Page 17 of Cloaked in Beauty

Keeping her hood pulled low over her face, Letty scurried away from the depot. She ducked behind a vacant factory building and ran until she reached the protection of the trees. Slowing only slightly, she wove through the pines until she reached the place where she’d tethered Shadow, a position deep enough into the woods to ensure she’d not be visible from town.

Her feet finally stopped, but her pulse refused to slow. Pressing a hand to her chest, she leaned against the trunk of a tree and squeezed her eyes shut. She’d done it! She’d found Mr. Darby. Thank the Lord there’d been no train at the station. Passengers on the platform would have complicated matters, spawning questions and creating potential witnesses. As it was, she’d had to wait on a man to finish sending a telegram, but she’d managed to stay hidden until he left. She’d avoided the main waiting room and, instead, slipped around to the freight entrance. Creeping in from the rear, she’d hidden between luggage carts and stacks of crates until it was safe to emerge.

Mr. Darby had recognized her at once. Probably from the photographs Grandmother had given him to smuggle to her mother over the years. His eyebrows had arched into his hat brim, and he’d immediately flipped the Closed sign over his window and exited the ticket office. He’d ushered her into a storage room of some sort and closed the door behind them. She’d reached for her knife, the suddenness of being trapped in a room with a man she didn’t know instigating a moment of panic, but his eyes radiated only concern when he turned to face her.

“It’s Flora, isn’t it? What happened? Is she alive?”

It had taken all her fortitude not to fall apart during her explanation. Thankfully, Mr. Darby hadn’t pressed for too many details. He’d confirmed Grandmother’s location, her symptoms, and her condition from when Letty had last seen her, then ushered Letty out of the station through a side door, promising to fetch the doctor.

Slumping against the tree at her back, Letty wrapped her arms around her midsection and dipped her chin to her chest. She’d done everything in her power to help her grandmother. The rest was out of her control.

Please, Lord, don’t let Grandmother die.

Her heart squeezed at the thought of being left alone. No one to talk to. No one to laugh with. No one who would take her by the hand and offer assurances that she could handle whatever trouble awaited her return home.

A tear moistened her lashes, but Letty clenched her jaw and brushed the offending droplet away with a swipe of her thumb. This wasn’t the time to mourn. This was the time to fight. The time to heal. And the time to trust the One who held life in the palm of his hand.

Pushing away from the tree, Letty sniffed to clear away the last of her self-pity, then mounted Shadow and set her eyes on the path ahead. She nudged her mare into a gentle lope and headed for home, careful to conceal herself in the trees along the way.

She made it to the cabin without incident and immediately went inside to check on her grandmother. Rusty lifted his head at her entrance, then padded over and wiggled his head under her hand as if seeking consolation. She gave it gladly, crouching down to hug his neck and rub his fur.

“How is she, boy?” Her voice cracked a bit as she forced herself to rise and approach the bed.

Rusty whined softly but stayed glued to her side, his steadfastness a balm to her bruised spirit. Letty’s hand quivered as she reached for her grandmother’s shoulder. She kept her touch featherlight, not wanting to disturb, just wanting to ensure the woman still lived. Grandmother lay on her side, curled into a ball, face half-hidden beneath the covers. It was nearly impossible to make out any rise and fall of her chest. But when Letty’s hand settled softly atop the blanket, Grandmother stirred slightly, and the breath Letty had been holding whooshed out in a burst of gratitude.

Thank you, God!

“Letty?” A gravelly voice that sounded nothing like her feisty grandmother rattled in the stillness of the room a moment before her eyes fluttered open.

“I’m here.” Letty sat on the edge of the mattress and clasped the hand that had shown her how to knead bread, sew a straight seam, and skin a rabbit. The limpness in those capable fingers made her chest ache.

Fighting back tears, she forced a smile to her face. “I found Mr. Darby at the depot. He’s fetching a doctor and will be here soon.”

Grandmother tried to wag her head, but Letty cut off her objection before she could speak it. “I was careful. I promise. No one saw me. And no one will see me out here, either. I’ll hide in the trees while the doctor is tending you. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Take photo . . . from . . . mantel.”

“I will.” Letty squeezed her hand. “You rest now. I’ll take care of everything.” Only fair since Grandmother had been taking care of everything for the past fifteen years.

“Be . . . careful.”

Letty smiled. “Always.”

Grandmother’s eyelids drooped closed again, and Letty bent to drop a kiss onto her silver hair. “I love you.”

Knowing she didn’t have much time before Mr. Darby and the doctor arrived, Letty hurried through the cabin, hiding anything that might hint at her existence. She stuffed her mother’s wedding photo into the chest at the end of their bed and cleaned up the spilled peas, so no one need wonder how Grandmother got herself into bed, then unsaddled Shadow, gave her a quick brush, and turned her out into the paddock. Finally, she called to Rusty and disappeared with him into the trees. The moment the doctor left, she’d return to Grandmother’s side. Hopefully, Mr. Darby would be clever enough to jot down some notes and leave them where she could find them, so she’d know what kind of care to administer.

It took a few minutes to find a vantage point that offered a clear view of the cabin through the trees, but she managed to secure a position that would hide her well enough while letting her keep an eye on things at the same time. She settled herself on an exposed root and leaned back against the trunk behind her. Barely five minutes passed before a wagon rolled into view.

A growl rumbled in Rusty’s throat, but Letty wrapped her arm around his neck and urged him to stay.

“Easy. They’re here to help.”

Tension radiated through the wolf, but he obeyed her command, sitting on his haunches at Letty’s side.

“Good boy.” She loosened her grip, holding him more for comfort now than restraint.

Mr. Darby pulled his team to a halt and hopped off the wagon before the doctor could gather his medical bag. Darby scuttled toward the house, calling out in a loud voice, “Iris? It’s Stewart. I’m coming in.” Despite the dramatic announcement, he took his time opening the front door.