Amateur Hour

By lunchtime, Tuck had his marriage license, and Lisa was the proud owner of a new phone. In a stroke of good fortune, the store had been able to transfer Lisa’s contacts remotely, to the new device, so she didn’t have to go through the hassle of rebuilding everything from scratch.

“I’d feel better if we had the old one, though,” Tuck remarked, when they got back into the car.

“So would I, but it is what it is, as they say. On the bright side, it’s probably been run over so many times that it’s deader than a squashed ‘possum. Or, it’s in a ditch, where no one will ever see it, until the elements destroy it.” Lisa began to laugh. “It’s pretty bad, when you hope your phone has died and gone to hell.”

Tuck’s smile wasn’t even convincing.

“Don’t lose your sense of humor, Deputy. It’s not a tale for your grandchild, but it’ll entertain your great grandchildren.”

“Our great grand children,” he corrected her. Then added, “Don’t lose your sense of humor, Mamaw.”

“Mamaw…I don’t think Toni will encourage that.”

“What else are the little crumb snatchers going to call you?” Tuck grinned.

Well… at least his sense of humor had been restored, Lisa thought.

***********************

To the surprise of both of them, the house was empty, and the truck was gone, when they arrived.

“I hope nothing’s wrong,” Lisa said, as they hung up their coats.

“I doubt it. One of them would have called me. They probably just trotted out, for something.”

“Should I start lunch?”

“Let me call Will, first.”

Lisa didn’t know what to say, or do. She did have her own phone, now. On the other hand, Will had told her not to let Noah know she had his. She decided to keep her mouth shut.

“Voicemail,” Tuck remarked, after a moment. “I’ll try Toni.”

“Hey, Dad,” she said, on picking up. Her voice still didn’t sound exactly friendly, but some of the chill had gone out of it.

“Hi, Honey. We’re here, but you’re not.”

They could hear Will laughing. “That’s not all that isn’t there,” he commented loudly enough for them to hear.

“I tried to call him, first,” Tuck said.

“Is your ringer not on?” Toni asked her husband.

“Thought it was. Maybe not.”

“Well, he’s driving, anyway. And what he means is that your horse trailer is missing, too. We have it.”

“Oh God… Which horse is it?”

“None of them—they’re all fine, Dad. We’re on a rescue mission. Will spotted a couple of half-starved Shetland ponies in a field, about five miles from the house. We’re going to make an offer for them.”

Toni’s voice sounded a little defiant.

“That’s a very bad idea, Honey. People don’t take kindly to being accused of animal abuse, especially when they’re guilty of it.”

“That’s why Will’s going to say that we need ponies for children to ride at our riding stable, and make an offer.”

“I don’t like it. Come back to the house, and I’ll go with Will, later.”

“Daddy, I’ve seen them. They’re in a pasture with no grass, not a wisp of hay in sight, and they look like they can barely stand up.”

“Talk to her,” Tuck said, shoving the phone into Lisa’s hands.

“No, talk to him,” Toni said.

“No, I’m talking to you,” Lisa replied. “Can you drive the truck, with the trailer, Toni?”

“Yes.”

“Then, stay in the truck, with the engine running. Open your door, then slide over, behind the wheel. Be ready to drive like hell, if Will comes running back, with an ‘oh shit’ expression on his face.”

Toni laughed. “Sounds like a plan.”

“No, it doesn’t!” Tuck snapped.

“See you, in a bit, Dad.”

“Toni, wait. What do you guys want, for lunch?” Lisa asked.

“Just warm up the stew, from last night. Maybe pop some rolls into the oven.”

“What was that?” Tuck demanded when they disconnected.

“Lighten up, Deputy. It’s just as likely some poor guy who can’t afford to feed the ponies, and would appreciate being given an out. Will can charm a sheep out of its wool. I trust he’ll find just the right thing to say.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“Did it sound to you like you were going to have any luck getting them to come back to the house?”

“No,” he admitted. “But I thought you might have better luck.”

“Based on what?” she laughed in disbelief. “You go ahead and sit here and be mad, if you want. I’m going to start some laundry, and then I’m going to get lunch thrown together.”

In truth, she was worried that she had given the kids bad advice, but Tuck had put her on the spot. Yet, thirty minutes later, the truck rolled into the yard, and out toward the barn.

Tuck left the house, without her. Lisa turned the fire down under the stew pot to a very low simmer, and followed.

The ponies were a sad sight. They were skeletal, their shaggy winter coats were dull, and the only thing about them that was living and horselike was their eyes and their nervously twitching ears. Looking at them, as they stumbled weakly down the ramp made Lisa want to cry.

