Free The Peacemaker by Chelley Kitzmiller Page B

when he up and died. Just like that!" She snapped her fingers and rolled her eyes. "Mercy! What a stir that caused."
    "How did he die?" Indy asked.
    Aphra giggled.
    "Aphra!" Opal scolded. "Behave."
    In spite of the warning, Aphra giggled again.
    Indy looked over at Opal. Opal looked back, smiled, then set about rethreading her needle. "Doc Valentine said he'd never known a man to die . . . like that ... in his bed and all. He said his heart just gave out. Thought it must have been the excitement."
    This time when Aphra started to giggle, she put her hand over her mouth to make it look like she was coughing.
    Finally, Indy realized what Opal was saying. "Oh," she said at last. "I see. How awful." With some difficulty she maintained her composure.
    Opal pushed her needle into the quilt. "You'd never know Prudence was a widow—the way she goes about flaunting herself and flirting—like she did yesterday with that Indian. Next thing you know she'll be jumping on the back of his war pony and riding off with him to his wickiup."
    "Opal! You shouldn't talk like that in front of Indy. Whatever will she think?" Ava asked.
    Opal snorted. "I just hope Prudence has the good sense to stay away from Shatto if he does come here to train the men."
    "What do you think your father will decide, Indy?" asked Ava. "Of course, our husbands are all in favor of it, but it's your father who has to make the decision."
    Indy studied her hands. "I really can't say one way or another. He doesn't talk to me about Army business."
    All three women looked up at her at the same time.
    "That's too bad," said Aphra.
    "Yes, indeed," added Opal.
    Indy had felt uneasy with the gossip about Prudence but now that they had turned their full attention on her, she felt even more ill at ease. She suddenly realized she could be making better use of her time organizing her kitchen and learning how to use the cook stove.
    She rose. "If you ladies will excuse me. I really have to be getting back. I haven't begun to organize my kitchen yet." She started for the door.
    "Oh, wait a second. I just remembered something," Ava called out. "I meant to tell you yesterday but with all the goings-on, I forgot. Julie Myers—she's the young woman whose husband was killed the other day—well, she's leaving for San Francisco day after tomorrow to join her family, and she's looking to sell most of her belongings to pay transportation costs. I thought you might be particularly interested seeing as how you don't have much furniture yet."
    Indy stared off at nothing in particular. The young widow's sad face came to mind. "How awful to lose her husband, then to have to sell her things."
    "They're just things , Indy. Army wives know better than to become attached to material possessions. Chances are she couldn't take them with her anyway what with weight restrictions and all. It's customary to hold an auction to sell things off. Anyway, if you're interested, it's tomorrow morning, just two doors down. She has some nice pieces. Mostly items she picked up from an auction a year ago from another Army wife."
    At the door, Indy smiled and said, "Thank you. I suppose I could use a comfortable reading chair and a few other pieces."
    After leaving Ava's, Indy walked around behind Officers' Row. Each of the officer's quarters had its own small, detached kitchen, set approximately thirty feet back from the main building as a fire precaution.
    She was thinking about Prudence—feeling sorry that she'd had such a hard life. Then Opal's comments about Prudence's wanton ways nullified that sorrow and brought back the resentment she had felt yesterday.
    "Any word on whether Shatto will be coming?"
    Indy gave a start. Suddenly Prudence was standing in front of her, holding a basket full of neatly folded laundry. "No, nothing yet." She felt like screaming the answer, but instead she opened the kitchen door and stepped inside.
    Prudence stood on the other side of the threshold. "You will tell me as soon as