The Edge of Town (38 page)

“Neither have I. All the police work I’ve done was in the army and this is far different.” Corbin stood. “How’s the ball team shaping up?”

“Not bad. We’ve got two pretty good hitters on the team. I don’t think we’ll get skunked.”

“Practice again tomorrow night?”

“And again Sunday afternoon.” Dr. Forbes grinned. “The banker, Amos Wood, has been after me to come to Sunday dinner. So far my excuse has been I can’t play ball on a full stomach. When this game is over, I’II have to think of something else.”

Corbin laughed. “Trying to reel you in for Miss Zelda? Thank God he and I got started off on the wrong foot. He avoids me like poison.”

“Some fellows have all the luck.”

* * *

On Friday, after an early supper, Jill and Julie washed fruit jars in the big tub on the back porch. By dark, three dozen shining mason jars were turned upside down on a clean cloth on the porch. Early Saturday morning, Joe and Jack picked the ripe tomatoes and washed and stemmed them, while Julie and Jill sterilized the jars with boiling water.

After removing the skins of the tomatoes by dipping them in very hot water, Julie packed the jars and made them ready for the hot water bath that would seal and preserve them for future use. It was a family project, with everyone doing his or her part, from Jason, who carried the skins and culled tomatoes to the hogs, to Joe and Jack, who kept the fire going under the copper boiler in the yard.

Jethro went to herd their milch cows to the alfalfa pasture; and when he returned, he took a crate of eggs to town. He had asked Jason and Joy if they wanted to go; but when they learned that Birdie and Elsie were going with him, Jason said that he’d stay and help with the canning. Without Jason to watch Joy, she had to remain, too, and had to be consoled with the promise of a ride on Jack’s horse.

Rid of the depressing presence of Birdie, Julie’s mood lightened, as did that of the other members of the family. They worked happily together, and an hour before noon, all the jars were packed with juicy red tomatoes and waiting for the hot water bath. While the oven was hot, Julie stirred up a dessert she had always called Hurry-Up Pudding because it took only a few minutes to prepare. It was her mother’s recipe, one she had written on the back of an envelope.

Julie had just slipped the pan in the oven when she heard Joy squeal. She hurried to the door in time to see Evan scoop the child up in his arms and step onto the porch. Joy clung to his neck and placed kisses on his cheek. He had a huge smile on his face, and something deep inside Julie trembled for a moment.

“If I’d known I’d get this kind of reception, I’d have come over sooner.” His smiling eyes caught and held Julie’s.

“Mornin’,” Julie said shyly, wrapping her hands in her apron and stepping out onto the porch.
Oh, Lord! I must look a sight— my hair, my wet apron
— “Joe and Jack are out back … some-place.”

“I saw them. I came over to make sure you didn’t forget about tonight.”

“I haven’t forgotten.” Julie pushed the damp hair from her face with the back of her hand. “We’ve been canning tomatoes.”

“Joe said your … company went to town with Jethro.”

“They’ll be back soon.”

Evan searched her face and found lines of fatigue. He wanted to touch her, but with Joy in his arms he could only caress her with his eyes.

“You don’t have to hold her—”

“I know.” He lowered the child to the porch and took a candy stick from his shirt pocket. “A sweet for a sweet pretty little girl.”

“Ohhhh …” Joy squealed. Then, “Can Jason have one?”

“Joy!”

“I already gave Jason one.”

“What do you say, Joy?” Julie prompted.

“Thank you. I’ll give you another kiss if you want one.” She looked up at him with a cocky little grin.

“Well, now, that’s an offer I can’t turn down.” He squatted down and Joy planted a wet, sticky kiss on his cheek.

“Thank
you,
” he said and stood.

“Evan, I didn’t know you were here.” The screen door slammed when Jill came out of the kitchen. “Did Julie tell you that we got a breather from the witch and her brat?”

“Jill, for goodness’ sake!”

“It’s what she is. I hate her more and more. I think maybe Papa’s beginning to think she’s not all that grand anymore.”

Julie turned to look at her sister. “Why do you say that?”

“For a couple of nights he’s found something to do in the barn after supper. Last night he was sitting out there on a box, not doing anything.”

“Maybe he was tired.”

“Yeah. Sure. Evan, are you courting Julie?”

“For crying out loud! Jill—” Julie wished that a hole would open up and she could drop into it.

“I’m trying to, Jill.” Sparks of amusement glittered in Evan’s eyes as color rose up Julie’s neck to flood her face. “Do you mind?”

“Heavens, no. I think she’s taken a shine to you, too. Oh, gosh, I’d better get out of here. She’s going to kill me after you leave. Come on, brat.” Jill grabbed Joy’s hand, jerked her off the porch and headed for the barn.

“I apologize for—”

“Don’t. I’m glad she feels free to come right out and ask.”

“There …isn’t a bashful bone in her body.”

“How is it going with Mrs. Stuart?”

“It’s like a …standoff. She comes out at mealtime and that’s about all. I don’t know what she finds to do in that room all day. In the evening she sits with Papa on the porch.”

“And fills his head with strange notions?”

“Yes. Did Joe tell you?”

“He told me. What’s important to me is that you didn’t believe her. It’s hard to fight back against a woman, but I have a few cards up my sleeve.”

