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They had just finished eating when Tommy appeared, yawning sleepily.
“Did I miss breakfast?”
“No, sweetheart, I saved some for you.”
She went to fix him a plate and returned to find him sitting on Temel’s lap, still half asleep, and she smiled at the pair of them. Tommy woke up enough to devour his pancakes while the males talked about their plans for the day, but Dora still hadn’t appeared by the time he’d finished.
“I wonder if I should wake Dora up,” she said at last.
“She’s already up.” Tommy yawned again. “I went into her room to get my ball and her bed was empty. And the crib.”
“What?”
Her startled cry was echoed by Naffon’s as her heart started to pound.
“Go check the stables,” Temel ordered, and Kalpar took off while Temel went to Dora’s room. He returned almost immediately, a sheet of paper in his hand and a grim look on his face.
“She learned from your experience. This was in the center of the bed with a book on each side.”
She started to reach for the paper, but her hand was shaking too badly to hold it steady.
“Read it to me,” she whispered, and Temel nodded.
“I’m so sorry for leaving like this, Mama,” he read. “I know I’m a coward for not telling you I was leaving in person, but every time I tried I couldn’t find the words. But I can’t stay here any longer. I meant what I said last night—I’m very happy that you and Temel found each other—but it just makes me realize what I’m missing. I don’t think there’s a place for me on the farm.”
“No place for her?” Naffon growled. “What is she thinking?”
Temel shook his head and continued.
“There’s something else I didn’t tell you. The day we moved, I wasn’t mailing letters. I went to see Mr. Raven. You see, Daddy gave me some of my first mama’s jewels when she died. They’ve been in a box in the bank all this time, but I finally asked Mr. Raven to sell them for me.”
“I thought about moving back to Wainwright, but there are too many memories there, and too many people who would judge me. I’ve decided to use the money from the sale and make a new start in a new place where Angel and I can truly be mother and daughter. Please don’t worry about me. I’ll send word as soon as I’m settled. All my love, Dora.”
“Don’t worry?” Her voice shook. “How can I not worry when she’s out there on her own?”
“Your mare and carriage are gone,” Kalpar announced as he returned to the kitchen.
“But where could she have gone?”
Temel shook his head.
“I don’t know, but I’ll try and find?—”
“I’ll find her and bring her back,” Naffon said immediately, and she gave him a doubtful look.
“Are you sure? I don’t think she’s going to listen to you.”
“Oh, she’ll listen.” A fierce grin spread across his face, his eyes bright. “In fact, it’s past time for her to start listening.”
“But—”
It was too late—he was already striding out of the kitchen—and she gave Temel a helpless look.
“I really don’t think this is a good idea.”
He stared after Naffon, a thoughtful look on his face even as he put a comforting arm around her shoulders.
“I’m not so sure. He seems very determined.”
