Homeward Page 28

  Meg stopped in at the Feed and Seed to see if Cal had gotten lucky with any prospective berry buyers. But she knew what the answer was as soon as she saw his face.

  “Sorry, Meggie,” said Cal. “I haven’t heard anything. But don’t lose hope. I’ve seen deals made at the eleventh hour before.”

  “It’s okay. I figure this is part of my life lesson in the school of faith, right?”

  Cal smiled. “You bet, Meggie. Nothing gets wasted.”

  Meg drove out to the bog to check on Toby. As always, he was eager to see her, and she took him down to the beach for a run. Toby loved the water and wasn’t afraid to go right out into the surf. After about an hour, she whistled for him, and they headed back.

  There were several unfamiliar, expensive cars parked up by the bog when she returned. As Meg drew closer she noticed several men in business suits over near the pond, talking to Abner. She knew they must be the developers or the investors, or both. Abner was pointing in the direction of the ocean; she could just hear his voice telling them what a great view could be seen from there. What nerve! Anger boiled up inside her, taking her by surprise.

  What right did Abner have to act as if he were sole owner of Grandmother’s land, as if he could sell it right out from under them? Or was something going on here that Meg didn’t know about? Was it possible that Grandmother had struck up some sort of agreement with Abner? Perhaps that explained why she had become so depressed in the last few months. Not eager to face Abner or the businessmen, Meg cut down toward Abner’s house, hoping to catch Phoebe for a moment or two. She could tell Phoebe the good news about the cranberry exhibit, as well as glean any helpful information about Abner’s latest business dealings, if Phoebe knew anything. Most of the time, Meg suspected that Abner kept both Phoebe and Jason in the dark about his plans.

  “Hi, Meg,” called Phoebe through the screen door. She opened it and waved. “Come on in. I want you to try this new candy recipe.”

  “Stay here, Toby,” Meg commanded as she went up the porch steps. “Hi, Phoebe. I’ve got some good news.” Meg walked in and sat down on a stool by the kitchen counter. She watched as Phoebe cut a piece of candy. Meg was pretty sure that Phoebe was losing weight. It seemed that her interest in the cookbook, as well as baking goods to sell to the gallery, had given her a good distraction.

  “Here,” said Phoebe proudly. She handed Meg a square of dark red candy with nuts. “I decided to try the recipe a little different this time. See if you like it.”

  Meg bit off a corner. “Mmm. Phoebe, this is terrific. Much better than Grandpa’s version. In fact, that’s exactly what I want to tell you.” Meg launched into her ideas for the exhibit.

  “Sounds like a wonderful plan,” said Phoebe. “The cookbook is all on the computer now. If you have time to help me with the layout, it should be ready to be printed.” Then Phoebe’s face clouded over. “The only problem is, I’ve been saving my baking money to cover the printing costs, but I still don’t have enough—”

  “Hey, I thought we were partners, Phoebe. It seems only fair that I should pay for part of the printing, especially since you’ve put in so much work on the book.”

  “But you were going to do the layout and the photos. And you provided all the recipes…”

  “I know, but if you hadn’t worked on refining them, they wouldn’t be worth much. Besides, I’d planned to help pay for the printing,” said Meg.

  Phoebe’s face lit up. “Meg, sometimes I think you are an angel sent by God just to rescue me and Jason.”

  “Oh, Phoebe,” said Meg, embarrassed. “Maybe it’s the other way around. I mean, here you are putting together a wonderful book of my grandpa’s recipes, and right now, Jason is working at the gallery. You two are an important part of my life.”

  “Thanks, Meg. Here, have another piece.”

  Meg ate another piece and then decided to bring up the unpleasant subject of Abner’s business dealings. “I saw Abner showing some guys around the bog, Phoebe. They look like developers or something.”

  “No!” gasped Phoebe. “He wouldn’t.”

  Meg nodded. “I think he is, Phoebe. Do you know anything about it? Has he ever talked to you about legally getting something set up with Grandmother?”

  “No, he’s never said a word. He’s been like a clam when it comes to that nasty business, ever since he figured out you and I are friends. At first, he forbade me to have anything to do with you, but Jason stood up to him. It was awful at the time, but something Jason said must have sunk in because Abner’s never brought it up since.”

