LOST AND FOUND - PART IX
MAKING A MOVE
Chapter 80
A cool breeze was blowing on a sunny early September afternoon causing Alex to shiver slightly as he swung on the front porch swing. He briefly considered going back inside for his jacket, but he didn't dare, knowing his mother's sharp ears would pick up any sound he made, no matter how quiet.
Then, no doubt, he would be receiving a lecture from his father for not listening since he had been told to wear something warm. But as usual, he had hurried out before all of his mother's words had sunk in. And he would rather endure even a spanking by his father than see that shadow of disappointment in her eyes.
He smiled thinking about her and how she had taken to saying he was growing like a weed. For some reason that mental picture always made him want to laugh. A growing spurt had added almost two inches to his height in the last few months while Annalise had only grown a half-inch in the same time period. Looking down at his twin was a new experience for him and one he was not exactly sure he liked.
Sighing with boredom, he slouched down on the swing and stretched one foot down to push off, keeping the swing in motion. He had been sent out to watch for Will and Laura who would be arriving by wagon sometime that afternoon. The couple was moving to town and his mother had been rushing around the house as fast as she could move now, preparing a small welcoming party. He grinned at remembering his father threatening to tie her into a chair if she didn't slow down.
Then his grin faded when he thought about how strange things had been a month ago when she had been confined to bed for what seemed like forever. His lips tightened and his eyes narrowed, seeing in his mind's eye the terrible sight of the barn exploding in flames and his two uncles carefully carrying his mother's limp body downstairs to her treatment room. But most of all he remembered the horrible sound of his father's anguished scream. Sometimes he could still hear that sound in his dreams and he would come abruptly awake, sweating and panting with fear.
Feeling an unpleasant thrill gather in his stomach and shoot down his legs, he pushed those thoughts away and sat up to lean forward and look both ways, up and down the street. Not seeing anyone who even vaguely resembled his cousins he settled back and remembered the weekend before. He and Annalise had spent the entire weekend at the ranch, something they both loved to do, and to their further delight Ben had been with them constantly. The highlight of the weekend had been a fishing trip on Sunday, and Alex had managed to fall in only once.
He smiled, again hearing Annalise squeal with excitement at her first catch and his grandfather's deep laughter when they had scrambled around on the grassy bank after the flopping fish. That one had gotten away, but by the time the afternoon was over, the three of them had caught enough for Hop Sing to cook for supper that night.
Slouching down further, he pushed off again and sighed, thinking about school starting soon, and occasionally remembering to sit up and look for his cousins.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Adam sighed as he signed his name to the bottom of the last report pertaining to the Simon Albrecht arson assignment. Now the case would be considered officially closed and he hoped he would never have to hear the man's name again. He gathered all the papers together, slid them into a large brown envelope, and slipped the envelope into his document case.
Leaning back in his chair, he had just started thinking about Wes having been appointed the Albrecht children's legal guardian when knocks sounded on the outside and hall entrance doors. Smiling, he called out "Come in," and waited to see who would.
Nate quickly came in the outside entrance and strode toward Adam's desk, while Ted stepped through the hallway door and stopped, giving Adam an enquiring look.
"Am I interruptin' somethin'?" his brother-in-law asked as Nate threw himself into one of the deep chairs facing the desk.
"No, come on over and have a seat Ted," Adam answered quietly and the young doctor did.
After briefly studying each blond man's expression, Adam smiled, glad that these two in particular had shown up and quite sure he knew why.
"All right gentlemen...let's talk about Joe."
Nate's blue eyes only showed a brief touch of surprise, while Ted's leaf- green shone with appreciation for Adam's astute assessment of the purpose behind their visit.
"Yes, let's talk about Joe," the young doctor said. "Have you decided how much to tell him yet?"
"No," Adam sighed with frustration. "You see, I think he has a right to know that Joan had another...uh..." he paused, unsure of what term to use.
"Personality?" Ted offered and Adam nodded.
