Ruse

by Murray, Tamela Hancock

  “Jim Bob took fourth with his unicycle and juggling act.”

  “Mm-hm.”

  “Miranda and Otis took third.”

  Vera’s eyes widened. “She just took third place? I can’t believe it! What happened? Did Otis flub on the piano?”

  “No, we can’t lay the blame at Otis’s feet—or should I say, hands,” Christopher quipped.

  Katherine chuckled. “I admit, I was shocked. Her voice is so beautiful, and I’ve never heard an opera number that she couldn’t execute with great success.”

  “I concur,” said Vera. “So who took second?”

  Christopher answered. “Mary Lou. She danced a ballet piece.”

  “Aw, I’ll bet that was the sweetest sight!”

  Katherine nodded. “And you know who took first prize!”

  Vera clapped as though she had just heard the news for the first time.

  Christopher finally intervened, speaking in a hushed tone. “Ladies! Do you want to wake the baby?”

  Vera looked embarrassed, and Katherine stopped in midbob. “Sorry.”

  “It’s hard to believe we do finally have a baby to consider after all these months of waiting.” Vera held her voice to a loud whisper. “I’m so happy for you. See, you didn’t need me after all.”

  “I missed you, though.” Katherine waited for Christopher to concur. When he didn’t take the hint, she poked him in the ribs as inconspicuously as possible.

  “Oh, yes. I missed you, too.”

  “It’s a sin to tell a fib,” Vera reminded him, although she sent him a half grin. “You two make a great team. Why can’t you see that? Do I have to be the one to tell you?”

  “You don’t have to be the one to tell us,” Christopher responded, “but I don’t mind hearing it.” He looked into Katherine’s eyes.

  “All right, you two lovebirds. Time to be on your way. Some of us have real responsibilities.” With a waving motion of both hands, Vera shooed them toward the door.

  Katherine covered her face and pretended to be fearful of Vera’s mock ire. Yet she couldn’t resist one keen observation as she exited over the threshold. “One day it will be your turn, Vera.”

  The blond shrugged. “I’m in no hurry. All in the Lord’s good time.” Sending the couple a smile, Vera shut the door behind them, but Katherine glanced back in time to catch a wistful look on her friend’s face.

  Katherine turned to Christopher. “You know, I do hope she finds someone soon. She deserves someone of her own.”

  “She’s helping with little Paul. That should be enough to keep her hands full. And her sister’s bound to appreciate what she’s doing.”

  “Of course Vera’s appreciated. But I’d like to see her have her own family. She’d be a great mother. If only some man could see it.”

  “Women! You and your matchmaking!” Christopher looked to the sky and back, shaking his head. “No bachelor is safe around any of you.”

  “And that’s the way it’s supposed to be.” With her hand in Christopher’s, Katherine leapt to her seat.

  They passed two neighboring farms, the silence interrupted only by jangling harness and plodding hoofs. They soon arrived at the Joneses’ farm. Katherine enjoyed being by Christopher’s side to the extent that she was sorry to arrive home.

  “Oh, I meant to ask but forgot in all the excitement,” Christopher said. “Did you find the missing money clip? Or the bracelet?”

  “No, and even worse, I’m missing an earring as well. I could have sworn I left the pair on my dressing table, but I can only find one now.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  “Yes, and it was my favorite, too. I just can’t imagine why someone would take all those trinkets. We’ve never had this problem before.”

  “Maybe Otis pretended his money clip was missing so no one would suspect him when he took Miranda’s charm bracelet. As a memento of her, of sorts.”

  Katherine knew Christopher didn’t mean what he said. “If Miranda were a real schemer, she might have taken Otis’s money clip and then pretended her bracelet was missing. But of course, she would never do such a thing.” Katherine sighed. “Neither Miranda or Otis is the culprit, I’m sure. We’re grasping at straws.”

  “Too bad Sherlock Holmes isn’t around to help us out.”