  “I didn’t think you’d know anything about it, Phoebe. Actually, I’m glad that you don’t. But I sure wish I could get to the bottom of it. Do you think it would do any good for me to try and talk to Abner about it, face-to-face?”

  “Honestly, Meg, when it comes to this subject, there just seems to be no reasoning with him. Believe me, I know just how contrary he can be. But he does, or at least he used to, have another side to him. You see, Meg, his mother was a real unhappy woman. I mean, she was bitter something awful. I’m not sure why, but I know she held a lot of things against your grandfather. And in some ways, I think she poisoned Abner. When we moved up here, he had a good-sized chip on his shoulder about his grandpa, even with the old man dead and all. But he seemed to get along okay with Grandmother, at least to start with.”

  Phoebe frowned. “Then I think Abner started getting too big for his britches. He started taking over everything from your grandmother, and it was real odd, but she just let him. I’d always heard that she was a strong woman, and a businesswoman to boot, but somehow she let Abner walk all over her. And before long, Abner took to drinking more than ever; then he started letting the bog go to ruin. I swear, Meg, I’ve never been able to get to the bottom of it. At first I blamed it on the alcohol, but now I’m not sure which came first.”

  Meg nodded slowly. “I wish I understood why. I’d really like to be able to work this out with Abner and Grandmother together. Grandmother has said she wants me to preserve the bog, but she gets all soft when Abner steps in, almost as if she’s afraid of him. I just don’t get it.”

  “Me neither, Meg. I’m sorry that Abner keeps bringing you so much grief. But surely he can’t make any deals without your grandmother’s signature. As far as I know, everything is still in her name. I don’t think he’d resort to anything illegal.” Phoebe paused and looked down at her hands. “But nowadays I’m not so sure about that, Meg. Sometimes he scares me a lot.”

  Just then they heard the sound of tires grinding in the gravel, and Toby began to bark wildly. Meg and Phoebe ran out to see what was going on. Meg had never heard Toby sound so ferocious. Abner was standing frozen in the driveway, his face paler than usual, and Toby was holding him off, growling loudly. When Abner saw Meg on the porch, he let loose with a string of curses unlike anything that Meg had ever heard. But Toby stood his ground.

  “Toby!” called Meg with a shaking voice. “Stop it, right now! Come.” Toby turned and looked at her, then back at Abner as if he wasn’t sure whether to obey or not. Finally he walked over to Meg and sat beside her.

  “Get that blasted mongrel dog off my property right now!” yelled Abner. “If I ever see him down here again, I’ll be getting my gun.”

  “Come on, Toby,” said Meg. She headed toward the bog, too shaken to respond to Abner’s nasty threat. “It’s okay, Toby,” she said soothingly as soon as they were out of earshot. “You thought you were protecting me, didn’t you, fella?” She patted him on the head, and he looked up with trusting brown eyes.

  She opened the gate of the dog run, and Toby went right in. As she filled his food and water dishes, she wondered why Toby had had such a strong reaction to Abner. She had heard that animals could sense things about people; maybe Toby knew something about Abner. She knelt down and stroked his smooth, dark head. “You’re a good boy, Toby. A real good boy.” She double-checked to make sure the gate was latched securely, then told Toby go
od night. “I’d bring you home with me, but I’m going to be out late tonight. I’ll see you in the morning, though.”

  The play wasn’t too bad for a small-town, small-budget production, and Meg reminded herself that this was not San Francisco. Besides, the best part was seeing it with Matthew. They went out for a late dinner afterwards, and she told him all about seeing Abner and the businessmen up at the bog.

  “I know I said I wanted you to wait until Grandmother makes up her mind,” said Meg. “But now I’m wondering if you shouldn’t sit down with both of us and see if we can come to some understanding.”

  “Under the circumstances, it would seem wise. If Abner is actually showing the property to investors, it’s time your grandmother is in the know. Unless she already is. Do you think there’s a chance that she and Abner have already made some sort of agreement?”

