Chapter 25

Audrey turned to look back at the closed door. Oh, please don’t let anyone come out now. What should she do?

The younger man, burly, with a large black mustache, edged closer. She stepped in front of him, literally daring him to cross the threshold. “We’ve had a wedding today. Can’t you at least wait until the guests leave?”

“We can’t wait, ma’am. This rain has left my crew weeks behind. Now I ask you to step aside and please let us be about our business.”

“Sir, I insist you wait outside until I find the present owner. She can talk to you here much better than in a room full of people. Please wait.”

She fumbled behind her for the doorknob. The man looked as if he would follow her when she finally located the handle and turned it. She gave him the sort of look she reserved for wayward children. “You stay here. I’ll be back in a moment.”

Inside the house, she closed the door and went in search of Tucker. She found him in the kitchen talking to Eli and Caleb. He caught her eye, and immediately crossed to her. “What’s wrong?”

“Men from the mortgage company are here. I made them wait on out front.”

He shook his head. “Let me guess. Silas didn’t have time to pay off the mortgage.”

“And now they’re here to repossess the house.”

“They intend to take the house now?”

“I’m afraid so. Will you talk to them?”

He followed her to the front porch, closing the door behind them. “What’s the problem, gentlemen?”

“You in charge?” the older man asked

“My wife is, but she’s been ill. Can I help you?”

“We’re here to auction off the house for moneys due,” the black-mustached man said. “I understand this is a bad time, but we’re only doing our job. Sorry.”

Tucker nodded. “I understand. You realize this is a shock to us right now. We’ve just had a wedding. We understood the mortgage payment had been paid.”

Stalling, Audrey thought. Could he persuade them to leave until the party broke up?

“Wallace Madison knew about the loan, and knew he wasn’t making the payments. He had to know we’d show up.”

“Mr. Madison suffered a stroke and recently passed away. His niece, my wife, lives here now, and she hasn’t been well.”

The man nodded. “Condolences regarding your recent loss. I regret having to bring you this news, but it can’t be helped. Can your wife bring the loan up to date? Or perhaps I should ask, can you?”

Tucker shook his head, and Audrey wanted to cry. What would this do to Willow, who was still so fragile? How could they tell her the house didn’t belong to her anymore?

Tucker remained calm. “We won’t give you any trouble. Give us time to pack and dispose of the furnishings. We’ll move as fast as we can in order not to hold you up.”

The older man hesitated, and then motioned to the other. They retreated a few steps, talking animatedly before turning back. Audrey waited beside Tucker. The older man nodded. “We’ll be back first light. You must have the payment or vacate the premises then. We’ll post notices in the morning that the house will be auctioned off at noon.”

Grim-faced, Tucker agreed.

The men left, and Audrey followed Tucker back inside. He located Willow in the front parlor and pulled her aside. Motioning for Eli to follow, he led the way into Wallace’s library. Willow clung to Tucker’s arm, her features drained. Audrey’s heart ached at what must be done. Willow was just beginning to recover from the accident, and now this. Eli moved to stand beside her. “What’s going on?”

Willow appeared unaware of their whispers. She glanced up at Tucker. “What is it?”

He took a deep breath and glanced at Audrey. She indicated a comfortable leather chair. “Sit down.”

Willow gave Audrey a searching look, but obediently moved to sit down, folding her hands in her lap. “All right, I’m seated. Now what’s all of this secrecy?”

Audrey met Tucker’s gaze, and at his nod began. “The men from the mortgage company are here to foreclose on the house. Apparently Silas didn’t have time to pay off the loan.”

Willow’s face drained of color, but she remained silent. Eli reached for Audrey’s hand and held it. His warmth strengthened her. Why had it taken so long—so incredibly long for him to thaw? She still had a long road ahead to truly win his love, but they’d come half a journey in the past few hours.

Tucker knelt in front of his bride. “It isn’t the end of the world. We’ve faced a lot of problems and come out on top; we’ll do the same this time.”

