Just Above a Whisper (28 page)

“You’re showing!” Cathy Shephard exclaimed with excitement when she went to the farm to visit Maddie.

“I can’t be showing,” Maddie disagreed, looking down at herself. “It’s barely three months.”

Cathy looked again. “Maybe you’re not.”

“Wishful thinking?” Maddie suggested.

“Probably.” Cathy smiled at the thought and then looked serious. “I want to be Granny.”

Maddie frowned. “What else would you be?”

“I mean, I want to be called Granny, even though you’ve never called me Mama.”

Maddie smiled, not expecting this side of her aunt.

“And what does Doyle want to be called?”

“You’ll have to ask him. He’s excited about this but in a quiet sort of way, so he might not know what he wants.”

“Why is he quiet about it?”

“Worried about you, I expect.”

“Worried how?”

“That you won’t be all right or that the baby won’t.”

Cathy’s own penchant toward worry was surfacing at this point, and Maddie knew that Doyle was not the only one.

“I’m going to be fine,” Maddie assured her with quiet conviction. “So will the baby.”

“Well, of course you are!” Cathy retorted bracingly.

“That’s not what I mean,” Maddie pushed the point. “No matter what, whether I live or not, or even if the baby dies, we’ll be all right.”

Cathy didn’t see how that could be true, but keeping Maddie’s condition in mind, she didn’t say anything. She had carried a basket of baked goods in with her and turned to where it sat on the table.

Maddie didn’t know what to do. She hated to let the topic drop, but if Cathy didn’t want to hear, there was no point in speaking. Or was there?

The decision was taken from her. Jace had seen the wagon and had come from the yard to have dinner and say hello.

It was dinnertime at the big house in town too. Reese nearly had the food ready for the table when she heard the front door. She hurried so it would be ready and waiting, but Conner beat her to the door. Filling the door frame that led from the hallway, he stood, a paper in his hand. Reese froze, fingers still holding the serving dishes, and stared at him.

“Charisse V. Thackery,” he read, his voice curious. “What does the
V
stand for?”

Instantly Reese’s look became stubborn, and she remained mute. Conner, however, was not put off. Readying for the challenge, his brows rose, and he leaned against the frame as if he had all day.

“Victoria?” Conner detected a small shake of Reese’s head, but she didn’t make a sound.

“Virginia?” he tried.

Another shake of the head told him he was wrong.

“Valerie?”

“No. I have work to do,” Reese reported, effectively closing the conversation and moving to put food on the table. Conner watched her go back and forth between the dining room and the kitchen but didn’t get in her way or interrupt. But as usual he was thinking.
I’ll find out
.

Victor Jenness stood outside the bank window in the dark shadows of the building, furious with himself that he’d forgotten his keys. It was equally dark inside, but still his eyes were just beginning to catch something new. Squinting toward the alcove, he realized the furniture had been moved around.

His heart beating painfully, he felt his entire frame flush with heat as fresh anger filled him. This was his bank! They had no right to come in and interfere in this way.

Victor had planned to sneak back to his own home, check on Gerald and his wife, and then swear them to secrecy, but he didn’t know right now if he could control himself. Slipping even deeper into the shadows, this time behind the bank, Victor stood to catch his breath and try to figure out his next move.

Conner was weary, and the house was still. He’d given almost no thought to Troy being away for the weekend but now realized the house was very quiet without him. After those first few days of adjusting to the memories and being back after so many years, Conner had weathered the transition very well.

But not tonight. Tonight it seemed he saw his favorite sister everywhere he looked. She had died when he was 12, and Conner’s last memories of her had been here, enjoying their grandmother together, and feeling as though they could stay forever.

Reese had already left for the day, or Conner might have sought her out just to get his mind from the thoughts crowding in. If only he could keep his mind on the time in the house and not the coach ride that followed.

Conner’s temple began to throb. He wondered if reading his Bible for a while might be the answer. Conner hoped that studying God’s Word and getting to sleep early would remedy the situation.

Reese let herself in the side door, already thinking about what she would prepare for breakfast and dinner. With Troy missing, she would adjust the amount some, but not by much. Conner could eat at least twice what she could consume and never look as though he’d fallen into gluttony.

She started the coffee as usual and then began mixing eggs and ham. The coffee was brewed and sending its aroma around the house and the eggs were nearly done when Reese realized that Conner usually made an appearance by now.

Not wishing to intrude but wanting his breakfast to be hot, Reese slipped across the wide hallway and peeked into the study. She was surprised to find it empty. Being as quiet as she could manage, Reese checked all the downstairs rooms. Conner Kingsley was nowhere to be found.

Reese stood at the bottom of the stairs, knowing she could never do it. She bit her lip, hoping he would suddenly appear at the top of the stairs and put Reese’s mind at ease. It didn’t happen.

Reese slipped back to the kitchen and made sure the fire was safe, going to the window to see if he was out by the barn. She then used the front door to save time. This was a job for Doc MacKay.

Leaving a very sober Reese at the bottom of the stairs, Doc went quietly up the staircase, not thrilled with this invasion of privacy but willing to check on Conner, not just out of concern, but for Reese’s sake as well.

“Conner?” Doc called quietly after coming to a closed door. He knocked softly before opening it. A large figure lay in the bed, but there was no sound or movement.

“Conner?” the doctor tried again, this time approaching the bed. Not until he touched the banker’s shoulder did Conner stir.

“I’m sorry,” Doc MacKay wasted no time in saying. “Reese was concerned when you didn’t come downstairs.”

“What time is it?”

“Nearly 8:00.”

“Oh,” Conner groaned a little, shifted on the mattress, and attempted to clear his throat. “I didn’t get to sleep until early this morning, and Troy wasn’t here to wake me.”

“Why don’t you rest a bit more?”

“I should get to the bank.”

“Not if you’re unwell.”

“I’m not; I’m just tired.” Conner scrubbed at his face, feeling as though he’d had no sleep at all. “Maybe Reese could run over and tell Leffler I’ll be there later.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Doc assured him. “Can I get you something? Reese has breakfast and coffee ready.”

“Tell her I’ll be down later, after I’ve slept some more.”

“All right.”

Slipping back out the door and closing it, the older man made his way to the stairs where Reese still waited on the bottom step. That man kept his voice low when he stopped beside her.

“He didn’t sleep well. He wants you to go to the bank and tell Mr. Leffler that he’ll be in later today.” Reese opened her mouth to say she would be happy to, but the doctor continued. “I’ll take care of that. I think you should just go about your chores on this level, and when he comes down, fix him something to eat.”

“He didn’t want anything right now?”

“Just sleep.”

Reese nodded, but she felt helpless. It was her nature to do more. What if he called for help? No one would hear him.

“What’s the matter?” Doc asked.

Reese told him where her imagination had run.

“He assured me that he’s not ill, Reese. We’ve got to take him at his word.”

“But he doesn’t know you that well. For all he knows, telling you that might give you ideas of bleeding him.”

The doctor had to admit that Reese had a point, but he would still not go back upstairs.

“What if he doesn’t come down at all?” Reese finally asked.

“If he’s not downstairs by the time you’re ready to leave for the day, come and get me.”