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  “What are you doing here?” I finally managed.

  “Hello to you, too.” He chuckled softly. “I’ve finished up basic training and have a three-week furlough. I thought I’d stop by and say hi.”

  Was he serious? He came all the way to Plainsville and looked me up just to say hi? “Well, hi. Umm ... I got to head home.”

  “Can I give you a ride?”

  I looked at the Phaeton. I wasn’t the only one checking it out. A crowd had gathered around, including Sylvia and her friends. A couple of boys were kicking at the wheels, and Dan moved away from me to pop the hood.

  Sylvia sidled over to me. “Who’s your friend, Sarah Jane?”

  That was the first time she had called me by name. I smiled. Dan Drake and Sylvia were made for each other. “Oh, Dan ...”

  “Yes?” He peered around the cover of the hood.

  “I’d like you to meet someone. This is Sylvia. Sylvia, Dan Drake.”

  “I just love your car!” She widened her eyes and tilted her head to one side, allowing a lock of hair to brush her cheek.

  Dan barely looked at her. Disappointment washed over me. Never had two people deserved each other more.

  Dan closed the hood and walked back to me. “Jay, do your friends need a ride?”

  “Oh,” Sylvia said, before I could reply. “That would be wonderful. Thank you so much, Dan.” She reached out to touch his arm.

  I shrugged my shoulders. “Have fun. I’ve got to be getting home.” I started to move away.

  “Jay, you too!” Dan held the door open for me and gestured.

  I longed to ride in the car. And why not? It was only a ride. I hesitated one more second, then climbed in, and murmured a thank you.

  Sylvia ducked her head in the door to look at me. “Sarah Jane, please slide over. I’m going to sit here. May Lou, Darcy, and Wren will sit in the back.”

  Why hadn’t I allowed Sylvia in first? Gritting my teeth, I slid toward the middle and scrunched up. Dan closed the doors for Sylvia and the giggling girls.

  Sylvia whispered in my ear. “He’s so handsome!”

  Handsome? Dan? He crawled in, and I squeezed my arms together, so no part of my body would touch him.

  Still, his arm brushed against mine when he started the car. I eyed him surreptitiously. Why would Sylvia think he was good looking? I tried to see him objectively. In the uniform, he did look better. He was clean shaven and healthy looking. The army had been good for him.

  But he was still Dan! I drew myself in tighter as he glanced around.

  “Where to, ladies?” he asked.

  I spoke up quickly. “Go straight and turn to the second right.”

  Why had I gotten into this car? The pleasure of the drive wasn’t worth the agony of sitting between Dan and Sylvia.

  When Dan’s eyes fell on me, the girls in the back giggled.

  “How was school today?”

  “Fine,” I answered.

  The giggling in the back grew louder, and Sylvia shook her head at them.

  “Fine,” I repeated emphatically. “How did you do in basic?”

  “Fine,” he mimicked. He flashed a smile.

  For the first time I noticed he had dimples, and fine laugh lines framed his eyes.

  “Do you mind if I drop by later today?” he asked.

  I ignored his question. “That next house is where I’m living.”

  Why did he want to come over? What was he doing here? Did he have news about Momma or Michael?

  He had the car, so he’d obviously been home. Maybe he wanted to tell me something. Something about Michael? Did he have a message from him?

  “Well?” He cast another glance at me.

  I nodded. “Come over about seven.”

  Dan brought the car to a stop and jumped out. I would have opened the door myself, but Sylvia just sat there and waited until he opened it for her.

  “You are so kind,” she said to him as she gracefully exited the car.

  I climbed out, mumbled my thanks, and rushed away, peals of laughter from the backseat following me.

  In the kitchen, Aunt Liza was alone, peeling potatoes.

  “Where’s Zeke?” I asked.

  “He’s gone to town with Howard. He follows him everywhere he goes.” Her eyes brightened.

  I retrieved a knife and bowl, sat down, and reached for a potato.

  “Anything wrong?” she asked. “You look flushed.”

  I cut the potato into small cubes. “Someone was waiting for me after school today.”

  She looked at me curiously. “Who?”

