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“I’m sorry. I’m not…” Andy hesitated. “I’m not in love with you.”

  “You’re lying! Maybe you forgot because you haven’t been here for a while, but you and I used to talk and share secrets we never shared with anyone else. I know you feel sick every time your father leaves on another one of his business trips. And I know you love Halversham as much as your mom did.”

  Andy stood still and racked his brain for some recollection of Corrine’s version of the past. Were they as close as she’d made it seem, or were her memories warped? She was searching his eyes, but he didn’t say anything for a long time. If he said the wrong thing, it might upset her.

  “That may be, but I’m not in love with you now.” Corrine dropped her head and her shoulders shook. Andy didn’t know what to do, so he stood awkwardly, watching. Seconds later, he put an arm around her shoulders and directed her back to bed. She sniffled and wiped away tears. He knelt on the floor and looked at her face. “Look, Corrine, someday you’ll find someone who will love you just the way you are, despite what everyone says about you. And you will be happy with him. There’s no pressure for that to happen right now.”

  Corrine sniffled again and looked at him. Andy wiped her tears and she smiled. “It’s okay, Andy. I know you’re not a bad guy. You don’t love me. It’s just my dumb luck that I’m surrounded by losers and evil people.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She shook her head. “You wouldn’t understand if I told you.”

  “Why don’t you try me?”

  “No. Not yet. I’ll tell you when I think you’re ready to believe me.”

  Andy took a deep breath. “What happened to your baby?” he asked.

  She shook her head, her gaze darting out the window. “I was seven weeks when I found out I was pregnant. I didn’t want to abort the baby. I mean, it wasn’t the kid’s fault, you know? Plus I didn’t have the money for an abortion. So I decided to keep it. But one day, I was at the county fair and I started having terrible cramps. A few townspeople helped me sit down, but then I started bleeding. Like real heavy shit. The folks got scared and sent me to the hospital.” Corrine paused to stare at her fingers. “They couldn’t save the baby and I was sent home. News traveled, and soon everyone knew I had been pregnant.” She closed her eyes and a tear rolled down her cheek. “It was my mom. She killed my baby.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “She did it, Andy. She was upset when I told her I was pregnant. Then she made me drink this horrible tea and parsley drink several times a day. She said it’d help make the baby strong, but it was only a few days later that I lost the baby.”

  Andy remained silent. The drinks Aunt Magda made for her probably had nothing to do with the miscarriage, but then, Corrine would believe anything that made her mother seem like the devil.

  “When did all this happen?”

  “Three years ago.”

  “Is that why you dropped out of school?” Corrine nodded. “And where was the father when you miscarried?”

  Again, Corrine dropped her gaze and sighed. “I don’t know.”

  “Who was the father?”

  “I’ve already said too much. I think I’m going to go back to my secret place now and rest.”

  “Corrine, wait. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. I didn’t mean to.” He was afraid he’d messed up and now she’d lock him out of her life forever. “I’m just trying to help.”

  “I know. Don’t worry about it.” Her eyes had lost their sparkle and her expression was glum. “I’ll let myself out, Andy. Bye.”

  Andy rose and followed her to the door. Her skinny frame was silhouetted in the doorway and she looked sickly.

  “Corrine, why don’t you have lunch here from now on? I mean, Piffy cooks, and since you don’t mind her cooking, you can just eat here. You won’t have to hunt and cook in that secret place of yours.”

  Corrine shrugged. Her eyes were dull, and she didn’t seem particularly pleased by the promise of regular meals. “I’ll think about it,” she said and left.

  It was half past three when Andy sat on his bed, overcome by exhaustion. He lay on the mattress and wondered how on earth Corrine had arrived at the conclusion that her mother had caused the death of her unborn child. It was no wonder she hated her mother as much as she did. But on the whole, this was good. With every conversation, she opened up a little more. Now that he knew what the problem was, Andy was certain he could reason with her the next time.

