She forced a small smile. Nothing, except the investigators wouldn’t be able to find Harp, but they might well find a trail that would lead them back to their house. Possible, but it was much too soon to worry about that. Even if they did track Harp’s movements, they wouldn’t know he was buried in the backyard. And if Abner was kept off the property, it could stay vacant and undisturbed.
And who would care where Harp was? As far as she knew, he had no friends, and all his relatives hated him. She had been letting her conscience get the better of logic.
Rhyan extracted an envelope from his vest. “Matt also sent you some questions, Juliette. You can just mail them back to him in the addressed envelope.” He held the envelope out to her.
She looked at it like it was a snake ready to strike before taking it. “Thank you. What type of questions?”
“I don’t know. They are sealed and marked confidential, but I think that’s because you are his client, not me.”
She slipped the envelope in her waistband. “I’ll take care of it, then.” But she’d dally as long as she could.
In the days to come, both Jake and Rhyan asked if she’d mailed the questionnaire back, but two weeks past, and it still lay at the bottom of her dresser drawer.
She had read them. Questions regarding Harp’s behavior and habits, places he might have gone. The nature of his relationship with her. With the children. Questions she could easily answer, but didn’t want to.
They could rejoice in how fast Jake was healing. He switched to one crutch for a few days, and when he’d mastered that, to a cane which Rhyan had found. It was a fancy cane, indeed, with a silver handle, designed more for fashion than anything else, but it provided Jake with an agility he hadn’t known since before the accident.
And he looked oh, so elegant. So handsome. Juliette fell more in love every time she saw him.
The library job was a blessing to keep her mind occupied, but in a way, she begrudged every moment away from Jake. When not at work, she snatched every moment she could with him. Committing his appearance and mannerisms to memory. He now spent most of his days outside, and she savored the rugged look of him. The smell of him. His touch. His kisses.
Deep inside she knew she must hoard these memories because they might have to sustain her all her life.
After that first Sunday, she found excuses not to go to church, even with Jake’s urging. If she couldn’t confront Jake with her sins, she certainly couldn’t confront God.
Then Rhyan asked her point blank to complete those questions Matthew Ward had sent her so he could return them. She did, being as evasive as she could, sealed the envelope and handed it over to Rhyan to put in the mail.
Her future was cast, and her fate was like a twig tossed into a river’s rushing water. Where it would end she didn’t know.
That night, the dream returned. It was her and Jake’s wedding day, and this time she walked down the aisle with Thad on one side and Corky on the other. Annie, her bridesmaid, moved a few steps ahead, and when she turned, a lovely smile conformed her face into that of the old Annie.
Juliette joined Jake at the altar, and they kneeled for prayer. When she lifted her head from the prayer, she was alone as she’d known she would be. But this time she was no longer in the church.
She was in a jail cell.
Chapter 18
Hopes for an improvement in Annie’s behavior dimmed with each new day. Juliette knew Mrs. Darlington spent a great deal of time with her troubled sister, but Annie had yet to utter a single word. Mrs. Darlington must be reporting to Carianne, and surely, if she had anything significant to report, Carianne would have told Juliette.
It was time to find out for sure. But Juliette hardly ever saw Mrs. Darlington, and she didn’t arrive home from the library until after five, so their paths rarely crossed. Besides, she dined with Jake and the boys in the bunkhouse dining room instead of with the family where Mrs. Darlington would have supper.
This late in the afternoon, she’d find Carianne in the nursery, and she could tell her where Mrs. Darlington was.
Davy’s laughter rose above the hum of feminine voices as Juliette entered the room. As she suspected, Effie and Arabella were clustered with Carianne, who rocked Airy. The baby was thoroughly spoiled, wanting to be in motion all the time.
Annie and Davy occupied the play area, in a circle of blocks. It looked like they were teaching the half grown cats tricks, pretending they were circus lions.
No one paid any attention to Juliette until she reached the women. “Hello, Juliette. Join our argument over how long the bustle will last.”
