The Sound of Rain Read online

  Mr. Heyward’s look wiped the smile from her face. “Anyway, I left Judd with his family and came on to Logan so I could join Ben and help him with his mission work. Judd thought I had permission.” She cast a nervous glance at him. “But I guess he was worried and followed me.” She laid a hand on her father’s sleeve. “I told him I explained it all to you in a letter. Surely you found it.” She fluttered her eyelashes and smiled again.

  “Now,” she said, putting her hands on her hips, “we’re all here and this is the perfect opportunity for you and Ben to make amends.” She looked at the storekeeper. “Can you direct us to his residence?”

  “Stop.”

  Judd had no idea so much force could be packed into a single word. Mr. Heyward was a shade of scarlet that would rival the brightest redbird. He closed his eyes and seemed to be doing some sort of breathing exercise.

  “Young lady, you are coming home with me. Now.” He turned to Judd. “As for you, I’ll need to discuss this with you further, but I’m aware of how”—he glanced at Larkin—“determined my daughter can be.” She gasped, and Judd thought she might stomp her foot. “If you’ll drive her car back to South Carolina for me, there will be appropriate remuneration.” He took a breath. “And you can keep your job just as long as this story she’s spinning holds true.”

  “But Daddy—”

  He held up a hand. “No buts. If we start now, we can be halfway home by dark. We’ll stay in a hotel tonight and be back in Myrtle Beach by lunchtime tomorrow.”

  Larkin stared at her father. Then she walked over to one of two rocking chairs, sat and crossed her arms. “I’m not going.” She glared at George Heyward. “And you can’t make me.”

  Larkin sat not so much because she was immovable as because her legs wouldn’t hold her up anymore. She had to sit or collapse. She’d gone around her father before. Perhaps she had even manipulated him—but she’d never openly defied him, and it set her to trembling to do so now.

  She’d certainly seen her father angry, but never had so much ire been directed her way. The storekeeper looked like he wanted to run them all off, and Judd mostly looked confused. Oh, what he must think of her.

  Daddy took two steps in Larkin’s direction, and for the first time in her life she felt a touch of fear as he approached. He’d never struck her, not even when she was a naughty child. At this moment, though, she thought he just might lash out. Judd took a step forward too, as though he would intervene.

  Larkin braced herself, but her father stopped. And then he staggered and thumped into the chair beside her, clutching his chest.

  “Daddy, what is it?” Larkin knelt beside him and grabbed his free hand. He tried to shake her off.

  “Nothing. It’s nothing. Just some indigestion.”

  The storekeeper stayed behind the counter, looking worried. “Do I need to send for the doc?”

  “Yes,” Larkin said at the same time her father said, “No.”

  “I’ll go—where is he?” Judd offered.

  Larkin ignored the hurried conversation, focusing on her father. While she was upset that he was trying to ruin her plans, she was also terrified that he might be seriously ill. She loved him. And she knew that he, in his way, loved her.

  Judd shot out the door. Larkin used a handkerchief to pat at the perspiration beading her father’s forehead, even in the cool of the November afternoon. A handful of customers came in and exchanged whispers with the storekeeper. By the time Judd returned, five or six newcomers were clustered near the front counter, trying to look like they weren’t sticking around to watch the drama unfold. Larkin had to clench her teeth to keep herself from telling them all to go away. Daddy sat now, eyes closed, but he no longer tried to pull free from her touch. As a matter of fact, he clutched her hand with a fierceness she’d never known before.

  Judd took stock of the situation and spoke to the group that had gathered. They nodded their heads, glanced toward Larkin and her father, and finally began to make their way to the door. One older woman paused and then hurried over to Larkin.

  “If you’uns need a place to stay or a good meal, get Carl there to send you on over to the church. I’m Maude Tenney and I’d be proud if you’d call on me should the need arise.” She patted Larkin’s shoulder and headed on out the door.

  Larkin felt tears rise at the unexpected kindness. She looked to Judd and had the notion he was touched, as well. He walked over and knelt down beside them.

