All Roads Lead Home

by Christine Johnson

  She rose and set the comb on the vanity. Would he remember her? She’d never forget their three months together, but he’d been so young, a terrified little boy who would only speak to Gabe’s dog.

  Mariah dabbed away a tear with her handkerchief. This emotion was silly. She had to put on a cheerful face for Luke. He couldn’t suspect that danger lurked in his future.

  Before descending, she offered up a prayer, asking the Lord to watch over and protect Luke. As always, prayer calmed her. Somehow God would see this through. He always did.

  She took one last glance in the mirror and headed downstairs. Before she reached the bottom step, a war whoop rang out from the kitchen, and the door banged open as Luke barreled into the living room.

  “Aunt Mariah, Aunt Mariah.” Dressed like a member of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show with his child-size Indian headdress, he jumped up and down, waving his toy tomahawk. “I’m Geronimo.”

  “I see that. And what a fierce chief you are,” she said as she gave the boy a hug.

  He submitted for a few seconds, but quickly squirmed free, and she had to remember that he was ten now and too old for hugging and kissing.

  “My, you’ve grown tall,” she said.

  “Five whole inches just this year,” he confirmed proudly. “Daddy says it’s the most anyone in the family ever grew in half a year.”

  Oh, dear. He called Gabe Daddy. That would make the transition harder if she failed.

  She forced a smile. “I’m sure he’s right.”

  “It’s time to change your clothes for dinner,” Felicity urged, pointing Luke toward the stairs. “Neither Geronimo nor Buffalo Bill are invited tonight. And do wash off the war paint.”

  “Aw, Mom,” Luke protested.

  Arguing with a child couldn’t be good for Felicity. Mariah motioned Felicity to sit down while she addressed Luke at eye level. “It’s a special pow-wow tonight, and Geronimo will want to look his best.”

  His eyes lit up. “A pow-wow?”

  She nodded.

  Convinced, he tromped off to his room to change.

  “You’re good with children,” Felicity said after Mariah sat beside her. “One day you’ll have some of your own.”

  Mariah couldn’t tell Felicity that was beyond even prayer, and she certainly didn’t want to discuss it, so she diverted the conversation. “Luke is doing so well.”

  “He gets a little more independent every day.” Felicity sighed. “And he’s so bright, especially with his letters. He’s reading Tom Sawyer all by himself.”

  “How does he feel about getting a new brother or sister?”

  Felicity smiled softly and rubbed her large belly. “I’m not sure he understands, but he trusts us.” She laughed. “He thinks we’re going to pick one out, like at the store.”

  Mariah chuckled, though part of her ached.

  “I can’t wait for the adoption to come through. Then we’ll be a whole family, the way it was meant to be. And I owe it all to you.” She squeezed Mariah’s hand.

  “Me?” Mariah tried to hide her alarm behind a smile.

  “Yes, you’re the one who brought Luke here. You’re the one who showered him with love. He wouldn’t be the wonderful little boy he is today without you. I’m so glad you decided to visit.”

  Mariah felt sick. What if she failed? What if Frank Gillard took Luke away from this safe and loving home into a life of terror? She couldn’t live with herself.

  “Mariah?” Felicity looked concerned. “Are you all right? You look pale.”

  “I’m fine,” Mariah assured her. “Just a bit tired after the drive. I think I’ll go outside and get some fresh air.”

  She hurried onto the porch and tried to shut the door on the tangle of her emotions. Tears wouldn’t help Luke. Neither would worry. She needed to act, and quickly, but Gabe was right. She needed someone to go with her to Montana. It just couldn’t be Hendrick Simmons.

  Lord, send courage. And a good mechanic.

  After the awkwardness with Hendrick at the church, Mariah should have realized that dinner would be no better. Normally, she had nerves of steel, but tonight her stomach tumbled and rolled. She tried not to look at him, but that could hardly be avoided since Felicity had placed him directly across the table from her. His sister Anna’s presence did little to alleviate the tension. Their mother had declined the invitation, which removed only one matchmaker from the mix. Gabe and Felicity kept the conversation centered on Hendrick.

