Hunter's Prize (30 page)

As they turned the corner, Theo’s voice carried to Addie. “Did you know there was a room back there?”

Their voices faded out of reach, and Addie prayed for their protection.

Priscilla’s eyes grew wide. “For heaven’s sake, Delilah, where is Ceddy?”

She lifted her gaze to the top of the stairs. “He up there in bed.”

“What were you doing in the den? You should be with him.”

“He mighty restless tonight. I come to fetch him a book.”

“Well, go to him. I’m sure he heard you bellowing. Poor child is probably frightened out of his mind.”

Delilah hustled to obey, tripping over the bottom step in her haste.

“I’ll be up soon,” Addie called as Delilah reached the top landing and sprinted out of sight.

The screen door opened and closed. She and Priscilla gawked at each other then clung together in fear while they waited to see who would appear.

Addie breathed a sigh of relief when Pearson’s dear face rounded the doorpost.

“Whoever it was, they’re gone now.”

Theo chuckled. “I’d have cut and run, too. Delilah has a healthy set of lungs.”

“Do you mind if we take a look inside?” Pearson said. “I’d like to see the window they were looking through.”

“Of course,” Priscilla said. “Right this way.”

Their footsteps echoed in the narrow passage. In a hushed voice, Theo repeated his earlier observation. “I didn’t know there was a room back here.”

Addie smiled, “Neither did I. Not for the first two weeks I worked here.”

“It’s my brother’s den,” Priscilla provided. “He designed it this way on purpose. The man coveted his privacy.”

Inside, the spaciousness of the room struck Addie afresh, especially given the fact that it was so well hidden.

Evidently thinking the same, Theo softly whistled.

Priscilla nodded at the large window behind the desk. The drapes were drawn aside with ornate ties. “Had to be that one. The others are on the slope. Too high off the ground.”

Pearson strode to the desk and peered out into the darkness. Turning, he studied the room as if from the intruder’s eyes. “Do you keep any valuables in here, ma’am?”

Priscilla crossed her arms. “I honestly don’t know what my brother kept in here. I don’t enter often.” She winced. “Too painful.” She gazed around her. “I suppose that’s why I haven’t changed anything. This way it seems he’ll amble through the door any minute and light a cigar.”

Addie squeezed her arm.

Pearson pushed off the edge of the desk and joined them. “I’m afraid there’s nothing more we can do tonight. At first light, we’ll search for prints and see if we can track them.”

Her eyes bulging, Priscilla looked over his shoulder at the window. “Do you think they’ll come back?”

Pearson shrugged but offered an encouraging smile. “Theo and I will take turns watching the house. Will that make you feel better?”

She clenched her hands at her midriff. “Oh, much. Thank you, boys. I’m ever so glad you’re living on the grounds. I feel protected knowing you’re right outside the door.”

Her heart thudding, Addie scurried behind the desk and lowered the blind. As an added measure, she undid the ties.

“Thank you, Addie,” Priscilla said. “We’d best say good night now and go see to our boy.” Wringing her hands, she started for the door. “I do hope he wasn’t frightened by all the commotion.”

Pearson tugged on Addie’s sleeve as they left the room. She peeked over her shoulder, and he mouthed the words “Good
night.”

“
Good night
,“she mouthed back, her heart aching to hear what he’d planned to say in the parlor.

S
unday dawned bright but a little cool for late May. Addie leaned, bottoms-up, over her canvas bag, searching for a shawl to wear with her dress. She’d taken great pains to pack the perfect one, the style a little dated, but it would wear well with her linen gown and matching bolero jacket. Not that it mattered. She wouldn’t need it past ten in the morning.

“Not a very ladylike pose, Addie.”

She spun toward the door. “Priscilla! You startled me.”

“I knocked, dear. I was beginning to get concerned.”

Addie laughed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you. I was rummaging inside this bag.”

“Are you nearly ready? It’s time to go.”

“Yes, and I’m sorry it’s taking me so long. I’ll be right there, I promise.”

“We’ll wait for you downstairs. By the by, you did a lovely job dressing Ceddy. He looks so dapper.”

She beamed. “Thank you.”

The door closed on Priscilla’s smiling face.

Addie bent over her luggage again and snatched the folded shawl from the bottom, tugging it free. Spotting the jasper pendant, she took the time to wrap it along with the beads in a white lace handkerchief and then tucked the bundle into a corner. Before closing the top, a peculiar sight caught her eye.

