Abandoned Hearts (The Ozark Durham Series)

by Regina Tittel

  When they were finally allowed to leave, thanks to Jacob’s authoritative voice, the children danced delighted circles around their feet. Luke had waited for them outside. He turned to Ann. “Hey, Sunshine, good to have you home.”

  Jacob pulled Ann close as if in agreement. “Let’s all go out to celebrate.”

  The restaurant he chose was a locally owned business that had been in the family since the town was settled. Pictures lined the walls of the local rural life, some dated back as far as the 1920’s. Above them hung various objects of the townspeople’s lives. To the right sat a canoe over the rafters with oars and a fisherman’s net. Not far from that, hung an old Schwinn bicycle with a wide metal basket attached to the front handlebars. Ann was so lost in admiration she didn’t realize Ethan had been talking about her.

  “Can Ann stay with us again, Dad?” Ethan asked.

  Jacob ruffled his son’s hair. “She only stayed last time ‘cause of the high water.”

  “But, why can’t she stay anyway? She could have my bed and I’ll sleep on the couch.”

  Ann stepped in to help Jacob out. “Ethan, it isn’t proper for adults to have sleepovers like kids do.” Quickly moving the conversation onward, she added, “But, I can come over and visit today.”

  Ethan accepted her answer without further questioning and ran to tell Emily who stood by a penny fountain.

  The waitress brought their desserts to the table. What would it have been like to grow up in this town and waitress in a family owned business? “I bet she doesn’t have to deal with nearly as many unmannered men as I did.” In a town of less than three thousand, it would probably have been safe to walk to work during the daylight hours. Not that her hometown was awful, but since it had grown as fast as it did, it left behind many of the traits that lured people to small-town America.

  Sharing her thoughts with Jacob and Luke, she asked, “I bet everyone here knows their neighbors and probably helps with barn raisings and such.”

  Luke’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “You guessed right, Sunshine. Why, just last year at this time, we had a whopper of a storm blow through. It had a lot of mini tornadoes in it and tore the town apart, not so much the buildings, though, as the trees.”

  “But, you’d never know it to look at the area now. Everybody pitched in to help clear the roads and mend fences. Even the roofers and loggers gave discounted prices for their work, since it was a natural disaster,” Jacob added.

  “I helped pull limbs.” Emily sat proud and straight.

  “You’re not supposed to take credit for your good deed, Emily,” Ethan corrected his sister, “that’s what you get blessed for in Heaven.”

  Emily stuck out her bottom lip as the wheels in her mind turned. “I didn’t get paid for it, so it’s okay to tell.”

  Ann bit her lip to keep from smiling. “Regardless, all of you must have done a fine job. Your town looks very nice, Emily.”

  Emily beamed once more. “Thanks, Miss Ann.”

  Once dinner was finished with dessert, Jacob drove back to the church parking lot and handed Ann her keys. “Thanks again for letting us use your car since we wouldn’t all fit in the truck.”

  “You know I don’t mind, but you shouldn’t have filled the tank.”

  He smiled as he climbed out of the car and signaled for his kids to follow suit.

  Ethan scrunched his face. “Ah, Dad, can’t we ride home with Ann?”

  “Oh, that would be fun. Can they?” Ann eagerly asked.

  “I don’t mind. And I’ll have Grandpa to keep me company.” He winked at his kids.

  They returned to the cabin and the children ran off to change into play clothes. Jacob asked Ann, “Would you like to check calves with me?”

  “Sure. Are we looking for new ones to tag?”

  “That and making sure they’re all still there.”

  “I’ll grab my clothes from the car.”

  Jacob took hold of her elbow and steered her away from the door. “Tell me which bag it is and I’ll get it.”

  “The blue one.”

  “The blue one it is, then. I’ll be right back.” He made his way out the door.

  Ann smiled as Jacob strolled to her car. It was funny how she first pinned her rescuer as egotistical, and now, she’d fallen in love with him.