  “I understand you’ve developed a new aeroplane motor for Jack Hunter,” Felicity said pleasantly. “Isn’t that wonderful?”

  Though her remark was directed toward Hendrick, her smile was meant for Mariah. No doubt she intended to call attention to Hendrick’s good points, but Mariah was already all too aware of them. How handsome he looked in his suit and freshly pressed shirt! His damp hair still smelled of soap, and the little curls at his temple sprang loose from his neatly combed locks. He sat pallbearer stiff, so uncomfortable that she could have giggled if she wasn’t worried that she’d inadvertently say something that would alert Felicity to her Montana mission.

  Speaking of her sister-in-law, she was staring at Mariah as if she expected her to say something. What had Felicity been talking about? Mariah combed her memory. Oh, yes, something about engines.

  “A new motor?” Mariah hazarded.

  Hendrick shifted in his chair and ran a finger underneath his collar. “Yep…uh, yes,” he corrected, “two motors, actually.” His eyes darted ever so quickly toward Mariah and just as quickly away. “For their North Pole flight.”

  Mariah heard the displeasure in his voice. In this case, she happened to agree with him. The risk had to be outweighed by gain. “I can’t imagine what they hope to accomplish.”

  Anna perked up. “They’re going to be the first to fly across the Pole. Won’t it be grand? I wish I was going along.”

  “You’re not going to go anywhere near the North Pole,” Hendrick stated emphatically.

  Mariah smothered a smile. His grammar might have improved since the last time she’d seen him, but he was just as protective.

  “You’re no fun at all,” Anna whined. “You’re worse than Ma.” She tossed her mousy brown hair, which was mercifully no longer pulled into tight braids. “I want to do things, like Mariah.”

  “Me?” Mariah was startled by Anna’s observation. She’d never considered herself particularly adventurous.

  “Yes, you drive anywhere you want, whenever you want.” Anna’s eyes shone.

  “That’s not quite true,” Mariah cautioned. “I only drive when I have a purpose.”

  “But you drove here,” Anna insisted, “and that’s just for a visit.”

  Mariah bit her tongue when she realized how close she’d come to giving away the secret. She tried to recover. “True, but visiting my brother and sister-in-law is a wonderful purpose.”

  “I agree.” Felicity lifted her water glass. “To safe travels.”

  Gabe quickly seconded his wife’s toast, clinked her glass with his and followed that with a kiss. “My wife is uncommonly beautiful tonight.”

  Felicity blushed. “Now, is that any way for a pastor to talk at the dinner table?”

  Gabe didn’t back down. “It is when he loves her as much as I love you.”

  Mariah smiled to herself as they kissed again. Two years had not dimmed their love. As she turned again to her dinner plate, she noticed Hendrick watching her, an odd expression on his face, but the minute he realized she’d seen him he looked away.

  Gabe looked only at Felicity. “And I love you even more for giving me a baby.”

  Luke, who hadn’t followed most of the adult conversation, suddenly picked up that one word. “Where is it?” He wiggled around in his chair as if expecting to see a baby behind him. “At the pow-wow?”

  Mariah stifled a laugh. “A pow-wow is a gathering of family and friends. No baby.”

  “Oh.” Luke turned back around. “Is that all?” He p
icked up his fork and resumed mashing his peas before turning his questions on her. “Do you have a baby, Aunt Mariah?”

  She started. “No, I don’t. I’m not married.”

  “Luke,” Felicity scolded, “it’s not polite to ask personal questions. Remember our rules for the dining room table.”

  He hung his head. “Yes, Mom.”

  “I’m sorry, dear,” Felicity said, her expression so concerned that it was almost as if Gabe had told her Mariah couldn’t have children. But she knew she could trust her brother to keep her secret.

  “That’s all right,” Mariah said, though she couldn’t suppress the waves of embarrassment. “Children can’t help being curious.”

  Felicity heaved a sigh. “I suppose you’re right. Children can be a challenge. Pets, too. What do you think, Gabe?” She looked to her husband, who gave his blessing. “Mariah, dear, we wanted to talk to you about the home I’m starting.”

