Read Online Tracie Peterson - [Heirs of Montana 04] by The Hope Within - Free Book Online Page B

hadn’t been aired in some time. The shades were pulled, making it dark and dingy. Dianne tried not to be upset by the sight. “Thank you. It should serve us well.”
    “I would hope so,” Mary snapped.
    “It’s dark,” Lia said, peeking from behind her mother’s skirt.
    Mary was clearly not pleased with the comment. “There’s light enough.”
    Dianne decided she couldn’t make the woman any more angry, so she braved a request. “Might we get some water for cleaning up?”
    “The room is perfectly clean,” Mary said, her disgust with them evident.
    Dianne smiled. “I didn’t mean for the room. It’s quite in order. I meant so that the children and I could wash up. We’ve been on the train for some days, and we’re very dirty and hot.”
    “There’s a pump out the back door. A bucket too. You’re welcome to fetch water.” The words seemed to pain Mary to even speak them. “There’s a tub on the back porch if you feel the need for a bath. You should know, however, we’re suffering a drought and water is a precious commodity. We aren’t fancy folk, and I won’t tolerate you bathing every day.”
    Dianne thought to push aside propriety and ask Mary why she was treating her so ill, but thoughts of Hallam dying held Dianne in check. She wouldn’t be herself if Cole were as sick, so she could hardly expect this woman to be happy and gracious.
    “Thank you, Mrs. Selby,” she said as Cole and the boys started up the stairs with the baggage. “We’ll be mindful of the water.”
    Dianne showed the boys where to put their things. “You boys will share this room with your sister.” She could see that Mary was speaking again to her son. No doubt complaining about Dianne’s desire for water. Dianne was most relieved when the woman departed. Cole took their bags to the room across the hall, leaving Dianne alone with the children.
    “It’s hot in here,” Micah said softly. “And smelly.”
    “And dark,” Lia added.
    Dianne raised the shade. “There, see. It’s not so dark. And we’ll put up the window and let the breeze come in. That will help with the heat.” She pulled on the window until it complied.
    “You put away your things, and then we’ll fetch some water and clean ourselves up. It will soon be lunchtime, and we don’t want to be dirty.”
    She left the children to their chores and went to find Cole. He had deposited the bags but was nowhere to be found. No doubt he’d gone to see his father. Dianne sighed and sat down on the bed. There was no way this was going to be easy. She sighed again and leaned against the iron footrail.
    “Are you all right, Mama?” Lia asked as she came into the room.
    Dianne lifted her face and smiled. “I’m just tired, sweetheart. Weary of the road we’ve been on.”

CHAPTER 6
    “I HAD NO IDEA THAT YOU WERE SICK ,” C OLE TOLD HIS father. He was shocked at the emaciated appearance of the man. Cole glanced around the darkened room. It depressed his spirit. There hung a smell of death that made him shudder and wish that he could run away from all of it. “You should have let me know sooner.”
    “Came on kind of sudden-like,” Hallam told him. “Doctor says it started with my heart and now other parts of my body are wearing out.”
    Cole nodded and pulled his chair closer to the bed. It was difficult to understand his father’s raspy words. “And there’s nothing to be done?”
    Cole’s father closed his eyes momentarily, then opened them. “There’s plenty that needs to be attended to, but nothing can be done for me. I’m glad you came. I’ve been wanting to talk to you about the farm.”
    “What about it?” Cole figured his father would ask him to sell the place.
    “I’d like you to take it over. I’m leaving it to you in my will.”
    Cole knew his face registered surprise. “You want me to run the farm?”
    “It would be a real blessing to me to know that your mother wouldn’t have to worry about anything. We’ve had help from