"Yes, personality. But I'm just not sure if he needs to know that other 'person' was planning to kill him."
"Why do you feel the need to keep that from him?" Nate asked and when Adam frowned he hastily went on. "I'm just asking so I can understand your train of thought."
"I can't help but think that knowledge is going to wound him deeply. And not only that, I can also see how it might shake his confidence."
"That is very true," Ted mused. "However, I've been thinkin' it's time for everyone to stop treatin' him like he's still 'Little' Joe."
Adam reluctantly nodded. "You're right, we all seem to have a tendency to protect him from things. I guess it's a habit hard to break."
"Of course it is! " the young doctor laughed. "Adam, you've been the caretaker in this family almost from the beginnin'. Always standin' in between the ones you love and anythin' that would hurt them." He beamed his bright charming smile at the brooding man behind the desk. "But he needs to start takin' his rightful place beside you and Hoss...not standin' behind you anymore."
Nate shifted in his chair. "I have to agree with that Adam," he said tentatively, not sure if he was stepping out of line. "Besides, you never know - Joe just might surprise you."
Leaning back in his chair again, Adam carefully considered their words for a few moments and neither man dared to interrupt.
"Well," he finally said after taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, "even though the home office might not agree since this information is classified, I think you two are right." He leaned forward to lean on the desk. "I don't like it, but I'm sure you're right."
The two men facing him nodded and Nate's eyes darkened. He hadn't considered that telling Joe might get Adam called on the carpet some day.
"I'm glad you brought that up," Ted said, dragging Nate's attention back from his musings. "I had a feelin' that might be the case, so I was wonderin' if it might be best for all concerned if I told him."
Adam's brows rose and Nate tensed, not sure if his best friend was angered by that idea or not. Then his tension increased when the man responded in a low, tightly controlled voice.
"Why would that be best for all concerned?"
Ted sighed this time. "I'm sorry if it looks like I'm tryin' to interfere, but you have to admit that news like that comin' from me might be easier to take than comin' from you." He paused as though trying to think of the right words. Nate cleared his throat and plunged in to help.
"Joe looks up to you Adam, and this is going to be embarrassing enough for him. And no offense meant, but it will also sound more believable coming from Ted. I mean with him being a doctor and this kinda being his area."
Adam was nodding now and relaxing, reluctantly recognizing the truth of the situation.
"Again, you're right, and again, I don't like it. But to not take your advice would be stupid and I do try to avoid that whenever I can."
At his last sardonic comment, the other two men relaxed, knowing Adam wouldn't be joking if he were still angry.
Ted was about to suggest he wait a few days before talking to Joe when they all heard the front door bang open and Alexander's voice shouting, "They're here!" as he ran down the front hallway.
The three men in the office laughed, stood, and began making their way toward the door to the office hall.
"Well, I'm going to consider this subject closed, and Ted, please let me know after you've had a chance to talk to Joe."
"I'll let you know right away," Ted answered quietly as he opened the door and stood back to let the other two men go through.
"Ah...Adam, before I forget..." he said softly as Nate moved away, "thank you for lettin' me help."
Adam stopped to give his brother-in-law an assessing look, while Ted merely grinned his quirky grin, his green eyes meeting the other man's candidly. Then Adam smiled his half-smile as he shook his head.
"Oh you are good...very good," he said with a soft chuckle before walking through the door and striding down the hallway.
Ted pulled the door closed as he stepped through, and then stood there for a few moments, thinking deeply about how to break this unpleasant news to Joe. Then he shrugged his shoulders and grinned again before speaking to himself under his breath.
"So I'm good am I?" His grin widened, "Well so are you..." he was laughing softly as he slowly made his way to the kitchen and to the gathering celebrating the arrival of two new family members. And Ted was not entirely sure the addition of these two people was actually something to be pleased about.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Will pulled the horses up, stopping the wagon behind the cream colored house and stared at the newly built structure. He shook his head slightly, quite sure that the last time he had been here the barn had NOT been round. Then he turned his head toward the house as people began spilling out the back door.
