Sabrina didn't think he had any trouble communicating but felt foolish saying so. Rylan watched her for a moment but didn't want to stare, or rather he didn't want to be caught staring, so he turned his gaze to the street. The first thing he saw was the sign for the Boar's Head.

"Have you seen much of Bret lately?"

"Not since the day I painted."

"What happened then?"

"I made the mistake of cutting through the alley."

"What did he have to say?"

"The usual, come in and sit down out of the heat or have a drink."

"How did you meet him exactly?"

"I was very new in town and went down the alley. He came out a door, and I made the mistake of asking if there were apartments for rent in the building. He's been trying to talk to me ever since."

"I thought you made your feelings pretty clear that first day. You would think he'd take the hint."

Sabrina agreed, not catching on that Rylan had witnessed some of the interaction.

"I probably should get back to work," Sabrina said. She'd had plenty of time to read the letter, and Jessie was paying her. "Did you see Eliza this morning?"

"I stopped in, but they were both asleep. Did you go?"

149.

"I was just there. Mirabel is pretty warm again."

Sabrina's heart sank, but she was glad she'd been warned. "I'll see you later," Rylan said as he stood.

Sabrina thanked him for coming and slipped back inside. Just as soon as she had an excuse, she hugged Clancy, glad the little girl did not notice the stricken look in her eyes.

"I brought you some soup," Sabrina said to Eliza after work that night. The front door to the house was open, but the room was still very warm.

"I'm not hungry."

"I'll leave it here," Sabrina said, putting the bowl on the table. "How is she?"

The baby was back in the basket, looking smaller than ever. Eliza didn't answer but sat looking down at her daughter, her face drawn with fatigue.

"Where are your people, Eliza?" Sabrina asked.

"Redmond, almost to Billings."

"How long have you been gone?"

"A long time."

"Were you a working girl there?"

"No." Her voice became thoughtful as she remembered. "I followed my man. His name was Lem Hawkes. He had dreams of finding copper, lots of it."

"What happened to him?"

"He was killed at the mine, penniless, and I was a long way from home."

"Is your family still in Redmond?"

"My father is. I got a letter from him last year." Eliza looked down in the basket. "He doesn't know about Mirabel."

"When Mirabel gets back on her feet, you've got to go back. He'll be pleased to know he's a grandpa."

150 Eliza didn't answer. She just looked back down at the baby. Sabrina could hardly stand it. She glanced around and spotted the bowl of soup.

"Here," Sabrina said, taking the bowl, finding a spoon, and handing it to the other woman. "You won't be able to feed Mirabel if you don't eat."

The other woman took the spoon in hand. Sabrina watched her, and while Eliza ate the soup, begged G.o.d for help. Only a few minutes pa.s.sed before, very quietly, she began to tell Eliza her story.

151.

"THISIS LOOKING GOOD," Chas said to Rylan when he got there on Wednesday to help with the paint. Philip Leffers was working on some trim on the far side, but for the moment, the two men were alone.

"It's coming along," Rylan agreed. "I don't know how many more days I can get from Pete, so I'm glad it's going fast. I have to work tomorrow to fill in for today."

"Is he still trying to sell the livery to you?"

"Yes, mostly when he's been drinking, but I know he's still serious."

"It's too bad you don't have a half dozen strapping big sons to help you run the place. That would make it a light load."

"I think you forget that I'm 26. It's not possible for me to have any strapping big sons."

"Nonsense," Chas teased. "With your size, they'll be strapping big sons by the time they're five."

Rylan laughed. He was used to comments about his size, and in truth it never bothered him. But lately he wondered if a certain woman would even consider marrying a man as big as he was.

"How is it going with Bri?"

152.

"I was just thinking about her," Rylan admitted. "How does a man find out if a woman would welcome his interest?"

"That's a good question. It's a little different for each woman. I don't want to be cryptic, but I think you'll know."

Rylan nodded, the paintbrush still moving.

"I was watching her on Sunday," Chas said. "You were talking about the miracle of the resurrection, and her eyes were filled with wonder. And then afterward, she took Nellie in her arms, and when Heidi wanted attention, she pulled her close as well. It was pretty special to see."

Rylan shook his head. "I can't even look at her when I preach. She lets her guard down completely in church, and I can read every look of wonder, hope, and conviction."

