Free Fear Weaver by David Thompson Page B

“Listen Tome, sister-in-law. We’re not figments. We’re real. We were worried when we didn’t hear from Sully and you, so we came west.”
    “Oh God.” Philberta looked at Nate, her eyes widening. “What have I done?”
    Erleen hastened up, her arms spread wide. “Calm down and give me a hug. I’ve missed you and the others so much.”
    Nate tensed. He half feared Philberta would bury the knitting needles in Erleen, but to his relief Philberta let the other woman embrace her. Suddenly Philberta gasped, and stiffened. Her eyes rolled up in their sockets until only the whites showed. Then, with a loud groan, she collapsed and would have fallen if Erleen hadn’t been holding her.
    “Peter! I need help!”
    Nate was closer. He quickly slipped an arm under one of Philberta’s. “It’s good you came along when you did.”
    “What did you do to her?”
    “Me?”
Nate said. “I was friendly and polite. But she went into a frenzy and tried to kill me.”
    The others were rushing to help, all except Ryker, whose smirk had broadened. Peter took over for Nate. Fitch and Harper also helped. Nate opened the door and they carried Philberta inside. Anora and Tyne came after them.
    “Where is everyone else?” Erleen asked, glancing about. “Sully and the boys aren’t here.”
    “We must set her down,” Peter grunted. “She’s as heavy as an ox.”
    “Peter!”
    “Well, she is.”
    The comment made Nate wonder how she was eating so well when the pantry was so bare. Here he’d been worried the family had starved to death. But if Philberta was any example, they didn’t miss a meal.
    “Where are the beds?” Erleen asked.
    Only then did Nate realize the cabin had no bedroom. Nor were there any blankets spread onthe floor for bedding. Where did the woman sleep? he asked himself.
    “Fitch, fetch blankets off our horses,” Erleen directed. “Anora, find a pot, fill it with water from the stream, and put it on to boil. We’ll make some tea. Harper and Tyne, I want you to sit here with your aunt while your father and I have a look around.”
    Nate went out, nearly colliding with Aunt Aggie, who was about to enter. “They can use your help in there.”
    “Oh, I am sure Erleen has matters well in hand. My sister would make a fine general.” Agatha stepped away from the door as Anora bustled past carrying a pot. “I best stay out of their hair.”
    Nate placed the Hawken’s stock on the ground and leaned on the barrel. “So tell me. What is Philberta like when she isn’t trying to stick knitting needles into someone?”
    Aunt Aggie didn’t grin as he thought she might. “Perhaps you should ask Erleen. I’ve never been all that fond of Philberta and it might taint your opinion.”
    “You and she don’t get along?”
    “Oh, she’s always been civil enough. But I have long believed Sully could have done better.”
    “Better how?”
    Agatha checked that no one was near. “Less bossy, for one thing. I’ve always thought marriage should be a fifty-fifty proposition. But Philberta is a lot like Erleen. They snap their fingers and their husbands jump.”
    “Yet it was Sully who dragged her and their boys west,” Nate noted. “He must do some snapping himself.”
    “I’ve wondered about that. If Philberta had no yento come, Sully wouldn’t.” Agatha shrugged. “But that’s neither here nor there. The real reason I have never gotten along with her is that she treated me coldly. From the very first day I met her, nearly twenty years ago, she gave me the impression she wouldn’t mind one bit if I were to be run over by a carriage.”
    “Didn’t you say Sully and you were close?”
    “So?”
    “So maybe Philberta was jealous. Some women refuse to share their husband’s affections with anyone, even a doting sister-in-law.” Nate smiled to lessen the sting.
    “There’s always that, I suppose, although I suspect her dislike of me ran deeper. Anyway, what’s done is done. What is important now is to