The Hand-Me-Down Family. Winnie Griggs

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      Virgil shot a look toward the far end of town, then shifted his gaze uncertainly from the woman back to Jack.

      Jack clapped him on the shoulder before he could protest again, or worse yet, blurt out something that would set off a scene. “You don’t mind seeing to our luggage while the lady and I take a little walk, do you?”

      “No, of course not. But—”

      “Good.” With a short nod, Jack turned back to Lanny’s self-proclaimed bride and swept his hand out in a gesture that was more challenge than good manners. “Shall we?”

      She didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she drew her lower lip between her teeth and gave that odd-looking bonnet another tug forward.

      Jack’s flash of irritation turned inward. There he went, taking his frustrations out on someone else.

      Again.

      He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling wearier than he ever had in his twenty-nine years. He hadn’t had more than the odd thirty-minute nap here or there since he’d gotten that telegram.

      And he still hadn’t figured out what he was going to do now that he was here. Just the thought of—

      He shook his head, trying to focus on the current issue. That other business was his problem, not this woman’s. Given the circumstances, she deserved better treatment. “Look, ma’am, I—”

      “Very well.” She spoke over his attempted apology as if he hadn’t opened his mouth. Her spine was rail-spike stiff, all signs of hesitation and uncertainty replaced by an air of determination. “Lead the way.”

      It was Jack’s turn to hesitate. He could tell she was still a bit uneasy and admired her pluck, but maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. Yes, taking her along would give them a bit of privacy, but it would also put him alone with her when he broke the news. He wasn’t good at dealing with emotional women. And he certainly wasn’t in any shape to deal with one today.

      Then he shrugged. She had to be told, and his gut said she wouldn’t get all hysterical on him.

      “This way.”

      They started down the sidewalk, Jack matching his pace to her shorter stride.

      They walked in silence. Jack kept his eyes focused straight ahead and refused to slow his step, halting any would-be greetings from the folks they passed with a short nod. He wasn’t ready to talk to his former friends and neighbors right now.

      He had to get this over with first.

      He carefully avoided looking at whatever was left of Nell and Jed’s café, but as they drew even with it he could smell the acrid odor of scorched wood and ashes that still lingered in the air, threatening to suffocate him.

      Jack shot a quick glance at the blackened remains in spite of himself.

      A definite mistake.

      Loss and guilt slammed into him again, harder this time, like a fist in the gut. It was as if he’d tossed a stick of explosives into the building himself, leaving this grotesque skeleton of charred timbers and debris.

      He scrubbed a hand along the right side of his face. Perhaps if he’d made plans to come home before now, to make amends. If he had been here when—

      “Pardon me.”

      His companion’s breathless words interrupted his thoughts. A quick glance her way revealed she was struggling to keep up.

      He slowed immediately. “Sorry, ma’am. My mind was on something else.”

      She glanced over her shoulder at the charred rubble, then back at him with dawning dismay. “That building, it was the café, wasn’t it?”

      He felt that betraying muscle in his jaw twitch. “Yes.” And just how did she know that?

      Unspoken questions tumbled across her face, a growing dread clouding her eyes. Apparently she knew of the café’s significance to him.

      And to her as well, if she was who she said she was.

      How did she know enough to read the situation from a burned-out building she’d never seen before? Had Lanny really married this woman, this apparent stranger to Sweetgum and everyone here?

      Twice her mouth opened then closed again. For a change she seemed to have nothing to say. Instead, she gave him an assessing look, nodded and increased her pace.

      He spared a moment to ponder over the puzzle this woman presented. In the short time he’d been in her company she’d proven herself to be more stubborn, outspoken and full of spit and vinegar than might be seemly for a female. Yet just now she’d seen no-telling-what in his expression and held back her questions. Not at all the reaction he’d expected.

      The walk through town seemed endless. The closer they got to their destination, the tighter the tension inside him coiled. Everyday sounds like dogs barking and harnesses jangling seemed both magnified and distant. He felt eyes focused on them from every angle. It was as if the two of them were the main characters in some sort of stage play, only he’d forgotten all his lines and even which role he was assigned.

      “Watch your step.” He automatically took her elbow as the sidewalk ended. As soon as they stepped down onto the well-packed dirt path, she withdrew her arm. But not before he felt the slight trembling of her muscles.

      So, the lady wasn’t as composed as she wanted him to think. Was it because she’d already figured out what had happened?

      Or because she still didn’t trust him?

      The main section of town gave way almost immediately to greener expanses. Up ahead was Sweetgum’s schoolhouse. The church was just beyond, close enough that it was difficult to tell where the schoolyard ended and the churchyard began.

      Both of these places had been a central part of his world, his life, at one time. But no more.

      He’d outgrown the schoolroom at sixteen.

      He’d outgrown the church a few years later, when he’d decided it was finally time to get away from Sweetgum and strike out on his own.

      Jack shook off those memories as he led his companion across the schoolyard, past the church building and up to the white picket fence that marked the boundaries of the cemetery.

      He paused and turned to her, removing his hat and raking a hand through his hair.

      She stood there, rooted to the spot, her eyes wide, her gaze fixed on the neat rows of grassy mounds.

      “Ma’am?”

      She started, and her gaze flew to his.

      Her pallor roused a protective response in him. She looked nearly as white as the ribbon on her bonnet. Jack could see the shock, the inner battle she was fighting between denial and a sickly acceptance.

      Was he going to have to deal with a swooner after all?

      “Steady now.” He took her СКАЧАТЬ