THE NIGHT HAD been untroubled by any noises or bad dreams. Rachel was almost surprised to realize it. She’d have expected to feel churned up over the encounter with Daad and Evelyn. Instead, she felt not only calm but contented. If she had harbored any resentment toward her father or any fears about his new relationship, all that was gone as if it had never been.
Not only that, but the truth she’d spoken without planning to had left assurance in its wake. It would have been a mistake if she and Jacob had married then. They hadn’t been mature enough, either of them, to make a lifetime commitment. She hadn’t known how to balance her relationships and fulfill her commitments at that time. Maybe she didn’t now, but at least she was aware of it. The hard years after Mammi’s death had taught her a great deal about loving and caring for those she loved.
As for Jacob...well, he probably wouldn’t admit it, but he hadn’t been ready either. He’d been too quick to fly off the handle and too blind to options seeing only what he thought was right. She’d like to believe she had changed, and she’d give a great deal to feel sure that he had.
With breakfast served in the dining room, she could turn her attention to putting a meal on the table in the kitchen. She smiled, picturing Holly and Ms. Geraldine seated at the polished mahogany table, eating from the fine china. Holly might roll her eyes at the formality, but it was probably good for her to learn the ways that Ms. Geraldine considered proper.
Holly’s life would be different, of course. But what was important wasn’t so much the learning as the time and experience with her great-aunt. Things like regular mealtimes with family formed ties that wouldn’t easily be forgotten. The routine told Holly that she was a part of a family and a tradition, and not just a stray person without roots.
Now that Jacob was sleeping over the garage, he came to the house for meals, and she could see him crossing the yard now. She suppressed a smile. Like her father and brothers, Jacob was never late for a meal.
He stopped for a moment, looking off to the west. Leaning forward to see what had attracted his attention, she spotted the long line of dark clouds massing along the western horizon.
“Storm coming,” he muttered, pulling out his chair. “Maybe it’ll pass us by.”
She nodded, but feeling the humidity in the air, she thought a storm might be a relief. It would clear the air, anyway.
No sooner had they settled at the table than Jacob looked at her with a question in his eyes. “Well? How did things go with your father? I could never get you alone last night to find out.”
“Surprising,” she said. “That’s the word for it. He actually apologized to me. Said he hadn’t ever been properly grateful to me for taking over after Mammi died.”
Jacob blinked. “Are you sure that was your father?”
She had to laugh. “I know. I think that Evelyn has been gut for him. She doesn’t hesitate to tell him what’s what. And he listens.”
“I’d never have believed it.” Jacob shook his head. “It doesn’t sound like your father to me.”
“It shows that people can change, ain’t so?” She hesitated, hoping he wouldn’t think she was hinting that he could stand to change.
But he didn’t seem to take offense, maybe because he was sure change wasn’t needed in his case.
“If it makes things easier for you, then I’m glad.” He didn’t sound completely convinced, but she couldn’t blame him for that. He took the last spoonful of scrambled eggs and then had a long drink of his coffee.
“More eggs?” she asked, gesturing toward the pan, but he shook his head.
There was a moment of silence between them, but she found it a comforting thing. Maybe she was just in such a contented mood about her father that she was seeing things that weren’t there.
She watched a frown gather on Jacob’s forehead. “Have you spoken to Ms. Geraldine yet about Gerald?”
“No. I couldn’t. I don’t know how she might react.” She’d barely said it before the door behind her swung open.
“What should you tell me about Gerald?” Ms. Geraldine stood there, looking at them. Rachel rose to her feet, feeling a flush mounting her cheeks.
“I...I...”
“I’ll tell you.” Jacob stood. “I guess that’s right since I’m the one to think you should know.”
Ms. Geraldine gave a sound that might have been a snort. “Rachel doesn’t want to hurt my feelings, but I don’t have any illusions left about Gerald. Whatever it is, I’d rather know.”
Jacob looked as if he wished he’d kept quiet, but he nodded. “I got to wondering if the person Holly and Rachel heard in the woods might have something to do with the break-in. He might have been spying, trying to figure out the best way to approach the house.”
“And you think that was Gerald. Why?” She shot the question at him, and Rachel wondered uneasily if she was quite as hardened to Gerald’s behavior as she wanted to believe.
