Ruby by Lauraine Snelling, Alexandra O'Karm Page B

herself— who knew what kind of trouble she could get into.
    Whatever made me think we should come out here like this? We are on the verge of nowhere, no father, an enterprise that is feeling shadier by the minute, people who really don’t want us here, people of questionable moral fiber, a town —She snorted at that thought, which made for a syncopation in the pounding of her head. Hamlet? Village? What would you call this place but a sinkhole bound to the land by the railroad?
    “Perhaps some fresh air would help.” She made her way to the window and, using every muscle God gave her, lifted the lower sash so fresh air could blow through and perhaps take her headache with it. She sank down on her knees and rested her crossed arms on the sill. Cheek on the back of her wrist, she tried to think of something besides the hammering in her head and their absurd situation. She heard Opal’s steps crossing the room and felt the girl’s hand on her head. With gentle fingers Opal stroked Ruby’s hair, starting from the crown of her head and down the length of blond curls that had not been bound into their usual coil or bundled into a snood.
    “Your hair is so pretty,” Opal whispered, as if a regular voice would break the spell that was weaving comfort in the dimming day.
    “Umm.” Thank you was more than Ruby could manage. She let her eyes stay closed, in spite of a loud shout she heard from down below. This one at least sounded like a greeting rather than a beating. Had Charlie thrown the other man out or had someone else? And what could the man have done that warranted such action? Mentally she slammed the door on such thoughts and concentrated instead on Opal’s generous gift.
    “Would you like me to brush your hair?”
    “If you’d like.”
    The brushing commenced after Opal located the brush—no simple task—removed the pins and ribbon that held the curls back off Ruby’s face, and stroked the brush through the riotous strands. She heard the sparks snapping in the dry air.
    “Could almost start a fire with the light flashes here.” Opal’s voice wore a dreamy quality, as if she were enjoying the brushing as much as Ruby.
    Ruby was almost asleep when she realized she was getting chilled. She started to push herself to her feet, when Opal asked, “How’s your head now?”
    Ruby paused, halfway up and tilted her head to one side and then the other. “Why, it is gone. That’s amazing. Thank you.” She slammed the window shut, and hands on hips, stared around the room. “Let’s get this mess back in order and then—”
    “Then you could read to me.”
    Ruby started to decline, remembered the wonderful hair brushing, and smiled instead. “I think that is a very good idea.” She took her blue ribbon from Opal and retied her hair. Getting the room back in order wouldn’t take nearly the effort of cleaning it thoroughly or of determining who their assailant was. The motive was apparent, at least to Ruby. They were searching for either money or the letter. If it was money, everyone fit the bill. If the letter, that left Belle or Charlie. Unless, of course, Belle had told someone else about the letter.
    With the thoughts chasing each other round and round, she could sense the return of the headache.
    “Talk to me, Opal.”
    “Why?” The sunrise on Opal’s face made Ruby smile.
    “I know, usually I’m asking you to be quiet, but right now I don’t want to think myself into a headache again, so tell me what you’ve learned about Dove House in your forays.”
    Opal folded up her nightdress. “Ah, there are mice everywhere.”
    “Wonderful.”
    “We could get a cat to take care of that problem.”
    “True.”
    “You mean it?”
    “Did I say that?”
    “Sort of. But can we have a kitten?”
    “I’d rather have a cat that knows how to hunt.” Ruby rehung two dresses in the armoire.
    “Did you know there is a hen house out in the back?”
    “No. How did you find that out?”
    “I looked out