The wagon was quickly surrounded and he had to search his memory to try and fit names with faces as he climbed down. People quickly greeted him, the men shaking his hand and the women giving him a quick hug before moving on.
By the time he turned around, the horses had already been un-hitched and were being taken to the barn and the wagon had almost been emptied. When he turned back toward the house, Thea was already leading Laura up the back steps and Adam paused on his way out to hold the door open for them.
Will stayed where he was and watched his cousin bound down the steps and hurry toward him with his right hand out. The two men shook hands and Will was suddenly aware of an odd mix of emotions. He was feeling both grateful and resentful, happy and unhappy for the other man's interference the last time he had been here and the continuing help and support in the ensuing months.
Mentally shaking his head at himself, he realized Adam was intently staring, and he was suddenly sure the other man was aware of everything he was thinking. He cleared his throat.
"You have a new barn..." he said and frowned slightly at how stupid that statement sounded. Adam nodded while smiling.
"What happened?"
"The other one burned down," Adam said succinctly and changed the subject. "Does she suspect anything?"
Will relaxed, taking in Adam's friendly smile and the spark of humor dancing in his dark eyes. He relaxed even more when he realized his cousin had been truly enjoying himself arranging the surprise for Laura.
"Nope, not a bit. We were so busy getting everything ready for this move that we barely had the time to think of anything else."
"Good! " Adam enthused as he clapped Will on the back with one hard hand and began prodding him toward the house. "Everyone else knows, except the twins, so all we have to do is be sure she's distracted for a while to finish up."
"Well, Laura DID say she wanted to talk to Thea alone as soon as she could. Why, I don't know, but that might work."
The two men were climbing the steps to the back door. "I'm sure it will - I'll let Thea know." Adam opened the door and waved his cousin through to enter first.
Will stepped into the fragrant, brightly lit kitchen and smiled to see people hurrying up the closest set of stairs, carrying the contents of the wagon, while others were hurrying down the farther set, empty handed. The crowd seemed to quickly grow right before his eyes, and he almost jumped when Adam took him by the arm to lead him through the throng and introduce him to the one family member he hadn't met before.
"Will, I'd like you to meet Theadora's brother Ted Westwood."
The tall man with curly blond hair shifted Annalise to his left arm and hip before reaching out to shake Will's hand.
"Pleased to meet you Will! I've heard quite a bit about you from these folks, but don't be worryin', I didn't believe a single word of it." Ted's green eyes sparkled with good humor as he gave the other man his most disarming smile. Then he realized Will's eyes were staring just above his right shoulder.
"What the hell is that..." Will blurted out before realizing how rude that sounded.
"Oh that's just Fred. He's a dog."
"Really?" Will's response was automatic as well as dubious. Adam and Ted laughed.
"The jury is still out on that one," Adam said as Fred draped himself over Ted's shoulder and let his long, pink tongue loll out. His bright black eyes blinked at Will and Annalise started giggling as she reached across to scratch him under the chin.
"Isn't he cute, Uncle Will?" the little girl enthused and Will found his chest suddenly becoming tight at her calling him "uncle."
"Yes he is honey, in an...uh...odd sort of way." She giggled again and gave Will a slanting look that told him she was teasing. He couldn't help but laugh at her cleverness and reached out to cautiously touch the little dog as Nate came up from behind them to speak low in Adam's ear.
"Thanks Nate," Adam was saying as his cousin turned toward him. "Will, would you mind coming to my office for a minute? I have someone else I want you to meet."
"Sure," Will answered and only paused long enough to smooth down Annalise's glossy hair and return her smile before following Adam out of the room.
Nate watched them go, his expression rather solemn until the little girl giggled and he looked to see Fred carefully climb on top of her head and perch there, grinning. He started to laugh when Ted carefully put her down and he hurried to clear the way as she slowly started to walk across the kitchen to show her mother.
