Otis didn’t agree. “I noticed we were a little off on the chorus today, and the flaw never was corrected to my satisfaction. I suggest we practice our songs one last time.”
Katherine felt too tired, both physically and mentally, to resume playing, but she responded the only gracious way she knew how. “That. . .that seems like a good idea.”
Even without Vera present to play along with them, the practice went well.
“I’d say after this session, Otis, you have two excellent chances of winning the competition. You should be proud.”
“Hmph. No matter what the outcome, I will share the glory with someone else.”
The clacking of heels against hardwood floors greeted them. “Lemonade, anyone?”
Katherine couldn’t remember a time when she had been so glad to see her mother. She held a silver tray on which rested drinking glasses and a pitcher of cold beverage.
Mother smiled. “It’s such a hot day, I thought you might like some additional refreshment.”
Otis took a glass. “Thank you, Mrs. Jones.”
Miranda held out her hand to accept a glass. A look of panic crossed her face when she studied her blank wrist. “My bracelet!”
“Bracelet?” Katherine asked.
“It’s gone!” Miranda clutched her wrist as if the motion would cause the bracelet to reappear.
Katherine’s stomach lurched. She wished there were a doubt as to whether or not Miranda had worn a bracelet, but she knew her friend had indeed included the jewelry in her day’s ensemble. She recalled the charms tinkling together when the group met outside before coming into the house to rehearse.
“I can’t replace some of the charms I had on that bracelet. I have to find it!” Miranda’s voice grew high pitched.
“I’ll help you,” Otis assured her.
Katherine spotted Betsy playing a game of fetch with Rover. “Have you seen Miranda’s bracelet?” she called to her sister.
Betsy watched Rover running with a stick in his mouth, then turned toward Katherine. She shook her head. “No. Why?”
Betsy looked innocent enough, but Katherine approached her while the others searched the house and yard. “It’s missing.”
“I’m sorry. Do you want me to help you look for it?” Betsy pushed a loose lock of hair off her face and tried to weave it back into her braid.
“You can. Or you can tell me where it is.”
Betsy’s brown eyes widened. “But I don’t know where it is.”
“Just like you don’t know where Otis’s money clip is?”
“Money clip?” She shook her head back and forth rapidly. “No! I don’t! I promise.”
Katherine bent down and looked her sister in the eyes. “Betsy, remember the extra money you said you have? Where did it come from?”
She pouted. “I—I saved it up.”
“But what about Christmas? I know you don’t have a lot of money, and if you keep spending it, even if only two cents at a time, there won’t be much left over for gifts.”
“Yes, there will. I promise. I’ll help you look for the bracelet.”
Katherine stopped her. “So you’re saying you don’t know where the bracelet is?”
“No. I don’t.”
“Are you sure?”
“Why should I know?”
Katherine didn’t know how she could say what she meant. “Well, it’s pretty. I know you like it.”
“But I wouldn’t take it. That’s what you’re saying, isn’t it?”
“No, not really,” Katherine protested.
“Yes, you are. I’m not stupid.” Hurt filled Betsy’s eyes. “I didn’t take the bracelet or the money clip. And I never would. I never would take anything that didn’t belong to me. I can’t believe you would think that!” Tears threatened.
Betsy could be mischievous, but Katherine sensed the child was telling the truth. Betsy had admitted she didn’t want Otis to leave, but she didn’t fidget or avert her eyes when confronted with the question of the money clip’s whereabouts. Nor did she flinch when questioned about Miranda’s bracelet. “All right. I believe you. I’m sorry I even asked. You know I love you very much, but even the most wonderful person in the world can be tempted. And you have to understand that we are all concerned. Things are turning up missing around here. Things that shouldn’t be. Doesn’t it seem strange to you?”
“Yes.” Betsy nodded. “But I didn’t take anything.”
“I know that now. I’m sorry I asked. Can you forgive me?”
Betsy hesitated.
“Pretty please with sugar on top?”
A little smile crossed her lips, and she nodded. “Okay, then.”
Katherine hugged her little sister. “So do you have any idea at all what might have happened to Miranda’s bracelet?”
“No. I really don’t. But I’ll help you look.”
“It’s a deal.”
The sisters exchanged an embrace.
They were interrupted when Christopher tapped Katherine on the shoulder. “Hey, aren’t you two going to help us look?”
“Of course. Please, Betsy.”
Betsy headed in the direction of the driveway.
Obviously picking up on Katherine’s tense mood, Christopher asked, “What was that about?”
“I was asking Betsy if she knew anything about the bracelet. I was especially concerned because Otis’s money clip went missing the other night.”
Christopher’s eyes widened. “I wonder how something like that could have happened?”
“I don’t know, especially in our own house.”
“And you thought Betsy might know something about it?”
“Well, she did want him to stay.” She decided not to mention that Betsy wanted their guest to stay forever.
“I don’t think Betsy would hide Otis’s money clip. And I don’t think she’s all that interested in Miranda’s bracelet.”
“Well, she did admire it once, and that made me think of her, but I know now she didn’t take either item. Then who did?”
