“Yeah, I don't know how I would have made it otherwise. One family hid me and arranged to have someone get me out of the country. They were good folks.”
“Did they speak English?”
“Yeah, some.” He took another bite of bacon.
Laurel sat across from him. “Seems strange that French farmers would speak English. Do they teach it in the schools?”
“Yeah. I guess.” Adam slid two eggs onto his plate. “I'd just like to put it all behind me.” His tone was brusque. “All right?” he added more gently.
Laurel felt hurt and shut out. “I just wondered how you managed to get home. I prayed all the time you were missing.”
“I knew you'd be praying. And God was watching out for me.” Adam bit into his toast. “Let's talk about something else.”
All that week Adam avoided discussions about his time overseas. Laurel was certain something was troubling him. He spent more and more time alone, working or fishing, and he'd shut her out. She was frightened for them. Something had wedged itself between them. Worried, Laurel decided to talk to Ray.
When she drove into the driveway, Ray was out by the woodshed splitting wood. He was so intent on his work that he didn't notice her. She stepped out of the car and walked to the shed where she stood and watched him.
When Ray turned to grab a chunk of wood, he saw her. “Well, howdy. How long you been here?”
“Long enough to know you're working too hard for an old man.” She grinned.
“Old man? Why don't we make a wager—”
“No. No. I'm sure I'd lose that bet. I know you're not old, just maturing.” She smiled. “The way you were swinging that ax, I figure you're still pretty young.”
Ray glanced at the double-edged maul and leaned it against the stump he'd been using for splitting. Taking a handkerchief from his back pocket, he wiped sweat from his face, then scanned the sky. Like cotton candy, wisps of white stretched across a pale blue canopy. “It's downright cold. Figure winter's not far off.”
“It'll be here soon.”
“It's nice having Robert home, even if it's just for a little while. Celeste is as happy as I've ever seen her. I suspect those two will marry soon. I doubt they'll wait until the war's over.” His eyes sparkled.
“They're in love.” Laurel knew she needed to get beyond the banter but didn't know where to begin. She glanced at the house. “Mama working today?”
“Yep.” Ray studied Laurel. “So, what's on your mind? You don't usually come out this way just to keep me company.”
“Actually, I need to talk to you about Adam.”
“I could use a break.” He nodded at a stack of uncut logs. “Have a seat.”
Laurel sat, then studied her hands, still unable to figure out just where to begin. Taking a deep breath, she looked at Ray. “Over the past year or so, you and I have become friends, and I trust your judgment.”
Ray settled on a round of sawed spruce. “Trouble at home?”
“Why would you think that?”
“I've got eyes. I can see Adam's not himself.”
“So you noticed it too.”
“I figure he's been through a lot. War changes men. You'll get him back, but it's liable to take time.”
“You think so?”
“I do.” He leaned forward and rested his arms on his thighs. “Adam's made of good stuff. He'll be all right.”
Laurel wasn't satisfied. “We seem far apart. He keeps to himself and won't talk about what happened over there.” The next words were hard to say aloud; she'd barely had the courage to think them. “I think he's hiding something from me. I was hoping you could talk to him.”
Ray didn't answer right away. “I could do that, but I doubt it'll do any good.” He rubbed the palms of his hands together. “I'll see what I can do.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Is he going to be around this afternoon?”
“I'm not sure. He's supposed to be writing. The paper's been after him for a story, but he just sits in front of his typewriter doing nothing, then goes outside and walks around the property and on up the road.” Laurel intertwined her fingers. “Something's wrong. I know it.”
Ray stood, his large frame towering over Laurel. “Maybe I'll just wander over that way later today.”
“Thank you.” Laurel pushed to her feet. Her relief was replaced by a fear of what Ray might discover. She hoped it wasn't anything too horrible.
“Howdy,” Ray said, joining Adam at the paddock fence.
