Part 30 (2/2)

Cynthie smiled.

”I am well,” she suggested. ”Cynthie Franklin is writing for me because I cannot see”

”Something like that,” Winn said, raising the coffee cup to his lips.

”Then I'll explain about the accident.” He listened to the pen scratch the paper.

When it was silent, he began again, speaking slowly as he chose each word.

”We were taking the herd to market in Abilene and had just left the Indian

Nation when the accident occurred.” He gave her a few seconds to catch up.”You will remember the young drover named Slim. He got himself into a mess and I was trying to get him out. He roped a cow he was trying to return to the herd and had her turn on him.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Cynthie could see Whin's fingertip trace

patterns on the tabletop as he tried to become accustomed to writing verbally.

' ”The cow had gored the horse and Slim was down before I got my rope on her,

too. I regret to add that Lullaby was no better behaved than when last Iwrote and” -- Cynthie interrupted, ”Slow up a little.””Sorry.” Winn fought the urge to tap his finger. When her pen was quiet he asked her to read the last sentence and then he continued, ”While I succeeded

in distracting the cow, my horse threw me before we were safely away. You will be glad to hear that Slim is fine and my own injuries are all buthealed. Mike's timely arrival made short work of” -- Cynthie caught up asWinn hesitated.

”Of Rosie, which is what we named the cow.”

Cynthie's pen was still poised over the paper. She was glad Winn couldn't

see how embarra.s.sed she was. After a full minute, she dipped the pen,reciting his words as she finished writing his last sentence.”So Rosie was the cow.”Winn grinned.”Still jealous?””Don't be silly,” she said quickly.”What else do you want to say?””I want to say that you're probably very pretty when you're embarra.s.sed.””I mean in the letter.” She tried to sound exasperated but it came out with a laugh.

”Ah, yes, the letter. Read back to me what we've written so far.” She did, and he concluded, ”Cora, dear, I've fallen in love with a wonderful woman.

If I can prove to her that I am worthy of her love, I plan to stay here in

Kansas. Hug the children for me. Your brother, Winn. ”

It seemed to take Cynthie a long time to write what he had told her.

She was sure Cora would be able to tell that her hand was shaking as she

wrote the words. Winn loved her! He was going to stay! Finally she helpedhim sign his own name to the page and dipped the pen in the ink again. She knew he would hear the scratch of the pen on the paper but she had to add apostscript.

”He doesn't have to prove anything to me,” she wrote and signed it, ”CF.”

”The address is on the back of the picture,” Winn explained.

”I had Peter write it there for me right after Emery's funeral.”

Cynthie wondered for a moment what might be inferred from that statement.

”I'll get some paper and string to wrap these,” she said, rising from the

chair. Footsteps and the jingle of spurs on the front porch caught theirattention. Cynthie nearly groaned aloud.Winn stood.

”I'd be obliged,” he said.

”Louie and I are going into town tomorrow, so I can mail the package then.

I'll come by for it and a list of what you might need.”

They heard Dempsey knock.

Winn spoke quickly.

”I'll come back another time and we can write to Slim.”

”You don't need to rush off, Winn,” she said, laying a hand on his sleeve.

He didn't answer, just patted her hand and went out the door.

Dempsey knocked again.

”Coming,” Cynthie called. She scooped the letter, the picture and the

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