Jacob looked at her gravely. “I searched around up there, and I found footprints from the person watching Rachel and Holly. They were pretty scuffed up, so that didn’t help a lot.” He paused, taking a breath. “So I decided to try and see where those other surveyor’s stakes were, in case that had something to do with it. I ended up by that old road that led up to the quarry from the other side of the ridge.”
Ms. Geraldine’s forehead wrinkled, but she nodded. “I know it. I didn’t think it was passable.”
“It isn’t very far, but where it petered out, I saw that a car had been parked, maybe more than once. Could have been anyone, I guess. There’s no way to tell. But I noticed whatever car was parked there leaked oil. And when Gerald came driving his mother’s car, I saw that it was leaking oil, too, leaving the same sort of spot where it was parked.”
He came to an end, and for once didn’t try to tell someone what to think. He left it up to Ms. Geraldine to make of it what she could. That was best, Rachel realized. Ms. Geraldine wouldn’t want to be told.
They both waited, and Rachel wondered again how much Ms. Geraldine could believe about her nephew. Finally she nodded.
“It could have been for some other reason,” she said. “But it might be. The break-in didn’t succeed, which would be like Gerald.”
A wave of sympathy swept over Rachel, and she longed to do something to relieve Ms. Geraldine’s mind. She took a step forward, reaching out.
Ms. Geraldine responded with a slight smile and a shake of her head. “Gerald was here yesterday, pushing some idea he has to reopen the quarry. He said he has a friend who wants to work it again if I’m willing to lease it.” Her lips twisted wryly. “I’m sure there’s something in it for Gerald, if so.”
“That would account for the surveyor stake,” Jacob said. “And maybe for his parking where he did. He might have been scouting out the quarry instead of looking to break into the house.” He sounded reluctant to give up his theory.
“I suppose so.” Ms. Geraldine seemed distracted, as if her mind was elsewhere. “I’ll have to think about it. Thank you, Jacob.”
The words seemed to be a dismissal. Jacob looked as if he’d say something else, maybe argue his point, but at a look from Rachel he turned and went out.
Still, Ms. Geraldine stood there, her thoughts far away.
Then she glanced at Rachel and waved to her chair. “Sit down. Finish your coffee.” She sank into the seat across from Rachel. “And don’t look so tragic.” Her lips twitched in what might have been a smile.
Rachel sat, wondering whether it would do any good to say anything. After a lengthy silence, she ventured to speak. “I’m sorry.”
Ms. Geraldine brushed the words away with a sweep of her hand. “It’s best that I know.” She shook her head. “Freda has always been foolish, even if she is my sister.” She seemed to be talking as much to herself as to Rachel. “She was jealous because after my brother died, my father decided I should have control of the property since I wasn’t married and my two sisters were. He settled money on them instead.” She was silent for an instant, as if considering what she’d said about her family. “What’s worse, Freda raised Gerald to think something was owed to him. That’s not a good thing for a child.”
“No, I guess not.” She paused, not sure she should say what she was thinking, knowing how Ms. Geraldine revered her father. Finally she went on, choosing her words. “It sounds like your father’s decision led to problems he probably didn’t expect.”
“That’s right.” Ms. Geraldine suddenly looked tired. “And now I have to make the decisions about what I’ll do with it all. If Gerald did break into the house, I can’t reward him for that.”
Rachel had no idea what to say, but she felt so sorry for her employer. Her wealth seemed nothing but a burden to her.
“And there’s Holly to be taken care of. Her future has to be secure, no matter what Julianne does.” Ms. Geraldine fell silent, brooding about it. Then she stood up abruptly. “I shouldn’t be bothering you about this, Rachel. It’s my decision, and I must decide for myself.”
She made her way out of the kitchen, looking older than she had when she came in.
Rachel’s head was a jumble of thoughts. Wealth hadn’t brought happiness. Still, as her mother used to point out when she longed for something she didn’t have, we weren’t put on this earth to be happy. Happiness came along when we were doing what we should.
All she could do was try to live up to it.
LATER IN THE DAY, when supper was over, the storm was close enough to make Rachel start preparations in case the power went off. At home, of course, no preparation was needed, as they got on very well without a connection to the power line, but things were different here. And she knew from some of the Englisch neighbors how easy it was for a branch or even a whole tree to come down on the power lines in a bad storm.
She was filling a bucket with water when Holly came in. She looked from the pitchers already filled to the bucket. “What’s all this for?”
“In case the power goes off in the storm. Water in the pitchers to drink and to brush your teeth and wash with, and water in the bucket in case we need it to flush the toilets.”
