Hunter's Prize by Marcia Gruver Read Free Book Online Page B

carried them over the threshold. “They weighed us down until I feared the poor horse might collapse.”
    “I wish you’d sent for my carriage, Jane.”
    Auntie waved her hand. “There was no need to trouble you. Ceddy and I have traversed the African continent.” Her laugh was like jangling bells. “Mostly on foot. Traveling from the station required far less effort.” She lowered her voice. “At least there are no
lions
in Marshall.”
    Aunt Priss gasped. “You can’t be serious! You’ll have to tell me all about it once you’re settled.”
    Lilah hurried down the hall and bent to hug Ceddy, her smiling cheeks smooth and dark. “How you, Little Man?” she whispered in his ear. “I’m mighty pleased you here. We gon’ have us a high old time.”
    Ceddy pressed closer to her baked-bread smell.
    Handing her shawl to Lilah, Auntie tugged off her gloves. “It’s unseasonably warm in Texas, isn’t it? I hardly needed my wrap.”
    “I wouldn’t put it away just yet,” Aunt Priss said, bending to help Ceddy take off his jacket. “The weather here can be quite unpredictable.”
    Aunt Jane glanced toward Ceddy. “Speaking of unpredictable, there are things we need to discuss about the boy. Can we talk in private?”
    Aunt Priss paused with Ceddy’s arm still halfway up his sleeve. “But Jane … there will be plenty of time for that later. Won’t you have a lie-down first?”
    “I’d rather not. I need to speak my piece before I can relax.”
    Aunt Priss blew a shaky breath. “As you wish. We can retire to the study.”
    Handing Lilah Ceddy’s coat, she guided him into her hands. “Delilah, show the boy upstairs and entertain him for a spell. This won’t take long.”
    Lilah shoved back the brim of her cap and smiled. “Yes’m, Miss Whitfield.” She nudged Ceddy toward the stairs as the study door closed with a loud click. “Let’s us go see your new bedroom, Little Man.”
    Ceddy frowned. His room was on North Washington Avenue from where they’d just left, not here in Aunt Priscilla’s big house. Shying away, he ran his fingers along the white rail on the wall, following the smooth, shiny board to the end of the hall.
    Lilah’s soft footsteps trailed at his heels. “What’s this, now? You don’t care none to see your quarters? Well, suit yo’self, but your toys and such be there. Miss Priscilla done bought you a shiny new book … filled to bustin’ with pictures of rainbow-colored rocks.”
    Spinning, Ceddy took her hand. Halfway up the staircase, the study door opened, and angry voices filled the downstairs hall.
    Lilah stopped so fast she jerked Ceddy’s arm.
    “You’re being stubborn and unreasonable, Priscilla Whitfield,” Aunt Jane spat.
    “I rather think
you
are, Jane. Don’t you wish to honor your sister’s wishes?”
    “Don’t bring my sister into this. Matters of earthly import can’t trouble her now. This is about Ceddy’s welfare.” Aunt Jane’s voice softened. “I’m thinking of you as well, dear lady. Do you have the faintest idea what a handful he can be? His parents shamelessly indulged the lad’s whims, and it hasn’t improved his behavior. You’re not gettingany younger, you know.”
    Aunt Priss huffed. “While I thank you for your concern, it’s misplaced. Doddering old fool that I am, I can handle a little boy.”
    “Can you?” In the quiet that followed, the two words danced in Ceddy’s head, bouncing, twisting, changing places until they’d lost all meaning. He counted the click of shoe heels across the floor until the door opened with a whoosh of air. “I’ll take a room at the Capital Hotel. You can reach me there if you come to your senses.”
    “Dear Jane, is that necessary?” Aunt Priss’s angry tone had eased. “You’ll be far more comfortable here.”
    “I’m leaving tomorrow afternoon, Priscilla. Think long and hard about the choice you’re making. Meanwhile, I pray to hear from you before I board the train. Afterward, it