His leg didn’t look broken. She touched his ankle and he winced. “Josiah, we’ve got to get you home somehow. Griffin, Thomas, and Mr. Green are worried sick. What happened that made you run off?”
“The fire scared me, so I just started running. I remembered coming here that one time. And that’s when I heard Copper crying. I’m bringing him home with me.”
“Josiah, he’s not yours.” Her words were gentle but firm.
“He is now.” Josiah turned his head toward the puppy. “He likes me. And I asked Mr. Green one time if we could get a dog and he said that maybe someday we could.”
Thunder boomed overhead. The light rain became heavier.
“Let’s see if I can put you on my horse.”
The horse had wandered to graze.
Grace brought the horse to Josiah. She placed the pup on the ground, and he immediately squirmed and yelped. His little body shook from either the rain or fright, and he wiggled his way under the folds of Grace’s long skirt. She helped Josiah stand on his good leg. He mounted the horse with his left foot in the stirrup and swung his right leg around. Grace picked up Copper, and he howled and wiggled, but once she placed him in Josiah’s arms, he quieted down.
She grabbed the bridle and led the horse toward the front of the house.
Josiah’s eyes widened when he saw the pen of puppies the same breed and coloring as Copper.
“Stay on the horse.” Grace stepped onto the small porch, and the door cracked open. The young boy peered out. Before she could speak, large fingers laced with dirt under the nails jerked the door wider. The man wasn’t much taller than Grace, but what he lacked in size he made up for in intimidation. His glassy eyes stared down Grace with vile that almost paralyzed her.
“Sorry to intrude. I came looking for one of my students who ran off.” Grace looked back at Josiah. “When I found him, he had discovered one of your pups—”
“Heh?” The man stumbled forward, and then staggered back, looked at Josiah, and then glared back at Grace. “What you want?”
“This boy here,” Grace gestured toward Josiah. “He found one of your litter—”
“He stole something?”
The smell of liquor on the man’s breath, very much like her stepfather’s, soured her stomach.
“No, Papa,” the young boy explained. “Remember two of them pups ran off?”
“Ran off?” he growled.
“Yes. Remember, Pa?”
“Would it be all right if he kept the animal? Someone could see that you get compensated.”
The man lifted his left hand, and then opened his mouth, but no words came out. His eyes shut briefly.
“Ma!” The young boy hollered.
His mother stepped behind her son and placed her arms around her husband’s shoulders to guide him. “Come on, let’s go lay down.”
The man shuffled his feet and grumbled about some woman and her dog. His long, gangly arms hung by his side.
The woman motioned for Grace to go and then pushed the door shut.
Grace took that as a sign of approval. For now.
Josiah shivered so hard his teeth rattled. The bundle in his arm had nestled itself in tight.
Grace led the horse and headed toward home.
The sun was below the horizon. A few scattered, amethyst clouds streaked their way across a fiery amber glow that tried to poke through the gray, rainy mist.
“Are we going home?”
“Yes, Josiah. We’re going home.”
The rain made a soft plinking sound on the tall grass.
“Good,” mumbled a sleepy Josiah.
Grace’s eyelids grew heavy as she and the horse plodded along the wet ground. Her heart sank at their slow pace, but she had to go on. Edith would worry.
Josiah sneezed. “Thank you for finding me. I was sad, and then scared, and didn’t know what to do. So I remembered to pray like Mr. Green does with us at night.”
A flutter swept across Grace’s heart as her soul paused. Jesus talked about the belief of little children. Josiah’s faith was so simple and innocent. “Thank you, Josiah.”
“For what?”’
“I’m not sure.” Grace chuckled. “Just for being a special little boy. It’s been an honor to have you in my class. And when your chair was empty, a place in my heart was very, very sad.”
Although they didn’t have much farther to go, the sky would soon be too dark to travel.
Grace‘s foot slipped on a rock. Her left ankle gave way. She cried out in pain.
