No sign of life in the general store, and everything looked locked up tight. Hed advised Ruth to put in an alarm system, but so far she hadnt listened. Folks liked to think this was still the quiet countryside it had been fifty years ago, but that wasnt so.
He walked back to the patrol car and slid in. Vandalism, petty crime, the theft of some handmade Amish quilts out at Moses Schmidts placeEven Crossroads Township had its share of crime. And when hed pinned this badge on, hed made a vow to protect and to serve.
A familiar pang went through him at the thought. He pulled out, watching the rearview mirror to be sure the Flanagan woman pulled out behind him. He thought hed made the right choice in coming back home after the trouble in Chicago, but maybe a man could never know until the end of his life if hed been following Gods leading or his own inclinations.
As it was, there were those he loved whod never understand his choices. Thank the Lord, they were willing to love him anyway.
At least hed been coming back to something he knew when hed come here. What on earth would bring a woman like Fiona Flanagan to buy a place here? The address on her drivers license was San Francisco. Did she have some pie-in-the-sky dream of rural bliss? If so, shed no doubt be disappointed.
Hed frightened her when hed accosted her so abruptly, and he was sorry for that. All hed seen had been a dark figure at the window of the empty house, and hed reacted automatically. Still, shed recovered soon enough, ready to flare up at him in an instant.
There was the gate to the Flanagan farm. When he saw the fanciful sign with its cavorting animals, recollection began to come. Hed heard about this placethey trained service animals for the disabled. If she really belonged here, Ms. Flanagan was probably all right.
She tooted her horn, as if to say that he could leave her now. Instead, he turned into the lane and drove up to the house. It was full dark, and it wouldnt hurt to see the woman safely into her cousins hands.
The farmhouse door opened the moment his lights flashed across the windows, and a man waited outside by the time he came to a stop. The other car drew up under the willow tree with a little spurting of gravel, as if the drivers temper were not quite under control.
He got out, leaving the motor running as he took the hand the man extended. Im Ted Rittenhouse.
Good to meet you. Gabe Flanagan. Flanagan turned to his cousin, who came toward them reluctantly, probably too polite to just walk away from him. Fiona, we were getting a little worried when you werent back by dark. Im glad you ran into someone who could help you get home.
She managed a smile, but he suspected she was gritting her teeth. Officer Rittenhouse was very helpful.
It was my pleasure, maam. He would have tipped his hat, but hed left it in the car. I hope youll stop by and see me if you ever come to Crossroads again. Id be glad to be of help to you.
Im sure that wont be necessary. Thank you for leading me back. She hesitated a moment, and then she held out her hand.
Surprised, he took it. It felt small but strong in his. Good night, Ms. Flanagan.
Good night. She might have wanted to add good riddance, but either manners or common sense kept a slight smile on her face. She turned and walked toward the house, her back very straight.
Fiona crossed the guest bedroom at Gabe and Nolies farmhouse a few days later, charmed again by the curve of the sleigh bed and the colorful patchwork quilt. Maybe shed have something like that in her new house. Her house, officially, as of ten oclock this morning.
She had to admit shed hesitated about buying the place in Crossroads after her experience there the other night. But the house was irresistible, and, in the clear light of day, she had to admit the police officer was just doing his duty.
Besides, the lure of the place overrode everything else. Home, it kept saying to her. Home.
Crossroads, shed learned, was a fairly large area, encompassing several small villages on the outskirts of Suffolk, as well as farmland. Surely a township police officer like Ted Rittenhouse would be too busy with his other duties to bother about her. Or to annoy her.
She picked up her jacket and slipped it on. October had abruptly turned chilly, at least for the day. Still, anyone whod grown up in San Francisco was used to changeable weather. That wouldnt bother her.
She paused at the dresser, letting her fingers slip across the painted surface of the rectangular wooden box shed brought with her across the country. It was all she had of the mother shed never known. How much had that influenced her decision to come here? She wasnt sure, and she didnt like not being sure about something so important. When her advisor in the nurse-midwife program had mentioned that his part of Pennsylvania had a growing need for midwives, something had lit up inside her. Some instinct had said that here shed find what she was looking for, even if she didnt quite know what it was.