  Andy’s eyelids closed and he only woke up when the phone in his pocket vibrated incessantly. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and answered the call from an unknown number.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, Andy?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Hey man, it’s Chuck. From Dorrie’s?”

  “Oh, yeah. What’s up?”

  “Remember the job you wanted? With old man Milton?”

  “Yup.”

  “It’s yours. But Milton’s daughter Millie wants to see you first.”

  “Sure. When? Where?”

  “Tomorrow. Eleven. Her place.”

  Andy got a piece of paper and wrote down the address, paying close attention to the directions.

  “Okay. I’ll see her tomorrow. Thanks, Chuck.”

  “No problem, man. Good luck.”

  Andy had slept a long time. In the kitchen, Piffy was talking to someone on the phone while a tray of muffins sat cooling on the counter. She motioned for Andy to help himself and he grabbed one on his way out to the garden. The rose bushes had been trimmed, and the pile of grass they’d weeded earlier was gone. So was Mort. He made a mental note to help Mort clear the fir trees in the morning before he headed out to meet Millie.

  “Would you like me to fix dinner?” Piffy asked, having said goodbye to whoever was on the phone. It was five o’clock.

  “That’s okay. I changed my mind. You can leave for the day if you want to. I’ll have dinner at Aunt Magda’s.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, then,” she said and left a few minutes later.

  Andy went back to his room, turned on the computer, and Googled some vacation destinations. An hour and a half later, he was excited about Greece. He pulled out a pen and paper from his backpack and made a list of possible places to visit, the first on the list being Crete. He turned off the computer, took a shower, then put on a pair of Bermuda shorts and his favorite Game of Thrones t-shirt, with Tyrion Lannister’s face on it.

  An hour later, he was in Aunt Magda’s kitchen, feasting on a plate of rice and beef. When he had finished every grain of rice, he brought the plate to the sink and washed it while Aunt Magda kneaded some dough.

  “You have orders for tomorrow morning, Aunt Magda?”

  “Yes. And I’ll need your help to deliver them.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I can’t tomorrow. I promised Mort I’d help him fell some rotting firs in the garden. And after that, I have an appointment with Millie, Mr. Milton’s daughter.”

  “Really?” Aunt Magda paused and looked at him quizzically. “Why?”

  “I agreed to help him around the house.”

  “Oh, sweet Lord. You’re taking the job.” Her voice was close to a whisper.

  “I did. Listen, if he becomes intolerable or abusive, I’ll quit. I promise. Don’t worry about me, okay? I just need something more to do while I’m here.”

  “I guess you know what you’re doing.”

  “Corrine came by today,” he said to change the subject.

  “Oh?” Aunt Magda said, her eyes curious. “Did she say anything? Anything at all?”

  “Yes.” Andy swallowed hard and blinked. “I know she got pregnant three years ago.”

  Aunt Magda’s face turned ashen. For a minute he was afraid she’d collapse, so he pulled out a chair and made her sit as her face crumpled. “It’s okay. You don’t have to be ashamed of what happened.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I was so…”

  “That’s okay.”

&
nbsp; “You know, sometimes I feel like I did a terrible job with Corrine. She’s the only child God gave us, but I’ve completely ruined her.”

  “Aunt Magda, it’s not your fault. You did your best with Corrine under the circumstances, and no one would ever say otherwise.”

  “Did she tell you everything about the pregnancy?

  Should he ask his aunt if she caused Corrine’s miscarriage? It seemed ridiculous. Plus, the last thing he wanted to do was distress the poor woman further.

  “She told me about the miscarriage, but I don’t know who got her pregnant,” he said finally. Aunt Magda closed her eyes and a lone tear trickled down her face. “Do you?”

  She wiped her eyes and shook her head. “I’m worried she is beyond help, Andy. The troubles she gets herself into...”

  “Shh… Don’t say that. She’s already opening up about a lot of things. I’m sure she’s changing for the better every time she talks about them. Give her some time.”

  “You have to keep talking to her, Andy.”

  “I will. I promise.”

