The Secret of the Dark (14 page)

We could use his help. He probably knew the mountain well, but he'd slow me down. I wished I had told him to come on over when he could.

He came back with his shoes on and an old felt hat. He didn't slow me down as much as I'd thought.

Fleecy was in the cabin. Cedrick sat on the porch smoking. Why wasn't he hunting? He grinned at me.

“Go look for Granny, Cedrick,” I told him. “Don't just sit there.”

I was most glad to see Neal. Where was Rick? Wasn't he coming?

Neal took charge. “Cedrick, you walk along the bluffs toward the north. We'll all spread out within calling distance walking the same direction. She can't have gone far, but she could have fallen anywhere.”

I was the farthest east and so met Rick coming down the path from his house. “Rick, no one on the trail?”

“No. My daddy's helping too. We've been calling out all the way over here.”

I didn't see Rick's dad until we started back toward the cabin. Then I looked back to see the tall stranger of the mountain sitting on the rock wall east of Granny's. The hunter had been Rick's dad. I felt better. It would be natural for him to be in the woods.

By the time we gathered in Granny's front yard again we had walked her land twice. If she was there she should have heard us. And I didn't see how she could have gone farther. Unless she'd gotten up in the night.

“Do you think …” I had trouble saying it, “she could have fallen off the bluffs in the night?”

“That don't sound too likely, Valerie,” By Golly said. “Annie's no fool. She'd know her own property and where the bluffs was.”

If she had any sense when she took off
, I thought. But even if she were in the past, she'd know her land, wouldn't she?

“What idears could she have got in her head?” Fleecy asked from where she stood on the porch. “She must have gone off for a reason.”

“I've thought of everything I can. But she lived in the past a lot, don't forget.”

“Where's Annie's outhouse?” By Golly asked.

“Rue put in plumbing a long time ago.” Maybe By Golly was onto a good idea. But if Granny forgot and went to the outhouse in the night, wouldn't she be in the yard? “Where was it, Mr. Talley? Do you remember?”

“Just out back.” He walked toward the back of Granny's cabin, and we all followed.

“Has anyone looked in the root cellar?” Rick stood near me but his dad had stayed on the wall. I got the idea he wasn't very sociable. Now Rick walked toward the small mound that was closed up with a weathered door.

I ran toward him. It was a place I'd not even been curious about since I got there. I knew it was long out of use. Once vegetables were stored there and people hid in cellars when the tornadoes tore through Arkansas in late summer and fall. As soon as I got close I heard a small, thin meowing sound. Mrs. Butterworth!

“The cat's in there,” I cried out “She couldn't have gotten in unless someone opened the door.”

Rick lifted the door and I could see that it was heavy. Could Granny have opened it?

Out of the darkness popped Mrs. B. She ran to me and started weaving in and out of my legs, purring for all she was worth. She was delighted to be released from her prison.

I picked her up but as I neared the steps into the cellar she jumped. She didn't plan to go back inside. I blinked my eyes. Inside, near some shelves, was a bundle of clothing. I knew it was Granny.

“Granny, Granny!” I screamed out. “She's here. Help me.”

“Don't lift her.” Neal stood at the top of the stairs. Rick knelt beside me and Granny. Neal pounded down the four steps and bent over Granny. He felt her body, trying to see how badly injured she might be.

From what I could guess, one of the old shelves had fallen or maybe she'd started to fall and grabbed it, pulling it over onto her. Beside Granny was the shelf and several jars of jam. None had broken on the earthen floor but some had spilled their contents. The spicy odor of fruit filled the air. There
was
jam. Granny had said there was, and she'd come to get some to show me at breakfast.

Granny groaned a little as Neal poked her.

“I think she has a broken arm. Nothing else. But the shock for someone her age is dangerous.” He looked at me. Was he trying to prepare me for the worst?

“She'll be all right,” I said to assure myself. “Granny is tougher than you think.”

Neal lifted Granny, small and pale, in his arms with no more effort than if she were a rag doll. I picked up two jars of jam that had escaped spilling. She'd want some when she got back home.

“I'm sure she'll be all right,” Rick assured me.