“I don’t know. I wish I could solve the mystery.” He motioned for her to join him in continuing the search for the bracelet. They both kept their eyes on the ground. “Do you mind if I ask you something?” he inquired a moment later when they were out of earshot of the others.
“No.”
“You said Betsy wants Otis to stay. I know he pays attention to her and gives her little gifts, and she’s taken to Rover very well. So it’s only natural she’d want Otis to stay. But what about you?” His voice softened. “Will you miss Otis when he’s gone?”
She didn’t answer right away. “Well, I suppose I will. He’s a nice enough fellow.”
“Oh. But you don’t want him to stay on indefinitely?”
“No,” she admitted. “Is it that obvious?”
“No, not to anyone but me. You’ve been nothing but kind to him.”
“Well, yes. As I said, I like him well enough, but not as a suitor, if that’s what you mean.”
“That’s what I mean.”
Katherine looked up at him and saw a light in his eyes she hadn’t seen since Otis’s arrival. Could he be feeling the same way about her that she had been feeling about him? It couldn’t be possible. Could it?
“Come on,” he said, breaking into her thoughts. “Let’s see if we can find the lost objects.”
Eleven
Even after an intense search, they hadn’t produced either lost item, but the losses were the last thing on Christopher’s mind as he made his way home later.
Katherine is free! Katherine is free!
As he rode home, Christopher whistled, something he hadn’t done in a long while. Come to think of it, he hadn’t whistled a happy tune since Otis arrived in Maryland.
Christopher had a feeling that Katherine’s change of heart had something to do with Miranda. Yes, Otis had been all too forgiving of Miranda and seemingly less tolerant of Katherine’s part in the ruse—started by Miranda, no less�
�than Christopher had thought would be the case once all was revealed. Yet Miranda had flirted her way into Otis’s heart, which no doubt explained his response. Christopher had been watching Katherine around Otis since his arrival and noted that she never seemed to warm up to him much. Rover’s presence seemed to gain Otis a place in Betsy’s heart rather than Katherine’s.
Maybe Katherine did love Christopher, after all. Enough not to let another man take away her affections. If only that could be so!
From the looks of things, the way Otis and Miranda stayed near one another during the search, Otis had decided to court Miranda, and she would accept. Christopher wasn’t surprised. Miranda and Otis had never missed a chance to converse with one another since they first met.
Christopher harbored no regrets about Otis’s visit. Now that Katherine had seen Otis in person and sparks had failed to ignite, she would be more than happy to pursue other interests. His conscience could be clear when he asked Mr. Jones if he would be welcome to court her. He could barely contain himself.
Moments later, after he had put General Lee in his stall for the night, Christopher walked to the house. The tuneless but happy melody still played upon his lips as he bounded up the steps to the verandah.
“Well, I’d say from the sound of that whistlin’ of yours that practice went mighty well this afternoon.” Grandpa rocked back and forth in his wicker rocking chair, taking advantage of the cool evening air as was his habit.
“Very well. Very well indeed.” He decided to share what happened with Grandpa. Stopping in his tracks, he leaned against one of the Greek revival columns. “I do believe Otis and Miranda both have a gleam in their eye for each other. Wouldn’t surprise me one little bit to find out they’re courting.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me, either,” Grandpa noted.
“You saw the way they act around each other, too?”
The older man resumed rocking. “I think everybody did. Except Otis. Thank the Lord he finally came to his senses. Now you can make your move. Find out what Katherine really thinks of you.”
“I will, Grandpa. I will.”
Christopher shot through the door and ran up the stairs to the small attic room where he had spent many childhood hours and would remain until his wedding day, when he would take ownership of the parcel of land on the east side of the farm that his father had promised would be his. On that acreage Christopher would build his own little house for his new wife and anticipated family.
He took out the small typewriter and placed it on the well-worn desk from his boyhood, sized for a younger student rather than a man. Placing a piece of paper on the roller, he looked at the blank page.
He typed, “Chapter One.”
❧
“That certainly was an uplifting service.” Katherine’s voice sounded light, as though she had just indulged in a drink of fresh, cool water.
Christopher kept pace beside her as they headed for the buggy. He had been hesitant to ask his father if he could borrow the buggy every night that week. Thankfully, Daddy didn’t seem to mind.
“Yes, the sermon was rousing,” Christopher agreed. “So rousing I almost forgot the heat.”
“On a muggy night like this, I doubt anyone can forget the heat for long.” Katherine fanned herself with her Sunday-best fan, a frothy affair with feathers on the handle. She had told him once, some time ago, that the fan had been a gift from a cousin who loved to travel the world. Christopher could see by how Katherine waved it back and forth with such force that she really was trying to cool herself rather than putting on a flirtation for his benefit. “Nor can I forget our troubles,” she added. “I wish we could find the money clip and bracelet.”
“Me, too. So strange how both disappeared without a trace.”
“I don’t understand it. But it’s a wonder Otis hasn’t high-tailed it out of Maryland for good. He must think all of us are liars. First we put on a ruse; then his money clip turns up missing.”
“I’m sure he thinks nothing of the sort.”
