Gathering Shadows (11 page)

“You have feelings for me?” A strong rush of emotion flowed through me, taking me by surprise.

Reuben's serious expression lifted a little. “Yes, they started the first moment we met, and they've only grown stronger the more I've been around you. I'd like the chance to get to know you better. Unless you have no interest . . .”

“I-I'd like to get to know you better too,” I said softly. “But I have to warn you that I have a hard time—”

“Trusting people. So you said.”

I nodded. “Ever since I was a kid.”

He smiled. “Well, I like a challenge.”

I returned his smile but couldn't help wondering if he really could get past the barriers I'd built around my life. As I looked at him, I knew I wanted to find out.

“I'll do whatever I can to help you, Wynter. But no more lies, okay?”

“No lies. I promise.”

He let go of my hand and nodded. “All right. First of all, we need to know if Nathan really took his family to his brother's place. You let me take care of that, okay?”

“But you can't tell him the truth. If Elijah's my brother, Nathan could move his family far away, and we might never be able to find them.”

“I can't believe Nathan Fisher would be involved in kidnapping a child. He's a good person. And so is Anna.”

“I believe you. It's possible they have no idea who Elijah really is.”

Reuben stared at me, his expression solemn. “Thank you for trusting me. It means a lot.”

I hesitated a moment before saying what I knew had to be said. “Before we go any further, you know a relationship between us probably won't work, don't you? I live in St. Louis and you live here. It may not be
that
far away, but I have no plans to move, and I assume you don't either. I don't want you to help me because you think we have a future together. It wouldn't be right.”

He smiled slowly. “Why don't we let God work that out? If we're supposed to be together, the details will fall into place.”

“So you still like me? Even though I lied to you?”

He laughed lightly. “Yes, I still like you. In the end, you told me the truth. I know it wasn't easy for you.”

“You know, Jonathon hit the nail on the head during his sermon this morning. The day my brother disappeared, my life ground to a halt. I quit trusting people. Stopped trusting God. I can see now that almost every decision I've made since had something to do with what happened to Ryan.” I shook my head. “Want to hear something funny? I love being a reporter, but when I was a kid, I really wanted to be a writer. Thought I'd write novels someday.” I shrugged. “Eventually I realized I couldn't do it.”

“I don't understand. Why would your brother's disappearance keep you from writing?”

I stared down at the table, searching for the right words. “I don't know if I can explain it, but writers exist in their stories and characters. Their lives pour through their words. Every time
I sat down to write, the hurt I carried inside tumbled out onto the paper. My characters were searching for answers—just like I was. Not the same answers, but their motivations and mine were too tightly intertwined. I couldn't handle it. Couldn't face it.”

“‘Writing is easy. You just open a vein and bleed.'”

I smiled. “You know that old Red Smith quote?”

He nodded. “My sister Maggie writes.”

“Really? Has she been published?”

“Not yet. But she keeps trying. I guess it's pretty hard to get a foot in the door.”

“So I've heard.”

Reuben drank the rest of his coffee. His eyes searched the room, looking for Randi. When she came out of the back, he motioned to her for more coffee.

“You'll be up all night,” I said.

“I'll probably be up anyway. This situation with your brother is unsettling, to say the least.”

“Look, I know this is way off the subject, but I want to ask you something totally unrelated to Ryan.”

“Shoot.”

“Do you know anything about babies being stolen from hospitals in Missouri? This happened over a five-year period. I think the last one was a few years ago.”

He looked surprised. “As a matter of fact, I do. I have a friend who is a Madison County sheriff's deputy. He told me about it once. It's been a while though. He was very concerned about it at the time. I have no idea if they ever caught the person responsible.” He frowned at me. “Why are you asking?”

I told him about the newspaper clippings someone had left for me.

“I don't understand,” he said when I finished. “Why would
anyone in Sanctuary save those stories? And why give them to you?”

