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The girl’s eyes were now huge and she was shaking her head vigorously. Wade’s brows interlaced. “What’s the matter girl?”
She started to walk backwards toward the kitchen, her terrified eyes speaking all the words needed. “Whoa, kid. Relax. No one is forcing you to do anything here.”
Prescott shook his head confused. “You don’t want to be a girl?”
Her eyes pleaded with Prescott as she shook her head.
Prescott raised his brows and glanced at his brother. The two of them exchanged looks and Wade knew the image of the village had crossed his brother’s mind as well. Then it occurred to him it wasn’t them the girl was concealing her identity from, but a far darker force. Without her memory she was running from a shadow that was not only unseen but unknown. With her disguise as a cloak she was able to keep control of her own safety. This realization was followed by another. That whatever evil occurred on the mountain, she felt was still out there.
“Then we’ll have to at least inform the men in the bunkhouse.” Prescott stated which didn’t ease any of the disquiet from her brown eyes.
“Don’t be foolish, Prescott.” Kathleen stated. “You can’t have a girl living in a bunkhouse with a dozen men. Heaven knows what could happen.”
“I sincerely don’t think they would bring any harm to her, but I suppose you’re right. We can’t be too safe.”
“Why don’t I bring her back to New Westminster?”
The girl’s eyes shot toward Wade. He sighed and said, “This girl belongs as much in the city as I do.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
He studied her face once more. She stared up at him with big brown eyes that were both imploring and frightened. Until he had this entire incident cleared up, she was safest right there on the ranch. Whether in the form of a boy or a girl, he didn’t care.
“She’ll stay here. As per her wishes, as a boy.” He looked at his siblings. “We’ll keep this between the four of us. There’s no need to inform the ranch hands, however, she can no longer stay in the bunkhouse. While Kathleen is here for a visit, she will sleep in the cook’s room and perform servant duties.”
“What happens after I leave?”
“We’ll find reason for her to stay,” he told her, then added. “You’ve been harassing me for years to hire a servant. Maybe I’ll finally relent.”
“What about the constable?” Prescott reminded Wade. “He should be informed. If he realizes Peter is a girl, he’ll dismiss her from all suspicion.”
Wade paused a moment, then slid a look toward the girl. “I’ll look after Stanford.”
“Wade.” Kathleen gave him a warning. “You’re not the law. Let them handle it.”
His mind suddenly filled with many images, not the least of a very distrustful constable who had not one but two crimes connected to the same person. He turned and headed for the front entrance. “I’ll be back later.”
“Where are you going?” Kathleen followed him.
“Into town.”
He heard Kathleen call him back, but he ignored her and went out to the barn to saddle up Sty. As he rode by the house he saw Kathleen and Prescott come out of the front door, but did not stop to speak to them. There was something he had to do. At the last second he thought he caught a glimpse of a face in the window watching with large brown and troubled eyes.
* * *
It was over. Wade knew the truth about her identity. As she suspected, he wasn’t happy. Even worse, he was angry. What small bond they had formed over the last few weeks was gone. He could barely make eye contact with her and she had wanted so desperately to say she was sorry. But speech had long failed her and all she could do was watch as his trust in her vanished.
She watched his form, bent low over his horse, bolt down the lane way. Tears stung the back of her eyes, but refused to flow. Her newly discovered love for the man made the pain so much more insufferable. Her instincts had warned her to conceal her true self, but even that could not have hinted at the raw emotion that pierced her heart when she saw the rejection in Wade’s eyes. Anna was grateful he was allowing her to remain on the ranch where it was safe. However, what would protect her heart from a man who would never love her in return?
His siblings came back inside the ranch house and Anna stepped away from the window. Kathleen looked at her with a warm smile, and she felt slightly eased by his sister’s compassion. “All this excitement has made me a little hungry. Is breakfast about ready?”
Anna nodded, then hurried off to the kitchen. She served the broth
er and sister, but couldn’t help but notice the empty plate at the head of the table. It was with him that her thoughts were completely monopolized. Kathleen and Prescott began a quiet conversation on a topic unfamiliar to Anna. Relieved they had apparently dropped the discussion of her identity, she slipped back into the kitchen where she was able to sit down in a chair and contemplate her new situation.
With Wade’s reaction she wondered if it was best to leave, but had no idea where she would go. She had easily passed as a boy on his ranch and would more than likely do so at another ranch. But the fear of being discovered would always hover over her and at least at the Circle H that fear was nearly over. Though the Haddock’s now knew of her identity, they had agreed to keep it from the ranch hands. Anna had no idea what evil lurked out there in the mountains, but she was certain it was waiting for her.
The sound of someone entering the kitchen, startled her. Prescott walked inside and Anna leaped to her feet. “It’s all right. You may sit.”