Everyone willingly stepped out of the way and started laughing too, although quietly, not wanting to startle the little dog. Thea, Barbara, and Laura were at the far end of the kitchen and turned quickly to see what the commotion was all about.
"Dear Lord!" Thea said under her breath and held her mirth back so she could hear her daughter.
"Ma look!" Annalise called, just tickled pink with this "new" trick. "Look at what Fred can do!"
"I just have to say that has to be the ugliest hat I've ever seen," Barbara said low in Thea's ear and she almost choked on the startled laugh that rose in her throat at her friend's joke.
Thea turned to look at the taller woman over her shoulder. "Now stop that!" she said low and quickly turned back, knowing Barbara's droll expression would break her tentative hold on her control.
"Yes, I see!" she answered her daughter, and nearly lost it when Fred's grin widened and his long, thin tail came up and began to wag violently.
Everyone else in the room gave in at that and the explosion of laughter made Fred get to his feet and begin to howl. His sharply pointed snout rose to point at the ceiling and Thea finally broke down at that.
"God help me," she gasped leaning weakly against Barbara on one side while Laura leaned against her on the other. She had to take a deep breath several times before she finally got herself under control and reached out to pluck Fred off her daughter's head.
"Ted, get over here and take this four-legged clown back!" she called across the room and the tall blonde man slowly straightened up to wipe tears of laughter from his eyes before almost staggering in their direction.
"Aw, I didn't get a chance to show Pa!" Annalise complained, and Thea crouched down in front of her.
"Now you know I love Fred too, but I'm quite sure it's not a good idea to have him sitting on your head. He could have fleas."
"No he doesn't! Uncle Ted gives him a bath almost every day," Annalise was quick to assure her mother and both of them looked up at Ted when he was standing over them.
"That's true darlin', Fred's the cleanest dog you'll ever have the pleasure of meetin'." Thea laughed as she shook her head.
"All right, I give!" she said to her brother, then turned back to Annalise. "You can show your father later, but I don't want to see you walking around with him on your head very often, ok?"
"OK Ma!" Annalise quickly agreed, delighted she would get a chance to make her father laugh.
Ted took the dog from Thea as she stood and Fred scampered up his arm to take his usual place, his eyes seeming to cross even more as he stared at her. She reached out to scratch him behind one ear and he wiggled with delight.
"You clever little thing," she said and could have sworn the dog's bright black eyes met her's squarely for a split second before going crossed again as he grinned at her praise.
Ted noticed Nate hovering and reached down to put one large hand on top of Annalise's head. "Let's go find Alexander," he said and scooped the child up before hurrying away.
Nate quickly whispered in Thea's ear and she nodded, giving him a wide smile in thanks. She turned to the two blonde women as the deputy walked away and waited patiently to break into the conversation.
"Please excuse me for a moment, I need to check on something in my office," she said quickly and was about to turn away when Laura spoke.
"May I come with you? I don't think I saw your office the last time I was here," Laura asked and Thea nodded as she turned and started toward the hall. Barbara's eyes narrowed and she frowned, unhappy to see her friend walking so carefully and slowly, having worn herself out by all the activity earlier in the day.
She heaved a deep sigh, knowing that Thea was in pain and that the numbness in her legs was creeping back too. So she decided right then that she would spread the word and enlist everyone in another conspiracy, a conspiracy to keep Thea off her feet as much as possible for the rest of the day.
Suddenly realizing that everyone had fallen silent, she looked up and across the room to see Nate standing in the doorway to the hall. She chuckled softly when he suddenly turned to say, "She's in Thea's office boys, let's get moving!"
Every man quickly and quietly moved toward the stairs and Barbara began to set the food out on the table, listening to footsteps and muffled laughter from overhead. In a few minutes the men came back down, carrying the couple's things. They filed out the back door, down the steps and across the yard, disappearing through a gap in the thick hedges.
Barbara continued with her tasks, hurrying to get everything finished before Thea returned, and shook her head in amusement at the child-like anticipation of everyone involved in the surprise for Laura that Adam and Will had been planning for months.
