Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

When the alarm went off at six-thirty, River reached over and turned it off. She wasn't asleep. In fact, she hadn't slept much at all. Her mind kept going back and forth from the information in April's notebook to what had occurred with her mother. She forced herself to dismiss her thoughts and concentrate on getting ready to meet Tony. She headed down the hall to the kitchen to start the coffeemaker before getting dressed. She was surprised to find Mrs. Weyland already there. She usually got up around eight.

"Why are you awake?" she asked. "Did my mother have a tough night?" From time to time, Rose had restless nights and Mrs. Weyland would go in to check on her, but when it happened, River almost always heard them. Last night the house was quiet.

"No, but I knew you were gettin' up early. I wanted to make sure you had coffee and ate somethin'. Goin' out without breakfast isn't good for you." She carried a dish over to the table that held bacon, a cheese omelet, and toast.

"You really didn't need to do this."

"I heard you tossin' and turnin' last night. You need to eat."

River laughed softly. "First of all, I don't think it's possible to hear someone tossing and turning from two doors down. And besides that, I'm not sure food will make it better anyway."

The elderly woman put her hands on her ample hips and stared at River. "No arguin' this mornin', missy." She pointed at the table. "You sit down and eat this breakfast I fixed for you."

River wasn't used to being ordered around. If it had been anyone else, she probably would have mentioned that Mrs. Weyland wasn't actually her boss. In fact, it was the other way around. But she knew in her heart that this lovely woman, this incredible blessing in her life and in her mother's, was truly concerned for her. Rather than getting angry, she was moved by it.

River smiled at her. "Yes, ma'am," she said as she slipped into her chair. River really didn't like eating a large breakfast. Sometimes it made her sleepy. But the food looked and smelled delicious. She was surprised to find that she really was hungry. She noticed something sitting on the table and picked it up. A newspaper.

"Is this yours?" she asked Mrs. Weyland.

"I just transferred my subscription here. I love readin' the newspaper, and I think it might be good for your mother too. Readin' is a good way for her to exercise her brain. She asked a question about somethin' the other day that made me think she might be willing to read it if it was in the house." She smiled. "I know most people read the news online, but I like havin' a real paper in my hands. One of these days, they might not be around anymore."

"That's a wonderful idea," River said. "Please let me reimburse you."

Mrs. Weyland waved her hand toward River. "Not necessary, honey, but I appreciate it. Like I said, it's my subscription."

"Okay, but if my mother does read it, how about we split the subscription price?"

Mrs. Weyland chuckled. "All right, but let's not worry about it now. Let me pour you a cup of coffee."

River prayed silently over her meal and looked up to see Mrs. Weyland carrying two cups over to the table. She put one in front of River and then sat down with the other one.

"Where's your breakfast?" River asked.

"I'll eat with your mother. She's not too bad off yet, but my husband actually forgot how to chew and swallow at one point. I found that eatin' with him helped. He just copied what I did."

"So even though my mother isn't at that point, you're preparing her for it?"

Mrs. Weyland nodded. "I'm usin' everything I learned so I can help your dear mama." She paused for a moment while River ate. Why was it that some people could make a dish you'd eaten many times before, but the way they prepared it tasted so much better? This breakfast was a great example.

"I'm really sorry for everything you went through," River said. "Did you have any help? Was there a Mrs. Weyland in your life?"

The question made the older lady smile again. "No, unfortunately, we had no children, and his family lived out of state. Henry had a sister, but she didn't want to help. She was married to a wealthy man, and they had a very active social life ."

River didn't miss the emphasis. "So, what you're not saying is that she's a big jerk?"

Mrs. Weyland chuckled softly. "I won't say anything against her, 'specially since she's passed on. But you won't hear me arguin' with what you just said."

"I'm really grateful you're here with us," River said. "I don't know what we'd do without you."

"Oh, honey. I feel the same way. After Henry died, I had no idea what I was gonna to do with my life. You've given me a home and a reason to live. I feel useful again. You've done more for me than you could ever know."

Mrs. Weyland tried to blink away the sudden tears that filled her eyes.

River reached over and put her hand on the older woman's arm. "Boy, who knew breakfast could be this emotional?"

They both laughed at the same time.

"You have a busy day today?" Mrs. Weyland asked.

"Actually, we do. We have to drop some things off at a new client's place, and then we need to start looking into his case."

"You have a job? That's wonderful!"

Although she and Tony hadn't talked about whether or not they were going to take Nathan's case, River was certain Tony was on board. Especially after the picture showed up. If that hadn't been enough, she still would have wanted to keep going because of all the notes April had kept. As River peeled back layer after layer, April's disappearance was becoming more and more fascinating. April was smart and intuitive. So how could she just suddenly go missing? Why didn't there seem to be any trace of her? It just didn't sit right with River.