  “Dan Drake. I think I told you about him.”

  “He’s the one whose horse broke William’s leg. Colt wrote me a letter when it happened.”

  “Yes, ma’am. That was my fault.” I squirmed at the memory, wondering if Uncle Colt blamed me. “Anyway, he wants to come over. If it’s okay with you and Uncle Howard?”

  “It’s okay with us if it’s okay with you. Whatever you want.”

  I dropped a potato peeling on the linoleum floor and bent to pick it up. “I don’t want him to come over. I thought maybe he had a message from Michael. Or maybe Momma.”

  She nodded her head. “Could be.” She took the bowl and knife from my hands. “You go on and do your homework. I’ll finish up supper.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I gathered my books and paused. “Aunt Liza, did you pay for a math book? I couldn’t find it.”

  She looked embarrassed. “I didn’t have enough money. I meant to tell you this morning but forgot. We can borrow some money. . .”

  I quickly shook my head. “The girl from this morning — Marla, do you know her?”

  She nodded. “Yes, I know her family well.”

  “She told me I could share her book.”

  Aunt Liza looked relieved. “Okay, then. Maybe in a few days, we can get you one.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I went to my room and sat down on the bed. What in the world did Dan want?

  No need fretting over it. I’d know soon enough.

  Chapter 6—The Visit

  Zeke and I were helping Aunt Liza with the last of the dishes when we heard a car and the dogs barking. I left Aunt Liza and Zeke in the kitchen.

  Uncle Howard, already at the front door, ushered Dan in.

  “Hi,” I mumbled.

  Aunt Liza came out of the kitchen, and I introduced Dan to her and Uncle Howard.

  Aunt Liza gestured at the couch. “Come on in and sit a spell. Would you like a glass of tea?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Thank you.” Dan took a seat on the couch.

  Zeke peeked out from behind Uncle Howard’s chair.

  “Hi, Zeke.” Dan grinned and motioned at my brother. “What’s that in your ear?”

  Zeke approached him cautiously, feeling the ear Dan had pointed to. “Nothing.”

  Dan pulled Zeke closer to him. “Let me see.” After a few grunting sounds, Dan pretended to extract a quarter from his ear. “There you go, little buddy. You’re growing quarters.”

  “I am?” Zeke’s eyes widened. “Is this mine?” He took the quarter from Dan, turning it over and over.

  “You grew it, didn’t you?” Dan smiled at Zeke.

  Uncle Howard laughed as Zeke jumped up and down. He turned his other ear to Dan. “Are there any more?”

  I couldn’t help but grin at Zeke. “It takes a long time for a quarter to grow. That’s a lot of money.”

  Zeke crawled up beside Dan, still examining his quarter.

  “How’s the army treating you, son?” Uncle Howard asked.

  “Not bad. Three square meals a day.” He looked at me with a hint of shyness. “The army has a program that allows dropouts to get their high school diploma. I should have mine in a couple of months.”

  I cleared my throat and attempted a smile. “That’s great, Dan.”

  Aunt Liza returned with a tray of glasses filled with iced tea. I jumped up to help her at the same time Dan did, and our shoulders brushed.
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br />   I stepped back as he handed out the glasses. Aunt Liza thanked him profusely, and we all settled down with our tea.

  I’d never had iced tea until I moved in with Aunt Liza and Uncle Howard. The iceman brought a block of ice every week for their icebox, and Aunt Liza would shave off slivers of ice for the tea.

  “This is delicious,” Dan said, smiling at Aunt Liza.

  “So, how long are you going to be in town?” she asked.

  “Just today in Plainsville. I’m going down home tonight. I have a three-week furlough and plan to spend it with my father on the farm.” He glanced in my direction. “I’m stationed just north of here, about forty minutes away. Plainsville is on my way back to camp, and I’d like to stop by again.”

  To see me? I frowned. Why this sudden change? I stood up, suddenly feeling stifled. “I’ll be back in a minute,” I mumbled, not waiting for a response.

  The cool October air hit my cheeks as I went out. The cedar tree in the backyard beckoned. Its fragrance comforted me as I drew near.