Disbelief flooded her heart as she lifted Ceddy’s ugly white rock, the rough edges snagging her favorite blue blouse. Balancing the stone in her hand, the significance of its presence struck a blow.

Ceddy had been in her room. He’d opened the bag where she’d hidden the pendant yet left it untouched. Even stranger, he’d placed his own prized possession alongside hers.

But why? To keep it safe?

Inhaling sharply, she stared dumbly at the wall.
Dear Lord, what could it mean?

Hearing voices in the hall below the stairs, she tossed the stone inside the bag and slipped the loop over the big button. Scrambling onto the chair, she shoved the bag into the shadowy recess atop the wardrobe and climbed down.

Draping the shawl over her shoulders, she hustled from the room.

Priscilla stood downstairs, her hands on Ceddy’s shoulders. Addie smiled at the sight of him. Standing tall and straight beside his great aunt, he looked the fine young gentleman in a suit jacket, ruffled blouse, short pants, and stockings.

Delilah hurried over with a silk scarf, knotting it around his neck with practiced hands. “There you be, Little Man. Now you won’t take a chill.”

“I invited Theo and Pearson to ride with us this morning.” Priscilla bumped Addie’s arm with her shoulder. “I thought you might be pleased.”

Addie tried to hide just how pleased she was, but the twitching corners of her mouth gave her away. “Oh Priscilla! Don’t you tease.”

Her shoulders shook with laughter. “I don’t mean to, honey, but you two are the cutest things.” She picked up her pretty lace parasol and gloves from the entry hall table. “Unfortunately, they had to decline. It seems Pearson invited guests to church this morning. He and Theo rode out early to meet them and walk them over.”

Disappointment weighed Addie’s heart, but she pushed it aside and replaced it with pride. Pearson cared deeply for others. It was a trait to be admired.

Delilah excused herself and hurried out, late for choir practice again.

Priscilla herded Ceddy toward the door, waging and losing a brief skirmish over a handful of colorful rocks peeking between his fingers. “Very well, young man,” she said when he started to cry. “But you’ll keep them in your pocket inside the sanctuary.”

Addie wanted to pull Priscilla aside and tell her what she’d found in her room but decided not to spoil the mood of the day. There would be plenty of time after church to ask her opinion on the bewildering find.

The morning was lovely, despite the cold lingering beneath the fringed cover of the carriage. Riding down the gently sloping hill, Addie remembered the first day she’d arrived, excited and frightened, with Mother at her side. It seemed like a scene from another lifetime.

Seated between them, Ceddy nodded drowsily until Priscilla eased him against her side. Gazing down at him, she took advantage of his grogginess and lovingly caressed his pink-tinged cheek. The gesture pained Addie’s heart.

“We’ll have to watch him carefully,” Priscilla whispered. “Don’t take your eyes off him for a minute.”

Addie smoothed a stray wisp of his hair. “Not even for a second.”

Ceddy slept the whole way, his chubby mouth slightly parted, his lashes grazing his cheeks. Moved by his innocence and beauty in sleep, Addie shared teary-eyed smiles with Priscilla for the rest of the ride.

Pearson and Theo stood on the steps of the church with Reverend Stroud and several others. As the carriage rumbled up, Pearson turned his head, his searching gaze finding Addie. Pausing in midsentence, he flashed a dashing smile.

Addie’s stomach tumbled.

Beside her, Priscilla cooed like a mourning dove.

“Priscilla, please!” Addie hissed.

Pearson seemed to have eyes only for her. Excusing himself, he strolled to meet them at the end of the walk. Offering his arm, he handed her down. “Good morning.”

“Yes, it is,” she said.

As if remembering his manners, he turned to greet Priscilla. “And how are you, kind lady?”

She gave him a bright smile. “Very well, thank you.”

Nodding at Ceddy, he lowered his voice. “Looks like somebody didn’t sleep well last night.”

“After all the ruckus, I’m amazed he slept at all.” Priscilla cuddled him closer. “Poor lamb. I almost hate to wake him.”

“May I carry him inside for you?” Pearson offered.

She waved her hand. “Oh no. You two run along. I’ll let him rest for a few more minutes, and then we’ll join you.”

“Are you sure?” Addie asked. “I could wait with you.”

“Go ahead with Pearson, dear. No sense in both of us being late.”

