Moonlight on the Millpond (12 page)

“It's probably for the best. She wasn't in the finest mood on Sunday.”

“Not feeling well?”

“No, it's not that. I don't think she expected me to grow up, and when I did, she didn't care for it.”

Cathy's brows rose. They had allowed Maddie to leave home and go all the way to Boston at the age of 17 because she had a dream, so this was not something to which Cathy could relate.

“Did you quarrel?”

“Yes—about women.”

“What women?”

“Not women exactly, more like a woman—one woman. Eden was frustrated when I refused to tell her whom I would like to see more of.”

“Do I know this woman?” Cathy's voice had dropped, her heart pounding.

For a moment Jace looked at her and then admitted, “Better than anyone else in town, I would say.”

Cathy began to smile but was given no time to speak. Maddie had come into the back room looking for something. Cathy told her where to find the item, and Jace followed her out front.

“Did I see you go up front on Sunday?” Jace had waited around and now asked when Maddie had a moment.

“Yes, I did talk to Mr. Sullins.”

“And did it help?”

Maddie only shook her head, her eyes a little sad.

Jace wished he knew what to suggest, but if their pastor couldn't help, who could? It occurred to him that maybe she should leave well enough alone. She wasn't dying. She wouldn't have to worry about heaven or the afterlife for a long time. He would have suggested this to her, but Cathy needed her just then.

Seeing that he wouldn't have any more chance to speak with her or Cathy, he collected his things and went back to the farm. Not until he arrived did he remember that there was one more group in town, even if they didn't have their own meetinghouse. Jace wondered if Maddie had checked with that pastor yet.

“I just realized I haven't seen much of Doyle Shephard in the last few weeks,” Douglas mentioned to Alison one morning. “Is he all right?”

“I'm not sure. Doyle and Cathy's niece is here from Boston to help out, so I think he must be taking things a little quieter.”

“He's not dead, is he?”

“No, we would have heard.”

“I might stop around to see him. He's been such a huge help in the past with so many supplies. Do you know if he can have visitors?”

“I don't, but Cathy will tell you. I'm sure of that.”

Douglas went back to his breakfast, but his mind was elsewhere. His small church family didn't even have a meetinghouse, and some folks in town thought them different. Most people didn't stop to find out what he believed, but one day Doyle Shephard had asked a few questions. Douglas wasn't sure whether he had answered to the man's satisfaction or not. He'd told him that if there was ever another question, he should just come around and see him, but it had never happened.

The next chance Douglas had, he'd stop in and see Doyle. He looked forward to speaking with the older man not only because he genuinely cared for him but also to see if his hunger for God had increased since they'd last talked. Douglas prayed for the owner of the general store, asking God for that very thing.

Jace had finally caught on to the routine. After dinner, Doyle would invite Woody to look at something in the store or barn. Jace knew Doyle enjoyed very few outings these days, and was glad that Woody could be around for a small distraction.

Today, however, Jace wanted to get Maddie out of the house on his own. He had nothing to offer in the barn or store but suggested a walk. To his surprise, she accepted.

It had rained in the night, so things smelled fresh and a little wet. Jace walked along the road, town to his right side and trees to his left, and Maddie just a few feet away.

“Did you make that pie today?” Jace asked.

“No, that one was Cathy's.”

“It was certainly good.”

“Yes, it was,” Maddie had to agree, turning her head a bit to look up at Jace's face. He was seven to eight inches taller than she was, with broad shoulders and a solid build. But her favorite thing about his looks was the way his blond hair fell over his forehead. For a moment Maddie experienced that feeling again, the one that had taken her by surprise on more than one occasion. The one she felt a desperate need to push away. For a moment panic filled her as she asked herself why she had agreed to this walk.

Jace chose that moment to turn and look at Maddie. He caught her staring at him before she had a chance to look away. This alone was enough to strengthen her resolve.

“You need to know, Jace,” Maddie burst out without warning, “that I think all men are liars and cheats.”

Jace had to stop after this announcement. For the moment he could do nothing else. He looked at Maddie, surprise filling him when he saw her frowning face, but he didn't speak.

Maddie looked right back at him, stunned that he wasn't angry with her. Indeed, his face looked as calm as ever.

“I thought it only fair that I tell you,” Maddie said, slightly calmer.