  “Doc Baldwin’s on his way. He was in the middle of cutting a rusty nail out of some little feller’s foot, but he was nearly done. Said he’d be here quick as he could.”

  Larkin shuddered at the image but was thankful the doctor would be there soon. She patted her father’s arm, and he squeezed her hand again.

  “You feel any better, Daddy?”

  He blew out a slow breath. “You know, I think it has eased some. Probably won’t need that doctor by the time he gets here.”

  Larkin fought tears. If her father died of a heart attack in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains, it would be all her fault. She’d wanted to come here and help people, not cause trouble for her family. If Daddy died, he’d never make up with Ben.

  The doctor bustled in, shooed Larkin and Judd away from his patient, and began examining George Heyward.

  “Let’s get a breath of fresh air,” Judd said and led her out front.

  Larkin stood on the wide top step and drew in a deep breath, but when she exhaled, it came out as a sob. And Judd was right there, so she turned to him, and he opened his arms wide. Larkin sank into him, crying all over his rough work shirt. His arms felt awkward at first, but as she cried, he seemed to get his bearings, and by the time her tears had run their course, she felt like she could stay right there, safe, forever.

  But then Judd eased away and looked down into her face. He handed her a simple white handkerchief, and she dabbed at her eyes with it.

  “You going to be okay?” he asked.

  The worried look on his face tickled Larkin. He’d been so aggravated with her and now he looked like he was afraid she’d fall to bits right there at his feet and he’d have to pick up the pieces. She giggled, then clapped a hand over her mouth.

  “Oh my. I’m afraid this is all a bit much for me.” She blinked back new tears. “If anything happens to Daddy, it’ll be my fault.”

  Judd glanced in through a window. “You haven’t helped matters, but I have a feeling your father worries more about his business than his health.”

  He glanced back and brushed a tear from her cheek. Larkin’s breath hitched and she leaned toward him as though he’d tugged on a string. Then he grinned. “I guess this situation isn’t entirely your fault.”

  Her eyes widened and she swatted him. “You’re just trying to distract me,” she said. “I’m going back inside to see how Daddy is.”

  Judd filled Abram in on all the hubbub and suggested he head on home before it got dark. Abram was reluctant to go, but Judd felt pretty confident he’d soon be driving Larkin’s car back to South Carolina for her. He knew his brother almost never spent the night away from his family and he didn’t want to be the cause of it happening this time.

  Abram finally shook his head. “You sure can pick ’em, brother. Write us a long letter with the rest of the tale.”

  Judd said he would, then followed Larkin inside. He’d only teased her because he’d seen George Heyward standing up and moving around as though all were well. Larkin had accused him of trying to distract her, but he was the one who was distracted. By the softness of her in his arms. By the smell of her hair under his chin. By the vulnerability she’d shown him and the need she’d expressed without words. He’d wanted nothing more than to lean down and kiss those tears away, which left him feeling off-balance. He’d been so angry about her deception, he was unprepared for the feelings of compassion and forgiveness welling up in him now.

  He wondered what Joe would have sacrificed to follow his dreams. And now that he was begin
ning to lay out some plans of his own, he wondered what he might be asked to trade for them. Larkin was ready to do whatever it took to make her own dreams come true. And while that didn’t make her manipulating people right, he guessed he could extend some grace for good intentions. A smile traced his lips and he went back in the store.

  Larkin knelt at her father’s side. “Should you be sitting up?” She looked at Dr. Baldwin. “Shouldn’t we put him to bed or something?”

  “I’ve advised your father to see his own physician as soon as he returns home, but I’m optimistic this is nothing more than a severe bout of dyspepsia brought on by stress.” He glanced at Mr. Heyward. “Your father has confessed that he has been under undue stress lately. I’ve advised him to take his ease—that’s the best medicine for him at the moment.”

  Larkin wrapped her arms around her father. The older man stiffened, then let himself be embraced. “I’m fine, Lark, really I am. I just wish you hadn’t . . . well, it’s done now.” He stroked Larkin’s hair. “And if you’ll just come on home with me, this can all be over and done with.”