  “I suppose it’s possible,” said Meg. Just the thought of Grandmother going behind her back made Meg feel sick to her stomach. It reminded her of the way she used to feel as a child about Grandmother, only many times worse. “I just can’t imagine that she would do that, though, not after I’ve put so much work into the bog.”

  “Maybe she didn’t mean for you to get so involved. Maybe she thought that you were just playing at being a cranberry grower or that you wouldn’t have the tenacity to stick with it. After all, she knows how much goes into making a cranberry bog run.”

  “Maybe. But she seemed to be so encouraging. At least, early on. But then she became more and more removed and moody. A lot of times I get the feeling she’s covering something up. Like she gets this close to telling me something—” Meg held her thumb and forefinger close together— “and then she shuts off or goes into one of her ‘I’m dying’ speeches. I just don’t get it.”

  “We need to get all the cards on the table, Meg. Someone is holding out on you. It may be that Abner is trying to force your grandmother’s hand, or it may be that your grandmother has already made some agreement with him.”

  “You know, it would only stand to reason—” Suddenly, it was as if a light clicked on in her head.

  “What’s that?”

  “Of course! Oh, how could I have been such a fool?” Meg shut her eyes, trying to shut out what had just hit her.

  Matthew reached across the table and placed his hand on her arm. “Meg, tell me. What is it?”

  Meg felt sick. “I never really thought about it before. You see, Abner’s father hadn’t gotten along with Grandpa, and there was quite an argument before he went off to the war. I know Grandmother was devastated when he died, although I’m not sure why he and Grandpa never got along. But the point is, Grandmother must have felt she needed to make something up to Abner for what happened with Bennie. After all, he did move up here to help with the bog, and he is the only grandson. It only stands to reason that he considers the property his. And perhaps Grandmother has told him as much. But why wouldn’t she have told me?”

  “Meg, you’re only speculating. You don’t know anything for certain—”

  “But think about it, Matthew. It makes sense. Abner should get Briar Hedge. I just never looked at it like that, because when I came all I could see was how he had neglected and abused the bog. But it’s quite likely that Grandmother intends for Abner to have Briar Hedge. If that’s the case, I have been a fool.”

  “Meg, you’re getting worked up about what might be nothing. For you to speculate like this is silly; it’ll only worry you for no reason.”

  “But what if I’m right?”

  “Then you’ll have to trust God for the next step. Just the same as if you were wrong. Right?”

  Meg smiled a tiny smile. “Thanks, Matthew. You’re right. I’m sorry; I don’t know why I got so carried away. But it is upsetting, and it’s probably my own fault for not getting things nailed down sooner. Everyone warned me. You and Cal, Erin and Tom. Even Sunny warned me.”

  “Since tomorrow is Saturday and I don’t have anything else planned, how about if I meet you at Briar Hedge; then we can ask your grandmother the hard questions together.”

  “That would be good. Thanks, Matthew. I just hope she’ll cooperate.”

  “I’m sure she will. She’s a smart woman, and I know she doesn’t want to see you get hurt, Meg.”

  Meg smiled. His words reminded her of what Erin had said today at lunch. His hand was still on her arm. She looked down, and he gave her fingers a warm squeeze before taking his hand away.

  “Everything is going to be okay, Meg. You’ll see.”

  “Thanks, Matthew. I hope you’re right.”

  THIRTY TWO

  The next morning, Meg wanted to get down to Briar Hedge early enough to take Toby out on the beach for a little exercise. She wasn’t looking forward to the ten o’clock meeting with Matthew and Grandmother, and she hoped a short walk would calm her nerves a bit. Still it needed to be done. She parked the Jeep and started toward the dog run, but she didn’t see Toby or hear him barking his friendly greeting.

  As she got closer, she saw that the gate was open. How could that be? She had securely closed it last night. In fact, she had double- checked it, and it didn’t open that easily. She whistled for Toby and waited. But he didn’t come. She looked around the bog and even down toward the beach, but she didn’t see him anywhere. Suddenly, she imagined Toby wandering down toward Abner’s house, and Abner’s threat from yesterday echoed in her ears. No, he wouldn’t do such a thing. Would he? She ran to the Jeep and called Matthew on her cell phone.