“I don’t see how. We haven’t a penny to spare, and Uncle Wallace’s note is for five thousand dollars.” She met his gaze. “Do you have a plan?”

“Honestly?” His eyes searched Willow’s. “I don’t know how I’ll meet this week’s payroll. They intend to auction the house off tomorrow noon. I gave my word that we’d be out by then.”

“They’d do that on the Lord’s Day?”

Tucker’s eyes met Eli’s. “Apparently so.”

“So everyone will know.” Willow brushed a stray lock of hair off her forehead. She looked so very tired. Audrey had to get her back to her bed.

“Oh Willow.” Tucker lightly caressed the back of her hand. “I wish I could work a miracle for you, but I’m all out.”

Willow reached out to touch his cheek. “I don’t mind giving up the house. Wherever we live, as long as we’re together, that’s all I need.”

Audrey’s hand tightened in Eli’s. He returned the grip. Their eyes met, and the silent exchange reiterated his earlier request. The contact was enough that Audrey knew love wasn’t so impossible. Miracles still happened, even if Tucker was out of them. If the Lord gave her Eli and Tate, she’d be three times blessed. Love. Eli. And a child.

She had all the time God allotted her to experience the blessing.

Willow straightened. “These people are our guests. Friends, neighbors, the judge’s trusted confidants, and it isn’t fair to let them learn about the foreclosure through public notice. I want to tell them myself.”

“You don’t have,” Tucker said. “I’ll tell them.”

Eli cleared his throat. “Let us do this, Willow. Let Audrey take you upstairs.”

“No, it’s my job, but I want the three of you to walk out with me.” She held out her hand for Tucker’s help.

Her husband obliged, and Willow leaned on her groom’s arm as they walked out to meet their guests.

Audrey, with Eli beside her, followed close behind. She admired her friend’s strength; not physical strength, but the inner strength that came only from a higher source and a woman of integrity.

The group walked to the front of the parlor where Willow and Tucker had pledged their love for each other just a short time ago. Now Tucker called for quiet, and the noisy celebration died down.

With head held high, Willow cleared her throat. Then she spoke softly, but with conviction. “It seems that Uncle Wallace took out a rather sizable note on this house five years ago. That note has now come due, and I’m unable to meet the payment. The constant rain has delayed the mortgage company from taking legal action, but they’re here now, and I can’t pay off the note. Judge Madison’s home will be auctioned at noon tomorrow.” Drawing a wavering breath, she added, “It would please me greatly if one of you would buy the house.” Her eyes skimmed the interior. “It’s a wonderful home. I shall miss it very much.”

Murmurs of disbelief filled the room.

“The house was mortgaged?”

“How could the judge do that?”

“Why didn’t someone say something earlier? Maybe we could’ve all pitched in and done something!”

“I’m sorry. I only learned of the note a few weeks ago.” Willow quieted the whispers. “You’re all good friends and neighbors. My husband reminded me earlier that we’ve faced many tribulations and come through. We’ll do the same with this bump in the road.”

Bump. Audrey would consider it a boulder.

People began to drift toward the door; a few approached Willow to offer their sympathy. Sully James walked up, holding out his hand. “I’m right sorry, Miss Madison…sorry, I mean Mrs. Gray. If there’s anything I can do to help, you just tell me. I’ll stop those men from taking your house, or my name ain’t Sully James.”

Willow smiled and patted his arm. “It’s all right, Sully. Uncle Wallace owed the money, and I can’t repay it, so they have a right to the house. I can’t deny that.”

“Well, it don’t seem right. Putting you out on the street, and you been so sick and all.”

Willow shook her head. “I’ll be fine. My husband will take good care of me.”

Sully nodded. “Now, that’s the living truth. He’ll surely do that, but just in case you need me, I want you to know all you have to do is ask. I ain’t got no money, but there’s always food on my table.”

