Wonderland Creek Part 28

"Oh, Lillie!" I hugged her as gently as I could. As she patted my back, I wondered who was comforting whom.

"Yes, I know all about hard times and wondering why G.o.d allows such a thing."

"I'm so sorry."

"That was a long time ago, honey. A long time ago."

"Were the men caught and punished for what they did?"

"Now, just who do you think was under them hoods? The reason they cover up their faces is because they don't want folks in town to know that they're the policemen and the judges and all them other officials. Those men will pay for what they done in the world to come, but not in this one."

I couldn't imagine the cruelty Lillie had endured, her first family s.n.a.t.c.hed away and sold into slavery, her second family murdered. No wonder she had lied to the entire town and forced me to stage Mack's funeral. He was like a son to her, and she couldn't bear to lose him, too. "How did you ever get through such sorrow, Lillie?"

"Took a long time, honey. A long time. That's when I left and moved up here. I made up my mind to run far, far away and live all alone. I hated everyone-and white people especially. But little by little, the Good Lord healed my heart and coaxed me back into His arms again. Which is why I know He can heal Maggie's heart. And He will, I'm certain of it, in time."

"But how can you know for sure? Maggie told me herself that she's lost her faith."

"Jesus says if we belong to Him-and I know that Maggie Coots surely does-then no one can s.n.a.t.c.h us out of His hand. The Lord has a way of working things out so we'll find our way back to Him. He didn't let me stay lost, and He won't let Maggie stay lost, either. Believe me, I know."

"Is there anything I can do or say to help her?"

"Don't try to preach to her. She won't listen anyhow. Just be a friend to her."

I nodded, then thought of something else. "Lillie, why did you tell me to be careful around her?"

"Because bitterness and hatred can spread from one person to the next, just like a case of the measles. And I sure would hate to see you catch it, honey."

Ike arrived at the library on Tuesday as I was getting ready to deliver books. "I'm here to take care of that bat for you," he said. He was armed with a burlap sack and a rake, and from the determined look on his face, he might have been here to slay a dragon for me. I longed to reward him with a hug for his bravery, but the other librarians were watching.

"Promise you won't kill it?"

"Not unless I have to. They get rabies sometimes."

I left him to his work and rode up to see June Ann. Her dog Rex ran out of the cabin when we arrived, barking ferociously, but both Belle and I were used to him by now. June Ann usually came to the door to greet me, but this time she didn't. Maybe she was busy nursing the baby. At least she wasn't working out in the field today.

I dismounted and tied Belle to the fence. "Good dog . . . nice dog," I soothed. "It's me, Rex. You know me." His tail started to wag and he finally quieted down. When he did, I could hear baby Feather crying inside the cabin.

"June Ann?" I called out. "It's me, Allie. I have your books."

No reply. The door was open so I went inside. The baby was in her cradle near the warm hearth, crying and red-faced, but June Ann was nowhere to be seen. Was she using the outhouse? I walked to the fireplace and lifted the baby into my arms.

"Hey, don't cry . . . it's all right." I propped her against my shoulder and rubbed her back. That was the full extent of my experience with babies. My soothing didn't help and I spent several long minutes walking around the room with her, humming, patting, and rocking. Feather continued to cry. I saw the two bottles of tonic on the mantel and they looked half empty, so June Ann and the baby must be taking their doses every day. Was it time to give Feather more? Where was June Ann?

I walked and patted some more until the sound of Feather's cries began to grate on my nerves. I couldn't make her stop. I could see how June Ann might become frustrated and depressed, dealing with this every day-and night. What if something really was wrong with Feather? I remembered Maggie's baby and the tiny tombstone that marked her grave. I hadn't wanted to ask how Rhoda Lee had died.

I felt Feather's forehead for a fever the way my mother used to feel mine. It wasn't hot. Maybe she was wet. I looked around for diapers and saw a pile of clean cloths on the bed. I laid Feather down and changed her, then walked with her some more. If she was hungry, there was nothing I could do about it.

