Abandoned Hearts (The Ozark Durham Series)

by Regina Tittel

  Ann lifted Emily from her lap and set her on the couch. “Let’s read together.”

  Ethan shuffled in and stood a few feet away. “I remember my mom reading to me. But that was before Sis was born, before mom changed.” A deep sadness blanketed his gaze. “She never came back…are you coming back?”

  Ann blinked rapidly and forced her voice to cooperate. “Of course, I’m coming back.” She would, too. No matter what happened between Jacob and her, she wouldn’t break these children’s hearts.

  She managed to get through the morning without shedding any tears. But as noon approached, her heart weighed her down. Jacob had left as usual, before anyone was up. That meant she hadn’t had a chance to talk to him. Without his reassurance, doubts attacked her mind. What is he thinking? Does he feel the same or is he having doubts?

  When Jacob returned and washed up, the children and Luke were at the table ready to eat. They all knew he would drive her home after lunch. Perhaps that was the reason for the unusual silence. Ann couldn’t even make small talk. Every time she looked at the family that wasn’t hers, emptiness sprang in her heart.

  As she said her goodbyes to the children and Luke, Ann fought back tears that struggled for release. Emily made no such effort as she ran back into the house.

  Ethan was a replica of his father and kept himself unreadable. He snuck a drawing into Ann’s hand before he gave her a quick embrace. Luke kissed her lightly on the cheek and with more confidence than the rest of them combined, said, “We’ll be seeing you soon, Sunshine. Of that, I’m sure!”

  ***

  At seven years of age, Joseph Stevenson often grew restless seated in front of books. He relished every chance of being outdoors. When he was finally permitted to take a break from his studies, he bolted outside the house. Oblivious to the screen door as it slammed against the side of the house, he leaped off the porch in a dead run for his ball and bat.

  Elijah stepped outside after him to finish his chores. “Don’t get far from the house, Joseph.”

  “I won’t.” He threw his baseball in the air and swung. With his third pitch he connected and jogged to the edge of the yard to retrieve the ball. Movement beyond the trees caught his attention.

  Joseph looked back to the house and saw his brother busy at the trash barrel. He spoke in a whisper to himself, “If you’re a big buck, won’t my brothers be surprised when I tell them I saw you. I won’t even mind the switching from mother if you’ll have more points than the one they saw.”

  Elijah walked to the house and called after his brother. “Joseph, get your ball and come on back.”

  “Ahh,” he muttered as he kicked the ground and turned to obey. “I’m coming.”

  Gaunt with hunger, the young lion’s lack of experience had proven to be his enemy.

  The birds had ascended out of reach before he could claim one, which left him wasted of energy and desperate for a meal.

  Elijah watched Joseph start toward the house. Without warning, the ravenous cat sprang from the thicket and upon his prey before the boy could cry out. The cat’s teeth sunk into Joseph’s lower skull and neck.

  Horror stiffened Elijah’s frame as the cat dragged his brother into the woods. “Nooo! Somebody get help! Joseph…” He raced toward the gruesome scene, stretching his legs their full width, slowing only long enough to grab the bat from where it lay on the lawn. The visual nightmare of his brother’s limp body drug fearfully out of reach, squeezed his chest. Faster he raced, his trepidation turning into sheer speed.

  Elijah swung at the savage cat and brought the bat down across his back. The lion’s eyes retaliated with a menacing hatred as he lurched from the blow, yet continued his hold on the weakening boy.

  Desperation threatened to drown Elijah as he swung again and again, demanding his brother’s release. The cougar responded with a menacing growl and eerie yowling but never released the boy. Undeterred, the beast still fought to drag his prey toward thicker underbrush.

  Elijah’s arms ached from each swing of the bat and his lungs grew dry and sore. A haunting hopelessness consumed him. Tears streamed his face as he staggered backward and looked down at his brother. A cold shiver racked his body before he doubled over and vomited.

  As the cat stared at Elijah in a silent stand-off, Joseph’s eyes slowly opened. Elijah glanced over. His breath hitched as their eyes met. Joseph’s pleaded for his rescue. Elijah watched as his brother painfully mouthed the words, help me. His eyes slowly drifted closed.