Julie walked with him out to the fence where he had tied his horse.

“You’re welcome to stay to dinner.”

“Thank you, but I’d better get back home. Walter—” Evan stopped what he was saying and looked up at the sky.

Julie’s eyes followed his, and then she heard the faint drone of an airplane engine.

“It’s a Jennie,” Evan exclaimed. “I’d recognize the sound of that motor anywhere.” He shaded his eyes. “There she is!” He pulled Julie in front of him and turned her. “She’s coming right over town.”

The two-winged airplane descended and flew over the farm. The man in the open cockpit waved something red.

“Good Lord! It’s Wesley!” Evan mounted his horse and raced out into the open pasture, waving his arms at the circling plane.

The horses in the side pasture neighed and ran the fence line. The chickens squawked, and the two big geese ran for the shelter of the lilac bushes. Joe and Jack came running out of the barn with Jason, followed by Jill and Joy.

“That’s an airplane!”

“What’s Evan doing?”

“Is it comin’ back?”

“Will it hit the house?”

No one waited or expected a question to be answered. All eyes were on the plane and on Evan, who was now waving a white handkerchief. The plane soared over Evan and dipped its wings several times. Evan raced back to the house.

“He’s going to land in the pasture,” he said excitedly. “I told him the farm was south of town. He probably thinks that this is the place.”

“Can we see the airplane?” Jason asked.

“Sure. Wesley is a barnstormer. That means he flies around the county putting on shows and giving rides.”

“Rides! Do you think—”

“No!” Julie cut Jack off in midsentence.

“Ah … Sis—”

Evan was beaming down at Julie. “I want you to meet Wesley. He’s quite a guy.”

“Oh, I can’t. Not like this!” With her hands in the pockets, she held out her wet apron.

“Then run put on a clean one. He’ll be landing in a minute or two.” He gave her a gentle push and she ran to the house.

Not until she opened the door did she remember the pudding in the oven. She removed it quickly, raced upstairs and slipped into a clean dress, poked at her hair with her fingertips and ran back downstairs.

Her father, with Birdie and Elsie, drove into the yard as she went out the back door. Julie ignored them and hurried to where Evan and the rest of the family waited at the edge of the pasture. The plane was coming in slowly. It bumped the ground once, then settled down to a roll. Jason took a few steps toward the plane.

“Wait, Jason,” Evan cautioned. “Wait until he stops and turns off the propellers. The blades can cut a man in two.”

“How come you know him?” Joe asked.

“I met him in France. Wesley Marsh is one of the most skilled pilots to come out of the war.”

“Have you been up with him?”

“Quite a few times. I had a letter from him a week or two ago. He said he was going to Colorado to put on a show and if he could find the farm he’d stop by.”

The plane rolled to a stop, the engine was cut and gradually the propeller blades ceased to turn. The man who climbed out of the cockpit wore a helmet, a brown jacket and a red scarf around his neck. Evan, holding Julie’s hand as if he feared she would run away from him, led the way across the field to meet the pilot. The family followed, Joy riding on Joe’s shoulders.

Evan and his friend met each other with a hand clasp, then slaps on the back. It was obvious they were good friends and glad to see each other.

“I didn’t have an idea I’d find you so soon.” Wesley Marsh was a small, wiry man with thick light hair, a pug nose and bright blue eyes. When he smiled, he showed a mouth filled with gold-capped teeth.

“My place is a half mile over. I knew it was you when I saw the stars on the underwing. These are my friends, the Jones family. Julie, meet Wesley Marsh. He saved our bacon a time or two during the war by bringing in ammunition in such a reckless way the Germans didn’t bother with him because they were sure he wouldn’t make it and would blow himself up.”

“How do you do, Mr. Marsh?” Julie extended her hand.

Howdy, ma’am.” His bright eyes went from Evan to Julie because Evan was still holding on to her other hand.

“The rest of the troop are Julie’s brothers and sisters.” Evan introduced them all and Wesley gave each one his attention and shook hands.

“My name’s Joy,” Joy declared from atop Joe’s shoulders.

“And a pretty little girl you are, too.”

“Wanta kiss?”

Julie groaned. Evan grinned and squeezed her hand.

“Why, shore, honey.”

Joe stooped down, and Joy planted a kiss on Wesley’s cheek.

“That was worth comin’ down for, sugarfoot. Anybody else givin’ out samples?” Wesley’s laughing eyes went from Jill to Julie.

“That’s all you’re getting, jelly bean. When he lands after a performance,” Evan explained, “the ladies swarm over him. He’s getting spoiled.”

“But I’m havin’ a hell of a lot of fun.”

“Can we look at the airplane?” Jason asked.

“Why, shore, come on over. I promise it won’t bite.”

Julie looked back across the field toward the house. Her father stood alone at the edge of the pasture. He looked so lonely, so left out. Julie tugged on Evan’s hand and mouthed, “Papa.”

Evan turned, whistled and waved for Jethro to come. Julie held her breath, then her father started across the pasture toward them.

For a half hour Evan entertained them with stories of Wesley’s aerial feats, and Wesley patiently showed them the plane. He lifted Jason up to sit in the passenger seat while he explained that he would meet his wing-walker in Colorado. The man would walk the length of the upper wing, then climb down to the lower wing, then onto the wheels, before parachuting to earth.