Wonderland Creek Part 29

"Want to see the pirate ship we built, Miss Alice? We make-believe we're pirates, sailing in it." I let them drag me over to have a look. It was just a pile of old wood and sc.r.a.ps of metal, but in their imagination it was a schooner that could sail all over the world searching for buried treasure. I marveled at the power of books to carry us far away to another time and place.

"There's buried treasure in Acorn, you know," one of the boys told me.

"You mean the treasure from Isaac Larkin and Wilbur Arnett?"

"Yeah. Whoever finds the map will be rich!"

"Tell me what you know about it." I listened as they all began talking at once, hoping I could unearth the treasure for Wayne and June Ann's sakes. But in spite of the children's enthusiasm for the subject, I didn't learn anything new. "I have to go," I finally told them.

"Can't you read just one more chapter?"

"You may read it yourself when I'm not here, you know."

"No, it's more fun when you read it to us."

I realized as I rode farther up into the hills that the children enjoyed the suspense of waiting nearly as much as they enjoyed the story. Mystery and suspense were what kept life from becoming boring. How exciting to have something to look forward to, a break from the daily routine of a hardscrabble life. My life back home had been an easy one but a boring one. I loved my job at the library, but aside from that, I had nothing else to look forward to day after day. Even my relationship with Gordon had become routine-not to mention my relationship with G.o.d.

Was that why I spent so much time reading books, because I had nothing else? I used to love the suspense of a stack of novels waiting to be read, the promise of something new in each story. I would live vicariously through the characters and share their adventures. Here in Acorn, people like Lillie and Mack and June Ann and Maggie were all very real, and so were the intrigues and heartaches in their lives. Maybe that was why I hadn't finished reading a single novel in the nearly six weeks I had been here. Why read a mystery when you're living one? Or two?

I visited Gladys and Clint, then rode straight back to the library. I would see Mack later and had no desire to talk with him before then. My stomach squeezed like clothes through the wringer as I pa.s.sed his cabin.

I tried to work in the library for a while when I got home, carding books and putting them away. I couldn't seem to think straight. When I found myself forgetting the alphabet, I decided to give up. I was sitting at the desk, staring into s.p.a.ce when Ike came in. He tossed his library book onto the desk and stood grinning like a boy with a secret.

"Hey, beautiful! I think I figured out a way we can see each other without anyone snooping."

"How?" My reply lacked his enthusiasm. The last thing on my mind was going off someplace and kissing Ike.

"I'll sneak back here after dark tonight and we can go for a walk."

"Tonight? But there's no moon tonight. It'll be pitch-dark!"

"I know. That's the point. And how'd you know about the moon?"

"Um . . . the Almanac."

"So what do you say?" He reached for my hands and held them in his, but I was too nervous about what lay ahead of me tonight to feel a thrill at his touch.

"I'm sorry, Ike, but I rode my book route today. I'm exhausted. I plan to go to bed early. How about some other time?"

His smile wavered and I could see his disappointment. "We don't have to walk far."

"I'm sorry, but I can't." I wished in vain for a movie theater or some other place of entertainment here in Acorn where a couple could go for a date. I liked being with Ike-maybe a little too much-but I didn't think it would be a good idea to be alone in the dark with him. "Do you want another book while you're here?" I asked, hoping I hadn't hurt his feelings.

"Sure," he said. "What do you recommend?"

He followed me into the non-fiction section, and I did let him steal a few kisses while we searched for a book. But I breathed a sigh of relief when he left, whistling a tune.

"Ain't you hungry?" Lillie asked as she watched me play with my dinner that evening. I finally pushed the plate away.

"I can't eat. I'm too scared."

"What are you scared of, honey?"

"Everything! Riding alone in the woods at night, meeting up with the wildcat, getting arrested by the sheriff, being shot at by whoever tried to kill Mack-all of it."

"Want me to pray for you, honey?"

I remembered her last bone-crushing prayer and didn't know if I could stand another one. But Lillie didn't give me a chance to refuse. She rose from her chair and clamped her hands on my shoulders and shouted out her prayer, loud enough for all of Acorn to hear, let alone the Good Lord way up in heaven.

