Thanks to the lack of rain, the haystack next to the barn was meager compared to previous years. It wouldn’t be enough to feed the horses through the winter. The usual hay meadow hadn’t grown back, so there’d be no second cut there. But if the drought affected that place, perhaps it had also dried up the marsh.
Hopeful, he saddled his horse and, before he swung into the saddle, turned his attention toward the house. He saw no sign of Amelia or Pa. Nor of Gil and Kat. Amelia could manage, couldn’t she? Pa was in better hands than Gil’s. Or even Kat, who tended to forget about Pa.
More confident than he’d been in a long time, Zach rode from the yard. Dust followed every step the horse took. Grass seeds hung in the air. He rode down the slope and entered a grove where the air was cooler. Birds chattered in the trees. Half an hour later, he dipped down to the marshy area. Dismounting, he traipsed into the dark-green reedy grass. The ground was rough, little clumps of dirt that shifted beneath his feet. But it was dry except for a bit of mud in the middle where ducks and mud hens protested his intrusion.
Slough grass wasn’t the best in way of feed, but it would do. He’d send a couple of the cowboys to cut it and, once dry, bring it home. They’d complain that they weren’t farmers and shouldn’t have to do farm chores, but they would do as ordered.
To check for any dangerous spots, he circled the area. He stalled. A slow smile curved his lips. Wild tiger lilies, as orange as a bright sunset, but with purple freckles. He’d forgotten the flowers grew here… a place Pa used to take Ma to visit so she could enjoy their sweet fragrance.
Would Amelia enjoy the beauty? Laughing, he acknowledged she would. He’d bring her here. Her and Poppy. He’d relish sharing this place with them.
Smiling at his plans, he rode home.
The aroma of stew reached him as he entered the yard. Gil’s cooking or Amelia’s? Not that it mattered. Not really. The only difference was that he could count on Amelia. Not so much on Gil.
The table was set, waiting for his arrival. Amelia stood at the stove, her cheeks warm from the heat. Green eyes flashed bright. “Welcome home.” Her smile welcomed him more than her words.
Pa sat at his place, eager for the meal.
Gil stepped through the door, carrying two pails of water and looking sober.
Poppy saw Zach, dropped from her chair, and rushed to him, holding out her hands to be lifted. “Mis’er, hello.”
When he scooped her up, chubby little hands patted his cheeks.
“How about you call me Uncle Zach, if that’s all right with your mama.”
Amelia’s eyes narrowed as she considered her answer. Then she nodded. “Uncle Zach is fine.”
“You Unca Zach?” Poppy asked.
“I guess I am.” Although the name lacked a certain something he couldn’t identify.
“Supper is ready as soon as Kat comes in.”
“Kat? I’ll call her. Where is she?”
Amelia stirred the contents of a pot and spoke over her shoulder. “I saw her go into the barn earlier in the afternoon. She took a slice of raisin cake with her.” She lifted the lid on a second pot, then returned the lid. “I haven’t seen her since.”
“I’ll get her. Poppy, you stay with Gampa.” He put the child back on her chair. His boots clacked on the floor as he left the house. He hadn’t noticed Kat when he tended his horse. But then, if he wasn’t looking for her, she could’ve been sitting nearby, silent and watchful, and he’d have missed her.
Inside the dusky barn, he called. “Kat, supper’s ready.”
No reply. No rustling. Was she ignoring him?
He went down the alley, checking each pen, looking into the tack room.
No sign of Kat.
Leaving the building, he studied his surroundings. The mustang snorted at Zach’s presence.
“One of these days, big fella, I am going to ride you.”
The horse tossed his head as if mocking those words.
Zach swept his gaze over the nearby pens, the fences, and the trees. He jolted and returned his attention to the horse pen. He counted them. Twice. Not that he needed to. The horse Kat favored was missing.
His grunt was more of a growl. Where had she gone? When would she be back? She was so irresponsible. Always running off when she could be helping around the place. The garden needed to be weeded. She could help with cooking. For sure, she could watch Pa and help with Poppy.
