All Roads Lead Home

“Tell me, Mariah,” Gabe began from his perch beside Felicity on the sofa, “how is Mr. Isaacs?”

Mariah shifted so she wouldn’t see Hendrick in the other wingback chair. Naturally, Gabe would inquire about his dear friend and director of the Orphaned Children’s Society, but this conversation was likely headed back to the job offer Mariah couldn’t possibly accept.

“A bit weary of government interference, I’m afraid,” she said, hoping the hint would dissuade Felicity.

“That hasn’t changed, then.”

“I’m afraid it’s gotten worse. It’s difficult to keep a private agency running these days.”

Instead of discouraging Felicity, her remark had just the opposite effect. “Then you should come here. You’d be the perfect director for our home.”

“Am I being railroaded?” Mariah shook her head with a laugh. “The truth is, I love my work. It’s where I belong.” And though she liked Pearlman, with its cozy streets and tight-knit community, the town had one big problem, currently seated in the other wingback chair.

“How many children does the Society handle each month now?” Gabe asked.

Mariah hesitated. That’s why the Detroit office had closed. “A handful.”

“Exactly. It used to be dozens.” Gabe’s brow puckered. “I can’t believe there are fewer children in need. They must be going to the state institutions.”

“Children belong with their families,” Hendrick stated.

Mariah was so surprised by the passion in his voice that she couldn’t think of a thing to say.

“Agreed,” Gabe said. “That’s why Mariah’s going to Montana, to protect a child.”

Mariah’s jaw dropped. The room got deathly quiet. Hendrick, Anna and Felicity all looked stunned. Why had Gabe said that when he’d made her promise not to tell Felicity? She stared at her brother until she realized that he hadn’t mentioned Luke. His statement had been vague. She could be going to help any child.

Felicity recovered first. “I didn’t realize the Society placed children that far west.”

Mariah knew her cheeks were glowing but she hoped Felicity would just think she was warm. “They’ve sent children to many Western states.” That was true, though none had gone that far west in years.

Hendrick looked like he was gagging. He kept pulling at his collar until he managed to ask in a strangled voice, “You’re driving to Montana by yourself?”

“She might think she’s going by herself,” said Gabe, “but as her brother, I insist she take someone with her.”

“I’ll go,” Anna instantly volunteered.

“Wait,” Mariah cried. This was rapidly spinning out of control.

No one paid her the slightest attention.

Hendrick glared at his sister. “Mariah doesn’t need to look after a girl.”

“I’m not a girl,” Anna said hotly. “I’m nineteen.”

“And know nothing about the world,” he added.

A thought crept into Mariah’s head. Perhaps taking Anna along would satisfy Gabe. She did enjoy the girl’s company. How much trouble could she be? Certainly less than Hendrick.

“I think it’s a splendid idea,” Mariah said.

Anna beamed. “See?”

“That’s solved,” said Gabe. “Now all you need is a mechanic.” He looked right at Hendrick. “I can think of no one better.”

Hendrick gulped. “The garage—”

“That’s right.” Mariah capitalized on his excuse. “He has a business to run.”

“It’ll be in fine hands with Peter,” Gabe said.

Hendrick shook his head. “He’s a boy.”

Felicity glowed with the thrill of matchmaking. “He did a wonderful job fixing Daddy’s car. I’m sure he can handle anything that would come up while you’re gone. I think it’s the perfect combination.” She smiled broadly at each of them.

Mariah cringed. “But it will take at least two weeks to get there, and another two weeks back. Surely Hendrick can’t be gone that long.”

Felicity waved a hand. “The trains will be running by the time you’re ready to come back.”

Gabe increased the pressure. “What do you say, Hendrick?”

Mariah fumed. Apparently, she had no say in this. “He’s busy.”

Hendrick opened his mouth as if to protest, glanced at her and then changed his mind. “If Ma says Anna can go, then I’ll have to go, too. I can’t let anything happen to my only sister.” He emphasized the point by glaring at Mariah.

No. No. No. She couldn’t spend all that time with Hendrick, talking to him, seeing him, sitting an arm’s length apart. It would be intolerable.

Felicity clapped her hands. “It’s the perfect solution. Just perfect. Hendrick can make any repairs and ensure that you arrive safely. Well, then, it’s settled.”