  Chapter 6

  “Pull!” Mort cried and Andy pulled the rope with all his strength. Earlier that morning, Mort had made a notch in the tree before sawing the remaining section. The trunk made a cracking sound and leaned as Andy pulled. When he was sure the tree would fall where Mort wanted it to, he left the rope and got out of the way. It finally hit the ground with a loud thud, stirring up dust and dried leaves. Mort wiped his brow and smiled, walking toward the fallen tree. “That was something, wasn’t it?”

  “Yeah,” Andy said as he untied the rope.

  They had brought both firs down and they lay five yards apart.

  “Thanks, boy. You did good.”

  “You’re welcome,” Andy said. They spent another hour cutting the trees into smaller pieces. “How are we going to dispose off these?” Andy asked while moving the leafy parts of the trees onto a tarp Mort had spread on the ground.

  “Dispose? No,” Mort said, shaking his head vigorously. “Trees such as these have many uses.”

  “Like what?”

  “Well, the leaves you’re arranging on the tarp there can be used as mulch. The trunk is good as fire starters, and I can use the narrower parts of the trunk to edge pathways.”

  “Not bad,” Andy said, marveling at Mort’s creativity. “I never would have guessed.”

  “Yeah. Well, now that we’ve cut it up, let’s leave it to dry for a few days. Go on, boy. I don’t need you here anymore,” Mort said after looking at his pocket watch. “I have to go into town to get some supplies.”

  Andy nodded and jogged into the kitchen through the back door. He opened the fridge and drank from a huge bottle of water before heading up to get ready for his appointment with Millie.

  An hour later he was on the main street, turning left onto a dirt path after passing by a knife shop. He crossed a small creek, took another turn past grazing cattle, and headed straight as Chuck had directed. Soon, he was standing on Millie’s doorstep, knocking on her door.

  The door cracked open and a pleasant woman in her mid-thirties appeared. Blond hair touched her shoulders stylishly. She wore a beige knit top and white pants, and was holding a mug of coffee.

  “Hello, you must be Andy.”

  “Yes, and you must be Millie.”

  “Yes. Come in.” She opened the door wider and he entered into a sparse living room with two couches, a wooden chair, and a fireplace. There was nothing else in there to make it look homey or cozy. “I’m sorry, I know this must look bleak to you but please, have a seat,” she said, pointing at one of the couches. “Would you like a cup of coffee? I just made a fresh pot.”

  “No, thank you.” Andy dropped his bag on the floor and took a seat. Millie sat in front him, crossing her legs.

  “See, I don’t live here in Halversham. I come here about once or twice a year to visit my father and never for more than a week. I work and live in the city with my husband and two children.”

  “I see.”

  “I understand you’re interested in working for my father.”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you from here?”

  “No, I’m just here for a short break. I live in the city with my dad.”

  “Thought so. Guess I’ll have to find someone else when you leave.”

  “Is that going to be a problem?” Andy’s eyebrows lifted.

  “No, no,” she said hurriedly, smiling. “It’s… it’s difficult enough to get someone to work for my father as it is. Despite the amount I’m willing to pay. He has made quite a reputation for himself in this town. Maybe my luck will change after hiring you.” She smiled.

  Andy didn’t know what to say, so he smiled back. Millie cupped her mug and watched him closely.

  “Say, why do you want to work for my father, Andy?”

  “Well, I don’t have much else to do here. I’m getting bored.”

  “Can’t you go back to the city?”

  “No, I want to be here.”

  She nodded. “You know, my father can be… difficult to handle.”

  “I understand that. I’ve heard enough about Mr. Milton to discourage me. But I don’t think he’s as bad as he seems. Maybe he’s not getting the kind of attention he needs. Maybe he’s just bored.”

  Millie placed her mug on the table and said, “Well then, he should be kinder to people. No one’s going to pay any attention to him if he’s grumpy and angry all the time. But I see what you mean. Maybe you’re right. He had never stayed in one place for long, was always moving about. Now that age is catching up with him, he’s not as agile or sharp as before. He probably feels trapped living in that house.”