  “Matthew,” she said breathlessly. “I’m not going to be able to meet you at ten.”

  “What’s wrong, Meg?”

  “It’s Toby. He’s out of his pen. I can’t find him.”

  “Well, that’s no big deal. He’ll show up.”

  “No, Matthew. You don’t understand!” Meg’s words choked as she tried to hold back tears. “I know that it’s Abner—”

  “What do you mean, Meg? Calm down and talk to me.” Matthew’s words were slow and calming.

  Meg took a breath. “You see, yesterday when I was at Phoebe’s, Abner came home, and Toby was barking and growling at him. And Abner was furious. He said if he ever caught Toby in his yard, he would shoot him.”

  “But why would Toby go to Abner’s?”

  “I don’t know. All I know is that I fastened the gate to his pen before I left, and now it’s open. Somehow, I just know that Abner is behind it.”

  “Did you look around the pen at all?”

  “No.”

  “Meg, just sit tight. I’m on my way. I’ll be there in ten minutes. Promise me you won’t do anything until I get there, okay?”

  “Okay.” Meg hung up the phone and sat down in the Jeep. She leaned her head against the steering wheel and prayed. For a moment, she thought it seemed silly to pray for a dog, but she believed that God cared about everything. She was certain that he cared about Toby.

  In less than ten minutes, Matthew was there, and Clive was with him. Meg felt a little foolish, making them both come out here. Perhaps she had overreacted. There was probably some reasonable explanation for Toby’s absence.

  “Thanks for coming, Matthew. Hi, Clive,” she said, forcing a smile.

  “Meg, Dad told me about Toby. Let’s go look right now,” said Clive.

  “First let’s investigate the dog pen,” said Matthew. “Let’s see if it looks like there’s been any foul play.”

  “All right, Sherlock,” said Meg, hoping to sound lighter than she felt.

  Matthew smiled. “I always wanted to be a detective when I was a kid.”

  They walked up to the pen. “Now let’s not touch anything, just in case,” warned Matthew. They all stopped by the open gate and stared. There in the dirt was a small, dark puddle. Matthew knelt down and dipped a finger in it. When he held it up, it was red. Clive gasped, and Meg covered her face with her hands.

  “Clive, go get my cell phone,” said Matthew. He wiped off his fingers and put his arms around Meg. “W
e don’t know if he’s dead yet, Meg. We need to look for him. Do you want to wait here?”

  “No, I want to look for him,” said Meg stiffly.

  “Here, Dad,” said Clive, breathless from running to the car and back. Matthew quickly called the police and explained the situation.

  “We’re going to start looking for the dog. We’ll probably end up at Abner Lancaster’s house since we have reason to think he may have something to do with this.”

  They looked around the pen and inside the doghouse but could find nothing more that was out of the ordinary.

  “I’m going down to Abner’s,” said Matthew. “But you two should stay here.”

  “I think Clive should stay here,” said Meg. “But I’m going to Abner’s with you.”

  Clive began to complain, but Matthew remained firm. “Clive, I want you to sit in Meg’s Jeep with the cell phone. You keep an eye out for the police. Meg and I will drive down there, so if we find Toby, we can put him in the car.”

  Clive agreed, and Meg and Matthew drove slowly down the road, looking out the windows as they went. Finally, just within sight of Abner’s house, Meg spotted what looked like some dark fur near a tangle of blackberry vines. She let out a cry, pointing toward the spot. Matthew stopped the car and leaped out, with Meg right behind him. Matthew reached the dog first, then quickly turned, catching Meg in his arms. She tried to push past him, but he held her tightly.

  “It’s too late, Meg,” said Matthew. “I’m sorry.”

  “Why? Why?” cried Meg. “Why would he do that to an innocent dog? It’s so senseless. Why?” Matthew held her until she stopped crying. Then Meg wiped her eyes and began to walk toward the house. She didn’t know what she would say or do, but she was not going to let Abner get away with this. She felt Matthew’s presence by her side, but she didn’t speak. She wanted to take care of Abner herself. She knocked loudly on the door, and when Phoebe answered pleasantly, Meg didn’t even say hello.