by Tolsma, Liz;
“I love you, you know.”
His countenance brightened. “I love you.”
Her knees ached from being on them so long. She rocked back. “Now what?” Difficult as it was to tear herself from this place, they couldn’t stay here forever.
“We notify the authorities.”
“And find Millie.” The thought tripped over her tongue. She flicked her attention to the home’s hull. “Will you help me search for her body?”
“Stay here. I’ll do it.”
“I have to get my baby.”
“It’s better this way. You don’t want to see her. Instead, remember her as she was.”
All the fight drained from her body. She nodded.
“Let me take you back to the car. I’ll get a blanket to cover her.”
“No. I want to stay here. I want to be with Millie when you find her.”
He helped her to a stump some way from both the cabin and the dead woman. She didn’t let him out of her sight as he sifted through what was left of the place. Thorough. Meticulous. But it shouldn’t be that hard to find her, should it?
She swallowed the vomit that rose in her throat. “Oh Millie. My Millie Mae. I promise your death won’t be in vain. Somehow, we’ll bring that woman to justice. She won’t get away with this.”
Percy bent over the burned building for quite a while. Cecile succumbed to the numbness. Time didn’t matter anymore. A shadow fell over her. She peered into Percy’s face. His smiling face. He was smiling?
“What?”
“There’s no trace of Millie. Nothing to indicate she was ever here. And certainly no body.” He knelt in front of her and clasped her hands. “I don’t think Millie is dead.”
Cecile’s heart stopped beating. “Not dead?” She must have heard wrong. This was a dream too good to be true. Had she mourned her daughter for nothing? Could this puzzle yet be completed?
“I don’t know for sure, but I’m not seeing anything that would lead me to conclude Millie perished in the fire. Nothing.”
“Another one of Miss Tann’s tricks?”
“She’s capable of it. We’ve seen it before.”
“For what feels like the thousandth time, I have to ask, since she’s not here, where is she?” Could she still be with Miss Tann somewhere?”
Percy coughed, no doubt from the film of smoke that hung in the air. “Both she and James were busy. They had their hands full with us. My guess is they didn’t have time to deal with Millie. If I had to bet money on it, I would bet they stashed her somewhere. Somewhere close.”
Cecile glanced around their location. Other than the cabin, or what was left of it, there was nothing but trees. The breeze stirred the trees’ leaves and needles, a kind of natural wind chime. In the distance, a crow cawed.
“I know I’m just repeating myself, but where? Why can’t we get the answer to that question once and for all?”
Percy stroked her arm. “We will. Eventually, we will. And that might be more than any other woman will get.”
“Argh.” She rose from the stump and stomped around him. “I feel sorry for those women. I most certainly do. Many of them haven’t had the support and encouragement and help that I’ve had. I’m blessed to have you to assist me. To keep me from giving up. But right now, those other women aren’t my concern. Only Millie. She’s my single focus.”
Percy squeezed her shoulder. “I understand. Maybe that wasn’t the best thing to say.”
“No, I’m sorry. I’m just worried. Too many emotions, ups and downs, in a short span of time.”
“And no sleep.” Percy rubbed his eyes, emphasizing his point.
She stared at the gray-blue sky. “If you believe Millie is still alive and near, then what are we waiting for? Let’s go find her.”
The crackle of twigs breaking underfoot broke the morning calm.
Mr. Griggs returned, his blue oxford shirt ripped, leaves clinging to what little hair he had. Cecile had almost forgotten about him. In his hand, he clutched the gun. “They got away.”
“Away?” Percy rubbed his forehead.
“I chased them for a while, but in the dark, I couldn’t get a good shot. In the end, I got tripped up and tangled in vines, and they disappeared. They must have made it to the car, because it’s gone.”
Cecile’s chin trembled. Miss Tann would live on to kidnap and abuse other children. Millie was nothing more than another unfortunate casualty.
“When I was chasing them, we came across a small shed. They slowed down and started toward it, then turned back and kept running. Something tells me that they’ve hidden a secret in there.”
