Chapter Four

 

The alarm sounded. Josef smacked the snooze button and rolled over. He tossed and turned to grab a few more winks, but it was no use. Cat was on his mind. The morning light peeked through the slats of the blinds.

After dropping her off, he’d had difficulty falling asleep. His feelings about his and Cat’s past relationship were a jumbled mess. A mess like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle dumped on a table, waiting to be put together. Could he still call it love? It was possible. He never had closure. She was the one to end it between them.

The whole purpose of growing closer, helping take care of Elaine and the farm, was his plan to ‘win’ the farm from Elaine. Show her how much the land meant to him by giving the farm life again. Elaine held a fondness for him. Josef hoped she’d remember him when it mattered most.

He wanted the farmland’s fertile soil that produced crops. He wanted the farmland that brought him a profit. He wanted the farmland that once belonged to his great granddaddy.

But with Cat back in the picture and possibly living with Elaine, and Elaine knowing about Cat’s rescue mission, Cat could take it all away from him. Yup, Cat was going to give him a run for his money.

His dreams that night had been filled with her and the memories of their past. Sneaking into the darkness of night to the barn, spreading out the hidden blanket and exploring each other’s bodies and needs.

“Damn woman.” He threw the covers back. “She left me once. And now she’s back in my life.” He turned the alarm off as the phone rang. “Hello.”

“Josef, I need you to come over. Aunt Elaine is gone.”

He sat in his boxers on the edge of the bed at the sound of her distraught voice.

“What do ya mean, gone?”

Her voice, shaky and filled with tears, stated, “Dead.”

“I’m on my way.” He slid into last night’s jeans and pulled a clean shirt from his dresser. Not bothering with socks or shoes, he ran down the hall and through the front door for Elaine’s.

Stones stabbed his feet as he darted across the gravel road. The pain in his feet didn’t compare to the pain in his heart. He raced through the grass to where she sat on the back step. “Cat, I’m here.” He knelt with open arms, and she fell into them sobbing.

“I didn’t ... hear her up ... and went to ... her room.”

“Okay. Have ya called anyone else?” He needed to remain calm for her.

“No,” she wailed with grief. “I didn’t know who to call. You were the first one I thought of.”

“Okay. I’ll be right back.” To make sure of the situation, he went inside to check on Elaine.

In her room, Elaine rested on the bed and appeared at peace. By her side, he placed two fingers at her throat for a pulse. Nothing. His throat constricted, he swallowed and wiped the tears from his cheek. “Rest in peace, Elaine. May God be with you.” Bowing his head, a few more tears fell.

Swiping his eyes, he’d stay strong for Cat. She would need him with no family around. Stepping outside, his stomach clenched at the site of Cat hunched over on the step. “Let’s get your things and go back to my place.”

“I don’t—”

“If ya don’t want to leave ya don’t have to. I—I just thought you’d be more comfortable over at my house.”

“Yeah, okay.” She stood and inched through the yard, not going back inside to pack or get the dogs.

His hand rested on the small of her back, and they made their way across the forty plus yards to his farm. They could get her things later.

She sat on the closest chair in the living room.

“I’ll be right back.” He went to the kitchen and returned with a box of tissue. “We need to make some calls, Cat.” He knelt by her side and touched her arm. “Are ya up to that?”

Her head shook as if haunted by inner pain. Her legs were pulled up, arms wrapped around, to hold and hug herself. Eyes transfixed on her toes.

“Okay. I’m going to call the police and then your mom.” A faint pat on her arm and he stood. “I’ll be outside if you need me.” In the kitchen, he turned on the coffee pot, took a bottle of water from the fridge and returned to the living room. He set the water bottle on the round table and went outside to make the call.

“Oak City police. My name is Barbara. How can I assist you?”

“Hi, Barbara, Josef Garrison.”

“Hey, Josef. What can I do for you?” Barbara being a high school classmate and friend didn’t make the situation any easier for him.

“Elaine Jenkins passed away. Her great niece, Catherine Mornelli, is here visiting. This morning Cat woke to find Elaine ... dead.”

“Oh, poor thing. I’ll send someone out right away. Can you give me the address?”

Josef gave the details and hung up. He dialed Cat’s mom’s number and while waiting for Margaret to answer, Blondie sat in front of him. “Sorry girl, you’ll have to wait until I make these calls. I’m guessing we’ll need to take care of Darby and Fuzzy, too.”

The phone continued to ring, but he hung up when the call went to voice mail. You didn’t leave a message like this on voice mail. He went back inside and stopped beside the chair where Cat sat, placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, “Do your parents go to church?” With her nod, he left to sit on the front porch.

If her parents were at church, they wouldn’t have their cell phones on and with no phone numbers for other family members, he stared across to the Jenkins farm. He pressed Margaret’s name, and the phone rang. When the voice mail kicked on he waited for the infamous tone. “Hi Margaret, this is Josef. It’s Sunday, June tenth, and it’s nearing ten o’clock. If you could please call me when you get this, I’d appreciate it. Thanks.”