It was not. But Mariah couldn’t say a word to change their minds. Anna bounced around the room like a rubber ball. Felicity and Gabe looked so pleased. Luke could come into the house at any moment. All she could do for now was accept that she would be driving west with Hendrick and Anna Simmons.

Until she figured out a way to get out of this little mess.

Chapter Three

Hendrick cornered his sister the moment they’d walked out of sight of the parsonage. “Why did you volunteer to go on that trip?”

Anna tossed her head and wormed past him. “It’s time I got out of this town and saw the world. Pearlman is so limited. I want more. I want to experience everything.”

What had gotten into Anna? She’d always been the quiet and shy type, until… “Did Mariah put you up to this?”

Anna laughed so loudly that everyone else on the street looked to see what was so humorous. “That’s what’s bothering you, isn’t it? That it’s Mariah.”

Hendrick choked back more than a little irritation. “That has nothing to do with it. I wouldn’t let you make a trip like that with any woman.”

Anna skipped ahead. “Well, you don’t have the final say, do you? It’s up to Ma. You said so yourself.”

Hendrick charged after her. She scooted along, face lifted to the sun, and only by virtue of his long legs did he catch her. “Ma won’t give her permission.”

“Yes, she will.”

It felt like they were kids again, sparring over a toy or a game. Then Pa died, and Hendrick had taken over as head of the family. Anna had listened and obeyed him for years—until Mariah set foot in Pearlman.

“Ma wants me to be happy,” Anna was saying, “and seeing the world will make me happy. I certainly don’t need you along, and neither does Mariah.”

Hendrick felt the slap of those words, but he refused to let her childish emotions change his mind. “Anyone driving that far needs a mechanic along. Two thousand miles on bad roads will break apart an automobile. Neither one of you can do more than change a tire.”

Anna huffed. “Then we’ll find someone who does, but the last thing I need is an overprotective big brother tagging along. We’ll find someone else. Even Peter.”

“Peter? He’s too young for a trip like that.” Hendrick wasn’t about to entrust his only sister to a sixteen-year-old. “Besides, I thought you hated him.” They’d reached the house. The sun hung low, just above the trees. Ma would be reading her Bible and saying her prayers. Peter was probably building something with the Erector Set that Hendrick had given him last Christmas.

“I don’t hate him. I just don’t love him.” She wrinkled her nose. “He’s two years younger than me.” Anna stopped in the front doorway. “Promise you won’t go?”

He set his jaw. No way would he let Mariah—or any woman—drive west alone. “Let’s see first if Ma gives you permission.”

The door opened, and Ma stepped outside. “Give you permission for what?” Her cheeks rounded above her embracing smile. Ma was the most optimistic person Hendrick knew, despite losing Pa.

Hendrick didn’t wait for Anna to wrap Ma around her little finger. “Mariah Meeks is driving her car to Montana, and Anna wants to go along. I say it’s a foolish idea.”

Of course Anna disagreed. “No, it’s not. It’ll be such fun, Ma. I’ll see the world. Oh, please, let me go.”

Hendrick hated to disappoint his sister, but he had to stick a pin in her plan. “It’s dangerous. The car will break down. If they’re far from a town, they could die of thirst before they get help.”

“We’ll bring water,” Anna countered.

“There could be wolves or bears or cougars,” he added.

“Then we’ll bring a rifle.”

Ma looked from one to the other as he brought up every possible catastrophe and Anna refuted each one.

“You might run into outlaws and rumrunners,” he pleaded. “It’s not safe for two women.” He nearly choked calling his kid sister a woman.

Ma smiled softly and touched his arm. “It’s good of you to worry about your sister’s welfare, but she’s grown up now and needs to spread her wings.”

“But Ma.”

Anna grinned in triumph.

Ma clucked softly. “We can’t protect our loved ones from everything.”

Her eyes misted, and he knew she was thinking of Pa. A lump rose in his throat as he recalled finding his father crushed beneath a truck, his spilled blood already dark. He’d been dead for hours, and none of them knew. For years Hendrick wished he’d come home from school earlier, that he’d skipped classes that day, that he’d listened to his pa’s advice to quit school after he graduated from the eighth grade. If he had, he might have been there. He might have saved his father. At least Pa wouldn’t have died alone.

“I have to protect Anna from unnecessary risk,” he countered.

Ma nodded. “That’s why you must go, too.”