“I’m afraid I wouldn’t have much to contribute. Personally, I don’t care for lugging so much fabric behind me.” She made eye contact with Carianne. “I came in search of Mrs. Darlington. I’d like to discuss Annie’s progress.”
“She’s in the library, looking for a book I recommended,” Carianne said. “Effie, would you fetch her. I’d like to hear what she says as well.”
Effie sprang to her feet. “Of course, and I think I’ll see Sulee about those carrots she made that Davy liked. It’s hard to get that boy to eat vegetables at all.”
“His father too.” Carianne laughed.
“I think that’s true of all men,” Arabella said. “Except when they are courting. I believe Juliette could serve Jake stewed grass, and he’d say it was delicious.”
Juliette released a soft chuckle as she took the chair Effie had vacated. “I doubt that. Despite his complaining about the chuck-wagon grub as he calls it, he enjoys all types of food, which is good, because I can’t cook much of anything except the basics.”
“You’ll learn. I’ll never forget the—” Whatever Carianne meant to say was cut off by Davy’s ear-splitting squeal.
Startled, Airy’s little arms jerked straight out, and she whimpered. Carianne set the rocker in motion. “Annie, dear, would you take Davy out into the garden to run off some of his energy before supper?”
Annie looked over her shoulder and nodded. That, at least, was an improvement. Normally, she failed to acknowledge anything spoken to her directly. She scrambled to her feet and took Davy by the hand. The little boy skipped beside her, chattering as happily as a squirrel in a tree full of nuts all the way out of the room.
After a few moments, Carianne broke the abrupt silence left in their absence. “Katherine and I are going to ride out to the river beach tomorrow afternoon. Would you like to go with us?”
Tomorrow was Saturday and the library closed at noon, so Juliette had no excuse. Not that she wanted one. “Yes, I’d enjoy that.”
“I’m not sure you’re up to that, Carianne,” Arabella said. “You gave birth less than a month ago.”
“I think it may do me good to get out. Help me build up some strength. I don’t know why I’m so tired. After Davy’s birth, I was out and about when he was a week old.”
“All births are different. You can nurse Airy, and you couldn’t Davy, remember?”
“How well I know. Maybe that’s why I’m tired all the time. Airy demands attention all the time.”
They looked up when Mrs. Darlington entered the nursery. “Please take my place,” Arabella said. “I’ll take Miss Airy to my room for a little visit.” She lifted the baby from Carianne’s arms and, at the door, turned and waved the baby’s hand good-bye.
Everyone responded with a wave, even though Airy didn’t know what they were doing. Juliette appreciated how tactful Arabella was to recognize she’d wish to speak to the nurse in private.
“How are you doing, Miss Kendal?” Mrs. Darlington asked. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. In fact, she had the appearance of a woman facing a distasteful task.
“I’m doing fine and hope you are as well.” No need to dally. She had other things to do, as did Carianne. “But how is Annie?”
The nurse pulled a long face. “Annie has become more relaxed, but she shows no inclination to share whatever is bottled up inside her. Now, that may be b
ecause she’s afraid of the ramifications, and that’s a normal emotion, or—” She darted a glance to Carianne.
“Or what?” Juliette asked.
“That’s what I was researching in the psychosis book.” Mrs. Darlington stared at a folded sheet of paper she held in her hands. “Or she simply doesn’t know, and that isn’t normal.” Mrs. Darlington shifted her gaze back to Carianne like she wanted to avoid Juliette.
She opened the folded paper. “Since Annie can’t speak, I decided to ask her what frightened her and gave her this paper and a pencil and instructed her to write her answer on this paper. When she refused, I kept insisting and told her to draw a picture of the thing bothering her.”
Juliette had also tried to get Annie to write her words on paper, and she’d refused her as well.
Mrs. Darlington held the paper up for both Carianne and Juliette to see. “This is what she drew.”
The paper showed heavy slashes all across the paper, some so deep they cut through the paper.
“This,” Mrs. Darlington shook the paper, “represents rage, and I fear it will explode in a dangerous way…and…could result in Annie hurting herself…or others.” Her gaze darted around the room. “Where is Annie now?”
