Rosanna flushed but did not deny the accusation.
“I thought that it might make my future more secure,” she acknowledged. “Since Mother died I’ve battered around from one rooming house to another. But even if I don’t come into the inheritance, I’ll be glad that my uncle is still alive.”
“I don’t know that he is,” Caleb Eckert said hastily. “He was alive when he sent that postcard from Africa. Since then we’ve had no word from him here at Raven Ridge.”
While the girls prepared food for themselves, Caleb sat by the kitchen stove watching. He showed them how to start a fire in the range but would not partake of supper when it was cooked.
“Had mine four hours ago. I’ll show you where you can sleep and be getting on home.”
“Do you live near here?” Penny asked curiously.
“Not far. If the rain would let up you could see my cabin through the dining room window. It’s perched on the edge of the cliff, overlooking Lake Chippewa.”
Rosanna remarked that the scenery around Raven Ridge must be beautiful.
“’Tis,” Caleb agreed enthusiastically. “You’ll have to walk down to the lake in the morning. There are some mighty pretty trails to follow too.”
“If we have time before we go, we’ll surely explore,” Penny promised.