A rumble of thunder shook the house, and the lightning continued.
Father resumed his seat, glancing at the clock. “The evening news should be starting soon.”
Mother paced as she clutched her white embroidered handkerchief. “I hope Thomas can convince her to go to her aunt. She’d be much better off there than with strangers in Iowa.”
“Don’t fret, Mother,” Father said as he picked up a newspaper, unconcerned. “God has a plan.”
She nodded and then took a seat on the edge of the sofa.
Finally, the front door opened, and Thomas and Alice reappeared.
“Thank you so much for your hospitality,” Alice said to them, her voice stiff. “I’ve decided to go to my aunt’s home, tonight.”
“Oh, how wonderful.” Mother rose to give Alice a hug. “We’re so happy for you, dear.”
Thomas glanced at me and lifted an eyebrow, as if to say,I did what you wanted. Are you happy?
I smiled.
“Come in while Alice gathers her things,” Mother said to Thomas. “Visit awhile.”
Thomas glanced at the clock and said, “I suppose I have a minute.”
I was still standing by the window, unable to sit until now. But with the threat of Alice gone, I finally felt like I could relax.
As soon as I took a seat, however, the doorbell rang.
“Oh dear,” Mother said. “Who could that be? Caroline? Will you?”
Nodding, I got up and went into the foyer. The porch lights were on, so I could see Lewis standing on the other side of the door.
My pulse sped at the sight of him. Had he come with news of Annie?
He was wearing what appeared to be a new suit and hat, and when he saw me, he smiled.
“Hello,” I said as I opened the door. “Did you come with news?”
“May I come in?”
I was hoping that what he had to tell me could be easily shared here and now, but it was rude not to invite him inside. And my parents would wonder who had come.
“Of course.”
“I see Thomas is here.” He pointed his thumb over his shoulder at Thomas’s car.
“He came to collect Alice,” I whispered as I took Lewis’s hat and hung it on the coat-tree.
“I’m sure that makes you happy.”
“You have no idea. Although,” I said, quietly, “I can’t figure her out. Why did she come here if she didn’t intend to tell my parents about Andrew? Or blackmail them in some way?”
“Maybe she had a change of heart once she got to know them. Your parents are pretty great. Or, maybe she just needed their help, like she said. Not everyone has an ulterior motive, Carrie.”
Could that be the case? Had I misjudged Alice?
“Look who came to visit,” I said as I led Lewis into the parlor.
“Oh, how marvelous.” Mother rose from her seat once again and greeted Lewis with a hug. She looked at me, quiet expectation in her gaze. “I’m sure Caroline is happy to see you again.”