“I’ll remember that.” Willow leaned hard on Tucker’s arm, and Audrey sensed she was near collapse.

“She needs to be in bed,” she whispered to Eli.

Eli nodded. “Excuse us folks, but we need to get the bride upstairs and to her chambers.” He nodded to Tucker, and Tucker picked up his bride and carried her to the stairway.

Eli went to help while Audrey returned to the kitchen, where she found Josh Redlin sitting at the table, downing a piece of wedding cake. Copper stood at the sink washing dishes, slamming pots and pans around. Audrey suspected the two had been at it again. From the looks Copper sent the ornery wagon master, it was pretty evident that she wanted him anywhere but where he was.

If Josh noticed her unseemly behavior, it didn’t seem to bother him. Audrey told Copper what had happened, and Josh listened intently. When she finished the tale, he scraped the cake plate clean and pushed it aside. “That’s a rotten wedding gift.”

“Willow says Wallace did borrow the money and she can’t pay it back. The men from the mortgage company are only doing their job.” Audrey sighed. “But it is a rotten gift. It’s not fair.”

Josh shoved to his feet. “No one said life had to be fair.”

Copper dropped the dishcloth in the pan and turned to confront him. “That’s a very coldhearted thing to say.”

“But it’s basically the same thing Willow said,” Audrey pointed out. “She just told the guests that the house will be auctioned off tomorrow at noon.”

“Noon? On the Lord’s Day?” Redlin lifted a skeptical brow. “That bank doesn’t let any grass grow under its feet.” He reached for his hat.

“Yes, they’ve acted very quickly. I honestly think they’ll fail in their attempts to sell it. They can’t move the ugly thing, and I really can’t imagine anyone in this town wanting to buy it.”

“It’s nothing you need to worry about, Mr. Redlin.” Copper stored cups in the cabinet. “You’re about to move on.”

“Yes ma’am. Anything to brighten your day.” He grinned at her. “Well, duty calls. Plan to roll out early Monday morning. Be sure and stop by and wish me luck.”

“In a pig’s eye,” Copper murmured.

“And a fine afternoon to you too, Miss…?”

“You know my last name as well as you know your own.” Copper slammed the cupboard door shut. “Now please leave.”

Audrey winced.

Redlin left, and Copper turned to Audrey. “That is the most aggravating man on earth.”

Audrey laughed. “But so appealing, don’t you think?”

Copper’s resulting look seared a hole in Audrey’s dress.

“Or not,” Audrey added.

Cordelia Padget sailed into the kitchen wearing her arm in a sling. “Thank goodness that vile illness has passed…oh there you are, Audrey. Where’s Willow? I know you’re all aflutter about the house, and I just wanted to tell Willow not to worry. Horace and I have had an eye on it for years, but Wallace refused to sell. We’re going to buy it even if it will be on the Lord’s Day. In a few months we’ll have the best-looking house in town.”

Audrey frowned. Willow was in need of a miracle but not this one, although a person was usually not well served to be picky about miracles.

Cordelia prattled on. “Yes, indeed. Of course we’ll make suitable changes, and the first thing we’ll do is change that horrible green color. But I’ll make it a comfortable home, fitting for our community standing. I’ll want to look it over carefully before we leave, but I feel safe in saying the house is as good as sold.”

“The house will go up for auction,” Audrey pointed out. “It will go to the highest bidder.”

“Why, yes—which will be me. Who in Thunder Ridge could outbid us?” Cordelia smiled. “I mean, after all, Horace is the banker, and poor Silas is deceased now.” She whirled and fluttered out like a hefty butterfly.

Audrey quenched the seething retort on her tongue. She supposed the good Lord had a reason for creating someone as galling as Cordelia Padget, but it was far beyond her understanding.

Copper’s shoulders sagged. “I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but I don’t want Cordelia living here, in the judge’s home.”

“Nor do I,” Audrey said. “But she’s right. Now that’s Silas is gone, no one in Thunder Ridge can outbid her.”