MAKING A MOVE
Chapter 80
A cool breeze was blowing on a sunny early September afternoon causing Alex to shiver slightly as he swung on the front porch swing. He briefly considered going back inside for his jacket, but he didn't dare, knowing his mother's sharp ears would pick up any sound he made, no matter how quiet.
Then, no doubt, he would be receiving a lecture from his father for not listening since he had been told to wear something warm. But as usual, he had hurried out before all of his mother's words had sunk in. And he would rather endure even a spanking by his father than see that shadow of disappointment in her eyes.
He smiled thinking about her and how she had taken to saying he was growing like a weed. For some reason that mental picture always made him want to laugh. A growing spurt had added almost two inches to his height in the last few months while Annalise had only grown a half-inch in the same time period. Looking down at his twin was a new experience for him and one he was not exactly sure he liked.
Sighing with boredom, he slouched down on the swing and stretched one foot down to push off, keeping the swing in motion. He had been sent out to watch for Will and Laura who would be arriving by wagon sometime that afternoon. The couple was moving to town and his mother had been rushing around the house as fast as she could move now, preparing a small welcoming party. He grinned at remembering his father threatening to tie her into a chair if she didn't slow down.
Then his grin faded when he thought about how strange things had been a month ago when she had been confined to bed for what seemed like forever. His lips tightened and his eyes narrowed, seeing in his mind's eye the terrible sight of the barn exploding in flames and his two uncles carefully carrying his mother's limp body downstairs to her treatment room. But most of all he remembered the horrible sound of his father's anguished scream. Sometimes he could still hear that sound in his dreams and he would come abruptly awake, sweating and panting with fear.
Feeling an unpleasant thrill gather in his stomach and shoot down his legs, he pushed those thoughts away and sat up to lean forward and look both ways, up and down the street. Not seeing anyone who even vaguely resembled his cousins he settled back and remembered the weekend before. He and Annalise had spent the entire weekend at the ranch, something they both loved to do, and to their further delight Ben had been with them constantly. The highlight of the weekend had been a fishing trip on Sunday, and Alex had managed to fall in only once.
He smiled, again hearing Annalise squeal with excitement at her first catch and his grandfather's deep laughter when they had scrambled around on the grassy bank after the flopping fish. That one had gotten away, but by the time the afternoon was over, the three of them had caught enough for Hop Sing to cook for supper that night.
Slouching down further, he pushed off again and sighed, thinking about school starting soon, and occasionally remembering to sit up and look for his cousins.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Adam sighed as he signed his name to the bottom of the last report pertaining to the Simon Albrecht arson assignment. Now the case would be considered officially closed and he hoped he would never have to hear the man's name again. He gathered all the papers together, slid them into a large brown envelope, and slipped the envelope into his document case.
Leaning back in his chair, he had just started thinking about Wes having been appointed the Albrecht children's legal guardian when knocks sounded on the outside and hall entrance doors. Smiling, he called out "Come in," and waited to see who would.
Nate quickly came in the outside entrance and strode toward Adam's desk, while Ted stepped through the hallway door and stopped, giving Adam an enquiring look.
"Am I interruptin' somethin'?" his brother-in-law asked as Nate threw himself into one of the deep chairs facing the desk.
"No, come on over and have a seat Ted," Adam answered quietly and the young doctor did.
After briefly studying each blond man's expression, Adam smiled, glad that these two in particular had shown up and quite sure he knew why.
"All right gentlemen...let's talk about Joe."
Nate's blue eyes only showed a brief touch of surprise, while Ted's leaf- green shone with appreciation for Adam's astute assessment of the purpose behind their visit.
"Yes, let's talk about Joe," the young doctor said. "Have you decided how much to tell him yet?"
"No," Adam sighed with frustration. "You see, I think he has a right to know that Joan had another...uh..." he paused, unsure of what term to use.
"Personality?" Ted offered and Adam nodded.
"Yes, personality. But I'm just not sure if he needs to know that other 'person' was planning to kill him."
