“Your parents must have been pleased to see you,” Maud said hopefully.
He kept his head down and slurped his soup. “I suppose. I don’t know, really.”
When he finished eating, Valerie cleared off the table, and Blaine said, “We’ll make a bed for you on the sofa, Jeremy. Next to the fire. You’ll sleep here tonight.”
“I don’t want to put you out, Mr.Wilson.”
“It’s no bother,” he said. “Tomorrow, you can help me shovel the driveway and split some wood.”
Jeremy considered it. “I’d be happy to help you out with that.”
“Good,” Blaine replied. “Now it’s late, so we should all get some sleep.”
Valerie started toward the stairs. “Good night, everyone. I’ll see you in the morning.”
She went up to her room, but before she got undressed, she dragged a chair across the floor and wedged it under the doorknob.
It was bright and sunny the next morning, and the snow sparkled like diamonds. Valerie heard Maud and Blaine speaking softly in the kitchen, so she ventured downstairs and glanced into the living room as she passed. The bedding was folded neatly on the sofa, and there was no sign of Jeremy.
“Good morning,” she said, smelling fresh coffee in the percolator. She moved to the cupboard, found her favorite mug, and poured herself a cup. “So ...?”
Maud threw her hands up in the air. “He’s gone. He didn’t even say thank you or goodbye, and he made off with Blaine’s favorite shotgun.”
Valerie whirled around in surprise. “He stole it? After we gave him supper and a warm bed to sleep in?”
Blaine held up a hand. “Now, now. We don’t know that for sure. Maybe he just borrowed it.”
“His boat’s gone too,” Maud added. “How much would you like to bet that he’s pawning that gun as we speak? He commented on it once. Do you remember? That time we drove him into town. He admired the fresh coat of varnish on it, looked it over in detail, and said it must be a family heirloom.”
“It is,” Blaine said. “It belonged to my grandfather.”
“And he took it?” Valerie said with disbelief.
They heard a noise out front, and all turned as the door swung open.
Jeremy walked in. He smiled brightly and held up a dead hare. “Look what I caught.” They stared at him with mouths agape. “I rowed my boat down to that clearing beyond the grove of alders and followed his tracks into the hemlocks. He’ll make a nice stew, Mrs.Wilson. I can clean him for you too, if you like, after I help Mr.Wilson split that wood.”
Blaine moved to greet Jeremy. “My word. Look at this. Well done!” He patted Jeremy on the back and took a closer look at the snow-white hare.
“I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed your gun,” Jeremy said. “I know it’s special to you, but it was early, and I didn’t want to wake anyone. But I had a funny feeling that the animals would be out looking for food this morning after the storm.”
“You were right about that,” Blaine jauntily replied. “And it’s not a problem at all. I’m glad you took the initiative.” Blaine clapped his hands together with relish. “How about some breakfast? Maud was just about to cook up some eggs and toast.”
Jeremy’s eyebrows lifted. “Eggs would be nice if you have enough to spare.”
“We have plenty,” Maud replied with warmth. “Blaine will help you take care of that rabbit, and then you can get cleaned up.”
Valerie and Maud returned to the kitchen and fetched the eggs and butter out of the fridge.
“I’m relieved,” Maud said quietly. “And happy he didn’t steal that gun. It would have been very disappointing.”
Valerie nodded. “It’s nice when people surprise you in a good way. It’s so much better than the other way around.”
“Agreed,” Maud replied. “Now let’s beat these eggs and get some hot food on the table. Jeremy deserves a good breakfast after bringing home some fresh meat for dinner.”
After breakfast, Valerie stood at the kitchen sink with her hands in the soapy dishwater and grimaced from a persistent dull ache in her lower back. Deciding she couldn’t continue with the washing, she dried her hands and massaged the muscles at her hips, then moved to the table and carefully sank onto a chair. Her ankles were swollen, and she felt like a whale.
Savoring a moment of rest, she placed her hand on her belly and found the firm bump of her baby’s bottom, or perhaps it was the baby’s head. He or she rolled over, and the sensation distracted Valerie from her discomforts and filled her with anticipation. She loved this sweet little soul that was growing inside of her, and she couldn’t wait to welcome him or her into the world.
