After they said their goodbyes, she ended the call, slid the phone into her pocket, and stood to complete her mission of mercy.
The rabbit with the splinted leg in Micah’s crude wooden cage required food and water, and who else was there to tend to it? While her knowledge about injured animals was limited, the internet offered a trove of guidance.
She lengthened her stride until the cabin appeared but slowed when Steven came out the door.
What was he doing here?
Natalie’s cousin seemed as surprised to see her as she was to see him, but after a moment he smiled and raised a hand in greeting.
She continued toward him, stopping beside the cage containing the rabbit as Steven walked over to join her.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.” She set her satchel on the ground, a few leaves of lettuce peeking out the top.
“Likewise. I’m guessing you came to play Florence Nightingale.” He flicked a glance at the tote and indicated the cage.
“Yes. I spotted him during my walks, and there was no one else to take care of him. At least a neighbor took the chickens. What’s your excuse for stopping here? And so early in the afternoon. I thought Natalie said you were coming tonight.”
“I left the office at noon. Slow morning. Natalie said the sheriff didn’t find any other contact information for Micah down here, and the name she had didn’t lead anywhere. I thought I’d take one more look. It’s hard to believe there isn’t a soul who should be notified.”
“Also sad. Did you have any luck?” She motioned toward the cabin.
“No.”
Not surprising. Brad would have done a thorough search. If there’d been anything to find, he’d have found it.
“At least he left final instructions.”
Steven’s eyebrows rose. “I didn’t know that.”
“Oh. I assumed Natalie had mentioned it to you.”
“We haven’t talked much about him since Monday. I don’t bring him up because it disturbs her.”
That was true. While there wasn’t any family to mourn Micah’s passing, one person was quietly grieving his death.
“Yes, I know. The sheriff found a handwritten note in a box in the cabin, along with a last will and testament bequeathing his modest savings to the local animal shelter. Micah wanted to be cremated, and he asked that his ashes be spread over the lake.”
“Is Natalie on board with that?”
“Yes. She said the least she could do was honor his final wish after all the years he worked here.”
“When is that going to happen?”
“After the coroner releases the body, I suppose.”
“Any word from the sheriff on the results of the autopsy?”
“No. He said he’d let me and Natalie know about the findings, so I assume they haven’t come in yet.”
Steven slid his fingers into the pockets of his jeans and surveyed the lake, grooves denting his brow. “There’s sure been some weird stuff going on here lately.”
“Amen to that.”
He refocused on her. “May I ask you a question about Natalie?”
“Yes.” But she’d weigh her answer carefully, depending on what he wanted to know. While she and the older woman were newer acquaintances, she’d developed a strong protective instinct toward her during her stay on the premises.
“I know she claims she knows nothing about the burned potholder that started the fire, and I know she hasn’t had any more dizzy spells, but with Micah gone, I’m more worried than ever about her living out here alone. You’re with her now, but not for long. From what you’ve seen working with her every day, do you think my concerns are justified?”
