A Test of Faith

by Carol Cox

  “I’m not scared, I’m mad! What’s wrong with you people? Don’t you gotta have a permit if you’re gonna block traffic like that?”

  As soon as the words left her mouth, she disappeared, and the tarps swished back into place. From behind the protective covering, Kate heard the distinct click of a lock.

  Paul watched the tarps as if expecting her to return at any moment, then he turned back to the crowd.

  “Okay, you’ve gotten Loretta’s attention. Why don’t you all head home now?”

  Lester Philpott lowered his sign demanding the return of the sweet-potato fries. “We don’t mean any harm, Pastor. It’s all in good fun. We just want Loretta to know how much we love the diner.”

  “Right,” called Willy Bergen, owner of Willy’s Bait and Tackle. “But we’d like some answers, just the same. She’s got the whole building closed up tight so we can’t tell what’s going on inside. But there’s a work crew going in and out every day. We want to know what’s going on.”

  “That’s right.” Kate recognized the grits fancier as Ronda, one of the young stylists at Betty’s. “Someone told me she’s just fixin’ the place up so she can sell it and move to one of those fancy retirement resorts in Florida.”

  A chorus of “Nooooo!” rose from the crowd, followed by cries of, “Don’t do it, Loretta! You can’t leave us. We need you here!”

  As if obeying an unseen signal, the group started marching again, chanting in unison. This time Kate was close enough to hear every word: “Hey, hey, ho, ho. We won’t let our diner go!”

  Paul shook his head and spoke quietly so only Kate could hear. “I should have realized Loretta wasn’t really in a panic when she called me instead of the sheriff. Still, I think this has gone on long enough.”

  “Listen up!” Paul raised his voice to be heard over the clamor and affected a stern demeanor, though Kate could tell he was trying hard not to laugh. “What do you think this is going to accomplish? You’ve taken out an ad in the Chronicle. You’ve rung Loretta’s phone off the hook and worn a path to her front door. And now you’re demonstrating?”

  He gestured at the brilliant rainbow of protest signs. “You’ve made your point. If you really want to keep the diner open, Loretta needs to be free to make that decision because it’s what she wants to do, not because she’s being coerced into doing it.”

  With sheepish expressions, most of the crowd lowered their signs and started to move away.

  One disgruntled demonstrator flung back a parting shot: “You’re a fine one to talk. We wouldn’t be in this mess if it hadn’t been for your wife driving that car through the front of the diner.”

  In all the years of their marriage, Kate could remember only a few times when she had seen Paul reduced to a state of speechlessness. This was one of them.

  He stared after the departing group, gaping like one of the trout he and Sam Gorman liked to reel in from Copper Mill Creek.

  When the last protester had gone, he turned around and stared at Kate. “Did I hear what I think I just heard?”

  Kate walked over to him and slid her arm around his waist. It was one thing for Bernie the mechanic and his pals to think she had something to do with destroying the diner. It was a whole different matter to hear it spoken out loud in a public place.

  “I’m afraid so.” She leaned her head against his shoulder. “And all because my wallet turned up someplace it wasn’t supposed to be.”

  She heard a soft click, followed by a rustle.

  “Are they gone?”

  Paul stepped over to the narrowed opening where Loretta’s lined face peered out from between the tarps. “All gone. You can calm down now.”

  He reached out and started to push the tarp aside, but Loretta swatted at his hand. “Nope. Nobody’s seeing the inside of this place until I’ve done what I’m going to do. Not even you.”

  Paul shoved his fingers through his hair. “You know, you’d save yourself and everybody else a lot of trouble if you’d just tell them what you’re doing.”

  “It’s my decision, isn’t it?” Loretta jutted out her chin.

  “Of course, but—”

  “Then that’s the way it’s going to be. I have my reasons, and I’m not talkin’.”

  Before Paul could say another word, Loretta did her disappearing act again, followed by the swish of the tarp and a decisive click that told them the conversation was over.

