"Dawns Prelude" - читать интересную книгу автора (Peterson Tracie)

Chapter 14

"Zcc, that was the best berry pie I've ever had," Kjcll said after his second helping. You certainly know your way to a man's heart."

"It wasn't my doing," Zerelda replied. "Liddie baked that pie."

Kjell smiled at the exhausted Lydia. "A masterpiece, I tell you. Thank you for going to all the trouble."

"It wasn't that hard," Lydia told him. "We had the berries preserved from summer."

"I appreciate the effort, nevertheless. It's always such a pleasure to come here and enjoy the company and the food. I'm getting very spoiled."

Zerelda laughed. "Well, we wouldn't want that. What say you sing for your supper? I'd like to hear some tunes while we see to the dishes."

"Sure thing, Zee. I think I can manage that." He got up and reached over to offer Lydia a hand. "You look tired tonight."

"I am," she admitted.

Kjell noted the dark circles under her eyes and the worried expression on her face. "You aren't fretting over that Gray fellow, are you?"

"That would be putting it mildly," Zerelda answered before Lydia could speak. "She's so restless and fearful, she won't even go to town with me."

Kjell looked deep into Lydia 's dark brown eyes. "You don't have to worry about him."

"That's easy for you to say-you are a strong, capable man," Lydia replied. Zerelda had already begun taking care of the dishes, and Lydia leaned over toward Kjell. "Don't give it another thought. I'm fine, really."

But Kjell knew the truth. It was written on her face and evident in her step. Lydia wasn't the same woman. It was as if she carried a heavy weight on her shoulders, and Kjell longed to take that burden from her. He wanted nothing more than to convince her that he would care for her, protect her.

"Did Lydia tell you she had another proposal today?" Zerelda called from the kitchen.

Kjell looked to Lydia with raised brows. "How many is that this week?"

"Five," she barely whispered.

"Shall I make it an even six?" he teased.

Lydia straightened. "Make it whatever you want. It won't change a thing. I didn't come here looking to marry again."

"Well, that certainly won't stop the men from asking," Zerelda stated as she crossed to the front door. "You two get settled in. I'll be right back. There are some things I want to fetch from the cache."

"You want help, Zee?"

She shot him a wink. "No, I think I can manage just fine."

Kjell felt his cheeks redden, realizing she was purposefully giving him time alone with Lydia. He shook his head and went to where he'd left his guitar. Tuning the strings, he looked up to find Lydia watching him.

"Marston's still in town, isn't he?" she asked.

"Yes.

"I knew he probably was but had hoped you'd answer otherwise."

Putting the guitar aside, Kjell came to her chair and knelt down beside her. "Liddie," he paused and smiled. "I hope you don't mind me calling you that. Zee does it so often that it just sounds fitting."

"I don't mind," she replied, gazing into his eyes.

"Good. Look, I don't want you becoming upset by that man. It can't be good for the baby"

"The baby is the reason he's still here," Lydia countered. "And that worries me most of all. I don't know what he's planning, but I know it won't be good."

"I won't let him hurt you or the baby."

Lydia turned away from him and focused on the blazing hearth. "You don't know the Grays. They always get what they want. They scheme and bully to get their way. I still don't understand why Mr. Robinson would give them information about where I had gone, but now that they've found me, I don't expect they will ever leave me alone. I suppose I shall have to move again."

Kjell put his hand on Lydia 's arm. "I hope you won't do that. I'd like you to stay"

"You've been nothing but good to me since I arrived and collapsed in your arms." Lydia smiled ever so slightly but didn't turn back to face him. "Zerelda told me that you're probably the best man she's ever known-that you are a man of your word."

"Zee would say something like that."

"I just don't want to be a burden to you or anyone else." Lydia glanced at him and then lowered her head. "I just don't want you feeling sorry for me."

He couldn't suppress the laughter that erupted. Lydia 's head snapped up in surprise, and Kjell leaned forward and took her face in his hands. "I feel a great many things for you, Lydia Gray, but sorry isn't one of them."