  Darkness had gathered quickly, and the moon had risen. The cedar basked in its light.

  I was being rude, leaving so abruptly. But it was only Dan. Who cared what he thought? I sighed deeply, feeling sorry for myself. I had enough problems without Dan coming here.

  Immediately I felt ashamed. God had blessed me richly, and I should be thankful. I had a roof over my head, food to fill me, shoes that didn’t flap, iced tea, my family. And Michael.

  A warmth filled me thinking of him. Had it only been a few days since I had last seen him? It felt like an eternity.

  Minutes ticked by as I looked into the night sky, picking out constellations in the velvety blackness. The black sky looked like a shadow, a reassuring presence, like a thick quilt I could snuggle into.

  The comfort I knew when Poppa had still been alive. But I had Michael now. He helped fill the void.

  I lingered, listening to the sounds of the night, counting my blessings, and thinking of Michael.

  When the backdoor squeaked open, I straightened and watched as Dan approached.

  I didn’t move from my spot. He came and stopped in front of me without speaking.

  “What are you doing here, Dan?” I strove to keep my voice level, unemotional.

  “Your aunt sent me to find you.”

  I sighed deeply. “That’s not what I meant. Why did you come to see me? Do you have news from Michael? Or, Momma?”

  He shook his head. “That’s not why I’m here. Jay ...” His eyes shone in the moonlight and held mine. His voice became husky. “I’ve learned a lot the last few months. And I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I wanted to apologize for all I put you through.” His hand closed gently over my wrist. “You and your family.”

  For some reason, goose bumps prickled my arms. I stepped back, pulling my wrist from his grasp. “There was no need to come here to apologize. You could have written me a letter.”

  He moved toward me, and his voice rose. “I had to tell you that I was drunk when my horse broke William’s leg. And when I threw the snowball at the horse.” He shook his head. “I was drunk most of the time. But I’ve sobered up now. I had to let you know.”

  “Drunk?” I puckered my brow.

  “I was young and foolish. And weak. I’m sorry for hurting William, for almost hurting you when Blaze bucked you off.”

  I half-turned away, and he took my arm again and pulled me closer.

  “Jay, won’t you let me apologize?” His voice softened and fell to a whisper. His breath was soft and warm against my ear.

  “Apology accepted. Please let go of me.” I looked down at his hand on my arm, and he released me.

  Warmth crept to my cheeks. I spun around and bounded up the steps of the back porch. Breathing hard, I entered the sitting room.

  Aunt Liza looked at me in alarm. “Are you okay, Jay?”

  I nodded and flopped down on the couch by Uncle Howard. Zeke climbed into my lap, still holding the quarter.

  Dan came in and picked up his cap from the table. “I’d best be going.” He didn’t look at me.

  “Nice meeting you, son,” Uncle Howard said, standing to shake his hand.

  Aunt Liza walked with him to the door. “Come back to see us.”

  I shot her a hard look and shook my head slightly. She frowned at me. Uncle Howard, Aunt Liza, and Zeke followed Dan outside. I stayed where I was on the couch.

  I picked up my glass and pressed its coolness against my hot forehead.

  When they came back in, Aunt Liza had a smile playing around her lips.

  “Such a nice young man!” She stopped in front of me. “Jay, you were rude to Dan, running out like that.”

  “Sorry,” I mumbled.

  “He’s bringing his horses next Friday for us to board, and he’s going to spend the weekend,” Uncle Howard said.

  My mouth flew open. “No! Not here!”

  Uncle Howard sat down beside me. “Jay, I’m surprised at you! His father doesn’t have time to exercise the horses, and Dan asked me to board them here.”

  I shook my head vehemently.

  “Jay, he’s paying me to board the horses. It’s not much, but every little bit helps. Besides, he thought you would like having horses that you could ride when you wanted.”

  I shook my head. “No, I don’t want him coming back here.”

  Aunt Liza pressed her lips firmly together and gave me a long, hard stare. “Jay, this is our house, and we can invite anyone we want.”