Holly looked horrified at the thought, and Rachel tried not to laugh. “But the water comes out of the spigots anyway, right?”
“Not out here in the country. This house isn’t on town water. It has its own well.”
“And there’s a spring that comes off the ridge with fresh water in case we need it,” Ms. Geraldine added, coming in just then. “Without electricity to power the pump, nothing will come out.”
Holly shook her head, apparently not sure whether she was appalled or curious. “It sounds like Little House on the Prairie,” she said.
Ms. Geraldine did chuckle at that. “Wait until we get out the oil lamps. Then it really will be old-fashioned.” She glanced at Rachel. “The extra flashlights and the oil lamps are in the cabinet back in the corner of the pantry. We may as well be prepared. The local news said it hit hard over in Millertown and is headed our way.”
Rachel glanced at Holly, deciding she’d be better off with something to occupy her mind. “Come and help me with them.”
Holly didn’t bother to delay, and when Rachel handed down a pair of oil lamps from the shelf, she took them cautiously. “You sure they won’t start a fire?”
“Not unless someone knocks one over and breaks the glass that protects the flame.”
“You actually use these at home?” She was clearly finding it hard to believe.
“Something like them, but we have newer lamps that can provide more light. And battery torches, too.” They headed back into the kitchen with their burden.
“I’d rather the power stayed on.” Her eyes widened as a rumble of thunder sounded.
Ms. Geraldine took one of the lamps and began to trim the wick. “It’s an adventure, child. Don’t you like adventures? I still remember how we sat and played games around the table by the light of oil lamps when the power went off. Freda would jump every time the lightning flashed.”
“I’m not afraid of lightning,” Holly said quickly. A spatter of rain hit the windows on the west side, punctuated by a flash of lightning and the rumble of thunder. “I didn’t jump,” she pointed out.
Another clap of thunder sounded, and the storm hit in earnest. Holly peered out the window. “Somebody’s coming,” she announced. “It’s Jacob.”
Rachel looked out while Holly ran to open the door. Jacob carried an armload of something, and his free hand clasped his hat to keep the lightweight straw from flying off his head.
Jacob reached the porch, stamped and shook the water off, and came inside. Holly quickly shut the door against the storm.
“Going to be a big one,” he said. “I brought the flashlights and the battery light that were in the garage.”
“Good.” Ms. Geraldine took them from him and set them on the kitchen counter. “Holly, there’s a stack of board games on the shelf in the study closet. Why don’t you pick something out in case we want it?”
Holly went willingly enough, but she didn’t look as if she expected to have much fun.
A half hour later, she would have surprised herself if she’d thought of it. The power had gone off moments after she’d come back with a Monopoly set, and the radio informed them that the same tree that pulled down power lines had fallen across the road, blocking the way to town.
But sitting at the kitchen table playing a game by the yellow glow of the oil lamps, Holly was giggling with joy when Jacob’s man landed on her hotel and she demanded payment.
“You’re taking pretty close to my last dollar,” he complained. “How did you get to be such a shark at Monopoly? I thought you said you’d never played it.”
“Beginner’s luck,” Ms. Geraldine suggested, and Holly gave a smug smile.
They might be a family, Rachel thought. Maybe, at the moment, they were.
Without warning, loud knocking sounded from the front door. Ms. Geraldine looked annoyed at the interruption. “Who would be coming out in this weather?”
Rachel was already on her feet and heading for the door. It might well be a neighbor coming to check on them. As she pulled open the door, a spatter of water hit it, startling her. A dark figure loomed outside, one fist raised. Panic ripped through her.
Then a flash of lightning showed her Richard Withers. His hair was flattened by the rain, and water dripped from his shoulders. The panic was overtaken by a sense of...what? Memory? Fear?
Just as quickly the feeling was gone, and she could laugh at herself. She was imagining trouble lurking on the doorstep, acting like a child afraid of a storm.
“Come in, come in,” Ms. Geraldine said from behind her. “Goodness, Richard, what are you doing out in this? You’re soaked. Rachel, get some towels.”
Richard started to protest, but Rachel was already running back to the powder room to grab a handful of towels from the shelf. When she returned, they were in the circle of lamplight in the kitchen. She handed over the towels. Richard smiled his thanks and began to rub his head briskly with one. He emerged looking much more like himself.
“That’s better. Thanks.”
