Had a headache. Not much wonder with all the