“Thanks for helping, Rick. And thank your dad.”

“When can I see you?” Rick grabbed my arm.

“I don't know. I'll call you.” I couldn't think about a date right then. Surely he knew that.

I followed Neal, stopping at the house to exchange jam for my tote bag. “Will you lock up, Fleecy, and bring the key to town?” Fleecy was all aflutter and I didn't want her to ride with us. I was nervous enough.

Neal went down the long flight of steps quickly and I followed. He put Granny on the bed in back of the van and drove. I sat beside Granny, holding her hand. Just before we reached Dr. Gallagher's office, her eyes fluttered open. “We had plenty of jam, child.”

“Yes, we did, Granny. You were right. I brought some in. Well have it for breakfast when you get home.” I patted her hand and she closed her eyes again.

Dr. Gallagher checked Granny's pulse and heart rate. “Let's take her right on to Harrison, Neal. It's safer. At her age, Valerie, we can't be too careful. This is a precaution only, though. Her vital signs seem pretty good.”

I nodded, not checking the tears on my cheeks.

“I'll call ahead to the doctor I use there. He'll set Granny's arm and see that she gets good care. Both of you stay till she is out of danger, and then Valerie, you plan to stay tonight at our house. Don't go up to the cabin alone.”

I was grateful for the invitation. I hadn't thought that far ahead, but I didn't like the idea of being alone tonight.

The young doctor in Harrison was efficient and positive-thinking. After he set Granny's arm he came to talk to me. “Not a bad break — clean — but old bones. My guess is that it will heal slowly. I think Mrs. deShan should stay here a few days just to be sure she's over the shock and mending. She'll be all right, Miss Wreyford.” He put his hand on my arm. “I get lots of tough older people here. They usually surprise me.”

“Granny is stubborn,” I managed to say.

“All the better. Now why don't you go on home? Here's my number and the hospital number. Call any time and we'll call you if there is any change.” He smiled and I knew he was right. There was nothing I could do here and I had seen that Granny was resting.

“This is tough on you, Valerie, especially when you can't reach Rue or your dad,” Neal said. “I'm sorry it happened.”

What had started out the summer as an adventure had become a big responsibility. Maybe Granny was too big a responsibility for me. I had never thought of her getting sick or hurt. I knew I could keep house and cook, but.… I said all this aloud to Neal.

“You're not alone, Valerie. In a community like this, everyone is willing to help out.”

“That's good, Neal, but it's still my responsibility, my worry.”

“If you want to worry.” Neal swung from being sympathetic to telling me I worried too much. How could he be so sweet and kind one minute and impatient the next?

“Wouldn't you worry?” I was sharp with my question.

“I guess I would,” he said after thinking about it. “I'm sorry, Val. I guess I don't sound very supportive. I see a lot of stuff in my job, and I've toughened myself to it. I guess I don't know how to help you. When you told me about the phone calls and the letter, I didn't know what to tell you. So I got angry because it happened. I'm not used to … to caring about someone. I guess I don't know how. I've been on my own — had only me to look after — for most of my life. Dad's always busy. Mom too. What I'm trying to say is that I'm selfish and I don't know how to be otherwise.”

“Oh, Neal, you aren't selfish. And you were wonderful with Granny.”

“That's my job. I've had all sorts of first-aid training.”

“Well, pretend I'm your job. I need some TLC right now. I feel so alone.”

“Shall I pull over to the side of the road and administer first aid?”

I looked at him and he looked as though he knew how to care for me. “Sure. Why not?” I said boldly.

I needed someone's arms around me. And I was glad they would be Neal's.

CHAPTER

14

I
DIDN
'
T
feel very comfortable staying at the Gallaghers. Oh, they made me feel welcome, but their living quarters in back of the clinic were small. Neal had to move out onto the couch while I took his room.

I slept restlessly, then overslept the next morning. There were notes on the breakfast table.
Help yourself, Valerie. I'll call you about eleven, Neal.

My place was set with homemade sweet rolls and a half grapefruit covered with plastic wrap. There was a tea kettle on the stove, tea bags, instant coffee. Another note said
Milk in the fridge
and was signed with a smile face.

