Banking on Temperance Read Online Free Page A

couldn’t resist one final glance at his retreating form.
    • • •
    Basil found Martha Jones at her husband’s bedside. Based on the bowl of water and damp towel at the bedside table, he guessed she had just finished giving him a sponge bath. She finished putting her husband’s arm in the sleeve of his shirt. Basil hurried to her side and helped to support the man’s weight as the Reverend got out of bed and onto his feet. Basil placed his arm around Samuel’s shoulders, while Martha kept her arm around her husband’s waist.
    As Basil helped Samuel Jones from the doctor’s office into the alley and then back into the bed of the wagon, he noticed a bit more color in his cheeks and he wasn’t coughing quite so much. But he was still far from well. And, Basil was certain, if he spent more than one night in the open wagon in the stinking, dirty alley, he’d be right back where he started, health-wise. Basil shook his head. Even with the small comfort that the soddy could offer, he had doubts if Samuel Jones would live to see next spring. But having some type of roof over his head was still marginally better than their current plight.
    “Mrs. Jones, may I speak with you privately for a moment?”
    Martha’s eyes blinked once before she gazed up at him. “Certainly, Mr. Fitzpatrick.” Basil directed her away from the wagon, out of earshot of her husband and the children.
    “You know your husband’s health will disintegrate further if the wagon is your only shelter.”
    Martha sighed. “Yes, Mr. Fitzpatrick, I know. Yet I can’t think of a way out of our situation. I can find work, but it will take time to put together enough money to rent a place for the winter. So, until then, we’ll have no choice but to find a place to camp, and use the wagon as our home. My poor Samuel.” She wrung her hands together and glanced back at the wagon. Basil’s heart lurched at the worry and devotion etched on the woman’s face.
    “I may have a solution, at least temporarily.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “My brother-in-law, Joseph, has an old soddy house on his family’s property and he’s willing to let you use it at no cost. It’s very crude and small, and needs some repair, but it will at least provide some shelter for your husband. Would you care to see it?”
    Martha’s eyes filled with tears. “It would be a god-send, however crude. Of course I want to see it.”
    “All right then. After the bank closes today, I’ll take you there. Joseph’s family has a horse farm and it so happens several of his stock are in the livery right now. We can borrow one of them and ride out together. There’s no sense in moving the wagon until you make certain you can live there.”
    Basil and Martha strode back to the wagon where the children were standing. Martha stood in front of them as she addressed Basil. “Blessings upon you, sir. Our family is sure fortunate we met you the minute we pulled into town. I’ll see you this afternoon.”
    “For the sake of propriety, it may be best if Temperance joins us, too. I’ll bring an extra horse.”
    The stricken look on Temperance’s face brought a grin to Basil’s. This was going to be fun.

Chapter Four
    Shortly after the bank closed for the day, Basil saddled up his horse and two others, leading them to the alley. Martha was waiting for him, and giving last minute instructions to Justice and Prudence on what to do in her absence.
    “Hello, Mr. Fitzpatrick. Right on time. That’s the mark of a good man, when he does what he says he will.”
    Basil tipped his hat to her and smiled. “Well, of course, Mrs. Jones.” He flashed an easy grin in her direction. “My sister, Ginger, will be happy to see both of you ladies this afternoon. She’s longing to talk to another woman her own age.”
    Martha’s gaze took in the wagon and all her children bustling around. “Well, I suppose we could stay a few extra minutes and get to know your sister. Prudence can take care of