“I know, but I don’t have to like it.”

Eli entered the kitchen. “Don’t have to like what?”

“Cordelia and Horace buying this house.”

He frowned. “They’re planning to bid? Well, I guess they do need a place to live. Their house is gone.”

Copper shook her head. “They need a bat cave.”

“Well, sad as it is, we can’t say who buys the house. It’s whoever can outbid the other.” He held out his hand to Audrey. “Care to take a walk?”

“I’d love it.” She took his arm, grinning at Copper. Her friend put her hands on her hips. “What’s this?”

“What?” Audrey asked in her most innocent tone.

“You.” Her gaze swept Eli. “Him.”

“Oh, him.” Audrey’s mischievous eyes met Eli’s. “I’m waiting.”

“For what?”

“One of those hard-sought miracles.”

Copper rinsed out the dishcloth. “I’m glad you two finally opened your eyes. I wish I could be here for the auction, but I must leave early in the morning. I have lessons to prepare for the coming week, and I must attend a social tomorrow afternoon. One of the ladies in our congregation is turning ninety, and I offered to help serve. I won’t be here when the house is sold.”

“I’ll write you right away and let you know who purchased it. I promise.” Audrey glanced at Eli. “And nothing too exciting is going to happen right away.”

She wouldn’t exactly describe her and Eli’s fragile involvement as imminently explosive, but she had a hunch it was going to quickly develop into fireworks.

If she had any say in the matter.

That night Audrey lay awake for a while, thinking about Willow and all the changes she’d had in her life. Now she had Tucker to lean on, and Copper had a school. Yvonne might be able to remain in Thunder Ridge, and the way Caleb treated her—well, when her grieving time was over, Audrey wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see that woman win the other Gray’s heart.

 

Audrey was up early, packing the parlor items Willow planned to take with her. Men were already loading the wagon with the judge’s personal items to be stored in the barn at Tucker’s place. Adele, Sadie, and Yvonne worked in the kitchen.

A knock on the door interrupted her work. She opened it to find Kirkland Burying, with his hat in his hand. “Good morning. I heard the judge’s house is being auctioned off today and you’re looking for a place to stay.”

The question startled her. What was this? Kirkland making her an offer of…She met his gaze, perplexed.

His face brightened. “May I offer you the room behind the mortuary? It would be close to your work, so to speak.”

“Work? What work?” She hadn’t worked for Kirkland in a while, not since the illness abated.

He flushed. “I’ve been thinking about that. You’re a young, single woman, I’m a single man, and perhaps the two of us could reach an arrangement?”

Audrey backed up a step.

“Uh…well, I’m indeed flattered, but since Willow’s accident…You see, Kirkland, I’m replacing Willow. I’ll be teaching here in Thunder Ridge. I won’t be working at the parlor any longer.”

“You prefer teaching to the funeral business?”

“Yes. I do.” Ever so much.

He frowned. “That is surprising. I thought we’d make the perfect pair.”

She managed a weak smile. Indeed. “Thank you so much for the offer.”

“You’re welcome.” He tried to peer around her shoulder. “Is Copper available?”

“No, she left earlier this morning for Beeder’s Cove.” She glanced up. “She had community commitments this afternoon.”

“Drats.”

He turned and walked off.

“There’s Yvonne—the new widow. She might be interested in employment…” Kirkland didn’t appear to hear her added response.

Indeed, she thought as she closed the door. Kirkland and her? The perfect match? She snickered out loud, picturing an even more unlikely scenario: Kirkland and Copper.

She chuckled all the way back to the parlor.

Toward noon, a crowd started to assemble. Seemed the entire town was present, but most were there out of curiosity, because other than the Padgets, Audrey couldn’t think of a man or woman in town with the funds necessary to purchase the judge’s home. Earlier Tucker had taken Willow to his house; she did not want to watch the auction. Emptied of its contents, the house seemed to Audrey like an abandoned child sitting beside the road, waiting for someone to come along and claim it.