“Are you all right, Miss Cantrell?” Josiah asked.
“I think so.” She shifted her weight to her right leg but when she tried to stand, a sharp jolt went up the side of her calf. Her knee buckled. “We need to stop for a minute.” After a bit, she stepped forward again. The pain that coursed through her ankle made her see stars. “Josiah, I’ve twisted my ankle. Do you think you can take one more night with Copper? I’m sure my leg will be better in the morning.”
“All right. Copper likes it outside.” Josiah sat up taller, looking off into the distance. “Something’s ahead, Miss Cantrell.”
A yellow glow appeared through the mist, followed by the sound of wagon wheels.
“Hello! Over here!” Grace shouted.
The driver held a lantern in one hand, the reins in the other. The light shifted with the rough ride, and a shadow cast across a beige jacket. The man stopped the carriage, then stood in the seat. His lantern moved from Josiah and the horse, to Grace. “What are you doing out here all by yourself?” The flame reflected off Hail Talbert’s bushy eyebrows and manicured mustache. “A woman such as yourself has no place doing such things.”
“I had to look for Josiah. I didn’t think the journey would take this long.”
He got down from the carriage and held the light toward Josiah’s face. “This one of them that belongs to the blacksmith?”
“How did you know to look for us?”
“Mrs. Beauregard dropped in to see her sister, and Mrs. Farley told her you had taken off in this direction. She mentioned it to me in passing.”
Grace tried to move but winced as pain shot up her leg.
“What’s wrong?” Hail Talbert moved his lantern toward Grace. “You hurt?”
“My ankle is sore, that’s all. I’m fine. Just get the boy back home. I can ride the horse back.”
“You will do no such thing.” Hail Talbert reached up and grabbed Josiah.
The dog wiggled and yelped.
“His leg is hurt too, much worse than mine. Please be careful.”
He scoffed and plopped Josiah in the back seat of the wagon.
The boy held Copper tight, the puppy’s black nose resting in the crook of Josiah’s arm.
Hail Talbert carried the lantern over and bent down. “Let me see how you’re hurt.”
“I’m not showing you my ankle.” Grace’s jaw tightened.
He cupped the small of Grace’s back with one hand.
Grace tried to push him away. “I cannot travel with you. It’s not proper.”
His left hand hooked under the back of her knees, and he lifted her off her feet. “Nonsense. You’re injured.” He placed her in the front of the wagon. “Try stretching your leg out in front of you.” Then he tied Edith’s horse with the others.
“Mr. Talbert, please, listen to me.”
He pushed his face inches from Grace and glared. At first he seemed angry, but then a crooked grin sneaked across his pompous face.
“At least allow me to ride in back with Josiah.”
“No need to worry. This’ll all work out to everyone’s benefit. You’ll see.”
“Work out?” Grace asked.
“Yes.” He stroked her cheek with his fingertip.
She slapped his hand away.
His smile vanished as eerily as it had come. “I’m confident you’ll change in time.” He moved to the other side of the wagon and mounted.
Grace tried to move, but the pain was too
great. She was unable to see Josiah. Her heart raced. She reached a hand back until she felt Josiah’s leg. “Let’s both pray, Josiah,” she whispered. “Just as you told me about.”
19
Jed dropped a handful of gooseberries into the grits and ladled a serving onto Thomas’s plate. “Try to eat something.”
The air seemed heavier since the Children’s Aid Society worker left yesterday. Griffin rarely spoke, and Thomas had to be told to get out of bed in the morning, both very much unlike themselves.
Jed sat down and tried not to look at the empty seat at the table. He nudged Thomas. “Come on now. Get some food in you before school.”
“I’m not hungry.” Thomas’s thumbnail rubbed the spine of his book.
Griffin handed Thomas the rest of his corn fritter. “Here. Last one left.”
Thomas shook his head.
Griffin popped the piece into his mouth. “How about we get the slingshot out when you get home?”
