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JACK ARRIVED PROMPTLY to take Alice home. He waited a half hour, understanding she might be in the middle of a task, before going in to look for her.
He stopped in front of the trophy case outside the gymnasium. Front and center, where no one would miss it—not that anyone could possibly overlook something so big—stood Harry’s football trophy, his pride and joy. Their father’s pride and joy. Team captain, most valuable player, quarterback extraordinaire, and whatever else you wanted to add to the list. Then there were the slightly smaller trophies. The one for Harry’s role in winning the baseball tournament. There was the basketball team, and even one for debate. Harry J. Barnes, Jr., class of 1916, all around great guy. You name it, Harry won an award for it. Jack wondered if the townspeople, certainly their parents, would want another added for War Hero after the influenza was over and there was time to plan a great welcome home party. At least, they’d be forced to include Fin. If you asked Jack, he’d tell you Fred Finley was worth a hundred of Harry. But no one asked him.
He turned away from the Harry J. Barnes, Jr. Wall of Fame. Approaching the familiar double doors to the gymnasium, Jack again heard the crowd chant Harry’s name, saw his teammates lift him onto their shoulders and parade him out into the streets after he sunk the winning basket. It was Jack who stayed behind to pick up the balls and help the janitor sweep the floor. He was always there to cheer his brother on, and then to clean up after. During good times and bad.
But when Jack opened the grand wooden doors a scene of despair and fear replaced all those memories. No wonder Doc looked exhausted.
And where was Alice? She wasn’t outside, as promised, and now she apparently wasn’t inside, either. Doc was with a patient, an old farmer Jack recognized from town. The man’s wife sat with him, wringing her hands as Doc listened to her husband’s chest.
Jack waved when Doc saw him. Doc wiped his hands on his apron. There were so many stains Jack was surprised he found a clean space large enough to do his hands any good.
“You really do have your work cut out for you,” Jack said when Doc walked over.
“Yes, but I’m starting to see the numbers slowly go down. I’m hopeful we’re on the downhill side of this epidemic. In the meantime, Alice will be an immeasurable help. And the patients seem to prefer her cheery smile to this old face.”
Jack scanned the room again. “Speaking of Alice, where is she?”
“She wasn’t out front? She left maybe an hour ago. Said she was going to wait for you outside.”
“No, she wasn’t.” Jack was more annoyed than surprised. Clearly, she slipped off somewhere without any thought to who might worry—and not for the first time. Heck, he’d even been an accomplice to her schemes a time or two. Her motives were always kind-hearted, but she put her parents in a state more than once.
After a moment’s pause, Doc sighed. “We buried Mrs. Hudson yesterday.”
Of course. Who better understood Lizzie’s pain?
Doc motioned to the old farmer’s wife. “Addy, would you please keep an eye on everyone for me. I won’t be long, but if you need me, we’ll be at the Hudson’s.”
* * *
JACK FIDGETED WITH his hat. Lizzie’s grief was evident in her puffy, red eyes. “My condolences. Your mother was a fine woman. She’ll be missed.”
Lizzie sniffled. “Thank you.”
After more awkward silence, Jack laid a hand on Fin’s shoulder. “Welcome home. Glad you finally made it. You and Harry will have to tell us all about it after this is over, but right now I need to get Alice home.”
She gave Lizzie a final hug. “I’m helping Doc over at the school, so I’ll be in town every day.”
Jack ushered her out to the front porch. “Lizzie’s lucky to have you.”
“Not only me, but Fin and Betty, you, and even Harry.”
Jack refrained from laughing. Harry always said Lizzie had cotton wool for brains, but he also said she was sweet and Fin was lucky to have her.
Doc joined them. “I need to get back to my patients. Again, Alice, eat a good meal, get some sleep, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I will.” Alice climbed onto the wagon bench next to Jack, close enough that her thigh brushed briefly against his. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to crowd you.” She slid over to give him more room.
Jack’s muscles tightened at her touch. He held his tongue, uncertain his words would come out as anything but a squeak, and that hadn’t happened since he was twelve. Sugar and Molasses took off at a smooth trot down Main Street.
He stole glances at her from the corner of his eyes. “Doc told me he took you to the cemetery.” Hopefully, she wouldn’t start crying. It broke his heart any time Alice was hurting.
“Yes.” She paused. “Jack, I’d like to stop at your parents’ house and see Harry. We wouldn’t have to stay long.”
Jack hesitated. He’d had Alice to himself for so long he was reluctant to hand her back to Harry. After all, why hadn’t his brother come by again in the past two weeks?
“There certainly can’t be any harm now. Doc lifted our quarantine. I’ve missed him so much.”
“Of course.” Again, Jack found it impossible to say no to Alice. He turned the team left at the next intersection.
Harry was tending a rather large burn pile when they arrived. The wagon hadn’t even come to a complete stop before Alice fairly flew out of the wagon and into his arms. Jack pulled up on the reins and stayed seated, watching the happy reunion with a lump in his chest.