  My cheeks burned, and my gaze dropped to my hands clasped tightly in my lap. Here Zeke and I were being a financial burden, and all I could do was complain. “I’m sorry. I had no right to say that.” I squirmed uneasily. “You just don’t know what Dan has done.”

  “He told us some things while you were outside.”

  Zeke piped up. “He seems a lot nicer now, Jay.”

  Aunt Liza bestowed a smile on Zeke before turning back to me. “People can change. Even if he hasn’t changed, you still need to treat him kindly.”

  My cheeks burned hotter. “Yes, ma’am.”

  I helped carry the glasses into the kitchen. Maybe he was simply coming back to bring his horses.

  Maybe even to see Sylvia.

  I could only hope.

  Chapter 7—The Punishment

  The next day, I left for school by myself. I enjoyed the walk in the coolness of the fall morning. Some of the leaves were finally beginning to turn. The leaves of the oak trees, browned as if left in the oven too long, interspersed with leaves of blazing yellow from hickory nut trees. Dreading the gloom of the school, I dragged my feet up the steps of stone.

  I twisted my mouth into a smile before entering the building with the other students. I didn’t see anyone I recognized from yesterday but managed to find my homeroom. After yesterday’s experience, I made sure I had at least memorized the class number.

  I waited until the cloakroom emptied, before I hung up my sweater and put my lunch, still in the syrup can, on the bench. When I turned around, Marla walked in.

  Her face lit up. “Good morning, Jay.”

  “Hi.”

  Before I could say another word, I heard Mr. Albertson tapping his desk with the yardstick. I scurried to my assigned seat. As soon as everyone had settled down, Mr. Albertson told us to get out our homework. He then walked around the room, beginning in the back, to pick up the work. Mine was the last desk he stopped at.

  “Where is your homework, Miss Hunter?”

  I glanced at him briefly before lowering my eyes. “Sir, I wasn’t in class when you assigned the work.”

  He walked to his desk and laid the homework papers down, placing a large iron paperweight on top. He picked up a ruler and returned to my desk.

  “I wrote the homework on the board before class. It was your responsibility to make sure you received the assignment.” He slapped the ruler against his thigh. “Hold out your hand.”

  I hesitated before I held my arm out.
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  “Palm up, Miss Hunter.”

  I twisted my wrist to expose my palm. He grasped my fingers, pulling them back. He then whacked my palm three times.

  I took the punishment in silence, but the pain made tears stand in my eyes. I willed the tears not to roll down my cheeks, angry at the injustice.

  After a long, cold stare, he marched to the blackboard and explained the day’s work.

  I hunched over my paper, writing down everything he said with my stinging right hand. Why hadn’t I held out my left? Next time I would.

  I shook my head. There wouldn’t be a next time.

  I hoped.

  At lunch, I didn’t seek out Marla. Instead, I slunk to an empty spot near the wall. I didn’t look up until someone sat down across from me and spoke. Marla’s clear blue eyes surveyed me solemnly as she perched on the edge of her seat.

  She reached across the table to pat my arm. “I’m sorry, Jay.”

  “No need to be.”

  I’d been through worse but didn’t tell her, not wanting her pity. This was nothing compared to the pain of that.

  I shrugged my shoulders.

  She smiled at me reassuringly. “Why don’t you come over to my house after school, and I can help you with your homework?”

  “Thanks. That sounds swell.” I clamped a hand over my mouth.

  “What’s wrong?” Marla watched me, curiosity brimming in her eyes.

  I laughed. “I’ve never said swell before. I’m already sounding like people around here.”

  “Well, you sure don’t look like anyone around here.” This time Marla clamped a hand to her mouth. Laughter leaked out. “I didn’t mean that like it sounded. I mean with your dark hair and blue eyes.”

  I smiled wryly. “That’s okay, Marla. I know I look like a country hick.”

  “Oh, Jay!” Distress shone in her eyes.

  “Really. It’s okay. People can think what they want.”

  She beamed at me. “What a great attitude. It’s one I try to have.”

  And we both giggled, why I didn’t know. It was the first time I ever remembered giggling with anyone.

  What did it matter what others thought, if I could at least have one friend? And, Marla, for whatever reason, seemed to be willing to be friends.