“I don't know about before, but now he's in California.”
“I have to talk to him,” Mattie said. “I have so much to say. Do you know where in California?”
“At the Long Beach Naval Base.”
Atuska hobbled to the door and circled an arm around Mattie's waist. “God has answered our prayers.”
“Yes,” Mattie said, hugging the old woman. “But I have to go. I have to talk to him. Now. To tell him how I feel. He doesn't know.” She put on coat and gloves. “Do you think I can call him at the base?” she asked Jean.
“I don't know. Maybe.”
“I have to try.”
“Of course you must, but be careful,” her grandmother said. “The roads are icy.”
“I will,” Mattie said, stepping onto the porch. She stopped suddenly. “I forgot. Mama took the truck.”
“I'll take you,” Jean offered. “I'd like to talk to him too.”
The car bounced over a snowbound road, occasionally bumping to the side where the snow was deep. The tires would spin, then grab and push them back onto the packed grooves. Her heart pounding in anticipation, Mattie wished Jean could drive faster. She was going to talk to him! “I pray I'll get to speak to him,” she said.
Jean reached out and patted Mattie's gloved hand. “I'm sure you'll be able to. Just have the operator connect you with the base. They'll get him for you.”
Mattie thought over what she would say. First she had to tell him she loved him. And then...a pang of fear pulsed through her. What if he didn't love her anymore?
Finally Palmer emerged from the white landscape. Jean stopped at the mercantile, and before she could shut off the engine, Mattie was out of the car and hurrying toward the store.
Celeste was bent over the counter and writing in a ledger. She looked up at Mattie. “Hi.” She brushed back golden curls. “How are you? Your mother was in earlier and she—”
“I'm fine,” Mattie said breathlessly. “I need to use the telephone.”
“Is something wrong?” Shadows of concern touched Celeste's sky blue eyes.
“No. Everything's right,” Jean said, stepping inside and closing the door. “Luke's alive.”
“He is? How wonderful!”
“We need to call him,” Jean explained.
“Well, of course. This is such great news!” Celeste danced around the counter and hugged both Jean and Mattie. “I'm so happy for you.”
Mattie moved to the telephone mounted on the wall.
The operator made the connection, and Mattie added coins, then waited. She tapped a nail against the shiny, black telephone. “Just a moment please,” the operator said. Mattie straightened, her heart picking up its pace. “They're putting me through,” she said.
“Long Beach Naval Station,” a woman's voice crackled.
“I...I was wondering if I could speak to a Luke Hasper, please,” Mattie said. “He's stationed there.”
“Can you tell me his rank and serial number?”
“Uh, I don't know any of that.”
“I need to know more than just his name, ma'am.”
“I don't know anything else, just that he's there.” Mattie was beginning to feel frightened that she wouldn't be allowed to talk to him.
“I'm sorry. It's impossible for me to connect you.”
“You don't understand. We thought he was dead, and we got this telegram saying he's alive and that he's stationed there.”
There was a long pause, then the woman said a little more sympathetically, “I'll see what I can do. Please hold.”
Mattie leaned against the wall.
“What's happening?” Celeste asked.
“I think they're looking for him. Anyway, I hope so.” Minutes passed. Jean busied herself searching shelves; Celeste stood at Mattie's side. An operator interrupted and told her to add more coins. Mattie did.
Finally the woman returned. “I'm sorry, ma'am, but I'm unable to locate Luke Hasper. I'll make sure to get a message to him. Do you have a number where you can be reached?”
“No. Our phone was disconnected,” she said, knowing the woman didn't care a whit about her personal life. “I'm using the one at our local store.”
“That will do.”
Mattie gave the woman the number. “Could you have him call me at 2:00 P.M. tomorrow? Tell him I'll be here. Tell him I'll be waiting.”
“Yes, ma'am. And could I have your name, please?”