  Mariah blinked. “Home?”

  “An animal haven for abandoned and unwanted pets,” Felicity explained. “I wanted to have it here in the parsonage, but the church trustees put their foot down.” She sighed. “I think Daddy had a lot to do with that. He and Mother are not much for pets.” She looked at Gabe, who smiled his agreement.

  The simple gesture raised an uncontrollable envy deep in Mariah’s heart. Mom and Dad were like that, so closely allied in their minds and hearts that they could communicate with just a gesture, and now Gabe and Felicity appeared to be the same. Her older brothers had married happily as well. Only she walked alone.

  Felicity bubbled on, “Remember my idea to start a home for orphans? I’d like to combine that with the animal haven, but we’d need a large house. The Elder house, behind the church, just came on the market. It would make the perfect parsonage, and then this house could be the orphanage.”

  Mariah did recall that Felicity had proposed an orphanage two summers ago, but she’d thought that idea had passed. Clearly not. Felicity looked so pleased that Mariah couldn’t bring herself to explain how difficult it would be to start a private orphanage.

  “All the paperwork has been approved, and now we’re ready to hire a director,” Felicity said pointedly. “Someone who loves children and animals. Think how perfect it would be. The children would learn the responsibility of caring for a pet and in return would receive unconditional love. But we need a director, and with the baby coming soon—” she sighed “—I can’t take it on.”

  As if Mariah didn’t understand the offer, Gabe reaffirmed it. “What do you think, sis? You’d be perfect.”

  Mariah concentrated on the china pattern with its delicate roses and gilded edge. She couldn’t leave her job. The orphans depended on her. She also couldn’t live so close to Hendrick. Yet Felicity had such hope that she’d accept. Mariah didn’t want to upset her.

  “God has called me to the Society,” she said carefully, “but I’ll give it prayerful consideration.”

  “You would still be working with orphans,” Felicity argued.

  Mariah could see she wasn’t going to get out of this easily. “It’s not a decision to be made lightly.”

  “I know.” Felicity sighed. “But it would set my mind at ease to have someone in charge before the baby arrives.”

  Mariah knew when she’d been backed into a corner. She wasn’t as certain how to get out of it.

  Luckily, Luke came to her rescue. “Is the deliveryman going to bring my baby brother?”

  All the adults chuckled.

  “No, Luke.” Felicity leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. “I promise the baby will arrive soon, but not before dessert.”

  “Dessert?” He squealed with delight when the housekeeper brought out chocolate cake, and the business with the baby was forgotten. “My favorite.” He pulled himself tight to the table as a slice of cake was placed before him.

  Everyone was distracted for long, precious minutes, but after the last bite was eaten, the adults settled in the parlor with its brocaded wingback chairs and polished wood floors. Luke went outside to play with the dog, and conversation inevitably turned to adult topics.

  “Tell me, Mariah,” Gabe began from his perch beside Felicity on the sofa, “how is Mr. Isaacs?”

  Mariah shifted so she wouldn’t see Hendrick in the other wingback chair. Naturally, Gabe would inquire about his dear friend and director of the Orphaned Children’s Society, but this conversation was likely headed back to the job offer Mariah couldn’t possibly accept.

  “A bit weary of government interference, I’m afraid,” she said, hoping the hint would dissuade Felicity.

  “That hasn’t changed, then.”

  “I’m afraid it’s gotten worse. It’s difficult to keep a private agency running these days.”

  Instead of discouraging Felicity, her remark had just the opposite effect. “Then you should come here. You’d be the perfect director for our home.”

  “Am I being railroaded?” Mariah shook her head with a laugh. “The truth is, I love my work. It’s where I belong.” And though she liked Pearlman, with its cozy streets and tight-knit community, the town had one big problem, currently seated in the other wingback chair.

  “How many children does the Society handle each month now?” Gabe asked.

  Mariah hesitated. That’s why the Detroit office had closed. “A handful.”