  “I’m sure he could unravel the mystery. But more likely, it’s no mystery at all. Just carelessness on Otis’s part to make him misplace his money clip. And perhaps a loose clasp on Miranda’s bracelet. My earring could have fallen off because of a faulty clip. Who would need only one earring?”

  “True.”

  “It’s coincidence. That’s all.” She thought for a moment. “I’ve already confronted Betsy, and she told me she didn’t take anything. I apologized for thinking it was her.”

  “So you believe her.” Christopher’s tone showed he saw no reason not to believe Betsy.

  “Yes. But the other day she had extra money, and I never got a satisfactory answer as to how. And she has always admired Miranda’s bracelet. Asked about a certain charm, even.”

  Both of them sat in uncomfortable silence until they arrived at the Joneses’ farm. Still, Katherine didn’t want the evening to end. She noticed the light was on, an indication that her parents had arrived home first.

  After Christopher walked her to the front door, she thought of a stalling tactic, a way to keep him near her a few more moments. “Mother made apple pie today. Would you care to join me for a slice?”

  “I reckon I would. I seldom get to eat dessert at my house. You know, apple pie—or any pie, for that matter—doesn’t last long with Grandpa around.”

  “Better get some of that dessert while you can then.” She winked.

  Just then the front door opened and out bounded Rover. The dog nearly knocked them both down.

  “Now scoot, Rover!” Father called after the dog. “No more getting in the house!”

  “Aww, poor dog!” Katherine sympathized.

  “Poor dog, nothing. He knows better.” Father pointed out.

  Katherine watched the dog exit to the side yard.

  “Come on in, kids,” Father offered, holding open the door. He glanced at the loving cup Katherine held and let out a low whistle. “I have to say, that’s something!”

  “Yes, I wanted you and Mother to see it up close, but I’m going to let Christopher keep it. After all, he’s the one who charmed the audience with his singing.”

  “I think you should keep it, Katherine.” Christopher offered.

  “I’ll hear nothing of the sort.”

  Christopher grinned. “Oh, all right.” He glimpsed at the side yard. “Uh, if you’ll excuse me, sir, I want to see something.”

  “Of course.”

  Katherine watched as Christopher kept his eyes on the dog. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m not sure, but I think I saw something in Rover’s mouth. Let’s follow him and see what he does.” Christopher didn’t wait for her to respond but hurried after the collie.

  “What do you think is the matter?” Father asked.

  She handed him the loving cup. “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” Katherine followed Christopher.

  An instant later, both of them watched as the dog dug a hole and dropped a shiny object into it. He was just about to cover it up when Christopher shooed him aside. He bent over and took out a shiny silver spoon. He held it up for Katherine to see. “Well, look at that.”

  “Mother won’t be happy to see her good spoon out here in the dirt.”

  “A little soap and water will take care of that. But more important, see those little mounds of fresh dirt?” He motioned to several areas. “It looks like Rover’s been busy. I have a feeling I know what’s in most of those holes.”

  Katherine suddenly had a feeling, too.

  “Would you bring me a lantern and your mother’s gardening shovel?”

  “Of course!” Katherine hurried to the shed and retrieved both objects.

&nbs
p; Christopher was petting and consoling the dog upon her return. She handed him the tool and lit the lantern. Feeling sorry for the animal, she petted him as Christopher dug. Rover barked in protest at having his treasures disturbed, but as Katherine smoothed his fur and spoke to him in sympathetic tones, he calmed himself.

  As Christopher plowed into the dirt, he found several shiny objects. Otis’s money clip, with the money still attached, Miranda’s bracelet, and Katherine’s earring were among them. The items bore bits of dirt as testimony to their adventure but otherwise were in pristine condition.

  “What a relief!” Katherine placed her hand to her chest. “But that still doesn’t explain Miranda’s bracelet. She never took it off while she was in the house.”

  “Let me see something.” Christopher tried the clasp. As soon as he shut it, the clutch fell open once more. “See? It’s just as I suspected. The clasp was weak. Miranda must have lost it.”

  “And Rover found it.”

  “Maybe she’ll thank him.”

