Page 24 of A Letter to Adaya
She remembered him saying he couldn’t imagine a God that would be cruel enough to punish her by taking her mother. It was funny how someone up higher had a plan for her. In theory, Adaya knew about God. She even prayed to Him. Yet, she didn’t have a personal relationship with Him.How could she?He was omnipotent and powerful.
She took a deep breath and glanced around the barn, spotting Walter in the back corner. He had discarded his hat and was bent over a wheelbarrow, tossing chunks of dirty hay into it with a pitchfork. Something furry snaked between her ankles, and she looked down, finding a gray-striped cat nuzzling her stocking.
“Well, hello there,” Adaya leaned down, scooping the feline into her arms. “Aren’t you the prettiest kitty ever?”
The cat meowed, and she saw Walter grin out of the corner of her eye. She made her way down the aisle, the cat content to be cuddled close, as she stopped to greet each horse with a gentle scratch on their muzzle before finally reaching Walter.
“Good morning,” he said, setting his pitchfork to the side and straightening up.
“It’s definitely been an exciting one.”
Adaya leaned back against the hay bales. The smells and sounds reminded her of a calmer time in her life. “How are things coming with the cabin?”
“That Beau has a good head for building. It should be up in a few more weeks.”
“Weeks? How many weeks? It’ll be November soon.”
“We must be patient, my dear Adaya. These people are busy tending to their own needs before the winter comes. We’re lucky they’ve taken us in and offered to help us rebuild. Show some gratitude and don’t be so quick to look for more than what we have been given.”
Walter’s words stunned her. She hadn’t meant any slight against the Picketts. It seemed like it had all gone by in a flash, and suddenly everything stopped dead in its tracks.
At least, it had been until a few minutes ago.
Right, she thought to herself.Beau asked her to do a few things.Straightening, she adjusted her furry companion to her chest. “Beau sent me to tell you to work closer to the house today. I told him he didn’t need to worry about safety concerns if you were here.”
“I usually do,” the older man groused. “I’ve been keeping you safe your whole life, after all.”
“Something bad happened in town. He left you here, and the others are out in the pasture. That’s what the riders wanted.” She scratched the cat once more. “Does she have a name?”
“I’ve never seen the cat before.” He reached out to ruffle the little thing. “Do you know what kind of bad?”
“Jesse is hurt. Beau was clear he didn’t want the women to worry, and Simon is still here, too.”
“That boy was bound to get hurt. Reminds me a bit of your pa. Now you get back in the house and make sure you ask Miss Cleo before you take that cat in with you.”
Adaya smiled mischievously, her green eyes sparkling. “I hardly caused you trouble back home, Walter,” she teased. “And I have manners, too.”
She moved around the barn to ease her nerves; it always helped when her hands were busy. She grabbed a bowl from the shelf and filled it with water for the cat. The sun on her face and the fresh air that rushed in as she stepped out into the barnyard were just what she needed. Adaya thought of harvesting the garden but waited for Walter’s response before making any other plans.
“You’re a good girl, Adaya,” he said fondly. “Just don’t go rushing into nothing, yew hear?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She refused to turn around and glance back at him, even though the tears welled up in her eyes. He hadn’t intended to make her feel bad, after all. Carrying the cat and the bowl towards the porch, she heard the pitchfork going back to work.
“You keep telling yourself that,” Walter called after her. “I see the way you look at that boy.”
Adaya placed the bowl and the kitten on the porch and sat down on the top step. The cat looked at her before taking off for the barn as if it were chasing a mouse.
She exhaled loudly and pressed her eyes on the heels of her hand, wishing the tears not to fall.
Please, Lord, if you’re listening, keep them safe.
Chapter Nine
Beau felt his anger building as they rode closer to town, the fear increasing with every second that passed. He knew Nate and Carolina were doing their best to help, but he could only pray that nothing had happened to Jesse. He was the baby of the family. When the men arrived in town, they hastily ground-tied their horses out in front of the clinic.
As Beau pushed through the door into the waiting room, he was relieved to find it mostly empty. Miss Libby and a small, dark-haired woman sat huddled together on a bench. Neither moved upon seeing the brothers. Beau focused his attention down the hallway. Carolina always came out when the bell rang.
Why wasn’t anyone coming out?