  Kate stared at Paul, who stared at the blank expanse of black plastic.

  Finally he turned and gave her a look that reminded her of the time Andrew got a concussion playing high-school football.

  “Where did you park your car?” he asked. “I think it’s time to go home.”

  “It’s just down the street. Stay right here. I’ll pick you up in a jiffy.” Kate hurried down Smith Street to retrieve her Honda, the keys jingling in her hand.

  As humorous as the “demonstration” had turned out to be, one thing was clear: she had dithered long enough. Now it was time to take action. Her resolve grew firmer with every step she took.

  It was bad enough to be the target of the local rumor mill. But now the wagging tongues had drawn Paul in as well.

  She reached the Honda, flung open the door, and climbed behind the wheel. She started the engine, a single thought burning in her mind.

  Too many questions were floating around Copper Mill. It was time to find some answers.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Several fruitless days later, Kate felt like she’d been beating her head against a wall. Figuratively, of course. But at the moment, doing it literally didn’t sound like such a bad idea.

  She piloted the Honda along Mountain Laurel Road on the way back toward town with one hand, holding the other up to shield her eyes from the slanting rays of the late-afternoon sun.

  As long as the sheriff remained convinced the theft of the Mustang was the work of a transient who had long since left the area, she couldn’t expect much activity from that quarter.

  Remembering comments she overheard the night of the crash about a bunch of joyriding kids being responsible, Kate had talked to the teens in the Faith Briar youth group to see if they had heard anything along that line.

  None of them knew anything—at least none who would admit it to the minister’s wife if they did.

  In an effort to do something—anything—to bring the case to a close, Kate had just made another trip out to Roland Myers’ place. Unfortunately, that foray met the same fruitless end as her other efforts of late.

  Her repeated knocks on his ramshackle front door brought no response, and Kate couldn’t be sure whether that meant the Mustang’s owner was away from home or avoiding her.

  Kate cruised along the stretch of road where Mountain Laurel ran parallel to Copper Mill Creek. She glanced down at the speedometer and immediately eased her foot off the accelerator.

  It wouldn’t do to get a speeding ticket and allow her mounting frustration to cause more problems than she already had.

  She leaned back against the seat and squinted against the sun. Something would break soon. It just had to. She shot a prayer heavenward. Father, you already know what’s happened here. Help me see what I’m missing.

  Based on the success of her previous sleuthing, she thought she’d have the puzzle all figured out by now. She’d done remarkably well at solving problems for others. What made this case so different?

  It shouldn’t be this hard.

  She had already taken more time than she should from her work on the fanlight, meaning she would have to work extra hard that week to have it finished by the date promised.

  Kate guided her car around a bend in the road, grateful for the brief respite from the glaring sun. The mystery had so preoccupied her mind, she hadn’t even had a chance to track Cody down and invite him over for cookies.

  She would have to rectify that as soon as she had a moment to spare. That might be a while, though. Lately it felt like she had pressure bearing down on her from
a dozen different directions at once.

  And Paul, the poor man, had been so patient. It couldn’t have been easy for him, trying to deal with not being able to do everything for himself while she was out running errands hither and yon.

  What a guy! She would have to do something special soon to show him how much she appreciated him.

  And she knew just what that would be.

  Kate slowed to make the right turn onto Smoky Mountain Road, then changed course and continued down Mountain Laurel to Sweetwater Street instead. She would pick up a take-out meal from JD’s Smokeshack. If she knew Paul, the taste of barbecue would be enough to make up for any amount of neglect.

  And if she didn’t have to cook, she ought to be able to squeeze in another hour in the studio that night. She pulled into the Smokeshack’s parking lot, feeling virtuous at the idea of killing two birds with one stone.

  Ten minutes later, she returned to her car, bearing an armload of bags containing barbecue sandwiches, curly fries, and coleslaw. Humming a favorite old hymn, she headed back toward their house.

