by Lori Wick
“I can walk home, McKay,” Pup surprised him by saying. She had just tripped on the boardwalk, and he’d caught her. He now looked into her eyes and saw that she was serious.
“What are you talking about?”
“The girl inside. If you want to see her home, I can get back to your folks on my own.”
“It’s all right, Callie; she’s just a friend.”
“Then why didn’t you bring her over and introduce me?”
She had him, and they both knew it.
“It’s rather complicated.”
Pup looked at him. She was not the type to mother people and question everything they said. She’d already questioned him once, so she let the matter drop and allowed him to help her into the wagon. As they pulled away, Pup wondered if the problem stemmed from the hug at the campfire. Again her heart squeezed in pain. Much as she would have hated to admit it, she could have put the other woman’s heart at ease in a moment. The hug hadn’t meant a thing to McKay.
“Don’t you like it?” Liz asked Pup later that day as she carefully watched her face. The younger woman had just tasted a piece of berry pie.
“It’s wonderful, but how do you get your crust to taste like this? Mine is always a little, oh, I don’t know, off, I guess.”
“Do you beat your eggs?”
“You put eggs in this?”
Pup’s look was so comical that Liz couldn’t stop the small laugh that escaped her throat. Pup’s look turned to one of chagrin, and then she laughed a little too.
“I suppose McKay has told you that cooking is not my strong point.”
“He never mentioned it,” she said honestly.
Pup shrugged, her look still comical. “When you live alone, you’re just not that fussy. At least I’m not.”
“Do you enjoy living alone?” Liz asked, hoping it was a safe enough question.
“Most of the time, but it’s been nice here, having someone to visit with over meals and in the evening.”
“I hope you won’t let this be your last visit,” Liz commented, topping off their coffee cups. “Summer can be hot, but spring around here is lovely.”
“Come spring I’m usually stuck in the cabin a little longer than most.”
“Do you live that far up in the hills?”
“Not all the way up, but pretty far.”
Liz opened her mouth to comment on how far McKay must have had to track Govern Hackett, but she remembered just in time that the man was Callie’s brother. Hackett and Jennings. The names came together in Liz’s mind for the first time. Had Callie been married before? Or had Govern Hackett only been a half-brother to her? It was yet one more curiosity over their house guest.
“Do you have any neighbors?” Liz tried another safe tack.
Pup couldn’t stop her smile. “The closest ones are Percy and Mud Dougan.”
“Percy and Mud?”
Pup now laughed. “They’re brothers who mine Boulder Creek. Percy keeps to himself, but Mud goes to town whenever he can get away.”
“They sound fascinating.”
“They are that,” she couldn’t help but agree, a fond smile lighting her face. But that smile wasn’t just for Mud.
Pup knew what Liz was doing, and had she been a more demonstrative person she’d have hugged the older woman. They’d been in the kitchen for more than an hour and managed to talk only of generalities. It did Pup’s heart a great deal of good to know that Liz Harrington cared enough to treat her so graciously, but something was niggling at the back of her mind.
I can never get close to people, she told herself. I’m forever keeping folks at arm’s length. McKay tells his family everything, and I tell Camille and Nick some things, but I know whose life is richer. Pup wondered if Christ was the difference, or if McKay was just a more open individual. She strongly suspected that his relationship with God had much to do with it.
The afternoon moved into evening, and the four of them played whist until rather late. It had been a pleasant day and evening, but Pup couldn’t get a few questions from her mind: Was her job worth her having to live the way she did? Would God want her to continue living a life of subterfuge and privacy? Pup simply didn’t have a clue, and it was hours after she climbed into bed before she fell asleep.
21
The week was moving along in splendid form. Pup began reading McKay’s Bible, and dozens of questions surfaced. He and his parents willingly answered them, and Pup’s knowledge and awareness increased daily. Time took on a new quality. The days didn’t rush by; they were spent visiting, walking, and reading. There was no reason to hurry. It seemed that the week with this family would joyfully last forever—until McKay’s father came home on Wednesday evening with a sealed telegram for his guest. Harry and the two others who witnessed this exchange were filled with curiosity, but no one asked about the contents. Pup only thanked him and put the letter in her pocket. She did not mean to be overly private, but she was intent on something McKay had just said about creation and hardly even noticed the piece of paper.
It was not until she was readying for bed, and after she’d upset her night table and glass of water, that she found the note in her pocket. What she read made her sit down on the side of the bed rather hard. Having come quickly back to earth, she stared into space, her mind trying to deal with the transition. To be called back to work so abruptly was something of a shock. She once again read the missive in her hand.
CJ: Report to Charlie Barnes, Longmont, Colo. Status: Immediate. NW.
Only one other time had Pup been summoned to a job while not at home. It was years ago now, but she would never forget it: A treasury man had been suspected of betrayal. Was this the same situation? Had information been leaked? Pup felt chilled to the bone. She had to leave; there was no other choice. She had to contact this man—this Charlie Barnes—and learn what was expected of her. Nick was probably losing his mind as it was. Determined to leave on the spot, Pup stood and then realized the hour. She couldn’t wander around Longmont in the dark, not to mention disturb her host and hostess. Pup mulled over the various options and found none satisfactory.
