Chapter Twelve

At six o’clock that evening, Kate packaged up the cooled casseroles and pies she’d made and put them in the refrigerator and freezer. She’d been especially productive in the past few hours.

Kate had been scheduled to work until four, but she’d been overly optimistic about the number of projects she’d taken on. Not that she minded. She loved cooking and baking, and adding needy people to the equation made the tasks all that much sweeter.

Kate pulled off her apron and tossed it into the to-be-washed basket, then cleaned up and made certain she wasn’t wearing flour on her face or in her hair. Moments later she climbed into her Honda and headed toward the Ash Grove Campground. Normally, she’d have grabbed something to eat first, but after an afternoon of cooking, baking, and sampling, she wasn’t the least bit hungry.

The privately owned campground brought in tourists all summer, which was great for the local economy. Kate enjoyed the campground more during the off-seasons, when she and Paul occasionally packed a picnic lunch and drove out just to enjoy the peace and quiet of the woods and the hiking trails.

A few minutes later, Kate drove under the familiar arch that read: Ash Grove Campground. Peace to all who enter here.

How much peace, she wondered, do the homeless who are staying here feel? Scripture reminded believers not to be anxious for anything. Lord, how could they not be anxious when they don’t know where their next meal is coming from or whether they’ll have a place to sleep at night?

Kate tried to imagine what it would be like if she and Paul found themselves with nothing, but she couldn’t. She’d always had enough—often more than enough.

The parking lot was empty except for an older Jeep, which Kate knew belonged to the caretaker, Lars Thompson. Apparently, Sheriff Roberts and Skip had come and gone. The brick office and caretaker’s house had been built during the 1930s as part of the government work program.

Bang!

Kate jumped. Her first reaction was to take cover, but then she realized it was just the screen door. Lars waved and ambled toward her. She extricated herself from the car and reached out to take his proffered hand.

“Kate Hanlon.” He grinned down at her, his aquamarine eyes crinkling at the corners, and his tan attesting to his outdoor job. Lars was ruggedly lean and blond and looked every bit like the Swede he was. “The sheriff said you might be coming out this way.” Even after living in the United States for some twenty years, Lars still had an accent.

“He did?” Kate laughed. “He knows me too well.”

Lars nodded. “Funny thing, though; I was thinking about calling you.” His smile faded.

“You were?”

“Yah. You’ve probably heard about the homeless people staying out here. Since it’s still off-season, I’ve been pretty lax on the camping fees. The owner gave me the go-ahead on it, but he’s not going to be so gracious come the end of May when our paying customers start coming in. We’re already booked for Memorial Day.”

Kate frowned. “Which means you’ll have to kick the homeless people out?”

“Looks that way.” Deep lines etched his forehead. “I’ve seen nothing like this before, Kate.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s not unusual to get a few homeless characters camping in the woods on occasion. Especially the long-term indigents; you know, the ones who have no plans to change. Some of them ride the rails and jump off near here. But we have families staying out here now. I guess I worry most about the kids.”

Even though Troy Eaton had denied living at the camp, Kate had to ask. “Have you met anyone named Troy Eaton? I met him at the Country Diner Monday morning. He was going to Chattanooga to look for work.” She went on to describe Troy.

Lars shook his head. “Sorry. A number of folks go out during the day to find work. Some stay away for several days.” He sighed. “I try to keep an eye on their families, but it’s hard.”

Kate sympathized with him. “Fred Cowan’s pharmacy was broken into last night, but I suppose the sheriff already told you that. He thinks it might have been a homeless person who just needed medicine.”

“Yaaah.” Lars dragged out the word. “There have been a number of thefts in Pine Ridge too. I don’t know what to think. Most of the folks here are decent, upstanding citizens. Under ordinary circumstances, they wouldn’t think of stealing.”

“But there’s nothing ordinary about losing everything.” Kate finished the thought, and he agreed.

“People get desperate, and there’s no telling what they might do.” He leaned against the side of Kate’s car and folded his arms. “I hate to say it, but I think the sheriff is right. Why else would people steal food and medical supplies if they weren’t in need of them?”

His words squeezed her heart. “Maybe there’s something we can do to help,” Kate said. “I can’t promise anything until I’ve had a chance to talk to the church board, but we may be able to provide some of the essentials. Faith Briar has a food program, and we’re already supplying meals to shut-ins and people who are sick. I’m sure we could do more.”

Lars’ eyes brightened. “I’d heard about that. In fact, that’s why I wanted to talk to you.”

Kate smiled. “That must mean I’m on the right track. I’d like to go through the campground and meet some of the people here.”

His negative response surprised her. “Not a good idea, Kate, at least not tonight. It’s getting dark, and you shouldn’t be wandering around back there on your own. I’d take you, but I need to head into Pine Ridge for an appointment in a few minutes.” He pushed away from the car. “Better wait until daylight and come out here tomorrow. You might want to bring someone with you.”

“You’re probably right.” Kate opened her car door and slipped inside. “Thanks, Lars. Let’s pray we can do something to help these people.”

“Yah, and pray they find work and a place to live before Memorial Day.”

Darkness settled in as she left the campground. After driving under the arch, she began to accelerate. Kate spotted a flash of brown and heard a thud. She braked hard, already knowing it was too late.

Kate sat for a moment in stunned silence, gathering her wits. She’d hit something. Maybe a deer. No, whatever she’d seen had been smaller than that. An opossum or a raccoon? What if it was a person? Lars had mentioned children. Kate scrambled out of the car and hurried around to the front.

At first she saw nothing; then she noticed a small dent in the front bumper. “What in the world?” She knelt down to look under the car and spotted a football-sized rock near the tire on the passenger’s side. But how had it gotten there? Kate reached under the car to move it, then stopped.

Hairs rose on the back of her neck. Something about this seemed terribly wrong. She remembered seeing something or someone move in her peripheral vision just before hearing the thud. Someone must have thrown the rock at her.

As Kate rose, she felt a presence behind her.

Before she could turn around, a hand closed over her mouth. Something sharp poked her ribs.

“Make a sound, and you’ll regret it.”