  “Exactly. It used to be dozens.” Gabe’s brow puckered. “I can’t believe there are fewer children in need. They must be going to the state institutions.”

  “Children belong with their families,” Hendrick stated.

  Mariah was so surprised by the passion in his voice that she couldn’t think of a thing to say.

  “Agreed,” Gabe said. “That’s why Mariah’s going to Montana, to protect a child.”

  Mariah’s jaw dropped. The room got deathly quiet. Hendrick, Anna and Felicity all looked stunned. Why had Gabe said that when he’d made her promise not to tell Felicity? She stared at her brother until she realized that he hadn’t mentioned Luke. His statement had been vague. She could be going to help any child.

  Felicity recovered first. “I didn’t realize the Society placed children that far west.”

  Mariah knew her cheeks were glowing but she hoped Felicity would just think she was warm. “They’ve sent children to many Western states.” That was true, though none had gone that far west in years.

  Hendrick looked like he was gagging. He kept pulling at his collar until he managed to ask in a strangled voice, “You’re driving to Montana by yourself?”

  “She might think she’s going by herself,” said Gabe, “but as her brother, I insist she take someone with her.”

  “I’ll go,” Anna instantly volunteered.

  “Wait,” Mariah cried. This was rapidly spinning out of control.

  No one paid her the slightest attention.

  Hendrick glared at his sister. “Mariah doesn’t need to look after a girl.”

  “I’m not a girl,” Anna said hotly. “I’m nineteen.”

  “And know nothing about the world,” he added.

  A thought crept into Mariah’s head. Perhaps taking Anna along would satisfy Gabe. She did enjoy the girl’s company. How much trouble could she be? Certainly less than Hendrick.

  “I think it’s a splendid idea,” Mariah said.

  Anna beamed. “See?”

  “That’s solved,” said Gabe. “Now all you need is a mechanic.” He looked right at Hendrick. “I can think of no one better.”

  Hendrick gulped. “The garage—”

  “That’s right.” Mariah capitalized on his excuse. “He has a business to run.”

  “It’ll be in fine hands with Peter,” Gabe said.

  Hendrick shook his head. “He’s a boy.”

  Felicity glowed with the thrill of matchmaking. “He did a wonderful job fixing Daddy’s car. I’m sure he can handle anything that would come up while you’re gone. I think it’s the perfect combination.” She smiled broadly at e
ach of them.

  Mariah cringed. “But it will take at least two weeks to get there, and another two weeks back. Surely Hendrick can’t be gone that long.”

  Felicity waved a hand. “The trains will be running by the time you’re ready to come back.”

  Gabe increased the pressure. “What do you say, Hendrick?”

  Mariah fumed. Apparently, she had no say in this. “He’s busy.”

  Hendrick opened his mouth as if to protest, glanced at her and then changed his mind. “If Ma says Anna can go, then I’ll have to go, too. I can’t let anything happen to my only sister.” He emphasized the point by glaring at Mariah.

  No. No. No. She couldn’t spend all that time with Hendrick, talking to him, seeing him, sitting an arm’s length apart. It would be intolerable.

  Felicity clapped her hands. “It’s the perfect solution. Just perfect. Hendrick can make any repairs and ensure that you arrive safely. Well, then, it’s settled.”

  It was not. But Mariah couldn’t say a word to change their minds. Anna bounced around the room like a rubber ball. Felicity and Gabe looked so pleased. Luke could come into the house at any moment. All she could do for now was accept that she would be driving west with Hendrick and Anna Simmons.

  Until she figured out a way to get out of this little mess.

  Chapter Three

  Hendrick cornered his sister the moment they’d walked out of sight of the parsonage. “Why did you volunteer to go on that trip?”

  Anna tossed her head and wormed past him. “It’s time I got out of this town and saw the world. Pearlman is so limited. I want more. I want to experience everything.”

  What had gotten into Anna? She’d always been the quiet and shy type, until… “Did Mariah put you up to this?”

  Anna laughed so loudly that everyone else on the street looked to see what was so humorous. “That’s what’s bothering you, isn’t it? That it’s Mariah.”