see you, of course . . . and so will Rachel.”
“Will she?” His mother had yet to notice the crutch hanging from his arm or how he was using her to keep from keeling over. “The last letter I received from her was none too civil. I hope her outlook has improved.”
“She needs grace, just like the rest of us. You’ve been gone for four years. It might take some time to get reacquainted.”
“I doubt he’s changed at all.” Rachel stepped outdoors.
Jeremiah straightened, ready to wrap her up in a hug if she’d allow it. How he ached to put their differences behind them, but she came no closer.
“Is Alan here? Have you heard from him?” he asked.
“He’s not with you?”
At that moment Jeremiah would’ve given anything—his farm, his life, his other leg—to have his best friend at his side. “I tried, Rachel. I’ve been searching all over for him. That’s why it took me so long to get home.”
Whatever life had flickered in her eyes was extinguished. Her arms dropped to her side, only then showing how bony she’d become. “So you’ll manage to keep Alan and me apart for a bit longer while you have a joyful reunion with Abigail?”
Abigail? Their mother stepped between them. “Both my children home safe. If only your father . . . but let’s be content to celebrate Jeremiah’s return. All my family finally gathered under one roof.”
“Speaking of family,” Jeremiah said, “I met a woman coming out of the grove. A lunatic from the sound of her. I suppose she’s your guest, but please keep her away from me. All I want tonight is a hot meal and a good night’s sleep.”
Rachel raised an eyebrow. “She wouldn’t begrudge you that as long as you don’t snore. She’s staying in your room, after all.”
Her smug look hadn’t changed since he was nine years old and she caught him stealing sugar cubes, but this time he was innocent.
“There are other rooms.”
“But your wife will expect to share yours.”
“My wife?” Jeremiah thrust his crutch to the floor. What were they talking about? Was this Rachel’s doing?
“Oh, dear! What happened to your leg?” His ma clutched his arm.
But he didn’t want to talk about his leg. “I don’t know who that woman is, but I’m marrying Laurel, not some stranger.”
“Abigail is a nice girl, Jeremiah,” his mother said. “She’s been very helpful.”
“And according to her, you’re already hitched,” Rachel said.
They had to be fooling. But no, Rachel’s smirk had all the markings of the genuine article. And this Abigail woman was almost upon them, cutting through the lawn from behind the house. In vain he thought back to every woman he’d met since leaving, but with her tall frame and slender neck she would’ve been difficult to forget no matter what the circumstances. That left only one possibility.
And she’d called him a liar.
All eyes turned as she approached the porch.
“I’m sorry, Ma,” she said. “I tried to stop him. I’ll summon Calbert and we’ll be rid of him directly.”
“Ma?! You call her Ma?” Jeremiah asked.
Rachel smiled. “Why would you get Calbert, Abigail dear?”
Abigail paused. Clearly she didn’t trust Rachel, but she seemed to be searching for a sign from his mother. Could she really be confused?
“As you can see, miss, my family is satisfied with my return,” he said.
“You don’t recognize Abigail?” His mother’s face turned as gray as her hair. “But she was with you at the prison.”
“This isn’t the man I knew. Jeremiah injured his arm, not his leg. This isn’t your son.”
His arms tensed. His hands squeezed into fists.
“Consider, Jeremiah, before you say anything harsh.” His mother’s hand lay gently on his arm. “It could be an honest mistake.”
Judging from Rachel’s unladylike snort, they agreed on at least one thing.
The woman took the lantern from Rachel and thrust it inhis face. “I know you want to believe he’s returned, but look at