"This situation is never going to seem natural if Philadelphia runs and hides every time I ride down your road. Tell her that she can continue cooking or ironing or sewing or whatever she's doing to help you."
Livvy folded her arms on the table and gave him a long unreadable stare. " Philadelphia 's in town visiting her father," she said finally. "That's good, because you and I have some things to talk about."
He knew that tone of voice. "Am I going to wish I was holding a shot glass instead of a coffee cup?"
"I've talked to Wally. I wasn't sure if I should mention this to you. I'm still not sure if it's the right thing to do."
"The right thing is to tell me what's troubling you. This family has never had secrets."
Livvy moved her coffee cup in circles on the table, then looked up at him. "I think there's something amiss with Philadelphia 's pregnancy. I don't think she'll carry to term."
Max released a breath. "Why do you say that?"
"She's five and a half months along, but no one would know it to look at her. She said she was picking up some waiting clothes today at Mrs. Dame's, but she really doesn't need them. Something's wrong, Max. This baby isn't developing like it should."
He knew as much about pregnancy as most men, which was to say he knew next to nothing. He spread his hands. "You're saying she should be larger?"
His mother shoved a lock of hair off her forehead with an exasperated motion. " Philadelphia insists she's gained considerable weight and seems astonished that I don't see her belly. She believes she's enormous and has lost her figure, but I sure don't see it. I've almost begged her to consult Doc Pope, but she won't.
So far no one in Fort Houser knows of her pregnancy, and she doesn't want them to. I believe Doc Pope would be discreet, but if she doesn't agree, then I think she should consult a doctor in Denver . But she refuses."
"Do you want me to speak to her?"
"Good Lord, no! Stay out of this, Max. I'm telling you only because it's your baby and you have the right to know there may be something wrong. If anyone tries to talk some sense to her, it should be her husband. Wally's doing what he can, but she's headstrong and so far he hasn't been successful."
Wally, not him. Lowering his head, he rubbed his knuckles across his forehead. "Is her life or health in danger?" He would never forgive himself if something terrible happened to Philadelphia because of him.
"That's what's so frustrating! I don't know. She needs a doctor to check her. She looks healthy, you know that, but something is definitely not right."
Max stood and moved to stare out the kitchen window. Knots rippled along his jawline like beads on a string. Every instinct urged him to ride into town right now, find her, and take her to Doc Pope's. She would listen to him.
"No, Max. I know what you're thinking, but you don't have the right to interfere," Livvy said softly. A sigh lifted her shoulders. "Either Wally will convince her to see a doctor, or he won't. In either case, I think she's healthy and she'll come through with no lasting ill effects." After a long pause, she stood and checked on something in the oven. "Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned this."
"No, you did the right thing."
"It just makes a hard situation harder." She returned to the table and sat down. "Which brings me to the next thing. I guess you already know that Wally spoke to Howard, but Howard brushed him aside. There isn't a cowboy in the region who will sign on with you if he wants to spend his wages. But a lot of people are watching what's going on out at your place."
Then it wasn't his imagination that the traffic had increased on dry, clear days. "Why would anyone care?"
"About half the town believed Louise seduced you into jilting Philadelphia and Philadelphia ran off with Wally out of spite. When word got out that you might lose your cattle, folks pretty much figured you and Louise got your just desserts. That attitude is changing. Those who have seen Louise when she goes in to buy provisions don't see a woman who looks like a temptress. They see a polite, no-nonsense woman who couldn't be flirtatious if you gave her lessons. And when a few folks rode past your place to gloat, they saw you and your wife working like dogs to keep your cattle alive. People are talking. Eventually, Howard will be forced to back off his position."
"It won't happen before spring."
"Probably not," Livvy agreed. "But it will happen. In the meantime, Wally has told Howard that he and Dave intend to help you on Sundays so Louise can have a day free from men's work. Howard objected, but Wally backed him down by saying you're his brother and that's how it's going to be. Gilly and I will come, too, and help Louise cook ahead so it'll be easier during the week. Wash and mend and clean.
Whatever needs doing." She didn't mention Philadelphia .
Max rocked back on his boot heels and pushed a hand in his pocket, catching the green marble between his fingers.
"Wally is living my life," he said softly, keeping his gaze on the snowy ground outside the window.
"And he's thriving," Livvy agreed in a crisp voice. "Wally has found his calling, and it's banking. When he puts on that starched white collar every morning, he sees a circle of power, prestige, and influence. What would you have seen, Max? I don't think it would have taken long for you to start looking at that starched collar as a noose. Or a leash."
"Who knows?"
"In your heart I think you do. It wasn't a banker who built that house five miles outside of town."
Stubbornly, he set his jaw and said nothing.
