What Once Was Lost (41 page)

“Mr. Dresden, come back! Come back!” He banged on the ceiling with his fist. Dizziness struck, and he slid down the ladder. On the ground he stumbled forward, hands outstretched, until he connected with a wall. He patted it with both palms. Rough, curved, damp. Stones, he realized. Grunting with
pure fright, Tommy inched his way along the wall, seeking a door. But it felt the same all the way around.

Around …
His heart fluttered, and cold sweat broke out across his entire body. A circular stone wall. Damp. Closed in. Dresden had put him in an old well. And no matter what the man had said, he wouldn’t let anybody know where Tommy was.

Panic rose from the center of his chest and exploded in frantic, hopeless actions. He clawed at the damp wall, screaming for help from Mr. Dresden, from God, from anybody. Eventually exhausted, he collapsed onto the moist-smelling floor. Sobs heaved from his dry throat. Dresden had sealed him in. Nobody would hear him. This well would be his coffin.

Chapter 40

Levi listened to Cora’s musings as he flicked the reins, urging his horses to hurry the wagon back to the poor farm. The young woman had insisted on riding with him while the Creegers rounded up more searchers, and despite misgivings he’d succumbed to her pleas. He regretted it now. She hadn’t stopped talking since they’d left the mercantile. He’d already considered every possibility she named, but he recalled his mor needing to sort things out aloud, so he let her talk without interrupting.

“He probably wanted to go to the outhouse an’ just got lost tryin’ to find his way back to the wagon.” Cora swayed with the motion of the wagon, her hands cupped loosely around her belly. A belly which, Levi tried not to notice, formed a swelling mound beneath the pale green calico skirt of her dress. “Or he decided to visit the goats in the barn. Tommy’s always been crazy about them goats—pettin’ ’em like he can’t get enough. He could’ve followed his nose to the barn, an’ maybe he curled up somewhere for a nap an’ didn’t hear you callin’ for him.”

As loud as Levi, Tucker, and Grover had bellowed, they could’ve roused the dead. If Tommy was within shouting distance, he’d have heard. But Cora seemed to need assurance, so he flashed her a tense smile. “Maybe you’re right. You can look there as soon as we get to the poor farm.”

“I will.”

Wagons bearing townsfolk followed Levi’s cloud of dust. If Tommy was hollering for help, they’d never hear him over the racket made by rattling rigging, thundering hoofs, and crunching wheels. But once they reached the poor farm, they’d all set off on foot. They’d surely hear him then.
Let us find him
.

Levi jolted. Had he just petitioned God for help?

“Mr. Jonnson?” Cora shifted slightly, seeming to memorize his profile.
“All my yappin’ about this or that happenin’—it’s just for show. To be truthful with you, I’m really scared Tommy might not’ve wandered off by accident. I’m scared he might’ve took off on purpose an’ doesn’t wanna be found.”

Levi frowned. “Why would he do that?”

“He was scared of somethin’ at the poor farm.”

“Of what?”

She lifted her shoulders in a helpless shrug. “I dunno. But remember that time me an’ him went out there with you an’ Miss Willems? You was gonna look an’ see how much wood was needed to fix the place.”

He remembered his nostrils filling with Miss Willems’s scent—floral, fresh—as they sat together on this wagon seat. He remembered the grace of her slender form as she moved from room to room. He remembered the sunlight shimmering on her stained-cherry-wood brown hair. He remembered the gratitude in her soft blue eyes when he’d said he’d provide the lumber. He swallowed hard. “I remember.”

“Tommy was scared that day. He hunkered up close to me an’ shivered.”

Levi thought back. “It was cooler then,” he said.

Cora shook her head hard. “Huh-uh. They wasn’t cold shivers, Mr. Jonnson. That boy was scared o’ somethin’. An’ I’m wonderin’ if you takin’ him out there got him all worked up again an’ he just decided to light out.”

Levi didn’t know what to say, so he fell silent and stared straight ahead. Cora stopped talking and sat smoothing her hands over her mounded stomach again and again while biting her lower lip.