I shrugged. “I have no idea, but my guess is this person thinks they know something about the kidnappings and wants me to look into it. News stations get all kinds of weird stuff sent to them. It's not really all that unusual.”

“Does any of it ever pan out?”

“Once in a great while. But for the most part, these tips come from people who spend too much time alone.”

“Still, it concerns me that this package originated from someone in Sanctuary.”

“I wouldn't worry about it yet. Might be nothing. When you have time, I'd like to show you the stories. Maybe you can remember something your friend told you that's not in the articles.”

“Sure, but I really don't know much.” He glanced at his watch. “It's getting late, and you have a busy day scheduled for tomorrow. I'll walk you back to Esther's.”

“Sounds good.”

At that moment, Randi walked up to the table with a carafe of coffee. Reuben put his hand over his mug.

“Changed my mind, Randi. We're heading out.”

“Sorry to take so long. August didn't come into work, and I've been trying to cover the place by myself.”

“Doesn't sound like August,” Reuben said. “He's always here.”

“I know. I tried calling him, but there wasn't any answer. I plan to stop by his place after I close. Make sure he's okay.”

“Did you check with Rae?”

She nodded. “She was as surprised as I am. She hasn't heard from him since yesterday.”

“Do you want me to go by his apartment?”

“No. I'll do it.” She gave Reuben a quick smile, a gesture she hadn't granted me yet. “But thanks.” Ignoring me completely, she walked away.

“I've known August Metzger for a long time,” Reuben said thoughtfully. “Never known him not to show up for work.”

“You mentioned Rae. Are they friends?”

“More than friends. They've been together for a couple of years now. Unfortunately, Rae isn't interested in marriage. I think that bothers August. He'd like to make their relationship permanent.”

I shook my head. “Hard for me to envision them as a couple. He gives me the creeps. Always watching me.”

“What do you mean?”

I told him about the way August stared at me the first time I visited the restaurant. “And then I saw him across from Esther's. He seemed to be watching the house.” I shrugged. “Maybe it doesn't mean anything, but it was enough to give me the heebie-jeebies. To be honest, I've had the feeling of being watched ever since I got to town. Even the first night here, I was certain I saw someone across the street, staring up at my bedroom window.”

“August is an odd duck, but he's harmless. I wouldn't worry about him.” Reuben looked around the room. Almost everyone was gone, and the only other couple left was paying their tab. “Well, Randi's about to close up. Let's get you home.”

“Where's your truck?”

“Parked at the church. I'd rather walk awhile, if you don't mind. I can get my truck after I leave you at Esther's. Something about walking outside after a rain. I love it.”

“I'm game if you are.”

He put some money on the table, said good-bye to Randi,
and we left. Reuben was right. The storm from the night before had baptized Sanctuary with the scent of rain. A light breeze carried the fragrance on its wings. It felt fresh and invigorating. I realized this unusual town had captured a piece of my heart. Leaving it behind would be difficult.

“We'll miss you when you leave,” Reuben said suddenly, as if he'd been reading my mind.

“I was just thinking how much I'll miss Sanctuary. This is a special place. Even if I don't find Ryan, I'm glad I came.”

Reuben stopped walking and gazed intently at me. “And if you do find him?”

“I don't know,” I answered truthfully. I frowned at him. “You realize that if Elijah is my brother, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep Sanctuary out of the news. It would be a huge story.”

“Does it have to be?”

I took a step back. “I don't know what you mean.”

He sighed and stared down at the ground. “I'm not convinced Elijah is Ryan, but if he is, and if Nathan and Anna adopted him, thinking it was legal, why stir up a hornet's nest? The authorities think your brother is dead, right? Why not just reestablish a connection and let Elijah make his own decision about what happens next in his life?”

“Someone did this,” I said firmly. “And they need to be punished. My family has lost so much.”