  Elijah threw the bat over his shoulder and cried out, “Dear God in Heaven; help me!”

  As though guided by an unseen force, his next strike connected with the blunt of the feline’s nose. The cat reared back with a wail, released his victim, and retreated into the safe cover of the trees. Elijah fell to his knees and scooped his limp, little brother in his arms. He smothered his face into Joseph’s chest.

  “Almighty God in Heaven,” he heaved, “please place your healing hand on my brother…”

  His mother’s wail alerted him to her presence. She collapsed to the ground beside him, incoherent mutterings escaped her lips. Elijah had never felt so helpless. He stood and staggered backward as an older brother moved around him and scooped Joseph into his arms. The boy’s limp body appeared so much smaller than Elijah remembered. He helped his mother struggle to her feet before they hurried to the house.

  Once inside, her voice took on a sudden strength that surprised him. “Get lots of blankets. We have to prevent him from going into shock.”

  Elijah was relieved to see her regain control and take charge. Together they wrapped him in quilts before they fled to the hospital, an hour away.

  ***

  Ann sat beside Jacob in the truck and quietly opened the picture from Ethan. In front of a log cabin were three adults and two children, all of them held hands, with what appeared to be Jacob and Ann in the middle. Below was a picture of a dog and the words, “I hope we can be a real family one day.” Her hands trembled as she refolded it and held it in her lap. She focused on the road and allowed the stinging in her eyes to pass.

  The shadowy distance had fallen over them again. Ann knew they should talk but didn’t want to push. Jacob covered her hands with one of his. “I don’t want to wait until Sunday, Ann. I know I’d go crazy if I had to wait that long. Just give me a day or two to sort things out.”

  Ann swallowed and kept her attention on the road. “I’m not Elizabeth, Jacob.”

  With the mention of his ex-wife’s name, Jacob’s foot slipped off the gas pedal. He fumbled with his feet but failed to engage the clutch as he pressed on the brake. The truck engine died.

  Ann’s body lurched forward followed by a thump.

  “Sorry. Did you hit your head?” Jacob cupped her face in his hand. Concern filled his eyes.

  She rubbed her forehead. “Yeah, but I’m fine.”

  “How…where did you hear her name?”

  She touched his arm as she said, “Ethan told me. But please don’t think I was prying. He came up to me and started to talk on his own. I think he’s sorting things out in his mind. Finding a way to make peace with the past and still move on.”

  Jacob nodded as he leaned against the steering wheel. “Sounds like I could learn a lesson or two from my son.”

  A car barreled onto the road in front of them and disappeared in a cloud of dust.

  “Who was that?” asked Ann.

  Jacob restarted the truck. “It looked like the Stevenson’s car. We’d better make a detour and check on them.”

  Jacob turned at the next county road and drove past the few houses that shared the dead-end road with the Stevenson’s. Jacob and Ann made their way to the door and were met by a harried boy with an overly distraught toddler in his arms. The boy ushered them in and nearly threw the girl into Ann’s arms.

  Ann turned to step back outside. The outdoors often calmed a child faster. The boy flung himself in front of her and barricaded the door with his body.

 
; “You can’t go out there.” His wild eyed fear did nothing to help soothe his sister.

  “Theodore.” Jacob calmly took him by the shoulder and led him to the kitchen. “Sit down.” He filled a glass of water. “Drink this and tell me what happened.”

  Ann overheard bits and pieces from the hallway. “…the cougar ran off…went to the hospital...” A shiver of fear ran up her spine. Whatever happened, no wonder the child in her arms was so distraught.

  Upstairs, Ann softly hummed to a now sleeping Ruthie when Jacob found her. He motioned for her to meet him in the hallway. Ann laid the young girl in her bed and crept out of the room.

  She rubbed her hands up and down her arms to smooth away her goose-bumps. “She was hysterical, what on earth happened?”

  “A cougar attacked one of the Stevenson’s sons.”