Noon sharp, the bidding began.

The black-mustached man lifted a hand. “Ladies and gentlemen. You’ve had a chance to look over the house and make your decision. Do I have an opening bid of twenty-five hundred dollars?”

Horace stood up and met the bid. The gathering murmured, even though it was exactly what they had expected.

Then another man spoke up. Audrey didn’t recognize him, but she thought he might hail from Blackberry Hill or Beeder’s Cove.

“Twenty-seven hundred,” he countered.

“Twenty-seven hundred. I have a bid of twenty-seven hundred, do I hear three thousand?”

Horace took a step forward. “Three thousand.”

Cordelia worked a fan, smiling.

“Three thousand. I have three thousand. Do I hear thirty-one hundred?”

“Thirty-one hundred.”

Eyes switched to the stranger. He sat stone-faced, eyes fixed straight ahead.

“Thirty-one hundred! I’ve got thirty-one hundred; do I hear thirty-five? Thirty-five hundred?”

Silence fell over the gathering. Eli stepped closer to Audrey. “If I had the funds I’d buy it.”

She slipped her hand into his. “Whatever for?”

He shrugged. “Can’t tell when I’ll need larger quarters.” His gaze roamed the small yard. “It’d be a good place to raise young’uns.”

“Indeed it would—fifteen rooms. A body could raise a lot of children here.” Her hand nestled more tightly in his.

He gazed down at her. “You do realize that we are now officially courting?”

“I hadn’t realized.” This wasn’t going to take nearly as long as she feared, but she was going to have to adjust to Eli Gray’s rather confusing approach to love and matrimony. It made her head swim.

“You don’t mind, do you?”

“Not in the least.”

“Thirty-five. Do I hear thirty-five hundred, ladies and gentlemen? This fine home is a bargain at five thousand. Do I hear thirty-five hundred?”

Horace nodded.

“Thirty-five hundred. Do I hear four thousand? Four thousand?”

The stranger nodded.

Cordelia took a hankie out of her reticule and mopped her face. She leaned to speak to Horace. The couple exchanged animated whispers. Then Horace turned.

“Forty-one hundred.”

“Forty-one! I have forty-one hundred. Forty-one, forty-one…”

A tall man parted the crowd. Josh Redlin appeared, dressed in rugged buckskin. “Sixty-five hundred dollars.”

A collective gasp swept the onlookers. Cordelia swiveled to fix her eyes on the interloper.

Audrey leaned to whisper, “What’s he doing here?”

“I don’t know. I guess we’ll see soon enough.”

“Sixty-five hundred dollars! I’ve got sixty-five hundred, do I hear seven thousand!”

The stranger stood up, put on his hat, and left.

Cordelia yanked on Horace’s jacket tail, but he shook her away. “We’re not millionaires, Cordelia. Now hush up. We’ve been outbid.”

“I don’t have a home, you oaf!”

The banker firmly took his wife in hand and pulled her through the crowd. She was still berating him when he led her away.

Josh entered the small circle surrounding the auctioneer. “I assume cash will be sufficient.”

The mustached man grinned. “Most sufficient. If you’ll step this way, we’ll conclude our business.”

Audrey slowly turned to gape at Eli. “The wagon master bought the house? Whatever for?” She honestly believed that she had now witnessed every peculiarity this town had to offer.

Eli’s hand tightened around hers, a slow grin starting at the corners of his mouth. “I want to be the one to tell Copper.”

Copper. Oh my goodness. She would swoon when she heard the news. She matched Eli’s grin when the enormity of Josh Redlin’s purchase started to sink in. Why would Redlin want the house, unless he planned to move here and settle down?

Oh, Copper was going to love this. There was not nearly enough distance between Beeder’s Cove and Thunder Ridge to prevent the clash that would result from those two dealing with each other on a regular basis. Thunder Ridge couldn’t handle that upheaval.

Or could it? The following weeks should be mighty interesting.