A Promise to Believe in by Tracie Peterson Read Free Book Online

precious little of that, as well. After all, if what Mr. Bishop is telling us is true, then Harvey fabricated a great deal. Any information I could offer would be tainted by that.”
    A knock sounded on the front door and was soon followed by a woman’s voice calling out in greeting.
    “It’s Mrs. Shepard,” Beth declared. “You go ahead. I’ll take care of everything here. Lacy will be back in just a shake, and we’ll finish off the table.”
    As Gwen exited the room, Lacy came through carrying heavy buckets of steaming water. “I’m going to have Nick look at those cart wheels. They’re getting looser all the time. I think I spilled more water than I managed to get back with.”
    “Just pour it in the sink. The hot water will soak the pans nicely while we have our supper.” Beth placed the two roasted chickens on platters, then poured the drippings into a large cast-iron skillet and began to make gravy.
    “I was thinking of having a soak out there later,” Lacy said as she managed the buckets. “Want to join me?”
    “I don’t think it’d be a good time to do it. You know there are a lot of rowdies over at Rafe’s.”
    “We can lock the gate. Pa built a high enough fence that no one is going to get much of a look. And if they do, we have our swimming clothes.”
    “I know, but it’s still a risk. It’s always harder to keep the hot springs private when the saloon is busy. Let’s wait for a nice evening when there aren’t so many strangers around. For now, we really need the table set. The Shepards just got here a few minutes ago.”
    “Oh goodness, I completely forgot about the table.” Lacy finished pouring the water in the sink before hurrying to the cupboard for the dishes.
    “Look what Patience has brought us,” Gwen said as she entered the kitchen with the woman close on her heels.
    “Butter and more cream!” Beth declared as she spied the items in her sister’s arms.
    Patience, an attractive woman in her mid-forties, smiled. “I knew you could use it. I’d rather sell it to you than take it elsewhere. At least here I know it will be used for proper meals. I’d hate to tell you what Dave said he caught them doing with it at the saloon.”
    Beth’s eyes widened as thoughts of her dime novels came to mind. Had she ever read about butter and cream being illicitly used?
    “No, I think it best we not know,” Gwen commented as she put the items away. “We need more ice,” she said as she closed the icebox door. “I miss the times when we can just store it outside.”
    “Yes, but then you’d have to cut more wood and worry about keeping the house warm enough for guests,” Patience reminded.
    Beth thought Patience Shepard one of the few women she’d most like to pattern herself after. It was said that the mother of three had come from a wealthy eastern family who all but shunned her when she married beneath her social standing. Over the years, however, her parents had apparently seen fit to forgive her enough to take in Patience’s two youngest children—daughters who longed for civilization and finishing school. It had been hard for Mrs. Shepard to lose both her daughters at once, but they had made such a fuss, there seemed no other option. Even their father decided it would be in everyone’s best interest. The girls left for finishing school the previous fall and only recently sent a letter home indicating their intention to remain with their grandparents.
    Beth poured the bubbling gravy into a gravy boat. “Have you heard anything from the girls?” She looked up to catch Patience’s frown and wished she’d refrained from bringing up the reminder of their absence.
    “No. I expect a letter from my parents most anytime. They’ll tell me all the reasons why the girls should stay, and I’ll have little say in the matter. I suppose it’s their revenge for my leaving the way I did.”
    Gwen put her arm around the older woman’s shoulders. “That’s nonsense. What parent