"Jesus, you know who is on your side and who ain't. This little gal just wants to do what's right, Lord. Give her strength and courage. Make her as strong as Deborah was when she fought against your enemies. Give her the faith of Queen Esther to face all those people who would do her harm. Watch over her tonight, Lord, and bring her back here safely, I pray. Amen."

If I expected something magical to happen, and that I would instantly get a dose or two of courage, I was disappointed. My hands still trembled just as much after the prayer as before. My knees still threatened to buckle when I stood up and tried to walk. We waited for it to get dark outside, then we waited some more. Lillie had helped me find the miner's hat that Mack had asked for, and I watched as she filled it with fuel. It was time to go. She was about to load Mack's rifle when I stopped her.

"Wait. Don't put the bullets in it yet. I don't want to ride up there with a loaded gun on my lap."

"I thought you was worried about that wildcat?"

"I am. But I don't know how to use a rifle. I would probably end up shooting myself or Belle or some other innocent creature."

"If that's what you want." She shrugged and handed me the box of ammunition. I packed it in the saddlebags along with the miner's hat.

Belle was unhappy about getting saddled up and leaving her shed so late at night, and I didn't blame her. She kept moving away from me as I tried to get her ready, and she wouldn't stop stomping and snorting. I finally had to drag her out of the shed with both hands and tow her up to the back door so Lillie could have another talk with her to calm her down. Instead of talking, Lillie laid her hands on Belle's shoulder and prayed for her-although in a much softer voice since we were standing outside late at night.

"Oh, Lord! Keep that wildcat away from her tonight. Give her courage, I pray. Help her to see that justice needs to be done and that the right people should pay for what they done."

I thought it was asking a lot to expect a horse to be concerned about justice, but maybe Lillie had meant that part of her prayer for me. Belle did calm down after Lillie said, "Amen." I was glad that one of us had.

I climbed into the saddle, and Lillie handed me the rifle. I steered Belle toward the creek and up into the woods.

The night was horribly dark. Not only was there no moon, but a cover of low-hanging clouds hid any stars from view. I didn't know how Belle could see where she was going. I certainly couldn't. I hung on tightly, ducking tree limbs, remembering the first night that she and I had ridden up this trail with Mack. At least I was accustomed to riding a horse by now.

The woods were so black that I might have had my eyes closed. I knew this trail by heart in the daylight, but the familiar landmarks had disappeared in the darkness. Every sound, every hoot of an owl or whir of bat wings made me jump and flinch. The branches had leaves on them now and they made ominous noises when they rustled and swished and creaked in the wind.

When Belle finally turned away from the creek and climbed the steep slope, it took me by surprise. We had arrived at the cabin. Mack was sitting on the porch, waiting for us. He looked relieved to see us. "I was starting to get worried. I was afraid you wouldn't go through with it."

"Just hurry up," I said as I slid to the ground. "The sooner this night is over, the better."

"Are you staying here?"

I had been trying to decide what to do all day and still hadn't made up my mind. "It's so dark in these woods! Can't I light a lamp inside the cabin? Or even a candle?"

"No. On a dark night like this it could be seen for miles."

I listened to the eerie, unfamiliar noises of the forest as Mack removed Belle's bridle and replaced it with the halter. Even in daylight, Mack had been able to creep out of the bushes so stealthily that I'd never heard him, which meant anyone else could sneak up on me, too, including the wildcat. I knew if I sat alone in the cabin for hours and hours, every little noise would terrify me until my heart finally would give out. But did I want to ride up to the deserted mine with Mack? That was the more dangerous choice. The long night would seem endless while Mack searched the files. I suppose I could help him and make the work go faster. Or I could keep watch for him. Either way, it made me an accomplice. And what if the sheriff found me breaking in again? He wouldn't let me off so easily the second time.

"Well?" Mack asked. He had removed the saddlebags while waiting for my decision.

"I don't know what to do."

