I nodded my head. Of course William had to know. “Are you going after her? Contacting the sheriff?”
Uncle Colt cast a glance in Aunt Jenny’s direction before he spoke. “I’ve already talked to the sheriff, but I really don’t think it’d be too high on his list of priorities. They have more important things to tend to instead of looking for a woman who’s run off. This type of thing happens more often than you’d think.” Uncle Colt jiggled the baby on his knee. “If she doesn’t come back, it’s going to be tough for a while.”
I worried my bottom lip. James Colton had done so well, and now, I might be facing a new dilemma. I had started him on solids, soft foods like mashed potatoes, but he still nursed. How would this affect him?
Laurie was eyeing me anxiously, as if sensing my thoughts. “Maybe try James Colton on milk again? I know he didn’t do well before, but that was several months ago — sometimes babies outgrow these things.”
Aunt Jenny nodded. “Just what I was going to say. And Joe Joe can probably go straight to a cup. J.C., too.”
“Maybe... we’ll have to see,” I said. And right away. He would soon be wanting milk. “What will happen to Joe Joe?”
Aunt Jenny studied me for a second. “We know he’s not William’s son, but we’ll treat him like our own grandson, care for him until William returns. William married Sylvia and that makes Joe Joe his child.”
I stood and handed J.C. to Laurie. “We can try James Colton on cow’s milk and see how he does... maybe you’re right, and he’s outgrown it. I’ll try him now.”
Aunt Jenny began rummaging in the cupboards.
After Laurie had settle into a rocker, holding the cup of milk for J.C. to sip from, and Aunt Jenny coaxed Joe Joe to drink, I left them, going into the yard, intending to drive into town to buy baby cereal and orange juice. Uncle Colt had walked out with me, and we were saying our goodbyes, when Mr. Paul drove up.
Uncle Colt and I exchanged glances. What was he doing here, during the day, when he, like all the other farmers in the area, was swamped with work?
He tipped his hat at me and shook Uncle Colt’s hand. He waved off Uncle Colt’s invitation to go inside. “No, no. I can’t stay long. I just wanted to ask Jay if she’s seen Aaron... he’s been gone since last night.”
“Him, too?” I asked.
Puzzlement filled Mr. Paul’s eyes. “Someone else missing?”
“Sylvia,” Uncle Colt answered curtly.
“Sylvia?” Mr. Paul lifted the hat from his head and ran his fingers through his hair. “You don’t think...”
Uncle Colt’s mouth twisted into a grimace. “The way Sylvia’s been behaving, every time Aaron’s around, like a...”
He stopped mid-sentence and cut his eyes at me, as if he suddenly remembered I was standing there.
Mr. Paul shook his head. “No. Aaron has his faults, and none knows better than I do, but I know he has more sense than to go traipsing after another man’s wife...”
Uncle Colt leveled his gaze at Mr. Paul. “When we find Sylvia or Aaron, we’ll see. Until then, we both know what the talk’s gonna be.”
Mr. Paul clenched his teeth, and his eyes darkened. “He’s my brother, and no one better say a word against him in my presence.”
Uncle Colt gave him a short nod. “If those two don’t show up soon, I’m afraid our families are going to be picked apart. I hope Aaron has a good explanation when you find him.”
“He will,” Mr. Paul said. He turned on his heel and left without another word. I had never seen him so angry.
Uncle Colt glanced in my direction. “You be careful going to town. I’ve got to get back to work.”
“Yes, sir.”
Uncle Colt strode away, looking as angry as Mr. Paul. I climbed wearily into the truck to head to town. Why, oh why, had Aaron done this? And here I was stuck in the middle. My husband’s uncle running off with my cousin’s wife. I laid my head on the steering wheel for a second, praying to God and gathering strength, at least for enough strength to crank the truck and drive onto the red clay roads.
Chapter 41—More Trouble
I asked Dr. Driscoll for a week’s leave, until I could be sure James Colton was adjusting. He had been crawling for over a month and pulled himself up — even tried to climb on chairs. Laurie would have her hands full with him and Joe Joe. Thankfully, Little Joe Joe was laid back, crawling when he had to, but content to lie on a pallet and play with a single toy for hours.