“My secret?”
Mr. Griggs nodded. “The shed is locked. I’ve been trying to open it to no avail, so I came back to see if I could find a tool to get in it.”
“Could you find your way again?” A tiny bubble built in Cecile’s chest. She popped it before it could grow into full-blown hope. Already, she’d had too many disappointments.
Griggs nodded. “We trampled the vegetation, so it should be easy to follow.”
Percy returned to the ash heap that was the cabin and retrieved a metal bar. “The bolt from the front door. This should work on the shed.”
Mr. Griggs headed the group into the woods. They had cleared a distinct path through the trees and vines and bramble. Still, branches scratched her arms and face. She slapped away a few mosquitoes.
In time, they stumbled on a shed set back from the path. Vines grew up the sides, almost obscuring it. Dark green and brown moss covered the wood-shingled roof that threatened to collapse. The greenish-brown paint camouflaged the building, almost indistinguishable from the surrounding forest.
Cecile tried to get ahead of Percy on the narrow path. He turned and held her by the shoulders. “No. You stay here. There’s no telling what we’ll find. You promised me once already to let me do the looking. I haven’t released you from that promise.”
“But—”
“Tell me you’ll keep put. Don’t waste time arguing.”
She nodded and held on to the trunk of an oak tree to support herself. The men opened the door little by little. Each squeak of the rusty hinges sent goose bumps over Cecile’s entire body. They peered inside. Then disappeared into the tiny building. Cecile held her breath. And there, in the entryway, the faded green door hanging at an angle, was Millie. The early sun cast its pink rays over her round face, coloring her cheeks. Her brown hair glowed yellow, a halo of sorts.
The woods, the birds, Percy and Mr. Griggs, everything around Cecile faded into the background, a piece of fabric washed out by years of scrubbing. The narrow pathway in front of her transformed into a tunnel leading to her daughter. Her breath rushed from her lungs and stole all conscious thought. Like the magnolias bending in the wind, Cecile doubled over, dropping to her knees. Twigs dug into her tender flesh. “Millie Mae. My Millie.”
The child, her child, rushed toward her. Stumbled. Fell. Cried.
Cecile leaped to her feet and sprinted to her daughter. She gathered her soft body into her arms. “Oh my sweet, sweet Millie. Hush now. Momma’s here. Momma’s here and is never going to leave you again.”
“Momma. My momma.”
Like the missing puzzle piece now found and slipped into place, Millie fit perfectly into Cecile’s arms. A part of her soul, once torn away, was now restored. She was whole again. Complete. The raw, gaping wound in her heart was now scabbed over and healed.
Dampness from Millie’s tears soaked Cecile’s thin dress. Her own tears bathed Millie’s forehead. The light breeze ruffled the child’s hair, carrying the scent of soap and strawberries.
She was home.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Percy’s throat tightened as he stood at Cecile’s side. She hugged Millie, nestling her child to her body. Both of them wept. Touched each other’s faces. Kissed. They should never have been separated. This mother, this child loved each other with an overwhelming love, a love that knew no bounds, no
limits, no ends.
Until now, he hadn’t understood the unshakable, unbreakable bond a parent had with a child. But there was nothing like a mother’s love, other than God’s love for His own children. Fierce. Determined. Protective.
In this small miracle in front of him, lit by the morning’s rays, a perfect picture, he at last saw true, unconditional love. And it stole his breath. It was so beautiful, he had to turn away and wipe a tear from his eye. What he would have given to have had a love such as that. He thought of all he had missed out on. But he did have that kind of love now, that kind of love with his heavenly Father. It was more perfect, more beautiful than any love on earth. Holy. Sacred.
And he embraced it, allowing the full extent of his Father’s love to flood his soul. For the first time in his life, that heavy weight of not belonging, of not having a family, lifted from his chest because he belonged to the family of God.
He returned his attention to Cecile and Millie. They clung to each other as if clinging to a rope over a chasm. As if they would fall without each other.