By now, twenty minutes had pa.s.sed. I decided to go look in the outhouse in case something was wrong with June Ann. She wasn't there. Nor was she sitting on the rock where she had waited the last time that I had rocked Feather for her. Next, I looked in the shed, still carrying the screaming baby. No sign of June Ann. I was getting worried. I had no idea what to do.

I longed to take the baby down to Miss Lillie so she could figure out what was wrong with her, but it would be impossible to get on the horse with a baby in my arms. I could barely get on empty-handed. Should I walk down to Mack's cabin? It was only a mile or two, but what could he do for a baby? It would take all morning to hike all the way into town, and the path was steep in places. What if I slipped and dropped Feather? Besides, Belle could slosh across the creek quite easily, but how would I manage the deep water? And what about the wildcat?

By the time I walked back to June Ann's cabin, the baby's cries were slowing down. At last, they quieted to whimpers and she finally fell asleep. I was afraid to lay her down, but my shoulders and arms still ached from cranking the wringer and kneading bread yesterday, so I finally laid her in the cradle. Then I went outside and sat on the doorstep to wait for June Ann. The cabin was much too dark and depressing inside to wait there.

"Hey, Allie." I heard June Ann's timid voice behind me and turned as she walked through the house and out onto the porch.

"June Ann! Where were you?"

"Sorry. I know I shouldn't have left Feather all alone like that, but I knew she was fed and her diaper was dry and . . . and she wouldn't stop screaming."

"The medicine didn't help?"

June Ann shook her head. I could see tears welling up in her eyes. "I had to leave her, Allie, I had to. I was so afraid!"

"Afraid of what?"

"That I might hurt her," she said in a tiny voice. "Sometimes I just feel like shaking her and shaking her, but I know that won't help. Then all kinds of crazy thoughts go through my head . . . like drowning her in the creek."

I didn't know what to say. The thought of June Ann shaking the baby or throwing her in the creek horrified me. I had felt a little of her frustration a few minutes ago, but what would it be like to deal with a screaming baby day and night? With no one to help me?

"I don't want to hurt her, Allie. I love her so much, but . . . I don't know what to do."

"There must be someone who would come and help you. Please, just tell me where to find your mother or a sister and I'll talk to them for you." June Ann started shaking her head before I finished speaking. "Why not?"

"I know what they'll say. They'll tell me that Feather is cursed because she's half Arnett and half Larkin. They'll say she cries all the time because the two families are fighting inside of her."

"That's ridiculous. You know it is. No one can possibly believe that."

"Sometimes I think it might be true, you know? The way she cries and cries?"

"Don't believe it, June Ann. She's a beautiful baby. Listen, please come down and stay with Miss Lillie and me for a couple of days. We can help you take care of Feather. Lillie will find something that will help her, I know she will."

"I can't leave the garden and the animals. Wayne would shoot me after all the hard work he did to get us going."

"Not even for one day? Or maybe we can figure out a way to bring the animals, too." Although when I tried to imagine transporting a coop full of chickens, an ornery mule, and a couple of pigs across the creek and down the steep hill to town, I knew the idea was ridiculous.

"I can't leave. But please don't think I'm a terrible mother for leaving Feather alone in the house."

"I don't think that."

"I wasn't far away, honest I wasn't. I just didn't want to hurt her."

"I know. I know." I let June Ann lean on my shoulder and cry. "I'll figure something out, I promise." But what?

I stayed until she was calm and smiling again. The baby slept quietly the entire time. "I have to go," I finally said. "But please think about coming into town with me. Please?" She shook her head.

I felt drained by the time I arrived at the Sawyer farm. All nine children ran out to the edge of the woods to meet me. I never could understand how they could run in bare feet. I had been reading a short picture book to them each time I came, but now that Faye's boys had finished Treasure Island, I decided to ask the Sawyers if they wanted to hear a chapter from a longer book each week. The idea excited them, and even the very youngest kids listened so well to the first chapter that I rewarded them with a second.