  By the time the children had settled down enough to allow Ann to escape with Jacob, the evening sun began to set. As they crested a hill, Ann’s breath rushed from her lungs at the beautiful display. Streaks of every shade of orange intermingled with hues of pink and purple spread across the horizon meeting with the green of the field. It brought to mind an image of God with a paintbrush in His hand. She could definitely get used to country life.

  She turned to Jacob expecting to see her enjoyment mirrored on his face, but instead, heard his deep intake of air and felt his body tense next to her. She noted he paid extra attention to his driving. Had she done something wrong? Silence soon enveloped them, like it often had before her trip home. What had spurred this? She replayed scenes from the day. Then it dawned on her. Tommy. Before she could ask any questions of her own, Jacob’s voice claimed the silence.

  “So, how did Tommy get to be a messenger boy?”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Ann answered Jacob as honestly as she could. “I didn’t feel I had enough time to drive out here. I called the Stevenson’s to let you know I’d leave a note for you on the door. Only, Tommy insisted on bringing it to you.”

  Jacob nodded his head in a slow yes and said nothing.

  “There’s something else you should know.” Ann paused and hoped he was slow to anger and quick to understand. “Tommy showed up at my parent’s house.”

  Jacob’s foot slipped from the clutch as he turned toward Ann. The truck lurched forward. Ann caught herself with her wrists to keep from hitting her head again on the dash board.

  “Sorry about that,” Jacob said.

  “That’s okay; I’m beginning to get the hang of it.” She smiled and rubbed her wrists.

  “What was that rat doing there? How’d he even know where to find you?” In a more subdued tone, he added, “I guess you told him.”

  “No, no. It was nothing like that. I had no idea he would show up and I still don’t know how he found me. This story actually has a happy ending.”

  “Well, I’ve heard enough already.” He reached for the ignition. “I can take you back.” His voice resonated defeat.

  Ann quickly yanked the key from the ignition and hid it under her leg. “I have a few things to say, Mr. Durham, and you’ll just have to get over taking me home, because I’m not backing down. Sound familiar?”

  ***

  Jacob couldn’t control the smile that spread across his face. He loved Ann’s spunk. He shifted his back toward the corner of the truck door and rubbed his chin, thankful his heart could resume its normal beat. “Okay, pretty lady, you’ve got my full attention.”

  After she caught him up on their conversation prior to her drive to her parent’s home, Ann relayed her talk with Tommy on the front porch. “Did you know Tommy wasn’t a Christian?”

  “I knew he’d strayed from his raising.” He placed his arm over her shoulders and drew Ann into a warm embrace. “Is it safe to assume you don’t have any feelings for Tommy?”

  “Even if I didn’t have eyes for you, I still wouldn’t have them for Tommy.”

  “Good, because I don’t like the idea of sharing you.” He shrugged and gave her a sheepish smile. Kissing her forehead he asked, “Why don’t you like Tommy, just out of curiosity?”

  “Because he’s everything you’re not.”

  Satisfied, Jacob stole a kiss before accepting the keys from Ann. Though he longed to continue kissing her, he started the truck forward. The morning’s sermon was still fresh on his mind. Which is where he planned to keep it.

  He kept a look out for calves. “We still haven’t spotted number 32.”

  “What color is she?”

&nbs
p; “He’s a Hereford, so he’ll be red with white down the back of his neck and a white face.”

  They’d driven a short distance when Ann shouted, “Oh, I think that’s him. Over there.” She pointed to the edge of the field.

  Ann sighed and clasped her hands together. “Ah, thank the Lord. I was beginning to think my prayers for the little guy had been too late.”

  Jacob had grown accustomed to her constant referral to God and prayer. The similarities between Ann's faith and his mother's touched him.Who'd have thought God would bring the perfect woman to him with the flood?

  Jacob pointed to the side of the field. “Looks like we’ve got some fence to mend.”

  Ann’s gaze followed Jacob’s to where a tree had blown down over the fence during the storm. “I thought you’d checked it all.”

  “I did. But with the saturated ground and the strong winds, it must’ve fallen afterwards.”

  They stepped from the truck and walked over to survey the damage. “I’ll have to bring my chainsaw back to cut the tree up. Hopefully the cattle have the good sense to stay inside the fence.” He studied Ann for a moment. “Do you feel like fixing fence this evening?”

