Small-Town Midwife. Jean Gordon C.

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      Chapter Two

      Autumn woke to the rumble of a truck engine, a truck much larger than her dad’s or grandfather’s pickup trucks. She checked her alarm clock—seven-thirty—and dragged herself out of bed to the front window. A moving van sat running in the driveway. Jon was moving in today? She didn’t even get a few days to acclimate to him at work before she had him here at home, too? She sighed. Jon was nowhere in sight. Better go down and talk to the movers.

      As Autumn walked across her living room to the front door, she heard the crunch of another vehicle driving up the recently tarred and stoned road to the house. She waited at the door until she saw her stepmother, Anne, pull up in her SUV.

      “Autumn. We’re here.” Her three-year-old twin half brother and sister, Alex and Sophia, stated the obvious as they raced up the shared walkway, followed more sedately by their eight-year-old brother, Ian. The twins were still in their pajamas. Anne waved to her as she went to talk with the movers.

      “Hi, guys.” Autumn gathered the twins in her arms. “What’s up?”

      Sophia stood tall with an air of self-importance. “Daddy f’got to tell you. So Mommy and us had to come. Mommy is not happy.”

      Ian interpreted. “Saturday is Mom’s day to sleep late ’cause she’s teaching that morning class at the college during the week. It’s my job to watch the twins and make sure they don’t wake her up until eight.” He pitched his voice to sound as if watching his siblings was a big burden, but Ian’s bright-eyed look gave away his pride that Anne trusted him with the responsibility. “Someone called and the phone woke her up, and she had to come to talk with the moving guys.” He pointed at the van.

      Autumn smiled over his head at her stepmother, who’d finished talking to the movers and was walking toward them.

      “Hi,” Anne said.

      “Hi. I hear you’re not happy.”

      Anne glanced at Sophia and laughed. “I’m never happy when I get woken up before I’m ready. I don’t suppose your dad told you the new tenant was moving in today.”

      “No, Dad didn’t even tell me he’d rented the place. I found that out at work yesterday.”

      “News does travel fast here.”

      “True, but I found out because the tenant is the new director of the center. Jon Hanlon. He told me.”

      “If it makes you feel any better, your dad didn’t find out about the guy’s moving in until late last night. Since he’s had so much out-of-town work this summer, he’s left the rentals up to the Realtor.” Anne tilted her head. “I know he loves doing the solar electric installations, but his being out of town wreaks total havoc on my efforts to have a well-ordered life.” She grinned. “Anyway, when the tenant couldn’t get a hold of the Realtor this morning, he called me and asked if I could let the movers know that he’s on his way. He has to drive from Crown Point.”

      “You didn’t have to come over. You could have called me.”

      “I know, but the house isn’t your responsibility, and I didn’t want to wake you up if you’d been out last night.”

      “I was. I had a hot date with a pile of billing invoices.”

      “Still haven’t found a temporary office assistant?”

      “No, but Jamie texted me last night that she may have someone. Her cousin is looking for a summer job.” Autumn motioned to the door. “So, do you have time to come in for a while? I’ll put coffee on.”

      Anne looked longingly at the door. “No, thanks. I told Drew I’d help with signing out this week’s campers at Sonrise this morning. I need to get these guys home and dressed and down to the lake.”

      Autumn nodded. They all helped in the summer with the Christian camp and conference center that her uncle Drew managed on her family’s Paradox Lake property.

      “But your aunt Jinx had better have some fresh coffee ready, or I’ll leave this crew with her and be right back up the road to take you up on your offer.”

      “You’re welcome anytime. I’m goofing off this morning. I’m on the crew to help with the cleanup and to get the camp ready for the new campers coming tomorrow. So maybe I’ll see you all later.”

      Autumn watched Anne fasten the kids in their car seats and drive away. She glanced at the moving van. The stone-faced driver sat in the cab tapping the steering wheel with his finger while the other mover leaned against the side drinking a cup of coffee from the Paradox Lake General Store. She’d recognize the store’s distinctive logo anywhere. It wasn’t her problem that Jon was late. She went back inside and made some coffee for herself.

      * * *

      Gravel flew as Jon shot up Hazard Cove Road. He’d told the movers that he would meet them at the house at eight. They couldn’t have stopped and had breakfast or something when they got off the interstate at Schroon Lake? He eyed the house as he came to a stop. The New England–style shake shingles were painted a light gray, and the house had white-and-steel-blue trim. Both his unit on the right and his neighbor’s unit had bright red front doors.

      The Realtor, who was the town historian, had talked his ear off about how the house dated back to the early 1800s and was built by one of the Hazards who’d settled the area for logging. He’d also regaled Jon with the details of how and when the current Hazard family members had built their homes on or just off Hazard Cove Road.

      Jon got out of his car and strode across the yard to the moving van, wondering if those other family members included Autumn. Even though she was a few years younger than him, she might own a home.

      The moving van driver and his helper got out and met him in front of the duplex.

      “Dr. Hanlon?” the driver asked.

      “Yes. Sorry for the delay. I wasn’t expecting you until eight. I’ll unlock the door.”

      The man nodded. “We’ll start unloading.”

      Jon followed the shale walk up and to the left. He inserted the key the Realtor had given him and swung the door in. A lemony scent mixed with the warm summer air. It and the gleaming, wide-planked pine floors attested to the Realtor’s word that he’d have the house cleaned and ready for him today.

      “Hey, Doc.” The helper wheeled Jon’s СКАЧАТЬ