Chapter Eighteen

All weekend Kate worried over what she’d seen in Russ Keenan’s workshop, and on Monday morning, she finally decided she had to tell Joe. Not just about the cradle but about everything she’d learned about Russ’s background. She’d talked to Paul about it several times, and they had prayed together that morning at breakfast, asking for God’s guidance. She didn’t want to slander Russ’s reputation, but neither did she want Joe to be taken in by someone who possibly meant him harm.

By nine o’clock, Paul had left for Chattanooga to visit Nehemiah Jacobs, his mentor and the pastor who had inspired Paul to become a minister years before. Nehemiah had been living in Orchard Hill, an assisted-living facility, since he retired as pastor of Faith Briar Church and recommended Paul to take his place.

Kate knew Paul couldn’t wait to tell Nehemiah about Joe’s discoveries.

She gave Joe a call to see if it was all right for her to visit, and by 9:30, she was on her way.

This time when she knocked, Joe came to the door, leaning on his ever-present cane. She’d worried that being part of the tryouts Saturday might have worn him out after the concussion he suffered, but he looked as spry as ever.

He offered her coffee as she sat down, but she declined.

“Have you read any more of the diary?” he asked, sitting across from her.

“I’m hoping to finish it tonight,” she said. Then she smiled. “Are you pleased with our choices for the kids’ roles?” She thought about the children who were awarded the roles: Grayson Goodwin as Jedediah Jones, Gordy Goodwin and Colleen Keenan as Adam and Abigail Tucker, Keara Keenan as Sadie Penny, and various others as the Cherokees, pioneers, animals, and angels in the choir.

“Pleased as punch,” he said, grinning. “Especially that Colleen has agreed to play the role of Abigail.”

“I agree.”

He nodded, then sobered as he studied Kate’s face. “Something tells me you didn’t come all the way out here to talk about the tryouts.”

Kate nibbled at her bottom lip, wondering where to begin. Then she said, “Last time I asked you about the cradle, you said you didn’t remember it.”

“That’s true.”

“Has anything about it come back to you?”

He shook his head. “I asked the doctor about my memory lapses, and he said that’s not unusual for someone who’s had a concussion. But to answer your question, no. I’m sorry.”

“As I told you before, I saw it in the vat at the cider house. But then Russ acted like he’d never seen it when he brought over the trunk.”

“But you don’t know for sure that Russ had anything to do with its disappearance,” Joe said, his eyes hardening a bit.

“Well, now I do. The other day when I stopped by to see Annabel and the girls, I saw the cradle too.”

Joe tilted his head in disbelief. “In their house?”

“No, no. I don’t imagine they even know Russ has it.”

“You saw him with it, then?”

“It was in his workshop, though he was working on something else. I couldn’t see what it was. I just saw the cradle partially covered with an old rag and pushed back into a shadowy corner as if he had attempted to hide it.”

For a long moment Joe didn’t speak, his gaze now fixed on something through the window in the distance. “I’m sure he has a good explanation for takin’ it.”

Kate closed her eyes briefly, silently praying for God’s grace to be with them both as she spoke again.

“There’s more,” she said.

Joe turned to her again, his clear eyes searching hers. “About Russ, you mean.”

She nodded. “There are things in his background...”

Joe held up one hand, palm out. “You don’t need to tell me anything more, Kate,” he said gently. “Russ told me everything himself.”

“About Folsom, his sentence...”

“Everything. Russ carries a load of heavy guilt over what he did. Heavier than any of us can ever know. He’s also a recovering alcoholic, but that’s something I do understand firsthand.”

Joe stood and walked closer to the window, staring out. “That night we were stuck at the cider house, before I took the blow to my head, he confided in me, and I promised I would be here for him. Day or night. All he has to do is call, and I’ll put on the coffee.

“But even before that, during the times we worked together, I got a good measure of the man he is.” Joe turned back to Kate. “He’s a good man with the right intentions, but a man who carries a whole lot of baggage.”

He came back over and sat down across from Kate. “As for the cradle, let it go for now. I trust Russ to do the right thing by me.”

“What about the brooch?” Kate asked.

Joe looked away from her questioning gaze once more and drew in a deep breath. When he turned back, his eyes were watery. He blinked rapidly and cleared his throat. “Hear me say that I don’t think Russ is involved. And no matter what the brooch’s value is, I trust Russ to do the right thing by me.”

Kate patted his hand. “I understand.” As she stood to leave, she said, “But no matter who’s involved, I made a promise to you.”

Joe looked up at her as she continued. “I promised I’d find the brooch, and I will.”

KATE STOPPED AT THE MERCANTILE to pick up a pound of sliced round steak, fresh mushrooms, and some onions for the stroganoff she wanted to make for supper, then she headed toward home. At the last minute, she decided to swing by the Keenans’ to see how Annabel was feeling.

She turned onto their street, and even before she reached the little mobile home with the picket fence, she could see a large delivery truck parked in front.

Standing near the gate was a beaming Annabel. Kate parked and trotted over to her, just as two burly men carried what appeared to be a brand-new couch through the door and angled it toward the living room.

“My goodness,” Kate said, “that’s a beautiful piece.”

Annabel seemed unable to stop smiling. “My Russ arranged for the delivery as an early Christmas gift. There’s a matching rocker too.” She rubbed her back. “And boy, do I need it. And a big easy chair for Russ. Bunk beds with a trundle for the girls, and a new crib for the baby.” Her voice held a note of awe. “It seems like a miracle,” she said, “after all we’ve been through.”

KATE DROVE AWAY a few minutes later, wishing she knew for sure where Russ had found the money for the “miracle.” Tears filled her eyes as she thought about the brooch and how dear to Joe’s heart it was.

She passed Russ’s white van coming toward her from the opposite direction, obviously on his way home. He gave her a hard look and seemed to hit the accelerator.