She had tried telling McKay that it didn’t work to get close to people, but he hadn’t understood. Now she would have to leave Liz and Harry with no explanation. They were bound to be hurt. It then occurred to her that she could not face them. It wasn’t that she felt ashamed, but she knew how awkward it would be for all of them if she told them in person.
A moment later Pup sat at the small writing desk that sat under the window in her room. She found paper in a drawer, and opening the ink pot, found it fresh. Not given to flowery phrases, she dipped the quill and wrote what was in her heart.
Dear Harry and Liz,
To say thank you for this time seems woefully inadequate. I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful it has been. I have responsibilities, however, and my time is not always my own. Now is such a time. I hate to leave without seeing you, but I feel it is best for all. I would like to say that I will see you again, but I can’t predict this either. Thank you for the caring you’ve shown me. McKay said you were wonderful, and I thought you sounded too good to be true. God has shown me much this week, including the fact that there are two people in this world whose hearts are as big as the mountains.
Sincerely,
Callie Jennings
Pup felt indescribably tired after she finished. She wanted desperately to lay her head down and weep, but she forced such feelings aside. Knowing she would need to walk from the Harringtons, she kept out the most casual of her dresses and only a few other things for the morning. When at last she put her head on her pillow, she wondered if she would sleep at all. She must be away before daybreak, before anyone else was up. It was the only way her plan was going to work.
McKay didn’t try to analyze his decision, but he decided to sleep with his door open. He didn’t know if it had to do with the telegram Pup received or with the look on his mother’s face. She was worried; he could see i
t in her eyes. His father looked uncertain as well. He could tell they wanted to ask questions but were restraining themselves. He knew their motives were driven by concern and not merely curiosity. McKay didn’t have a chance to tell them that he had the same concerns for Pup’s well-being, but there was little he could do about it at the time.
He fell asleep with his guest heavy on his mind, and while the night was still very black, woke suddenly and stared into the darkness. He didn’t think he’d heard a noise, but he was certainly wide awake and alert. Lying very still, he waited a few minutes, and when he heard nothing, rolled onto his stomach to go back to sleep. He got as comfortable as possible, but sleep would not return. He made himself lie still: Tossing and turning never helped. Still he did not sleep. After only 20 minutes, he rose, pulled on his robe, went downstairs to the living room, and lit a lantern. He’d only been settled into a chair with a book for ten minutes when he heard steps on the stairs. A moment later he saw Pup come into the shadows of the room.
He was on the verge of asking her if she was having trouble sleeping when he saw that she was dressed. Turning the lantern brighter, he came out of his chair and went to stand before her. His eyes took in the bag in her hand and the shawl over her arm.
“I can’t believe you would leave like this.”
“I have no choice.”
“Without word to anyone?”
“I left a note for your parents.”
“What was in that telegram, Callie?”
She shook her head. “You know better than to ask, McKay.”
Now he was shaking his own head. “This is foolishness, Callie; you can’t get a train to Boulder at this time of the night.”
“I’m not going to Boulder.”
Pup very suddenly found herself nearly hauled up against McKay’s chest. He’d taken her by the upper arms and moved her close so he could look down into her face. His own features were taut with severity.
“If there’s an operation going down right here in Longmont, Pup, I want to know about it.”
“Then you’ll have to ask Nick,” she said with more calm than she felt.
Suddenly he was angry. His heart told him to let her go, but he didn’t listen.
“I don’t know how you can stand to live like this.”
Pup didn’t answer, and turning slightly away from her, he let go.
“Who will you be next time we meet? Bryan Daniels? Peter Crandall? Or maybe someone I haven’t met yet?” His voice had taken on a measure of scorn, but Pup stood unflinching and silent. After a moment she heard him sigh. He turned back to face her.
“In all honesty, Callie,” he continued, his voice sounding slightly warmer, but also mirroring his genuine confusion and concern, “I don’t know how you keep up the pretense.”
“I’ve thought a lot about that the last few days, McKay, but I still haven’t come to any solid conclusions. With that in mind, I’m going to go back to work and keep thinking on it. It’s tempting to up and quit right now, but Nick took the trouble of tracking me down here, so I know he needs me. It’s for Nick that I’m doing this, McKay. I’m sorry you don’t understand.”
She turned away, and just as McKay was opening his mouth to tell her he did understand, his father’s voice called from the top of the stairs.
“Are you up, McKay?”
The younger man went to the stairway.
“Yes. I’m sorry we disturbed you.”
“Callie up, too?”
“Yes. In fact she has to leave. I need to take her into town.”
“Can’t it wait until morning?”
“No.” His voice was soft and regretful. He turned back to Pup. “Wait here. I’ll get dressed and take you.”
“No,” she said quietly. “The sky will be getting light soon. I have to leave now.”
