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it, the more certain he was that the cabin was exactly where Betsy was heading. What would she find when she got there? He’d gone to the auction yesterday, surprised at how many folks had turned out to capitalize on their neighbor’s bad luck. He squirmed a little at the thought. After all, he’d known exactly why he was going to the auction—though Ma had been against it. He’d bid on the item he’d gone for and won, although he’d had to go a bit higher than he’d intended.
    The gold watch burned against his chest as he reached up and patted his shirt pocket. He pulled it out and flipped it open. Then shook his head. “Still isn’t keeping time.”
    “Good. It serves you right, coveting poor Old Joe’s prized possession.”
    “Someone was going to buy it.” He couldn’t resist the urge to defend himself, though he didn’t see why Ma was so dead set against the purchase.
    “What others do is between them and their Maker. What you do is… well, that’s God’s business, too.” She scowled. “And mine. I don’t know where I went wrong with you. Acting like all the other vultures in this town, wanting to pick away at that poor man’s bones.”
    “That’s a little—”
    She held up her hand. “And think of poor Betsy. What on earth is she going to do? Old Joe has kept her all to himself out on that farm with absolutely no prospects, forcing her to dress practically like an old widow. I don’t believe he ever intended for her to get married.”
    Stuart hadn’t even thought of Betsy getting married. So Ma was likely right. He glanced toward the door, the thought of Betsy’s image riding past still playing on his mind.
    Ma swiped the feather duster across the counter. “Well?”
    Stuart blinked. “Well, what?”
    “Are you going to go after that girl, or is she going to have to find the cabin gone over and emptied out all by herself?”
    “I suppose I should.”
    “I’d think so.”
    Stuart grabbed his hat and coat and headed toward the door. Then hesitated, pulled the watch from his pocket once more, and placed it in the money drawer behind the counter.
    Ma snorted. “Coward.”
    Heat burned his face. “I just see no point in carrying a broken watch. I’ll likely have to send it off to get it fixed.”
    “Lie to yourself all you want, but you can’t fool me, young man.” Ma’s voice held a firm admonishment. “You are ashamed, as you most certainly should be, and you don’t want to chance Betsy catching a glimpse of her grandfather’s watch in your possession.”
    That was ridiculous, but he wasn’t about to argue with Ma once she got something into her head.
    “Sure you can take care of things by yourself?”
    Her hand swept empty the room. “Surely,” she said with a wry smile.
    “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
    “Be kind. And remember, she’s just had a devastating loss. It’s possible she’ll be angry and possibly sharp tongued.”
    Stuart gave a one-sided smile of his own. “When isn’t she?”
    “Don’t judge the girl too harshly. She has her crosses to bear.”
    Stuart made his way to the livery where he boarded his horse. Since Pa had built their home in the center of town, he and Mr. Mahoney had bartered their services to each other. Pa boarded his horses, and the liveryman received a certain amount of store goods each month for free. Once Junior took over, they’d kept the arrangement, and again, after Pa’s death, Stuart and Ma had seen no reason to discontinue.
    Junior glanced up, surprise evident in his face. Stuart didn’t blame him. He rarely rode the horse through the week. Junior exercised the chestnut mare more than Stuart did. “Something I can do for you, Stuart?”
    “I need to take Red out for a while.”
    “Going somewhere in particular?” Junior moved as he spoke, going to Red’s stall and grabbing the horse blanket. Without asking Stuart, he started saddling the horse.
    Stuart wasn’t about to settle the man’s obvious curiosity and