The first family she approached had three school-aged children. The frazzled mother beamed brightly to have someone take them off her hands for a couple hours a day. Unfortunately, they couldn’t pay, but offered to provide milk from their cow each morning. That would work.
After a few hours, she had promises of milk, eggs, firewood, lumber, and nails. One father offered to help Michael when the time came to put up their house. Pleased with the success she’d made of her day, she headed toward home. It had been a profitable morning.
Jesse wiped sweat from his face. Time to take a break. He gulped water from his canteen and dumped the rest over his head. Building a law office took a lot more effort than working in one.
Refreshed, he sat, resting his forearms on raised knees. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. The sun dried the water on his face. The sounds of hammering, wagons rumbling by, and the occasional angry curse floated into his consciousness. This had been a good decision. Oklahoma Territory would be where his new life began.
No labels, no past. Since everyone in this new town would know him as Jesse Cochran, Attorney at Law, he might find a respectable woman to marry, settle down, maybe even raise a family. A normal family, one who attends church, goes on picnics on a Sunday afternoon. Against his will, his gaze wandered to the lot next to him. Nah, even though he felt a tug, Tori had made it clear she had no use for him.
“Rachel, where have you been? We’ve been looking all over for you.”
Jesse frowned at the sound of Rachel and Michael arguing, and glanced over at the brother and sister.
“I had some personal business to attend to, Michael Henderson.”
The young man took hold of her arm and glared at her.
“Not that it’s any of your business.” She sniffed and pulled her arm free.
“Tori went to see about tutoring jobs. Mrs. Bonner wants some more cookies to go with the sandwiches Mr. Bonner is selling at the Land Office later today. You need to get started.”
“I hate this.” She turned on him, hands fisted at her sides. “I don’t see why I have to work. I should be in school, not baking cookies for a bunch of dirty land grabbers.”
Jesse grinned. The girl had as much spit and fire as the aunt. I’m sure glad she’s not my problem.
“Just get the cookies done.” Michael pushed the brim of his hat back with his thumb. “We’re all pitching in and doing the best we can.” He leaned against the wagon and studied his sister. “Tori didn’t have to leave her home and job in Kentucky to take care of us. When Pa died, she could have handed us over to the orphan’s home. I would think you could show a little appreciation.”
“I wish she hadn’t shown up. I could’ve lived with Mary Jane McRae. Her mama would have let me stay with them. It would be better than living in this dump.” She swept her arm in the general direction of the whole town.
Yep, that young girl took right after her aunt. The picture of Tori after she fell on her glasses and stood to tell him off flashed through his mind, along with a burst of excitement as he recalled the passion filling her eyes. He’d like to be the man to unleash that passion in another direction.
Jesse tuned the rest of it out. Michael had a good head on his shoulders. But Rachel could be a real problem for Tori. He stretched. Time to get back to work.
As he stood,
he caught a glimpse of Hunter racing down the road. The boy darted around the wagon, then grabbed his brother’s sleeve. “Michael, come quick. Where’s Tori?”
Jesse hurried over at the panic in Hunter’s voice. Tears ran down the boy’s pale cheeks. “What happened?” Jesse and Michael said at the same time.
Hunter’s eyes shifted from Jesse to Michael. “I think Ellie’s dead.”
Chapter 4
Jesse’s stomach clenched. He grabbed Hunter by his shoulders.
“Calm down, son. Tell me what happened.” From the looks of it, the boy might faint dead away before he got any information out of him.
Hunter gulped, his voice shaking. “We went further than Michael said. When we were on our way back, Ellie got ahead of me, and a horse ran over her.” His voice pitched higher. “I couldn’t get her to wake up. You have to come. Please, Jesse, you have to come.” He pulled on Jesse’s arm, terror filling his face with trembling lips and wide eyes.
Jesse turned to Michael. “Do you know where your aunt is?” The young man stood there, white as a ghost, staring at him. “Michael!” Jesse shook him by the shoulders.
Michael blinked a few times. “Yes, I think she’s gone to the train station.”
“Go find her. Rachel, you go with him.” He turned to Hunter, who had his arms wrapped around his middle, as if fighting a stomach ache. “Where did this happen?”
“Not far, c’mon I’ll show you.”
He put his arm around the young boy’s shoulder and spoke to Michael. “When you find Tori, bring her here. I should be back with Ellie by then.” When neither one of them moved, he gave Michael a shove. “Go!”