Zach’s relief lasted but a second as he saw Pa’s blank, faraway expression. He sidled up to Amelia. “How long has he been like this?”
“Since I found him. I’ve tried to talk to him and get him to go home, but I’ve failed.” She caught his arm as he moved toward his pa. “He’s waiting for your ma. Thinks she’s picking berries.”
Zach stopped to consider what to do. He had to get his father home as soon as possible. Being in his own house might bringhis mind back at least to a degree. He squatted in front of him. “Pa, how are you?”
His father didn’t seem to notice him.
“Pa? Do you hear me?” He gathered his pa’s hands and rubbed them. “Pa, it’s time to go home.”
His father inched his gaze to Zach. “I can’t go. I’m waiting for Evelyn.”
“Why don’t we see if she’s gone home?”
Pa rocked his head back and forth.
Zach gave Amelia a helpless look. What was he to do?
Amelia stood at Zach’s side and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Her touch comforted him in a way he couldn’t explain. How pleasant not to deal with this alone.
“What’s his favorite song?”
He stared at her. “Why?”
“I just had an idea. I wonder if we sing it, would it make him willing to move?”
“It’s worth a try. Both, he and Ma liked ‘Amazing Grace.’”
She began to sing, nodding at him to join her. Their voices blended perfectly. As if they were created to sing together. How foolish of him to think so. Only the emotion of the moment made him consider such a thing.
She took one of Pa’s hands. He took the other, and they drew the older man to his feet.
Pa’s gaze went from one to the other, a distant expression lingering in his eyes, and yet he followed along without hesitation.
They reached the horse. Zach caught up the reins and led it.
The three of them—four, counting the horse—crossed the dry grassy field toward the house, two of them singing along the way.
Gil stood on the doorstep watching them approach. Soon, Kat joined him, Poppy in her arms.
Poppy waved and called, “Mama. Gampa. Mis’er. Hi.”
Mister, huh? Seems he should have a better title than that, but what? Would Amelia object to the child calling him Zach? Probably. How about Uncle Zach? He didn’t care much for that title either, but it was preferable to Mister.
Gil and Kat stood back as they reached the door.
Zach handed Kat the reins. “Look after my horse, would you?”
Amelia cuddled Poppy.
Kat, to her credit, tended the horse without arguing.
They led Pa into the kitchen and to a chair. He sat and blinked.
“Hi, Gampa,” Poppy said again.
Amelia sat the child on the chair next to Pa, but her hands hovered, obviously prepared to snatch the little one away if either one seemed unsettled.
