Page 64 of My Heart Will Find You

He didn’t say any more, just looked at her.

“I would really, really like for you to take me to Van Buren. I would especially love spending time with you. Just you.” She reached out to touch his hand, her fingertips against his. A touch of promises.

The look he gave her made her start to sweat. He stood up. “How soon can you get ready?”

She stood up. “Lightning is slower than me.”

He gave a little smile then went to the door with such long, quick strides that Etta had trouble keeping up with him.

When they got outside, Max didn’t bother with the buggy. Etta thought maybe it was the first time in his life that he didn’t think of his little sister first. He didn’t say so, but Etta knew he was leaving his sister to find her own way home.Was he turning her over to Pat?

Max got on his horse, then reached down to Etta and pulled her up behind him. He rode so fast that she would have fallen off if she hadn’t held on to him tightly.Verytightly.

When they reached the house, he held her arm to let her down. “Wear the riding clothes and pack a clean set. I’ll take care of the rest. Hurry. If we’re to get there by Wednesday, we need to leave now.” He raised an eyebrow. “This man is your...?”

She knew what he was asking. Former lover? “I’ve never met him.”

Smiling, he reined his horse away and Etta ran up the stairs to his mother’s bedroom. To her delight, spread on the bed, was the riding outfit. It had been washed and hung out to dry. It smelled of Kansas sunshine. Her fairy godmother who put her in and out of nightgowns seemed to have struck again.

She packed as fast as she cooked. She shoved a set of underwear, which was the size of a modern ball grown, into a canvas bag she found in the back of the wardrobe, then added a clean blouse. There was only one set of gaucho skirt-pants.

“Oh for jeans and T-shirts,” she muttered.

She ran down the stairs to the kitchen, planning what food to take.

Alice was there. “Esmeralda already put things together. She’s happy that she can go home.”

“Because you now have Pat and Nellie?”

Alice’s pretty face blushed. “I guess.”

“She was the one who put me in the nightgowns?”

“Yes.”

Etta put her hands on Alice’s shoulders and kissed her cheeks. “We’ll be back as soon as possible. By train, I hope.”

Alice just nodded, not asking where she was going or why.

I guess I’m too weird for them to understand, Etta thought.And I agree!She grabbed a couple of apples and two cans of peaches. Alice took them, and Etta ran out the back door then halted.

Max was there with two saddled horses that were loaded with bags of supplies. In front of him was a row of people, all of them waiting for Etta.

Cornelia stepped forward, holding out a beautiful leather jacket. “Kansas gets cold at night.”

Etta took the jacket. “Thank you.”

Cornelia stepped back and slipped her hand into Bert’s.

Martha handed Etta a bag of food. “If you get hungry.” She looked embarrassed.

Rufus, propped up on crutches, hobbled forward. He held out a knife in a sheath. “I hope you don’t need it.” There were tears in his eyes. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Sally and Freddy gave her a blouse that had been embroidered with little blue birds. Their eyes told of their gratitude. Etta had changed their lives.

Preacher Tobias stepped forward. He was smiling broadly. “The town fired me. No more church. I’m doing accounts for the Red Dog as well as here.” He pressed something into her hand. It was a symbol, probably Celtic, made of silver, and on a rawhide string. She put it around her neck. He whispered, “Thank you,” then stepped back.

Nellie and Pat came forward. The child gave her a little bear made of iron. “My dad made it and it’s for good luck,” she said, then went back to him.

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