Thirteen

The night air felt refreshing against Katherine’s face as she and Christopher made their way to the buggy after the show. Stars winked at them from a cloudless sky.

“Were you surprised we won?” she ventured as the buggy pulled out of the church lot.

“A little. I didn’t think I was the best singer there tonight.”

“I thought you were. If anything, my poor accompaniment dragged you down.”

“Now I know you’re fishing for compliments since everyone around thinks you’re marvelous at the piano.”

She giggled. “Okay, maybe I wouldn’t mind the occasional compliment. Is that so bad?”

“I suppose not.” His sigh was one of contentment. “This night can’t get much better.”

“Yes, this time has certainly been one filled to the brim with excitement. Probably more excitement than I’ve seen in my lifetime.”

“Maybe things will slow down and get back to normal soon.”

“I hope so. I think.” Katherine grinned.

They approached the turnoff to the Sharpes’ farm. “Do you think we should stop by and see how Alice is doing?”

Katherine hesitated. “I doubt the baby has had time to arrive yet.” She looked longingly at the house.

“Come on, Sadie. Giddup, General Lee,” Christopher clicked his tongue and pulled the reins to instruct the horses to turn left.

“I can’t believe you’re doing this.”

“I know you can’t stand the suspense. Besides, if the baby hasn’t been born yet, we’ll just go on home,” he said. “Alice won’t know we’ve been by, but I’m sure Vera will be glad we stopped in to check on the family.”

“I’m sure Elmer is nervous, too,” Katherine observed. “After tonight, he’ll be a father.”

Moments later they pulled in front of the house. Katherine jumped off the buggy, holding the loving cup all the while.

A ragged-looking Vera answered their knock on the back door.

“Uh, oh. It looks like you’re still in the middle of everything,” Katherine observed. “I guess we shouldn’t have stopped by this late. Tell Alice I’m sorry we disturbed all of you.”

Vera waved them into the kitchen, shaking her head. “You’re not bothering us. The baby arrived just minutes ago.” She kept her voice low.

“That’s wonderful!” Katherine gasped. “Tell us! Is it a boy or girl?”

“It’s a boy.” Vera beamed. “They named him Paul Victor.”

“Small victory?” Christopher asked only half jokingly.

Katherine thought for a moment. “That’s right. Small is the meaning of the apostle’s name.”

“I hadn’t thought of that, and I’m not sure Alice did, either.” Vera’s facial expression looked thoughtful.

“I’m sure throughout his life he’ll enjoy triumphs both large and small,” Christopher remarked.

“Aw, what a sweet thought.” Katherine smiled.

“I think I’ll share that with Alice,” Vera said. “Once she wakes up, that is.”

“Speaking of sleep, we’d better let the proud new aunt get some shut-eye.” Katherine tugged on Christopher’s sleeve. “Let’s go.”

“You’ll do no such thing!” Vera stopped them with her voice.

“Huh?” Christopher asked.

“Not without telling me about that trophy.”

“Oh. This.” Katherine had been so involved with the conversation that she had forgotten she was holding a rather cumbersome prize.

“You won, I see.” Vera beamed.

Katherine nodded.

“You don’t seem too happy.”

“Oh, we are,” Katherine assured her. “You know something? Winning a prize seemed so monumental only moments ago, but in light of a new birth, a talent show seems inconsequential.”

“Inconsequential or not, I am so sorry I left you out in the cold at the last minute,” Vera apologized. “But obviously, you didn’t need me.”

“Yes, we did need you. But we both realize your absence couldn’t be helped,” Christopher said.

“That’s right. We both wish you could have been there. You worked just as hard as the rest of us.”

“So tell me all the details.” Vera became breathless with anticipation.

“First of all, Mrs. Watkins greeted us at the door with a terrible surprise,” Katherine explained.

“Oh?”

“Otis was snatched out from under us.”

“Well, not exactly snatched.” Christopher told Vera the story.

“I can’t say that I blame Otis,” Katherine admitted. “Miranda would have been all alone without him.”

“True,” Vera said. “Oh, I feel so terrible. Even worse now.”

“Silly goose! Would you have me blame little Paul for putting us through so much trouble?” Katherine joked.

“So tell me who else won.”

Katherine decided to have a little fun by dragging out the anticipation. “Betsy won honorable mention.”

“Good for her!”

“She was a little disappointed, I have to admit.”

“There’s always next year,” Vera said.

“That’s what I told her,” Christopher said.