  Now it was Larkin’s turn to stiffen. She eased back and looked into her father’s eyes. She glanced back at Judd, and he could see the battle waging in her heart. She gave her father another hug.

  “Alright. I’ll come home with you for now, but I still hope I can come back here one day.”

  “There are more than enough people for you to help back home,” Mr. Heyward said. “And maybe your mother and I will come with you to the Pavilion next summer. Sounds like a little frivolity is just what the doctor ordered.”

  Judd saw the light that always seemed to shine from Larkin’s eyes dim a notch and it near about broke his heart.

  “Yes, Daddy.”

  Mr. Heyward settled back into a chair and blew out a breath. “Now, it’s getting late for us to be heading back.” He looked to the doctor. “Is there a place we can put up for the night and get an early start tomorrow?”

  Dr. Baldwin, who’d finished packing up his bag, pursed his lips and looked to the storekeeper. “Whatcha think, Carl?” Where can these folks lodge? I’d offer them the infirmary, but I’ve got Bart Linger laid up in there.”

  Carl scratched his chin. “I heard Maude offer ’em a meal and a place to stay.”

  The doctor clapped his hands. “That’ll do—Maude keeps house for the preacher over at the church and it won’t be the first time she’s helped somebody out of a tight spot.”

  He gave them directions to the church, clapped a hat on his head, and left. Judd had a notion of the type of accommodations someone who “helped at the church” might offer, but he decided not to enlighten Mr. Heyward or Larkin. Better to spring it on them once it was too late to go anywhere else.

  Larkin rode with her father while Judd drove Larkin’s convertible the short distance to the church. He was grateful he’d thought to bring his bag and of course Larkin had all her luggage. Mr. Heyward appeared to be traveling light.

  They pulled up at the church as dusk began to fall. Judd walked around and saw that there was a sort of hall built onto the back. He knocked, and Maude Tenney answered the door. She brightened like he was a long-lost family member come home at last.

  “I could feel in my bones that you’uns would be along. Put a big pot of soup beans on this afternoon, thinking there weren’t no need to make that much food, but I’ve learned to listen when the good Lord gives me a holy nudge.” She opened the door wider and waved them all in. “Come on in here and put your feet under the table.”

  Judd motioned for father and daughter to follow him inside. Larkin pranced in like he’d just invited her into a high-class hotel while her father came more slowly, taking in the surroundings with caution. Of course, there wasn’t much to the place. It was one large, open room with a makeshift kitchen at one end and several cots at the other. In between were two trestle tables with eight chairs around each. One corner in the back was curtained off, and Judd thought he saw movement back there but couldn’t be sure.

  Maude pulled out a chair, inviting them to sit. Judd had to admit the smell of supper was a mighty fine thing. They all three sat at the closest table and waited as Maude dished up bowls of soup beans with ham and slid a plate with a cake of corn bread into the middle of the table. She added a dish of butter, some apple butter, and a bowl of chopped onions. Judd’s stomach gurgled, and everyone looked at him. Maude laughed and clapped him on the back.

  “Ain’t nothing better than a strappin’ feller with an appetite. Let’s have us a word of prayer and then we’ll make short work of these vittles.” She looked toward the curtained corner. “Reverend? You gonna come pray over this food afore it gets cold?”

  The curtains shifted, and a man pushed a corner back, letting it fall again before Judd could get a good look at what else was back there. But he could have sworn he saw a slight form lying in the bed behind the curtain.

  “Well now, company is a real treat. Who have you rounded up to feed tonight?” The man’s voice was full and round, like he was used to speaking to crowds. He took several steps toward the table and froze with a look of shock on his face.

  Judd heard a chair hit the floor and looked to see George Heyward standing, staring as though he’d seen a ghost. He pointed a finger in the man’s direction and made a strangled sound before toppling to the floor.

