“Sorry, but I never made it to Retta’s,” I said.
“Figured as much after talking to Carson and Martha Hannah. I went up to the fire tower and inspected the damage to the stairs.” He frowned. “Then I thought I’d go over yander to Loretta’s ’fore coming here, but no one answered the door and I didn’t see your mounts. Even went over to your grandpa Elijah’s cabin. Then the snow came in and shut everyone in.”
“We aimed to get to the ol’ Carter homestead, but Junia had other thoughts.”
He studied his son a moment. “Sure am glad Martha Hannah had me tote Carson along—in case we ran into trouble, we’d be able to give double back.”
I glanced at his rifle and dared not think of the kind of trouble he might’ve given back. Devil John was a decent, loyal man, but not someone you would want to cross.
“We planned on trying to get ya back to Troublesome, then I heard the automobiles. I dropped Carson off behind the trees and told him to listen to whatever happened when them two vehicles drove up. To send word back to my Martha Hannah should something happen here.” Devil John struck out his finger toward Carson. “Son, you were supposed to stay put back yander, run home if anything happened to me or the girls…” He paused, and I knew he was thinking whether he should fuss at Carson or drop it. “Reckon ya did all right.”
The young man beamed. “Just heard ya’ll talking to the law and what all they said, Pa. Wanted to help our Honey Mary-Angeline, our True Blue, same as her ma’s always helped us,” he said, using the nickname he’d given to me when we played as children.
“Real smart, this one is,” Devil John said proudly. “Cussy and her books is what did that for us and a lot of folk. Real sorry this is happening to your family, Honey.” He looked at me and Pearl, then dropped a sly grin. “That sheriff’s never been to my holler, so he has no idea ’bout the rest of my brood, what they look like, how old they be, or how to find my place. And I know’d that ol’ boy was lazy and too hungry for his dinner to try and find out.”
“Much obliged, Devil John. I’m indebted and appreciative. And Carson, I owe you a basket of clean laundry.”
“A week’s worth ought to do it,” he teased.
“If you hadn’t come along, well…” I cringed at the thought of wearing leg chains and digging rock for five years at the old children’s prison. To Pearl, I said, “Thank you. That was brave and kind.” I smiled appreciatively.
“I couldn’t let that horrid woman drag you away.”
My heart warmed because her eyes told me she meant it.
“Try not to fret,” Devil John said. “I’m sure Bob Morgan will be filing a custody order over in Knott County for you to stay with Loretta. Those were your folks’ wishes. So until you get that guardianship, you’ll want to stay put where you’re safe.”
“I’ll head to Retta’s first thing tomorrow after I settle Pearl in at my grandparents’ cabin.”
Devil John stroked his beard, mulling it over.
“I’m happy to look after her,” Pearl said. “If I can be tasked with looking after the whole forest, I imagine I can protect Honey and her sneaky skunk-in-disguise of a mule.”
“It’s harmless enough, sir, and the old homestead has kept me and my people safe for years,” I pushed.
“Reckon you’re right,” he admitted. “Pearl, someone will send word once the stairs are fixed. I stopped at the ranger station on the way over here, and they’re getting welders out to the lookout sometime this week, latest, next week. R.C. sends his apologies and hopes it won’t make ya retire your appointment.”
“It won’t, Devil John. And I’m prepared to mete out trouble to protect another troublesome woman”—Pearl grinned at me—“a sister in these old hills.”