Page 34 of Westbound Awakening

Elma looked to see Wesley's face pressed against the glass and burst out laughing. "He is not a very patient man, now is he?"

"So much like his father," Mae replied shaking her head.

Elma stopped her with a light touch to her upper arm. "Senorita, you can stop Senor McClain from leaving. Why do you not accept him as your husband?"

"He's never asked Elma. I believe he is not interested in marriage." Mae gave Elma an even look. "Even if he was, he knows my past Elma." Mae swallowed hard past the lump forming in her throat. "And cannot forget it, I'm afraid. John would never marry me."

"I don't know what your past is," Elma huffed. "But I know love when I see it, and that man loves you."

"Not enough apparently." Mae untied her apron and went to leave. Stalling at Elma's next words.

"We will see."

Just as Mae went outside Alan, approached, the man hurried to where she stood holding Wesley by the hand. It was hard to read the large man, his quiet reserve a shield. He frowned at her and took a breath as if not sure what to say.

"What is it Alan?"

The man looked to the child. "Someone is here," his eyes remained on Wesley. "You should see about it alone Miss Mae."

Without asking anything further, she guided Wesley back inside instructing Elma who'd come to see what happened to keep him inside and out of sight.

Alan removed his hat and scratched his head. "Miss Mae, there's a woman out front. Came in a wagon. She's claimin' to be the boy's mama. Said she wants to talk to Mr. John. I told her he was gone, but she insists on talkin' to someone."

Wesley's mother?

Mae straightened her shoulders and brushed the flour from her skirts, then ran an expert hand over her hair to ensure all was in place. "Thank you Alan. Please come with me, and remain a short distance away while I speak to her."

Thankful for the man's size, Mae walked alongside Alan his presence reassuring. They went through the house and exited the front door onto the porch. Alan stood a few feet away to safeguard her if the woman decided to over-react.

Her years of working in the brothel brought with it an innate knowledge of people, the cause for actions and words. And no time was Mae more thankful for it than upon meeting Carla.

Mae kept the knowledge of knowing the woman's name to herself. Instead stood just outside the door and motioned for the woman to join her on two chairs on the front porch. "How can I help you?"

Although attractive, the woman was very thin and harsh in appearance and with her speech. Her serviceable clothing although well tended to and clean, were old. Mae noted fraying at the hems of the brown skirt. The telltale sign of a hard life was evident in the manner of her posture and lack of luster in her skin and hair. Her shrewd eyes took a fast inventory of both Mae's face and clothing before agreeing to sit. "I'm Carla, Wesley's mother," she stated without giving indication of the purpose for her visit.

It struck Mae as odd how the woman had not asked to see Wesley right away. Instead of saying anything, Mae remained silent, not introducing herself.

"I've come to get Wesley." "I'm moving west and have decided it's best to take the boy with me."

The boy. Not "my son" or "my child".

"I'm afraid the decision is up to John McClain, and as you've been told, he is away, gone to town for the day. You can return tomorrow and speak to him." Mae remained still, giving the impression of calmness with her hands folded on her lap. Her steady hands gave no indication of the pounding in her chest. She looked over to see the woman had driven up in a serviceable wagon and came alone.

"I don't have time to wait another day," Carla told her leaning forward. "We're starting a new life. My husband and I. He's ready to leave, but the more I think about it, I want him along. I refused to go without Wesley."

Mae cleared her throat and slid her gaze to ensure Alan remained a few short yards away. "I'm afraid I will not budge on this matter, like I told you, return tomorrow."

"The fact you're shacked up with John McClain does not give you any say over this. I came to take the boy and will not leave until you hand him over." Carla sneered and jumped to her feet. "I don't have time to waste coming back here." She shrieked, but took a step back when Alan cleared his throat.

When the woman looked inside the house, her eyes narrowing in calculation. It was then Mae understood the true purpose of her visit. "You people with all your money have no idea what it's like to travel so far and not have enough to make it. That's why we are going west. There ain't no money to be made here."

"How much would it take to get you to leave without Wesley and never return?"

Carla was shrewd enough to lower eyes to hide any gleam of greed, but when she licked at her upper lip it became obvious.

Mae fought to understand how easily the woman would give up the beautiful little boy. "How much?"

"Well I do care deeply for my child."