In Search of Eden (30 page)

There were two others who had been taken in by a roofing scam. They hired the Traveler crew to replace their barn roof at bargain prices, paid half down, and after one day of work, the crew disappeared with the money. All in the county, Henry's jurisdiction, but it rankled him just the same. Joseph set down the papers with frustration. The Travelers were like insects, like a plague of locusts. They got into things and spoiled them. They didn't make anything good in the world, just took and thieved and blighted everything they touched.

He thought again of Miranda DeSpain and wondered if he was wrong about her association with them. His mother thought so. She had called him to come to supper and then over meat loaf and mashed potatoes proceeded to tell him that she thought Miranda was a “sweet girl” and that Joseph should try to get to know
her. Well, he fully intended to do that. For he knew she was up to something, even though he couldn't say what. Most people would tell you why they were here. They were tourists sightseeing, they were relatives of someone who lived here, they were passing through on their way to somewhere else, or they intended to move here and settle down. Miranda DeSpain was none of those. He wondered if the reason for her secrecy was that she was a point person and lookout for the Travelers. Maybe she spied the easy marks and directed the crews accordingly. She seemed trustworthy and likeable, and it did seem to run counter to reason to chum up the law enforcement's family if you were planning something illegal. But what better way to catch people off guard? He had a very strong feeling that when the Travelers were gone, Miranda DeSpain would be, also.

chapter
30

M
iranda arrived at the Hasty Taste Café at 5:30
A.M
., met Venita, Wally's wife, who would also be working the day shift, put on her apron, made four pots of coffee, and drank a cup herself before Wally unlocked the doors at 5:55. It was technically five minutes until opening time, but already three or four regulars were waiting outside to come in. They eyed her curiously as they entered and headed for what she assumed were seats that had been theirs from before the foundation of the world. Two oldtimers went and sat in the corner booth. One was wearing a John Deere cap and the other bib overalls. She grabbed a coffeepot and went to take their orders, not bothering with menus. This type always knew what they wanted.

“I'll have my usual,” the first one said, then laughed delightedly because she obviously didn't know what it was.

She smiled like a good sport. “Lukewarm milk toast and a side of Brussels sprouts,” she called out to Wally, getting a blank look from him but big guffaws from the two old men.

“She got you good, Roy,” the John Deere cap told the other.

“I guess she did,” Roy allowed, then ordered biscuits and gravy. She made a point of remembering, so tomorrow she could beat him to it.

The place filled up quickly, and between herself and Venita, they kept the orders up to date, the coffee cups filled, and the food delivered while it was still steaming.

“You're doing real good, honey,” Venita told her, beaming.

“Thank you,” Miranda said and supposed it was good to be competent at something.

It would have been a fine beginning to the day if the next jingle of the door hadn't brought in Lieutenant Williams. He came with an older man wearing the uniform of the Washington County Sheriff's department. In fact, according to Venita's whispered bio, he was Henry Wilkes,
the
Washington County Sheriff. Miranda played dumb so she could hear what Venita had to say about Joseph Williams. “He was a war hero, you know,” she said. “And before that he played football in high school. Handsome thing, isn't he? Was engaged to a real pretty gal, but she up and married his brother.” She shook her head in sympathy.

“How long ago was that?” Miranda asked Venita.

“Oh, it was eleven or twelve years ago, I think. Joseph went off and joined the marines right after she left him. They say she was pregnant with his brother's baby. Ain't that just the livin' end?”

“Does he have more than one brother?” she asked.

“No, just the one,” Venita said. “And they don't speak. I know it just about tore their mama's heart out. She's a
real
sweet woman. Teaches Bible classes over at the Methodist church. Salt of the earth.”

