your business, Robert."
"You'd be mistaken, then. You're going to jeopardize this whole mission, Logan! And for what? A girl you've got the hots for?" Robert shook his head and walked to the window.
"So much for you not being interested in her!" I retorted.
"No. So much for you not being interested in her… and what about Sarah? You do remember your girlfriend back home, don't you?" He spun me around to face him. "You're taking advantage of Kaitlin… And I don't like it, Logan."
I closed my eyes trying to keep my growing anger under control.
"I knew you had no self-control little brother, but this takes the cake–"
Shoving my fists into my pocket, I resisted the urge to plow one into Robert's face. "Back off, Robert," I snarled. "Don't worry about our mission. I haven't jeopardized anything. And why are you suddenly concerned about what happens to Kaitlin?" I didn't wait for him to answer. "I think you're -"
Uncle Henry shoved through the wooden front door, cracking it against the wall. He was dirty and out of breath.
He glanced back-and-forth between me and Robert, "What happened to you two?" Roberts' face was swollen where I'd clipped his jaw. He turned to me. "Logan how'd you get all those cuts on your back?"
He threw up his hand.
"Never mind, I don't have time for the answer… I think you two are taking this 'native' thing a little too far."
I plopped down on my cot next to the fireplace, exhausted. "You don't look so good yourself, old man." I said, placing my hands behind my head and crossing my ankles.
Uncle Henry crossed the room, placed his gun on the gun rack, took a deep breath and exhaled. "I don't have time to placate you two. I spotted Scott and chased him toward the cavern…"
"Then why isn't he with you?" Robert snarled, banging his fist on the wooden table. "I'm ready to get out of this place, Uncle Henry."
"We all are, son."
Robert cut his eyes back to me. "Not all of us" He mumbled.
"Okay, so what happened?" I asked, ignoring Robert's comment.
"He managed to lose me… again." Uncle Henry said, beginning to pace back and forth in the cramped farmhouse.
I frowned. "How did he get away?"
"I ran into Kaitlin about a hundred yards from the caverns–"
I raised my eyebrows, "What do you mean you ran into Kaitlin?"
"She was with her horse down by the mouth of the creek, and I know for a fact that Tom told his girls not to go near those caverns!" He paused and shook his head. "I need to go back to headquarters to see if Tillman left. I'll need you boys to stay here and keep looking for any signs of him." Uncle Henry ordered.
Frowning, Robert shook his head and shifted his weight back and forth. The old wooden floor creaked under his weight. "Uncle Henry, I don't think it's a good idea for Logan to stay."
"I'm not sure what happened to the two of you today, but we have more important things to worry about. Now, I shouldn't be gone more than a week, so keep an eye out. I stopped by Tom's and let him know that I have to make a trip up north," Uncle Henry paused, and studied us. "I'm sorry to have to do this to you, but Tom insisted that you bunk with them while I'm away."
"That's not going to happen," Robert snarled.
"You listen to me boy: whatever's going on here, you better get your priorities straight, and do what is asked of you. When these people offer, we accept! We're not here to make waves… we're almost out of time." he said matter-of-factly.
"I don't think Logan understands that..." Robert mumbled under his breath.
With that Uncle Henry was out the door.
Admissions
Kaitlin
I could hear Momma hummin' as I rounded the corner into our small kitchen. I paused in the doorway that stood between the kitchen and living room. She was standing at the stove, steadily flipping chicken in the skillet, wearing the apron my sisters and I made her for her birthday. Her honey blond hair was twisted into a tight bun, as usual.
"Hi Momma." I said, kissing her cheek and putting my apron on over my dress. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
She turned around, and pushed my hair to the side to tie my apron. "Sure! You can, mash up these potatoes for me; when you're finished, set two extra places at the table. Oh, and honey, use the plates up on the top shelf." She called over her shoulder, her attention back on the sizzling chicken.
When I finished mashing the potatoes I placed them, along with a basket of fresh biscuits, on the Mahogany table that had once sat in my grandma's dining room. "Momma, where did my stool go? I can't reach the plates without it." I sighed.
"I'll get them for you, Kaitlin. I don't need a stool." Anna said, bouncing into the room. Beaming, she reached over me and took the extra plates off the top shelf.
"Momma, why do we need two extra plates?" Anna asked.
"For our guests," She replied.
I raised my eyebrows, surprised to be having company for supper.
"Who's coming for supper?" I asked, helping Anna set the table.
"Henry's nephews."
I sucked in a deep breath, trying to slow down my galloping heart. "Why – I mean… won't Mr. Henry be coming,' too?"
"No. Your father said Henry left in a rush sayin' he had to make an emergency trip down South, but he should be back in a jiffy. In the meantime, your father insisted that the boys stay with us while their Uncle's away."
Frowning, I yanked off my apron and tossed it back on the hook. "Logan didn't mention that his Uncle was leavin' town today." I called over my shoulder, trying to sound uninterested.
Momma took the last piece of chicken out of the iron skillet and placed it on her favorite serving dish. "Here Anna, go put this on the table, please." She handed her the dish filled with crispy fried chicken.
"Momma, did you hear me?"
She pulled off her apron and hung it next to mine. She twisted back to face me narrowing her eyes. "Yes, Kaitlin, I heard you. It was last minute. Henry said he had some business ta' tend to."
I looked away and quickly busied myself, knowing I wouldn't be able to hide my thoughts from her probing eyes. "When will Robert and Logan be here?" I asked, struggling not to think about their fight at the lake.