Thats a replica of a dower chest, Nolie spoke from the doorway. Its lovely. Did you buy it here?
Fiona smiled at her hostess. With her fresh-scrubbed face, blond hair pulled back in a ponytail, jeans and flannel shirt, Nolie Flanagan looked more like a teenager than a busy wife and mother, as well as an accomplished trainer of service animals for the disabled.
I brought it with me. It was my mothers. She hoped the shadow she felt when she said the words didnt show in her voice. I hate to show my ignorance, but what is a dower chest?
Nolie came closer, tracing the stiff, painted tulips with their green leaves, fat little hearts and yellow stars in circles that decorated the box. A traditional dower chest is much larger than thislike a cedar chestfor Pennsylvania Dutch girls to store the linens they make in preparation for their wedding. This smaller one was probably for a child to keep her treasures in.
It hadnt occurred to her that Nolie would be a source of information, but her Aunt Siobhan had said that Nolies family had lived on this farm for generations. When you say Pennsylvania Dutch, do you mean Amish?
Nolie leaned against the dresser, apparently willing to be distracted from whatever chores called her. The Amish are Pennsylvania Dutch, but not all Pennsylvania Dutch are Amish. She grinned. Confusing, I know. And to add to the confusion, we arent really Dutch at all. Were of German descent. William Penn welcomed the early German immigrants, including the Amish. Theyve held on to their identity better than most because of their religious beliefs.
It cant be easy, trying to resist the pressures of the modern world.
No. There are always those who leave the community, like your mother.
Fiona blinked. I didnt realize you knew about her.
Distress showed in Nolies blue eyes. Im sorryI didnt pry, honestly. Siobhan mentioned it, when she told us you were coming.
Her Aunt Siobhan and Uncle Joe knew about her mother, probably more than she did, of course. During the week shed spent in their house shed wondered if theyd talk about her mother, or about the reason her father hadnt spoken to his brother in over twenty-five years. But they hadnt, and Fiona was too accustomed to not rocking the boat to mention it herself. In any case, the breach between brothers meant theyd know little of what happened after her parents left.
Its all right. I dont know much about her myself. She died shortly after I was born.
Im sorry, Nolie said again. But your father must have spoken of her.
No. She transferred her gaze to the chest, because that was easier than looking into Nolies candid eyes. My father couldnt take care of meI was in foster care for years. By the time I went to live with him, hed remarried.
And he hadnt particularly wanted reminders of that early mistake. She wouldnt say that. She wasnt looking for pity, and shed already said more than shed intended.
Nolies hand closed over hers, startling her, and she repressed the urge to pull away. I know what thats like. I was in foster care, too. And with a great-aunt who didnt want me. It can be tough to get past that sometimes.
Fionas throat tightened in response, but the habit of denial was too ingrained. She used the movement of picking up her handbag to draw away.
It was a long time ago. I dont think much about it now. At least, she tried not to.
Nolie made some noncommittal sound that might have been doubt or agreement, but she didnt push. I suppose youll want to look up your mothers family, too, now that youre here.
Fiona shook her head. Shed been over this and over it, and she was sure shed made the right decision. I dont plan to do that. Its not the same thing as coming to see the Flanagan family. Aunt Siobhan always tried to keep in touch, and I knew shed be glad to see me.
But they probably
No. That sounded too curt. Shed have to explain, at least a little. My mothers family never made any effort to contact me. The one time my father spoke to me about it, he said theyd rejected my mother for marrying him. Its hardly likely theyd want to see me.
You cant be sure of that. Nolies face was troubled. Id be glad to help you find them. Or maybe that police officer you met could help.
No. Thanks anyway. She forced a smile. I appreciate it, but Ive made my decision. I dont want to find them.
Because they rejected your mother? The small voice in the back of her mind was persistent. Or because youre afraid they might reject you?
If thats what you want Nolie began, but her words were interrupted by a wail from downstairs. Uh-oh. She smiled. Sounds like trouble. That music video keeps her happy for a half hour, but then only Mommy will do. All my years of taking care of animals didnt prepare me for the demands of one small human.