Toni walked over to her.

“The little red mare is Sally, and the paint gelding is Sam,” she said. “The owner said they’re both about seven years old.”

“What was his story?”

“Her story. She got the ponies for her grandkids, but they weren’t really interested, so she kept them as pets, more or less. She fell, at work, and broke her hip. Ran into financial troubles, on top of being unable to get out to take care of them. There was no one to help her. She practically begged us to take them. Don’t tell Dad, but we paid more than we should have.”

Lisa chuckled. “Your Dad isn’t talking to me, right now.”

“I’m sorry. He’ll get over it.”

“They look pretty bad,” Tuck said, approaching them. “But, if they were in good shape, to start with, maybe they can be saved. The vet will be out, in a couple of hours. Poor little guys.”

“I thought you didn’t care for ponies,” Lisa said.

“Aw… I’ve got nothing against ponies. I just prefer horses,” he gave her a little lopsided smile. “I can see why you had to go after them,” he said, to his daughter. “And I have to admit, if they live, they’ll be good to have on hand, for the more timid kids.”

“If everyone’s about ready, I’ll go back to the house and put the rolls in.”

“I’ll come with you,” Toni said.

Once they were far enough away from the men, she spoke again. “I think we’re almost out of trouble,” she chuckled, linking arms with Lisa.

“I hope so. Do me a favor, Toni. The next time I give you advice, ignore me.”

“Nope. It was perfectly good advice, since there wasn’t a chance in hell that either of us was willing to turn around and come home. Dad should be ashamed of himself, for putting you in that position. To his credit, he probably is. By the time lunch is over, it will have all blown away.”

“What about you, Toni?” Lisa asked, as they climbed the front steps. “Are you still mad about the cellar thing?”

Toni blew out a sigh, and followed her through the front door.

“Noah’s the villain, of course, but Dad did play a role. If you can forgive him, I suppose I can.”

This time, it was Lisa who initiated the hug. Toni returned it, and looked pleased by the gesture.

“Let me wash up, and I’ll set the table,” she offered.

“Already done. It’s not like there was much cooking involved.”

***************************************

“Where did you put them?” Lisa ventured to ask Tuck, when he appeared in the kitchen, to wash his hands at the sink.

“I the empty stall, next to Polly. There’s plenty of room, and the poor little things seem to want to huddle together, anyway. They’re best buddies, from the look of it. I hope they make it.”

“So do I. You know, someone should look in on the original owner, too. It sounds like she’s in a pretty bad way, herself.”

“Will told me,” he nodded. “Looks like you were right.”

“Is that your way of saying I’m off the hook?”

“It could be my way of apologizing for putting you on the hook, in the first place. Not saying it is—just that it could be. You’re right. You didn’t raise Toni to be bullheaded. I did that. It wasn’t fair for me to expect you to talk her down.”

“I’ll never be her Mom. I wouldn’t know how to be.”

“Ha!” Will exclaimed, overhearing the last part, as he walked into the kitchen. “My Mom would have told her to be ready to drive it like she stole it.” He pulled the tea pitcher out of the fridge, and began to ice glasses.

“You do know that what you did could have turned out very differently, right?” Tuck asked.

“Could have,” Will admitted. “But I’m not exactly a menacing figure, Pa. I look like a life-sized Howdy Doody. My plan was to ask nicely if they wanted to sell, and just walk away, if they said no. I wasn’t going to mention the condition of the ponies, or threaten to call the authorities. I would have done it, of course, but I wasn’t going to threaten. As it was, the poor lady was very nice.”

Lisa shook her head, sadly, and carried the pot to the table.

“Maybe I should visit her, with Toni, since she’s already met her.”

“That’s a fine idea. She’s about your age, so you might relate well to each other. And, it’s a situation that calls for someone who isn’t pushy.”

****************************************

“They’re not dehydrated,” the vet said. “They must have had access to water, if not to food. Start them on hay, very small amounts, increasing it gradually, for ten days. No grains, no sweet feed. We want to keep the calories down, at first. Plenty of water. I see you have an automatic system, so that won’t be a problem, as long as they actually drink it. I’ll be back in a few days, for another look at them.”

“Thanks, Ray,” Tuck said. “This was unintentional neglect, as I understand it. The previous owner was injured and physically unable to care for them.”

“Then the previous owner should have called somebody.”

“We don’t know that they didn’t,” Tuck shrugged. “The ponies are being looked after, now, and that’s what matters, right?”

“I reckon. I just hate to see it. I suppose you do, too. You’re gathering quite a herd, here,” the vet smiled, changing the subject. “That grey in the front is new, too.”