“But—”

“The garage will be in fine hands with Peter. Plus Mr. Thompson said he’d help out anytime you wanted to take a holiday.”

Hendrick recalled Pa’s working partner, now retired, extending that offer. “I think he meant he’d help for a couple days. This could be a month.”

Ma patted his arm. “Everything will be fine, Hendrick. Go, with my blessing.”

Had all the women in his life gone crazy? Suddenly they wanted to run all over the country and thought nothing of the risk.

“But what if something happens?” he said, not quite able to spell out the possibility that they could be killed in a wreck. “We’re all you have. Except Peter, of course, but that’s not quite the same.” Peter was just a foster son. He could leave at any time. Hendrick and Anna were blood. Nothing could break blood ties. That’s why a man needed his own children.

“Peter will take good care of me.” Ma patted his arm again. “You two will be in the Lord’s care, and that’s all the assurance any of us have. Wherever you go, I know God will be with you.”

Ma’s words reminded Hendrick that he hadn’t told her about the possible job with Curtiss Aeroplane. Rather than escort two women to Montana, he should be headed to New York to present his engine design to a company that could pay a lot of money for the right to produce it. If ever he had a way out of this foolish trip to Montana, this was it.

He licked his lips. “What if I go to New York?”

“New York?” Ma’s brows puckered. “I thought you wanted to help Mariah drive to Montana.”

He struggled not to show any emotion at the mention of Mariah’s name. Ma still harbored hope they’d get back together, no matter how many times he told her it was over. “I’ve got a chance to sell my engine design to Curtiss Aeroplane. Jack Hunter is having his old mechanic put in a word for me, but I need to go to New York to present the plans to their engineers.”

“Is that what you truly want, Hendrick?”

He did. Or at least he thought he did. “Yes, Ma.”

She bit her lip, and her eyes filled with tears. “Then pursue your dream, dear. Don’t let anyone stop you.”

“I’ll take care of you, Ma. They’ll pay more than I earn here at the garage, and Peter can help out around the house.”

“I understand.”

Anna caught her breath. “Does that mean you’re not going with us to Montana?”

Hendrick felt the tug of responsibility. Judging by her muted reaction, Ma didn’t want him to take the Curtiss job, but doing so would ensure that Anna stayed safely at home. She would hate him, but she’d be safe. “That means I need you to stay here with Ma.”

“Stay here?” Anna’s eyes filled with angry tears. “How could you? You did this just to ruin my life. I hate you. I hate you.” Then she ran inside and slammed her bedroom door.

Hendrick watched in silence, his gut a tangled knot.

Ma touched his arm. “Don’t fret, dear. She doesn’t mean it.”

“I know.” And he did know, but it still hurt. “It’s tough being the one in charge.”

Ma softly murmured a protest. “God’s the one who’s in charge. Pray on your decision, Hendrick. He’ll give you the guidance you need.”

Trouble was, Hendrick couldn’t hear the answers above the din of everyone’s conflicting needs.

“I’m going to take a walk,” he grumbled and headed out to find some peace.

Mariah held her tongue until Felicity took Luke upstairs for bed.

“I’d like to see the river,” she announced to her brother, rising from her chair. “Will you show me the way?”

Of course she remembered how to get to the river, but she needed to talk to Gabe away from the parsonage.

She silently followed him across the expansive backyard. Any wind had vanished, and the evening descended with a golden haze and the croak of bullfrogs. Once Gabe closed the backyard gate behind them, she let loose. “How could you? You know Hendrick and I had a falling-out. Traveling with me for a month is the last thing he’d want to do.”

Gabriel whistled a few notes. “Seems to me he said he’d go.”

“Naturally he did, once you forced him. What could he say? You certainly manipulated that little scenario your way.” Every word only made her angrier. The air was thick and cloying. The last bit of daylight barely filtered through the trees. She felt trapped.

“I manipulated him?” He tsked audibly. “Seems to me Hendrick Simmons is a grown man with a mind of his own. He made a decision. The fact that I happen to agree with him doesn’t make me manipulative.”

Normally, Mariah kept her emotions in check, but Gabe and Hendrick had sent them catapulting out of control. “Why can’t you accept that I can do this myself? The fewer people involved, the better. You said so yourself.”

“Hendrick’s a good, honest man. You can’t deny that.”