  Halfway there, she remembered she had promised to pick up a commentary Paul needed from his church office. She smacked her hand against the steering wheel. If she took time to stop now, the food would get cold.

  No, it wouldn’t take all that long if she just ran inside the church, got the book, and came straight back out again. Millie didn’t work there in the afternoons, so she wouldn’t get caught talking.

  She passed the corner of Smoky Mountain Road for the second time and pulled up in front of the church building.

  Avery’s rattletrap pickup sat back near the storage shed. Kate’s brows knit together. This wasn’t his regular cleaning day. What could he be doing at the church?

  Her hand hovered over the ignition, wondering if she ought to go home and bring Paul back with her. Her fingers closed around the key when she heard someone call out a greeting. Looking around for the source, she finally spotted Avery kneeling on the roof.

  He pushed himself upright and walked over to the edge. “Afternoon, Miz Hanlon.”

  She got out and walked toward him, shielding her eyes with her hand. “Hello there. I just stopped by to get something Paul needed. Is there a problem with the roof?”

  Avery grinned and held up a claw hammer. “There won’t be for long. That storm blew some shingles off. I wanted to put some new ones on before we get any more weather.”

  Relief at knowing he had a legitimate reason for being there made Kate feel light-headed. She smiled up at him.

  “Do you have everything you need?”

  “I’m in fine shape, thanks. There were some extra shingles in the storage shed where we keep the lawn mower, and I brought some roofing nails from home.”

  “The lawn mower?” Remembering what Millie had told Eli about the mower’s disappearance, Kate tried to adopt a casual tone. “Someone said they looked for it the other day, but it wasn’t in its usual place. Do you have any idea where it is?”

  Avery’s eyes crinkled when he smiled. “It’s right back where it belongs. I put it there myself this morning.”

  He chuckled at Kate’s puzzled look.

  “I spotted a dove’s nest with two eggs in it a couple of weeks ago. They don’t usually build their nests until sometime in March, so it looks like we’re due for an early spring. I took a look at the mower to make sure it’d be ready when we need it. The engine sounded okay, but the blades needed sharpening, so I took it home to go over it and give it a good tune-up while I was at it. It’s all ready to go as soon as we need it.”

  Kate couldn’t hold back a smile. Wouldn’t Paul be relieved to learn why Avery had driven off with the lawn mower! “It sounds like you’re on top of things, so I’ll leave you to your work. Replacing those shingles sounds like quite a job.”

  “It won’t take all that long. I’ve done it often enough out at my place, and today I’ve even got me a helper.”

  Kate’s gaze swept the otherwise empty parking lot. She turned a quizzical look on Avery.

  He laughed and called out in the direction of the bell tower. “Come on out here before the preacher’s wife thinks I’m seein’ things.”

  Kate heard a shuffling sound, then saw Cody emerge from behind the steeple. He waved and gave her a shy grin.

  Kate’s spirits lifted even more. “Cody! How nice to see you.”

  “That’s what I said.” Avery’s grin grew wider. “I was up here poundin’ away, and who should come along and offer to help? It makes a big difference having him here. I’m gonna finish up a lot faster with him runnin’ up and down the ladder whenever I need something.”

  He beamed at the boy like a proud parent. “He’s a right good hand with a hammer too.”

  Kate noted the way Cody’s cheeks flushed at the stream of compliments Avery poured out. She wondered how often the boy received such lavish praise.

  “Well, we’d better get back to work.” Avery fished in his pocket and tossed his key ring to Cody. “We’re gonna need some more shingles pretty soon. How about loading them in the back of my truck and bringing it over by the ladder?”

  Cody snagged the keys in midair, and his face turned pale. “No. I mean, I’d rather not.”

  Avery took the refusal in stride and retrieved the keys from the boy. “No problem. I’ll just get them myself.”

  Cody pulled a hammer from the waistband of his jeans, looking relieved. “I’ll finish up with the ones I was working on.”

  Kate carried the image of the boy bent diligently over his work as she went up the church steps and unlocked the front door. What was it about him that tugged at her heart so?