He glanced at his chest. What a wonder that his heart didn’t pop his shirt’s buttons, because he had another family. Or he prayed he would have this woman and this child for his family soon. God had granted him an earthly love. A love beyond measure. Also unconditional. For both the mother and the child.
He knelt beside them in the pine needles and gathered them close to him. Millie backed away, but Cecile nestled into him. He relished the belonging. He’d come home.
After a time, Griggs cleared his throat and broke the spell. Percy and Cecile laughed and wiped their eyes. They stood, lifting Millie to her feet.
The girl hid behind Cecile. “Go away, man. You don’t take me from my momma.”
All the happiness of the past few minutes drained from Percy’s body. Of course, she would be afraid of him. He’d stolen her from Cecile. Ripped her from her mother. He didn’t blame her.
He squatted in front of her. “I’m sorry I took you from your momma before. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have done that. Your momma loves you very much, and I’m going to make sure you stay with her forever.”
Millie gazed at Cecile with those big, beautiful green eyes. Cecile nodded. “It’s true. He is very sorry for taking you away. He helped me find you. Without him, I would have never gotten you back. He’s a very, very good man.” She smiled at him. “One I love.”
“And I love your momma.”
Millie stared at the ground and didn’t make eye contact with Percy.
Cecile touched his bicep. “Give her a little time. She’ll see. She’ll forget about before and come to love you as much as I do.”
He nodded, but the luster had worn off the day. Yes, he had to be patient, but that wasn’t his strong suit.
Griggs stepped forward. “We have to report Tann and James to the sheriff. We can’t wait any longer. It’ll be a long enough walk to town.”
Griggs was right. “Let’s get going.”
Percy and Griggs led the way down the forest road. “Do you think Gladys came to terms with losing Millie?”
Griggs adjusted his glasses. “I suppose she saw no reason to go on. When you lose a child, the effects can be devastating.”
“You speak as one who knows.”
“I do. Even years later, it’s difficult. The ordeal almost cost me my wife too. I can understand why Mrs. Knowles did what she did. If she couldn’t raise Millie, she wanted Mrs. Dowd to. She did it to keep Millie from Tann’s clutches.”
By the time they returned to the town, it had come to life for the day. A few cars were angle-parked along the main street. People went in and out of the drugstore. But Percy drove beyond the commercial district to the sheriff’s office. They piled out of the automobile and entered the dark red brick building. From the back room came a tall, broad young man in a brown shirt and pants, a gold star on his chest. “Sheriff Lisle. What can I do you for?”
Percy explained the situation. Cecile and Griggs chimed in to add their own details. While they spoke, the lawman scribbled notes. By the time he finished, Percy had no more energy.
Sheriff Lisle pushed his white Stetson hat from his eyes. “That’s a mighty interesting tale.”
“Not a tale, sir, but every word the truth.”
“Now, I don’t think Miss Tann would ever engage in that kind of activity.”
Pain pulsed behind Percy’s eye. “She did. Here are three witnesses to that fact.”
“Just hearsay. Can’t go and make an arrest on that.”
Had they stumbled on another man in Crump’s back pocket? “Two witnesses in the Bible were enough to convict.”
“Ain’t that nice? But the laws of Mississippi are a little different. That of the United States too. I’m sorry, but I can’t bring a case against her. For all I know, you’re the ones who killed that woman.”
Percy shook his head. “Of course not. That’s crazy.” How could the man accuse them?
“We’ll see about that. I’ll call for my deputy and the mortician to go and take care of the body.”
The day dragged on as Sheriff Lisle investigated the case, taking detailed statements from each of them. Separately. When they weren’t subjected to the inquisition, they took turns napping on the cot in the open jail cell.
By the time the sheriff concluded his interviews and cleared them, darkness once again covered the land. Percy got in the car and slammed the door. Hard. “So they’re going to get away with it. Again.”
From the backseat, Griggs mumbled something unintelligible.
