Chapter Fourteen

She actually said that?” Paul stopped Bonnie that evening as she finished sharing the story of their encounter with Charlene. “That she suspected foul play?”

“Well, somebody had to say that,” Kate joked as she stood behind her husband with both her hands on his shoulders. “At some point, somebody was going to go there and say that cheesy line. I’m just glad it wasn’t one of us.”

“And to her credit,” Bonnie said as she fussed with her new burgundy-colored scarf with gold leaves, “she did ask us to pardon the pun.”

Kate patted Paul’s shoulder and straightened up. “I’ll get the salad and check on the corn bread.”

Kate thought about Charlene’s theory, which gave her the impression that Charlene thought Artie knew more about the missing birds than he had volunteered.

As Kate set down the salad and bread on her much-loved oak table, she said, “So, all that drama, just to end up right where we were before we spoke with her.”

“Where were you?” Paul prodded for a more definite answer. He reached for the salad bowl and lifted it toward Bonnie, offering to serve her.

“Where we were,” Bonnie said, letting Paul fill her salad bowl, then setting it on the place mat in front of her, “was smack-dab in the middle of a bona fide mystery.”

“Mystery?” Paul stopped with the large salad bowl poised above his own empty bowl. Good humor glinted in his eyes as he stole a look at Kate, then looked back to Bonnie. “Thinking that there aren’t as many birds as you assume there should be in a small stretch of the Tennessee countryside is hardly the kind of thing you alert the media over.”

Bonnie nodded. “I can see that, but if I’m right about something being wrong with the birds, we can’t totally exclude the human element.”

“The human element?” Paul leaned over his salad bowl.

“Charlene’s so-called foul play,” Kate said, her eyes on her former teacher for confirmation.

“Yes.” Bonnie folded her hands in front of her. “What if someone is dumping toxic chemicals in the area? If that’s the case, one has to wonder how long it will take for that to start affecting larger animals or to work its way into the water supply.”

Paul’s concentration intensified, his usually relaxed dinnertime demeanor growing somber.

“Or what if somebody is using those sweet, helpless birds for target practice?” Bonnie looked from Paul to Kate to Paul again. “You’d want to know if someone that cruel was skulking about, wouldn’t you?”

“I’d certainly want to know about that.” Paul served up some salad for Kate, then himself. “You make some really thought-provoking points, Bonnie.”

They all bowed their heads, and Paul said a simple but heartfelt grace. He offered his humble appreciation for all that they had each been given, including the good food. Then he added another round of thanks for their sharp minds, their hunger for finding the truth, and for seeking what is best and finding the right balance in life for all of God’s creatures. He concluded by asking God’s hand in guiding them and those they loved.

“Amen,” Bonnie sounded out.

After the salad, Kate brought out the main course. The aroma of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, fried okra, and green beans filled the small kitchen.

Paul praised Kate for her cooking skills as he filled his plate. She sat back, enjoying her husband’s compliments and the engaging conversation of her dear friend.

Paul paused before digging in. “You’re so right, Bonnie, in saying that we need to be about God’s business, and that what’s important to him should be important to us.” He looked thoughtful as he continued. “But that can also create a slippery slope. When something’s very important to us, it’s not always easy to be objective. Sometimes because of our own emotions and priorities, we can’t imagine that God might have set other plans in place.”

“Hmm. Do you think the missing flocks are an act of God?” Bonnie asked.

Paul shook his head. “I don’t know. But ever since the organization in Pine Ridge set a date for people to gather at a certain place to try to spot those birds, I can’t help thinking that’s like deciding the exact day the leaves will all change color. Can you make a good guess? Sure. But knowing those kinds of things with any certainty? That’s definitely God’s business.”

“It’s as though we’ve gotten a bit spoiled.” Kate lifted the basket of corn bread and offered a second helping to her husband, who happily took a piece. “We’ve treated God’s creation like a party we can schedule for our own convenience.”

Bonnie swallowed a mouthful of chicken before responding. “That’s why I came a week ahead of time. I’d hoped to spend some quiet time in observation, to allow the umbies a larger window of opportunity, as it were, to appear.” Bonnie held her hands out, palms up, as if to say, “See, we all agree on this point.”

“Actually, this is a bit off topic, but, Bonnie, I was hoping you could help me with something.” Paul set his utensils down and tented his fingers. “My grandmother and people of her generation made such a fuss when they spied a redbird landing in the yard. Something about an old belief that it meant the Holy Spirit was with them. I want to remind our congregation, using that illustration, that God is always with us, even when we don’t see him, and that he shows himself to us often in ordinary ways.” He looked to Bonnie. “My only hesitation is that I couldn’t find any written reference to that legend about the cardinals. Have you ever heard anything like that?”

“Not that one specifically, but the cardinal is an important symbol in many cultures,” Bonnie confirmed. “Some say that seeing one was a message to take care of your health. Others look to it as a portent of good news. Many people find Christian undertones in the beauty and the bright red color of the male bird.”

“Thanks. I think I can work with that.” He patted her hand, then stood, picking up his plate. “And to show you both how much I appreciate what you’ve done for me, I’m going to do the dishes.”

“Thank you very much.” Kate reached up to kiss his cheek. “And since you’re being so helpful, I’ll return the favor and take your research books back to the library on Monday.”

“I’d appreciate that.” With both hands full, he turned and motioned with his head for her to follow. “But don’t think I don’t know that you have your own reasons for making that offer.”

“You mean because it’ll give me a chance to visit with Liv?” When Kate had first arrived in Copper Mill, she’d felt a special connection with Livvy Jenner, the town librarian. They often spent time together doing research and offering each other support in their lives and faith.

“That and the fact that despite my conjecture that the birds are probably out there or will be in due time, you can’t resist a good mystery.” He settled the dishes on the counter, then turned and grinned at her.

Even after all these years, he still made Kate’s heart flutter. She loved his kindness, his intelligence, his sense of fun, and the fact that he saw right through her, especially when there was a problem to be solved.

“You got me.” She carried the platter with a few pieces of chicken left on it over to the counter. She knew that Paul would have those cold for a snack later, probably that night, as he went over his sermon one last time before giving it the following morning.

She wrapped up the chicken and said, “I want to go to the library anyway. I wouldn’t mind talking through this with an objective party.”

“I knew it, Kate, my dear.” He stole a quick kiss on her cheek as he headed back to gather more dishes. “There’s a hint of mystery in the air, and you won’t rest easy until you’ve figured it out.”