Wild Horses

He put his other hand on her shoulder. “I know this is hard on you, too, my dear. You’re like her second daughter. Our prayers are with you, as well.”

Her face burned with shame. “Thank you,” she said, her voice even smaller than before.

Howard Blake clasped her shoulder more tightly. “This is a trying time for Carolyn. First losing her uncle, now this. She’s lucky to have someone as steadfast as you to depend on.”

“P-please give her my condolences about her uncle, t-too,” Hugh Casterleigh said.

Howard stepped aside and let Casterleigh shake her hand. He pumped it as if he wished he could pump all sorrow out of the world.

“And you,” Howard said to Adam, “must be the executor. I’m Howard Blake. I was sorry to hear about Enoch. I knew him when he was young.”

Mickey fought not to wince. She became acutely conscious of Adam standing off to the side. “I’m sorry, I’m forgetting my manners,” she apologized.

Hugh Casterleigh blushed in sympathy and didn’t seem to know what to say. But Adam stepped up to Reverend Blake and offered his hand. “Thanks. I’m Adam Duran. From the Isabella Islands. I arrived at a bad time, I’m afraid.”

Howard clasped his hand. “You couldn’t know, my boy. But I’m sure that Mickey will take good care of you. Very capable girl, our Mickey.”

Her cheeks flamed more hotly. She managed to say, “Reverend Casterleigh, Adam Duran. Mr. Duran, Reverend Casterleigh.”

Casterleigh shambled over to Adam and engaged in another of his energetic handshakes. “S-sorry about Mr. Randolph,” he stammered.

Mickey went limp with relief when Bridget came in bearing a tray of dessert plates. “Y’all sit down,” she invited. “And I’ll be right back with the coffee.”

“Ah, Bridget,” Howard said. “Is that your famous German chocolate cake? You’re leading me into a temptation I can’t resist.”

“Oh, go on with you,” Bridget said, her cheeks flushed with pleasure. She set down the dessert plates, cleared away the remains of supper, and bustled off.

“Please sit,” Mickey said to the men. She sounded cordial and confident. What a faker I am. What a phony.

Howard Blake gallantly drew out her chair for her to be seated, and Hugh Casterleigh nearly tripped over a throw rug. Adam once again sat across from her, his face betraying nothing.

Howard asked what Mickey had heard from Denver, how everyone was getting on, and showed special concern for Carolyn. As Bridget poured the coffee, he turned to Adam. “This must complicate your travel plans, Mr. Duran. When did you plan on returning to the Isabellas?”

“Friday,” Adam said shortly.

“Ah.” Howard nodded. “So what shall you do now that Carolyn’s not here?”

Adam shot Mickey an unreadable look. “I’ll have to see. It depends on when Mrs. Trent can come back.”

“Yes. Well, that’s in God’s hands. Perhaps before we partake of Bridget’s talent, we should bow our heads and pray.”

Mickey ducked her head but didn’t shut her eyes. She watched as Howard said his prayer and Casterleigh pressed his hands together, his eyes tightly closed.

She could not help but notice that Adam barely lowered his head, and that he watched the others at the table. He blinked as if displeased when Howard said, “And may the soul of our brother Enoch rest in peace.”

He finished, said “Amen,” then turned to Adam again.

“My wife and I have been to the Caribbean a few times. Just what part of the Isabellas are you from?”

“The island of Los Eremitas,” Adam said.

“And what do you do there?” Howard’s question did not seem prying, only courteous.

“This and that.”

Adam said it in a way that blocked closer questioning. Mickey bristled inwardly, and Howard clearly noticed and changed the course of the conversation. “And what do you think of that cake, Hugh? Isn’t it a wonder?”

Casterleigh had to swallow before he could answer. “Sure enough.”

Howard Blake turned to Mickey. “Mick, I know everything’s topsy-turvy. And I hesitate a bit to bring this up, but Vernon was going to teach Sunday school this weekend. I’m sure it’s slipped his mind, and I wouldn’t have him feel bad about it for the world.”

“Oh,” Mickey said, taken aback. Vern often volunteered to substitute teach the first and second grade class. And she was sure Howard was right; the crisis had knocked all thought of Vern’s promise out of his mind.