Kjell bent down and lightly kissed Lydia on the lips. It was a quick and gentle kiss that he followed with a smile. "I guess I should get back to the guitar." He got up, noting that Lydia hadn't moved at all-she appeared a bit stunned. Kjell, however, had wanted to kiss her for a long while now and wasn't the least hit sorry for his actions.

Then Lydia gave her head a quick shake. "You can't just kiss me and pretend nothing happened," she said.

"I'm not pretending anything." Kjell took up the guitar. "I-"

"Kjell! Come quick!"

It was Zerelda, and her voice sounded panicked. Kjell quickly handed the guitar over to Lydia and raced out the door. "What is it, Zee?"

"Joshua is here-there's a fire in town." She spun around to face him. "It's your sawmill."

Captain Dimpfel and his firemen soldiers did an admirable job of containing the fire. Even though the engine house was on the farthest side of town, they responded with great haste. Everyone feared fire in a town made of wood, and Sitka was no exception. Keeping this in mind, the firemen worked fervently and managed to pump enough water onto the blaze so that by midnight, the fire was out.

Kjell surveyed the smoky remains. The main work area was still standing, but his office and living quarters had been the first to go.

"Might have been a spark from a stove fire," one of the soldiers suggested.

– I didn't have a fire going," Kjell said, shaking his head. "I left about five-thirty and knew I'd be out most of the evening, so I didn't need the stove."

"That's right," Joshua said as he and Captain Dimpfcl joined the conversation. "I was just telling the captain here that I left right after you did. The boys were the only ones remaining. They were trying to finish up that stripping you gave them to do and get back to the Ranche before curfew."

"I)o you suppose the boys might have started the fire?" the captain asked.

Kjell shook his head. "I can't figure why they would."

Joshua kicked at the damp ground. "Well, they could have. I didn't want to say anything, but I did catch them smoking the other day. Could have been they were doing it again and got careless."

Frowning, Kjell walked to the corner of the building. He couldn't imagine the boys smoking, much less setting fire to the place. Besides, they would have had no reason to be in his office or living quarters.

He blew out a long held breath just as Joshua approached. "We can still produce lumber," he told Kjell. "We'll have some cleanup to do, but at least the main supply of logs was untouched."

I suppose we should find the boys and ask them if they know what happened," Kjell said, shaking his head. "I just can't figure them starting it."

"I don't think they ever would have done it on purpose," Joshua said, "hut if they got spooked and threw a cigarette down in the sawdust, it could have smoldered there for a time and they might never have known what happened. Captain Dimpfel said he'd send some of his men to find the boys in the morning and have them brought to the engine house for questioning."

"I suppose that's the best way to find out if they know anything." Kjell wanted to go into his office and home and see if anything was salvageable, but Captain Dimpfel had suggested he wait until morning when the light would reveal more.

"You're welcome to stay the night with me," Joshua offered. "There's not much room, but it beats staying in the saw room."

"Thanks, I appreciate that. I suppose I'll take you up on the offer and see what's to he done in the morning." He cast a final glance back at the main entrance to the mill and frowned. Something just didn't sit right with him. Was this a careless accident? Or were darker forces at work? Could Marston Gray have had something to do with the fire?

– I can't understand why anyone would do something like this," Zerelda said. She had decided to come to town the next morning and see the remains of the fire. To her surprise, Lydia had wanted to come with her.

Kjcll shook his head. "I don't understand a lot of things."

"If it involves Marston Gray, there doesn't have to he any reasoning behind it," Lydia said bitterly.

"Now, you don't know that he had anything to do with this," Zerelda countered. Lydia had been talking about the possibility of the man setting the fire since they'd first heard about the blaze the night before.

"It seems too coincidental not to consider him," Lydia replied. "After all, Kjell made him very angry by standing up for me."

Zerelda decided to change the subject. "Where are you staying, Kjell?"

"I stayed last night with Joshua, but I figured I'd rig up something temporary here at the mill for tonight."

"Nonsense," Zerelda said. "Come stay with us."