  Just then Otis arrived from escorting Miranda home. Katherine and Christopher called out to him.

  “Look. We found your money clip.” Katherine held up the prize.

  “Marvelous!” Otis’s grin nearly reached the sides of his face. “And Miranda’s bracelet?”

  Katherine held up the sparkling bangle. “Right here. And my earring, too.”

  “So we finally know why the dog was so eager to get in the house,” Otis observed. “He wanted to get his clutches on anything shiny.”

  “Apparently so,” Katherine agreed. “Now we’ll have to be serious about keeping him outside or at least well supervised at all times if he does happen to venture indoors.”

  “I’m sorry my gift has caused so much disturbance,” Otis said.

  “Don’t be sorry. I love Rover, and so does Betsy.” Katherine sighed. “Betsy. I asked her if she took the money clip. I feel so terrible about that now.”

  “Betsy?” Otis asked. “What made you think of her?”

  “Well, she had extra money for no reason, and she always liked Miranda’s bracelet.”

  “Extra money? Oh.” Otis looked down at the ground and back.

  “Why, yes.” Katherine grew suspicious. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

  Otis’s mouth formed a regretful line and he winced. “I’m afraid I do.”

  Fourteen

  Katherine looked at Otis in surprise and noticed that Christopher wore a similar look of disbelief. How could Otis know anything about Betsy and her extra money? Surely he had given her gifts from time to time but always in front of the adults. Besides, he had advised her to save her pennies each time. So what could he mean?

  Christopher was quick to take up the line of questioning. “So you were giving her money. Why?”

  “She was doing me a favor.”

  “A favor?”

  “She was, uh, delivering letters to Miranda for me. I paid her a nickel for each letter she delivered.”

  “Oh!” Katherine blurted.

  Otis took Katherine’s hands in his. “I’m so sorry, Katherine. I must admit I had thoughts first along that we might court. But then I met Miranda, and I felt an inexplicable connection to her. Like we are kindred spirits. Not that I don’t think you are a fine woman. You are. Any man would be happy to have you as a wife.”

  “Any man but you,” Katherine teased and then turned serious just as quickly. “I know, Otis. You have no need to apologize to me. I have enjoyed our correspondence, and I will always be glad you and I are acquaintances. But like you, I feel no longing beyond that.”

  “Thank you. I hope you are not upset with me for partaking of your family’s kind hospitality all this time.”

  “Of course not. You have been a blessing. And I think it was God’s plan for you to find Miranda. I’ve never seen her happier.”

  Otis beamed.

  Father approached the group. “What’s going on out here?”

  Christopher showed him the holes the dog had dug.

  “Rover was our thief,” Katherine said. “He’s the one who took the money clip, the bracelet, and my earring.”

  “He had just taken off with this spoon, but we caught him red-pawed,” Christopher added.

  The group chuckled.

  Father whistled. “I was so eager to get him out of the house, I didn’t even see the spoon. Well, I’d say this calls for a celebration. In the form of delicious apple pie.”

  “I’ll say,” Christopher agreed. “Just let me get these holes filled back in, and I’ll be right there.”

  “I’ll stay here and hold the lantern,” Katherine offered.

  Father agreed, and he and Otis went back into the house.

  A few moments later, Katherine and Christopher went back into the house, where the promised pie awaited them.

  “I understand you found all our treasures,” Mother noted.

  “Yes. We’ve got to keep the dog out of the house.” Katherine chuckled. She remembered that she wanted to apologize to her sister. “Where’s Betsy?”

  “She’s gone to bed. It’s been a big night.”

  “Do you think she’s asleep yet?”

  “I doubt it. Why?”

  “I just want to go up and speak to her a minute.” Katherine excused herself and made her way to Betsy’s room. She had shut off her bedside light.

  “Betsy?” she called softly.

  “Is that you, Katherine?”

  “Yes.” Katherine lit the light.

  Betsy squinted. “That’s bright.”

  “Do you want me to turn it back off?”

