Read Online Leave a Candle Burning by Lori Wick - Free Book Online

decided.
    Love,                         
Father                      
     
    Reading the words over again didn’t help. It was still there. His father was still telling him that his cousin was dead. Their family was already so small. Grant was more like a brother than a cousin, and Annie had been the sister he’d never had. And Corina.
    Dannan’s mind stopped. His heart couldn’t take it in. The horse shifted against the reins, and the buggy moved. Dannan looked at the animal just before someone walked past and greeted him. Dannan responded automatically, his hand going in the air.
    Not until this happened was Dannan able to focus on anything. His eyes caught sight of the bank, and without any more thought, he climbed from the buggy and started that way. He had no idea what he was going to say. He just wanted to see Conner and Troy.
    Only Conner was present. Walking past the teller’s counter, Dannan headed toward the desk that sat in the alcove of the bank, Conner coming to his feet as he approached.
    “Sit down, Dannan,” Conner ordered without preamble, reading something terrible in the other man’s ashen face.
    Dannan felt Conner’s hand on his arm and the chair beneath him, but nothing else.
    “Tell me what’s happened,” Conner said.
    Dannan held the letter out, wishing he could find words. He didn’t even look at Conner as he read. His mind could only manage the fact that his cousin would never see this place. He had planned to invite them. He had pictured them visiting and touring all around the town he’d claimed for his own.
    “What plans have you made?” was Conner’s next question.
    Dannan looked at him.
    “Dannan?” Conner tried again. “How will you get to Willows Crossing?”
    “I think on the train.”
    “It’s been and gone. There won’t be another until Monday.”
    Dannan only stared incomprehensibly at him, and Conner saw that this was not going to work, at least not in the bank building. He went to the counter to have a brief word with Mr. Leffler. When he came back to Dannan’s side, it was to take that man from the bank and lead him to the big house. Dannan went without complaint or question.
    Conner had asked Mr. Leffler to send Troy to him as soon as he arrived back. Conner hoped it would be soon.

     
    “Trains run more often from Worcester. We’ll put him in a coach for there and get him on the next train for Willows Crossing.”
    “Who will you have drive the coach?” Reese asked, having sneaked a quick peek at Dannan, who sat motionless in the front parlor.
    “I’ll ask Eli if he can spare Ollie Heber for a few days,” Conner said, referring to the man who performed odd jobs for the Peterson household. “I’ve already sent word to him.”
    This was no more out of Conner’s mouth than someone knocked on the front door. It was Scottie.
    “Is Dannan here?” she asked.
    “Yes, Scottie. Come in,” Reese invited. “In the parlor.”
    “Scottie,” Conner’s voice stopped her before she could go very far. “Is this about Ollie?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then tell me. I’ve had to make plans. Dannan’s not thinking very clearly right now. He won’t even know what you’re talking about.”
    Scottie nodded. “Eli’s just spoken to Ollie, and he says he can leave at any time.”
    “All right.”
    “Eli asked me to tell Dannan we’ll see to the house.”
    When Conner nodded, Scottie entered the parlor. Dannan sat so he could see out the window, but Scottie wasn’t sure he noticed much.
    “Dannan,” she called and was surprised to see him startle. He stood but didn’t speak.
    “I didn’t mean to disturb you. We got word about your cousin. I’m sorry. Eli wanted you to know that we’ll take care of the house while you’re away. Don’t give it a thought.”
    “Thank you.”
    “And this is for your trip,” Scottie added, holding out the basket she’d been tightly clutching in one hand. “A few baked goods from