Carianne stood and crossed to the windows. “She took Davy out to the garden.” She drew the curtain aside. “They aren’t in the back, so they must be on the other side.” She dropped the curtain. “Or more likely at the stables. Davy loves to visit the horses.”
Mrs. Darlington bolted from her chair. “The truth is, Mrs. Cason, I wouldn’t leave Annie alone with the children. There are…cases…in which—” She sent a fugitive glance back to Juliette.
Sudden understanding brought Juliette to her feet as alarm washed over her. “No, I won’t have you send Annie to an asylum. She is not insane.” She turned her back to the woman and faced Carianne, who remained calm for a woman who’d just been told her children were in danger. “I can take Annie and find a place in town, if you’re afraid for your children.”
She didn’t realize she was shaking until Carianne gripped her shoulders with both hands. “It’s all right, Juliette. I’m not afraid my children are in danger, least of all from Annie. She loves them.” She stepped back, but her eyes still probed, making it hard for Juliette to breathe.
Carianne turned her attention to the nurse. “Permit me to share my observations, Mrs. Darlington. From the first, it intrigued me that Annie has an unusual fear of men. She even attacked my husband when she thought he meant me harm.”
She clasped her hands to her back and paced about as if gathering her thoughts. Then returned to Juliette. “I don’t believe Annie was attacked by a bear at all. I think she was attacked by a man, and she fears him still.”
Juliette cringed, her defenses suddenly stripped, leaving her exposed. Her gaze stayed on Carianne while keeping Mrs. Darlington in sight out of the corner of her eyes. She knew how a trapped animal felt.
She’d broken out in a cold sweat that left her palms wet. Wiping them on the sides of her skirt, she ordered her nerves to calm. Though Carianne had guessed part of the truth, she must be wrong about Annie still fearing Harp.
No, that couldn’t be true. Did Annie not know Harp was dead and buried? She’d seen him. Or maybe she didn’t? She’d heard the shot, but had run away. Hid somewhere.
Did Annie fear Harp might come for her? Might Juliette free her from the dark pit holding her simply by telling her the truth?
She couldn’t think straight with Carianne’s stare boring into her. This woman’s calm demeanor stretched her nerves tighter than Mrs. Darlington’s shocked expression. “I’m persuaded you have that same fear, Juliette. Is that why you don’t want him found?”
Juliette froze in place, like a statue, and could only gape stupidly, her heart pounding so loud in her ears, Carianne’s voice came as far away. She couldn’t think of any rational lie. And Carianne was much too perceptive to accept any more lies. “Tell us, Juliette, was Annie violated by a man? By her stepfather?”
Unable to look Carianne in the eye, Juliette looked past her to the door, wanting to escape the probing. She had no good explanation as to why she’d hid this information from everyone. Maybe with time to think. To reason.
She heard the sharp intake of Mrs. Darlington’s gasp.
The nurse flew across the room to stand within inches of Juliette, making her want to push the woman back, give her space to breathe. “Is it true, Miss Kendal? Did that horrible man violate Annie? A child?”
What was the use? Besides, Carianne hadn’t guessed the whole truth. Juliette hardly recognized her own voice. “It’s as Carianne says, but I won’t have Annie sent away. It wasn’t her fault.”
“No, of course not.” Mrs. Darlington gripped her arm. “Let me continue to help Annie, Miss Kendal. I’ve had experience with such cases, and I agree she poses no danger. She has a perfectly rational reason to feel rage.”
The seconds ticking off seemed like hours. Finally, Carianne broke the silence. “Mrs. Darlington, would you please excuse us? I’d like to discuss this further with Juliette—alone.”
The nurse said nothing, but left them, closing the door on her way out. Juliette wondered what Carianne was thinking. She didn’t have to wait long to find out. Carianne faced her. “We must let Matthew Ward’s investigators know about this. Your step-father must be found and charged.”
Juliette sagged, ready to fall through the floor. “I never want to see him again.”
Carianne pulled her in a hug. “Of course you don’t, but the man must be brought to justice. Otherwise, other women—other children—are in danger.”