Thomas shrugged and got up. He grabbed his metal lunch pail in one hand.
“Hey,” Jed called to him. “Here’s your book.”
“I don’t need it.” He went out the door.
A meadowlark called from somewhere.
Jed took a sip of the coffee Griffin had made.
“We got just about everything cleaned up and the boards replaced.” Griffin scraped the last bit of honey from his plate with his finger. “Should be ready for business.”
“Think I’ll walk Thomas to school today.” Jed rose.
“How about I do that so you can get started,” Griffin suggested as he got up. “That farmer that came in from west of here is needing that plow fixed by the end of the day.”
Jed stacked the dishes on the table.
Griffin slapped him on the back. “You’re probably tired of me saying this, but if you had a woman you wouldn’t have to do all this clean up.” He picked his work boots up. “That’s what I’m going to do. But I got seven years before I can think about that. And you bet I’ll have me one picked out by then.”
A scream came from outside.
Jed and Griffin ran out the door.
Thomas trotted besides a wagon heading toward the house.
Hail Talbert drove two fine looking Morgans into Jed’s yard.
Jed saw the curve of a small, round head.
Thomas scrambled up and into the back before the wagon came to a full stop.
Griffin blazed ahead of Jed, reaching into the back of the wagon. “What’re you doing, little buddy?” Griffin yelled, happiness evident in his tone.
Josiah’s blond hair looked duller, but his smile held the same shine. A pup squirmed at the boy’s side.
Thomas hugged Josiah’s neck, speechless, with tears of joy running down his cheeks.
The puppy rose on his hind legs to get his nose between them.
Jed shook Talbert’s hand. He rested his hands on his hips. “Where’d you find him?”
Talbert looked down. “North of here, up toward Pritchard’s farm. That’s probably one of his pups. I brought them back late last night. It was too dark to get him home to you. I left at first light as I knew you’d be worried.”
“What were you doing up there?”
“Miss Cantrell, the schoolmistress, found him. She’s at home now. I assured her that I would bring him home safely to you.”
“What?” Jed looked at the boy.
Josiah’s face fell. “Sorry, Mr. Green.” He pushed up but stopped as if in pain. “I started running and didn’t know where to go. Then I remembered when Paxton took us to that hideout. And I found it all by myself.”
“What’s wrong with your leg?” Jed pulled up the little boy’s pant leg. His ankle was swollen and a purplish-green color.
“I slipped and fell trying to get Copper out of a hole.”
“Copper?” Thomas asked. “His name is Copper?”
Griffin massaged behind the dog’s ears.
The pup closed his eyes into sleepy slits.
“It’s a girl. And I named her ’cause she’s got these spots just like a penny.” Josiah rubbed his belly. “Miss Cantrell talked to the folks, and she thinks I can keep him.”
“Did she say that?” Jed asked. He’d be talking to Grace…Miss Cantrell.
“Uhhh. I think so.” Josiah gave Jed a worried look.
“Can we keep him?” Thomas petted Copper.
Talbert stepped down from the wagon. “Want some help getting the orphan in the house?”
“He’s not an orphan. Not anymore.” Jed’s voice was firm, and everyone stilled as he handed the dog to Thomas. “Get down and thank Mr. Talbert for bringing your brother home.” He picked up Josiah.
“Brothers?” Talbert’s eyes squinted. “They don’t look—”
“They are now.” Jed’s rough voice left no doubt about his agitation. “And they’re my sons. Thank you again, Talbert. I apologize for my gruffness, but I appreciate the gesture.”
The store owner pulled on the brim of his fine hat. “Thought I’d let you know Mrs. Beauregard is covering over at the schoolhouse today. Maybe the rest of the week. Miss Cantrell twisted her ankle and needs to stay off her feet for a day or so.”
Jed’s body fluttered with the mention of her name. “The boys will miss her in the classroom.”
