“I’m telling you, we should have turned right at the last four-way stop.” Tim’s patience was fast dissolving.
“Okay, okay. Relax. I’m turning back. You’re just sour that we didn’t get to Gold Reef City.”
Tim’s silence said it all. Jason had hit the horse on the nose.
“Tim, I’m really sorry. I just didn’t feel at ease about wasting any time when we’re so close to our goal. Once this is over, we’ll go back and do all the touristy stuff we didn’t get to this time around.”
“At your expense, hey?”
“At my expense.”
Tim cheered up a little. “Here it is, left here. There’s the sign, Sun-kissed Farm, Edward & Maxine Rochester.”
Turning off the tar onto a well-maintained dirt road, Jason felt his heart flip. The thought that he might be so close to finding Rebecca played havoc with his sub-conscious, causing him to be thoroughly disagreeable.
Tall evergreens lined the road, not with the stately precision of the ultra-rich, but with a natural grandeur that was breathtaking.
Leaving the trees behind, they crested the last hill leading to the farm. From this height, they looked down on a sprawling double story building that lit the surrounding grounds with a dull glow. The impression it all gave was one of ‘welcome’, but Jason had been around long enough to know that one can’t always trust first impressions.
The driveway was a fascinating combination of paving stones and gravel that led right up to the front of the house. Here, the paving and gravel formed a huge rendition of a sunrise, which Jason suspected was Maxine’s idea. Very appropriate for a farm named “Sun-kissed”.
From meters away already, they could hear a tremendous commotion coming from somewhere behind the building.
“Oh no. They’ve got dogs.” It was too dark for Jason to see the color of Tim’s face, but he even sounded pale.
Pulling to a halt on the paved sunrise, Jason tried to sound relaxed, “Don’t panic. They must be locked away, or they’d be drooling and slobbering at your window.”
The words had hardly left his lips when four growling dogs leapt on their vehicle, barking and drooling with gusto.
“Uh—what now?” There was the faintest tremor in Tim’s voice. Next to injection needles, dogs were his least favorite thing. One of the dogs scraped a tooth across the window causing a marrow-chilling screech reminiscent of nails on a blackboard. Tim groaned.
Jason couldn’t help himself, “You get out first and run that way to create a diversion, and while you keep the dogs busy, I’ll quickly run to the house and see if Rebecca’s here.”
“Oh that’s just perfect. I get to be dog dinner and you get the girl. Don’t know why I didn’t think that one up myself.” He honestly sounded offended.
Jason smacked him on the shoulder with a fist, “I’m joking, you nit. Lighten up. Oh look – there’s someone at the front door calling the dogs.”
The coast was soon clear, and they made their way to the front door. They were met by a round, black woman who – for some unknown reason – looked very excited to see them. Jason could see no shackles on her arms or ankles, but he put it down to not being able to see the marks due to the dark shade of her skin.
Not waiting for introductions, Tim asked, “Uh, where are the dogs?”
The African lady smiled warmly, “Don’t worry, it’s safe now.” She turned her smile on Jason and he immediately felt understood. It was a very peculiar way to feel, moments after meeting a stranger for the first time.
He held out his hand, “Hi. My name is Jason.” With his other hand he gestured toward Timothy, who was still trying to peer past the woman in search of the dogs, “This is Timothy.”
The woman shook his hand firmly, and bobbed her head at each of them, “Mr. Jason, Mr. Timothy. I’m Hazel. Come in, come in.”
She led the way to the kitchen and in a blink, had them settled at the over-sized kitchen table with coffee and sugar cookies. Settling herself opposite them, she asked, “What can I do for you?”
Jason swallowed his mouthful of cookie and said, “These are really good. Did you make them?”
“No Mr. Jason. Rebecca did.”
Her simple statement sent a chill down Jason’s spine. Goosebumps trailed his arms. Looking at the cookie in wonder, he stared at Hazel, completely bemused. “She’s why I’m here.” Holding onto the cookie as if it were Rebecca’s hand, Jason asked, “Is she here? Can I see her?”