She couldn’t.

“I trust him to keep the secret.”

“And Anna?” Mariah pointed out. “Do you feel the same way about her?” Even as she said the words, she recalled that Anna had been infatuated with Gabe when he first arrived. A shy girl then, she’d pined for him and must have suffered when Gabe chose Felicity.

“She’s a good girl,” Gabe said softly, “and has grown up a lot since you last saw her. Yes, I have faith in her.”

Mariah sighed. He was not going to let her out of this. “You know how difficult this will be.”

“I know, sis, but you’ll manage. You always do.”

They’d reached the river, flowing gently at this season. To the left, mostly out of sight, a footbridge crossed to the other side. In the low light, the water below looked black and endless, but once they’d climbed down to the water’s edge, it turned silky green.

“I’m afraid, Gabe,” she whispered as they made their way to the rocky sandbar that was exposed this time of year. She wasn’t just afraid for Luke or all the problems that might happen on the trip, but for her heart. The old longing had returned with a fierceness she hadn’t expected, but a life with Hendrick could never be. One impossible obstacle still loomed between them, and his remarks tonight confirmed that it was still there. He wanted children of his own. Children she could never give him.

Gabe hugged her shoulders. “I know.”

Her shoes scrunched against the stones, sinking in slightly as they made their way to the center of the sandbar. They both looked downstream. For years she’d watched over Gabe, making sure he was all right. Now their roles were reversed. He was trying to take care of her. She bit her lip to stem the tide of emotion.

“It’ll turn out all right,” Gabe said with another brisk hug. “It always does for those who love the Lord.”

The corner of her mouth twitched at that reminder. “Are you preaching to me?”

He bent and picked up a stone. “I’ve been teaching Luke how to skip stones. He can beat me now.” He let the stone fly. It bounced once, twice, three times before sinking beneath the surface. “Are we stones that sink to the bottom or twigs that float on the surface? Do we succumb to trouble or are we carried wherever the water flows?”

“I’d like to think we’re boats, able to navigate treacherous waters.” Mariah was used to her brother’s philosophical musings, but this one deeply touched her soul. “You’re afraid, too.”

He bowed his head. “Of course. Losing Luke would break my heart, but knowing he’d be beaten down by someone who’s supposed to love him would kill me.”

He swiped at his face, and she knew he’d lost control of his emotions. She hugged him around the shoulders, as she used to when he was a boy.

“I won’t let that happen,” she said, softly at first but with growing firmness. “God won’t let Frank Gillard take Luke.”

“I hope you’re right,” he gasped, his shoulders shuddering as he gave in to tears.

Behind them, a plank of the bridge creaked, telling her that they were not alone. She turned.

Hendrick Simmons was watching.

“Mariah. Pastor.” Hendrick knew she’d seen him.

He’d come to the bridge to think, to let the steady flow of water help him sort things out. Instead, he’d heard the real reason for Mariah’s trip west. That changed everything. Someone had threatened to harm Luke, and she was going to Montana to stop him. Now he had to go with her.

“Hendrick,” called out Gabriel. “Wait there.” He led his reluctant sister up the riverbank, and in minutes they appeared on the bridge. “Nice night, isn’t it?”

Mariah hung back.

Hendrick didn’t know if he should tell them he’d overheard their conversation. It had been so personal that he felt as if he’d been eavesdropping. He decided to pretend he hadn’t.

“Needed to get some air.” Hendrick leaned against the rail and watched the river flow. “Water’s down for this time of year. Hope we don’t have a drought.”

“That’s something to pray for,” Pastor Gabriel said softly. “I’m glad you’re going to Montana with my sister.”

Mariah didn’t say a word. She stood on the other side of her brother, staring straight ahead.

“Ma gave Anna permission to go.” He didn’t bother saying that he’d thrown a wrench into the plan, since he wouldn’t be going to New York now.

“Good,” Gabriel said. “Then you two have a lot to talk about. See you at the parsonage, sis.”

“Gabe,” she cried. “I’ll go with you. I might get lost.”

Pastor Gabriel laughed and shook his head. “Hendrick knows these woods better than I do. Get her home safely, okay?”

That’s precisely what Hendrick intended to do, after he got her to Montana.

The pastor hiked up the path and vanished into the woods, leaving Hendrick alone with Mariah, who watched her brother’s departure before turning to him.

