No One But You Read Free Page B

can talk to.”
    â€œDoesn’t she have a mother, sisters, sisters-in-law, even aunts who visit?”
    â€œNone of that. Just herself, and believe me, that’s more than enough.”
    Sarah wasn’t sure how to take that.
    â€œWhen she speaks, everybody jumps,” Salty continued. “Yes, sirree. The best way to get thrown off this ranch is to mess with Rose. She won’t have to do a thing because George will kill anyone who bothers her. Not you, ma’am,” Salty said, glancing back at Sarah. “George wouldn’t lay a hand on a lady. Of course, I’m not sure about Monty. He doesn’t hold much with women, at least not in a romantical sort of way.”
    Sarah had never met a man who barely paused long enough to allow someone else to get a word in edgewise. She had no doubt he could maintain a whole conversation by himself.
    â€œMaybe I shouldn’t have come,” she said. “I don’t want to upset the family.”
    â€œIt’s too late now. You’re trapped.”
    Sarah cast nervous glances on either side and behind but didn’t see anyone else. “What do you mean?”
    Salty pointed toward the house. “Rose has seen you. You can’t back out now.”

Two
    Sarah looked toward the house where a woman stood on the porch beckoning to her. She noticed two things right away: the woman was very pretty, and she was very pregnant.
    â€œRose is expecting her first baby,” Salty told her. “George has tried his best to convince her to stay in the house, but he gave up. People usually do when they go up against Rose.”
    â€œMaybe I should talk to her husband instead.”
    â€œIf you think Rose is going to let you leave without talking to her, you don’t know Rose. But of course you don’t know her. You couldn’t. But you’ll love her like everybody else.”
    Could Salty mean everybody did whatever Rose asked because they loved her? Sarah had never heard of a woman who had that kind of power over men. Such a skill would be more valuable than gold.
    Rose came down the steps to meet Sarah before Sarah’s wagon came to a stop. She didn’t act like a woman who needed to stay inside. She glowed with health and happiness as she said, “I’m Rose Randolph. I’d come down to meet you, but if I leave these steps, Salty will tell George and I’ll be in for a lecture.”
    â€œI’d never tell on you,” Salty protested.
    â€œI know, but he’ll ask me and I’d have to tell him the truth.”
    Sarah didn’t know what to make of this woman. Maybe it wasn’t “disobedience” in this case, just a difference of opinion. Not like it had been for her with Roger. Whenever Sarah had failed to live up to his expectations, he’d shouted at her, even struck her on occasion.
    â€œPlease don’t leave the steps,” Sarah said. “I’m capable of climbing far more than those.”
    â€œThis hasn’t slowed me down”—Rose rubbed her stomach—“but it has made me more clumsy.”
    Sarah remembered her own pregnancy only too well. Roger had been furious at the change in her appearance, that she couldn’t do as much work as before, and that she was unable to satisfy his physical appetite as often as he wished. In the last months he had found her so unappealing he had gone elsewhere.
    â€œIt’s a matter of balance,” Rose said as Salty helped Sarah down. “If I turn too quickly or lean over too far, I lose my balance.”
    Sarah remembered stumbling, even falling to her knees. “Let me give you a hand up the steps,” she said.
    â€œNonsense. I’m perfectly fine holding on to the railing. Tell your children to get down and come in. Salty will take care of your horse and wagon.”
    â€œI don’t mean to stay. I just need to ask a few questions.”
    â€œI’ll have none of that. You’re