Juliette swallowed and closed her eyes, unable to fill her lungs until Carianne released her. She nodded and rasped, “I suppose so.”
“I’ll speak to Rhyan, then. Have a good evening, Juliette.”
A good evening? She must be joking. Soft footstep sounded as Carianne crossed the room. Juliette’s eyes flew open, and she scurried after her. “Please, wait. I need to talk to Jake first. I won’t go on your ride with Katherine tomorrow, but rather, discuss this with him. Out in the side garden, where it’s private. Please, he deserves to know first.”
Carianne smiled. “You’re right. We’ll give you a chance to talk to Jake first. You shouldn’t face this situation alone.”
Yes, she had to speak to Jake—tell him the whole truth. But not first. She must talk to someone else even before Jake.
During their stroll that night, she kept Jake talking about their house, her progress at the library, his antics trying to round up steers, using only one leg, the boys’ introduction to branding. Everything except Annie.
Juliette went up to bed later than she’d intended. She scurried down the hall, hoping Annie hadn’t fallen asleep, and went straight to the communicating door that separated her bedroom from Annie’s. The light under the door indicated she wasn’t asleep, or had left the light on.
Annie lay on her side, reading, of all things, Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina. Juliette wasn’t surprised. Annie was smart, far ahead of her classmates in most subjects.
She sat on the bed, deciding to come right out with it. The time was late, and there was no way to sugar-coat the subject, anyway. “Annie, Harp is dead. I killed and buried him. He can never bother you again.”
Annie didn’t so much as flick an eyelash. Juliette took the book from her hands and slammed it shut. “I know you heard me, Annie. Harp is dead. Buried. You don’t have to hide.”
Annoyance, anger, sadness, all flitted over Annie’s features. Bolting upright, she shook her head, and turned over. She reached out her hand to cut off the lamp, throwing the room in darkness. Unlike Juliette’s room, this one had only one small window, casting a narrow, pale band of light.
Just enough light to guide Juliette back to her room. She’d give Annie a chance to digest what she’d just said. Jesus said the truth would make one free, and she prayed it would free Annie.
***
; Jake hurried to get all his chores finished so he could meet Juliette in the small garden hidden by cedar trees. It was hard to find a private time for them, so the request had him excited. And a little nervous.
He tossed the nerves aside and decided to wash up before meeting her. Lathering the soap Rhyan gave him, he did the best he could without getting in a tub. The cast and bandages meant he couldn’t submerged his leg in water yet.
At least he’d smell clean. Juliette would like the woodsy, fresh smelling soap.
Might as well dress nicely, too. He found his black, light wool suit, and a clean, white shirt. Couldn’t forget the string tie. He hated dressing up, especially in summer, but Juliette deserved to see him looking decent for once.
She obviously had something important to tell him. And he had something important to spring on her too. Doc had said he could take the cast off in one month, late September. A perfect time to get married, when the sky was at its bluest and the work slack, awaiting the chores of preparing for winter. And he could stand at the altar on two good legs, without the cane. He’d be able to carry her over the threshold of their new house.
He had good news for once. Rhyan had pulled some strings and got the mail-order company to ship their house within two weeks. Deck said he’d round up people for a house-raising. He couldn’t wait to let Juliette know.
Anticipation stirred in him. He was going to get down on his knee, the one on his injured leg, and officially ask her to be his bride in one month. He didn’t have the slightest doubt she’d say yes.
When he rounded the corner, he spotted Juliette already there, sitting with her hands clasped in her lap, head bowed as if praying. As he rustled the rhododendron bushes, her head shot up, and she got to her feet.
“I didn’t mean to startle you. How long have you been waiting?”
“Not long.” Her glance traveled from his bare head all the way down to his boots before returning to his face. Those full, ruddy lips tipped into a smile. “I’ve never seen you so dressed up.”
“Thought you might like to see me in my Sunday best.” He added a light chuckle. Truth was, he hardly ever wore fancy clothes, even on Sunday.
Escaped (Intrigue Under Western Skies Book 4) Page 16