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The confusion on his face might have been amusing if the sky-blue eyes weren’t glaring with such hostility.
“And you are?” Garrett asked.
“Odell Waters.”
Recognizing the name from last night’s talk, Garrett was tempted to let him in, but again, he didn’t want to be shot by the lady of the house for being presumptuous. He also wanted to let the old man inside because it was too cold to be conversing in the open doorway.
“Let him in, McCray.”
He turned to see Spring removing her coat and hat. Her weary tone matched the weariness in her face. It was plain she needed more sleep. Garrett stepped aside.
Still exuding suspicion, Odell took a moment to take off his snowshoes before entering. Garrett closed the door.
Removing his coat and hat, Odell asked Spring, “What’s he doing here? Who is he?”
“Name’s McCray. Back-East newspaper reporter here to interview the good doctor. Found him walking in the storm yesterday. Got thrown by his horse.”
He sized Garrett up again. “He giving you any trouble?” Odell hung the coat and his hat on one of the pegs nailed to the door.
“No.”
Garrett wanted to announce that he could speak on his own behalf, but the old man seemed intent upon ignoring him. Grumbling inwardly, Garrett spoke to Spring. “I hope you don’t mind me eating your eggs, but I’m cooking breakfast. Do you want a plate?”
She paused and did some sizing up of her own before replying, “Sure. Two eggs.”
“Bacon? Toast?”
“Both.”
Odell finally addressed him, “If there’s more eggs, I’ll take two. Bacon and toast for me, too. Any coffee? Cold out there.”
Garrett wondered how wanting to repay Spring for her hospitality by offering her breakfast had turned him into a diner cook. “Where’s your coffee, Miss Lee?”
“Come. I’ll show you. Odell, have a seat.”
Odell asked, “You sure you’re okay with having him here?”
“If I wasn’t, he’d be out in the snow waiting to be turned over to Beck.”
Confused, Garrett asked, “Who’s Beck?”
“Town undertaker.”
“Oh.” He had no further questions.
As they ate, his hostess and their visitor talked while he listened. Odell had spent the morning checking on his snowbound neighbors. Garrett had no idea how large an area that entailed, but the idea of a man his age venturing out on such a mission was impressive.
“Everyone okay?” she asked.
Forking up some of the scrambled eggs on his plate, Odell nodded. “Seems so.”
“How’s the road?”
“Impassable still, but temperature’s rising. Another day or two and it should melt enough for folks to get out.” He glanced Garrett’s way. “How long are you staying?”
“Just long enough to get what I need from Dr. Lee for my story.”
Odell studied him. “Good.”
