Part 30 (1/2)

Winn shook his head and Louie chuckled some more.

”You go out to the barn and holler at Peter. He'll put you to work. I got

to get some sleep.”

Winn complied. As he went out the door he heard Louie whistling as he cleared the dishes from the table.

Three days after Winn moved to the bunkhouse, he stuck the picture of Cora

into his s.h.i.+rt pocket, gathered up his carved toys and counted the steps to

Cynthie's kitchen door. He had left Greg playing with the four growingpuppies. They would keep the boy busy enough to allow him a few minutes totalk to Cynthie.

”What's all this?” she asked as she met him at the door. He dumped hisarmload on the table and she picked up one of the little figures.

”Oh, Winn! These are wonderful!”

”I came to ask a favor.” He removed the picture from his pocket and handedit to Cynthie.

The smile faded from her lips as her attention went from the fat littleracc.o.o.n in her hand to the picture in his. She felt her throat close and wasn't sure she could force her voice through it. She swallowed hard.

”Who's this?”

Winn smiled. Was there a touch of jealousy in her voice.

”Cynthie, meet Cora.” She hadn't taken the picture from his hand. He extended it a little farther. ”My sister.”

”Oh!” Cynthie gasped, finally taking the picture. ”Your sister.” She studied the merry eyes and dimpled cheeks in the photograph and looked up atWinn. His face held a similar expression.

”Winn, I should have guessed,” she blurted before realizing that she had justgiven away the fact that she had seen this picture before. She didn't want him to think she had gone through his things. She added quickly, ”I saw thisthe day you brought me your gun.” He was still smiling so she continued.

”I.

thought she was an old girlfriend, like Rosie. ”

”Rosie!” Winn's expression went from amused to stunned.

Cynthie bit her tongue. She didn't really want to talk about Rosie, but nowshe had to explain where she had heard the name- She got up quickly and moved to the cupboard, gathering two cups, hoping her action would cover her embarra.s.sment.

”You called to her in your sleep once.”

She set the cups on the table, unable to look at Winn. She wanted to postpone his reply, even if it meant ma king a fool of herself.

”When you first came, remember? The night of the storm.”Winn listened to the voice, the sounds of her steps, the coffee being poured.”Called to her in my sleep, huh?” He was trying not to laugh.”Ican believe that. Rosie's shown up in more than one of my dreams. ”Cynthie sank into a chair.”Coffee?” she offered, trying to sound cheerful.Winn pulled out a chair and sat down.”You don't have to be jealous of Rosie.” He couldn't help but laugh a little.”Of course I'm not jealous, and you don't have to explain.” She picked up the carved racc.o.o.n and tried not to think about throwing it at Winn.

”Did you want me to send these to your sister?”

Winn was quiet, savoring the moment. Cynthie was jealous! It would last

only as long as she didn't know who Rosie was. He'd let her find out alongwith Cora. ”I want my sister's children to have the toys.

Could you take down a letter, too? ”

”Of course. I'll get paper and ink.” Before she left, she moved the coffee cup into his hand.

He listened to her leave, smelled the coffee, enjoyed the feel of the warm smooth china and tried to think of what he would tell Cora. When Cynthie was ready, he began, ”Dearest Cora, I hope this letter finds you and your family well.”

Cynthie wrote the words carefully on the page and

glanced up at Winn.

His brow was drawn in concentration.

”Take your time,”

she said gently.

Winn gave a short laugh.

”This is harder than I thought it would be. Let's tell her who you are

first. She's going to know it's not my handwriting and she'll be worried.

We need to tell her right away that I'm all right.”