“Sit down,” his aunt ordered. “Tell me what you’re doing out on a night like this.”
He took a seat at the table and reached across to clasp Ms. Geraldine’s hand. “The power’s out in this whole area. I wanted to be sure you’re all right.”
“I’ve gone through more power outages than you can count,” she said tartly. “Of course I’m all right.”
But Rachel felt sure she was pleased at the attention, and probably Richard knew it, too.
“You’ve had lots of visitors lately,” Rachel pointed out. “Gerald yesterday and Richard today.”
“Gerald?” Richard frowned. “What did he want? And if you said nothing, I’d be thunderstruck.”
Ms. Geraldine’s narrow lips twisted in a wry smile. “You know Gerald. He always has some scheme to make money. Too bad none of them include doing a job of work.”
Rachel glanced at Jacob, wondering whether they, as outsiders, ought to withdraw from this family discussion. But Jacob was watching Richard intently. Maybe he wanted to hear where this led.
“What is it this time?” Richard asked.
“Someone he says is a friend of his wants to lease the land the quarry is on. There’s an idea that the quarry should be opened again. Gerald says there’s money in it.”
“The quarry?” Richard’s voice rose. “That’s ridiculous, and I hope you told him so. They’d make a big mess and end up with nothing to show for it. And the noise of the equipment would drive you wild. You’re not going along with this silly idea, are you?”
Ms. Geraldine was regarding him with what seemed to be surprise. Was it at the idea, or was it because of his vehement argument? Rachel suspected the even-tempered Richard rarely got upset.
“We’ll see,” Ms. Geraldine said lightly. “I told him I’d think about it, so I will.”
Richard seemed to bite back further argument. “I’m sure you’ll do what’s best. I just hate to see you bothered by Gerald’s nonsense.” He stood. “You all look very cozy, and I can see you have everything under control. I’d best get back to Lorna.”
Ms. Geraldine thanked him for coming even though, as she pointed out, it hadn’t been necessary. Rachel moved to walk to the door with him.
Richard didn’t speak until he had his hand on the knob. Then he smiled at Rachel in the way he had when she was a small girl. “I shouldn’t have worried. You obviously have everything under control.” He started to open the door and then paused, putting his hand lightly on her shoulder. “If there’s ever a problem, you be sure to call me. I’m always here to help.”
Rachel stood smiling for a moment after locking the door behind him. He’d been kind as a young man, and clearly he still was. Ms. Geraldine might not agree, but she was fortunate to have him.
THE NEXT DAY, Jacob noticed that while everyone seemed tired after the late night, Ms. Geraldine, Rachel, Holly and even he were cheerful. They all had a new easiness with each other, as if going through the adventure of the storm had brought them closer. Ms. Geraldine actually made a joke and submitted to teasing by her young great-niece. Amazing.
Even the weather reflected this new atmosphere, with the damp grass unusually bright and fresh and the air clear and cool. Nothing like a storm to clear things out, it seemed.
He was leaning against the back porch railing, one foot on the step, as he talked to Ms. Geraldine about where to work next. Rachel, coming out to water the potted flowers on the porch, stayed to join the conversation.
A panel truck pulled in the driveway and parked. While they watched, the driver’s side door opened. A man wiggled his way out—a hefty, middle-aged man wearing work clothes emblazoned with the words Gray’s Stone and Gravel.
Frowning a little, he watched, wondering what this might have to do with the mention Ms. Geraldine had made about Gerald’s big idea to open the quarry. And wondering, too, at Richard’s reaction to it. Had he been upset because he had his own plans for the Withers property?
“Hey, there.” The man approached, looking from Jacob to Ms. Geraldine and seeming to settle on her as the right person to talk to. “I’m Delmer Gray, ma’am. Maybe you’ve heard of me... Gray’s Stone and Gravel?”
“No, Mr. Gray, I’m afraid I haven’t.”
Jacob controlled a smile both at Ms. Geraldine’s expression and the man’s reaction. Obviously he hadn’t expected that. No doubt he was the friend Gerald had talked about, and Ms. Geraldine knew that as well as he did. What, he wondered, was she up to?
“Well, now, you are Ms. Withers, aren’t you?” At her nod, he went on with more assurance. “I’m here to talk to you about the quarry that’s way up there on the ridge. On your land, I understand.”
Again she nodded, her face noncommittal.
