Shades of Gray by Carol A. Spradling Read Free Book Online Page B

am
too much of an imposition.”
    Laura tossed
the dirty objects on the floor at the foot of the bed.  “Good Heavens, child. 
I have been itching to give this room a good going over for weeks.”  She
matched a pair of Grayson’s boots and stood them next to his armoire.  She
turned her attention back to Kat.  “Besides, where will you go?  Do you have
family nearby?”
    Katherine
shook her head.  “I have no one, but I don’t want to cause your family any
trouble.”
    “The only
trouble I foresee is if you aren’t partial to tea and scones.”  Laura moved the
tray from the dresser to the bed.  “I made these last night but they are still
fresh.  I hope you like strawberry jam.  If not, there is butter and honey.”
    Katherine
broke off a corner of the biscuit and slipped it into her mouth.  She held a
hand to her jaw and chewed as though her teeth were sensitive.  If Laura had
known the girl’s condition was this severe, she would have brought porridge
instead of a pastry.  She decided she would make her an omelet for her mid-day
meal.
    Grayson
stepped into the room, a bar of soap in one hand and a bucket in the other.  A
clean towel hung over his shoulder.  “Mother, have you met our cat?”  He
smirked and then set the bucket near the wash basin.
    Katherine
sipped from her cup.  Her brows pulled together. 
    “Her name is
Katherine,” Laura corrected. 
    “I don’t mind
if you call me Kat.” 
    She looked at
Grayson as though he had just saved her from a burning building.  Laura glanced
at her son to see if he had noticed.  He busied himself with his dresser.  A
hairbrush and ribbons were placed atop a stack of breeches, shirts, and
leggings.  From the pile he made, he should have no need to return to his
bedroom until after Kat departed.
    Laura pulled a
few of the blankets from the bed and folded them into a neat stack.  “I doubt
you’ll need all of these, but if you do, I’ll leave a few of them in this
chest.”  She lifted the lid of a maple trunk at the foot of the bed and placed
the brightest colored coverlets inside the box.  The room still needed to be
dusted, swept, and mopped, but that could wait until she had seen to Kat’s
bandages.  She gathered the supplies she needed and sat on the side of the
bed. 
    A few bites
were missing from the scone but the teacup was half empty.  Laura held gauze
and bindings in front of her.  “Kat, if you will permit me, I would like to
dress your wounds.”  She tugged at the loop around the girl’s ankle.  Picking
at the knot, she spoke under her breath.  “Grayson did a nice job, but the
salve needs to be reapplied.  Finish your tea, and I’ll have you all cleaned up
before you know it.”
    Kat cast a
nervous glance in Grayson’s direction.  Did she think he would deny her medical
care, or maybe she hoped he would personally attend to her as he had done last
night?  “Grayson, are you almost finished with what you need?” Laura asked as
she snipped the knot free.  Slipping the scissors back in her apron pocket, she
glanced over her shoulder and waited for his answer.
    “Yes.  I’ll
put these things away and then will take care of Crowning Glory.  She was
limping yesterday.  I’ll walk her around a bit and see if the liniment is
working.  I’d hate to put her down after the investment we’ve made.”
    Investment? 
Laura supposed time and sleepless nights could be considered an investment. 
Born breech and arriving early was enough of a hardship for a newborn, but the
foal’s mother had rejected her, refusing to let her nurse.  Laura had always
thought the coupling between the mare and the stallion was an ill match. 
Apparently the mare had agreed.  Although the stud was the envy of every
corral, the horse seemed resentful to carry the stallion’s heir.  Once
delivered of her burden, she had refused any acknowledgment of her offspring. 
Laura wondered how much of the animosity had been transferred to