"Well, you'd better hurry up because I'm leaving in a minute." He unbuckled the saddle, but didn't slide it off her back. "Can you help me with the saddle? It's heavy and I don't want to drop it."

"Does your shoulder still bother you?"

"A little. It's going to take a while to heal right." I remembered how the bullet had gone all the way through him, and shuddered.

I helped him remove the saddle, and we carried it inside the cabin together. When we came out to the porch again, Mack stood looking at me with his hands on his hips, waiting for me to make up my mind. As I peered into the inky forest, a gust of wind lifted a pile of dried leaves and skittered them across the porch floor. The rattling, sc.r.a.ping sound startled me, and I let out a yelp, diving into Mack's arms for protection. He pulled me tight and murmured, "Shhh . . . It's okay."

I felt safe and protected in his embrace. I wanted to stay there. I also wanted to hold him back, beg him not to put himself in such danger. In spite of everything he'd put me through, I cared about him.

A moment later he released me. "You all right?" he asked. I nodded, but my heart had never pounded this hard in my life. "I think you'd better come to the mine with me."

He was right. I would go crazy here all alone. And if the wildcat did show up, I wanted to be with Mack and his rifle.

"You climb on first and sit in front of me this time," he said. "I'm afraid you'll slide off the back without the saddle. Can you climb on by yourself?" It was very hard to mount the horse without the stirrups, but Mack led Belle up to the porch and I balanced on top of the wobbling railing. It took several tries, but I finally made it onto her back. Mack handed me the gun, then climbed on behind me, following my lead by balancing on the railing. On this trip he would have to wrap his arms around me.

I exhaled. "Let's get this over with."

We followed the creek for a while, then plunged into the dark, featureless woods. At one point I thought that we might be close to Maggie's house and I remembered that she had seen paw prints around here. I was still holding Mack's gun, but that didn't mean I could aim and shoot it.

It seemed as though hours and hours pa.s.sed as we plodded into the night. I had no idea where we were. Would we wander these woods until dawn?

At last, Mack drew Belle to a halt. I saw a clearing ahead and a large, hulking structure looming in the darkness.

"What is that thing?" I whispered.

"The coal tipple," he whispered back.

"You mean we're at the mine?"

"Yes."

"Wait . . . the mine is on the opposite side of the road from where we started. When did we cross the road?"

"A little ways back."

I hadn't even noticed. Mack could drop me off in this forest and I would be lost forever.

"What are we waiting for?"

"To see if there's a guard. Hand me the gun." I pa.s.sed it to him, and we watched the clearing for what seemed like a very long time. My hips ached from straddling the horse. I had slid around a lot more without the saddle and I'd had to use my legs to stay seated. Now I longed to get off.

"Can't we get down and watch instead of sitting here?"

"We can make a faster getaway if we're on Belle. Besides, how will you climb back on again?"

"Oh." I hadn't thought of that. I should have stayed at the cabin. No, I should have stayed in Illinois.

More time pa.s.sed. We changed vantage points a few times, watching the mine office from several different places while still remaining under the cover of the woods. I didn't see any movement. No one was guarding the mine.

"I think it's safe," Mack whispered. "Do you want me to leave you and Belle here while I walk to the office? She'll get you home if anything happens."

I was aching and sore and didn't want to stay on Belle a moment longer. But I was too proud to admit it. "No, I'll go with you." I would figure out how to mount her again when the time came.

"Okay, I'll slide off first," Mack said. "Hold the rifle." I held it while he climbed down, then handed it back to him. He laid it on the ground. Mack tried to catch me as I slid down, but I still landed awkwardly. "All set?" he asked when I had regained my balance. I nodded and Mack picked up the rifle.

"By the way, the gun isn't loaded," I told him.

"It isn't? Where are the bullets?"

My heart dropped to my stomach. "Um . . . in the saddlebags."

"But the saddlebags are back in the cabin." He opened the gun chamber to check, as if hoping I was mistaken, hoping he really had ammunition after all. "Great!" he said as he snapped it closed again. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Mack, I'm sorry. I didn't want to ride with a loaded gun on my lap, and . . . and then I forgot."