Reuben nodded. “You're right. And if that person is still alive, I agree. He should be brought to justice. Sorry, I guess I hadn't thought it all the way through.” He came closer to me and took my hand. “Discovering the truth and restoring your family is the most important thing. Whatever it takes, I'll walk through this with you.”

Before I had a chance to utter a response, he leaned in and
kissed me lightly. Then he smiled. “Looks like it might rain again. We'd better hurry.”

We walked the rest of the way in silence. When we reached Esther's porch, I started to say good night, but the door suddenly flung open. Esther stood there, her eyes wide.

“It's Zac. Something's wrong. You'd better come quick.”

Reuben and I rushed up the stairs to Zac's room. He was lying on the bed, his face stark white, dark circles under his eyes. He looked awful.

“What's wrong?” I asked Esther.

“I'm not sure, child,” she said. “But it looks like food poisoning. What did you eat today?”

“We . . . we ate Italian food in Bonne Terre, but I don't think it could have been that.”

“Well, I gave him ipecac syrup. It's what I used to give my children. His stomach was certainly full of something.”

“Wait a minute. We kept part of a stromboli in the car all afternoon, and Zac ate it on the way home.”

Reuben frowned. “That's probably it. Something with meat and cheese should be refrigerated.”

I felt Zac's forehead. It wasn't hot, which seemed to confirm Esther's original diagnosis.

“You can quit talking about me like I'm dead,” Zac mumbled. “And quit feeling me, Wynter. I'm not a child.”

“Stop looking like a corpse, and I'll stop touching you. How are you feeling?”

Zac pulled himself up into a sitting position. My original evaluation of his color changed from white to pale green.

“Like a big truck ran over me, backed up several times, and tried to finish the job.” He shuddered. “I will never eat Italian food again. Never ever. Nor will even one more drop of ipecac syrup ever make it past my lips in this lifetime. Not as long as I have breath in my body.”

Although I was still concerned for him, I had to smile. No one could combine physical illness with affronted emotions the way Zac could.

“Maybe it isn't Italian food you need to avoid. Eating food that's been sitting in a hot car all afternoon isn't the smartest thing you ever did.”

Esther leaned over and wiped his face with a damp cloth. “I think he's doing better.” She smiled at Zac. “I know you hated my remedy, but it seems to have done the trick.”

“I don't think many people use ipecac now, Esther,” I said. “Maybe we should call the hospital and ask them what to do.”

“
Pshaw,
” she said. “Modern medicine doesn't have all the answers. Zac will be a little tired for a couple of days, but he'll be up and around soon. My children went through this.”

Zac's eyebrows shot up. “You gave your kids food poisoning?”

Esther patted his shoulder. “Not to worry. It happened at church picnics. Potato salad and tuna salad that sat out too long in the sun. I never cooked anything that made them ill.”

Zac looked relieved. “Wynter,” he whispered through pale, dry lips. “This is just what we needed. Call Ed and tell him I'm sick. That we'll need a few more days.”

“I . . . I don't know,” I said. “It's not really honest . . .”

“You won't be lying,” Zac said weakly. “I've never felt so bad in my entire life.” He pointed at me. “Just don't tell Ed where we are.”

“Okay. I'll try. It would be helpful to get a little more time.”

“I'm happy to sacrifice myself for the cause,” Zac said dramatically, falling back on his pillow.

I patted him on the head. “You're my hero. Now why don't you get some sleep? I'm right down the hall. I'll check on you later.”

“I'm going to sit with him awhile,” Esther said. She picked something up from the nightstand. “Brought this from downstairs.” She rang a little ceramic bell. “Used this when my children were sick.” She wiped Zac's forehead again. “After I leave, if you want anything, you just ring it,” she told him. “Wynter will hear it and come.” She nodded at me. “Sorry to put you out, but I'm afraid I won't hear the bell all the way downstairs. You wake me if you need me though, and I'll get up.”

“Thanks, Esther, but I think he'll be fine.”