  Chapter

  19

  Well, this is surely a surprise.” The preacher, once he’d gotten Mr. Heyward into a chair and lucid, tried to smile, but it fell flat. “I’d always hoped to see you again, but I assumed I’d have to come to South Carolina to do it.”

  Larkin clung to the man’s arm like she was afraid he’d run away if she loosened her grip. As soon as she knew her father was all right, she’d flung herself into the preacher’s arms, crying “Ben!” over and over again. Judd supposed this was the long-lost fellow she’d been hoping to join. He hadn’t expected him to be a preacher.

  Mr. Heyward looked worse than he had back in the store. Ben knelt beside his chair and grasped the older man’s hand. Mr. Heyward tried to tug it away at first, then just sat, looking anywhere but toward the man beside him. Larkin, on the other hand, only had eyes for the sandy-haired man with broad shoulders. He wasn’t as tall as Judd, but he was broader, probably stronger. Judd flexed his muscles, then stilled. Going by the look on her face, he’d never had a chance with her anyway.

  “You act like you know these folks,” Maude said.

  Ben looked up, then stood and made a little bow. “Maude Tenney, allow me to properly introduce you to George and Larkin Heyward. My father and sister from South Carolina.” He turned toward Judd, who couldn’t seem to pick his jaw up off the floor. “This fellow is new to me, but I feel we’re likely to be excellent friends before long.”

  Judd snapped his mouth shut. “Judd. Judd Markley from over in Bethel, West Virginia.”

  Ben stuck out a hand, and Judd shook it, still feeling slightly dazed. “I’m guessing by the look on your face this is more family drama than you knew you were stepping into.”

  “I . . . yes. You could say that.”

  Judd realized Larkin was having a hushed conversation with her father, whose color had returned. Now his expression was an odd mixture of anger and resignation.

  Maude clapped her hands. “No matter. It’s time to eat and this food’s getting cold. Come on then. Everyone gather ’round, and Brother Ben will say the blessing.” She flicked a look at Mr. Heyward. “Unless you want to as his elder.”

  Mr. Heyward shook his head and shuffled to the table as though he were suddenly a hundred years old. He glared at Ben. “No, let the preacher do it.” He said the word preacher like it was a curse.

  Ben nodded, bowed his head, lifted his hands and began praying. “Holy Father in Heaven, thank you for reuniting this family. Thank you for preserving us until this day and for bringing us together to break bread under your roof. Show us the way to go from here. Amen.”

  Jud
d realized he’d forgotten to close his eyes. He was too fascinated by the scene unfolding in front of him. So Ben wasn’t Larkin’s beau, but her brother. The one who ran off to be a missionary. He finally remembered her mentioning something about that the night she told him about her dreams down at the Pavilion. His failure to put two and two together had cost him a lot of aggravation. He had a hundred questions but decided the best course of action for now was to watch and listen.

  Maude handed him a bowl of soup beans with a chunk of corn bread bigger than his fist. At least he was eating well. He looked at Larkin, who continued to gaze with love at her brother even as she ate. It was good to see someone reunited with a beloved family member. Judd would surely give his good leg to see Joe just one more time. Mr. Heyward was a fool to throw away his son.

  Larkin felt giddy, light-headed, like she might float away. She wished she could dance but it didn’t seem appropriate. Instead, she simply tried to take her brother in. Of course, he looked older than she remembered—that was natural. But at the same time there was a lightness to him that seemed new. Even as Daddy continued to shoot darts with his eyes, not speaking, barely eating, Ben managed to have a peace about him. It was mesmerizing.

  She’d argued with Daddy that he needed to behave himself, to let bygones be bygones, to take this unexpected opportunity to mend what was broken. She took her eyes off Ben long enough to examine her father’s tight expression. Nope, no bending there. It was as though he’d slipped a mask over his face and was refusing to take it off. She sighed and beamed at Ben. No matter. She’d found her brother and she wasn’t going to let him slip away again.

  “So, little sister, how in the world did y’all end up in Logan?” Ben crumbled some corn bread into a glass of buttermilk and began eating it with a spoon.