Chapter Eight

The aromas filling the parsonage that Tuesday afternoon could only be described as decadent. The tomato-basil soup with its roasted veggies—various peppers, garlic, onions, and vine-ripened tomatoes—simmered on the stove. Kate had also decided to bake a couple loaves of rosemary, garlic, and cheese focaccia bread. Dough for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies waited in the refrigerator. Baking always made problems seem a bit easier to tackle and the situation with Claire was no different.

She would leave Claire in God’s hands and trust him to provide the answers.

Taking the two round loaves of focaccia out of the oven, Kate inhaled deeply. She turned the golden brown loaves over and released them from their pans, flipped them upright, and spread garlic butter over the top. Naturally, she had to taste.

Kate buttered a small piece, and for the next few minutes experienced the ecstasy of warm homemade bread. Bread like this reminded her of her childhood and Gran’s house. She’d inherited both her grandmother’s love for food and her love for cooking.

She’d just taken the last scrumptious bite when the phone rang. Kate offered a muffled “Hello?”

“Mrs. Hanlon?”

She managed to swallow. “Hi, Skip. How are you?”

“Good. Say, we got a call from Claire’s daughter. Said she got home, and her mother was missing. I’m sending her over to your place.”

Kate blew out a sigh of relief. “That’s great. Thanks so much.”

“Glad I could help.”

Kate celebrated with another piece of bread. While waiting for Ellen to arrive, Kate took out the cookie dough and placed heaping teaspoons of dough on a cookie sheet and set it in the oven. She then took Claire’s cape outdoors and brushed the caked dirt off as best she could. Judging from the label and condition, she suspected the cape was still worth a fair amount of money.

AT 4:45, THE DOORBELL RANG. The woman at the door was about Kate’s age, nicely dressed in a pair of tan slacks and a brown knit top. Her hazel eyes had an anxious look about them.

Wanting to put her at ease, Kate greeted her with an outstretched hand. “I’m Kate Hanlon. You must be Ellen.”

After a limp handshake, she said, “Yes. I...I don’t know what to say. Mother has never wandered off like this before. I’m so sorry for your trouble.” Her face was pinched and drawn.

“No trouble at all.” Kate took a step back and beckoned Ellen inside. “Come on in. There’s fresh coffee and cookies.”

“Oh, I don’t think I should. I need to be getting back, and mother must be tired.” Ellen glanced around the room. “Uh...where is she?”

“Taking a nap. Actually she’s been sleeping for a couple of hours.” Kate looked back at Ellen as she went into the kitchen. “Have a seat anywhere. Are you sure I can’t get you some coffee or tea?”

“Coffee’s fine.” She hesitated a moment as if accepting her fate and then came inside and lowered herself onto the sofa. She glanced at the door as if making sure she had a way of escape. She directed her gaze back to Kate. “I appreciate you taking care of her. How did you find her?”

“Well, yesterday she was walking along the road as I was leaving. I almost ran into her. Fortunately she seemed okay. She told me she was having tea at the Bristol.”

Ellen raked one hand through her hair. “Oh no. I didn’t know she’d gone out yesterday.”

“Today she showed up just outside my studio window at the back of the house.” Kate gave her a brief recap. “She scared me half to death.”

Kate went on to tell Ellen about her morning with Claire. “Some of the things she shared were...well, let’s just say, implausible.”

Ellen frowned. “Mother seems to be getting more confused lately. It may be a medication problem. I need to get her in to see a doctor.”

“That’s probably a good idea.” Kate brought her coffee in a large rose mug and placed a small plate of cookies on the end table. “Did you want cream or sugar?”

“Black is fine.” Ellen leaned back in the chair, breathing in the aroma before taking a sip. “This is very good coffee.”

“Thanks.”

An awkward silence ensued. Then they both spoke at once.

Ellen dipped her head. “I’m sorry.”

Kate smiled. “No, that’s okay. What were you going to say?”

“I feel terrible that you ended up caring for my mother.” Ellen still sounded anxious.

Hoping to put her at ease, Kate said, “Please. No more apologies. I like her. But I did want to ask you about some of the things she said.”

Ellen stiffened. “Oh...like what?”

“She introduced herself as the countess and seemed surprised I didn’t know her. Is she really married to an earl?”