  “No. I’m not sleepy.” She sat up in bed, her brown curls falling around her shoulders, reaching well past the top of her cotton nightgown. The little girl, with her flawless complexion and pink cheeks, reminded Katherine of a child in a fashion advertisement in a ladies’ periodical.

  “I just want to tell you something. Congratulations on taking honorable mention at the talent show.”

  “Thanks.” Her tone betrayed her lack of enthusiasm.

  “But there’s something else. Guess what?”

  “What?” Betsy perked up. She loved a mystery.

  “Guess what we found?”

  “The bracelet?”

  “Yes! And the other things, too!”

  Betsy clapped. “Where? Are you going to make me guess?”

  “Not if you don’t want to.”

  “Maybe a squirrel hid them in a tree.”

  “Close. Rover hid them in the yard.”

  “Rover?” She giggled. “Smart dog.”

  “Too smart, it seems. Apparently he was eager to get in the house because every time he did, he took something shiny.”

  “This means I was to blame, at least a little, then.” She hung her head. “Are Mother and Father mad at me?”

  “No, I don’t think so. No one can watch the dog every second. But we all have to be more careful about letting him get into the house.”

  Betsy nodded.

  “And Otis explained where you got that extra money. He said he was paying you to take letters to Miranda.”

  “He told you?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m surprised. He told me not to say anything.” She hesitated and then blushed. “I—I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No. Why should I?”

  Betsy shrugged. “I guess I thought you two were sweet on each other. But then it looked to me like you think a lot more of Christopher than you ever did of Otis.”

  “I know you like Otis. Is that okay with you?”

  “Sure. I like Christopher even more.”

  Katherine smiled. “I have to admit, I do feel better now that I understand the full picture of where you got your extra money. Thank you for forgiving me for even asking you if you could have taken anything that didn’t belong to you.”

  “You’re welcome. I always get blamed when something goes wrong.”

  “The plight of the youngest
.” Katherine chuckled and then hugged her sister. “Thank you for understanding. I promise to trust you always, from now on.”

  Betsy nodded. “Is Otis mad that you know about the letters?”

  “No. I don’t even know why he kept it a secret. We wouldn’t have minded if he wrote to Miranda. But please don’t keep secrets from us anymore. I’m sure that’s what Mother will tell you once she finds out about this. Okay?”

  Betsy nodded. The two sisters exchanged one last hug, and Katherine put out the light, wishing Betsy a good night and sweet dreams.

  A moment later, Katherine joined the others.

  “Is Betsy asleep?”

  “Not yet. But she will be soon.” Katherine took her place at the table.

  “Christopher says you two stopped by Vera’s,” Mother noted. “She has some news?”

  “I wouldn’t tell her until you came back.” Christopher pushed back his empty dessert plate.

  “Yes, she does.”

  Mother leaned forward. “What’s the news?”

  “Alice delivered a little boy safely. Both of them are fine. His name is Paul Victor.”

  “What a lovely name. Maybe we should all have a second piece of pie in celebration.”

  “I’ll take you up on that offer,” Father said.

  “Me, too,” Christopher chimed in.

  Father sent Katherine an approving look. Suddenly she was aware that no matter how many fishing trips he had taken with Otis, no one could ever replace Christopher in Father’s heart.

  “I think I’ve had quite enough excitement—and pie—for one night,” Otis said. “Time for me to hit the hay.”

  Mother slid pieces of pie onto Father’s and Christopher’s dessert plates.

  “With your permission, Mr. and Mrs. Jones, I’d like to take dessert with Katherine in the parlor.”

  “Why, of course,” the parents agreed.

  Mother smiled. “I’ll be bringing in some lemonade in a moment.”

  Katherine couldn’t see letting her mother wait on her hand and foot. “Don’t trouble yourself. Let me.”

  “If you insist.”

  Katherine poured the refreshing sweet liquid into two clear glasses that had once belonged to her grandmother. Though Christopher was fond of dessert, she wondered why he wanted to take her in the parlor to enjoy it. The setting seemed so formal.