The Rescue by Lori Wick Page A

through the back door and was gone. Anne had no idea where he was going or when he would return.
    She watched his progress slow a bit and muttered to herself, “Heaven knows how muddy that field might be.”
    The words were barely out of her mouth when she heard horses on the road. She would have thought nothing of this, but the clopping of their hooves told her they had stopped out front. Anne circled the house slowly and found Palmer, Frank, Walt, and Mr Weston in her yard.
    “Hello, Anne,” Palmer greeted, swinging down from the saddle. “We’re on our way to Tipton and thought we’d stop and say hello.”
    “I’m so glad you did.” Anne smiled and met everyone’s eyes briefly. “You just missed Father. He’s off on an adventure.”
    “Miss Anne,” Walt chimed in, “I think you have a hole starting in your roof.”
    “You’re probably right, Walt,” she agreed, turning her back to the group so she could inspect the spot to which he pointed. Palmer had come to stand on one side of her, and Weston had gone to her other.
    “One of my coachmen is very handy,” Weston said, gazing at the roof. “He could have that patched in less than an hour.”
    “Oh, thank you, Mr Weston, but I’m sure we can manage.”
    “But why should you?” Palmer shocked her by asking, his voice making the matter sound simple.
    Anne looked to him.
    “If Weston’s man can see to it, Anne, his fixing it would be a fine idea.”
    Anne looked up at Palmer for a moment and then turned slowly back to Weston. She felt embarrassed in his presence but still met his eyes.
    “Thank you, Mr Weston. I hope I didn’t sound ungrateful.”
    “Not at all, Miss Gardiner,” he replied, his eyes meeting hers, his voice quiet and kind. “There won’t be time this afternoon, but I’ll have Bert come on Monday.”
    “Thank you,” she offered again, this time not able to look away for a moment.
    “We’d best be off,” Palmer said.
    “Before you leave, Palmer, will you tell me how Lydia is doing?” Anne felt rescued when she was able to turn and ask.
    “Very well. She’ll be there tomorrow.”
    “At church?”
    “That’s what she says.”
    Anne laughed. “Tell her I think she’s mad, but I can’t wait to see her.”
    “I’ll give her the message.”
    The men departed after that, Anne waving them on their way. She stood watching the horses and riders as they moved out of sight, and for that reason, caught the fact that Mr Weston turned often in his saddle to look back at her. Anne found it curious but refused to give way to fantasies. With a stern word to herself, she went inside to finish making supper.

    Tipton
    “How did Anne seem?” Lydia asked over supper, her eyes on her two sons.
    “She’s getting a hole in her roof,” Walt told her. “And Mr Weston has a man who can fix it.”
    “How nice, Mr Weston. I’m sure Anne and the Colonel will appreciate that.”
    “If the Colonel notices,” Frank put in, his tone lacking criticism.
    “That’s certainly true,” his father agreed. “The last time I saw the Colonel, he spoke to me about my father in a most lucid manner. The time before that, he didn’t know me at all.”
    “And Anne has said that it’s not unusual for him to prepare a meal for them,” Lydia inserted, “and even lay the table. He likes Anne to fix tea, but the Colonel is surprisingly competent in the kitchen.”
    “I like his sword,” Emma said softly, drawing a smile from her father.
    “Forgive us, Mr Weston.” Lydia noticed that he had grown quiet. “You probably don’t know about Anne’s father.”
    “Actually, I do. He’s a fascinating chap.”
    “Indeed. I’m sure all small towns can boast a character, but I don’t know how many of them are armed for battle.”
    “Did he see active service?” Weston asked.
    “Yes,” Palmer answered. “He served in Burma and saw plenty of action, even sustained a few injuries.”
    “But that’s not why he’s ill today,” Lydia filled in,