“If he hasn't improved by morning, we can ask Rae to come by and take a look at him.”

Zac's eyes widened. “You . . . you mean the veterinarian? What am I, a dog?”

“
Shh,
” Esther said. “She knows about people too. The closest doctor is in Fredericktown. Rae's always willing to help, and she's good at it.”

Zac sighed. “Wow. Ipecac and a veterinarian for a doctor. The charm of this small town is wearing thin.”

Reuben laughed. “Small-town living can certainly be a challenge. You were lucky to get sick at Esther's. She's pretty smart.”

“We're going,” I said as Zac's eyelids began to flutter. “You get some sleep.”

“Okay.” He drew out the word, and then his voice dropped off completely. It was replaced by snoring.

“Are you sure you want to sit with him, Esther?” I asked. “I don't mind . . .”

She waved her hand at me. “Not at all. Makes me feel useful again. Like when I took care of Benjamin and Rebecca.”

The catch in her voice got my attention, and I looked at Reuben. He gave me a slight nod. “Why don't you walk me to the door, Wynter?” he said.

I touched Esther's shoulder. “I'll be right back.”

“That's fine, honey. You take your time. He'll probably sleep for quite a while. He's pretty worn out.”

I slipped out the door, and Reuben followed me. When we got down the stairs, I grabbed his arm and pulled him aside.

“Look, I don't want to be nosy, but is everything all right with Esther's children? Their rooms seem like shrines, and she hasn't mentioned seeing them recently.”

Reuben took my hand and led me over to the front door. Then he pushed it open and we stepped out onto the porch. The wind had picked up, and there was a definite chill in the air, although the rain Reuben had predicted wasn't here yet. Spring in Missouri was mercurial. I could dress warmly in the morning and be sweating by the afternoon. Today the reverse was true.

“After Josiah died, Esther was both mother and father to those kids. Of course, the community helped her quite a bit. That's Sanctuary. We see ourselves as one big family.” He grinned. “Not in a creepy way. No one here believes we own other people's children, but when one of us needs help, all of us pitch in.”

“You all get together for a good old-fashioned barn raisin'?” I asked with an exaggerated twang.

He laughed. “Actually, that happened once. But usually, no.
It's more like when someone's sick, people bring food, and when a mother loses her husband, the church makes sure she has plenty of help.”

He leaned against one of the posts that held up the porch's roof. “Most of the kids in Sanctuary go to public school in Barnes. It's only about ten miles from here. The school's a good one now, but it was kind of a mess when Ben and Becky went there many years ago. They got involved with some bad kids. Esther did her best to keep an eye on them, but it wasn't enough. Ben took off when he was eighteen. He's been in trouble ever since. I'm not sure when Esther last heard from him. And that might be a good thing. When he does call, he wants money. Once he realized Esther didn't have any more to give him, he quit contacting her.”

“What about Rebecca? Esther said she was married and living in Springfield.”

Reuben nodded. “She is. After a rough start, she straightened herself out. But she always says she's too busy to visit her mother. Esther doesn't drive, so she never gets to see her grandchildren. To be honest, I think Becky's too embarrassed to let her rich husband see where she came from.”

I pulled myself up and sat on the railing. “Man, I can't believe it. Esther's one of the nicest people I've ever met. Someday she'll be gone. I wonder how her kids will feel then.”

“I don't know.” Reuben shook his head. “I actually called Becky once and tried to talk to her about her mother. That didn't go well.”

“I suppose you had the perfect life. You and your family are close?”

“Yes, we're very close. We lost my dad about seven years ago. My mom lives in Jefferson City, and Maggie lives in Kansas.
No childhood trauma to report.” As soon as the words left his mouth, his face fell. “Wynter, I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking.”

“Please, Reuben. Don't worry about it. I don't want anyone to walk on eggshells because of me.” I gazed out at the silent streets. “So why do you live here instead of near your family?”