Maggie had told me the reason Kentucky children were so attentive-unlike the students I had worked with back home-was because oral storytelling was popular among these families. By the time children started school, they would already know a dozen or more local tales by heart, told by their mamas and granddaddies. I loved reading stories to the children on my route, including the Howards farther up the mountain, now that their spring planting was finished.

But today I was anxious to get home and talk to Lillie about June Ann and Feather. I had planned to make a quick stop at Gladys and Clint's cabin, staying only long enough to exchange books with them. Instead, they asked me to come inside and read aloud from the newspaper the way Cora used to do. I wondered if either one of them knew how to read or if they were simply lonely for company. Or maybe they were testing me. Maybe Clint believed in the old adage to keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

The newspaper he handed me was from February 1933, more than three years ago. The front page told the story of the a.s.sa.s.sination attempt on Franklin Roosevelt's life shortly before he had been sworn in as president. The bullet had missed Roosevelt but had killed the mayor of Chicago, Anton Cermak, instead.

"Ain't that where you're from-Chicago?" Clint asked when I finished reading the article. It required an enormous effort not to roll my eyes.

"I live near Chicago, not in Chicago. Blue Island is a perfectly safe little town, Clint. We don't have any gangsters or a.s.sa.s.sins." Although sometimes I did wonder about Uncle Cecil.

Gladys and Clint finally sent me on my way again, and I stopped to drop off more food supplies for Mack, including one of the loaves of bread Lillie had helped me bake yesterday. It had turned out pretty good.

"I'm impressed, Alice," Mack said when I pulled it out of the bag with a flourish. "I still have to chuckle when I remember your first day here, how you asked me for a hotel and a restaurant."

"You were so crabby that day. As if I had awakened you from hibernation."

"I had no idea what to do with you. And now look how well you're getting along."

He sounded condescending, as if he was patting me on the head. My temper flared. "Well, I might have a greater appreciation for your praise right now if you had asked me to stay instead of forcing me to stay." I hadn't climbed off Belle, so I was able to make a swift exit. Later, I was sorry I had snapped at Mack when he was trying to be complimentary, but he always brought out the worst in me.

By the time I arrived at the library, I felt so weary that I could barely lift the saddle off Belle and drag myself up to the house. I had forgotten all about Ike and the bat until he came bounding down the stairs from the second floor. Had he been here all day?

"Hey there, beautiful! I found the hole and plugged it for you, like you wanted. I checked the attic, too, and fixed a few holes up there. I don't think you'll be bothered by bats anymore."

"Thank you, Ike. I really appreciate it."

"How about showing me how grateful you are?" He pointed to his lips and puckered up. I stood on tiptoes and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"That will have to do until another time." I gestured with my head to where the other packhorse ladies were dismounting outside.

"Okay, but don't forget. And let me know if you see that bat again." Ike grinned and waved good-bye.

I could barely wait until everyone left and I could go upstairs and talk to Lillie about June Ann.

"I'm so worried about her and Feather," I told Lillie as I sat on the edge of her bed. "The tonics don't seem to be working."

"Give them time, honey."

"She shouldn't be all alone up there. I offered to talk to her family, but she wouldn't tell me where her parents live. Do you know who they are?"

"Of course I know them."

"Where do they live? I want to go talk to her mother and explain-"

"No, honey. Don't you go getting mixed up in this."

"But June Ann is afraid that she'll hurt the baby-and so am I. She says she feels like shaking her sometimes, or drowning her in the creek when she gets frustrated. I'll never forgive myself if something terrible happens."

"Why? This ain't your fault. That feud is more than sixty years in the making and there ain't nothing you can do about it. June Ann's mama ain't gonna go against her husband, and her husband ain't gonna go against his kin."

"Do those families really believe that Feather cries all the time because the two families are fighting inside her? That's what she told me."

"People believe all kinds of crazy things. But listen to me now. I'm gonna tell you the same thing that June Ann and everyone else is telling you. Mind your own business."

That didn't sound like the charitable thing to do. Maybe Ike would tell me where to find June Ann's mother. I would ask him the next time I saw him.