"Why do you feel the need to keep that from him?" Nate asked and when Adam frowned he hastily went on. "I'm just asking so I can understand your train of thought."
"I can't help but think that knowledge is going to wound him deeply. And not only that, I can also see how it might shake his confidence."
"That is very true," Ted mused. "However, I've been thinkin' it's time for everyone to stop treatin' him like he's still 'Little' Joe."
Adam reluctantly nodded. "You're right, we all seem to have a tendency to protect him from things. I guess it's a habit hard to break."
"Of course it is! " the young doctor laughed. "Adam, you've been the caretaker in this family almost from the beginnin'. Always standin' in between the ones you love and anythin' that would hurt them." He beamed his bright charming smile at the brooding man behind the desk. "But he needs to start takin' his rightful place beside you and Hoss...not standin' behind you anymore."
Nate shifted in his chair. "I have to agree with that Adam," he said tentatively, not sure if he was stepping out of line. "Besides, you never know - Joe just might surprise you."
Leaning back in his chair again, Adam carefully considered their words for a few moments and neither man dared to interrupt.
"Well," he finally said after taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, "even though the home office might not agree since this information is classified, I think you two are right." He leaned forward to lean on the desk. "I don't like it, but I'm sure you're right."
The two men facing him nodded and Nate's eyes darkened. He hadn't considered that telling Joe might get Adam called on the carpet some day.
"I'm glad you brought that up," Ted said, dragging Nate's attention back from his musings. "I had a feelin' that might be the case, so I was wonderin' if it might be best for all concerned if I told him."
Adam's brows rose and Nate tensed, not sure if his best friend was angered by that idea or not. Then his tension increased when the man responded in a low, tightly controlled voice.
"Why would that be best for all concerned?"
Ted sighed this time. "I'm sorry if it looks like I'm tryin' to interfere, but you have to admit that news like that comin' from me might be easier to take than comin' from you." He paused as though trying to think of the right words. Nate cleared his throat and plunged in to help.
"Joe looks up to you Adam, and this is going to be embarrassing enough for him. And no offense meant, but it will also sound more believable coming from Ted. I mean with him being a doctor and this kinda being his area."
Adam was nodding now and relaxing, reluctantly recognizing the truth of the situation.
"Again, you're right, and again, I don't like it. But to not take your advice would be stupid and I do try to avoid that whenever I can."
At his last sardonic comment, the other two men relaxed, knowing Adam wouldn't be joking if he were still angry.
Ted was about to suggest he wait a few days before talking to Joe when they all heard the front door bang open and Alexander's voice shouting, "They're here!" as he ran down the front hallway.
The three men in the office laughed, stood, and began making their way toward the door to the office hall.
"Well, I'm going to consider this subject closed, and Ted, please let me know after you've had a chance to talk to Joe."
"I'll let you know right away," Ted answered quietly as he opened the door and stood back to let the other two men go through.
"Ah...Adam, before I forget..." he said softly as Nate moved away, "thank you for lettin' me help."
Adam stopped to give his brother-in-law an assessing look, while Ted merely grinned his quirky grin, his green eyes meeting the other man's candidly. Then Adam smiled his half-smile as he shook his head.
"Oh you are good...very good," he said with a soft chuckle before walking through the door and striding down the hallway.
Ted pulled the door closed as he stepped through, and then stood there for a few moments, thinking deeply about how to break this unpleasant news to Joe. Then he shrugged his shoulders and grinned again before speaking to himself under his breath.
"So I'm good am I?" His grin widened, "Well so are you..." he was laughing softly as he slowly made his way to the kitchen and to the gathering celebrating the arrival of two new family members. And Ted was not entirely sure the addition of these two people was actually something to be pleased about.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Will pulled the horses up, stopping the wagon behind the cream colored house and stared at the newly built structure. He shook his head slightly, quite sure that the last time he had been here the barn had NOT been round. Then he turned his head toward the house as people began spilling out the back door.