Philip joined the other men just then, so they dropped the topic, but Rylan knew that Chas would get back to him. He was that kind of friend.

"Guess what," Jeanette said when Sabrina got to work on Thursday.

"What?"

"We're all caught up, and I think you can take a day off." "Oh," Sabrina said. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Are they painting today?" Sabrina questioned, and Jeanette was thankful she'd checked. She took in the fatigue on the younger woman's face and knew she was doing the right thing.

"No, they're not. I was thinking you might want to rent a buggy from the livery and head out to see Ca.s.sidy. She told me you had a great time last Sunday."

Sabrina stared at her. Such a thing never occurred to her, but it would be fun indeed.

"I've never done that before."

153 "It's not hard. Ca.s.sie used to go and visit Meg every Wednesday. Pete or Rylan will set you up with a rig, and Holden Ranch is straight out of town on the left. You can't miss it. As soon as you get going it will all be familiar."

Sabrina didn't know what to say, but then Jeanette didn't need her to comment. She saw her to the door and watched her move down the street, a satisfied smile on her face.

Rylan had not made it to the forge yet. He had cleaned a few stalls and spent time trying to calm a frightened mare who was trying to kick her way out of the box. He had to shoe her before the day was out, and he wasn't exactly thrilled with the prospect.

He wondered afterward how long she'd been standing there but didn't ask. Sabrina had come in the door, much as before, and stood over by the three- and six-cent hooks.

"h.e.l.lo," Rylan said, headed that way.

"I'm here to rent a rig," Sabrina said, not quite believing it herself.

"Is that right?" Rylan said, just fighting a smile and wondering how anyone could manage to look so confident and uncertain at the same time. Not to mention beautiful. The light blue dress she was wearing was not something he'd seen before.

"I'm going to see Ca.s.sidy."

"That'll be fun. Have you driven a buggy before?"

"Not for a long time."

"I think I have just the right one."

"I don't want the horse to run away with me," Sabrina said, not willing to take for granted he would know this.

"I don't think that will happen," Rylan said, already planning to send Candy. She would be calm even if her tail were on fire. "Jeanette said Ca.s.sidy used to do this."

"Every week."

154 Sabrina made herself stop talking then. She was a bit panicked about it all and wondered if she shouldn't just go and see Heather and Becky. Rylan had not actually done anything yet. It wasn't too late to change her mind.

"I'm not sure," she started, and Rylan stopped. He'd been pulling the rig out into the wide alley between the stalls but set it down and came back to her.

"About driving the rig?"

"Yes, and Ca.s.sidy is not expecting me. I don't even know if she's home."

Rylan almost said he was certain she was, but he made himself walk to the door. He looked up and down the street and smiled when he saw the wagon.

"I think you might find someone from the ranch at the mercantile. Why don't you check there, and then you can ride out with whoever is going home."

Sabrina looked down the street the way Rylan had, but she didn't see anything in particular. She already felt foolish for bothering him and didn't want to ask what he'd seen.

"Do I owe anything for your time?" she asked instead.

"Five dollars," Rylan said, his face utterly serious, and a laugh escaped Sabrina before she could stop it.

Rylan's own smile appeared before he spoke again.

"Will you do me a favor? Stop back and let me know if you need the rig."

"Certainly I will, and thank you, Pastor Rylan."

"You can do me another favor while you're at it, and just call me Rylan."

"Oh," Sabrina said. "What do I call you now?"

"Pastor Rylan."

"And you call me Sabrina, don't you?"

"Um hm."

"But everyone else calls me Bri."

"I think I've noticed that."

155 "Why is that?"

Rylan didn't answer. He stepped out in front of the livery and shouted, "Ca.s.sie! Hold up a minute."

Ca.s.sidy brought the wagon to a halt and waited when Rylan waved to her. The livery man went back to the lady waiting behind him. "Are you going to tell her you want to come to the ranch, or am I?".

"No, I can ask," Sabrina said, but she didn't sound very certain. Rylan walked with her to the wagon and greeted his old friend. "You're in town early, Ca.s.s."

"Aren't I, though," she agreed with a grin. "How are you, Bri?" "I'm fine. Are you very busy today, Ca.s.sidy?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary," Ca.s.sidy said and then caught on. "Are you free to come out?"

"I am. I was just about to rent a rig, but I wasn't sure I could drive it."