Josef entered the house. “Let’s sit on the couch.”

Cat stood and joined him where he sat. She leaned into his chest, and he folded his arm around her.

“I couldn’t get a hold of your parents. I left a simple message for them to call me. And the police are on their way. They’ll more than likely need to talk to ya. Okay?”

“Okay,” her voice cracked as she dissolved into tears.

“I need to feed Blondie, and I’m guessing you haven’t fed Fuzzy and Darby.”

“Oh, no.” Cat sat straight. “I forgot about them.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of them. Where’s their food?”

“Inside the door on the floor. You’ll see it.” Wounded eyes gazed at him, and his throat tightened. “Thank you,” she whimpered through swollen lips.

“I’ll be back.” Outside, Josef fed Blondie. A car kicked up dust heading in his direction. He went inside. “The cops are coming. If they need to speak to ya, I’ll bring them here.” Not looking for a response from her, he left and crossed to Elaine’s. Oak City’s finest pulled into the drive as he crossed the road.

“Hey, Joe.” The officer exited his squad car. “I hear Mrs. Jenkins passed away.”

“Dale.” Josef reached to shake his friend’s hand. “Yeah, Cat found her this morning.”

“Where’s Cat?” Dale strolled across the front lawn.

“Over at my place.” He trailed Dale. “This morning Cat went to check on Elaine, and well, you know.”

“Okay, thanks.” Dale entered the house, and Josef followed. “You don’t need to come with me.”

“I’m not. I need to feed Cat’s dogs, and the food is somewhere in here.” He gestured around the kitchen. “Here it is. I’ll be outside.” Josef grabbed the bucket and stepped outside.

Dog bowls filled, he sat on the swing hanging from the big oak tree. Sadness filled his heart at the loss of Elaine. As much as he wanted the land, he never wished death upon her. She was a sweet, dear old family friend. She was a grandmother figure to him. She was Cat’s great-aunt.

“Yeah, she’s passed on. Probably had a heart attack in her sleep.” Dale let the screen door slam closed. Josef turned to face him. “You’ll want to contact the funeral home. With no crime committed here, we don’t need to be involved.”

“Okay. I’m waiting to hear from Cat’s parents. They’re the only family I know how to reach. Cat’s mom will know who to call.”

“Well, I’m done here.” Dale and Josef sauntered to the squad car. “You playing poker this week?”

“Hell, yeah. I wouldn’t miss a night.”

“Well, give my condolences to Cat, and we’ll see you Wednesday night.”

“Will do.” Josef delivered a firm slap to Dale’s shoulder blade before the officer maneuvered into the car. “Stay safe, man.”

“Always.” Dale closed the door.

Josef waited for Dale to leave before crossing the road home. His cell phone rang, and he sat on the first piece of solid furniture he could find. “Hi, Margaret.”

“Josef, what’s wrong? Is Catherine alright?”

“Catherine’s fine.”

Apprehensive, Margaret asked, “Is it Elaine?”

“Yes.” He gave her a moment before speaking. “Cat awoke this morning and found Elaine still in bed. The police said to call the funeral home, and they’ll take care of her. I have no knowledge of Elaine’s wishes and don’t know how to reach other family members. Can you handle things?”

“Yes,” Margaret whispered through the phone line.

“I’ll help in any way I can.”

“Could you call the funeral home for me?” Margaret sniffled. “I don’t want her to remain in the house longer than necessary. Did they say how she died?”

“I’ll make the call. The officer presumed a heart attack since she was sleeping. Nothing looked suspicious.”

“Okay, thanks.” She paused. “Where’s Catherine?”

“She’s here with me. Would you like to speak to her?”

“Please.”

“Just a minute.” Josef walked through the front door and in a few strides stood by the couch. “I was outside. Here she is.” He handed the cell to Cat and whispered, “It’s your mom.”

“Hi Mom … I’m fine. Josef’s been great.” She left the couch and shuffled to the back patio.

He didn’t follow. This was a private conversation. Her eyes were swollen, red and moist from crying. He’d leave her alone to take care of things. Something he didn’t want to do but had to.

She came inside and handed the phone to him. “She needs to talk to you.”

“Margaret? Let me get some paper.” He hurried to the kitchen. “Okay, give me the info.” He scribbled the name and number of the funeral home. “I’ll call them now. What are your plans?”

“I’m leaving as soon as I’m packed and have called the rest of the family. Elaine has a sister who lives close by and will probably arrive before I get there.” She paused. “Cat’s leaving and coming home. Make sure she’s okay to drive. Okay, Josef?”

“I will.” He struggled to find the right words to say. “I’m sorry. I really cared for Elaine. She’ll be missed.”

“Thank you, Josef. I’ll see you soon.”

He slid the phone into his jeans pocket, then joined Cat in the living room, but she was gone. He hadn’t heard her leave. Through the screen door he scanned both yards. A door slammed. She’d returned to Elaine’s. Back in the kitchen, he poured a cup of coffee and called the funeral home. He’d see Cat before she left.