“Fact is, Ms. Withers, that quarry closed because at the time, there wasn’t much more need for stone, and the cost of getting it out was too great. So it was allowed to fall into disuse. All overgrown and maybe downright dangerous. I’m guessing you haven’t been up there in a while, so you wouldn’t know.”
If he’d stopped long enough to study Ms. Geraldine’s expression, he’d have slowed down, most likely, but he didn’t.
“Now, you don’t want a hazard like that on your property, just sitting there and not making any money for you. I’m here to take a lease on that piece of ground. I can work it properly, the way it should be, so it’ll pay its own way. What do you say?”
Ms. Geraldine eyed him. “I’m aware of the quarry on my property, Mr. Gray. And my nephew Gerald had mentioned it to me. I’m assuming it was Gerald you talked with?”
“Well, yes, ma’am.” He was clearly becoming aware of the fact that he’d made a misstep. “He indicated to me that you’d be receptive to my offer.”
“I’m afraid that was wishful thinking on Gerald’s part,” she said drily. “I have no intention of leasing any part of my land.”
Gray’s face darkened when he heard the first part of that. It looked like Gerald had stretched the truth in both directions.
The sound of a car in the driveway distracted both of them. Then Ms. Geraldine smiled, not very pleasantly. “Here is my nephew. Let’s see what he has to say about the situation.”
Jacob caught movement behind the screen door into the kitchen. Rachel appeared and hesitated, obviously not sure whether to interrupt or not. He shook his head just a little, hoping she’d get the message. It would be a shame not to hear Gerald’s excuses at having been caught in his deception.
Gerald stopped the car, looked toward the porch and seemed to freeze. For a moment he clung to the steering wheel, but then he must have realized that driving away wouldn’t help. He got out slowly and came toward them, arranging his face in an unconvincing smile.
“Gray. What a surprise to see you. What are you doing here?”
He smiled and nodded at his aunt, ignoring Jacob.
“Look, what’s going on here?” Gray’s square face took on a reddish hue. “You told me your aunt was all for my leasing the quarry. You said you just had to finalize all the details. Now it looks like you’ve been lying to everyone.”
“Not...not lying,” he said, stammering. “I wouldn’t... Aunt Geraldine, you know I’d never lie to you, don’t you?”
“On the contrary, Gerald. It sounds as if you’ve done that more than once. Were you planning to pay my nephew for his assistance, Mr. Gray?”
“I was, ma’am.” He glared at Gerald. “Now I wouldn’t give him a red cent.” He looked like he’d have a few more words for Gerald if it weren’t for Ms. Geraldine’s presence. He turned back to her. “I’ll be on my way now. I’m sorry to have bothered you, ma’am. Delmer Gray doesn’t do business like that. If you ever decide to do something with that quarry, I’d be honored to take care of it. I’ll be on my way.”
He took himself off, and Jacob was impressed by the man’s dignity. Unlike Gerald, who looked as if he wanted to weep.
“Well, Gerald? What else have you been doing? Putting wax on the stairs? Setting a trap in the attic?”
Gerald stared at her blankly. So blankly that Jacob was inclined to believe his denials, much as he’d rather ignore them. While he was still denying having anything to do with it, Jacob studied Ms. Geraldine’s expression, realizing that she believed him, too.
“Enough,” she said sharply, as Gerald went on and on. “Maybe you didn’t do that. But you broke into the house, didn’t you?”
“Not...not break, exactly.” He was flushed and unhappy. “I mean, I wasn’t going to steal anything. Honestly, I wasn’t. I just...”
Understanding dawned on Ms. Geraldine’s face. “Of course. You and your mother have been trying to take a look at the changes in my will, haven’t you?” Her expression tightened, and she looked suddenly older. “You can certainly assume that my will is being changed now.”
“Please, Aunt—”
“Enough.” She gestured, and Jacob saw that her hand was shaking. He took a step toward her, but Rachel got there first. She pushed her way out the screen door and took Ms. Geraldine’s arm, murmuring something about a rest.
The two of them moved slowly inside, with Rachel pausing for an instant to send an angry look back over her shoulder in the direction of Jacob.
Why was she angry at him? He hadn’t done anything. He turned to escort Gerald off the property, but Gerald was already trotting to his car as fast as he could go.
Glaring, he watched Gerald drive away, but his thoughts were on Rachel. If that wasn’t like Rachel—blaming him for something that wasn’t his fault at all. Why couldn’t she be sensible?