“All men?” Jace checked.

“Yes.”

“Doyle Shephard?”

“Well, no,” Maddie backed off a bit, her fierce expression gone.

“The Reverend Mr. Sullins?”

“No, not him either, but all young men,” she said, lifting her chin in defiance.

“Jace Randall?” that man asked quietly.

“Yes,” Maddie managed, but her tone wasn't as certain.

“So your uncle allowed you to go for a walk with a man who's a liar and a cheat?”

“Well, men don't think of these things,” Maddie explained logically. “Men don't treat each other that way, only women.”

“Do women lie and cheat?”

“Not very often, and certainly not like men do.”

“I didn't realize taking a walk with you could be such an education.”

“If you're going to make sport of me, Jace Randall, I think the walk is over.”

“But I wasn't making sport. I was just commenting. I thought the most we'd talk about would be the weather. I'm glad I was wrong.”

Maddie stood in indecision. He hadn't sounded as though he was mocking her, but she had been very insulting and wouldn't have blamed him. Maddie studied his face a bit more. He certainly looked sincere.

“So you still want to walk with me, even though I told you how I feel?”

“Certainly. You're entitled to your opinion. That is, if you're willing to continue walking with a liar and a cheat.”

Hearing again how she sounded, Maddie didn't comment but slowly began to move when Jace turned and began to walk. He moved slowly as well, wondering what he could say next. She was wrong. All men were not liars and cheats, and women could certainly be worse, but he wasn't going to persuade her—at least not with words.

“Is it nice to be back in Tucker Mills, or do you miss Boston too much?”

“Um, well, I do miss the family in Boston, but I love Tucker Mills.”

“It's a good place to live.”

Maddie's head was turned so she could look at Jace. His eyes were on the road, but Maddie could not stop staring at him. Had they really just disagreed and now were conversing normally?

“Watch that stick,” Jace warned, and Maddie looked down in time. She sidestepped a thin branch in the road.

All at once that feeling flooded Maddie again. Jace's kindness and solicitude were leading her into a dangerous place. She had to get back to the house. She had to get away.

“I think I need to go home,” Maddie announced, much more breathless than the walk merited.

“I'll walk you back,” Jace offered.

“You don't have to,” Maddie said, sounding panicked.

“Well,” Jace said slowly, wishing he knew what was going on, “I'd like to walk you back, and on top of that, my uncle is still at the house.”

“Oh, that's right.”

Maddie started back, Jace in step beside her, but he could not stay quiet.

“Did I say something, Maddie? Are you upset with me?”

“No, I just need to get back.”

She walked swiftly, Jace keeping up. Once at the back door, Maddie stopped and looked at Jace, her expression regretful.

“I do thank you for asking me on a walk. I'm sorry I wasn't very good company.”

“I enjoyed it, Maddie,” Jace stated honestly. “I hope you'll feel better soon.”

The eyes that looked up at him told him she wasn't sure about what she'd done, but the panic was there as well. Jace followed Maddie slowly into the house, and as he expected, his uncle was ready to leave a short time later.

“Did you kiss her?” Woody waited until the farm was in sight and they had plenty of privacy.

Jace didn't answer.

“Well, did you?”

“Why have you never married?” Jace asked.

“Who says I haven't?”

Jace's mouth opened on this. “Have you?”

“No, too cantankerous and greedy.”

“You're not the least greedy.”

“Not now—now that I've figured out that it's all going to stay here.”

Jace wasn't sure what to say.

“So tell me,” Woody prompted.

“I hope you know that I never let anyone ask me the questions you get away with,” Jace told him straight out.

Woody grinned and said with satisfaction, “You kissed her.”

“As a matter of fact, I didn't,” Jace said, his voice telling Woody this was serious. “It's going to take more time than I expected.”

The remainder of the ride into the farmyard and to the barn was made in near silence. Woody offered to settle the team, something he hadn't done since Jace arrived. Jace thanked him and went inside. He was full of questions with no single answer in sight. For the moment, having time alone in his room was just what he wanted.

“Are you all right?” Doyle asked, opening Maddie's door enough to show his face.

“Yes.”

“You sound sad.”

“Maybe I am, Doyle, but it's nothing that anyone here has done. I just needed to come home from the walk.”