Disheartened and angry, Will turned to Robert. “Let's go. There's nothing we can do here.”
“God knows the truth,” Robert said. “And one day, you'll pay.”
He and Will turned to walk away and nearly ran into Celeste. Anguish lined her face. “Robert, I know my father didn't do anything. He wouldn't do this.”
“I hope you're right,” Robert said and walked on.
Chapter Thirty-One
THE FIRE WAS REPORTED TO THE AUTHORITIES, BUT NOTHING TURNED UP THAT would implicate Ray Townsend. When Ted was confronted, his friends said he'd been with them. Nothing could be done.
Friends and neighbors donated food, clothing, and other odds and ends. The Lundeens moved in with the Haspers. Their house couldn't be rebuilt until spring, and they had no money for rent. Robert shared a room with Luke and Brian upstairs; Laurel gave her room to Patricia and the girls and took the sofa in the front room.
Two families sharing one house was a challenge, but the Haspers and Lundeens made it work. Everyone pitched in, and cooperation was the rule. All the women, including the Lundeen girls, shared housework and cooking. Robert looked after his place and also worked alongside Will and Luke.
Laurel was glad they'd been able to help but had to admit to feeling uncomfortable at having to share living space with Robert. He'd been unable to hide his feelings.
Although Adam had left the valley, he remained in Laurel's thoughts. He still wrote, and each time a letter arrived, her emotions were upended.
Early one afternoon, Joanna and Veronica burst through the back door. Their cheeks pink with cold and eyes bright, they ran to Laurel, who sat at the table visiting with her mother and Patricia Lundeen. “The boys have cleared away the snow on the creek,” Veronica said, out of breath. “Celeste and Robert want to know if you can come skating.”
“Celeste? She's here?” Laurel hadn't seen her in weeks. Celeste's father had made the Lundeens and the Haspers off limits to his daughter.
Veronica smiled and nodded.
“Do you need me for anything, Mama?”
“No, go. You work too hard for a young person. Have some fun.”
“All right.” She looked at the girls. “Tell them I'll be there in a few minutes.” Laurel ran upstairs, opened the bottom drawer of the dresser she shared with Patricia, and dragged out a pair of long underwear, her overalls, and a sweater. Slipping out of her cotton skirt and blouse, she hung them on a hanger and quickly dressed in the warmer clothes. Taking the steps two at a time, she headed downstairs. Pulling on her coat and mittens, she fumbled to tie the straps on her hood, then grabbed her skates off the back porch shelf. With a hurried good-bye, she headed for the creek.
February cold and sunshine greeted her. She took a deep breath, relishing the sensation of cold air as it hurried down her throat and filled her lungs. Winter would be over soon. As much as she looked forward to the warm, long days of summer, she'd miss the special beauty and fun of the season.
A trail had already been laid down in the snow, which made the going easier. Shouts and sounds of laughter echoed from the creek. Laurel hurried her steps.
Standing on the top of the bank, she watched Luke and Alex race down the frozen stream. Those two are always competing at something, she thought with a smile. Joanna and Veronica were practicing spins and leaps. Veronica fell but with a shrug pushed to her feet and tried again, this time more successfully. Celeste had hold of Robert's hand and was leading him down the ice away from the others. Laurel felt a twinge of jealousy. Don't be silly, she told herself. He doesn't belong to you.
Veronica looked up at Laurel. “Hi. Hey, everyone, Laurel's here.”
Celeste stopped and waved. Laurel waved back, then placing her feet sideways, she made her way down the slick slope. Alex skated up to her, snowball in hand. Wearing a grin, he hurled it at her.
Laurel ducked and scooped up a handful of snow and fired back. He easily skated out of range. “Where's Mattie?” Laurel asked.
“Grandmother's not feeling well. She's taking care of her.”
“Oh,” Laurel said. “Tell her we miss her.”
“Yeah, Luke's the one who really misses her,” Alex said with a smirk.
Luke charged him. Alex skated off, challenging his friend to a race. The two took off down the creek. Laurel smiled. They were still more boys than men. Sitting on a log, she pulled off her boots and slipped on skates.
Celeste glided to the edge of the ice. “Hi,” she said, wearing her usual smile. Her blue eyes looked bright, her cheeks touched with pink. With golden curls peeking out from beneath a knitted cap, she looked prettier than usual.
“Hi. I've missed you.”
“I know. Me too. But you know my father. I had to sneak over. He doesn't know I'm here.”
“I wish he didn't hate us.”
“Yeah. Me too.”
Laurel finished lacing her skates and stepped onto the ice. She made a practice twirl. “It feels good to be outdoors!”
Robert skated up, shaving ice chips and sending them into the air. “You want to race?” He smiled at both girls.
Without answering, Laurel pushed hard against the edge of her blade and glided away. “Catch me!”
Immediately Robert raced after her, but Celeste didn't join in. She sat on the log and watched.
Laurel glanced over her shoulder. Robert was catching up. She hurried her strokes, loving the feel of the wind on her face and smooth, hard ice beneath her blades. She knew she was no match for Robert. He caught up easily, grabbed her around the waist, and swung her in a circle. They started to fall and Laurel squealed, then hit the ice.
She didn't get up right away. Instead, she lay on her back, cold penetrating her coat. Gazing at the vivid blue sky, she said, “I love winter. It's so beautiful.”
Robert found his feet. Looking down on Laurel, he asked, “How long you plan to stay down there?” He held out a hand.
Laurel sat up. “It is cold.” She took his hand, and he pulled her to her feet. “One of these days I'll beat you.”
“Oh, you think so.”
