Wind Over Marshdale (37 page)

****

Tubes seemed to be coming out of every part of Thomas's body. He was resting peacefully, though. That was something.

“Mind if I join you?” It was Rachel. Con nodded and she entered the room, closing the door on the drone of the routine hospital noise. “So? How is he holding out?”

“Fine,” Con said. “Ivor and Betty took the kids. I just wish he'd wake up so we could let him know they're okay.”

“But he's going to be okay, isn't he?” Rachel asked. She took a seat on the opposite side of Thomas's bed.

Con nodded. “It came very close to severing a main artery. As it is he lost a lot of blood and they had to do surgery to repair all the damage.”

“He was pretty lucky,” Rachel offered.

“I doubt luck had much to do with it,” Con responded. “You know that Thomas is also a man of faith?”

“I… I didn't know,” Rachel replied, looking down at her hands. “The topic never came up, although we did run into him at the church.”

“I just can't believe such a thing could happen.” Con shook his head. “And right outside the church.”

“I thought it'd be safer here in a small town,” Rachel mused. “But I guess it only takes one person to spoil that image.”

“And to think such a lunatic was living among us for so long.” Con frowned. “At least she's in custody, undergoing psychiatric assessment. She shouldn't be a threat to anyone else.”

“I'm confused.” Rachel's brows knit together. “It was Marni Hyde and not her sister Mirna, who stabbed Thomas?”

Con nodded. “I don't think anyone is sure just yet of all the details, but apparently, Marni and Mirna are one and the same. There used to be two sisters, years ago, but they both moved away. Then when they moved back, nobody actually saw them together, but assumed there were two since she acted the part quite well.”

“Like a split personality,” Rachel stated. “So which sister was it? Marni or Mirna?”

“From what I've been hearing, it's Marni alright—the ultra busybody and self-appointed community watchdog.”

“That hardly makes sense,” Rachel mused. “I mean, Mirna seemed like the evil one of the two.”

“Just goes to show how easily we make assumptions without knowing the facts.”

“True.” Rachel nodded.

“Speaking of…” Con began, catching Rachel's eye and holding it with his own intense gaze. “Thomas and I have gotten to be pretty good friends. I'd like to know once and for all if you still have feelings for him. If you do, that's fine. It's just something that's been on my mind.”

Rachel blinked, shifting her eyes away from Con's penetrating stare. “I'm not sure what I felt for Thomas at the time. I'm not sure it was anything more than my own weird reaction to all the pain I'd been holding from past relationships. I was desperate for someone to love me, to make me feel worth something, and I guess he was one available target.” She looked up and met Con's eyes.

“And I was another,” he supplied.

“I suppose,” she whispered. “I'm sorry.”

“It's okay. It's just good to know where I stand.”

“I'm over it now, though. My trip home helped me see it was time I got out from under the oppression of my past.”

“That's good.”

“And I don't feel anything special for Thomas anymore either,” Rachel continued. “Other than sorry that he got hurt.”

Con nodded. “I see.”

They were both quiet for a space of time. Rachel was the first to break the silence. “I said I was over my past. And over Thomas. But that's about it.”

Con's breath caught in his throat. He looked up to find Rachel's gaze beckoning to him across the space of the hospital bed.

 

The McKinley homestead looked more like a parking lot than a farm. Vehicles were lined up along the lane that led from the municipal road to the yard, and were also parked in rows by Ivor and Betty's house. Dan and Sherri had to park their car quite a distance from the house.

“Come on in,” someone called from within as the threesome stomped the snow off their boots on the porch. Soon Rachel was introducing Sherri and Dan to a houseful of Marshdale residents.

The evening progressed as more people arrived, each laden with a tray of food to share. Some folk chose to stay in the house and play various card games, table tennis or air hockey, while others went outdoors. Snowmobiles roared in the nearby field, sometimes coming into the yard to deliver a youngster who needed to warm up by the bonfire with a cup of hot chocolate. Others chose to skate on the dugout, which Ivor and Bill Shelley had laboriously cleaned and flooded, and which was illuminated by the halogen yard light. Con had built the bonfire nearby, which helped to warm the toes of those skating and also cast a warm glow into the crisp night air. Someone brought out some wieners and marshmallows and many of the adults and children alike indulged themselves between rounds.

Rachel was just preparing to go outside herself when she was joined by Bonita McKinley.

“Hi, Miss Bosworth,” Bonita said sitting down beside Rachel on a bench in the entrance.

“Hello. How are you feeling these days?” Rachel asked, still pulling on the heavy winter boots Betty had lent her.

“Pretty okay, I guess. Can I ask you something? Since you're, you know, like a female and you're older and more experienced.”

“Um, okay.”

“What if you've been, like, going with a guy and you like, you know, got pretty close and everything and then you don't want to do that anymore?”

“You mean having sex?” Rachel asked.

