Chapter Ninety Eight One Week Later
Jarrod stood at the podium at the front of the orphanage. The grounds were full of blankets and box lunches and wicker picnic baskets. A pick-up baseball game was in full swing in a freshly-sickled field next door. The town children and the orphans were intermingled on teams. Reverend Stacy and the house parents named Kai to be the scorekeeper as he was getting around well on his crutches. Heath watched the baseball game and cheered when Henry hit the ball after two other strikeouts.
"That boy is figuring it all out." Heath spoke to the Reverend.
"That he is. I saw Grete with Victoria and Lisette. Over on the front row with Carl?"
"Yep. He's keeping an eye on them for us. Butch is still back at the mission recuperating. Nick and Anna should be showing up soon. Left a rig for them. Gene is helping Audra with the auction and donations."
"Heath, I am sorry for what Jehu did to you and Grete. Every night I pray for Kai's return to school in the fall."
"Ppreciate it Reverend." as he looked out on the field of laughing boys.
Reverend Stacy could see the anger in Heath's clenched fists, "and I will keep you in my prayers, my son."
—&—
Grete looked beautiful in a new dress and straw bonnet. A diamond cross glistened at her neck. It had been Lisette's idea.
"Please wear it for me—-it was my Mother's. It's perfect for the new dress."
Victoria added, "Oh Lisette, you are so right. Grete, it's ideal for the neckline."
Grete smiled at them both, "I will. And yes, witches can't wear crosses. Thank you—-I love you both so much for looking out for me."
They all hugged and finished getting ready for the auction.
Lisette and Victoria sat on each side of her. They greeted friends as they passed by. Grete still got sidelong looks and a couple of folks crossed themselves. But several ladies did notice the beautiful cross at her neck.
"Hmmm Look at her necklace."
"I would think a witch wouldn't do that."
"Hmmmmmm."
Victoria gave a small wink to Lisette when she overheard the ladies.
Jarrod's voice boomed out from the podium, "Let us begin friends. The items for sale tonight have all been donated by the great citizens of Stockton. They have been on display all afternoon so you can view the items to bid upon."
Audra brought up the first item, a Chinese blue and white vase.
"My lovely sister is holding our first donation. Audra, hold it up for the ladies in the back. This beautiful imported vase will look perfect with roses from a Stockton garden. And may get you a kiss on the cheek from your lucky lady."
The crowd laughed and the bidding began.
—&—
An hour later, Jarrod finished up the auction, "Now folks, we will leave out the collection boxes if you are so inclined. We will start the tour of the new wing in about an hour. There are plenty of box lunches still for sale—-and be sure and take home a pie or cake from the bake sale table to our left. The children are enjoying the pony rides over in the field next to our fabled baseball game to the right. See you in an hour, good people of Stockton for the tour."
He grabbed a lemonade and a box lunch and then headed to his family's blanket. He was careful as always not to pay undue attention to Lisette. He sat by his mother and Grete. Lisette was across from them. They shared an intimate look for a moment and then busied themselves with their food. They had spent the night together at the office but arrived separately to the auction. Lisette had gone back to the ranch to dress for the day with Rosa's son.
Jarrod complimented each of the ladies on their attire. Large straw hats and summer day dresses.
"Grete, what a lovely necklace." he noticed.
"It's Lissy's. Her idea to redeem my reputation.
"It's lovely Grete—but you, my sister , never need redemption. You have brought nothing but joy to our home."
Grete blushed at his flowery words and said thank you in Danish, "Det er meget venligt af dig."
Lisette nodded in approval to him.
Carl walked up with his box lunch and Audra. Heath joined them with the boys. Everyone scooted over to make room for them.
The ladies spread out the food and made sure everyone had napkins and drinks. The boys were hot and sweaty but their smiles lit up their faces. Carl said grace and they began to eat.
"Mother? Can my new friend Billy eat with us?"
"Of course," she said with obvious delight at him making a friend.
"I will grab another box lunch." Jarrod offered, happy himself to see Henry fitting in with the town boys.
A red-headed freckle-faced little boy ran over, "Did you ask?"
"Yes, my family said it would be fine. My Pappy got you a box lunch."
"Thank you Mista Barkley."
"You are welcome."
The boys wolfed down their food and began moving around quite a bit on the quilt. Henry and Kai were telling him about their quail farm.
"We got the new stock last week to start over. Ended up finding four of our first bevy. Mista Nick says it will increase our breeding stock."
Billy was taking in all the fun and conversation. They moved off the quilt and sat in the grass behind Grete.
The adults were pleased with the boys interaction and turned to their own conversations.
Billy's mother was looking for him over all the grounds. She finally spied him with the Barkley's. She was livid.
She started quickly making her way through the crowd. She tripped on a shoe lace and stumbled into a tent.
"That witch! She is casting a spell on me. Trying to take my boy. I can't let her. Made me fall." she spat with a wild look in her eyes.
Billy and the boys started daring each other and being silly.
His mother finally made her way to the Barkley quilt, "Witch! You won't take my boy."
"What?" Heath stood up and stood between the woman charging Grete. Jarrod and Carl stood beside him and restrained the woman. Grete started to cry and they held the woman back.
"Run Billy. Run!" she screamed across the crowd.
The boy startled at the uproar and fell backwards shaking.
Grete got to him first.
"Get your hands off him," she screamed, "Brother Jehu told us about you."
Jarrod still held the woman by the arms. Fred saw the commotion and started running over himself as well as Reverend Stacy.
Henry yelled, "He's not breathing! Help!"
"See the witch killed him. Killed my boy." screaming at the lifeless boy.
Grete lifted the boy up. His eyes rolled back in his head.
She quickly surmised what had happened. She pulled the boy's arms over his head and yanked. She did it a second time.
Lemon drops projectiled from his mouth and he vomited. She cradled the boy and wiped his mouth with her petticoat.
She looked up at his mother who Jarrod still held firmly, "Choked. On hard candy."
The woman looked surprised wide-eyed and then she began to cry, "You saved my boy. And you is wearing a cross. I saw him come back to life. No witch can do that. I am so sorry."
The boy sat up on his own, "Thank ya, Kai's mother." still nuzzled into Grete.
"You are very velcome,son. Now go see your Mother. She had quite a fright."
He gave Grete a thankful hug and she kissed him on the top of his head.
Jarrod relaxed his grip on the woman and the boy flew into her arms. They both cried and hugged each other.
She announced to the throng of people surrounding them, "She saved my boy. Saw it myself. Saved him! It's a miracle from the Lord Jesus himself. Bless Miss Grete!"
Kai and Henry moved over protectively next to Grete. Heath stood guarding her from behind. He helped Grete to stand.
He whispered, "Are you ok?"
"Yes my esker." she whispered back.
They walked back to the quilt. Victoria and Lisette fussed over her. Still in shock at what had happened. Jarrod and Carl watched the dispersing crowd. Murmurs of miracles and Miz Barkley saving the boy passed through the crowd like wildfire.
By the end of the evening, no one at all believed that silly rumor that Heath's wife was a witch. Everyone blamed Jehu being scorned by the lovely Grete and her choosing Heath Barkley.
Reverend Stacy said a quiet prayer of thanksgiving, "Thank you Lord. Your ways are mysterious but they are always in perfect time."
Nick and Anna walked up right as the evening was coming to a close, "What did we miss?" as everyone greeted the honeymooning couple. The family broke into laughs.
Jarrod spoke up first, "The Stockton Witch Trials are over and done. Grete was cleared by the mob."
Nick cocked his head and Anna looked confused, "Tell me more."