Cecile leaned against Percy, Millie asleep in her arms. “For now, I want to go to a safe place. Away from all this craziness. Forget about Miss Tann. Forget about everything that’s happened. Just enjoy having my daughter in my arms again.”
“But we can’t let her get away with this. With kidnapping, abuse, and murder.”
“Who’s going to listen to us? We tried. If we go back to Memphis, no one will pay any attention to us or take us seriously. Our lives might even be in jeopardy. Please, tell me we won’t go back there. Please.”
He bit the inside of his cheek. She did have a point. They could never return to Memphis. But he couldn’t let Tann win. “I’m not giving up the fight. We have to protect these precious children.”
She touched his hand, hers warm and soft against his. Would she ever do that without his skin zinging? “We will. We’ll get Faith and return her to her mother. And maybe it’s time I go home to my family. See if I can restore the relationship I used to have with them. Let them meet their granddaughter.”
She wanted to leave? Without him?
No. He couldn’t allow that.
R.D. leaned his head against the back of the bus seat and closed his eyes. Beside him, Faith slumbered, a light snore escaping her thin lips. Poor kid. All she had been through in her short life. Even the past couple of days, for that matter.
Every limb ached, and every part of his body screamed for sleep. Yet his mind refused to slow down, to allow himself to absorb all that had happened. Faith. Millie. Pearl. All victims. But did that mean he was under an obligation to locate Pearl’s birth parents and return her? After all, he did have her adoption folder. Still sealed. But how could he part with that ray of sunshine, his Miss Muffet? She’d become a piece of him. As essential to him as a heartbeat. And who was to say she hadn’t been abused?
There was only one conclusion. Adoption was messy. It consisted of brokenness, loss, and heartache. For one family to gain a child to love, another had to give up that child.
The bus arrived at the depot in Memphis, and Faith’s mother waited at the bottom of the steps. She swept up her daughter, and for the longest time, they held each other close.
A lump welled in R.D.’s throat. He’d never been one given to emotion, but these reunion scenes were too much to bear. He turned away so the women wouldn’t catch the tears in his eyes.
Faith’s mother came to him and pecked him on the cheek. “I can�
��t thank you enough for bringing Faith home to me. It means everything. I never thought I’d see her again.” Her voice was thick. “In a way, you brought her back from the dead.”
“I did no such thing.”
“Trust me, you did. You will always hold a special place in our hearts. Thank you, thank you for the greatest gift.”
He patted her back and walked away before he broke down. As he left the depot, Darcy and Pearl met him on the street outside. His daughter ran to him and jumped into his arms. “Daddy, Daddy, you’re home. I missed you.”
He kissed both cheeks, her chin, her forehead. “And I missed you, Miss Muffet.”
She giggled, the sound pure as a church bell. “Don’t go away, Daddy. Mommy and me were sad.”
“I was sad too. But I had to go and help Mrs. Dowd.”
“Did you?”
“Yes.”
“You’re a good daddy.”
What was wrong with his eyes today? Maybe allergies. He pushed aside the thought that it wasn’t even allergy season. “And you are the very best daughter ever. I love you.”
“I love you, Daddy.”
Darcy inserted herself between the two of them. “I hate to break this up, but I’d love a kiss from Daddy too.”
Pearl sighed.
R.D. and Darcy laughed then kissed. “I’m glad you’re home safe.”
She tasted like whipped cream and sugar. Smelled like candy. Sweet. Pure. “Me too. The Lord was watching over us. Making sure we got our families back the way they belong.” He set Pearl down, and she skipped to the car.
Hand in hand, he and Darcy followed. “And what about our family?” she asked.
“We’re in an impossible situation. Who knows how Tann went about getting her for us? But is it fair to rip her away from our home, our arms, our love? She’s happy and settled. To disrupt that might be more than she can handle. We can provide her with love and happiness and security.”
She squeezed his hand. “We both know what is right.”
God help him, he did. He gave a single slow nod.
“We’ll try to find her? Pearl’s birth mother?”