I ate slowly to pass the time, then sat and waited for Neal's call. Newspapers were piled on the coffee table, but somehow I wasn't interested in anyone or anything but the little community of Catalpa Ridge, Granny, and our life on the mountain. Would I have trouble adjusting to my life in New York in the fall? Would it seem strange and foreign?

The phone startled me. I grabbed it. “Hello, Neal?”

“The dark is waiting.”

The voice was muffled as if someone spoke through layers of cotton, but I understood the message clearly. I slammed down the receiver.

Immediately the phone rang again. I let it ring. Once, twice, three, four times. It must be Neal this time. He would think I was gone or sleeping. I picked it up but didn't speak.

“Valerie? Is that you? Did I wake you? I was sure you'd be up by now.”

“Did you call earlier?” I said without even saying hi, thanks for the breakfast, or anything.

“No, I wanted to let you sleep as long as possible. Feel better?”

“Yes, sure. When can I get a bus over to Harrison? I want to see Granny. I know if she weren't okay, the doctor would call. But I have to see for myself.”

“You won't take the bus. I'll drive you over there. I've worked hard all morning to make deliveries and get free. I'll be home a little after noon. You can make some sandwiches if you feel comfortable rummaging in the refrigerator. We'll eat and then take off.”

“All right. I'll see you at lunch.” I felt good about Neal's taking care of me. His concern. His understanding about my needing to see Granny today. Then why hadn't I told him about the earlier phone call? I guess I knew there was nothing he could do about it.

Who knew I was at Neal's besides his family? Probably everyone by now. The searchers. Fleecy had probably told the neighbors, who told their friends, who told.… Everyone in town knew I was here.

I made three hero sandwiches, hoping I could eat. Dr. Gallagher would be intuitive, and I didn't want him asking me what was wrong. Granny was a good excuse, but somehow I was glad Granny was safe in her hospital room.

I stayed two days with the Gallaghers. Friday, after Neal had gone to work, I walked to town, checked the mail, and found one letter from Dad. I had told Neal I wouldn't make the trip to Harrison since Granny would come home tomorrow. She had started to mend very well for someone her age and was complaining about being in the hospital — a good sign.

I sat down on the bench in front of the post office where a big oak like Granny's shaded the whole sidewalk, and before I could open Dad's letter, a car screeched to a halt and someone called to me.

“Val, good luck.” It was Rick driving a very old Chevrolet. “Come get in.”

I had almost made a decision while I'd been sitting there. I felt increasingly uncomfortable about putting the Gallaghers out and felt I could go back to the cabin for tonight. Mrs. Butterworth was probably thinking she'd been deserted and was hungry. I could go out there, get things in order for Granny's return, then come back tomorrow, and let Neal drive me to Harrison to pick her up in the van. Here was my chance to get home without putting Neal out anymore.

“Only if you'll drive me back out to Granny's. I was trying to make a decision about going out there. Granny is better and she'll be able to come home tomorrow. Do you have time?” I leaned on the passenger window. Rick looked so cute and he was truly glad to see me.

“Sure. I'll get some barbecue for lunch.” There was a little fast food place in Catalpa Ridge. I hadn't been there but I knew their specialty was barbecue—sandwiches, ribs, chicken.

“I have to leave the Gallaghers a note. You get the lunch and meet me in front of the doctor's office.”

Rick saluted and pulled away from the curb with a crunch of gravel. I felt excited about going home, so I skipped back to Neal's to get my few things and leave a thank-you note, explaining how I really needed to go to the cabin and would see Neal tomorrow. I didn't tell him I was going with Rick, of course. I didn't want him to think me ungrateful for what he'd done for me.

I stood on the curb and waited for Rick, not wanting him to come to the Gallaghers' door. On the seat beside him was a big sack of spicy-smelling food.

“Ummm. Smells wonderful.”

“You look wonderful.” Rick's smile was half teasing, half flirting.

I knew I looked awful. I had just the one outfit that I'd worn away from Granny's and although I'd had a shower at Neal's I felt grungy.