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The constable’s eye’s glared up at Wade. “Where did he get those bruises?”
Wade didn’t respond immediately, simply holding the lawman’s angry look. Finally he said. “I hear there’s a wild beast on the loose.”
* * *
Kathleen’s two weeks passed far too quickly. She had spent a good portion teaching Anna how to read, contrary to Wade’s disapproval, while the majority of her visit was dedicated to the preparations of a Christmas party she was planning at the Circle H. Anna’s companionship was called upon many times, and even though she knew it made Wade unhappy, she couldn’t be more delighted. It was wonderful to be in the presence of a woman after weeks of only men.
Apparently, Wade had gone down to the bunkhouse and informed Joe and the ranch hands that the boy would be staying in the house permanently as his personal servant. She had seen very little of them except for visits to Lucy. However, with the return of Kathleen to the city, Wade decided she could return to feeding the animals and mucking the stalls. Anna gladly obliged. Anything to please him.
Since the discovery of her identity, he rarely spoke to her except when required or, more times than not, to reprimand her for yet another wrong doing. He never seemed pleased with her or her work and she feared that he may eventually decide she was of no value to him, and send her on her way.
The other Haddock’s, however, were more receptive of her company. Prescott remained his usual civil self, always offering Anna a bright smile and friendly word. Along with her teaching, Kathleen genuinely seemed to enjoy Anna’s company. She was sad to see the woman wave good-bye from the back window of the stagecoach as it headed out of the entrance of the Circle H.
It was nearing the hour in which she was required up at the main house to prepare dinner. She quickly finished the stall she was working in and headed for the back entrance near the kitchen. It was creeping closer to December and though winter had certainly arrived, the snow had yet to follow. She drew her wool coat closer and hurried up the path between the barns and the homestead.
The warmth of the kitchen engulfed her immediately upon her entrance. She shrugged out of her coat and hung it on a hook near the door then turned toward the stove. Wade stood there warming his hands as he waited for the kettle to boil for coffee. Instinctively, she came to a halt, her eyes darting to his face. He simply glanced at her before turning his attention back to the kettle.
“You’ll need to get in the habit of cleaning up before preparing supper.”
She looked down at her soiled clothing from the result of cleaning the horse’s beds, then turned toward the large sink with the enormous black handled pump.
“Not there.” He stopped her in the process of lifting the handle. “Follow me.”
Unsure, but not wanting to displease him, she followed him out of the kitchen to the back staircase which led up to the main sleeping quarters. He came to stop at a door furthest to the back. When he opened it, she saw an area not much larger than the cook’s room, but it held no bed. The room was tiled in green diamond patterns both one the floor and walls, except where an enormous mirror hung on one side. There was an elegant table with a porcelain bowl for cleaning, and a stack of crisp white towels. However, it was the large white tub with claw like feet supporting it off the floor that drew her attention. It was the fanciest bath she had ever seen, but it was still a bath. She took an unsteady step backward.
“This is a shower,” he said, indicating an assortment of pipes above the tub. “Unfortunately, it only produces cold water, but it does the job. There’s a bar of soap and a towel on the side table.”
Her brows drooped, not having any idea what he meant by shower, but had no intention of going near that monstrous chamber. He leaned forward and lifted a lever. The pipes running along the back of the tub began to groan, then gradually shake before suddenly a burst of water exploded from the large round cylinder at the top of the contraption. It came gushing down like a waterfall and emptied into the large bath. The sound of the plunging water sent an unexpected chill down Anna’s back.
Wade stepped away from the device and turned to look down at her. A frown formed between his two thick brows. “What’s the matter?”
All she could hear, however, was the thundering of water as it flowed from the pipes. An overwhelming urge to run came over her. She backed up quickly and hit a wall. Her eyes grew large and darted about the room, feeling the need to escape.
“Hey,” he said, holding out his hand to steady her. “Slow down.”
Her eyes pleaded up at him while her hands grasped for something to cling.
Wade frowned even harder but looked back at the water. “Is it the shower?”
She nodded earnestly, not wanting to stay there any longer.
“Christ, I didn’t think you were serious about being afraid of water.” He reached over and quickly shut off the contraption. The water ceased until it came to a complete halt. “How can you be afraid of water?”
In all sincerity, Anna had no idea why the sound of the water falling from the shower sent a chill of fear down her spine, she was just grateful that it was gone. She tried desperately to bring her pulse back to normal and her breathing down to a steady pace. Lifting a shaking hand, she automatically placed it over her heart and noticed Wade watching her closely.
“You’ll have to come up with some form of bathing.” Though he spoke the words, she could tell his mind was elsewhere. “Go change your clothing and use the kitchen sink to wash yourself.”
She was only too happy to oblige and fled swiftly from the room. In the safety of her bedroom, she closed the door tightly and collapsed on her bed, her knees drawn up to her chest. Anna wrapped her arms around herself and rocked to and fro, trying desperately to calm the convulsions raking her body. She had no reasonable explanation for her reaction to the shower. Never had she seen one before, but taking a bath in the river was never an issue back home, so Anna had no idea why the idea of being submerged in water was suddenly so frightening.
Later, after she was able to bring herself under control, she changed into a fresh set of clothing and used a bar of soap and washcloth to scrape her skin raw. Tonight was the first night without Kathleen at the dinner table and she wondered if anything would be different. She sensed that Wade was not as ke
en on social protocols as his siblings and knew that he was willing to accommodate during Kathleen’s visits. It was very obvious the Haddock brothers adored their sister. For Wade, there was no other female in comparison.
The brothers talked quietly to each other as she silently served their dinner, then slipped out to the kitchen for her own meal. Wade had asked before dinner if she felt better, but said little else throughout the evening. They finished rather early and took their coffee into the great room. Anna decided to offer them a refill once more before planning to visit with Lucy for the night.
Placing the iron plate over the fire in the cooktop, she used an oven mitt to carry the steaming pot out to the two men. As owner of the homestead, Anna approached Wade first. He had a newspaper unfolded on his lap and seemed engrossed in his readings. Idly, Anna wondered if she would someday be able to read it as well.
Holding out his mug, he said, “Thank you, Anna.”