Talbert smiled and inclined his head. “Hopefully they haven’t taken too much to her. Her situation is about to change. In fact, why don’t you go ahead and start on that candelabra I talked to you about a while back?”
~*~
Someone cleared their throat. A gentleman in a white shirt, gray vest, and matching trousers stood in the doorway.
Mrs. Beauregard stood behind him.
The schoolhouse doors had been open, and Grace, busy with work, didn’t hear the visitors arrive. She placed her hands on her desk to stand without putting pressure on her bad ankle.
“No need to get up, Miss Cantrell.”
The visitor removed his hat. “My name is Clyde Collinsworth. I run the school board for the county now that Mr. Beauregard has passed on.”
Grace sat back into the chair.
He examined the maps on the wall. “I understood you’re a little bit under the weather. I was surprised when Mrs. Farley told us you had come here.”
“My ankle is still a little sore, but I’m getting around fine. Dr. Holt says there’s no reason I can’t be back at work in the morning, and I have lessons to prepare before then.”
Mr. Collinsworth looked at Hortense Beauregard. “Well, that’s what we want to talk to you about.”
Hortense lifted her chin, her stare like cold daggers.
“Is something the matter? Has Mr. Hennessy returned?”
“Not yet, but he’s expected by the end of the week.”
A stone dropped into Grace’s gut.
“The board has decided an assignment in another town might be the best course for everyone concerned.”
Grace set her paper and feather pen aside. “The contract I signed was for one year.”
“It was.” He scratched the corner of his eye. “But there’ve been other issues besides his return. Mrs. Beauregard has concerns, as well as Mr. Talbert.”
“Mr. Talbert?” Grace sat up straighter. “What does he have to do with this?”
Mr. Collinsworth blushed. He looked down at his opened palms. “Well, now, Miss Cantrell, he came to me a few days ago a broken man. He’s been a fine member of this community for a long time and wants to do right.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“He shared some of the details of your relationship.”
“Relationship?” Grace stood, ignoring the dull pain in her ankle. Heat filled her with enough vigor she might explode. “Mr. Talbert and I have no relationship. Please tell me what you are talking about!”
“We know about the incident, Miss Cantrell,” Mrs. Beauregard’s voice was softer, yet still filled with contempt. “That you rode in the wagon with Mr. Ta
lbert the other night. That you’ve made frequent visits to his store of a personal nature.”
Grace’s body shook. For a short moment it kept her from moving.
“And that you led him to believe that you wanted him to pursue you.”
“That is not true.”
“Did you ride with him in his wagon?”
“I was hurt, and he insisted.” Grace gritted her teeth. “I went after the boy. He found us.”
Clyde Collinsworth looked down at her boots. “You’re standing quite well now.”
“The boy was just an excuse, wasn’t he, Miss Cantrell?” Mrs. Beauregard sneered. “You wanted Mr. Talbert to come after you. That way you could be alone.”
Grace moved from around her desk. “That’s ridiculous! You can’t believe this. I have no interest in this man, nor would I ever do such a thing.” She shifted her weight against the desk to take the pressure off.
“We have his word, miss,” Clyde said.
“Mr. Talbert told you this?”
He nodded, his eyes on Grace.
“So your favor to the orphans seems quite minuscule to this impropriety.” Mrs. Beauregard sneered. “Regardless, if things go as planned, you can be on your way to a new life in a different town where no one knows of any of these things. And Sheldon will be rid of those two varmints before they do any real damage.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Children Aids Society worker visited the family a few days ago. He’s considering relocating them.”
Grace’s stomach fluttered. “And when will this be decided?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
“Then please tell me, where would Mr. Talbert be now?”
~*~
Grace stomped onto the boardwalk, and the men huddled in conversation cleared a path. She turned the doorknob to the haberdasher shop, but it was locked. Odd for a store to be closed in the middle of the afternoon.
“He’s not in there,” one of the gentleman called to her.
Then she saw the note on the door that stated he would be back shortly.
Grace like a Whisper Page 18