He smiled. “My parents owned a farm just outside of town. After my dad died, I inherited the farm, lock, stock, and barrel. Maggie didn't want it, and I did.”

“So you're a mayor slash farmer?”

He laughed. “Add another slash. I do a little writing too. Guess it runs in the family.”

“Wow. I'm impressed.”

“Don't be. I write copy for farm equipment catalogs. Not very exciting. I won't be popping up on the
New York Times
Best Seller list anytime soon.”

“Still, it's . . . cool.”

Reuben's eyebrows arched in surprise. “You're the first person to think describing a spark plug for a John Deere tractor is cool.”

“Well, I do. You know, I don't tell many people that I like to write. They tend to look at me like I just announced I was running for Miss America. I told my mother about it after I enrolled in college. She thought I was delusional. I changed my major from creative writing to broadcast journalism.”

“Well, I don't think you're delusional. You should follow your passion.”

“I am. I enjoy my job.”

“That didn't sound very convincing.”

I smiled. “I may not be
passionate
about it, but I am content. Perhaps that's enough.”

“So what are you doing tomorrow?” he asked.

“Well, I can't do actual interviews without my photog, but I can work on questions and decide where to shoot. With your help, we have several good candidates for the piece. I'll talk to those I think will work well for our story and narrow it down to four or five. Then when Zac feels better, all we'll have to do is film the final interviews and get our background shots.”

“I'll stop by in the morning and check on Zac,” he said. “If he's doing okay, I'll take you to breakfast. Maybe I'll tag along while you work, if it's okay.”

“I'd like that. I'm sure people will feel more comfortable if you're with me. Thanks, Reuben.”

“Wynter . . .” Reuben hesitated.

“Yes?”

“Promise me you'll be careful.”

The seriousness of his tone made my stomach do flip-flops. “What do you mean?”

“I don't know. The note stuck on your windshield. The newspaper clippings. Zac getting sick. Individually, none of them are ominous. But all of them together? It makes me nervous.”

“I'll admit the note was a little scary, but as far as the rest of it . . . I don't see any connection. Zac got sick because he ate food that wasn't refrigerated. It might have been dumb, but I don't think it's anything to be concerned about.”

“I know, but it's still disturbing. All these things happening at the same time.” He stepped up closer to me and put his hand under my chin. “Promise me you'll be cautious, okay? Don't take any chances.”

I put my hand on his. “I'll be careful. I promise.”

I knew he was going to kiss me, and I was right. Even though I couldn't see a future for us, my feelings seemed to have a mind of their own.

I gently pushed him away. “I'd better get inside. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

I watched him until he turned the corner. Then I went inside. Before going to my room, I stopped to check on Zac. He was still sleeping. Esther sat in the chair knitting. She smiled and nodded, letting me know she wasn't quite ready to leave.

When I opened my door, weariness washed over me. I kicked off my shoes and collapsed on the couch. Reuben's concerns for my safety made me feel disquieted. Ever since I'd come to Sanctuary, I'd concentrated on finding out the truth about my brother. Being concerned for my own safety hadn't really occurred to me. But what if Elijah
was
Ryan? And what if his kidnapper was living in Sanctuary? Of course, it was possible the Fishers weren't what they seemed to be. But it was much more likely they'd been duped by someone else. Could that person be watching me? Afraid I might get too close?

These questions rolled around in my mind for a while, but they were like feathers in the wind, blowing every which way without any discernible pattern. Finally I forced myself to get ready for bed. I'd just changed into my pajamas when someone knocked on my door. I opened it and found Esther standing there.

“I'm headed to bed, Wynter,” she said. “Zac is sleeping peacefully. I left his door open so you could hear him if he needs help. Might be best if you left yours open as well. Mind you, the cats will probably find their way in.”

As if on cue, Maizie came running in and jumped up onto the bed.

I laughed. “I don't mind one bit. I love having them around, and so does Zac.”