Concern and excitement fought over Hazel’s features. Excitement won. “The Lord has sent you here.” Looking up towards the ceiling, she exclaimed, “Thank You dear Jesus! ”
Jason glanced across at Tim. His face was such a picture of wide-eyed horror that Jason nearly laughed out loud. This woman was actually talking to the ceiling. He had to set the record straight, here and now.
“I hate to disappoint you, but the Lord didn’t send me here.” He said it with a smile to soften the blow. He would hate to hurt this kind woman. “Tim and I came here to look for Rebecca, all by ourselves. Nobody—sent us.” He was furiously and deliberately ignoring the memory of the voice in his head.
Hazel was smiling at him and nodding in that patronizing way that obviously said that’s what you think.
Jason decided to drop it. “Back to Rebecca—is she here?”
Concern pushed excitement off Hazel’s dark face. “No. She’s been missing for over a week.”
Disappointment and weariness crashed in on Jason. Smacking a fist on the kitchen table, he swore. He instantly felt guilty, but fought the urge to apologize to Hazel. After all, she was only a maid, and not a very helpful one at the moment.
“Mr. Kenneth thinks he knows where she is. He can tell you where to find her.”
“Is he here? Can I talk to him?”
Hazel was already shaking her head, “Had to go to the neighbors for something.”
“This is ridiculous.”
Hazel shrugged apologetically
Tim nudged Jason, and whispered, “Don’t forget Maxine.”
The last thing on earth Jason felt up to, was discussing all that now. Hazel had sharp ears though, and had overheard the name. “What about Madam Maxine?”
“I need to speak to Edward Rochester.” Jason felt the hours of driving settle into his shoulders, and drag at his eyelids. “I’m so tired.”
Hazel asked intently, eyes boring holes in his head, “What about Madam Maxine?”
“I can’t say. I must speak to Edward Rochester.”
With a sigh of resignation, she relented. “Okay. I think he’s in his study. Follow me.”
Chapter 18 – Close but not Enough
Jason’s heart was thumping so loudly, he was sure that Tim and Hazel could hear it as they trailed through the oversized farmhouse. A very observant person under normal circumstances, Jason found himself facing two magnificently carved oak doors, completely clueless as to how he’d actually got there. Everything paled in comparison to the pale eyes in his mind, which were now permanently linked to the young woman’s face from the photo. The photo was already dog-eared from being taken out and examined. It had taken up permanent residence in Jason’s top pocket.
Hazel turned to face them, concern creasing her features. “I must warn you boys, he can be—” Her face crinkled even more as she hunted for the right word, “—rather blunt at times. Like a bear in a trap. Don’t pay too much attention, he’s just hurting.” With that, she turned and knocked on the door. Hearing the summons, she disappeared inside, leaving Jason and Tim like schoolboys lined up to see the Headmaster.
Tim jabbed Jason in the ribs, whispering furiously, “Blunt? A bear in a trap is not... blunt. It’s vicious – ready to take your head off with one swipe of its paw. What does she mean?”
Jason was saved from answering by Hazel’s reappearance. “Mr. Rochester will see you now.” She held the door open for them and whispered as they walked past, “Remember what I said.”
Jason took in the r
oom with a quick sweep. No clutter, very little by way of decoration. The only extravagance was a huge oil painting that took up all the free wall space above the bookshelf to Jason’s left. It was a magnificent rendition of a sunrise over the farmhouse. The colors that the artist had used, transformed the ordinary scene into something extraordinary, bordering on Heavenly. “Wow.” Jason couldn’t help himself. He stood staring at the painting, drinking it in.
“Uh, Jason?” Tim tapped Jason’s shoulder with a good bit more force than was necessary.
“Wha—” Jason turned away from the painting and found himself face to face with Edward Rochester. His eyes widened in shock. The man before him was a mere shadow of the man he’d seen smiling down at Maxine in the vision. The silver hair was the same, but the man himself was haggard, tired and old. Feeling awkward, he held out his hand to Rochester in greeting, only to realize that he was still clutching the half eaten cookie that Rebecca had baked. Floundering badly, he quickly pocketed it and brushed crumbs off his fingers. Unable to meet Rochester’s eye, he stared at the painting, shifting his feet on the rich maroon carpeting. This was not going well.
