Susanna smiled. “I’m glad you were so certain. So at peace,” she whispered. “You didn’t depart in fear but in celebration. It made all the difference for those of us left behind.”
The clock on the dresser revealed that it was midnight. Susanna had already told her Father that she was going back to the hotel to sleep for the night. She was exhausted and would be of no use to anyone tomorrow if she didn’t get some rest. Father had assured her that he and Gary would keep watch, and that if anything worsened, he’d send Gary immediately.
Susanna felt Mother’s head one more time. It seemed cooler, and she seemed to rest more peacefully.
“Please, God, heal her,” she prayed.
She headed into the living room only to find her father and Owen talking once again. She smiled at her fiancé. “I thought you were gone for the night.”
“I couldn’t let you walk to the hotel alone.”
“Gary would have walked with me.”
“Gary went to bed,” Owen said, getting to his feet.
Susanna went to her father and kissed the top of his head. It wasn’t a usual gesture, and it surprised him. He looked up at her in question.
“I love you, Father. Never forget that.”
His eyes grew damp. “I did forget it, but now I won’t.” He stood and wrapped her in his arms. “I won’t ever forget again.”
Susanna knew if she stayed much longer, she’d break down, and they’d all be having a fit of tears. She pulled away and looked around for her shawl. It was hanging over the back of one of the chairs.
“I’ll be here early,” she told her father.
“Not too early, child. Unless something changes, I won’t need you until later. Get some rest. You’ve earned it.”
“She will, even if I have to sit watch outside her door,” Owen promised.
Susanna pulled her shawl around her shoulders and smiled. “I promise I will sleep until I awaken.”
As they walked back to the hotel, Owen put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “Your father said I could marry you.”
“I heard.”
“So once your mother is well, I think we should tie the knot.”
“I agree.” She gave him a drowsy smile. “Even if Mother doesn’t make it, I still want us to marry soon.”
He stopped and bent to kiss her. “I’m glad you agree. I don’t know what I would have done if you had disagreed.”
They continued walking toward the hotel.
“You should be home sleeping,” Susanna said. “It’s midnight, and your shift is just a few hours away.”
“I talked to Mr. Payne, and he’s given me the day off. In fact, I’ve got a room at the hotel. Manuel fixed me up. That way, if something happens and Gary comes for you, you can send Manuel upstairs to get me. I won’t be far at all.”
This time Susanna was the one to stop. She looked up in gratitude. “I love you, Owen Turner. You are the kindest and most thoughtful man, and I am so blessed to have you in my life.”
“And I love you, Susanna Jenkins.”
22
Susanna woke with a start. She could smell bacon frying. What an odd thing to smell at the hotel. If anyone used the kitchen here, it was almost always her. Gary might make coffee or toast, but he wouldn’t fry bacon.
She got up and quickly cast her nightgown aside. She dressed in one of the Mexican blouses Lia had given her. It felt so light and loose that Susanna almost wondered if she’d be properly dressed. She pulled on a navy serge skirt and tucked the blouse in carefully. She drew on stockings and shoes, still unable to free herself enough to go bare-legged and wear sandals. Finally, she was ready to tend her hair. She braided her honey-brown hair into a single plait and tied it off with a dark blue ribbon. Some day she might try pigtails like Lia wore from time to time. Susanna had never had her hair braided in such a manner, even when she was a child, and she thought it looked rather youthful and fun. Still, wearing her hair down instead of precisely pinned in an orderly bun was a step she hadn’t thought herself brave enough to make. Propriety was always expected of her, especially by her mother, and married women—including widows—didn’t wear their hair down.
Opening the door to the family living area, Susanna was surprised to find Owen in the kitchen. She closed and locked her bedroom door, as had become her habit since the break-in, and crossed to where he was handling a cast-iron skillet full of bacon.
“So you’re the culprit,” she said.
“I was hungry and didn’t want to go to the Harvey House for fear you’d wake up and find me gone.”
“No word from Father?”
“No. I take that as good news, don’t you?”
She considered it for a moment. “I suppose so. He might have thought it not worth waking me if Mother had already passed, knowing I’d find out soon enough.” She frowned. “Why don’t you go ahead and eat, and I’ll head over to the house?”
“I made this for you as well. You have to eat to keep up your strength.”
“There’s plenty of food at the house, or did you forget?”
“I didn’t, but I would like to have you to myself for a few more minutes.” He put down the skillet and turned to face her. Smiling, he pulled her into his arms. She automatically raised her head to see him better, and Owen took advantage of it, soundly kissing her before she could speak a word.
Susanna melted in his arms and sighed. She was so happy to have Owen in her life. When he pulled away, she didn’t want to leave his embrace.
“The bacon’s going to burn if I don’t get it out of there,” he said.
She laughed and reached for an apron. “Let me finish, and that way we can get to my folks’ place all the faster. What time is it?”
“A quarter past six.”
She nodded and began drawing the bacon from the skillet. She arranged it on the plate Owen had ready, then put the cast-iron skillet to one side.
“I have buttered toast all ready. And coffee,” he said, barely suppressing a yawn. “I was going to fry eggs once you got up.”
“This is enough,” Susanna declared. “Why don’t we make little bacon-toast sandwiches and leave the coffee for Manuel and Tina? I really want to see how Mother is doing, and I won’t be able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast.”
“I understand.”
Susanna took a piece of the buttered toast and tucked a couple of pieces of bacon in the middle. “There,” she said, folding it all together, “the perfect breakfast on the go.”
Owen took two pieces of toast and twice as much bacon and made a sandwich. “I guess I’m ready.”
They opened the door to the front lobby and found Manuel sitting at the check-in desk. He smiled. “I see you got your breakfast.”
“Yes,” Susanna said, holding it up. “There’s some leftover bacon and plenty of coffee if you’d like some. We’re heading to the house.”
Manuel nodded. “A quiet night is a good night, sí?”
“I like to think so.” Susanna headed for the door. “I promise one of us will be back to relieve you.”