"Soon, I would suspect." She said, tilting her head to the side. "Was that Logan who was out at the lake with you today?"
I shifted my weight back and forth then turned to arrange the vase of flowers my sisters had placed on the table. "Yes ma'am. He came out after they finished working on the barn. Emma and Anna were out there too, for a little while."
"Hmm, that's why the girls were in a rush to get to the chicken coop. They put off some of their chores for a quick swim." Momma turned toward the sound of Anna's snicker and shook her head. "Anyhow, it seems Logan's taken a liking to you," she murmured, glancing back at me. "But I don't want you to forget about Billy, he's a good boy, Kaitlin. He deserves a chance."
I scurried to grab a pitcher of tea to fill up the glasses Anna had put on the table. "Momma can we talk about somethin' else, please?"
She walked over and kissed the top of my head. "No reason to be uncomfortable, sweetheart. I know those boys aren't blind," she was visibly tickled at my discomfort. "Besides, they're all handsome boys… and your Father and I just want what's best for you."
My cheeks filled with heat. "Momma, please –"
She grinned. "Alright I'll move on… You're father said Robert and Logan have put a lot of sweat into that barn and if it weren't for them helpin' out these past few weeks, there's no way it'd be finished before winter."
I sighed. "Yes ma'am. They've done a good job, and Scout is especially happy with his new home." I placed the last of the silverware on the table. "Is there anything else you need me to do?"
"No sweetheart, everything's ready." Momma winked just as a knock sounded on the screen door. "Come on in, boys! You're just in time for supper!" Momma called out, walking toward the screen door.
I stayed in the kitchen and peeked
around the corner.
"Thank you for having us over, Mrs. Williamson." Logan said. Momma gave him - then Robert - a hug.
Robert flashed a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Yes. Thank you, Mrs. Williamson." He shoved his hands into his pockets. Logan and Robert stood awkwardly next to one another, quickly scanning our modest home. You could cut the tension between the two of them with a knife.
Daddy stepped in behind them. "Beth, somethin' sure does smell good in here!" He said, shifting around the boys to give Momma a kiss on the cheek.
She smiled and winked. "That's good, 'cause it's your favorite."
"Well then these boys are in for a real treat!" he turned to my sister. "Anna darlin', where's Emma? She was told to finish cleanin' out the chicken coop before dinner."
"She's up stairs playin' with her hair." She answered.
"Go yell for her to come down, please." He ordered.
"Yes sir!"
"Em–"
Just as Anna began to yell, Emma came bouncing around the corner knocking me off balance.
"Oh, Kaitlin! Sorry." Emma said, grabbing my shoulder to steady me.
"Daddy was lookin' for you. He said you didn't finish cleaning out the coop." I whispered.
"Oh shoot, I forgot," Emma bit her bottom lip. She paused and I could see the wheels in her brain turning. "I made apple pie today that should keep me out of trouble," she smiled. "Momma always says a way to a man's heart is through good cookin.'"
"Emma!"
"What, Kaitlin? Are you tryin' to be Miss Goodie Two Shoes again?"
"Oh, never mind!"
"Are them neighbor boys here yet?" She whispered.
"Yes."
She laughed. "Okay, good! I just finished gettin' their room ready."
"Wait - how did you know they were stayin' with us?"
Emma put her hands on her hips, "Momma told us while you were out ridin.' I guess you don't know everything, Kaitlin!" she snickered and skipped off toward the dining room.
Everyone took their usual seats: Momma & Daddy sat at the head of the table; Emma and Anna sat next to one another and somehow I ended up with Robert and Logan on either side of me.
How was I supposed to act? What was I supposed to say to the two of them?
I looked down studying the vegetables I'd been scooting around my plate for the last half hour.
"Mrs. Williamson that was the best home cooked meal I've had in a really long time. If you weren't already taken, I'd ask you to marry me." Logan said, teasingly.
"You're too kind." Momma chuckled.
Dad blew out a breath. "Well, good thing I asked her to marry me 23 years ago… And I'm happy to say my Kaitlin here is already semi-spoken for," he announced, looking directly at Logan.
My fork slipped out of my hand and crashed against the plate.
"Kaitlin, honey, are you going to eat those vegetables or just play with them?" He scolded.
Embarrassed, I looked around to find everyone at the table staring at me. "Sorry, I was just thinkin' about tomorrows' chores."
"Well you need'ta get some food in you before you blow away." Daddy turned his attention to my sisters. "Did you girls finish gettin' Robert and Logan's room ready?"
"Yes sir." Anna answered, gnawing on an ear of corn. "I finished it before I came down for supper."
"Anna! Please don't talk with your mouth full."
"But Momma, Daddy asked me a question." She whined, her cheeks turning as red as tomatoes.
Daddy shook his head and looked at Robert and Logan. "Anyhow boys… It's not much, but we've got you two beds upstairs in the attic."
Robert's eyes narrowed. "No sir. That's not necessary. We'll be fine at Uncle Henry's."
"Nonsense!" He huffed. "You boys are family now; I'd be offended if you didn't stay. Besides– you could both use some good home cooked meals… I know your Uncle can't cook like Mrs. Williamson here." Daddy winked.
Momma's smiled with rosy cheeks.
"Yes sir! You're right," Logan agreed. "Mrs. Williamson is a much better cook than Uncle Henry, and we would be much obliged! Thank you."
"Excuse me?" Robert coughed, cutting his eyes at Logan.
"Robert, are you okay?" I