  “What will I be helping him with?”

  “I don’t know if you know this, but he lives alone. And it’s a huge place, although it doesn’t look it from the outside. He bought the house from a businessman more than twenty years ago, but he didn’t live there until more recently. My father loves to travel and sample great wines from all over the world. When he injured his knee six years ago, he finally returned and settled down alone on that hill. Most of the rooms are locked so you won’t have to worry about those. But I need somebody to clean the rest of the house every day. Otherwise, the kitchen sink will be piled with dirty dishes. He cooks for himself so you probably won’t have to do anything in that department. He may need help with the laundry, he forgets that sometimes. He’s sixty-eight so things sometimes slip his mind. And you’ll need to mow the lawn, cut the low-hanging branches, and generally keep the place clean and safe. Think you’re up for it?”

  “Sounds easy enough.”

  Millie let out a small, breezy laugh. “Of course it’s not the work I’m afraid of. It’s the man. Andy, I’ll be honest and admit that my father is not at all an easy man to work with. If this will be too much for you, just let me know.”

  “No, ma’am, I’m sure I can handle him.”

  She nodded and uncrossed her legs. “If that’s the case, the job is yours.” She smiled. “Now, pick up your bag and we’ll go get lunch. On me. After that, I’ll take you to meet my father.” Andy was pleasantly surprised by the lunch offer, but meeting Mr. Milton? Today?

  Millie noticed the frown on his face as she rose. “What’s the matter? You have something else to do?”

  “No,” Andy said, shaking his head. “Nothing like that. It’s just… I didn’t expect to meet him so soon.”

  “Yeah, well, I have to get you two acquainted as soon as possible, so that if there are any problems—and I’m sure there will be—I’ll still be around to take care of it. I leave for the city in three days.” Andy nodded, his forehead creased. “So, are you free to see him today?”

  “Yes. Yes, absolutely.”

  She smiled. “Great, let’s go.”

  Millie picked up her handbag from one of the rooms and led Andy to her Volkswagen in the garage.

  “I know a diner where we can talk more, and the food is great. You can tell
me all the gossip about my father,” she said when they were on the dirt road. Andy looked down at his lap. “Oh, don’t worry, Andy. I know he’s no angel. You can tell me anything, and you can ask me anything. I’m sure you have lots of burning questions.”

  Did he kidnap the Doyne girl? Andy thought instantly, then shook his head at the absurdity of the question.

  “No? No questions?” she asked when she saw him shaking his head.

  “No—yes. I mean, I have some questions I’d like to ask.”

  She smiled again. “Good. Keep them in mind until we’re at the diner.”

  A moment later, Millie’s yellow Beetle pulled up at the parking lot of Halversham’s famous diner, Carson’s. It was quarter past noon when they slid into a quiet booth. The waitress hurried over, took their orders, and left just as quickly.

  “It’s my father’s favorite diner. If he didn’t cook at home, he’d come here.” Andy nodded. “So, if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”

  “I’ll be sixteen in less than two weeks.”

  “I see. Where are your parents now?”

  “Well… my mother died a few days ago.” Somehow it felt like eons ago.

  Millie gasped. “I’m so sorry. What happened?”

  “She had breast cancer. She fought it for two years.”

  “Where’s your father?”

  “My dad had to fly to San Francisco for urgent business. He’ll be away for a month, I think.”

  “Wait a minute,” Millie said, her eyebrows coming together. “Are you Patricia’s son?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh dear. I had no idea. I’m sorry.”

  “Did you know her? I mean personally?”

  “No. But I’ve heard a lot about her. Such a sweet soul. In fact, I think she’s the only one my father has ever spoken kindly to here in Halversham. And the only one he has a good word for. I think she used to feed the dogs down by the foothill, and somehow the two got into talking. I remember him saying something like that.”

  Milton knew his mother and the dogs. Andy was shocked by this revelation but he didn’t let on.

  “I’ve found the right person to help my father after all,” Millie said happily. “But why are you here in Halversham so soon after your mother’s passing?”