“My fiancee’s mare, Luna.”

“Fiancée, huh? Congratulations. Has anyone looked her over, yet?”

“Lisa?” Tuck asked, with a impish grin hovering just around his eyes.

“No. The mare. You know, Tuck, sometimes I don’t know about you.”

Tuck chuckled. “No, no one has officially examined Luna, yet. She seems sound, though.”

“I’ll have a look, before I go.”

“Is something wrong with Luna?” Lisa asked, a few moments later.

“No, Ma’am,” Dr. Ray said, patting Luna’s neck. “She’s as sound as a silver dollar. You’re really gonna to marry this hippie?” he asked, emerging from the stall.

“I figure I can slap a bowl on his head, and cut around the edges,” Lisa grinned. “I’m Lisa Miles,” she added, offering her hand.

“Ray Collins,” he reciprocated.

They shook hands, while Tuck pondered the term ‘hippie’, and considered growing a beard, as well. It occurred to him that he could do whatever he wanted to, now, with his face.

After a few more pleasantries, Ray took his leave. Tuck flashed him a ‘peace’ sign, as he drove away.

“I suppose I should get a quick haircut, at that,” he remarked, to Lisa.

“Oh, I don’t know,” she reached up to run her fingers through his hair. “I think you could pull it off. It’s just at an awkward stage, right now.”

“Love really is blind. I’m off to the barber. What are your plans?”

“I thought I’d take Polly out. Will wants to work with Luna. That’s why she’s in, and not out with the others. He was getting ready to do that, before they decided to go for the ponies.”

“I wondered. Try to stay out of trouble,” he said, and kissed her.

“When have I ever gotten into trouble, on a ride? I know my limits.”

“I know. It’s just that Polly will pull stunts, once in a while. You can’t just drop your reins over the saddle horn, to adjust your hat, the way you can, with Luna— Polly will walk away with you. She’ll hop over a log, before she’ll step over it, and go out of her way to find puddles.”

“No slack reins. Got it,” Lisa nodded.

“She’s very manageable, but you have to manage her. Okay,” he conceded, seeing her exasperation growing. “End of lecture.” He gave a mental shrug. One other thing that Polly was noted for was that if a rider came off her, she wouldn’t stir a step. Lisa would be fine.

********************************

Riding up to the old house was as natural as taking breath, and Will had been right about Polly’s ground eating jog.

“You’re a fine long-leggedy beastie,” Lisa told her, when they reached the top of the hill. Polly nickered, as if in agreement. Gil had invited himself along, for the trip. Lisa hadn’t been able to dissuade him, but Polly didn’t seem to mind him, so she let it alone, though she had to wonder where Nickie was.

Lisa went over her litany of questions, as she rode. Foremost among them: Where was Caroline buried? Followed by: What had Margaret been trying to convey, in that last dream? How had she found out about the tainted wine, so quickly?

She didn’t ask herself, however, why Caroline had stayed with a man who abused her. She knew the answer to that one, all too well. Inexplicable as it was, Caroline had loved Noah, as Lisa had loved Steve, and for much the same reasons.

She had been drawn to and felt sympathy for an outcast. He had ingratiated himself to her; seemed to make her the center of his universe. It was only later that Lisa had realized: Steve had been the center of Steve’s universe. Had Caroline ever reached a similar conclusion, about Noah?

Lisa pushed Tuck’s buttons—she knew she did, and she knew she shouldn’t. It wasn’t always on purpose—case in point, the debacle of her words to Toni and Will. Yet somewhere, not too far buried from her fully conscious mind, there must be something in her, looking for the over-the-top response that would be her signal to run.

She sighed. It was selfish, it was wrong, and it had to stop. Given a chance, Noah would harm her, but Tuck never would.

Polly certainly liked to trot. Tuck was right about the slack reins and management thing. If she wasn’t mindful, the mare slipped into the gait, and it wasn’t noticeable, until she glanced back and saw Gillie losing ground.

She held Polly to a walk, for the entire length of the drive, and simply sat, for a moment, in front of the house. Gil padded up the steps, and fell into a heap, by the door. He was starting to look pooped. Lisa smiled to herself and pulled out her phone, for a photo.

On review, the effect was interesting. Because the house was faded to shades of grey, Lisa was reminded of the black and white shots, where one element was colorized.

She dismounted and tied Polly with as much slack as she could, then went up onto the porch and opened the front door. Gil gave her a glance, but decided not to follow her inside. He seemed comfortable, where he was.

For an instant, just and instant, the great room flashed before her, fully furnished. She caught a whiff of polish, and heard the clock ticking, on the mantel; then, it was gone. Margaret was home.

