Page 28 of Brian and Cora
“Well, Miss Cora,” Hank rubbed the back of his neck and glared at her. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He lowered himself into the other wing chair, jittering his teacup and then hastily held the saucer still.
“Can you describe the cabin?” Andre asked, his drawl soothing. “What’s inside?”
“The cabin is snug, made of clapboard,” Hank said, his tone softening. “Bed. Small table. One chair. Rudimentary kitchen. Heated by a two-burner stove.”
Delia handed Hank a plate with sandwiches and cookies. “Now, you eat up, you hear, Mr. Canfield,” she said with a charming smile.
“Yes, ma’am.” They’ve got me rightly pinned down. He set the plate on his lap and took a sip of his tea, surprised by liking the flavor. It had been many years since he’d enjoyed tea this delicate.
“You’re right, Rose.” Andre frowned. “As is, this cabin is a totally inappropriate place for our Cora.”
“Uncle Andre!” The young woman wailed, sounding like a six-year-old.
“Delia is also right.” He nodded at his daughter in approval. “We must make changes to the cabin to ensure the comfort of our girl, as well as welcome home our wounded hero so he can recuperate in comfort and have the best of care.” He slanted a wide-eyed glance of innocence at Mr. Canfield. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
With his mouth full of sandwich, Hank could only nod, trapped by the genteel persuasions of father and daughter.
“Andre!” An older woman ground out. “You can hardly go around building onto and furnishing the homes of everyone who wants to employ Cora.”
“My dear Rose, I hardly think that will be necessary,” he chided, although his eyes twinkled. “For all we know, Cora will change her mind after her first real experience of having the sole responsibility for a tetchy patient.”
“One can only hope,” she said, sotto voce.
With a scowl, Cora crossed her arms. “I won’t, Aunt Rose.”
Andre looked from Rose to Hank. “Remember, though, this is really for Brian Bly, who selflessly sacrificed himself to help bring the murdering culprits to justice. He’s a hero, and he deserves all the comforts and succor we can provide.”
The memory of Dr. Angus pulling him aside after operating on Brian’s leg gave him an inner shudder. “Another inch, the bullet hitting the artery, and we would have lost him. He would have bled out before I could do the surgery.”
“I don’t think Bly will see things in the same light,” Hank muttered. “He won’t let Miss Cora go home with him.”
Cora’s smile was sharp enough to cut. “Then when everyone leaves to drive back to town, I’ll stay. Since I’m already there, he can hardly kick me out of his house.”
“He’ll probably try,” Hank mumbled, shaking his head.
She stuck her nose in the air. “Well, he won’t succeed.”
Andre beamed benevolently and settled back in his chair. “Shall we figure out exactly what’s needed for our jaunt to Three-Bend Lake tomorrow?”
“I’ll approach Dr. Cameron for medical supplies,” Miss Cora volunteered.
“Windows for light and air.” Andre clapped his hands. “And since we’re heading into winter, velvet curtains to screen out the drafts. Do you think he’d prefer blue or forest green?”
Constance clapped her hands. “I can sew them.” Her eyes danced with obvious mischief. “I’ll just need the measurements.”
“I’ll help,” his Elsie volunteered.
Oh, no. Time to put my foot down on Brian’s behalf. “No velvet curtains.” But Hank saw a glance pass between Miss Cora and Delia and suspected that, like them or not, Brian would end up with velvet curtains.
Hank made an inner eyeroll. Trying to hold back Andre Bellaire from his good-hearted, lavish spending was like reining a wild, runaway steed—impossible.
Since Hank had been back, he’d heard how hard Andre had taken the theft and the deaths. The man looked more drawn than he had the last time he’d seen him after church. Like Elsie, he’d appeared deflated, had lost his jovial air, and probably worried all the many people who loved him. To see the town’s philanthropist come alive again, to take charge, to seem more like his old self, well, then, Hank wouldn’t object to velvet curtains or anything else the man wanted to bestow on Brian.
Andre gestured for Hank to lean closer. “Let’s leave our good ladies to come up with a list of what is needed, while you and I draw up plans for the addition to Mr. Bly’s house.”
“Andre, you cannot do this. You cannot be this extravagant.”
“I must. I must assuage my conscience. I will also provide a sum of money for Mr. Skold matching approximately what we are spending on Mr. Bly.”