The wagon was quickly surrounded and he had to search his memory to try and fit names with faces as he climbed down. People quickly greeted him, the men shaking his hand and the women giving him a quick hug before moving on.
By the time he turned around, the horses had already been un-hitched and were being taken to the barn and the wagon had almost been emptied. When he turned back toward the house, Thea was already leading Laura up the back steps and Adam paused on his way out to hold the door open for them.
Will stayed where he was and watched his cousin bound down the steps and hurry toward him with his right hand out. The two men shook hands and Will was suddenly aware of an odd mix of emotions. He was feeling both grateful and resentful, happy and unhappy for the other man's interference the last time he had been here and the continuing help and support in the ensuing months.
Mentally shaking his head at himself, he realized Adam was intently staring, and he was suddenly sure the other man was aware of everything he was thinking. He cleared his throat.
"You have a new barn..." he said and frowned slightly at how stupid that statement sounded. Adam nodded while smiling.
"What happened?"
"The other one burned down," Adam said succinctly and changed the subject. "Does she suspect anything?"
Will relaxed, taking in Adam's friendly smile and the spark of humor dancing in his dark eyes. He relaxed even more when he realized his cousin had been truly enjoying himself arranging the surprise for Laura.
"Nope, not a bit. We were so busy getting everything ready for this move that we barely had the time to think of anything else."
"Good! " Adam enthused as he clapped Will on the back with one hard hand and began prodding him toward the house. "Everyone else knows, except the twins, so all we have to do is be sure she's distracted for a while to finish up."
"Well, Laura DID say she wanted to talk to Thea alone as soon as she could. Why, I don't know, but that might work."
The two men were climbing the steps to the back door. "I'm sure it will - I'll let Thea know." Adam opened the door and waved his cousin through to enter first.
Will stepped into the fragrant, brightly lit kitchen and smiled to see people hurrying up the closest set of stairs, carrying the contents of the wagon, while others were hurrying down the farther set, empty handed. The crowd seemed to quickly grow right before his eyes, and he almost jumped when Adam took him by the arm to lead him through the throng and introduce him to the one family member he hadn't met before.
"Will, I'd like you to meet Theadora's brother Ted Westwood."
The tall man with curly blond hair shifted Annalise to his left arm and hip before reaching out to shake Will's hand.
"Pleased to meet you Will! I've heard quite a bit about you from these folks, but don't be worryin', I didn't believe a single word of it." Ted's green eyes sparkled with good humor as he gave the other man his most disarming smile. Then he realized Will's eyes were staring just above his right shoulder.
"What the hell is that..." Will blurted out before realizing how rude that sounded.
"Oh that's just Fred. He's a dog."
"Really?" Will's response was automatic as well as dubious. Adam and Ted laughed.
"The jury is still out on that one," Adam said as Fred draped himself over Ted's shoulder and let his long, pink tongue loll out. His bright black eyes blinked at Will and Annalise started giggling as she reached across to scratch him under the chin.
"Isn't he cute, Uncle Will?" the little girl enthused and Will found his chest suddenly becoming tight at her calling him "uncle."
"Yes he is honey, in an...uh...odd sort of way." She giggled again and gave Will a slanting look that told him she was teasing. He couldn't help but laugh at her cleverness and reached out to cautiously touch the little dog as Nate came up from behind them to speak low in Adam's ear.
"Thanks Nate," Adam was saying as his cousin turned toward him. "Will, would you mind coming to my office for a minute? I have someone else I want you to meet."
"Sure," Will answered and only paused long enough to smooth down Annalise's glossy hair and return her smile before following Adam out of the room.
Nate watched them go, his expression rather solemn until the little girl giggled and he looked to see Fred carefully climb on top of her head and perch there, grinning. He started to laugh when Ted carefully put her down and he hurried to clear the way as she slowly started to walk across the kitchen to show her mother.