“Yeah.” Bonita looked down at her toes and flushed. “I mean it was fun for a while ‘cause it seemed dangerous or something, but now… I don't know. I've been thinking a lot about what my parents brought me up to believe and I feel sorry and ashamed that I ever got myself into that. That, and I kind of like this other guy right now, you know?”

“Don't let either boy manipulate you,” Rachel advised.

Bonita nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”

“Have you talked to your parents about it?” Rachel asked. “They seem like pretty understanding people.”

“They're pretty strict,” Bonita replied. “I'd hate to disappoint them.”

“You might be surprised,” Rachel said. “But do what your heart tells you.”

Rachel gave Bonita a parting smile of encouragement and stood up, ready to don the next layer of clothing before braving the elements. Con poked his head around the corner. “There are a couple of people in the den that I want you to meet,” he half-whispered.

“Now? I just got my boots on.”

“It won't take long. I promise. Please?” he added for good measure.

Rachel threw Bonita a questioning look but the girl just shrugged. She took off the heavy boots and followed Con down the hall and into the den.

“Aunt Stephanie, Aunt May, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine. Miss Rachel Bosworth,” Con stated. “Rachel, these are my aunts from Ontario.” Two elderly, but nonetheless robust figures, sat comfortably together on a chesterfield, eating cold cuts, crackers, and cheese. They were both plump, one larger than the other, and wore matching floral dresses with large rhinestone brooches at the neck. The larger one had her white hair pulled up into a very tight bun on the top of her head, while the smaller sister was wearing an outdated brown wig, which was at present sitting slightly askew.

“Lovely! Positively lovely,” crowed the larger of the two. “Do sit down my dear and tell us all about yourself.”

Rachel looked questioningly at Con. He mouthed the words “I'll tell you later,” and excused himself as more guests arrived.

****

“So I guess I wasn't so off after all,” Suzie Chang said with a satisfied smile.

“Yeah, yeah. We heard already, sis,” Billy said.

Suzie and Billy Chang, Ryder Lone Wolf, and Tyson McKinley were sitting around the campfire near the outdoor skating rink.

“Heard what?” Bonita asked, coming to join them.

“You know, the whole Marni Hyde thing,” Tyson shrugged.

“I'm not sure I heard all the details,” Bonita said. “Is it true she killed her sister and was pretending to be her?”

“Actually, she really thought she was both people,” Suzie informed with a gleeful smile.

“Like a ‘schizo' or something,” Ryder put in.

“Actually, it's more like a dual personality,” Billy explained. “Apparently, she killed her sister more than ten years ago out in Squamish. Then, a few years ago, she snapped. Probably from guilt. She says her sister came back and inhabited her body, that they were living together.”

“Like she was possessed,” Suzie put in.

“Why would anybody do that?” Bonita asked. “Kill their own sister?”

“She felt it was her duty to cleanse the world, or something. She'd done all the research on the witchcraft and other occultish stuff that Mirna was into back then, as a way to combat it, I guess. But it apparently backfired.”

“I'll say,” Suzie nodded.

“So that's how she knew about all that weird stuff,” Ryder said. “How she was able to be both people so convincingly.”

“They say she was researching Native spirituality, too,” Billy continued. “Probably ‘cause she felt your dad was the next target. The next person she had to get rid of.”

“It's creepy,” Bonita said with a shake of her head.

“What about the digging in the basement?” Tyson wanted to know.

“The cops found some different stuff down there. Bones of little dead animals and other weird stuff. Probably part of some spells or something,” Suzie explained.

“No human bodies, though.” Billy laughed.

“I went there once,” Bonita confided. “To get my fortune told.”

“You did?” Suzie asked, wide-eyed. “What was it like?”

“I don't want to talk about it,” Bonita said, her whole body shaking. “Hey, Billy. You wanna join the hockey game?”

“I'm not that good,” Billy admitted.

“Who cares?” Bonita replied with a dismissive wave. “It's all a bunch of old people out there. Shouldn't be too hard to beat.”

****

Rachel was taking a breather from skating and was sitting by the crackling fire on a homemade bench. A few “boys”—some of them not so young any more—played a friendly game of hockey on one end of the makeshift rink. Con was among them and she noted with interest how fluid his motions seemed on the ice. Bonita had also joined the game and Rachel was equally impressed by her agility. Someone screamed and ran by, laughing. Tyson McKinley was chasing Suzie Chang with a snowball and seemed intent on giving her a face wash. Rachel smiled at the horse play. It was typical of adolescents to tease one another mercilessly when, in fact, they liked each another.

“Phew! I need a breather,” Con puffed as he flopped down beside Rachel on the bench.

“Your aunts were very charming,” Rachel offered.

“Indeed. A surprise for all of us,” Con commented, still panting.

“So what happened? They certainly don't appear to be here with designs on the property.”

“That's what's so strange,” Con answered, considering. “They came wanting to reconcile. I mean, they didn't say it in so many words, but from what everyone can tell, they seem to be here for nothing more than to be with family.”