“Still, it’s mysterious.”
Christopher shrugged. “It’s entirely possible that Otis lost his money clip somewhere and Miranda lost her bracelet, too. After all, she’s been wearing it for some time, and the latch could have loosened over the course of the afternoon.”
“True. But I wish we could find the lost items.”
Christopher didn’t want to linger on the mystery. Instead, he caught a firefly, making sure not to tighten his palm enough to hurt the bug. Stopping in his stride, he opened his palm and showed his prize to Katherine. The little insect blinked for them once, then twice, before it flew into the darkness.
“You haven’t changed a bit.” Katherine shook her head as they resumed walking.
“Sure I have. I used to collect them and put them in a jar. With air holes, of course.”
“Of course.” She giggled.
“Now I just let them go. Isn’t that better?”
She laughed. The sound of such joy left Christopher with a warmed heart. How he had missed having Katherine all to himself. Now that Otis had made it a habit to escort Miranda home each night, Christopher felt so light he could have flown to the moon and back, if such a thing had been possible. The fact that Katherine had agreed he could escort her home each evening made his time with her more precious.
With Christopher’s assistance, Katherine boarded the buggy. The touch of her warm hand left him with a pleasant tingle. He wished he could prolong the contact, but to try to do so wouldn’t be proper. Instead, he made his away around to the other side of the buggy and then leapt onto the seat.
Katherine didn’t waste time once the buggy got moving with a jerk and a start. “So, what did you think of the sermon?”
How could he answer? He wanted to hold on to his manly pride so he didn’t admit out loud—even to Katherine—how much the evangelist had touched his soul. Since childhood, he had considered himself a Christian. Yet the minister made him see what Katherine had been telling him all along for so many years. That thankfulness for God’s loving care was key to a Christian’s joy. He could almost feel his burdens lifted. Suddenly, he knew that everything important in his life would work to God’s glory if he surrendered all to Him.
“I found it comforting that he said Jesus will lift my burdens. Just like you said,” he conceded.
“Of course it’s just like I said.” She tilted her chin upward in a self-satisfied manner.
He grinned in amusement, then turned serious. “The pastor has convicted me.”
“Really?” Even in the dark, he could see her mouth slacken. “How?”
“You were there years ago when I accepted Christ as my personal savior.”
“How well I remember. You’re a good man, Christopher Bagley.”
A delightful shiver ran up his spine as he sensed the depths of feeling behind her words. “You know, God has been doing all the work in my relationship with Him. He’s been listening to my petitions, answering prayer, and walking with me. And I never have hesitated to call on Him in times of trouble.”
“Aren’t we all quick to call on Him in those times?” Katherine’s soft voice sounded tinged with regret.
“I suppose. But He keeps walking with me. Like last night.”
“Last night? What happened?”
He hesitated. “I haven’t mentioned this to anyone else.” He stopped. Would she think him silly?
“You can trust me with any confidence. You know that.”
“I think I can.” He cleared his throat. “I started on my book. I have almost written the first chapter. Or typed it, rather.”
She gasped. “Why, Christopher! That’s wonderful! I just knew you’d write that book one day.”
“Well, it’s hardly written yet.” He chuckled.
“I know, but chapter one is a wonderful start! Do tell me what it’s about!”
“It’s a work of fiction.”
“Fiction? I thought you’d write a biography.”
/> “I might. But I want to write a fictional story first. A story of family and what it’s like to live here in Maryland.”
“Not too exotic,” she teased.
“No, but from my heart. And if no one wants to publish it, that’s fine. I’ll keep it, and my grandchildren can read it one day.”
“Grandchildren. The thought seems so far away. But family is something to be thankful for. Maybe you can serve God by focusing at least some of the story on how your characters walk in faith.”
He remained pensive for a moment. “Come to think of it, that’s a great way to serve Him. Not that I could write a fictional story about the people around here, especially our two families, without mentioning God.”
“Amen. He has given us so much.”
“That’s what the pastor has impressed upon me this week.”
“Me, too. I see now that I don’t thank Him as often as I should.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“Then I have a proposal for you. Why don’t we agree to thank the Lord for three extra things each day? And we’ll talk about it every night, being accountable to one another.”
He thought for a moment. “That’s a wonderful idea. Let’s do that.”
❧
After bidding Christopher farewell for the evening, Katherine stepped over the threshold and shut the kitchen door behind her.
“Katherine?” Mother called from the sitting room. “Is that you?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Katherine ventured in to see her mother. She found her sitting in her rocker. Mother set the book she was reading in her lap and looked up.
“How did the meeting go tonight?” she asked.
Father, sitting in an overstuffed chair beside Mother, looked up from the newspaper crossword puzzle he was in the process of completing. “Was it much like the one last night?”
Katherine nodded. Her parents allowed her to travel to the meeting with Christopher rather than them, a sure sign they didn’t mind her spending time with him. “Very much. The pastor was very lively and entertaining.”
Father tapped his pencil against the newsprint and looked at Mother. “It sure sounds like he hasn’t lost much of his energy or zeal. Maybe we should go.”
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