She finished eating and quickly got dressed. She hadn't allowed extra time for breakfast, so she wasn't ready when Tony pulled up outside. Thankfully, he only had to wait a few minutes.

"Sorry about that," she said when she opened the car door.

"You usually gripe at me for running behind," he said, grinning, as she slid into the car and closed the door.

"Not my fault. I was tempted above what I was able to withstand."

"I think God promised He'd provide a way of escape if we were ever tempted that much."

River laughed. "Okay, I was weak. Mrs. Weyland got up before I did and prepared an incredible breakfast for me. I couldn't say no."

Tony put the car in gear and started down the street. "I thought you didn't like breakfast."

"I didn't think I did. But she changed my mind."

"Okay. I forgive you for not waiting for me."

"Oh, Tony, I forgot. We were going to have breakfast together. We can still stop. I'll drink coffee and watch you eat."

"Wow, that sounds relaxing. I'll just grab some doughnuts on the way into the office."

"If you're sure."

"I am." He glanced down at the car's beverage holder. "I picked up your favorite coffee from that coffee house you like. Cinnamon dolce latte."

"Now I feel even guiltier."

"Good," Tony said, grinning. "I'm avenged."

"You're silly." River picked up her cup and took a drink. "Yum. Thank you."

"So, are we taking this case?"

"I'd like to," she said. "I need more time to go through the rest of April's notebook, but I feel a connection to her, and I'm interested. I really want to find out what happened."

"I agree. I'm not sure we can find her, but I'd like to try."

River turned the radio up a little bit. One of her favorite Christian bands, Casting Crowns, was playing a song that really ministered to her. When it was over, she turned the volume down. "My father wants to visit," she said.

"You told me he'd asked if he could come," Tony said, "but you didn't sound very positive about it."

"I wasn't, but then you started talking to me about forgiveness. I think you ruined all my arguments."

Tony smiled. "I'm not sure I can say I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't." She sighed. "I haven't decided what to do. Not because I'm not willing to forgive him, but I'm not sure what his visit might do to my mother."

"I assume Mrs. Weyland knows about this request?"

"Yeah, she talked to my father yesterday. He told her."

"What does she think?" Tony asked.

"She's not sure either. She says my mother is trying to find her way back to God, and that this might go a long way toward that. But it could also go really wrong. It could set her off. I know she'd hate it if she said or did anything in front of my father that might cause her embarrassment."

Tony picked up his coffee and took a drink before putting it down. "I guess you have to weigh those two outcomes against each other."

"What do you mean?"

Tony looked over at her. "I can't tell you what to do, River. This is your decision. You need to pray about it."

"I understand, but I'd really like to hear your opinion."

"I guess I'd shoot for the chance your mother and father could forgive each other over a temporary upset she may experience. Does that make sense?"

River thought about his response for a moment before saying, "Yeah, it does. And maybe I could tell him I've forgiven him too. It might mean a lot to him, and it could also help me to finally let go of the anger I've held against him for so long." She was quiet for a moment. "It sounds like the benefits could far outweigh a possible temporary disadvantage."

Tony shrugged. "Like I said, it's not my business, but I think you're right."

River had expected this reaction, but for some reason, she'd just needed to hear him voice it. Maybe she didn't trust herself enough to make the final decision.

Tony turned onto the road that led to Nathan's apartment complex. He pulled up to the gate and rolled down his window so he could speak to the guard. It was a different man, but it stood to reason that the person who watched the gate at night wouldn't be the same one assigned to the morning schedule.

"Can I help you, sir?" the man said with a smile.

"We're here to see Nathan Hearne," Tony said. "River Ryland and Tony St. Clair."

As soon as Tony mentioned their names, the man's expression changed. "I'm sorry," he said sternly. "I'm not supposed to let you in. Mr. Hearne asked that you give me the items you're supposed to drop off. He left this letter for you."

Tony took the letter and frowned at River. He slid the letter out of the envelope. Then he read it and passed it to River.

I've decided not to go forward with this investigation. Please return everything I gave you, including all of April's belongings. I need my laptop and phone this morning. April's laptop, phone, notebook, and drawings need to be dropped off with the guard by 5:00 p. m. today, or I'll contact the police. Nathan Hearne.

"What in the world?" River said. "What should we do?"

"I'll tell you what we don't do." He turned and smiled at the serious-faced guard. "You may tell Mr. Hearne that we can't return his items to you. If he wants them, he knows where to find us."

With that said, Tony put the car in reverse and drove back toward the street, leaving River to wonder what could have possibly caused Nathan to suddenly do a 180 and abandon his search for the woman he claimed to love.