  He was helpful, honest, and hardworking. Most kids his age would be sitting at home in front of a video game, not volunteering to do manual labor.

  She searched the bookshelf and desk in Paul’s office before she located the commentary in the bottom desk drawer. Pulling the bulky volume into her arms, she locked the office door behind her.

  Her thoughts turned back to the teen on the roof.

  Where did he get the energy to work as hard as he did? He looked like he hadn’t eaten a decent meal in days. Here was her chance to invite him over for cookies.

  No, he needed something more substantial than cookies.

  Wait a minute...She hurried back to deposit the commentary in her car.

  Returning with an armload of barbecue, she saw Avery just getting out of his truck in the front parking lot. Kate walked over to the pickup and held out the bags, careful not to look in Cody’s direction.

  Avery reached out for one of the bags and took an appreciative whiff. “What’s this?”

  “I know what hard work does for a man’s appetite. I wouldn’t want you to be reduced to doing any more foraging in the refrigerator.”

  Avery burst out laughing. “I can tell you right now, I won’t be tempted to do that again for a long, long time. Thanks a lot, Miz Hanlon. I really appreciate it.”

  Kate started back to her car. When she got halfway there, she called in a casual but clearly audible voice, “There should be plenty for both of you, if Cody’s interested in eating too.”

  The last thing she saw as she drove away was the sight of Cody climbing down the ladder and making a beeline for Avery.

  “I WISH YOU could have seen how excited he looked at the thought of getting a hot meal.”

  Kate removed the wrappers from the sandwiches she picked up on her return visit to the Smokeshack and set them out on the plates she’d laid on the table.

  Paul spooned a hearty helping of coleslaw beside his sandwich and reached for the curly fries. After a brief blessing, he looked over at her. “You don’t have any idea where he lives or who he belongs to?”

  Kate shook her head and fortified herself with a long sip of coffee. “He just seems to appear out of nowhere. No one I’ve talked to knows anything about him. Not even LuAnne. I asked Livvy to try to find out more the next time he shows up at the library, but she says
he hasn’t stopped by in days.”

  She drew in a deep breath and blew it out in a long sigh.

  Paul set the sandwich down and clasped her fingers in his. “This is really bothering you, isn’t it?”

  An embarrassed laugh escaped Kate’s lips. “I feel like I’m losing my touch. For the life of me, I can’t figure out who this boy is, and after all this time, I still don’t have the slightest idea who took Roland Myers’ Mustang.”

  She picked at the coleslaw on her plate. “Ever since we moved to Copper Mill, I felt like God had opened up a whole new chapter in my life and given me a special talent for solving little mysteries. But maybe I was wrong.”

  Paul looked at her seriously. “You can hardly say you’ve lost your touch, Katie. You’ve just had your mind focused on too many things at once. Not to mention having to play nursemaid to an old cripple,” he added with a grin.

  “You haven’t had the time to do more than give superficial attention to Cody with everything else that’s been going on. When things let up enough so you can truly concentrate, I’m sure you’ll find out everything you need to know.”

  Kate swallowed a bite of her barbecue sandwich, then blotted her lips on her napkin and leaned toward Paul.

  “You know how sometimes you feel like God is putting you right in the middle of a situation, and it’s critical that you do the right thing? That your actions have the potential to make a huge difference? Well, that’s how I feel about this. But I don’t know what the right thing is! That’s what makes it so frustrating.”

  She cradled her coffee mug in her hands, struck by a sudden thought. “Do you think he comes from an abusive situation of some kind?”

  Paul’s face took on the pensive look he got when he was turning an idea over in his mind. “That would explain a lot—the way he keeps to himself, his hesitancy about giving out his name or any information about himself or his family.”

  “And why he looked so startled and scared when I first ran into him.” Tears welled up in Kate’s eyes. “I’ll bet that’s it, Paul! He needs help; I know it. What can we do?”