An hour later, Pearl was settled in her bed, and Addie bid good-bye to Isaac. “I’m sorry about this, but I promise to make it up to you. We will try again soon.”
Isaac smiled and reached out to touch Addie’s cheek. She felt the warmth of his hand against her face, but it was the warmth of love in his eyes that made her knees feel weak.
“I’m going to hold you to that,” he said. “Please let me know how she’s doing.”
“I’ll get word to you one way or another,” Addie promised. She watched him go, and Pastor Jenkins’s words came back to her.“God loves you, Addie, and He always knows exactly where you are and what’s happening to you.”
Addie glanced heavenward. “Then I suppose You didn’t want me talking to Isaac today.” She smiled. “I didn’t want to talk to him either ... at least not about the past.” She closed the door and went upstairs to where Pearl was resting comfortably.
“I’ll fix you something to eat,” Addie said, feeling Pearl’s forehead.
“Thank you, Addie. I feel much better now. Not so dizzy, but a bite of food would perhaps settle my uneasy stomach.”
Otis showed back up around six thirty. It was still plenty light outside, so Addie decided to head to her cottage. Mary had mentioned possibly staying the night, and Addie wanted to make sure she was there for her. They’d both had the day off, or it would have been simple enough to ask Otis to tell her what had happened.
Addie didn’t really mind. She knew that Pearl was tired of being fussed over anyway. Pearl assured her she was feelingmuch better and would see Addie and the others at work the next day.
On the long trolley ride, Addie thought of how all of her plans for the day had been completely thrown aside. She had hoped to explain to Isaac and get him to see reason. His future would depend on him understanding the risks at hand.
The other thing occupying Addie’s mind was where she could move. There was no one to turn to who didn’t live right there in Seattle. She had wandered through the exposition exhibits more than once and knew there were a great many devoted to towns in Washington. Perhaps she should look at them again with real consideration as to a move. The sisters she’d purchased the cottage from were in Spokane now, and Spokane had its own building at the expo. She could go there and research the possibility of making a move. There was also a building exhibit for Yakima County. Perhaps that would give her insight.
The trolley brought her to the expo stop, and Addie got off and began a leisurely walk back to her cottage. A band was performing for the evening concert, and the marching music was quite lively. She smiled. Overall, the AYP had been a pleasant experience, and Addie was glad Otis and Pearl had wanted to get involved. She was equally happy that it had turned out to be such a blessing for the couple. Soon, Otis would have enough money to move his shop to a better location. He could have the place of his dreams with a large storefront and plenty of room in the back for his darkroom and developing.
There were lights on in the cottage, and Addie smiled. No doubt Mary was already there, making herself comfortable. Addie had given her a key to come and go as she pleased. Itwould be nice to have the girl’s company. Mary was coming out of her shyness more and more, and she and Addie always had a great deal to talk about.
Addie made her way up the pathway and reached for the door. It was unlocked just as she’d figured it would be. “It’s just me, Mary.”
Only it wasn’t Mary who responded.
“Hello, baby sister. Fancy us meeting here.”
Shep stood to her right. To her left and seated in her favorite chair was Hiram. He was the one who had spoken. He was as big and mean-looking as she remembered.
Addie started to back out of the house, but just as quickly Hiram was on his feet and closed the distance between them.
“Oh no, you don’t. It took much too much time to locate you, and I’m not letting you go that easy.” He yanked her into the house and slammed the door closed behind her.
“Let me go!” She pulled away, but he held her fast.
“I’ll let you go when I’m good and ready, Addie.” He pulled her around to the chair he’d vacated and pushed her down.
She fell back against the cushion and looked up. “What are you doing here? I thought you were in prison.”
“We were,” he said, nodding. “Got out to help with moving Vancouver expo materials. Got early release for that and good behavior.”
“Aren’t you happy to see us, Addie?” Shep asked, coming to stand beside Hiram.
“No,” she said, not caring that it would irritate her brothers. “I had prayed to never see either of you again.”
“Well, just goes to prove there ain’t no God. At least not one that listens to your prayers,” Hiram replied.
Addie wasn’t going to sit for this. She started to get up,but without warning Hiram hit her hard in the face with his fist. She saw stars and thought she might pass out. She fought against it. The last thing she wanted was to be left to the mercy of these two.
“What do you want?” she asked, rubbing her sore eye.
“What do we always want? Money.” Hiram smiled. “And I know you have plenty, including a certain gold-nugget necklace that will make me a pretty penny.”
“I’m not giving you two anything. Not one cent. Now get out of my house, or I’ll start screaming, and the patrol will come.”