Rochester stood staring at him, one eyebrow lifted and a vaguely amused look on his face. “You like the painting.” It was a statement, not a question.
“It’s… magnificent.” Jason floundered for words. “And that’s a complete understatement.”
“My late wife painted that.”
Jason frowned, doubting his ears. “Your late wife?” Shock overcoming embarrassment, Jason stared at Rochester.
“In a sense, yes.” He looked briefly at the painting, shook his head and turned back to Jason. Case closed. “Why are you boys here?”
Jason hadn’t known how to broach the subject, but seeing the opening, he took it. “Well actually, Sir, we are here because of your late wife.”
The faint trace of amusement vanished from Rochester’s face, taking with it the thin veneer of cordiality.
Jason looked at Tim. “Where do I start?”
Rochester moved out from behind the desk and started herding them towards the door. “Don’t bother. You are leaving.” He moved with astounding alacrity for his frail frame.
Jason dug in his heels, “Please. Just hear me out. It will take five minutes.”
“I want you out of here.” Cold fury blazed in his eyes.
Jason swallowed hard. Tim had moved behind Jason and seemed dead-set on keeping Jason between himself and the angry man. No point being brave when no one was around to see.
Fired by the vivid memory of the vision he’d seen, Jason wouldn’t budge. He pitched his voice low, not timid but determined. “For the sake of your family. Please listen.”
Something inside Rochester dissolved. Folding his arms across his chest, he glared at Jason. Making no movement toward the chairs, he said, “You have five minutes.”
***
Hazel set the table as she normally would. On impulse, she added two extra place settings. Call it a hunch she said to herself. The excitement in her belly had been replaced by a vague unease that flip-flopped inside her like a beached fish making her feel sick.
She’d just put everything in order for the evening meal, when Kenneth arrived home.
“Who’s here? What’s going on?”
“I’m fine thank you. How are you?” Hazel put a deliberately sweet smile on her face.
Kenneth had the decency to look contrite. “Sorry. How are you Hazel?”
“To be honest, I’ve been better. To answer your first question, two young men arrived earlier looking for Rebecca. They’re with your Dad now.” She let their mention of Kenneth’s mom pass for now.
Kenneth’s eye’s lit up, “They’re looking for Rebecca? I’ve got to speak to them. Where are they from? How did they find us?”
“Slow down! They’re very keen to talk to you too. Let them finish with your dad first.”
Kenneth started pacing as if all the energy driving him over the last few days had finally found a focus and was threatening to sweep him away.
He stopped mid-stride as Rochester Senior appeared in the doorway, followed by the two visitors. “Hazel, set two extra places for dinner. Jason and Tim will be staying the night. Start without me, I’ll come down when I’m ready.” He looked pale and distracted. Acknowledging Kenneth with a nod, he turned to leave. Kenneth went after him.
“Dad. Wait. Are you okay?”
Rochester Senior turned slowly, “I’m… fine, son. I just need to think something through.”
“Would you like to talk about it? It helps, sometimes.”
Rochester shook his head, “No.” Turning to Hazel, he said, “Your God works frightfully quickly.”
With that, he left, leaving Kenneth, Jason and Tim staring at each other.
***
Hazel quickly stepped in and introduced them to each other. She shooed them into the dining room and bulldozed them into their seats. Waving towards the freshly baked Whole-wheat rolls, she said, “Help yourselves. I’ll bring dinner through now.”
So the three of them sat, eyeing each other across the polished width of the grandiose oak dining room table. Kenneth finally stood and held the bowl of rolls for each of them. They buttered in silence, and began eating, conscious of every crunch.
Jason felt so out of place and uncomfortable. He was the intruder on Rebecca’s home turf. He suddenly felt all wrong about being there and was struggling to remember why this had been so important in the first place. Then he thought of Angus Grey, and Stanton Trent. Men who’d missed out on more than twenty years of being part of Rebecca’s life. “I’m doing this for them, not for myself.” He looked up to see Tim and Kenneth staring at him and realized he’d spoken out loud again.
“Sorry. Bad habit of mine.”