Everyone willingly stepped out of the way and started laughing too, although quietly, not wanting to startle the little dog. Thea, Barbara, and Laura were at the far end of the kitchen and turned quickly to see what the commotion was all about.
"Dear Lord!" Thea said under her breath and held her mirth back so she could hear her daughter.
"Ma look!" Annalise called, just tickled pink with this "new" trick. "Look at what Fred can do!"
"I just have to say that has to be the ugliest hat I've ever seen," Barbara said low in Thea's ear and she almost choked on the startled laugh that rose in her throat at her friend's joke.
Thea turned to look at the taller woman over her shoulder. "Now stop that!" she said low and quickly turned back, knowing Barbara's droll expression would break her tentative hold on her control.
"Yes, I see!" she answered her daughter, and nearly lost it when Fred's grin widened and his long, thin tail came up and began to wag violently.
Everyone else in the room gave in at that and the explosion of laughter made Fred get to his feet and begin to howl. His sharply pointed snout rose to point at the ceiling and Thea finally broke down at that.
"God help me," she gasped leaning weakly against Barbara on one side while Laura leaned against her on the other. She had to take a deep breath several times before she finally got herself under control and reached out to pluck Fred off her daughter's head.
"Ted, get over here and take this four-legged clown back!" she called across the room and the tall blonde man slowly straightened up to wipe tears of laughter from his eyes before almost staggering in their direction.
"Aw, I didn't get a chance to show Pa!" Annalise complained, and Thea crouched down in front of her.
"Now you know I love Fred too, but I'm quite sure it's not a good idea to have him sitting on your head. He could have fleas."
"No he doesn't! Uncle Ted gives him a bath almost every day," Annalise was quick to assure her mother and both of them looked up at Ted when he was standing over them.
"That's true darlin', Fred's the cleanest dog you'll ever have the pleasure of meetin'." Thea laughed as she shook her head.
"All right, I give!" she said to her brother, then turned back to Annalise. "You can show your father later, but I don't want to see you walking around with him on your head very often, ok?"
"OK Ma!" Annalise quickly agreed, delighted she would get a chance to make her father laugh.
Ted took the dog from Thea as she stood and Fred scampered up his arm to take his usual place, his eyes seeming to cross even more as he stared at her. She reached out to scratch him behind one ear and he wiggled with delight.
"You clever little thing," she said and could have sworn the dog's bright black eyes met her's squarely for a split second before going crossed again as he grinned at her praise.
Ted noticed Nate hovering and reached down to put one large hand on top of Annalise's head. "Let's go find Alexander," he said and scooped the child up before hurrying away.
Nate quickly whispered in Thea's ear and she nodded, giving him a wide smile in thanks. She turned to the two blonde women as the deputy walked away and waited patiently to break into the conversation.
"Please excuse me for a moment, I need to check on something in my office," she said quickly and was about to turn away when Laura spoke.
"May I come with you? I don't think I saw your office the last time I was here," Laura asked and Thea nodded as she turned and started toward the hall. Barbara's eyes narrowed and she frowned, unhappy to see her friend walking so carefully and slowly, having worn herself out by all the activity earlier in the day.
She heaved a deep sigh, knowing that Thea was in pain and that the numbness in her legs was creeping back too. So she decided right then that she would spread the word and enlist everyone in another conspiracy, a conspiracy to keep Thea off her feet as much as possible for the rest of the day.
Suddenly realizing that everyone had fallen silent, she looked up and across the room to see Nate standing in the doorway to the hall. She chuckled softly when he suddenly turned to say, "She's in Thea's office boys, let's get moving!"
Every man quickly and quietly moved toward the stairs and Barbara began to set the food out on the table, listening to footsteps and muffled laughter from overhead. In a few minutes the men came back down, carrying the couple's things. They filed out the back door, down the steps and across the yard, disappearing through a gap in the thick hedges.
Barbara continued with her tasks, hurrying to get everything finished before Thea returned, and shook her head in amusement at the child-like anticipation of everyone involved in the surprise for Laura that Adam and Will had been planning for months.