As I was getting ready for bed that night, I had a brilliant idea. If I could find the treasure map, I could give it to Wayne and June Ann. They could dig up the treasure together and divide it between their families and end the feud. Both clans would finally accept baby Feather. She was the only person in town who could rightfully claim to be related to both great-granddaddies. Finding the treasure would solve everything.

I was in bed and about ready to blow out the lamp before I took a good look at my bedroom. Everything in the room looked just a bit . . . disheveled. I saw dust trails everywhere, as if furniture had been moved. It looked like Ike had even peered under the bed, and bats didn't hide under beds. The closet door stood open and I always kept it shut. One of Mack's bureau drawers was closed crookedly too, and it had been neatly closed when I left. I can't stand to see a drawer that isn't closed properly. I suppose Ike could have been looking for bats in the closet, but not in the dresser drawers.

Then I saw Freddy's letter on my nightstand, the one that I'd never mailed to her. I had described my date with Ike to her, and his kisses. I was quite sure I hadn't left it hanging halfway out of the envelope like that. Would Ike read my personal correspondence? Maybe, if he was truly smitten with me.

I asked Miss Lillie about Ike's activities the next morning. "It seemed like Ike was here for a very long time yesterday," I said when I brought her breakfast to her. "What was he doing all day?"

"I don't know. Rummaging around. He closed my bedroom door for me. Said he'd let me rest."

"Do you think he was up to something, Lillie?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. Everyone in town seems to be up to something. Ike keeps offering to go through Mack's things, and he spent a lot of time up here once before, looking for that hunting jacket."

"I told him he could have it."

"You know what else Ike said? He said he didn't believe that Mack had shot himself. He said Mack had always been careful when he went hunting. Ike thinks someone from the mining company shot him."

"As long as he don't start guessing that Mack's alive, we'll be okay. If he starts blabbing that all over town, he'll ruin everything. You need to keep that boy's mind on other things, honey. Pretend you're sweet on him."

My face grew warm. I wouldn't have to pretend. "Ike has also been talking about the treasure map. He says that Mack was looking for it, too. Maybe he was searching through Mack's things because he was looking for the map."

"Or maybe he was just chasing the bat away like you asked him to. Tell me, did you see that bat flying around your room last night?"

I looked at her in surprise. "No. It was gone."

"Well, then?"

All too soon, that fateful moonless Tuesday arrived. Tonight I would ride up into the woods, alone. Tonight Mack would break into the mine office to look for evidence that Hank Coots had been murdered. The moment I opened my eyes that Tuesday morning, my stomach began to writhe with dread.

"I don't think I should ride my route today," I told Miss Lillie at breakfast. "We should let Belle rest up for later." Lillie knew what Mack planned to do that night.

"What reason are you gonna give them others when they ask why you ain't working?"

"I don't know. Can't you tell them I'm sick or something?" I didn't like to lie, but Lillie had never seemed to have a problem with it. And I did feel sick.

"You gonna make everybody suspicious if you do that. First thing you know, they be up in your bedroom seeing what's wrong with you. Then that handsome Ike fella will be over here, worried about you. One lie's gonna lead to another until you're all tangled up in them. Best thing you can do is get on that horse today just like you always do."

She was right. I didn't need Ike coming up to my bedroom to bring me get-well flowers and hold my hand. Besides, if I went about the day as usual, maybe it would take my mind off my fears.

June Ann was sitting on her porch in the suns.h.i.+ne when I arrived at her cabin, holding Feather on her lap and talking baby talk to her. Maybe the tonics were finally working. Both she and Feather seemed happy and content. I sat beside them as we visited, watching June Ann kiss the baby's tiny hands and her bare kicking feet and stroke her soft red hair. I could have danced with relief.

At my next stop, the Sawyer children wouldn't let me leave until I read two chapters of Treasure Island to them. I agreed, willing to do anything to forget about what I had to do that night. When I finally stood to go, the oldest boy tugged on my hand.