“No,” she confided, “I’m not sure, but I think so.” She tried to smile in encouragement. “I hope so.”
Coalie nodded. “Okay.”
Mary walked to the front door. Coalie followed. At the door, Mary turned back to speak to Tessa. “You know, when I heard about David taking a saloon girl on as a client, I was fully prepared to dislike you.”
“I understand.”
“But I was wrong,” Mary continued. “You’re quite a lady. Good-bye, Tessa Roarke.”
“See you soon,” Tessa replied.
Coalie ran back to her and hugged her around the waist once more. “It won’t be for long,” he reminded her. “Just till this is over. Don’t cry.”
Tessa sniffled.
“I love you, Tessa,” Coalie said, trying to control his own tears. “Don’t forget to come and get me.”
“I won’t,” she promised.
“Good-bye, then.”
“Good-bye.” Tessa waited until Mary and Coalie were out of sight before she allowed all her tears to flow. She’d done the right thing, she told herself. It was best for Coalie. Mary would keep him safe at the ranch. He’d be treated as a member of the family. Mary had promised.
Coalie’s future was secure. Tessa could breathe a little easier. He was safe and no matter what happened to her at the hearing, Coalie would have a real home and a family of his own. He wouldn’t have to work to support himself.
Work. Tessa suddenly remembered the chores David was paying Coalie to do. She squared her shoulders and bit her lip. David might not like it, but she wouldn’t allow those chores to go undone. He and Coalie had made a bargain. Tessa planned to see that the terms were fulfilled. She was going to do Coalie’s chores herself. Then David wouldn’t have any reason to complain about taking her on as a client.
And somehow she’d find a way to prove her innocence to David and to the rest of the citizens of Peaceable.
Chapter Twelve
Tessa was struggling to maneuver a fifty-pound bag of flour off the rear of the wagon when David returned.
“What the devil do you think you’re doing?”
“Unloading supplies.” Tessa grasped the bag and tried once again to lift it.
David took the bag out of her hands and hefted it onto his own shoulder. “I’ll do it.”
Tessa didn’t look at him. She climbed into the back of the wagon and grabbed the corners of another sack. “I don’t need your help.”
“Maybe not,” David conceded, “but that’s what you’re going to get.” He watched as Tessa doggedly tugged on a bag of sugar. “Leave it.”
Tessa ignored him.
“Dammit, Tessa, can’t you do as I ask for once?” He balanced the sack of flour. “You and Mary are two of a kind. Mule-headed stubborn. Where do you want this?”
“Inside.”
David carried the flour inside the office. Except for Horace Greeley, sunning himself on David’s desk, the place was unoccupied. It
was quiet. Too quiet after the earlier excitement.
He lowered the sack of flour onto the table and walked back outside to the wagon. “Where’s Mary?”
“She’s gone.” Tessa busied herself sorting the supplies.
“That figures.” David raked his fingers through his thick black hair. “Since I specifically asked her to wait here until I got back.” He’d missed his sister and would’ve liked to spend some time with her. Her leaving so abruptly disappointed him, but Mary was known for doing the opposite of whatever he asked. David looked at Tessa. “Did she tell you why she was leaving?”