  Ann gasped and clasped her hands over her mouth.

  “I know it’s terrible. Be glad you weren’t down there for the details. I have the boys in the living room occupied with books. As for the one in the hospital, all you can do is hope for the best.”

  “I can pray.” Ann noticed Jacob tense ever so slightly. “You can, too, you know.”

  “You’re probably better than me in that department.”

  Ann jerked her head back in surprise. “But, I thought because of your comment about convictions and asking me to church that you…” Her voice trailed as an insurmountable disappointment filled her spirit.

  “Ann, I have to go.”

  She was almost too afraid to ask, but did anyway. “Where are you going?”

  “Huntin’.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Ann stood alone in the Stevenson’s upstairs hallway. What is wrong with that man? She couldn’t be with someone who didn’t share her faith. But she’d been certain he did. Would God bring them this far for nothing? She ran down the stairs after him. “Jacob.”

  He turned as he was about to step through the Stevenson’s front door.

  “Jacob. I have to know what you meant. You can’t just walk out of here like that.”

  A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he trailed the side of his finger down Ann’s cheek. “I’ve given my heart to the Lord, Ann. I just haven’t talked to Him much since Elizabeth left.”

  Ann kissed the inside of Jacob’s palm before he pulled it back. “Then work on it. Okay?”

  Jacob nodded. “You got it.”

  “And, hey, am I supposed to stay here while you hunt? ‘Cause I don’t recall being asked.”

  Jacob’s smile broadened. “Yes, Sassy. Do you mind?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Good, then I’ll drop my kids off here, too, and Dad can hunt with me. I could use another set of eyes. Also, see if you can find the number to the conservation office and give them a call. Ask for, Jim. This should make a believer out of him.”

  Ann saluted. “Yes, Sir.”

  Jacob shook his head. “Thank you,” he said then made to leave.

  “Jacob.”

  He stopped again and faced her. Ann flung her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Please be careful,” she whispered in his ear.

  ***

  Nerves got the best of her. Ann had to do something. She opened the refrigerator and retrieved items for a stew. She had become her mother. At the first sign of stress, her mother always ended up in the kitchen. If someone was upset, she always tried to feed them. Oh well, it’s not as though it’s a bad trait.

  Ann wiped the dinner table down when the phone rang. Her heart skipped a beat. Joseph. Would it be good news or bad? How would she be able to tell the children? God give me strength. “Hello?”

  There was a pause on the other end before Mr. Stevenson’s voice demanded, “Who is this?”

  “It’s Ann McHaven. I’m watching your children and Jacob’s while he and Luke are hunting the cougar.” She looked down at the mess she’d made of the phone cord and untwisted it from her fingers. Surely Mr. Stevenson wouldn’t ask her to leave. She was, after-all, doing him the favor.

  “Oh. Well I called to report the doctor’s findings. I guess I can talk to you and you can tell my children. How are they, anyway?”

  Ann drew a deep breath. “They’re doing fine. Jacob’s kids help to distract them. How is Joseph?”

  “He’s going to pull through.” Ann could hear the pain in his voice as he continued. “He does have a slight fracture somewhere on the back of his neck. The doctor said he shouldn’t be as stable as he is. The Good Lord was looking after him.”

  “Well, we’ve all been praying.” Ann didn’t know how to continue. She had so many more questions but they would have to wait. Perhaps next time she would be able to talk to his wife. Not only was she less formidable, but she would probably lend more information about Joseph’s condition.

  Mr. Stevenson drew the call to its end. “We’ll call back when we know something else. How long do you plan to stay with the children, Ms. McHaven?”

  “As long as I’m needed.”

  “Hmm, very well. Good night.”

  “Good night.” The phone gave a dial tone and Ann looked at it curiously. She tried to hang it up, but the cord was wrapped several times around her wrist and fingers. She must have done that while talking to him and hadn't even noticed. “Ugg. Why do I feel like I’m standing in front of a principle to receive punishment whenever I talk to that guy?”