“Where are you, today, Margaret?” she asked aloud.

I’m upstairs. In the attic. One can see everything, from up here. Do come and have a look.

Thus invited, Lisa mounted the stairs to the second floor. She knew the door would be at the end of the hall, and it was, next to the smaller door that led to the servants’ quarters. It was an extra wide door, to allow for larger items to be more easily carried to and stored in the attic. This had been Margaret’s idea.

It took a good tug, to get it to open, but it did, on screaming hinges. Lisa grimaced, at the sound. The stairs were wide, too, but it was as dark as a cave. Lisa found the flashlight that had become a part of her ‘everyday carry’ as Tuck was wont to call those items that a body never left home without. It was freshly charged, and left nothing to shadow.

She could sense Margaret’s amusement, as she carefully placed her feet close to the wall on each step. “Some of us are still affected by gravity, Margaret,” she muttered, in retort.

The door at the top opened more easily, though she could hear the crackle of cobwebs being torn. The attic itself was a scene of organized chaos. Much had been left behind, and it was exactly the kind of clutter one would expect to see, in an attic. Boxes, crates, discarded furnishings, toys, tools…books. Lisa felt drawn to several old shelves against one wall, but she held herself in check.

All yours, and Tucker’s. But the view is what you want to see, today. The far window has a stunning view of the kitchen house.

She recognized the repeat of Margaret’s thought, in the dream. Lisa shrugged, and crossed the floor to the window. Yes, there was a view of the kitchen house roof, what was left of it. It wasn’t the commanding element in the frame of the window, however. Rather, her eye was drawn to what lay beyond. It was a clear path through the trees, as wide as any of Tuck’s riding trails.

Of course, that was where Caroline had come from, on that rainy afternoon.

“Thank you, Margaret.”

Visit any time.

It was an unusual response, but a cordial one.

**************

Once again mounted, Lisa guided Polly around the house, to the back and past the kitchen. It was four forty-five, by her watch. Would she have time? She would ride until five. If she hadn’t reached the end of the bridle path, by then, she’d have to turn around. She’d be cutting it close, very close. Dinner was being held off until after the appointment with Father Cecil, but she would need a quick shower.

It took ten minutes to reach the remnants of a small house in a clearing at the end of the trail. It hadn’t been much more than a glorified cabin, from the looks of it. As with so many old places, all that remained standing was a fieldstone chimney.

Aside from the clutter of broken wagons, buggies, a well that had half fallen in on itself, and debris from the cabin, what was she supposed to see here? The clearing was large, and more or less square. It was bordered by frost nipped grass and dry, dead weeds. There were few trees, just here. Lisa imagined that the field had once been cultivated with subsistence crops.

Not a sharecropper’s homestead, then. She and Polly walked along the perimeter, and she spotted another path that looked more like a wagon road. It headed off in the general direction of the Old Road, and that made sense. The Judge wouldn’t have wanted wagons and buggies rolling randomly through his property.

Polly came to an abrupt stop, and Lisa looked down to see what had balked her. It was a rusty, pitted wrought iron gate.

“Sorry, girl,” she patted Polly’s neck. “I should have been watching better.” When she looked up, she saw the first grave marker, then a second, and a third. She hopped off Polly, and cast her eyes around, for a place to tie her. The nearest object that would serve was an old wagon wheel, on a broken axle, a few yards away. She secured the horse, and returned to the burial ground, with Gil at her side.

The tombstones were small and two bore the name, ‘Baby Lovejoy’. The third— no, it was the first, going by the date, was Noah Jr., who had been five, when he died. The fourth one was set at a small remove, from the other three, as though to allow for another grave, in between.

“Julia Caroline Massey Lovejoy,” Lisa read aloud. She knew she should feel elated that she had found Caroline, but she didn’t. This was a woman who had lost three children, and had lived with a monster. She took the time to say a short prayer.

It struck her, as she walked back to Polly that Beatrice had lived here once, as well. At the end of a long road, in the middle of nowhere, with no company but Margaret, to speak of—and Gerald. Why would Noah choose to live in such proximity to a stepbrother he disliked so much?

Why did Noah do anything?

Spite, of course. But why hadn’t Gerald, with all his connections and resources blocked the sale of the land?

Bequest. Five acres for Jem, five acres for Noah.

Lisa nodded, and mounted her horse. The lion’s share had gone to Gerald, as the eldest son. Even the girls had been given some property, after all, by Gerald’s father. All of it had reverted back to the female side, after the men had died off. The names had changed, but the blood hadn’t.