“That's good news, isn't it?” Rachel asked.

“Of course,” Con agreed. “But after all these years, it's hard to believe they could change so drastically.”

“That seems rather ironic coming from you,” Rachel noted.

“What do you mean?”

“Aren't you the one always talking about how people can change? That God can change anyone?”

“Well, yeah, but…”

“No buts about it,” Rachel stated emphatically. “Now, what time is it?” “Let's see,” Con said finding his wristwatch under the layers of his outdoor clothing. “Ten to twelve. Almost midnight and a brand new year. We should go to the deck for the countdown.”

“Okay. I have something else I want to talk to you about, but I think I'd rather wait until the New Year,” Rachel said with a secretive smile.

“What is it?” Con pressed, grabbing Rachel's hand as she rose from the bench. There was a look of intense expectation in his eyes.

“Nope. Gotta wait,” Rachel teased. “Come on. We'd better get going or we'll miss it.”

Con and Rachel headed toward the house along with most of the other guests. Everyone was gathering to count down the old year and usher in the new. They reached the outside patio just as the counting began. Ten…nine …eight …rang out across the yard.

At the sound of cheering after the last number was called, Rachel grabbed Con by the lapels and pulled him toward her for a kiss. His initial surprise soon turned to response as she kissed him with every ounce of feeling that she possessed.

“Happy New Year,” she said breathlessly when she pulled away.

“Happy New Year to you, too,” Con replied. “That's an awfully dangerous thing to do to a man on a starry night.”

Rachel giggled. “Oh, I could hardly wait!”

“I see,” Con said grinning.

“I've been ready to burst with it! But I wanted to wait until after midnight to tell you!”

“Tell me? Tell me what?” Con said, eyeing her suspiciously.

“That I did it!” Rachel burst out happily.

“Did it? Did what? Rachel, just what are you talking about?”

“That I did it. The other night when I went home from the hospital. I prayed and, well, I think I'm a Christian now.”

Con was silent for a minute, absorbing what she had just told him. “Rachel, do you mean it?” he asked, his eyes sober.

“Of course I mean it, silly,” Rachel replied, giving him a playful swat. “I did it just the way you told me. Just the way Pastor Todd said at church that time and at the Christmas concert. I got down on my knees and I confessed to God that I'm a sinner, and I said I was sorry for my sins and would He be my Lord and Savior.”

“Oh, Rachel! I can't believe it!” Con exclaimed, picking her up off the ground and swinging her around.

“And the funny thing was, as soon as I prayed, this peaceful and happy sensation came over me and I knew it was true. Just like you said! And—”

Con silenced her with a kiss.

Someone cleared her throat. Both Con and Rachel looked up in embarrassed surprise. “Excuse me,” Sherri said. “But everyone's looking for you. On the other hand, I can see that you're kind of busy right now, so I'll just go and stall them for a while. Just don't make it too long.” She winked and went back into the house.

God's presence was everywhere. In the vast whiteness of the prairie that stretched past the horizon during the day. In the inky blackness of the night sky that now twinkled above their heads.

“It's so amazing,” Rachel breathed, leaning into Con as they both gazed up into the sky. “God is so big. Yet He cares about little old me.”

“That's right,” Con said. “Don't ever forget it.”

“How could I?” Rachel asked wide-eyed.

“It's wonderful, isn't it?” Con smiled. “When you first accept Jesus you feel as if the whole world is new. It even says in the Word that we become a new creation the moment we accept Christ. But there will still be hardships. Life won't be a picnic, you know.”

“Yes, I know.”

“You'll still have problems, and sometimes you might even feel like giving up. Just remember that God's promises are true and everlasting. He'll never let you down.”

“Thank you, Con. Thank you for introducing me to Him. I'm sorry that I didn't listen sooner.”

“Don't be sorry. God works everything out in His own perfect timing. I think maybe I had to learn a few things myself about trying to manipulate Him.”

“You?” Rachel teased.

“Sure, me,” Con laughed. “I don't have all the answers yet. I'm still learning just like you are. I thought I could make it happen according to my agenda. It wasn't until I finally gave in—just surrendered you to God—that I finally had peace. I had to be willing to let Him have you, even if it meant I might not. And now here you are.”

“God brought me out to the prairies for a reason and now I know what it was. He wanted me to meet Him here. I couldn't hear Him in the city with all the clutter of my past life around me. But here I heard Him calling to me out of the quiet whisper of a prairie breeze. And out of the lips of the man that He made me love.”

“Rachel,” Con said, his voice cracking. “Are you sure it's me you love? That you're not just rebounding?”

“I'm sure,” she nodded. “And I'm sorry for all the hurt I caused both you and Thomas.”

“Let's leave that in the past, where it belongs,” Con replied.

“Okay, although I was kind of looking forward to convincing you,” Rachel teased, batting her eyelashes.

“Now that sounds like the best idea yet,” Con grinned, leaning in for another kiss.