  “Really, you want me to help you?” Ann’s enthusiasm bubbled through her voice.

  “It’s already getting late and I could use an extra hand. Dad won’t mind staying with the kids.” He held her hand as they walked back to the truck. “It might be a good idea for you to see what farm life entails.”

  While Jacob collected the gear they would need, Ann stepped inside to tell Luke and the children their plans. Instead, she found Luke with his leg propped up with a bag of frozen peas on his ankle.

  Ann knelt by his chair, her brow wrinkled in concern. “What happened?”

  “Nothing to get upset over, Sunshine, I just tripped in a hole.” He shifted in the chair and added, “I’m not sure if it was a gopher hole or an Ethan and Emily hole. Either way, what’s been done is done.”

  Ann removed the ice and checked Luke’s ankle. “I don’t think it’s broken, but it is a bad sprain. You’ll have to stay off it for a while.”

  Jacob stepped through the door. “Ann, what’s the hold up?”

  “You’re dad hurt his ankle.”

  Jacob met Ann beside his dad as she filled him in on what happened. After he took a look at Luke’s ankle, Jacob took purposeful steps down the hall to where the children quietly waited in their rooms. He stood in their doorway. Long, sad faces revealed their guilt.

  “I’m sorry, Dad.”

  “Me too, Daddy,” Emily added.

  “Thankfully, Grandpa’s ankle isn’t broken, but you’ve both lost your digging rights. You’re not to handle the shovels unless told to. Understood?”

  “Yes, Dad,” they both answered.

  “Ann and I have to mend fence. You two be on your best behavior and take good care of Grandpa and Candy.”

  “Okay,” they both replied.

  ***

  Jacob sawed while Ann pulled away limbs. Next, they stretched new barb wire then walked the fence line where it wound its way through the woods to check for more fallen trees.

  “Jacob, it’s getting dark, let’s turn back.”

  “You’re right. I keep peering through to the field and figure we have more time, but it gets awful dark here in the trees.”

  Leaves crunched.

  Jacob turned toward the sound. Nothing but shadows. An eerie sensation spread across his shoulders like crawling spiders. He clasped Ann’s hand in his. “Let’s go.”

  As they traced their steps toward the truck, Jacob heard the near-silent foot falls of something keeping pace. He pulled Ann to a stop and motioned to be quiet with a finger against his lips. Ann’s foot settled on the ground. Their tracker did the same. Ann’s eyes widened as she looked up at Jacob. He motioned his head forward. They gained a few yards before stopping again. Just like before, as they took their last step, their stalker stopped.

  In a more determined trot, they headed for the truck. Neither of them spoke. They were almost free of the woods. The safety of the vehicle within sight.

  Then, the mountain lion released a blood curdling cry.

  Ann screamed in response. Jacob squeezed her hand as he broke into a full run.

  They reached the truck and Ann sailed across the seat. He came in behind her and slammed the door. His rifle hung in the window, but the increasing darkness would be as much a foe to him as the cougar. Ann’s hands trembled in her lap, she needed the security of the house. He started the engine and hurried back through the field.

  Jacob parked the truck in the lean-to and helped Ann down from the cab. “We’re safe now.” He pulled her to him in a warm embrace. She clung to him like a life line.

  “You did good, Annie.” He rubbed her back before he looked into her eyes. “You okay to go in with the kids now?”

  Ann blew a steady breath from her lips. “Yeah. The walk to the house will help, too.”

  At the cabin, nothing was mentioned about their experience until the children were nestled in their beds. Ann agreed to read them a story before she joined the two men already at the table with a cup of coffee waiting for her.

  She sat down and clasped the warm cup with both hands. Jacob glided his hand across the back of her shoulders. “Are you all right? You still look pale.” He reached over with his other hand and placed it on her arm. “Ann, you’re freezing!”

  “I’ll be fine,” she chattered. “I should head home.”

  Jacob shot Luke a perplexed look before he realized Ann’s body was fighting off shock. He slid his chair back, scooped Ann up in his arms and carried her to his bedroom. She didn’t even protest. He laid her on the bed and searched for wool socks to pull over her feet. Then covered her with a layer of blankets.

