Page 62 of Brian and Cora
They let the conversation lapse, neither willing to voice what remained unspoken.
After doing the dishes, Cora escaped to pack, folding her few garments with precision to fit as much as possible into her saddlebags. She tried not to think how—in spite of the wonderful people who dwelt therein—the Bellaire mansion would feel too big and ornate after these weeks of cozy simplicity. And empty.
As she returned Brian's last dime novel to the bookshelf, a vague idea that had been nagging at her crystallized. She practically ran to where Brian sat at the table, glaring at another empty page, and dropped into the chair across from him, patting the blank paper in her excitement. "Brian, what if you didn't write a dime novel?"
He looked up, eyebrows raised.
"What if you wrote the true story? A factual account of what really happened with the McCurdy gang rather than trying to create something fictional?"
His eyes went wide, then blazed with creative fire. "Brilliant!" He grabbed her hand, squeezing it in his enthusiasm. "Why didn't I think of that? I'd need to interview the sheriff, the others who were there. That is, if they'll agree…"
"Sheriff Granger didn’t strike me as the self-aggrandizing type," she said dryly, trying to ignore the warmth of his hand covering hers. "But you can certainly ask. I'm sure—” she teased “—you'll discover previously unplumbed depths of persuasion."
"'Unplumbed' is a tactful way to describe my nonexistent persuasive abilities." His thumb brushed across her knuckles before he lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to the back.
Goosebumps raced up Cora's arms, and she was grateful for her long sleeves. Before she could respond, before she could even process the gesture, a knock sounded.
Jewel called from outside. "Cor-a! Cor-a!"
The moment shattered. Brian released her hand. “Come in,” he called and rose, clutching the edge of the table for balance.
Once she was sure Brian was stable, Cora stood.
Torin and Jewel entered, the child clutching a piece of paper, which she thrust at Cora. "For you!"
Cora looked down to see a colorful scribble that might have been a dog or possibly a horse, maybe an elephant. But what was clear was the pink J floating at the top of the page.
With one finger, she traced the letter, her heart swelling with joy. “Oh, Jewel, darling!”
She glanced at Torin and saw the same emotions reflected on his face. Silently, her eyes misting, she handed the drawing to Brian. From his sharp exhale, she knew he understood, and their threesome all experienced the same emotions for the child—love and hope and pride.
She took back the drawing and held it to her chest. "It's beautiful, sweetheart. I'll treasure it."
"Sas-ee now?" Jewel asked hopefully.
"Yes, but stay on the porch," Torin said firmly. "I'll saddle Cora's horse." He picked up the saddlebags leaning next to the front door and carried them out.
As Jewel raced outside with the puppy in pursuit, Brian on his crutches followed more slowly. Once outside, he propped them against the side of the house and used the porch rail to steady himself.
From the doorway, Cora watched with narrowed eyes to make sure he didn’t overdo it.
He looked back and laughed. “I’m fine, Oh Nurse. In no time, I’ll be able to ride.”
She glided toward him. “You’ll have a chance for your interviews.”
“At least I won’t have to head out to Thompson’s ranch. I heard enough talking from Buck Skold that I can easily recreate his experiences. Might have to travel to Crenshaw, though, to interview retired Sheriff Rand. He took over while Sheriff Granger was gone leading us, the posse, I mean. Rand can tell me what happened in town during that time. His nephew, well, he?—”
Torin leading Ole Miss to the porch interrupted Brian’s spate of words. “Ready?”
No. She nodded.
Brian’s excitement about the book idea must have overridden his usual reserve, and before Cora quite knew what was happening, he'd pulled her into a brief, fierce hug.
They sprang apart, both flustered. Brian's ears turned red, and Cora knew her own cheeks must be flaming.
"I should," she began.
"Yes, of course," he said at the same time.