The wagon rolled onto the poor farm property, and Tucker and Grover ran out to meet it. Tucker, panting, grabbed the edge of the seat. “No sign of him yet.”

Grover shook his head, clicking his tongue on his teeth. “For a young un, he must have good strong legs. We’ve covered every direction stretching a good half mile. Don’t know how he could’ve gone farther’n that.”

“ ’Less he’s put himself in a hidey-hole o’ some sort,” Tucker added, brow crinkling, “an’ we just ain’t seein’ it.”

Levi leaped down and then reached for Cora. She took his hands at once and allowed him to help her down. When her footing was secure, he turned to the men. “Since you know where you’ve already hunted, I’m going to let you direct the townspeople who’re coming out to help.”

Tucker looked toward the approaching wagons. “Whoo-ee! Half the town’s comin’, it seems!”

“With them all searching, you two can get back to work on the house so you can make your deadline. You’ve already spent enough time looking for Tommy.”

Tucker dropped his jaw. “Mister, I don’t know what you take me for, but I got two young uns myself. No job’s more important than findin’ that boy. Right, Grover?”

Grover nodded his great head. “Right. We’ll keep lookin’ with you all. The paintin’ an’ such can wait.”

Levi swallowed a lump of gratitude. He’d never witnessed such unselfishness. Except maybe from Miss Willems. He nodded. “All right then. Let’s—”

“Mr. Jonnson?” Cora touched his arm. Tears shone in her eyes. “Before you start huntin’ again, I … I’d like to pray.”

Before Miss Willems arrived on his doorstep with Tommy in tow, Levi would have scoffed at the notion. Yet at that moment he wanted nothing more than to beg God to lead them to Tommy. But after his long time away from the Almighty, he didn’t know how to begin.

“I ain’t never prayed out loud in front o’ anybody before—me an’ God, we just recently got acquainted.” Cora released a self-conscious laugh. “But I’m gonna try.” She bowed her head. Tucker and Grover whipped off their hats and followed suit. Levi removed his hat and held it to his pounding heart as Cora began in a faltering voice. “Dear God, Tommy’s lost.”

I’m lost, too
. Levi’s body involuntarily jolted. Had he really admitted that?

“We don’t know where he is, an’ we’re real worried about him.”

A fierce ache filled Levi’s chest, stealing his breath.

“He’s probably scared an’ waitin’ for someone to come along. Would You please help us find him?”

Yes, God. Please. Please …
Would God even listen to Levi after being ignored for so many years?

“An’ whatever was ailin’ him when we was here last, fix it, an’ help him not to be scared no more. Keep him safe ’til we find him. Amen.” She opened her eyes and turned a troubled look on Levi. “Do you think I was too bossy with God?”

Levi gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “I think you prayed just right, Cora. Now, why don’t you go sit on the bench in the shade over there”—he pointed to the spot near the barn—“and keep watch in case Tommy manages to find his way back here.” If his suspicions were correct, she shouldn’t be wandering all over the countryside. She made a face, but then she nodded and headed for the bench. Levi turned to Tucker. “I’m setting off north. Tommy’s smart enough to know the wind at his back will lead him toward my place.”

Men began pouring out of wagons and moving toward the house. Tucker and Grover would direct them. So Levi grabbed his lantern from the back of the wagon—who knew how long he’d be searching—pocketed a tin of matches, and set off with a determined stride. Cora’s prayer became his.
Keep him safe ’til we find him …
He couldn’t lose another person he loved.

With nothing to do and the walls closing in on her, Christina had stretched out on the bed for a nap. But the church bell’s clang had startled her awake. The bell announced Sunday service, the noon hour, and emergencies. She’d reached for her watch, then shaken her head, frustrated with herself for her inability to break the habit. Besides, she hadn’t needed a timepiece to know it was neither Sunday nor noon. Which meant something was wrong. And her promise to Ben to remain in her room had hindered her from going downstairs and making inquiries.

