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“Why don’t you go on inside for a while? I’ll have Knox make sure there’s a bunk and a drawer clean and ready for you out in the bunkhouse. You can talk to Alice about what you need from us. If we can’t get ahold of that book, maybe you could draw what the weed looks like?” Bodey scratched his head, tipping his hat to the side.
The action made him smile, and the tension in his arms released. He’d never allowed himself to see Bodey Johlman as anything but either the enemy or Alice’s father. Now, he was an equal. A friend. A man who offered what he had to help him. And he wouldn’t forget that.
“I can do that. Thank you, sir.”
“I think you can call me Bodey. The time for sir is long past.” He turned and led his mount along with Kent’s into the barn to relieve them of their saddles.
He led Alice into the house and they sat in the parlor, just inside. Mrs. Johlman entered and sat near them as if there was nothing odd about his presence at all. Two young children with dark eyes and hair peered at him from the doorway.
“Mrs. Eliza will bring in some tea. I’m sure you need it.”
Alice eyed her mother. “How did you know where we were?”
Mrs. Johlman indicated the children. “Josie came in and left the little ones so she could help Gideon while your father was gone. She told me where he and you were off to.” She nodded to Kent. “Good to see you again.”
He rubbed his scar, feeling on display in the bright room. In the next moment, a hearty woman with white streaks in her hair pushed a cart with tea, bread, and butter on it, leaving it within Mrs. Johlman’s reach. “Would ye like me to pour for you?”
Mrs. Johlman smiled at her warmly. “No, thank you. I can manage.”
Mrs. Eliza gave a nod and bustled back to the hallway, disappearing into the dark depths quickly. Just as Mrs. Johlman reached for the cups, someone knocked on the door.
“Dear, me. So many visitors today.” She made it up a few inches from her chair before Alice held up her hand.
“I’ll get the door, Mama.” She squeezed his hand, then stood and opened the door. “My, that was quick, Blake. I didn’t expect you to return so soon.”
Blake came in, followed by Armstrong. With a toss, Armstrong landed a full flour sack on his lap. “Thanks.” He shuffled the unwieldy bag to the floor. He hadn’t many possessions but having them back gave him something to focus on. “Bodey sent me inside to give instructions on how to find the locoweed.”
He tugged the twine string tie off the bag and riffled carefully through the few books inside, his fingers closing around the important one.
“The weeds look like this. I don’t know how they would’ve gotten here. I’d discounted the possibility because some pieces of the puzzle don’t fit. If we can find the plants, maybe those will fall into place.”
“What would you like me to do?” Alice looked up at him with wide, expectant eyes.
She’d already been threatened and had almost been arrested. He wanted her to stay behind, to let them figure out where the plant had come from and get rid of it. Unfortunately, the more animals consumed, the worse the effect. What if something happened to her that he couldn’t foresee?
“I will not take no for an answer.”
Pride swelled in his chest. “It might be dangerous.”
Mrs. Johlman sat up straighter in her seat and pursed her lips but said nothing.
“I’m not afraid of what could happen to me out there. I want to be a part of this group and find answers.”
“Then we’ll work together and that’s just what we’ll do.”
Chapter17
Alice glanced up ahead at the wagons and people doing their business around Belle Fourche. Izzy Oleson’s bakery had a line of people going out the front door and the mercantile was so full they had propped the door open to let in a breeze.
“People are finally buying again,” Alice whispered, afraid that if she reminded anyone of spending money in a frivolous way might make them stop. Guilt could be a powerful motivator.
“I see hope.” Ma smiled. “We have had no rain in almost two weeks. They have planted crops in soil that’s not muddy or drenched. It’s almost dry enough to pray for a little soaking rain. Maybe a sprinkle.” She laughed and tugged on the lines to slow the team as they drew into town.
Hope sure looked good when she had seen little in the last few years. Ma pulled in behind the feed and seed and the bustle soon made her feel a sinking dread. There were only two round bales sitting back there for sale. Without them, they’d have to trust their whole flock could survive off the grass slowly growing in where there had been none in years.
“Ma, we’d best go inside and buy up one of those two before they’re gone. The lambs need it.”
Ma gave a quick nod and left Alice to watch the horses amidst all the other men moving about behind the store. She held tight to the lead horse’s halter so Ma wouldn’t have to move the wagon when she returned. The owner’s men would help Ma load one of the large round bales into the back of the wagon and they could be on their way.