“Callie,” McKay began, but she was already at the door. “I want you to wait.”
She didn’t answer him this time, but opened the door and slipped quietly out. McKay dashed up the stairs and grabbed some pants, his boots, and a shirt, and then ran for the barn. He couldn’t have been more than ten minutes behind her, but there was no sign of her. He hadn’t even taken time to saddle the horse before he rode toward town, but she was gone. He wondered if there had been a ride waiting for her. It made sense, but who knew she was here? And wouldn’t they have heard the horse? The sky was growing very light before he turned his mount around. Instead of finding Pup and answers to his questions, he was forced to return to the house with a dozen more riddles swarming through his mind.
While still sheltered by a large barn at the edge of town, Pup took the shawl and put it over her head and shoulders. She hunched her shoulders slightly and walked with a stoop. She knew her back would never be the same if she didn’t find the house soon, but she had no choice. It was fully light now, and too many people had met Callie Jennings.
She hobbled along in this fashion until she came to a row of homes. Longmont was a fairly widespread town, and she had no choice but to start where she was. She had stopped for a moment to survey the line of homes before her when the sight of a small boy made her blink. He was crawling from the window of the end house. Shoeless, he was looking from side to side as he climbed, guilt written all over him. Where he didn’t bother to look was directly behind him. He spotted Pup as soon as he turned around. Pup had to fight laughter when he looked completely deflated.
“You gonna tell my mom?”
“Not if you help me.” She made her voice sound old and rough.
“Help you with what”
“Charlie Barnes. Where does he live?”
“The shoe man?”
“Yeah,” Pup guessed, asking herself how many Charlie Barneses there could be.
“You need shoes made?”
She ignored the question. “Where does he live?”
“A block over in a white house. You gonna tell my mom?”
“Where you headed?”
“Fishin’. It’s my gramps’ birthday, and I want to catch him a fish for breakfast.”
“Where’s your pole?”
The boy bent and retrieved a fishing pole from the ground. Pup’s eyes had been so intent on his adorable, freckled face that she hadn’t even seen it.
“Go on now,” she said, her voice still rough. “Catch a big one.”
She was rewarded with a face-splitting grin, and a moment later he was on his way. Pup continued her odd gait to the next block, and by the time she spotted the house with the shoe-shaped sign out front, the painful hobble was no longer a pretense—her back was screaming at her.
She moved slowly up the front steps and rapped on the door. It opened. A man stood just inside, but Pup only looked at him.
“Good morning,” he said quietly.
Pup didn’t respond.
“May I help you?”
“I’m not sure,” she finally said, her voice now quavering a little, as though she were afraid.
“Well, what did you need?”
“To see Charlie Barnes.”
“I’m Charlie Barnes.”
“Are you a friend of Nick’s?”
His demeanor changed in an instant. “Are you Jennings?” His voice was low.
“Yes, I am,” she spoke in her own voice, and a moment later Charlie Barnes stepped back so she could enter. The shawl came off her head as soon as the door closed, and she turned to face her contact.
The man facing her was Nick’s age. His eyes were shrewd and yet kind. Shoes were stacked on shelves along two walls of the living room, but there was clearly more to this man than new leather. Looking at him, she could well imagine the work he must have done for Nick over the years.
“I thought you would be a man,” he admitted, his eyes watchful.
Pup’s heart sank, but she didn’t show it.
“So you don’t have any supplies for me? Nothing has been delivered?”
A look crossed his face that told Pup she had just passed a test, but his voice
was casual as he answered. “I do have some things.”
“May I see them?”
Still not sure this was the person he’d been informed of, Charlie moved to a door off the living room and stepped within. He returned with a parcel that he’d already untied. He now stopped in front of Pup and opened the paper so she could see.
Pup reached out and fingered the rough cloth and old felt hat.
“Anything else?” she wished to know.
Charlie’s estimation of her grew as he brought forth a smaller parcel he had hidden beneath the larger, unwrapped one. The small package had not been touched.
“I thought after seeing what was in this one,” he admitted, indicating the larger of the two parcels, “I ought to leave the other intact.”
Pup took it in her hand. She knew without unwrapping it what it was.
“Tell me, Mr. Barnes, do you have any distant cousins you don’t like and who would never visit you here in Longmont?”
A small smile came to Charlie Barnes’ face. What a fascination. She was the strangest woman he’d ever encountered.
“Morton. Morton Barnes. Lives in Texas. Says Colorado is nothing but hills and should never have been made into a state.”
Pup nodded and asked, “Do you have a room I can use?”
“Certainly. Right here,” he pointed to the room from which he had just emerged.
Pup thanked him, picked up her bag, and disappeared inside with the parcels. She was gone for quite some time, but Charlie never moved from the room. He hadn’t had breakfast and had things to do, but he wasn’t moving until Jennings came from the room. When she did he was speechless. He wouldn’t have believed it if he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes. He’d been doing small jobs for the U.S. Treasury Department for more than 20 years now, but this amazed him.