Interesting. Miranda mused on that thumbnail sketch of Joseph's family history, and a few things made sense. Why Eden's father might be loath to bring his wife and come to Abingdon, and why Joseph Williams seemed to be permanently out of sorts. Still, she thought, shaking her head, twelve years was a long time to carry a grudge. But, then again, that was a deep betrayal coming from a brother and the woman you loved. Two relationships with deep, tender roots. She suddenly felt a real sympathy for all of the players in the little drama. She could feel for Joseph, even
though he had a sour disposition. She felt for the ex-fiancée, now the sister-in-law. She herself knew how a foolish decision could have a life-changing impact and how it felt to live with the consequences in the cold light of day. She wondered if Eden's mother had regretted her indiscretion and the circumstances of her daughter's birth. She supposed, given all the facts, she might even feel sorry for the brother, although right now he was looking like the villain in the story. She felt a stirring of pity for the whole family, and especially for Ruth, who must even now feel torn between her sons.

But the one she did not have to stretch to feel compassion for at all was Eden, for she was obviously the child who'd been conceived in all that confusion. She mused on it for a minute more and had an even greater appreciation for Eden's grounded charm and Joseph's obvious love for her. Perhaps she had misjudged him. Anyone who could love his brother and ex-fiancée's child in spite of their betrayal must have something deep and genuine somewhere inside.

Venita saw her look of concentration and must have taken it for romantic interest. “They usually eat here every day,” she said. “And they always sit at your table. And you know, Joseph is still single. He's the nicest man, and he hasn't ever been married.”

“Is that right?” she said noncommittally.

Venita nodded, gave her an encouraging look, than went to deliver an order.

Miranda took a deep breath and headed for the law-enforcement booth.

Joseph seemed about as glad to see her as she'd been initially to see him. “You're taking Elna's place?” he asked with one of his sun-blocking frowns.

“Yes, I am,” she answered pleasantly. “Temporarily, of course.”

“I'm Henry Wilkes,” the sheriff said, giving Joseph a puzzled glance and extending his hand.

“Miranda DeSpain,” she answered, shaking it.

“You've met Detective Williams?”

“I have.” She gave what she hoped was a gracious smile and clicked her pen open.

Joseph was still frowning. She felt herself bristle. She stowed it. “What can I get you gentlemen?” she asked, the smile beginning to feel stiff.

The sheriff seemed baffled at the undercurrents. “Uh, I'll have oatmeal with whole-wheat toast and a side order of peaches,” he said.

She nodded and turned to Joseph, who was staring at her in a way that made her uncomfortable. “And you, sir?”

He said nothing for a beat or two, then handed her the menu, still unopened. “I'll have two eggs over easy, bacon, crisp, and a short stack.”

“Anything to drink?”

“Coffee.” He turned over his cup. She filled it expertly.

“Coffee for you, sir?”

“Decaf, please,” the other man said with a sigh.

“I'll be right back with it.”

They were talking intently when she approached the table but were suddenly quiet when she arrived. She didn't chat, just filled up the sheriff's cup with decaf, refilled Joseph's regular, and went about her business. She served their food without mishap, filled their coffee cups twice more, then set the bill on the table. The sheriff left first, and Joseph came to the register to pay. She rang him up but still felt awkward and ill at ease as he stared at her intently.

“Here's your change,” she said.

“For you,” he answered.

Which embarrassed her even more. It was a very generous tip. She couldn't very well give it back, but she felt awkward, just the same. “Thank you,” she said and put it in her pocket.

He tipped his head chivalrously. “You gave excellent service.”

“Thank you,” she repeated. She wished he would leave.

He did not. Instead, he helped himself to a toothpick and went back to staring. “How's the bike riding?” he asked.

She flushed, her face and neck hot. “Just fine. Thank you for the loan.”

“My pleasure,” he answered.

A smile crept at the corner of his mouth, and she couldn't tell if he was mocking her or just thawing slightly. She felt herself becoming even more defensive and hot. He dismissed her before she could think of what to say.

“You have a good day,” he said with another tip of his head.

