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IT WAS LATE BEFORE Jack returned from the mayor’s office, so he went straight to his chores. He knew once he came in there’d be so many questions about the epidemic, the trains, Harry and Fin, he’d have trouble getting back to the animals. When he finally finished in the barn, dinner was over, Mrs. Armstrong was washing dishes, and Mr. Armstrong sat at the table picking at a piece of pie. Jack hung his hat on a hook by the door.
Mr. Armstrong used his foot to push out the chair opposite. “Have a seat, Jack. You must be hungry.” He barely took his eyes off his plate and continued to poke at his pie.
Jack leaned his cane against the table and sat down. He’d never seen Ken Armstrong not eat a piece of pie when offered, no matter how big the meal.
Mrs. Armstrong set a plate in front of him. “I kept your dinner warm for you.”
“Thanks.” He dug into the food. With all that happened that day he hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast.
“You might as well take this pie back, Evelyn. I don’t have much of an appetite tonight. Perhaps Jack would like it when he’s done.”
“I’ll give him a fresh piece. You pretty much destroyed this one.” She set the plate next to the sink. “Pinky will love it.”
Mr. Armstrong drained the last of his coffee. He set his cup down hard against the table. Miraculously, it didn’t break. He looked up at Jack. “Alice spoke with Reverend Lamb. He told her about the town quarantine. I just can’t believe things have gotten so bad there isn’t another way.”
His wife inspected his cup for chips or cracks. “I don’t understand either, but that’s no reason to break a dish.” Once satisfied no harm was done, she dunked it in the dishwater and wiped it clean.
Jack sighed and leaned back in his chair. “You and a lot of other people. You should have heard them in the mayor’s office. I was afraid they might go after Iverson until Doc Peterson spoke up. He said it was his recommendation and it’s our best hope. There have been reports of influenza in neighboring towns. It’s only a matter of time before we see it here.”
Mrs. Armstrong put her hand on her husband’s shoulder. “I forgot to tell you, the Reverend said Addie Webster’s sister Doris died from it. They’re not more than five, maybe six, miles from here.”
He rubbed his chin. “Then I see no other way.”
“And prayer.” His wife gave him a hug and kissed the top of his head.
Jack smiled. There were no such outward signs of affection in the Barnes’ household.
“Where’s Alice?” He hadn’t seen or heard anything from her since he’d come in from chores.
Her father rubbed his hands over his face with a sigh. “I heard her go out the front door a while ago. My best guess is you’ll find her up the windmill. She’s gone there to think since she was old enough to climb.”
“I’ll go check on her.” Jack shoveled the last two bites of mashed potatoes into his mouth. “Thanks, Mrs. Armstrong. Dinner was delicious, as always.”
“Would you like some pie? There’s plenty left for a change.” She gave her husband a sly glance out the corner of her eye. “Unless maybe there’s something wrong with it this time, but it tasted fine to me.”
Jack laughed. “Later, before I go to bed.”
“I’ll put it in the icebox. You just help yourself.”
“Appreciate it.” He grabbed his hat and went out, careful not to slam the screen door. Women did not abide by slamming doors.
Jack walked around the corner of the barn. He held his hat in place and leaned back to look up the wooden frame of the windmill. Alice’s skirts swayed about her legs gently swinging over the side of the platform.
“Room for one more?”
She looked down at him, the setting sun formed a halo around her head, like an angel watching him from the clouds. His heart skipped a beat. He said a quick prayer that would never be the case.
She scooted over to make room. “Come on up.”
Jack left his cane at the base and carefully made his way up the ladder. Most people would be afraid of heights after an accident like his. He was at first, but over time he forced himself to climb again, higher and higher, until he did it without sweating and almost passing out. It terrified his mother to watch, but it was the one thing for which his father was proud. He’d smile and nod and say, Good job, son. Never let fear rule you. Jack clung to the memory whenever someone, including his father, told him there was something he couldn’t do.
He settled next to Alice. “Your father said I might find you here.”
“It’s my thinking place.”
“I know.”
It was obvious why Alice liked sitting up there. The view stretched clear across the fields, over the trees, and down the valley to Pine Lake. Beyond, the waters of the St Croix River glittered in the low sunlight painting a swatch of pink and orange across the western horizon. A pair of eagles circled over the water, searching for their dinner.
She reached for his hand and held on tight. “I’m frightened, Jack.”
Her touch was a fast-moving flame from his hand to his heart. “Me, too.” He let go before her touch stopped his heart from beating.
“Really? I thought you weren’t afraid of anything anymore. The way you climb up here, into the hay loft, onto the barn roof, without a second thought.”
Jack hesitated. “Influenza is different. I can’t control it.” Jack’s throat was dry. He swallowed hard. “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you, Alice.”
“I feel the same way. You’re one of the best friends I’ve ever had. I’ve always been able to count on you.”
No, Alice, you don’t feel the same way I do. You’re my whole world. I’d do anything for you. No one, not even Harry, could love you the way I do. If only you could see.
But he didn’t dare say it aloud. “Yes, anything, just ask.” They watched the sunset. “It’ll be dark soon. We’d better get down while we can still see. Harry would never forgive me if I let you stay up here so long you lost your footing in the dark and fell.” Jack held her arm while she turned and settled her feet onto the ladder rungs. Once she was on the ground, he made his way to safety.
They walked silently back to the house. She turned to him at the kitchen door. “I was going to see if there was any pie left before I went to bed. Would you like a piece?”
“I would.” Jack held the door for her. He wanted to kiss her good night. He wished he had the courage. But he’d settle for a piece of pie if it would give him a few more minutes alone with her.