“Jim Bob took fourth with his unicycle and juggling act.”

“Mm-hm.”

“Miranda and Otis took third.”

Vera’s eyes widened. “She just took third place? I can’t believe it! What happened? Did Otis flub on the piano?”

“No, we can’t lay the blame at Otis’s feet—or should I say, hands,” Christopher quipped.

Katherine chuckled. “I admit, I was shocked. Her voice is so beautiful, and I’ve never heard an opera number that she couldn’t execute with great success.”

“I concur,” said Vera. “So who took second?”

Christopher answered. “Mary Lou. She danced a ballet piece.”

“Aw, I’ll bet that was the sweetest sight!”

Katherine nodded. “And you know who took first prize!”

Vera clapped as though she had just heard the news for the first time.

Christopher finally intervened, speaking in a hushed tone. “Ladies! Do you want to wake the baby?”

Vera looked embarrassed, and Katherine stopped in midbob. “Sorry.”

“It’s hard to believe we do finally have a baby to consider after all these months of waiting.” Vera held her voice to a loud whisper. “I’m so happy for you. See, you didn’t need me after all.”

“I missed you, though.” Katherine waited for Christopher to concur. When he didn’t take the hint, she poked him in the ribs as inconspicuously as possible.

“Oh, yes. I missed you, too.”

“It’s a sin to tell a fib,” Vera reminded him, although she sent him a half grin. “You two make a great team. Why can’t you see that? Do I have to be the one to tell you?”

“You don’t have to be the one to tell us,” Christopher responded, “but I don’t mind hearing it.” He looked into Katherine’s eyes.

“All right, you two lovebirds. Time to be on your way. Some of us have real responsibilities.” With a waving motion of both hands, Vera shooed them toward the door.

Katherine covered her face and pretended to be fearful of Vera’s mock ire. Yet she couldn’t resist one keen observation as she exited over the threshold. “One day it will be your turn, Vera.”

The blond shrugged. “I’m in no hurry. All in the Lord’s good time.” Sending the couple a smile, Vera shut the door behind them, but Katherine glanced back in time to catch a wistful look on her friend’s face.

Katherine turned to Christopher. “You know, I do hope she finds someone soon. She deserves someone of her own.”

“She’s helping with little Paul. That should be enough to keep her hands full. And her sister’s bound to appreciate what she’s doing.”

“Of course Vera’s appreciated. But I’d like to see her have her own family. She’d be a great mother. If only some man could see it.”

“Women! You and your matchmaking!” Christopher looked to the sky and back, shaking his head. “No bachelor is safe around any of you.”

“And that’s the way it’s supposed to be.” With her hand in Christopher’s, Katherine leapt to her seat.

They passed two neighboring farms, the silence interrupted only by jangling harness and plodding hoofs. They soon arrived at the Joneses’ farm. Katherine enjoyed being by Christopher’s side to the extent that she was sorry to arrive home.

“Oh, I meant to ask but forgot in all the excitement,” Christopher said. “Did you find the missing money clip? Or the bracelet?”

“No, and even worse, I’m missing an earring as well. I could have sworn I left the pair on my dressing table, but I can only find one now.”

“That’s too bad.”

“Yes, and it was my favorite, too. I just can’t imagine why someone would take all those trinkets. We’ve never had this problem before.”

“Maybe Otis pretended his money clip was missing so no one would suspect him when he took Miranda’s charm bracelet. As a memento of her, of sorts.”

Katherine knew Christopher didn’t mean what he said. “If Miranda were a real schemer, she might have taken Otis’s money clip and then pretended her bracelet was missing. But of course, she would never do such a thing.” Katherine sighed. “Neither Miranda or Otis is the culprit, I’m sure. We’re grasping at straws.”

“Too bad Sherlock Holmes isn’t around to help us out.”

“I’m sure he could unravel the mystery. But more likely, it’s no mystery at all. Just carelessness on Otis’s part to make him misplace his money clip. And perhaps a loose clasp on Miranda’s bracelet. My earring could have fallen off because of a faulty clip. Who would need only one earring?”

“True.”

“It’s coincidence. That’s all.” She thought for a moment. “I’ve already confronted Betsy, and she told me she didn’t take anything. I apologized for thinking it was her.”

“So you believe her.” Christopher’s tone showed he saw no reason not to believe Betsy.

“Yes. But the other day she had extra money, and I never got a satisfactory answer as to how. And she has always admired Miranda’s bracelet. Asked about a certain charm, even.”

