Then she’d heard Blue and Claude talking and hurried outside to see what was going on. It had been coals glowing in the ash pile. It seemed so insignificant in light of the threat she’d imagined that she had let out a sigh of relief. Then she’d realized how the thought of a fire had frightened Blue. She wanted to say there had never been any danger. The embers would burn themselves out. But she knew all he would think was how his family had perished in a fire.
She longed to be able to offer more comfort than a brush of her hand on his arm and vowed she would do so the next morning.
He joined them for breakfast and was quieter than usual. Libby had to ask him a question twice before he answered.
Clara hoped she could relieve his mind. She’d explain how she kept a bucket of water nearby and how she positioned herself and the girls so they could escape quickly.
She took the girls to the church once they’d finished breakfast and waited until they went outside to get snow before she approached Blue.
There was a tightness about his mouth she hadn’t seen for many days. She faced him, her hands on his arms. “About last night—”
“You can’t stay there.”
She blinked at his harsh words, then took a calming breath. He was naturally overly concerned about fires. “Blue, we were never in danger.”
He gripped her shoulder. “How can you say that? Do you know how little it would take to start that shack on fire? And how quickly it would burn?”
“That’s why we sleep close to the door.” She refused to let his words frighten her.
“And that man! I followed him last evening and spoke to him. He’s hiding something. And why does he hang about town? He’s looking for someone.”
It was a fear she couldn’t deny. She shivered. “What do you suggest I do?”
“Let me take you to the ranch.”
She considered the offer. It would be nice to feel safe. But if that man was searching for her, how hard would it be to go to the ranch? Not nearly hard enough.
“My best chance is still to head north,” she said. Even to her ears it sounded less and less like a reasonable option. But it was still the only way she could think of that would prove herself capable of keeping her girls. She repeated her belief. “Unless I can prove I can do this on my own, I will never be able to defend myself against my father.”
Blue went to a window and stared out. He jammed his hands in the front pockets of his trousers, then turned to face her. “At least let me take you to the ranch tonight. We can stay overnight and attend church tomorrow.”
“What if Petey comes while I’m gone?”
“He won’t leave on a Sunday. He’ll spend the day visiting with Rufus. They’re old friends.”
“You’re sure?”
As if sensing her weakening, he added, “I’ll ask Rufus to tell Petey so he’ll wait. The man isn’t about to turn down paying customers.”
It would be nice to feel safe for a few hours and to attend a real worship service. “You’re sure we won’t be an imposition?”
He chuckled. “The boss’s wife always welcomes travelers. She’d love to see you and the girls.”
Clara hovered between the need to prove she could manage on her own and the desire to attend church. Then she made up her mind. Surely it didn’t make her look weak to spend a Sunday worshiping. In fact, it might prove what a good parent she was—making sure the girls got their religious instruction. “Fine. I’d love to go to church with you.”
He blinked as if surprised at her agreement. “Really?”
She laughed, although she felt somewhat annoyed. “Why did you ask if you expected me to refuse?”
“Because I’m worried. I don’t want to see anything happen to you or the girls.”
Her annoyance fled, replaced with gratitude for his concern. “Blue, you’re a good man.”
She watched, surprised, as he turned pink beneath his tan. She chuckled. “Not used to hearing compliments?”
He merely shrugged. “Shall we leave after dinner?”
She considered. She would have preferred to wait and make sure Petey didn’t arrive with the stagecoach, but Blue seemed convinced the stagecoach driver would want to spend a day with his friend. “So long as you can assure me the stagecoach won’t leave without me.”