"Now, Zee, you know there isn't room in that tiny cabin for all of us." He smiled at Lydia. "Besides, Liddie here would probably suffer irreparable damage to her reputation if I were to take up residence there."

"I think my reputation could stand the strain," Lydia said, still staring at the charred remains. "Besides, what of Zerelda? Her reputation could be just as damaged."

"Not Zee," Kjell said with a smile.

Zerelda laughed. "Folks got used to my antics a long time ago. Look, why don't we talk to the man handling the sale of Mr. Saberhagen's property? Maybe he would let you stay in the main house."

"Better yet," Lydia said, excitement edging her tone, "why don't I buy the property? Then Zee and I could move there, and you could live in the cabin."

"You don't need to buy a piece of property just because of the fire. I'll have a room built before you know it."

"But I've actually been considering this for some time," Lydia said, looking to Zerelda. "Ever since you mentioned the property going up for sale, I couldn't keep from wondering if I should buy it. I'm sure I can afford it, and like you said, with it being nearly winter and all, there will likely be few other offers."

Zerelda nodded. "It would be nice to have a bigger place eventually The main house is good for a young family: There are two good-sized bedrooms upstairs, as well as a smaller bedroom plus a bathroom, and there's a large living area on the main level. Much of the furniture has been left behind quality pieces. Mr. Saberhagen spared no expense for his wife."

"Good. Then it's settled. Kjell, I know you have your plate full, but would you be willing to talk to the agent on my behalf?" Lydia asked.

Zerelda didn't miss the look in Kjell's eyes. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for her niece. Of this, she was certain. The man was crazy in love with Lydia, and Zerelda was just as certain Lydia cared for him. Once they both figured it all out, she had no doubts she'd be welcoming Kjell into the family.

"Sure, I'll talk to him, Liddie. If you really want me to," Kjell replied.

"Good morning, all," Captain Dimpfel announced. "I'm glad to find you here, Kjell."

"Do you have news about the fire?" Zerelda asked.

He shook his head. "Not exactly. I sent my men into the Ranche this morning to look for the two Tlingit boys Kjell employed. No one has seen anything of them since yesterday. Of course, I think the family could be lying."

"I know that family well," Zerelda said. "I don't believe they would lie about it, but just in case, I'll go have a talk with their mother."

She looked at Lydia. "Why don't I take you home first?"

"I'11 get her home, Zee," Kjell said. "You go ahead. I truly appreciate the help you're giving. I doubt the family would be so willing to talk to me."

"If you find them, Miss Rockford, please see to it that they come in immediately for questioning."

"I will, Captain. You needn't fear on that account."

Lydia allowed Kjell to help her onto the wagon. It was extremely difficult with her long skirts and heavy abdomen. She thought it might have taken more effort to climb up onto the wagon scat than if she'd merely tried to walk the few miles home.

"Are you all right?" Kjell asked once she'd settled beside him.

"I found that positively exhausting," she said with a laugh.

Kjell smiled. "I'll have you home in a quick minute."

"Shouldn't you stop by the land office first and see about the property?"

No, that can wait. I don't want you sitting out in the cold, and I sure don't want you having to get down from here more than once today.

He guided the horses in the direction of Zerelda's cabin. Lydia tried to focus on the scenery around her but found herself wishing she could offer Kjell some comfort regarding the fire. He seemed, however, to be taking it all fairly well.

"Kjell, how is it that you can he so… well, you don't seem upset about the fire."

"Oh, I'm plenty upset about it," he admitted. "I lost some things that were pretty special to me, but in the end, they were only things. I'm worried about the boys. I hope if they did cause the fire that they will just admit it. I'll forgive them, of course-I wouldn't hold an accident like that against anyone."

"But if it wasn't an accident… If someone…" She thought again of Marston. He could have done this to exact revenge for Kjelfs confrontation.

"Are you all right?" Kjell asked. He moved to touch her arm with his gloved hand. "Liddie?"

"What if Marston did this to you?" She found she was unable to say anything more. Had she brought this misery upon Kjell? Was this all her fault?

"Liddic, stop it. I can almost hear your thoughts."

