Chapter Seven

When I went to school to teach in the morning, I kept thinking about how Ethan had too much anger to just let it pass.

Papa and Ethan’s wife had stood up to him in front of the town. I felt sure someone would have to pay for that. I didn’t realize how true it would be.

Johnny Crawford told the class that he’d seen Travis and Cal carry Sarah Sullivan into Doc Seaver’s office. She was in really bad condition. Johnny said Mrs. Sullivan was not moving at all.

I tried to keep my students’ minds off Johnny’s story, but I also wanted to go and see what happened. But I couldn’t leave the class until it was over.

The school day dragged on, and it seemed that it would never end. I decided to let the class out a bit early for the day. It wouldn’t take me long to go to the doctor’s office and still be back to teach the evening class.

I rushed down the hill toward town and the doctor’s office. When I got to the door, I ran into the sheriff, who was leaving.

“Afternoon, Miss Annie.”

“Afternoon, Sheriff. Is Mrs. Sullivan all right?”

The sheriff let out a slow sigh. “I’m not going to lie to you. She’s been hurt pretty bad. I think it would be better if you stayed out here for a bit.”

“Is Cal all right? Does he need a place to stay while his mom—”

“The doc is having them stay at his place until Mrs. Sullivan regains consciousness. I don’t think she should have any visitors right now.”

“I see. Well, if I can’t see them, I’ll go back up the school and wait for my evening class.”

He tipped his hat and headed to the other side of the street toward his office. I smiled and walked back up the hill to the school. As I sat waiting for the students to arrive, I was surprised to see Travis walk in the door.

“Miss Annie.” He greeted me with a weak smile.

“Travis, hi. How is your sister-in-law?”

“Doc says she’s banged up pretty bad—some broken ribs, her arm is broken, and her lip is split open.” He started to break down. My heart broke for him. “He beat her so bad, Miss Annie. There was no reason for it. She only was singing a song when she was making supper. Poor Cal got his arm busted trying to stop him from hitting his ma. Ethan tossed the boy across the room like he was a rag doll. When I got there, I heard Cal screaming for him to stop hitting his ma. Ethan saw me come in the door and ran out the back door. I would have gone after him, but I wanted to get Sarah to the doctor since she looked pretty bad and lost a lot of blood.”

“I’m so sorry. I feel that it’s my fault for starting with him at the dance.”

“No, it’s been going on for years. Ethan has a bad temper. He’s been a different man ever since he came back from the war.”

The class started to come in, and Travis looked as though he wanted to leave.

“I’ll stop by the doc’s after I’m done with class. If you and Cal need a place to stay, you both can come out to the house.”

“Thank you, Miss Annie. I’ll leave you to your class now.”

He tipped his hat and headed out the door, smiling politely at the ladies who were seating themselves at the desks.

I began to teach again. “Well, ladies, shall we pick up where we left off last week?”

After the evening class ended, I rushed to the doc’s office once again.

“Well, hello, Annie,” the doc said when he opened the door. “You’re here rather late. Is there anything wrong?”

“No, I just came to see how Mrs. Sullivan was doing.”

“She’s still unconscious, and she’s banged up pretty bad. Her son is with her, and his uncle is, too. I tried to get them to go get something to eat, but they won’t leave. They say they’re staying here till she wakes up.”

“Maybe I can help, Doc.”

“I was going to get some supper,” he said. “The missus has made something for the boy and his uncle. I’ll go get it. You’re welcome to stay with them till I get back.”

“Thank you.”

I placed my books down on the end table and started up the stairs just as the sheriff was coming down. “Miss Annie, may I ask where you’re going?”

“I was going to see how Mrs. Sullivan was doing.”

“Well, I’m sorry, Miss Annie, but Mrs. Sullivan is still not in any condition to see visitors.”

“When will she be ready?”

“When I get some answers,” he replied.

“Answers?”

“I still have to speak to Ethan about what happened.”

“You have to speak with Ethan? But look at Cal and Sarah. Good Lord, Sheriff—who could have possibly done this much damage but Ethan? You know how violent he can be. And you want to know what he was doing?”

“I’m not saying that it wasn’t him. I’m saying by law I have to hear his side of this.”

“Then why don’t you ask him?” I said.

“I’m planning to as soon as I find him.”

“You’re telling me he’s missing?”

“No one has seen him since he left the house after he did this to his wife. That woman was beaten so bad I think he really would have killed her this time if his brother hadn’t rushed in to stop it.”

I lowered my head. “I’m sorry. I had no right to come down on you.”

He put his hand in my shoulder. “I understand, Miss Annie. Believe me—we are all a bit troubled by this. But, as I say, we have to hear both sides of the story, and we will once I find Ethan.”

He helped me put my shawl back on and walked me out the door. I couldn’t help wondering about Ethan, who was out there somewhere. What if he wasn’t finished hurting people?