Aunt Jenny, of course, would help Laurie with the babies. Part of me wanted to stay home with him, but I also wanted to continue working. Helping animals was fulfilling. Belle had returned to her owner, and Dr. Driscoll had found new respect from the farmers in the area. Of course, no one thought to attribute the mare’s healing to me, and that was fine. I worked to help the animals, not to win the praise of their owners.
So, in a few days, if James Colton did well on the milk, I would return to work. I explained all this to Dr. Driscoll.
He wasn’t too happy to hear it. “But you just got back...”
“I’ve been back almost five months.”
“Humph. Doesn’t seem like it.” He waved his cigar in the air. “We’re coming up on the busy season.”
I smiled to myself. We had already been in the busy season. “It’s just a week, if the baby does well...”
“Reckon I can spare you that long, Mrs. Hutchinson.” He grumbled, but his blood-shot eyes held a twinkle.
It was the first time he had not called me “Missy.” I took a step closer and held out my hand. After a second, he covered my hand with his big paw and placed the other one on top.
I hadn’t expected this, but it didn’t make me forget what I wanted to say. “Jay, Mr. Driscoll. We’re colleagues. You can call me by my first name.”
He smiled, his grin making him look like a bear. “Jay it is. And you can call me Wilbur.”
“Wilbur, thank you for giving me a chance.” His name felt strange to my ears.
“Thank you for rescuing my practice.” He stilled grinned like an old bear.
“I didn’t do anything...”
He shook his head. “Do not belittle your contribution.”
I blushed, and he released my hand.
“I’ll do my best to get back to work as soon as I can.” I hurried out of his private office, not wanting him to embarrass me further. I stopped by Velma’s counter, to give her instructions for a couple of my patients.
“I have the wormer clearly marked, if the McQueens bring in Champ. And the ointment is on the shelf in the examining room for the Bradford’s cat.”
She nodded her head.
“I’ll call in a couple of days to see how Susie Oldham’s puppy is doing. No, I’ll come in and check on him. If he’s better, I’ll take him to her. She really misses the little guy.”
“So, we’ll see you next week?”
“If everything goes okay...” She was eyeing me with interest. I sighed. “You’re probably going to hear this, so I’ll just tell you... William’s wife, Sylvia, is gone.”
“Gone?”
“Yes. And she’s left her baby behind.”
Velma put a hand to her chest. “She left her baby? Did she run off with some man?”
I hesitated. “We’re not sure yet.”
“I’ll keep your family in my prayers. Something like that must be really difficult to go through.” Her smile of sympathy looked genuine.
I decided to confide in her. “Aaron Hutchinson is missing, too.”
“Aaron Hutchinson? Your husband’s uncle.”
I nodded my head.
“But he’s twice her age!”
“Please don’t tell anyone... we just know they’re both missing. It could be entirely innocent.”
“I told Walter that it was strange...”
“What was strange?”
“We saw Mr. Hutchinson and William’s wife, in front of the theater the other night... I didn’t think anything of it... he’s so old! Mayb
e forty! But it was strange because of the way he was looking at her, and she was laughing.”
My heart sank to the pit of my stomach. “Still, we don’t know, so I’d appreciate if you didn’t mention this to anyone, not until we know more.”
“Sure.” She leaned closer to the counter. “Do you mind if I tell Walter?”
I shrugged. “I don’t mind,” I said, although I couldn’t help but grimace. How could Aaron have been so stupid? Surely he knew what kind of woman Sylvia was!
Maybe she was exactly the kind he wanted.
I stopped by and picked up J.C. I gave him some cereal for supper and another cup of milk before bedtime. He kept the milk down and slept all night.
Mr. Paul came over the next day, and we sat on the porch to visit. His face was drawn, as if he had gotten little sleep.
I was in the swing, softly humming to J.C. He closed his eyes, and I held him in my arms as he slept. Mr. Paul surprised me with his words.
“James Colton looks just like Aaron.”
I nodded my head. “True. And Michael looks a lot like Aaron.”