Tim snorted. Kenneth caught his eye across the table, and Tim explained, “Don’t worry; he’s always been this way. It’s not contagious.”
Kenneth grinned, “Okay. So if you’re still normal, I’m not in mortal danger.”
Tim waved his gnawed roll in Kenneth’s direction but spoke to Jason, “I like this guy, Jason. We think the same.”
Jason frowned dubiously, “Tim, that’s the most frightening thing I’ve heard all week. I don’t think the planet could stand having more than one of you on it.” He turned to Kenneth and added in a conspiratorial tone, “I’m not contagious, but I’m not sure about my friend. You might want to sit next to me and not him.”
They were all laughing when Hazel brought through the main meal. “You have a lot to talk about. I suggest you put your heads together before Mr Rochester comes downstairs. You’ll get further with him if you all agree on a plan of action.”
With the ice broken, Jason could sense the tenuous threads of camaraderie settling into place. “Hazel’s right. Let’s compare notes and see what we know.”
***
Just outside the dining room doorway, Hazel breathed a sigh of relief. Hearing their laughter, topped by Jason’s comment had settled the unease in her gut. Somehow an invisible battle had been won by the uniting of these three hearts. It was beyond Hazel to know exactly why or how, but their connection was as crucial as a heart is to a living body.
The other certainty growing inside Hazel was that the implication of their alliance was far greater than just Rebecca’s well-being. “Well Lord, I’m glad You know what You’re doing. The only thing left for us to do is to cling to You and do every little thing You tell us.”
Hazel dished up dessert with a smile on her face.
***
Rebecca woke before sunrise. She had slept well in spite of the strange surroundings and felt physically refreshed. This somehow rubbed off onto her mental state, proving the old saying; things will seem brighter in the morning. She really did feel brighter about her life, even though nothing had changed.
Tip-toeing past Shane’s door closed door, Rebecca could hear loud snoring coming from within. Stifling a giggle, she put the kettle on i
n the kitchen and went out on the balcony while waiting for it to boil.
From her vantage point, she could hear the waves breaking on the shore even though it was difficult to see in the pre-dawn gloom. Breathing in the salt-tainted air, Rebecca felt a vague tremor of unease snake through her body. Convincing herself that the kettle must have boiled by now, Rebecca turned and rushed back inside, quickly sliding the door shut behind her. Darkness and salty water—not a good combination.
As it was, she had to wait for the kettle. Scrutinizing her reflection on the gleaming stainless steel of the toaster, Rebecca gingerly traced the cut across her temple. It was healing much more quickly than she expected, and most of the bruising had disappeared. She was looking a lot more like her old self, but then again, who was she anyway? Finding out that she came from a Mom who really loved her but had died, threw her whole life into a new context. So different from being someone who was hated and discarded as a baby. The feeling of being loved and treasured warmed her, thawing something deep inside.
Of course, it also unearthed all sorts of other questions about Mom’s family. Surely she must have had family? Why hadn’t they taken her in?
Relieved from her mental debate by the kettle’s loud ‘click’, Rebecca reached for two mugs and made coffee. The aroma of hot coffee must have filtered through to Shane’s sub-conscious. He joined her in the kitchen, looking more than half asleep. With a huge yawn, he took his mug, mumbled thanks and settled in the lounge. Feeling strange, Rebecca took the seat opposite him and quietly sipped the warm liquid.
Halfway through his drink, the caffeine must have kicked in, causing Shane to wake beyond the semi-conscious state he’d emerged from the bedroom in.
“So, Rachel. I picked up last night that you don’t really want to talk about your past, so we won’t go there. What are your plans for now?”
Rebecca cleared her throat to buy some time. Putting on her biggest smile she answered, “Well, for now I intend finishing this cup of coffee.”
“Brilliant long term goal, Sweet Pea, I’m so impressed.” He shook his head and laughed.
Rebecca laughed too, “Why thank you, kind sir, it took a long time to figure that one out.”
“You should have been blonde.” Shane’s smile dissolved, “Seriously. My roommates are due back tomorrow night. You’re welcome to occupy the couch; I just don’t know that you’d want to live in our lounge. Could be a health hazard.”