She looked up at this and found him smiling. She shook her head. "This isn't funny.

"I didn't say it was, but it doesn't have anything to do with you. If Gray did this, then he did it because I stood up to him-told him to leave. Not for any other reason." Kjell urged the horses to pick up speed for the hill. "We'll get to the bottom of what happened, but you need not concern yourself with it. I won't have this fire he the cause of bringing on the baby too soon."

The cold penetrated Lydia 's woolen skirts and coat, and by the time they pulled up in front of the cabin, her limbs felt half frozen. Kjell didn't seem to mind that she moved ever so slow. He was good to assist her and seemed to enjoy lingering at her side as they moved up the porch steps.

"Why don't I come in and get the fire built up? You look like you need to unthaw."

Lydia nodded. "I would like that very much." She decided against ridding herself of her coat and went to take her favorite chair at the fireside. The rocking chair was nearly identical to the one she'd left behind in Kansas City.

She watched Kjell set the logs on the dying embers. He worked with the kindling and soon brought the fire back to life. Once the logs were sufficiently blazing, he held out his hands to warm them.

Without thinking, Lydia looked up at him and asked, "Why did you kiss me last night?"

Kjell didn't turn to acknowledge her but kept staring straight into the fire. "Seemed like the right thing to do. You appeared to be misunderstanding my feelings toward you, and I guess I didn't want there to be any doubt about where I stood."

Lydia considered this for a moment. She wasn't about to pretend she didn't understand, but at the same time, she wasn't entirely sure she wanted to hear Kjell make any declarations of love or affection.

"I'll get some wood in here, and then I'd better head hack to the mill," Kjell said after several minutes of silence.

She thought about stopping him but decided against it. She waited until he'd gone outside to get to her feet and move closer to the fire. What should she say to him? What could she say' She wasn't sure of her feelings. Furthermore, there was the baby to consider. She had to do whatever was in the best interest of the child.

The sound of wood being chopped rang out. Lydia moved to the kitchen window, where she could see Kjell hard at work. He had taken off his coat, revealing the outline of muscles against the material of his shirt. With each swing of the ax, he displayed his strength and agility. Lydia found she could not look away. It was only the sound of a wagon approaching that drew her focus from the tall man.

Fear edged up her spine. What if Marston had come to pay her another call? She went to the door and cracked it open to look out. It was Zerelda.

"What did you find out, Zee?" Kjell called out. He was approaching the cart even as Lydia moved down the porch steps.

"No one has seen the boys, and I believe them. Their mother is frantic, and their grandfather has everyone in the clan looking for them."

"I hope they haven't come to harm," Lydia said. She could see the frown on Kjell's face and longed to ease his worry.

"Mr. Fuller had this for you, Liddie," Zerelda announced, approaching with a letter. "He apologized for not getting it to you sooner. It came in on the last ship."

Lydia took the missive, which was from Mr. Robinson. She stiffened. Her anger toward him for sharing information with Marston kindled anew. While Zerelda continued to speak with Kjell, Lydia went back into the house to read the missive.

Dean Mts. Gray

I write this letter with grave concern and to offer a warning for your well-being. My clerk, Mr. Lytle, was recently attacked. On his deathbed, lie told me of something most grievous. It seems yonr stepsons coerced him into allowing them to see my records regarding yonr whereabouts and other correspondences.

I have no way of knowing what, if anything, the Grays plan to do with this infornuttion, but suffice it to say they noit' know- of your location. I would be on the watch for then or their representative.

The letter continued with his most sincere apologies and concerns for what problems this might cause Lydia. She sighed in relief. Mr. Robinson had not betrayed her trust. She felt sadness that Mr. Lytle should have suffered such a vicious attack, but she could not bring herself to think in a forgiving manner for what he had done in giving Marston and Mitchell her information.

She read through the letter again, noting the date had been nearly a month earlier. So they had known about her all this time. Known where she was and that she carried their father's baby. No doubt they had plotted and planned how to come to her how to force her return.

But why? Why should they care so much where I live or what I do? Why do the)- need nme to return to Kansas Cite?