But she had more pressing matters to attend to with the man hiding behind another tree. She glanced around and saw that the mercantile wagon was conveniently parked down another street. She shook her head and quietly snuck up behind Joseph before she tapped him on the shoulder.
He jerked around, looking like a kid stuck with his hand in the cookie jar. “It’s not what it looks like.”
Crossing her arms, she glared at him. “Really?”
Straightening up, he cleared his throat—probably trying to save the last shred of male dignity he had left—and said, “I wanted to see what you had planned.”
“Um hmm,” she replied, not believing him.
He sighed. “Fine. A part of me doesn’t trust Debra with the children. I want to make sure they’re alright.” He glanced over his shoulder at Doug and Bob who were calling out to Debra as they swung from the low branches and kicked at each other. “You’re fine with them being in a tree like that?”
Margaret shrugged. “If they fall, the most they’ll get is a couple of bruises.”
“Hannah wouldn’t let them up there, but I always thought that they should. Boys need to climb and feel a sense of danger.”
“Are you avoiding the topic?” She lowered her arms, feeling some of her annoyance settle at the compliment he’d given her, even if it was a roundabout one.
“I really am curious about what you’re going to do. You never told me what it is.”
She studied him, trying to determine his level of sincerity.
Debra shrieked when Bob kicked Doug and Doug fell to the ground, wailing and clutching his arm.
Margaret forced back the laugh as Charles clung to Debra’s dress and Ben grabbed her hat and flung it to the ground. Ben stopped crying and giggled. Connie rushed to retrieve the hat as it blew across the grass. Bob ran off from the tree before Debra could reach Doug who continued to howl as if he were mortally wounded.
“Was that part of the plan?” Joseph asked.
Margaret decided to reveal that much to him. “I told Charles to stay with Debra. As for Ben, he clings to anyone if there’s a new person around, so I knew she’d have to hold him. Doug and Bob asked if they could climb a tree as long as they stayed on the lower branches. Then Doug and Bob thought it would be fun to scare Debra by falling and getting hurt, though Doug is really overdoing it.”
“And the other woman?” he pressed.
“That’s Connie James. She happens to have an available son who is Debra’s age.”
“Oh.” His eyes lit up with understanding. “I see. That’s not a bad plan.”
“Thank you.”
Debra bent down to console Doug, but he only wailed louder and cried for Margaret.
“Those boys have grown attached to you,” Joseph commented, pleased.
“I’ve grown rather fond of them as well.” She gave him a pointed look. “I’m dismayed you didn’t trust me in doing what’s best for them.” When she realized Bob was carrying something she didn’t recognize, she patted him on the arm. “We’ll discuss this later. I need to go.”
Margaret emerged from behind the tree and slipped onto the pathway lining the park grounds. When she realized Bob carried an empty wasp’s nest, she stopped for a moment to dumbly watch everyone.
Connie returned with the hat just as Bob reached Debra. Holding out the nest, he asked, “Can I take this home?”
Debra glanced at him, saw it, and screamed.
Bob dropped it in her lap and threw his hands up in the air. “Sorry!”
Debra quickly set Ben on the ground and bolted to her feet as she shook her dress that was marred with streaks of purple and red candy.
Biting her tongue so she wouldn’t burst out laughing, Margaret made her way to them.
“It’s empty!” Bob called out above Debra’s shrill screams. “There’s nothing in there.”
“Yeah,” Doug added, standing up. “And I’m alright. See? I can move my arm just fine.”
Debra grunted in disgust and scampered away from the nest which remained on the ground.
“Ma!” Charles and Ben said as soon as they saw Margaret.
“I am not your mother!” Debra hissed. “I would never be a mother to the likes of you boys.”
“We knew you didn’t like us,” Bob replied.
“Insolent children,” Connie told Debra.
“So I gather you’re not interested in Joseph then?” Margaret asked Debra, stepping right up to everyone. She bent down to pick up Ben and held onto Charles’ hand.
Debra’s face was flushed and she anxiously tucked in stray strands of hair under her hat. “No man is worth all this trouble.” She glanced at the boys and shuddered. “I don’t know how you put up with this, but they obviously need someone to...to...”