A Touch of Autumn(27)
“But what if they don’t put him there? What if he goes after Jeremiah and hurts him worse?”
Charles stepped to her side. “I promise you that is not going to happen. Whatever happens with the farm, Edward Saunders will never lay a hand on that boy again.”
A faint ray of hope jumped into her eyes. “What do you intend to do?”
“First, we need to take you to the school, where you’ll be safe. Then I think the next step has to be to consult Trent’s attorney. Once he looks into things, he can advise us on a course of action. I would say that unless your brother-in-law has proof that the property was left to him, he hasn’t a legal leg to stand on.”
“All right, but if I take the carriage, he might say I’ve stolen it.”
Trent sent her a look of sympathy. “Pack what you can in a carpetbag. If you don’t mind riding behind one of us to the train, that would be the simplest way.”
“I don’t mind at all.”
She glanced from one to the other, gratitude shining in her eyes. “Don’t let him rob my boy. This is all he has left of his father.”
* * *
Livvy tried to keep her eyes on the piano, but her glance kept straying to the very pretty and petite lady who sat between Charles and Jeremiah.
Really, she was being so foolish to think that Charles might be attracted to Jeremiah’s mother. The woman must be in her thirties. The problem was that she didn’t look any older than Livvy. She took a deep breath. Would he still come to dinner? Or would he choose to eat at the school today?
The smell of liniment hit her and she crinkled her nose. Old Mrs. Henderson’s rheumatism must be acting up again.
She jerked her attention back to the hymnal and finished the song. The song leader stepped down from the platform and her father took his place behind the pulpit. At a nod from him, she rose and seated herself on the front row beside her mother.
A big smile creased her father’s face. “Today, it’s my honor to welcome Jeremiah Saunders’s mother to our service. It’s nice to have you with us, Mrs. Saunders.”
She gave a slight nod and murmured something so quietly Livvy couldn’t make it out. Goodness. Couldn’t the woman even speak up?
Shame coursed through her. She wouldn’t do this again. She wouldn’t make an enemy in her own mind as she’d done with Helen. If Charles was interested in Mrs. Saunders, she’d simply have to live with it.
When the service ended, Livvy made a beeline for Jeremiah’s mother. The faint aroma of apple blossoms surrounded the lady. Livvy held her hand out. “How do you do, Mrs. Saunders? I’m Olivia Shepherd, the reverend’s daughter. It’s so nice you can be here with Jeremiah today.” She glanced toward the beaming boy. “And it’s obvious he’s overjoyed.”
“Oh, yes. But no more than I am.” The lady smiled at her son, then turned back to Livvy. “And please call me Faith.”
“I will, if you will call me Livvy.” She smiled warmly at Faith, surprised to find the warmth extending to her heart. Thank You, Lord.
Charles stepped to Livvy’s side and gave her a grin. “Am I still invited to dinner?”
Her stomach lurched. He hadn’t forgotten. “Of course. Mama made a pork roast with sweet potatoes and one of your favorite pies.”
“Pecan?”
“Pecan.” She laughed, then turned to Faith. “You’re welcome to join us, if you’d like. Mama always makes plenty.”
“That’s kind of you, but I promised Jeremiah to sit with him at dinner and he wants me to try Selma’s famous fried chicken.”
“You won’t be sorry. She’s a whiz in the kitchen.” Livvy held her hand out and Faith took it in her small one. “Perhaps another time.”
Livvy hurried home to help her mother finish up the dinner preparations. Her heart thudded when she heard hooves pounding up the drive. Quickly, she removed her apron and smoothed down her hair.
After dinner and dishes, Charles and Livvy walked down by the river and sat under their favorite live oak.
“Did you find out anything about the abuse?” Livvy’s voice trembled just saying the words.
Charles nodded. “It was the uncle all right. He started beating the kid as soon as he took over the farm. Not only that, but he claims the farm is his.”
Livvy looked up, startled. “Is it?”
“I doubt it. According to Mrs. Saunders, her husband told her he’d made out a will leaving everything to her and Jeremiah. But the will seems to have disappeared and she doesn’t know the name of the attorney who took care of the matter.”
“Oh, no. Can anything be done?”