  “I want you to rest, Annie, while we handle the worrying.” He kissed her forehead and said nothing of her state of shock. He didn’t want her to worry over anything else.

  “Jacob,” Ann whispered as she reached for his hand. She pulled it to her and closed her eyes, asleep within seconds.

  Fear and guilt washed over him as he continued to stare at Ann’s whitened face. Outraged with himself for the danger he’d exposed her to, he stood with the determination of David meeting Goliath. He strode into the room where Luke sat with his foot propped and laid out plans with his father.

  ***

  Luke stayed over and slept in the recliner while Jacob wrestled with sleep on the couch. He rose earlier than needed and crept into his bedroom to check on Ann, just as he had done countless times during the night. Her cheeks were rosy from warmth the blankets offered and she still slept soundly.

  Luke stirred in the recliner as Jacob reentered the living room. “She’ll be fine, Son. We’ll help each other out today.” He smiled and motioned to his foot.

  “How’s your ankle?” Jacob walked over. The swelling had gone down a little, but it was still too sore for Luke to move it.

  “It’ll heal. But if you want to keep to the plan, you’d better head out before Sunshine wakes up.”

  Jacob nodded. He didn’t know how Ann would take his hunting the cat alone, but he had no other choice. Tommy wasn’t an option. As far as Jacob knew, he’d returned home, and the conservationist and his hunting team…well he’d probably do better on his own. With Luke’s ankle injured, it only supported the fact. Not wanting to waste any time, he hastily readied himself and Trigger before riding out with Ethan’s hound in the lead.

  ***

  Ann woke up confused. She could barely move beneath the pile of blankets, and she didn’t recognize the room. She looked around and remembered the closet where Jacob retrieved the sweater. On the adjacent wall was the small window that now filtered in shafts of sunlight. She struggled to clear her mind and realized why she was there. Ann sat up in bed. She must have slept through most of the morning. Why then did she feel so groggy?

  She stumbled out of bed and headed for the kitchen, following the s
mell of coffee that beckoned her to start the day. “Good morning, Luke.” She grabbed a cup.

  He hobbled with old crutches and made his way to the table. “How are you feeling this morning?”

  “Weird,” she chuckled, “but alive.” She took a seat beside him. “Is Jacob feeding cows?” Luke directed his gaze to the floor. Ann’s heart paused. It only supported the hesitant feeling she’d awakened to. She forced herself to breath deeper as Luke explained Jacob’s decision to hunt alone. Dread weighed heavy on her soul, as though some unforeseen event threatened to change their lives forever.

  Ann contemplated taking a walk in the yard to pray but Luke interrupted her thoughts. “I can probably find another sweat suit for you if you need it.”

  She viewed her rumpled clothing from the day before. “It’s okay. I have clothes with me. I came straight from my parents to church, yesterday. I’ll go outside to grab the rest of my stuff.”

  Ann excused herself and stepped outdoors, appreciating the blast of cool spring air. As she walked to her car, she remembered the verse Jacob quoted just days ago. Fear not, for thou art with thee. She quoted the rest to herself and found comfort in God’s word. Please God, watch over Jacob and keep him safe in Your care. Help me put my trust in You and not give in to worry and fear.

  The children would soon awake. She retrieved her bag and returned to the house. Upon opening the door, two energetic children ran to hug her good morning.

  ***

  Moses led Jacob and Trigger further into the back country where rolling farmland gave way to high ridges and menacing outcrops of rock. Jacob was more than thankful for his horse. Cougars were capable of covering 20 miles in a given day.

  Pink granite boulders decorated the hillsides; sometimes rising as much as fifty feet toward the sky. Jacob had stopped counting at seven miles. They were much farther by now. The landscape was so dissimilar to anything on the farm; he assumed they had crossed well over onto state ground.

  His thoughts drifted home. How was Ann feeling and how had she taken the news of his hunting alone? He’d hoped the hunt would be over by now. His time with Ann had been too disrupted to fully enjoy.