Just Above a Whisper Read Online Free PDF Page A

than that. He had things he had to speak to her about, things that wouldn’t last another day.

     
    The doctor found Reese by the fire, her arms wrapped tightly about her body. She didn’t turn but spoke when she heard the door.
    “What killed him?”
    “Probably his heart. Had he been sick or complaining of anything?”
    “No, nothing like that. He had more work than he had time for. That was the only thing troubling him.”
    The kind doctor began to make the tea. Reese had put the kettle on but done nothing else. A widower for more than ten years, he was adept at taking care of such things and was laying the table when Douglas entered.
    “Does the preparation work have to be done this evening?” Douglas asked of Doc MacKay.
    “There’s no need to rush. We’ll see to it in the morning.”
    “Why don’t you come and stay with us tonight, Reese?” Douglas offered. “We have plenty of room.”
    Reese turned from the fireplace for the first time but only stared at him.
    “Reese,” Doc MacKay tried. “Do you feel safe staying here tonight?”
    “I never felt safe staying here,” she said quietly. “Not since my father died. Tonight would be the first time.”
    “Maybe you should go to Muldoons anyway,” the doctor pressed.
    “I won’t sleep much, Doc, and that will only disturb them. I’ll be all right.”
    At last her voice sounded normal. The doctor looked to his pastor and nodded, telling Douglas he could take his leave.
    “We’ll check on you in the morning, Reese,” Douglas told her.
    “Thank you.”
    Reese finally sat down. She pulled a teacup close to her and wrapped her slim fingers around it. She was quiet, but the distant stare was gone.
    “Are you going to eat something? Is there enough food in the house?”
    “There’s enough food to feed the church family,” Reese said, her tone and words sounding the way they always did. “I’ll fix us something.”
    The town doctor settled back and carried on a light conversation while Reese worked. They ate companionably, like old friends, which in fact they were. And not until the meal was over did Doc MacKay mention what must be done in the morning. Reese was pragmatic about it; after all, she’d laid out her father. As the doctor left, they established a time for him to return the next day. Upon his exit, Reese didn’t wait long to turn in, not sleepy, but lying in her bed not having to listen for noises for the first time in many years.

     
    “I was starting to worry,” Maddie said to Jace as he came in the kitchen door. She’d heard him come into the yard but waited while he fed the stock.
    “I thought you might be. Mr. Zantow died, and I couldn’t get away.”
    “I didn’t hear the bells,” Maddie said in confusion.
    “Clara and I have never heard the bells out here. We’re just a little too far away. And besides, they probably won’t ring them until morning.”
    “Was he sick?” she asked.
    “I don’t think so. Reese looked too shocked for it to have been expected.”
    “I forgot about Reese. What happens to indenture papers when the holder dies?”
    “I don’t know,” Jace answered, thinking about how lost she’d looked. “I was talking to Mr. Muldoon when I found out,” he added, sounding as shaken as he felt.
    Maddie put her arms around him, wanting to be close.
    “Listen to me, Maddie,” Jace spoke from above her head. “We have to do this together.”
    Maddie didn’t need an explanation. She knew exactly what her husband was talking about. At the same time, she remembered she’d wanted this for a very long time.
    I’ll go with you, Jace,” she told him, a peace stealing over her. “I’ll go see Mr. Muldoon whenever you want to.”
    “Mr. Zantow was gone without warning. Do any of us really know how long we have?” Jace moved enough to see her face. “We have to take care of this, Maddie, and soon. I’m not ready for eternity, and you’re not either.”
    Maddie looked into Jace’s face and