Beaming, Pearson offered Addie his elbow. He escorted her inside, up the aisle, and to her usual seat in Priscilla’s pew. Leaning, he dropped his voice to a whisper. “There are a couple of fellows I’d like you to meet after the service.”

Aware of several sets of envious female eyes, Addie nodded and lowered her head.

She longed to sit up front next to Pearson, but such behavior wouldn’t be proper, especially with Priscilla absent. She comforted herself by studying the pleasing width of his shoulders, the ripple of cloth against his broad back, and his valiant attempt at combing his hair.

Of course, she made her observations with furtive glances, timed when the women surrounding her directed their meddling curiosity elsewhere.

Priscilla appeared at her side with a rumpled Ceddy in tow.

Scooting aside to make room, Addie eased the dazed boy between them and urged him to sit. She winked over his head at a grim-faced Priscilla.

Ceddy clung tightly to the rocks she’d warned him wouldn’t leave his pocket. Knowing her stubborn little charge, Priscilla must have decided giving in was the only way she could coax him inside. In the end, indulging him worked in their favor. Instead of the usual fidgeting and whining during the song service, Ceddy passed the time lining up the stones on each side of his legs.

At the close of the final hymn, Reverend Stroud took to the podium with a broad smile. “Good morning, congregation.”

He waited for the answering rumble of pleasant voices.

“We have guests among us today.” Gazing down at Pearson, he nodded. “Pearson, if you’ll do the honors.”

Addie breathed a prayer, confessing pride as her tall, handsome suitor stood. Was there a more striking man in all of Texas?

“Good morning,” Pearson said to the worshippers. “I’d like to introduce Mr. Denny Currie and Mr. Charlie Pickering, my special guests this morning.”

Beaming, Addie nodded along with the others at the two men standing with him.

Beside her, someone drew a frantic rush of air, the gasping sound after holding one’s breath too long.

Glancing down at Ceddy, Addie felt her own breath catch.

His eyes were wild and impossibly round. Heartrending terror masked his pale face. Before Addie could call Priscilla’s name, he leaped to his feet and shrieked with all his might.

Bedlam
.

F
amiliar with the word, Addie had never witnessed it in action until now. Stunned silence had reigned a moment, until the last echo of Ceddy’s guttural cry faded to the rafters. Wasting no time with the steps, Reverend Stroud bounded from the platform, fast on Pearson’s heels.

Concerned people filed into the aisle behind them as they passed, their heads bobbing as they tried to peer past each other’s shoulders.

Ceddy screamed louder as Pearson and his friends approached. A mindless, feral creature, he launched his body over the back of the pew, clawing to escape.

Addie caught him midair, the strain on her arms pulling her off her feet. As she teetered across the back of the pew, panic chilled her limbs.

Pearson’s arms wound about her waist, saving her from toppling into the lap of the wide-eyed woman behind her. He set her on her feet while she fought to cradle Ceddy’s rigid body.

“Is he hurt?” the reverend shouted over the noise.

“I don’t know,” Priscilla cried. Tears streaming, she took Addie’s arm and herded her and Ceddy toward the exit, carelessly shoving the crush of curious people aside.

Pearson, Theo, and their friends followed them into the midmorning sunlight. Hurrying to the carriage, Priscilla opened the door while Pearson lifted Addie—Ceddy and all—into the seat.

Burying his face in Addie’s neck, Ceddy sobbed uncontrollably. After a moment, he spread his fingers to peek out from behind them, his frightened blue eyes lighting on Pearson and his friends. “N–nuh!” he screeched, squirming against Addie. “Nuh, nuh, nuh!”

“Gentlemen, please!” Priscilla shouted over the din. “Leave us so we might calm him.”

“Of course, ma’am,” Pearson said. His anxious gaze studied Addie’s face. “Are you all right?”

She nodded, and he backed away.

“Driver, take us home,” Priscilla called, kneading Ceddy’s tense back.

The man shouted at the horses, and the carriage circled in the lane and rumbled away from the church.

They were nearly home before Ceddy’s frenzied sobs quieted to whimpers. Smoothing his hair with trembling hands, Priscilla lifted haunted eyes to Addie. “In all these days since Ceddy’s attack, has he once been exposed to Pearson?”

The question caught Addie unprepared. “What do you mean? Of course he has.” Grasping Priscilla’s train of thought, she shuddered. “Well, he must have been. Pearson’s been in the house as much as we have.”