Both of them sat in uncomfortable silence until they arrived at the Joneses’ farm. Still, Katherine didn’t want the evening to end. She noticed the light was on, an indication that her parents had arrived home first.

After Christopher walked her to the front door, she thought of a stalling tactic, a way to keep him near her a few more moments. “Mother made apple pie today. Would you care to join me for a slice?”

“I reckon I would. I seldom get to eat dessert at my house. You know, apple pie—or any pie, for that matter—doesn’t last long with Grandpa around.”

“Better get some of that dessert while you can then.” She winked.

Just then the front door opened and out bounded Rover. The dog nearly knocked them both down.

“Now scoot, Rover!” Father called after the dog. “No more getting in the house!”

“Aww, poor dog!” Katherine sympathized.

“Poor dog, nothing. He knows better.” Father pointed out.

Katherine watched the dog exit to the side yard.

“Come on in, kids,” Father offered, holding open the door. He glanced at the loving cup Katherine held and let out a low whistle. “I have to say, that’s something!”

“Yes, I wanted you and Mother to see it up close, but I’m going to let Christopher keep it. After all, he’s the one who charmed the audience with his singing.”

“I think you should keep it, Katherine.” Christopher offered.

“I’ll hear nothing of the sort.”

Christopher grinned. “Oh, all right.” He glimpsed at the side yard. “Uh, if you’ll excuse me, sir, I want to see something.”

“Of course.”

Katherine watched as Christopher kept his eyes on the dog. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure, but I think I saw something in Rover’s mouth. Let’s follow him and see what he does.” Christopher didn’t wait for her to respond but hurried after the collie.

“What do you think is the matter?” Father asked.

She handed him the loving cup. “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” Katherine followed Christopher.

An instant later, both of them watched as the dog dug a hole and dropped a shiny object into it. He was just about to cover it up when Christopher shooed him aside. He bent over and took out a shiny silver spoon. He held it up for Katherine to see. “Well, look at that.”

“Mother won’t be happy to see her good spoon out here in the dirt.”

“A little soap and water will take care of that. But more important, see those little mounds of fresh dirt?” He motioned to several areas. “It looks like Rover’s been busy. I have a feeling I know what’s in most of those holes.”

Katherine suddenly had a feeling, too.

“Would you bring me a lantern and your mother’s gardening shovel?”

“Of course!” Katherine hurried to the shed and retrieved both objects.

Christopher was petting and consoling the dog upon her return. She handed him the tool and lit the lantern. Feeling sorry for the animal, she petted him as Christopher dug. Rover barked in protest at having his treasures disturbed, but as Katherine smoothed his fur and spoke to him in sympathetic tones, he calmed himself.

As Christopher plowed into the dirt, he found several shiny objects. Otis’s money clip, with the money still attached, Miranda’s bracelet, and Katherine’s earring were among them. The items bore bits of dirt as testimony to their adventure but otherwise were in pristine condition.

“What a relief!” Katherine placed her hand to her chest. “But that still doesn’t explain Miranda’s bracelet. She never took it off while she was in the house.”

“Let me see something.” Christopher tried the clasp. As soon as he shut it, the clutch fell open once more. “See? It’s just as I suspected. The clasp was weak. Miranda must have lost it.”

“And Rover found it.”

“Maybe she’ll thank him.”

Just then Otis arrived from escorting Miranda home. Katherine and Christopher called out to him.

“Look. We found your money clip.” Katherine held up the prize.

“Marvelous!” Otis’s grin nearly reached the sides of his face. “And Miranda’s bracelet?”

Katherine held up the sparkling bangle. “Right here. And my earring, too.”

“So we finally know why the dog was so eager to get in the house,” Otis observed. “He wanted to get his clutches on anything shiny.”

“Apparently so,” Katherine agreed. “Now we’ll have to be serious about keeping him outside or at least well supervised at all times if he does happen to venture indoors.”

“I’m sorry my gift has caused so much disturbance,” Otis said.

“Don’t be sorry. I love Rover, and so does Betsy.” Katherine sighed. “Betsy. I asked her if she took the money clip. I feel so terrible about that now.”

“Betsy?” Otis asked. “What made you think of her?”

“Well, she had extra money for no reason, and she always liked Miranda’s bracelet.”

“Extra money? Oh.” Otis looked down at the ground and back.

“Why, yes.” Katherine grew suspicious. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

Otis’s mouth formed a regretful line and he winced. “I’m afraid I do.”