“Michael was so close to his uncle growing up, after his mother died. I guess Michael told you she died in childbirth?”
“Yes, sir.” Perhaps it was the reason Michael had not wanted me to get pregnant.
Mr. Paul had his hat off and twirled the rim around in his hands, studying his hat as if it were one of his prized cows. “I heard from Aaron.” His face remained grim.
I didn’t speak, afraid of what his next words would be.
“He is with that woman, but he assures me it’s not what we think.” He shook his head, still staring at the hat.
“Well, what is it then?”
“He didn’t say.”
“Is he coming back? Is Sylvia?”
“He didn’t say.” He tilted his head to look at me. “Actually, I didn’t give him much opportunity to speak. I was pretty upset when he said he was with William’s wife. Gave him a tongue lashing. I just can’t believe he’s done this.”
I gritted my teeth, angry with Aaron, but remained silent.
“If he calls again, maybe... Well, I don’t know... it’s a mess, and I don’t think we can get it right-side up, no matter what we do.”
“You’re probably right. It’s gone too far.” Aaron couldn’t come back here, come back to the farm where he had lived all these years, not after what he had done. What did he think? That Mr. Paul would let him move in with Sylvia?
Mr. Paul slowly stood. “Well, I’d best be going. If I hear anything else, I’ll let you know.”
I started to rise, but he motioned me down. “No, no. Let that baby sleep.” He shuffled to the steps, like an old man, and turned to face me. “And Jay... tell Colt I’m sorry. And your aunt.”
“Don’t blame it all on Aaron. Uncle Colt and Aunt Jenny know Sylvia’s to blame, too.”
“But she ain’t their blood kin, is she?” His sad eyes blinked at me a moment, and then he continued down the steps.
J.C. still slept peacefully in my arms. I went inside and put him in his bed. When he woke, I’d take him with me, over to Uncle Colt’s. I wanted to go now but knew he needed to nap. I paced around the house, and Momma came from her room. She watched me for a second.
“What’s got you so antsy?”
She’d find out, sooner or later. I might as well tell her and get it over with. “Aaron and Sylvia have run off together.”
“Aaron?” Her gray hair swirled around her face. “Why on earth would he run off with that floozy?”
I laid my arm on the mantle and let my head rest in the crook of my arm. “I don’t know.”
“Where’s James Colton?”
“He’s in his bed, taking a nap. When he wakes up, I’m going over to Uncle Colt’s.”
“Go on now.”
“I’m not going until the baby wakes up.”
“He’ll sleep ’til you get back.”
I did want to go tell them, before they heard it from someone else. I appraised Momma. “I think I will but don’t wake J.C. up. Don’t go in there.”
“I ain’t going in there. Hurry up and get back so you can cook supper.”
“All right. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes. Do not go in there!” I said again, shaking a finger in the room’s direction.
She waved a hand at me, in a gesture of disgust and dismissal and went back to her room. I hurried out of the house and down the steps, running to the truck. Surely, this one time, Momma would listen.
I floored the truck and made it to Uncle Colt’s in record time. I ran up to the door to knock on it, and Aunt Jenny flung it open. Her eyes widened, and then she burst out crying.
Had she already heard? I had never seen her so upset before, even when Zeke and I went through what we did with Momma. I threw my arms around her, and she sobbed into my shoulder. Finally, she quieted.
“Where’s Uncle Colt?” I asked.
“He’s gone after Laurie.”
“Laurie? Where is she?”
“I don’t know!” And fresh sobs burst forth.
“Where’s Joe Joe?”
“He’s in here, playing on a pallet.”
“Well, get him and bring him over to my house. I left J.C. at home.”
“Who’s watching him?”
“He’s sleeping, but Momma’s there.” Of course Momma was there. “We’ll leave Uncle Colt a note.”
“If I’ve told him once, I’ve told him a thousand times we needed a telephone.”
“Well, a note will have to do today,” I said gently, trying to calm her.
She washed her face as I packed up a few things. I drove back to my house. I didn’t ask about Laurie because Aunt Jenny was still on the verge of tears. I took Joe Joe from her and grabbed the bag.
