The Lone Cowboy of River Bend. Lori Connelly

doesn’t look well.”

      A moment passed before Alice responded to Nate’s gently delivered statement. “He rarely comes out of his room, doesn’t bathe, change his clothes, or eat. Mostly, he guzzles whiskey.”

      “Perhaps a doctor?”

      “He threw Dr. Benson out of the house.” Hannah grimaced, remembering. “The doctor refuses to come out again unless it’s at Jed’s request.”

      “So everyone just leaves him alone now?”

      Her spine stiffened. The redhead’s temper threatened. “What are you trying to say?”

      “Easy.” His tone lowered, pitched to be soothing. “I’m only trying to understand.”

      A silence fraught with tension ruled for a few seconds then Alice interjected, “I reach out to my son every day.”

      “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply you don’t.”

      “She wanted to come here and help him from the start but he refused.” Hannah wanted Nate to know Alice had tried. Memories from the weeks after Bessie’s death ran through her mind. She’d had great sympathy for Jed at first. But, as time went on, she’d grown both worried about, and frustrated with, his behavior. “When I wrote to her about his difficulties, asking her to disregard his wishes and come anyway, she did, straight away.”

      “Alice is an amazing lady and mother.”

      His sincerity sounded genuine and Hannah’s indignation on behalf of her friend eased. “Before, Jed spoke of his mother often and with great fondness. I’d hoped her presence would bring him out of it.”

      “But it didn’t.”

      “No.” Alice’s single word hung in the air a long moment.

      Fresh frustration welled up. Hannah wanted to give Jed a swift kick in the rear for the hurt he was causing. “You’ve been a Godsend for me and the children.”

      Alice patted her hand. “You’re trying to make an old woman feel better.”

      “It’s the truth.”

      The other woman smiled briefly. She shifted, bringing her hands back together in her lap. Her back straight, chin lifted, and expression proud, her gaze traveled from Hannah to Nate.

      “The hour is late. We need to speak of practical matters.”

      “This place is falling apart.” Nate kindly didn’t point out why. “You need at least one farmhand.”

      “There’s no money for one. Last week, I had to charge the supplies we needed to Jed’s store account because there was no cash. I’m selling off anything of value bit by bit to keep the roof over our heads and food in our bellies.”

      “Jed isn’t working at all?”

      “No.”

      “Why didn’t you tell us? You know we’ll help.”

      “As I said, I kept thinking he’d get better.” Alice reached up and patted Nate’s cheek, as she did with the children. “And I know you all would help. For now, understanding I can’t return any time soon is enough. I just can’t leave Jed and the boys like this.”

      Hannah, knowing how much working for the Rolfes meant to Alice, couldn’t help speaking up. “If you need to go, I won’t leave.”

      “You’re an angel but, as we’ve discussed, staying isn’t best for Jemma. In fact, it may become necessary to take the boys away and I need to be here to make that decision.”

      “Perhaps a man-to-man talk would help?”

      The older woman’s sigh filled the room. “If I thought a talking-to would snap my son out of this I’d have herded you into his room straight away. We’ve tried.” She paused, glancing over at Jed’s door, then back at Nate. “Many times. But if you want to take a stab at it, please do. Just wait until the boys are at school tomorrow. I don’t want them exposed to another ruckus so soon.”

      “His bad day?” Nate looked at Hannah as he referenced their earlier conversation.

      “A bad morning for all.” Alice grimaced. “Because I tried to change the bed linens.”

      His brow furrowed. “And?”

      “Jed wants everything as it was the day Bessie died,” Hannah added in. “Changing even something small upsets him.”

      Nate’s expression went from surprised to thoughtful. “Ben saw this fancy doctor in Corvallis maybe-”

      “I thought of that. Jed won’t go.”

      “What about bringing the boys and Jed to the ranch?”

      “I knew you’d make that offer. I appreciate it.” With the stubborn tilt of her chin Alice indicated to all arguing with her would be futile. “But I want to give my son every chance here, in his own home, first.”

      “I understand but if things continue to go downhill?”

      “I’ll take you up on it. I may be a stubborn old woman but I’m no fool.”

      “I’d have words with anyone who said you were.” Nate smiled at Alice, affection for her written on his face. “May I stay for a day or so? Fix a few things?”

      “I’d be grateful.”

      “Make a list. I’ll get started first thing in the morning.”

      Alice nodded. “There’s one other matter I want to discuss this evening.”

      “Of course.” His expression serious, Nate shifted, sitting on the edge of his seat.

      The look in his eyes warmed Hannah’s heart. The man seemed eager, hopeful of hearing other ways he could help. If so, Nate would soon be disappointed. She knew what the older woman wanted to address an issue they’d glossed over earlier. Her job.

      “I don’t know how long I’ll need to stay.”

      “I understand.”

      “Jed could get worse, stay as he is or, given a miracle, my son could finally start to heal.”

      “Take as long as you need.”

      “I worry, wondering how all of you are getting by.”

      “Don’t, we’re fine.”

      “But I will. So I want you to-”

      “Don’t suggest we replace you.” His voice suddenly became granite. “Not. Going. To. Happen.”

      The obvious effort behind Alice’s threadbare smile was troubling. “I love you too. But the work still needs to be done.”

      “It’ll keep. With Ma and Pa off visiting and Becca back east, the house is barely used. The boys and I usually eat with the hands. There’s nothing to worry about.”

      The expression on Alice’s face said she didn’t believe him.

      “We are fine.”

      “I have no doubt. But is the house clean?”

      “We haven’t been making it dirty. Only I sleep there.”

      “The laundry?”

      “Evie is taking care of it.”

      “Evie?” Alice raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t she getting close to her time?”

      “Yes, but starting next week, we’ll be hauling our stuff to town. It’s a small matter. We’re fine. Don’t worry about us.”

      “But I do.”

      “Don’t.”

      Alice studied Nate in silence, patiently waiting.

      “I