“How much did you hear?”

Hendrick heard the accusation in her words. “Enough.”

She swallowed, looking more like a frightened girl than the confident woman he was used to seeing. “Please don’t tell anyone.” She clutched her arms around her midsection. “Felicity can’t know.” Her eyes looked haunted, desperate. “Please.”

He nodded. “I promise.”

Relieved, she collapsed against the bridge railing, and he thought for a moment that she was going to cry. Instinctively, he reached to comfort her, but she flinched, and he backed away, confused.

“I just wanted to say it’s all right,” he said, struggling to find the right words. “I’ll help you all I can.”

“I know.” She lowered her face so it fell in the shadows. “But we can’t relive the past. Do you understand that?”

He set his jaw. “I’m not asking to go back in time, Mariah. I’m talking about getting you safely to Montana so you can help Luke.”

She shushed him. “Don’t say his name.”

He nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right.”

They stood in silence for long moments, each staring downstream, headed in the same direction yet miles apart.

He licked his lips. “What can you tell me?”

She continued to watch the river. “We’re going to Brunley, near the Rocky Mountains. The rest I’ll tell you once we leave Pearlman.”

He understood. She couldn’t take a chance that anyone would overhear.

She breathed deep, squared her shoulders and turned to face him. “I owe you an explanation.”

He frowned. Hadn’t she just said she couldn’t tell him anything until they were on the road?

“Not about our trip,” she clarified, “about last time. Why I left. I shouldn’t have run off.”

He couldn’t agree more, but he had the sense not to say that. Instead, he waited for her.

“It’s my work,” she finally said. “Helping the orphans is my calling. I couldn’t leave them. I’ll never stop helping them. Do you understand?”

He didn’t. Didn’t all women want their own children? Others would step up to help the orphans, but she couldn’t let it go.

“It’s not that I don’t care for you. You’re a wonderful…friend.”

He steeled his jaw. “You, too.” He’d never let her know how much she affected him. “Besides, I have a chance to work at Curtiss Aeroplane. I’ll be heading to Garden City as soon as we return.”

“Good.” She drew a shaky breath. “That is, congratulations.”

Did he imagine that hesitation in her voice?

She shook her head, as if she knew what he was thinking. “I’m glad you realize that there can’t be anything between us beyond friendship.” She stuck out her hand.

He reluctantly grasped it. “Yeah, friends.” Her hand felt like cold steel.

Chapter Four

Not because of her. Hendrick recited that over and over as he fixed Mariah’s car. He wasn’t going on this trip because of some misguided romantic nonsense. He was going to help a little boy. Period.

He repaired the car in a day. Putting the interview with Curtiss Aeroplane on hold wasn’t quite that easy.

Jack Hunter gave him a sharp look. “Dick told me the engineers are eager to see your design. If you wait too long, they’ll change their minds or find another designer, and the opportunity will be gone.”

Hendrick couldn’t tell him why he had to go to Montana. He’d promised, and Hendrick never broke his promises. “It’s just a few weeks.”

Jack’s wife, Darcy, who had been silent until then, chimed in. “Of course Hendrick has to go with Mariah. Jack, you’d do the same. After all, you followed me here rather than start up that Buffalo flight school.”

Jack groused, “That’s not the same thing.”

“It’s exactly the same. A woman has a way of convincing the man who loves her.”

Hendrick felt the heat creep up his neck. “This has nothing to do with Mariah. I need to take care of my sister. That’s all.”

“If you say so.” Darcy laughed as she leaned against the lower wing of the plane.

Jack rolled his eyes. “Show me a woman who isn’t a matchmaker. Sorry about that.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, Darcy, but we’ve already decided to stay friends.”

She shrugged, as if his revelation meant nothing. “You can’t blame me for trying.”

Jack sighed. “I’ll ask Dick to see if they’ll delay the interview a month. No guarantees.”

“Understood.” Hendrick knew the cost. He would lose his one chance to strike out on his own.

“Don’t worry,” Darcy said sympathetically, “if Curtiss wants the engine badly enough, they’ll wait.”

He hoped she was right.

On Friday morning, Mariah paced in front of the parlor windows, waiting for her car to arrive. Maybe she should have gone to the garage and gotten it herself, but Hendrick assured Gabe he’d drive it to the parsonage.