Read Banner O'Brien for Free Online Page B

despite her late arrival, she was very close to all three of her siblings.
    Her mother’s name was Katherine, and from Melissa’s description Banner discerned that she was both beautiful and formidable. She traveled almost constantly, making speeches in support of woman suffrage, and wrote articles that were printed in highly respected periodicals.
    “What about your father?” Banner ventured, as she sat tugging her high-button shoes back onto her feet.
    Melissa’s expression made her instantly contrite. “He died five years ago,” she said.
    “I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have asked.”
    Melissa went to stand at the window nearest the fireplace, where a pleasant blaze was crackling, and stood looking out, one lace curtain crumpled in her hand. “There was an accident, out on the water—P-Papa and Adam were salmon fishing in Papa’s boat. The Indians saved Adam, but they couldn’t find Papa.”
    Banner swallowed hard. “Oh, Melissa.”
    The girl turned to face Banner, and her crystalline eyes were glistening. “It was terrible for Adam. I think he blamed himself. He still broods about it, and sometimes he disappears for a whole day or even longer.”
    Banner spoke gently. “Why are you telling me this?”
    “Because Adam likes you—I know he does. Maybeyou’re exactly the person we’ve all been hoping he’d find.” She paused, searched the shadowed ceiling of her bedroom, and sighed. “Please, Banner, don’t hurt him. He’s been through so much.”
    Banner recalled his reaction to her question in the examining room, a question that had only echoed Francelle’s. “The girl in his office,” she mused. “She asked him if he meant to come to the Christmas party or if he would disappear again. Is that what you mean?”
    Melissa nodded miserably. “Holidays are harder for Adam. He stays away as long as he can, and when he gets back, he’s impossible.”
    “Maybe he just doesn’t enjoy celebrations,” offered Banner lamely, wishing that she could say something that would reassure the girl.
    But Melissa shook her head. “Before Papa died, he loved them.”
    Banner ached to think of what Adam might be suffering, of how he might be burdened with guilt because he’d lived after the accident and his father hadn’t. There seemed nothing to do but change the subject.
    “You’ve told me that Jeff is captain of a clipper ship—the Sea Mistress, wasn’t it—and that Keith is in charge of the family’s apple orchards over beyond the mountains. What about you, Melissa? What do you do?”
    Melissa’s pinched little face brightened, and she lifted her chin proudly. “I attend the territorial university, in Seattle. I want to be a journalist, like Mama.”
    “That’s wonderful! What kind of pieces do you write?”
    Mischief frolicked in the beautiful blue eyes. “I’ll show you, if you promise never to tell a soul! My brothers would—would—well, it doesn’t bear thinking about, that’s all.” She was opening a chest at the foot ofher bed, rummaging through it. After a moment or so, she drew out a publication with a lurid cover that showed a scantily clad woman being carried by a bearded mountain man. The title read, “Tenacia’s Adventures in the Wild West.”
    Banner was aghast for a moment, but she recovered herself quickly. The byline was that of a man named Marshall S. Whidbine. “You—you drew this picture?” she asked, hopefully.
    “Heavens, no,” said Melissa, sitting down beside Banner on the bed. “I’m Marshall Whidbine!”
    Banner’s mouth fell open, much to Melissa’s uproarious delight.
    “Remember, Banner,” she chided, between giggles, “You promised to keep my secret! Besides, the stories aren’t really like the pictures lead one to believe.”
    “I certainly hope not,” breathed Banner. “Why do you do this, Melissa? You surely don’t need the money—”
    Melissa spread her hands in a Corbinish gesture that was becoming very familiar to Banner. “I do it for