And you love it. Fiona picked up her corduroy jacket and handbag. Go ahead, take care of little Siobhan. Im fine, really.
Nolie nodded. If you ever want to talk
Thanks. Im okay.
The wails soared in pitch, and Nolie spun and trotted down the steps. Mommys coming. Its all right.
Fiona followed more slowly. The maternal love in Nolies face was practically incandescent. Seeing that when it happened for the first time was one of the best rewards of being a midwife. Once her practice got on its feet, shed have that opportunity again and again.
She was off to take possession of her new house, the first step toward her new life.
Lord, please bless this new beginning. Help me not to dwell on the difficulties of the past, but only on the promises of the future.
Chapter Two
When no one answered his knock at the old Landers house, Ted pulled open the screen door and stepped into the hallway, glancing around. Come to think of it, hed have to start calling this the Flanagan place. Or Flanagan clinic, maybe. Rumor had it she was starting a midwife practice here.
Whatever she was doing, Ms. Flanagan really shouldnt leave her door standing open that way. Then he noticed that the latch had come loose when he pulled on the screen door, probably one of hundreds of little things to be fixed.
Ms. Flanagan?
The two large rooms on either side of the central hallway were empty, except for a few odds and ends of furniture left by the last inhabitants. He could see what attracted the woman to the houseunder the dust and neglect were beautiful hardwood floors, and the rooms were graciously proportioned, with bay windows looking out toward the street.
Hello, is anyone here?
A muffled call answered him from somewhere upstairs. Taking that for an invitation, he started up the staircase, running his hand along the curving banister. An oval stained-glass window on the landing sent a pattern of color onto the faded linoleum someone had been foolish enough to put over those beautiful stairs.
Sunlight poured through the tall window at one end of the center of the second floor landing. He paused, blinking at the sight of a rickety stepladder under what had to be the opening to the attic. A pair of sneakered feet balanced on the very top. Nothing else was visible of Fiona but a pair of trim legs in dust-streaked jeans.
The stepladder wobbled dangerously, and he grabbed it, steadying it with both hands. What on earth are you doing up there? Trying to break a leg?
As soon as the words were out, he realized that was more or less what hed said that first night when hed spotted her. Now, at least, she owned the house, but that was no excuse for endangering herself.
Fiona poked her head down from the dark rectangle of the attic opening, looking disheveled and annoyed. What are you doing here?
At the moment, Im keeping this ladder from collapsing under you.
Its perfectly fine. Her weight shifted, and the ladder swayed.
He raised an eyebrow. You want me to let go?
Her lips clamped together. No. She seemed to force the word out. Then, hands braced on the edge of the opening, she started lowering herself.
He caught her elbows and lifted her the rest of the way to the floor. The stepladder, relieved, collapsed in a heap on the dusty floorboards.
For a moment Fiona looked as if shed like to kick the recalcitrant ladder, but then she managed a rueful smile. Much as I hate to admit it, it looks as if youre right.
Ill find something sturdy to stand on and close that for you. No problem.
Id say I dont need help, but that would just convince you Im totally irrational. The smile warmed a bit, and her eyebrows lifted. Did you come for something in particular?
Just being neighborly, he said mildly. He glanced around, spotting a solid-looking chair in the nearest room, and hauled it over. Fiona wouldnt be able to reach the ceiling from it, but he could.
He climbed onto the chair, reached up and eased the hatch back into place. It set off a puff of dust as it settled into its groove. He stepped back to the floor.
Fiona, apparently aware of how dirty she was, attempted to transfer the dust from her hands to her jeans, not looking at him. Thank you.
Any time.
That fierce independence of hers amused him, but it also made him wonder what was behind it. If she couldnt accept a little nosy neighborliness, shed never fit in here. Hed had to get used to that again when he came back.
She straightened. Im glad this isnt an official call. As you can see, Im rather busy just now.
Looking over your new purchase from top to bottom, he agreed. The girls hed grown up with had had plenty of spirit, giving as good as they got, but Fiona was different. Defensive, almost, and the cop part of his mind wondered what she had to be defensive about.