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She nodded and followed him up the hill. He turned back and hollered over his shoulder, “Remember, stay out of the pen. Lucy isn’t a trained horse.”
He had nothing else to say to Anna, and when they entered the house they parted with him quietly excusing himself. Kathleen broke into a wide smile upon seeing Anna who easily returned the smile. “How good to see you again, Anna.”
She shot a look of concern to the woman’s husband.
“I told John the entire story,” she said. “I hope you don’t mind, but we kept it from the children in fear something may accidentally slip.”
She nodded, already having realized as much. John, the man she identified as her husband took a step in her direction. “It is very nice to meet you, Anna. Kathleen could not stop speaking of you since she returned from the Circle H on her last visit.”
He spoke with a British accent in a very slow and cultured manner. One hand stayed at his back while he spoke and his body remained perfectly poised. Welcoming didn’t immediately come to mind and if she hadn’t known better, she would never have guessed they were a couple.
“Come, let us go to the reading room.” Kathleen took her arm and led her in that direction. “I so want to see how your reading and writing have come along.”
The woman was so happy and excited, Anna temporarily worried about disappointing her, but that fear vanished when she indicated a book she was attempting lately.
“That’s wonderful, Anna.” She touched her arm and looked down at her with such pride, she couldn’t help but beam.
The sound of someone entering the room, had Anna turning to see Wade carrying a tray of tea and saucers. Horrified, she abandoned his sister’s side and went to remove the tray from his hands. However, he only shrugged her away.
“Please, humor my sister.” He made a face meant to be in jest and said, “Or I’m afraid she will bore me with all her horrible party chatter.”
“Nonsense.” Kathleen took Anna’s arm and led her to one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. “It will be the grandest party the Circle H has ever seen. You will help me with the preparations?”
She nodded and felt utterly wretched when Wade handed her a teacup.
She went to stand up and do the deed herself, but Kathleen covered her arm with a hand. “Sit down, dear. Wade certainly knows how to pour tea.”
Keeping her eyes downcast, she dropped her chin and felt a small lock of hair brush her cheek. She quickly brushed it behind her ear.
“John, perhaps you would like to take a walk around the estate.” Wade offered, and his brother-in-law nodded his gratitude.
“I’m afraid all this talk about a Christmas ball is far too much for me as well.” He stood up and bowed to his wife before following Wade outside.
Anna took a sip of her tea, then looked up to see Kathleen staring at her with open regret. Reaching out she brushed the same strand of hair behind Anna’s ear. “Such a pity. I bet it was beautiful at one time.”
She remembered her hair. It had been long. When she went to sit she had to be careful not to sit on it. The color was a chestnut brown and shimmered like silk, or so her father had told her since she had actually never seen the material. It had been her pride and joy. However, a strange thing can happen when faced with a life and death situation. It no longer seemed of consequence.
“Perhaps, someday, you will be able to grow it back.”
She looked at the delicate china cup in her hand and thought about the future. It looked bleak and hopeless and Anna could not see herself out of this mess she had gotten herself into. Pretty dresses and silky long locks adorned with elaborate hats and colorful ribbons, were never going to be a choice for Anna. As far as she was concerned, it didn’t rightly matter whether she remained a boy or not.
* * *
“I’m going into Lantern for several hours,” Wade informed the occupants at the breakfast table the following morning. “So don’t expect me back until late tonight.”
“Would you take Anna with you?” Kathleen asked, safely referring to her female identity. The children had already had breakfast in the kitchen with Anna earlier and had made their way outside to play in the barns with the animals.
His hand froze in the process of filling his mouth with scrambled eggs.
“I’ll give you a list of items I need for the party tomorrow night.”
“I can pick them up myself.” He shoved the fork into his mouth and swallowed the contents.
“Thank you, Wade, however I prefer a female’s choice in some of the matters and I really need to be here to organize the decorations.”
“I wasn’t planning on coming back till late.” He reminded her.
“That’s all right. I won’t need these items until tomorrow.” Wade still didn’t look pleased, causing his sister to ask, “Is there another problem?”