She watched him leave, her initial embarrassment now replaced by annoyance. There was something about him that just brushed her hair backward, as her father used to say. She wondered if she had the same effect on him.

chapter
31

E
den woke up on Friday morning and lay in bed for a minute. She looked around the bedroom. It had been her bedroom at Grandma's since she was a tiny baby. It still had all the toys from then, and even though she hardly ever played with them anymore, this morning she looked around and remembered.

She liked this room. The ceilings were low and made an upside down V over her head. Aunt Vi had come over a few summers ago and had painted the ceiling blue with puffy white clouds, and she had painted the walls with interesting things, too. One wall was dark blue with all the planets and stars on it. Eden used to pretend she was on a space ship, that she was exploring the galaxy and her bed was a starship like the starship
Enterprise,
only she was the captain.

Another wall was all princes and princesses and knights and ladies, and off in the distance was a castle with flags flying from it. She used to pretend that she was like Joan of Arc, a lady, but with her own set of armor and stuff. The third wall was her favorite. It was her Annie Oakley wall. She loved Annie Oakley. Annie Oakley was about the best woman that ever was. She had read a book about her, and so Aunt Vi had painted Buffalo Bill's Traveling
Wild West Show on that wall. There was a buffalo and an Indian chief and cowboys, and Aunt Vi had even painted Annie Oakley herself, wearing her boots and her hat and her dress with her sharpshooter gun. Annie Oakley never missed. She always hit what she was aiming for. Thinking about Annie Oakley made Eden feel brave, and she jumped out of bed and got dressed. Her horse shirt was clean, so she put it on. It was going to be a good day. She could just tell.

She went into the bathroom and washed her face and brushed her teeth and brushed her hair. She found her shoes and socks and put them on and jammed her books and her radio into her backpack, and then she found her night ops watch and put it on. She checked the time. It was only 6:45. There was time to go to the Hasty Taste before school. She pulled down the attic stairs and quickly performed her task.

She went downstairs and ate her scrambled egg and toast while Grandma drank her coffee and worked the crossword puzzle. Today was Friday and Grandma's friends Aunt Vi and Carol Jean were coming over to pray, but Grandma had already made the brown sugar pound cake, so there wasn't much to do. Usually Grandma was busy getting ready on Friday mornings, and usually Eden took her time with her chores, but today when she was done eating, she unloaded the clean dishes from the dishwasher as fast as she could, fixed Flick's breakfast and petted him real quick, then watered all the plants on the front porch. She went back into the kitchen and put her dirty dishes into the dishwasher and kissed Grandma good-bye.

“My, but you're in a hurry this morning,” Grandma said.

“I've got things to do,” she said and left before Grandma could ask her any questions. She got on her bike and rode down the hill into town. She loved the way she felt on her bike with the wind in her hair and her hands out at her sides. She wished Dad could see her, but when she thought of Dad she felt sad and not just because of his being hurt and all. She felt sad because of what she'd seen in the attic. Something inside her twisted and felt all
torn up when she saw that picture of Mom hugging Uncle Joseph. She felt guilty herself, like she'd done something wrong. She wasn't sure what to do about it. She had taken one of the pictures this morning, and it sat inside her backpack now. She could almost feel it in there, burning hot through the canvas.

She felt heavy about it, but then, all of a sudden, she felt something happy light on her, like when Jenny Sanders's parakeet had flown around and then landed on her shoulder. She had stood very still and just barely turned her head and looked at that little bird, afraid if she moved or made a sound, she would frighten it away. And right now, thinking about Dad and Mom and Uncle Joseph, she felt that way again. Like something very good just came and lit on the sore place in the middle of her chest and told her it was going to be all right. She thought it was Jesus. She was pretty sure it was.

“Was that you?” she asked Him out loud. She knew He was listening. Dad had said so. She talked to Jesus sometimes the way Dad had told her.
“Don't worry about calling it praying,”
he'd said.
“Just talk to Him. He hears when His children talk to Him, Eden,”
he had said.
“Just like I hear and love it when you talk to me.”

God didn't answer back out loud, but she was pretty sure if He did, He would say,
Yeah, that was me. Couldn't you tell?