“Oh dear.” Ellen broke into a smile for the first time since she’d come. “Mother was born in England in 1923 to the Count and Countess of Eltonborough.”

“Seriously?” Kate grinned. That accounted for the British accent.

“Yes. She loved her life in England and was engaged to be married—an arranged marriage. But during the Second World War, an American soldier, my father, was assigned to stay at the estate; they used it as a strategic command headquarters to plan for the Normandy landing. He wasn’t there long, just long enough to win my mother’s heart.”

Kate sighed. “That’s so romantic.”

“I’ve always loved the story.” Ellen’s harsh features disappeared. “Mother has it all written down in a journal. Maybe one of these days I’ll be able to write her story.”

“What a good idea. You mean like a memoir?”

Ellen nodded. “After the war he came back for her, they married, and he brought her to the US. He always called her Countess.”

“That explains a lot.” Kate leaned forward. “When I asked her where she lived, she said you had a large estate with a stable and—”

“No.” Ellen interrupted. The stern look reappeared. “She’s remembering her family estate in England. We had a nice home but had to leave after...”

When Ellen didn’t finish, Kate asked, “Do you live close by?”

“Not far.” Ellen pressed her lips together. “We haven’t been in the area long.”

Kate wondered about Ellen’s reluctance to answer. Maybe I’m being too friendly, asking too many questions. “I apologize for my curiosity. I don’t mean to be nosy. It’s just that I’ve never met anyone like Claire before. And my curiosity gets away from me sometimes.”

Setting down her coffee mug, Ellen scooted forward in the sofa. “I really should wake Mother and go home.”

“Ellen?” a cry came from the other room. “Is that you?”

Ellen hurried into the bedroom. “I’m here, Mother.”

“I’m so glad you were able to come, dear. Did you meet the vicar’s wife?”

Kate stepped into the room.

“Yes, I met Kate.”

“Can we stay here?” Claire raised a shaky hand to her hair.

“No, Mother. We can’t stay here. Where are your clothes?”

“I don’t know.” Tears gathered in Claire’s eyes.

Kate took a step toward them. “She fell in the mud earlier, so I loaned her an outfit. Her clothes are still in the washer. I forgot to put them in the dryer. I’m sorry.”

“Thank you. Maybe you can put her things in a bag, and we can take them with us. I can return your clothes as soon as I can.”

“It’s no trouble, really.” Kate glanced at the clock. “Look, it’s nearly time for dinner. Let me put the clothes in the dryer, and they’ll be done by the time we’re finished eating.”

“That sounds lovely, doesn’t it, dear?” Claire scooted off the bed and headed toward the kitchen.

Ellen ran a hand through her hair and sent Kate an exasperated look. “I guess I’m outvoted. Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. I made soup and bread this afternoon and would love to share it with you. Besides, I’ll bet Claire is starving.”

Ellen smiled then. “I have to admit the wonderful smells in here are making my stomach growl.”

Kate hurriedly took care of the clothing, hanging up the dress and giving the stained shoes another wipe with a towel.

The soup and bread were a hit, as was the salad Kate served with it. Ellen seemed as famished as Claire. Both women had two helpings of everything. When they raved about the bread, Kate offered to send a loaf home with them.

Once they’d finished eating, Kate went out to the garage to get Claire’s clothes. The dress and shoes weren’t quite dry, and Kate offered to bring them to their house the next day.

Ellen refused again. “We’ve taken up enough of your time. I can dry them at home and return your clothes tomorrow.”

Claire broke in. “Let’s stay here, Ellen. I’m certain Kate wouldn’t mind.”

Ellen looked horrified. “Mother, no. We can’t.” She placed the cape over Claire’s shoulders.

“But, dear, I’m so tired of—”

“Mother,” Ellen said through gritted teeth. “We have to go.” Turning to Kate, she apologized and then asked, “Would you mind giving us a minute alone?”

“Of course not.” It felt awkward, but what was Kate supposed to do? She went into the bedroom and paced back and forth. Several minutes went by, and Kate heard nothing from either of them. Had Ellen strong-armed her mother, or threatened her?

How long did Ellen expect her to stay in here? Five minutes passed, though to Kate it felt more like thirty.

I’m going back out there. Kate sucked in a deep breath and ventured out of the bedroom.

Claire and Ellen were gone.