Sundown by Jade Laredo Page B

man.”   Bray scolded.  Patting the boy on his back, she watched him slip his hand beneath the child’s rib cage, checking for damage.  Satisfied his nephew had not broken any bones he reached down, and grabbed the child by the cuff. 
    “Son, if she bucks you off, you’d better find a way to get back on her.”  His uncle challenged.  With a playful shove, he sent the child back to the swing.  She did not miss the tenderness in his amused gaze. 
    “He’s a boy, no harm done.” 
    “Thank God, he’s all right.”
    Bray nodded his head and replied.  “You didn’t answer my question.”   
    “You don’t waste much time, do you?”  She answered.  Crossing her arms, she felt her mouth suddenly set in a tight moue.  “And I daresay it’s appropriate.”
    “You’re the one who brought it up first.”
    “I did, didn’t I?”  Arabella had to smile.  Throwing him an offhanded look, she shrugged her shoulders.  She was keenly aware of his scrutiny when she answered.  “All right then, if you must know I did whatever I had to do to survive.”
    “I see.”  The timbre in his voice sounded hollow, almost distant.  She noted the strange set of his face, clamped mouth and fixed eyes.  Surely, she did not see regret spreading across his handsome face.  Feeling confused and somewhat indignant, Arabella looked away not wanting to take a guess at what he thought.  Swallowing hard, she shook her shoulders, and cleared her throat.
    “Mr. Hanly.”  She paused, closing her eyes for a moment, she felt unsure with herself.  “I’ll understand if you want to take Samuel home.”
    “Why?” 
    “I think you know the answer to the question.”   
    “Sam needs an education.”  Bray clipped, his eyes roved over her icily.  “What you did or did not do with an outlaw, are really none of my concern.”
    He had nothing else to say.  The man turned on his heel, while she stood admiring his fluid stride as he walked away.
     
    Later in the afternoon, Arabella found out Sam Hanly was a delightful pupil.  Bright and inquisitive, he had an exceptional aptitude for learning.  Each time he pronounced a letter, Arabella rewarded the child with dramatic praise.  Nodding her head, she went with the boy’s rhythm as he zipped through the alphabet.  Finishing off with the letter Z, he cocked his head and gave her a toothless grin.
    “Very good, Sam!”
    “Momma says I’m excellent!”
    “Did she teach you letters?”
    “Mm-hmm.”
    “Well your Momma’s right.”  Arabella praised.  “You’re so very clever and she must be proud of you.”
    “Momma’s gonna have a baby!”
    “She is?”
    “Mm-hmm.”  Sam nodded his head.  “We’re gonna name the baby after my Poppa.”
    “Poppa?”  Arabella asked, feeling her heart give way.
    “He’s dead.”  Sam whispered.  With an edge of sadness, he blinked, looking back at her.  “Uncle shot him.”
    “Uncle Bray?” 
    “Mm-hmm.”  Sam returned.  “Momma said it was an accident, he didn’t mean it.”
    Arabella closed her eyes.  The child’s heartbreaking confession was more than she sought to know.  However, the boy’s little insight helped her paint a larger picture of Bray Hanly.  How it must be to carry such a heavy load.  Feeling her throat constrict, she turned away not wanting the boy to see her tears.
    In the distance, she heard the church bell ring, signaling three o’clock.  The clamoring sound somehow soothed her frayed nerves.  Releasing a shaken breath, she swiped at her wet eyes and set a children’s book down on the boy’s desk. 
    “Sam.”  Arabella said.  “I’d like you to take this home so you can read to your Momma.”
    “Momma loves books!”  Sam jumped up from his desk excited, hugging on to her skirt.
    “I sure do.”  A woman’s pleasant voice interrupted the happy scene.  “Especially when she gets to hear how well her boy is reading them.”
    There in the doorway stood Jenny