souls find solace and healing in each other, for whatever time they have together.
After she’d put out some food for Buttons and spent time cooing over him as befitted his temperament, she straightened and looked around her for something else to do. “I really should spend some time sorting through my things and packing the items that can be shipped ahead,” she told the feline absently. “Then again, Ward did say he was an early riser so maybe I’ll just go downstairs to the emporium and open the doors now. What do you think?”
The cat continued eating without acknowledging her words.
“Downstairs it is.” She turned toward the stairs and descended to her shop. She unlocked the door and turned the sign from Closed to Open. Mr. Hill had already turned out the town’s streetlamps so it wasn’t quite as early as she’d thought. But even so, hers was the first shop on her block to open for a change.
Hazel had just finished raising the shades on the display window when Ward escorted Meg and Pugs into the place.
“Good morning,” Ward greeted her. “I see you’re as good as your word about rising early.”
She noted the hint of surprise in his voice. “Of course. No point in letting the cool of the morning go to waste.”
Meg’s pigtails were slightly uneven but at least all the hair was contained and she seemed to be in a sunny mood.
“Did you two have breakfast yet?”
Meg nodded enthusiastically. “Sheriff Gleason and I had some bread and fig jam. It was very good.”
Ward looked sheepish. “It was all I had. I’ll pick up some groceries before she returns to my place this afternoon.”
Did he even know how to cook for a four-year-old?
Wanting to have a word in private with Ward, she smiled down at Meg. “If you and Pugs would like to go say good morning to Buttons, he’s right over there by the button bin.”
With a nod, Meg skipped over to greet the cat.
Hazel immediately turned to Ward. “So how did things really go last night?”
He grimaced. “It could have gone better. But we both survived so I guess that’s something.”
“Was it really so terrible?”
He shrugged. “One thing I figured out pretty quick was that I’ll have to do something about our sleeping arrangements.”
“Why? Did you have trouble getting Meg to settle down?”
“Not at all. From what I can tell, Meg slept like a hibernating bear cub all night. Problem is, she goes to bed so early, I have to do the same or risk waking her. And I realized that if anyone comes knocking at my door needing help, they’ll disturb her before I can so much as get out of bed. And even if they don’t, it doesn’t seem right my being upstairs and her being downstairs by herself.”
“Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.” She frowned “But didn’t you say you don’t have a guest room?”
“I don’t. Which means I’ll have to turn my room over to Half-pint. And I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“That doesn’t sound very comfortable.” Hazel resisted the urge to once again offer to let Meg sleep in her guest room. He had to figure out how to make this work without her. Instead she made another suggestion. “Edgar Crandall would probably let you use one of the hotel’s portable beds. It wouldn’t be the same as your regular bed but it would be more comfortable than the sofa.”
She saw what looked like consternation in his expression but it disappeared quickly. He merely said, “Good idea. I’ll check into it.”
She smiled sympathetically, trying to be supportive while not taking on more than she should. “I know it’s a bit awkward while you’re getting used to the situation. But things will get better once you’re both able to form a routine.”
“I don’t think it will come to that. I hope to have a more permanent solution for her predicament before long.”
What kind of solution did he hope to find? “Whatever happens, you need to make sure Meg has a good home. It breaks my heart to think of all she’s been through.”
He stiffened as if she’d insulted him. “Of course. I don’t intend to turn her over to just anyone. That’s why I need to do some digging, to find out as much as I can about her situation and what options we have.”
“And just how do you plan to accomplish that?”
He arched a brow. “You’re certainly curious about the details for someone who’s leaving us all behind soon.”
Even though his words stung, Hazel tried not to take offense. “My leaving is beside the point. I care about Meg and what happens to her.”
He nodded in acknowledgment. “To answer your question, I’ll start with what I know. They boarded the train at Adler’s Bluff. And if the note Freddie left is to be believed, their last name is Lee. I’ll wire the sheriff of Adler’s Bluff and see if he knows anything about them.”
She placed a hand on his arm. “You do realize she’s growing more attached to you by the day. Even if you find family members who want to take her in, it’s going to be a difficult separation for her.”
“We’ll just have to deal with that when the time comes. She’ll be better off with someone else, someone who can be a good parent and will give her the kind of loving home she needs. You and I both know I’m not that person.”
That again. “I know no such thing.”
He gave her an exasperated look, as if her words were nonsense. Then he crossed his arms. “Regardless, you won’t be around to see how it all unfolds, will you?”
She stiffened, brought up short more by the hint of accusation in his tone than the words themselves. “My future plans are not up for discussion. Meg’s future is what we need to concentrate on.”
Why in the world did he keep bringing that up and in such an accusatory way? Was he more bothered by her plans to move away than he’d let on yesterday? If so, was it because he’d truly miss her or was it just the inconvenience of not having her to help with Meg?
The shop bell jangled, interrupting their conversation.
Eunice Ortolon, the town’s biggest busybody, breezed into the shop, chin up at a disapproving angle. Hazel had no illusions she was here to make a purchase.
Nevertheless, she stepped forward with a smile on her face. “Good morning, Eunice. Is there something I can do for you?”
“I came to speak to the sheriff. I saw him step inside here.”
Ward straightened and spoke up. “What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to make certain you’d been made aware of the incident at the mercantile.”
He nodded. “Mayor Sanders and I discussed that when I arrived in town yesterday.”
“Does