The sound of a crying baby came from the house. Aunt Jenny ran up the steps and through the door. I followed close behind, as fast as I could, with Joe Joe.
I entered to see Momma with J.C. pressed against her breast, her eyes glazed over as the chair’s rockers slapped the wood floor.
Two bright red spots were on Aunt Jenny’s cheeks when she turned to face me. “She refuses to let me have the child.”
“Momma, why won’t you give J.C. to Aunt Jenny?”
Momma’s eyes began to focus. “I ain’t having another child taken from me. You hear me!”
“He’s not your child, Momma. He’s my son.” I handed Joe Joe to Aunt Jenny. “Let me see J.C., please.” My hands were shaking.
Momma positioned J.C. on her lap in front of her, so that he could see her face. Amazingly, he giggled. I felt a pang. Had Momma ever held me like that, smiled down at me? I shrugged. What did it matter? I wasn’t her real daughter anyway.
“Want me to take him now?” I asked, my voice gentle.
Her eyes looked into mine. “He reminds me a lot of you when you were a baby.”
Momma hadn’t known me when I was as young as J.C. — didn’t meet me until I was over a year old.
She smiled at me. “You hardly ever cried. You were such an easy baby.”
An easy baby? And she treated me as she did? I never remembered any tenderness at her hands, although perhaps she was as tender with me as she was now with J.C. But I had been too young to remember. Perhaps it was later that she began to be so harsh, so demanding, so critical. I didn’t know. All I knew was that my childhood had been miserable.
I held out my hands. “May I see him now?”
Momma looked at me as if she didn’t know me. “Of course you can see him. He’s a beautiful baby boy.” She handed him to me.
I held him close, bumping him gently on the behind, and making a shushing noise, to calm myself since he no longer cried. I walked with him to my bedroom, and Aunt Jenny followed me.
We put both boys in the baby bed with a couple of toys, and we sat down to watch them and settle our nerves.
“I’ll never do that again,” I whispered.
“Why did you do it to
day? You shouldn’t have left him with Molly.” Aunt Jenny’s eyes were rimmed in red, but she was composed.
I pushed the hair from my face. “Mr. Paul came by... he’s heard from Aaron.”
Aunt Jenny didn’t speak, but nodded her head, encouraging me to continue.
“Aaron’s with Sylvia.” I linked my fingers together in my lap. “Mr. Paul wanted me to tell you and Uncle Colt he was sorry.”
“He’s sorry? Paul or Aaron?”
“Mr. Paul. Aaron didn’t say he was sorry. He said... I don’t know... something about how he could explain.”
She pursed her lips and shook her head. “Paul doesn’t have to tell us he’s sorry. He’s not responsible for the things his brother has chosen to do... And today I know a little of what he’s going through.”
“What do you mean?”
Aunt Jenny sighed heavily. “Walter and Laurie are missing.”
Chapter 42—Laurie and Walter
I gasped. “But he’s still dating Velma! She was just talking about him yesterday...”
Aunt Jenny shook her head slowly, clucking her tongue. “Why would she go off with someone who has a girlfriend? Someone she’s never spoken two words to, as far as I know... He must have forced her to go.” Her voice cracked on the last words.
I reached over to pat her hand. “I don’t think so, Aunt Jenny. Laurie knows him better than you think. She told me a little about him...”
“What? What did she say?”
I considered what Laurie might want me to tell her mother. But maybe it would be best if Aunt Jenny knew the whole story... it might ease her mind.
“Several months ago, right after Uncle Colt hired him, he asked Laurie to marry him.”
Aunt Jenny gasped. “I had no idea!” Her hand clutched at her chest. “So, he may have forced her to go with him!”
“No, Laurie told me she loved him.” Even now, I couldn’t suppress a slight smile.
Aunt Jenny looked at the babies but wasn’t really seeing them. She wrung her hands in her lap. “I had no idea! Why didn’t she tell me?” Her eyes refocused on me. “I’m her mother.”
“Mothers are sometimes the last to know.”
Thunder's Shadow Page 21