So for the past hour she’d paced, pausing occasionally to peer out the window in hopes of capturing a clue. Wagons bearing men had rattled south out of town. None had yet returned. She pondered the little she knew. The men
had all departed in the same direction as the poor farm property. But of course at least three farmers lived in that direction, too, so she wouldn’t allow herself to draw conclusions so quickly. The number of men leaving indicated it must be a sizable emergency. Another fire? Perhaps a fence down and cattle escaping? Desire for information sent her to the door, but as her hand closed on the knob, she remembered her promise. She’d keep her word.

Nibbling her thumbnail, she paced the room again. Creaking floorboards in the hallway signaled someone’s approach. Christina dashed to the door and swung it open. Ben stood outside. The serious look on his face immediately stirred her concern. “What is it?”

“Miss Willems, I’m sorry to tell you this, but the little blind boy, Tommy, wandered away today.”

Christina sank onto the edge of the bed, her thoughts whirling. The wagons had gone south. The mill was north. Realization dawned. “Was he at the poor farm?”

Ben nodded.

“But why?”

“Apparently he and the mill owner drove out there. I’m uncertain of their purpose. But while Mr. Jonnson was otherwise occupied, Tommy disappeared.” Sympathy showed in his dark eyes. “The sheriff and many of the town’s men, as well as the men who’ve been working to repair the house, are out searching. I’m sure they’ll find him.”

Christina pressed her fist to her lips. “Oh, I want to go help …” Then she frowned, something he’d said capturing her attention. “Men working to repair the house? What men?”

Streaks of red crept up his cheeks. “It was meant to be a surprise, but I’ve blundered. I suppose it would be cruel to stay silent now.” He grabbed the chair and seated himself, placing his hat on his knee. “Clearing your name is only part of my purpose for being in Brambleville. My secondary purpose was securing the poor farm property for Mr. Dunnigan. He’s been seeking an appropriate property for a, er, pet project for some time. And after your description, he went
out to view the house and grounds himself. He asked me to contact the mission board and arrange for purchase the same day.”

Christina’s chest ached so badly she feared her heart had stopped beating. The poor farm sold? “I … I don’t understand. Why would Mr. Dunnigan be interested in buying an old house that served as a poor farm?” And why would he purchase her house when she’d told him how much it meant to her? His betrayal stung like a slap.

A crooked smile quirked Ben’s lips. “Mr. Dunnigan is an astute businessman, and he knows a good investment property when he sees one.” He rose. “And that is all I’m at liberty to divulge.”

Christina jumped up, extending her hands to the lawyer. “I know you said I shouldn’t leave the room until the issue concerning the theft is solved, but I can’t stay here knowing Tommy is lost somewhere. Please, won’t you take me out to the poor farm? If I’m with you, no one can suspect I’m doing anything illegal.”

Ben pursed his lips, seeming to ponder her request.

“Please. I won’t be able to rest until he’s found.”

He released a heavy breath and nodded. “Very well. We’ll go to the livery and ask to borrow a buggy. I’ll take you out and hunt with you.”

Christina grabbed his arm, so relieved she nearly hugged him. “Thank you.”

He settled his hat over his dark hair and escorted her down the stairs. The desk clerk stared as they passed through the lobby, but Christina didn’t care. Let people stare. Let them whisper. It didn’t matter anymore. The poor farm was sold. Her residents—Louisa, Rose, Alice and her children, the twins, Cora, Wes, the Schwartzes—had all found their own places to work and live without her assistance.

She still had Tommy. Dear, sightless Tommy. But no home to which she could take him. Tears threatened, but she couldn’t think of herself now. She needed to focus on finding Tommy, on bringing him back to safety.

Ben made arrangements to borrow the buggy often used for funerals. The
last time Christina had ridden in it, she and Wes had transported Mr. Regehr and Mr. Breneman to the poor farm to examine the damage. Little more than a month ago. How could one’s life turn upside down in such a short time? She’d lost so much—her home, her residents, her purpose, her reputation, her closeness with her heavenly Father. And all she’d gained in return was a deep affection for a man who wanted to remain stubbornly aloof from the world. At least Papa wasn’t there to witness her plunge into failure. She found a small measure of comfort in having spared her father this heartache.