  ***

  The hunters’ first attempt ran from mid-afternoon until dusk with little result. They resumed the hunt at first light and were now frustrated and tired from covering countless miles over rough Ozark terrain. Jacob and Luke, along with Jim the conservationist, began their return home.

  “I’m looking forward to some coffee,” Jim said as he released a huge yawn.

  Jacob grumbled, “And some food.”

  Luke began to yawn in response, but stumbled on a root. Jacob was quick to catch him.

  Luke smiled as he patted his son’s back. “Nothing wrong with your reflexes.”

  “I think we all could use a—” He froze.

  Jim and Luke followed his gaze to the remains of what looked like a cougar. The air was filled with the stench of stale blood and spray. Possibly from a territorial cat.

  Jim stepped forward and motioned to the others to keep an eye out. He approached the carcass and scanned the ground for silent clues. Willingly releasing its secrets, the forest floor was carpeted with signs of battle.

  “I think this young fellow met his match with a much larger male. Judging from these tracks, I’d guess the winner weighs in around 170 pounds or more.

  Jacob whistled from a little ways off and signaled that he’d caught up with the trail of the other cat. “Look at the claw marks on this tree. They go right past my head.”

  “If I had to guess, this happened about three to four hours ago,” Jim said as he stood up from the carcass. “Which makes sense, if you both will remember those eerie sounds we heard.” Jim paused and released a shudder before he continued, “Makes me kind of glad we were so far off.”

  An ominous stillness fell amongst them. Not even a bird chirped. Finally, Jacob broke through the lull. “We’re not getting any younger, so let’s get this beast out of here.”

  After they dragged the cat back to the Stevenson’s, Jim left with the carcass. He assured everyone he’d be in touch as soon as they had results from the rabies tests. Now a believer, he even told Jacob he’d form a hunting party for the larger cat that killed his stock.

  Ann leaned against the door frame in the kitchen when Jacob entered. Luke had already cleaned up and snored fast asleep in an armchair.

  “You look tired,” he said as he caressed her arm.

  Ann shrugged and walked to the counter to fill Jacob’s plate. “I couldn’t sleep last night, knowing you and your dad would be out there,” her voice came out as a whisper, “with that, that monster.”

  Jacob encircled her from behind and pulled her into a protective embrace. He leaned closer to
her ear and whispered, “’Fear not, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.’ Isn’t there a verse in Psalms that says something like that?”

  Ann turned her head. “You surprise me.”

  “Oh, and why is that?”

  She tucked the back of her head in the crevice of his neck and smiled. “Perhaps it’s because when I first arrived, you threatened to take possession of me, and now you’re quoting Bible verses. Kind of interesting is all.”

  “Hmmm, I see your point.” Jacob drew her closer yet, and gently pushed her hair aside. He planted kisses on the inside of her neck. “Sadly, I have no excuse, and I find I’m still consumed with the thought.”

  Ruthie and Emily entered the kitchen and announced their need for food. Jacob sighed and heard Ann laugh at him.

  “God’s subtle reminders,” she whispered.

  Jacob shifted his feet as he cleared his throat. “I’ll go wash up, then I’ll get some breakfast.”

  How did she do it? Every time he came within five feet of her, he lost all control of his senses. At least he had a day of tracking planned. If he had to be around Ann for the whole day, he wasn’t sure he could fight off temptation. Then again, the children offered constant interruptions. When he made her his wife, he’d plan a week away and have her all to himself.

  Where did that thought come from, his wife? Is that what he wanted? If he was honest with himself, he never doubted her devotion; he was just giving an excuse to his fear. As if the idea suddenly landed on him at once, without a doubt, life without Ann would be far more terrifying than failing her. But when could he tell her? Every moment was interrupted by something or someone.

  “Lord,” Jacob silently prayed, “You know as much as I do how much I love Annie. Please show me the right time to tell her how I feel. And please give me strength, Lord. My flesh is weak. So very weak.” When had he begun to pray again?

  Ann sat down to eat with Jacob and the girls when the phone rang. She picked up the receiver. “Hello, this is the Stevenson’s residence.”