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Despite the shock, Kristin’s first thought was for Gerda. Putting her hands on the girl’s shoulders, she pulled her aside. “Go help your sister, Gerda.”
Gerda’s blue eyes widened in a startled look. “But we were only talking. He asked me where to find the cinnamon, and I showed him.”
“Not another word.” Kristin shoved her toward the door. “Go. Now. I’ll be along in a minute.”
As Gerda fled out the front door, Kristin faced her half-brother. “What are you doing here, Mason?” she demanded.
“I’ve come home.” His expression was all boyish innocence. “My mother’s getting along in years. I’ve come back to help her run the ranch. But why don’t you seem glad to see me?”
“You know why. Leaving town was the best thing you ever did for our family.”
Again, he gave her that bewildered look he’d always been good at faking. “I don’t understand,” he said.
“I think you do. And if I catch you anywhere near that innocent young girl, so help me, I’ll put you on the train myself—if her father doesn’t shoot you first.”
She turned to go, but he blocked her way, putting a hand on her arm to delay her. “We’re still family. How’s our father?”
“He died of the Spanish flu last winter along with my mother.” Saying the words still triggered a stab of grief.
“I’m truly sorry for that,” he said.
“It’s too late for sorry. You broke his heart, Mason. And now the best thing you can do is leave our family alone. Blake’s in charge now, and he’s doing fine. So stay away from us. We’ll all be better off.”
Pushing her way around him, she strode toward the door. By the time she stepped outside, she was shaking. Had Mason seen Hanna? Had she noticed him? And Gerda—she’d been a seven-year-old child when Mason left town. She hadn’t even known him. Had anyone ever told her what he’d done?
Mason was part of the past. Why couldn’t he stay there?
Hanna had driven the buggy around to the front of the store. Kristin climbed in, squeezing next to Gerda on the front seat. As they drove through town and back to the house, she studied the two sisters. Gerda was pouting, her lower lip thrust out like a child’s. But Hanna was calm and smiling. She must not have been aware that Mason was in the store. But she needed to know that he was back in Blue Moon.
When the buggy pulled up to the house, Kristin swung to the ground, giving Gerda room to climb out. Still pouting, the girl stalked up the walk to the front door, giving Hanna and Kristin a moment alone.
“Mason’s back,” Kristin said. “He was in the store. I don’t suppose you noticed him.”
“I didn’t,” Hanna said calmly. “But I’m not surprised. I’ve always known he’d come back someday.”
“He could cause a lot of trouble,” Kristin said.
“I know. But I’m not a silly girl anymore. I’m prepared to stand up to him and to protect my family, especially Joseph.”
“Blake needs to know.”
“I’ll tell him,” Hanna said.
“And you might want to keep an eye on Gerda. He was talking to her, and she seemed to be enjoying it. Does she know anything about what happened?”
“Not unless my mother told her. Gerda was too young to understand at the time. But I’ll tell her as much as she needs to know. With that pretty face and no more sense than I had at her age, she’s a worry to the family. Maybe I’ll ask Britta for help. She knows everything.”
“In any case, I trust you to deal with the situation,” Kristin said. “I won’t be coming in. A woman in the store told me about a place that might be perfect for my office. I’m going to look at it. I’ll see you later at home. Good luck.”
“I’m going to need more than luck,” Hanna said. “But Mason is not going to damage my family. I’ll make sure of that.”
* * *
The house wasn’t perfect, but it came with almost everything Kristin needed. Set at the edge of town on the road to Miles City, it had peeling paint and two cracked windows. But there were three bedrooms and a parlor, a handy kitchen with a big wood stove, and indoor plumbing. There was a shed for her auto, and the friendly neighbors kept a few horses and a one-horse chaise, which she could borrow as needed in exchange for free medical care.
Within the hour, she had signed a lease and paid her first month’s rent. Tomorrow, even though it was Sunday, she would roll up her sleeves and get to work.
She was about to start for home when she remembered last night’s conversation with Blake. The cutoff to the wagon route that ran from the main road, crossed the former Tee Pee Ranch, and ended at the lumber mill couldn’t be far from here. She would do some exploring on the way home, maybe look at the parcel Blake had wanted to buy.