He turned away from me. He was upset. But at least I wouldn't have to worry about Mack shooting his gun at someone and landing us in even bigger trouble. He walked toward the mine office, leading Belle by her halter. I followed, looking down at my feet, trying not to trip or stumble or step in a hole. We crept through the trees, staying in the shadows and avoiding the open s.p.a.ces. I couldn't see much. Everything about this journey seemed to be taking too long and I didn't know how we would have enough time to search through all those files, find what Mack needed, and then get all the way home again before dawn. Fear had turned my insides to water. I needed an outhouse. I didn't want to admit it to Mack, though. Maybe I could hold it a while longer.

At last we were as close to the office as we could get and still be under the cover of the woods. "I'm going to leave Belle here," he said. "Do you want to stay with her?"

I was tempted-until I remembered the wildcat. Besides, if the sheriff did catch Mack, how would I find my way home? The only route home I knew of was the road, where I was sure to be seen. "I'll come with you," I whispered.

Mack turned and gave Belle a good patting as he talked to her. "Now, you stay here, Belle. Don't go wandering off anywhere, okay? And don't follow us. We'll be back for you, I promise. That's a good girl."

He was being ridiculous. A horse couldn't possibly understand those instructions. But she lowered her head and began munching on a patch of weeds as if perfectly content to wait. Mack crept forward, crouching low.

"First, we'll run as far as the tipple and take cover behind it. Ready?" I nodded and we sprinted across the open s.p.a.ce until we reached the towering structure. Mack waited a long moment, holding his breath, listening. "Okay, next, we'll run as far as that ditch along the railroad tracks." I nodded again and we ran across the open s.p.a.ce toward the tracks, then dove into the ditch. I was shaking and winded. I expected to hear the crack and boom of gunfire at any moment. These people had murdered Hank and might have tried once before to kill Mack.

"Ready?" Mack asked when I caught my breath. We would have to traverse the widest open s.p.a.ce yet, crossing the tracks and taking cover in the weeds beside the mine office. "I'll go first," he whispered. "If nothing happens, follow me a minute later."

I watched him stand and sprint across the tracks, staying low to the ground. Then I lost sight of him as he hid in the weeds beside the office. I thought about snakes-did they sleep at night or hunt at night? But I had bigger things to worry about than snakes. I drew a deep breath and followed Mack out of the ditch and across the tracks, watching my feet so I wouldn't trip. I didn't see where he was hiding until I was almost on top of him. He grabbed my hand and pulled me down next to him. I felt like a criminal for a very good reason-I was one.

Mack pointed to the back door, then crept toward it. I followed. My heart was about to thud right out of my chest. I was surprised to see that the window hadn't been repaired. Mack reached inside the same way I had and unlocked the door. He waited for a long moment after the door creaked open, listening. He held up his hand, cautioning me to wait. I was happy to comply. If gun-toting deputies were lying in ambush, I might be able to escape. Mack dropped to his hands and knees and crawled forward on all fours, disappearing into the darkness. A moment later he returned and motioned for me to crouch down and follow him. We both inched forward until we reached the file drawers.

"So far so good," he whispered as he sat down. He looked as relieved as I felt.

"Now what?"

"Now I start digging for evidence." Mack grabbed the handle on the first filing cabinet and yanked open the drawer. It was stuffed so full that it was going to take a week, not one night, to look through it. And there were two more drawers besides that one. He opened one drawer after the other, then groaned as he quickly rifled through the contents. "Look at all these files. There must be hundreds of them."

"What can I do to help?" I didn't want to be his accomplice, but I also didn't want to get caught. We needed to get out of here safely before daybreak.

"I'll start with this drawer. You take that one and just read the file names to me."

"I can't read anything. It's too dark."

"Where's my miner's hat?"

I didn't reply. We both knew where it was. In the saddlebags with the ammunition. In the cabin. "Well, you didn't remember to bring it along, either," I said when I saw his accusing look.