Jake asked Catherine. She ducked her head. I can teach reading, writing, numbers. I had I used to give lessons. used to before. The shape of their story was becoming clearer, even if the details remained hidden.
Jake leaned back in his chair. "I could use help around here," he said. "Storm did more damage than just the barn. Fences need mending. Garden needs replanting.
Horses need tending. " Can't pay much, but there's room in board. " The silence stretched taut. Margaret's knuckles were white where she gripped the edge of the table. Why? She asked finally. Jake stood, began clearing the dishes.
Ranch is too much for one man. Been thinking of hiring help anyway. It was a lie. And they all knew it. But it was a lie that allowed everyone to keep their dignity.
We can't, Margaret said. It's not safe. Not for you. Let me worry about what's safe for me. Rose stood abruptly, chair scraping against the floor.
Maggie, we need to talk outside. She grabbed her older sister's arm, practically dragging her toward the door. Katie, stay here. Through the window, Jake could see them arguing. Margaret, gesturing emphatically, Rose with her hands on her hips, giving as good as she got.
Catherine remained at the table, thin fingers worrying at a tear in her dress. They're trying to protect you, she said softly. From us? From what follows us? Jake sat back down across from her.
Up close, he could see the dark circles under her eyes, the hollow of her cheeks. "What does follow you? " Catherine met his gaze, and for a moment, she looked far older than her years. "Evil," she said simply. "The kind that wears a respectable face and owns half the county. " Before Jake could respond, the sisters returned. Rose's face was flushed.
Margaret said in grim lines, but something had been decided. Three days, Margaret said, "We'll work for 3 days. Help fix what the storm damaged, then we move on. " Jake nodded, knowing 3 days would become four, then a week, then longer. Whatever was chasing these women, they were exhausted, worn down to nothing. They needed time to rest, to heal, to gather strength for whatever came next.
"The barn's dry, but the house has a spare room," he said. "Was my parents'. You're welcome to it. " Margaret opened her mouth to protest, but Rose spoke first. "We'll take it. Thank you. " As the afternoon wore on, they worked together to clear storm debris.
Jake found himself watching them, learning their rhythms. Margaret, always alert, always protective. Rose, fierce and bold, but gentle with her sisters. Catherine, stronger than she looked when she thought no one was watching. When the sun began to sink toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of gold and crimson.
Jake stood at the same fence post as the night before. But now he wasn't alone. The sounds of life came from the house. Rose's laughter at something Catherine had read aloud, Margaret's voice raised in fond exasperation. For the first time in three years, the ranch didn't feel empty, and for the first time since he'd buried his family, Jake Sullivan found himself afraid, not of whatever pursued the sisters.