Fine. He knew she was lying. He did not press. Supper passed in pieces. People asked about the ranch, about Roundup, about Grant's shoulder, about whether Hannah planned to stay through winter.
That question came three times. Each time Hannah answered the same way. I was hired for eight weeks. The fourth time, she excused herself. Behind the church kitchen, the evening air felt good against her face.
A narrow path ran between the building and a stack of split firewood. Beyond it stood a row of cottonwoods already losing their leaves. Hannah pressed both hands against the rough siding. She could hear music beginning inside. A fiddle, boots scraping chairs aside, then women's voices around the corner.
Two of them. She recognized one as Mrs. Witcom. The other she did not know. Grant Dalton could have his pick.
I know. Funny thing bringing that boarding house woman. Children probably attached themselves. You know how children are. A pause.
At least she's useful. The second woman laughed softly. Yes. I suppose a man doesn't notice much if he's tired enough. Hannah closed her eyes.
She had heard worse. That was what she always told herself. She had heard worse. But something about tonight made the words cut differently. Maybe it was Grant saying the dress suited her.
Maybe it was his hand at her elbow. Maybe it was the chair beside his every night. Maybe it was simply that she had begun wanting something she had promised herself not to want. The women rounded the corner and saw her. Both stopped.
Mrs. Witkam's face changed. Hannah, evening. The other woman flushed. We were only I know.
Mrs. Wickham attempted a smile. You look lovely tonight. Hannah laughed once. It surprised all three of them.
She looked toward the dark yard. No man wants a plus-sized woman like me. And pretending otherwise only makes a fool of me. Silence. Not the women's silence.
Something behind her. A boot shifted in the dirt. Hannah turned. Grant stood several yards away. Henry and Molly were with him.
Molly's eyes were wide. Henry's jaw was clenched. Hannah's whole body went cold. Grant had heard every word. She looked at the ground.
She wished absurdly that she had stayed home. Mrs. Witam murmured something about finding her husband and disappeared with the other woman. Grant did not follow them with his eyes. He looked only at Hannah.
The music inside continued. Fiddle, laughter, a door opening and closing. Hannah tried to speak. Nothing came. Grant stepped closer.