Chapter 3

My mother stared at me for a moment. These words couldn't possibly have come from a child like me, so she quickly understood what Iris Finch was after!

She might be simple, but she wasn't stupid.

In all the years since she'd married into the family, Iris had told her more than once that Rhys was disabled and couldn't find a wife, and that she, as his brother's wife, should take good care of him.

Once, Iris had even said that over in the next county there was a woman who, so her crippled brother-in-law could carry on the family line, had taken it upon herself to bear him a son, and was hailed as the whole family's savior.

Because that had actually happened.

So my mother had just assumed Iris was talking idly and hadn't thought much of it.

But now, after hearing what I said, she understood Iris's intentions perfectly. Iris wanted to drug her, and then use the whole village to brand her a loose woman.

As for sending me to my father's place, that could mean my father wasn't dead—but it could just as easily mean Iris found me in the way and wanted me killed!

Once she grasped this.

My mother steadied herself and immediately began packing.

But she'd barely started when Iris heard the commotion and came in. And she wasn't alone—Rhys came too.

Iris looked at the luggage on the bed.

"Where do you two think you're going?"

It was broad daylight, so I wasn't afraid, and I spoke calmly.

"We're going to bring Dad home."

"Dad's all alone out there. He must be so lonely. Even if we can't find him, we can bring his things back home."

What I said made sense, but of course Iris wouldn't allow it.

"Have you lost your mind? I think you two have just gotten wild ideas—you figure now that Arthur's dead you can run off!"

Then she threw open the courtyard gate and ushered in the villagers who had come to pay their respects to my father.

"You've got to see justice done for an old woman like me! Arthur's body is barely cold, and this fine daughter-in-law of mine is already packing her bags to run off."

"She must have had a lover all along, just waiting for Arthur to be gone so the two of them could run away together!"

My mother had no gift for words; all she could do was keep saying it wasn't true.

I knew that if this kept up, my mother was likely to blurt out the thing about the sugar water, which would only cause far more trouble.

So I stepped forward at once.

"Grandma, I know it hurts you to lose Dad, and you don't want to lose Mom and me too."

"But we've already told you—we're going to bring Dad home. Once we've brought him back, we'll still be a family. Mom and I will never leave you."

After hearing what I said, quite a few villagers started wiping away tears.

That's right, fallen leaves return to their roots. Arthur may have met his end out there, but it wouldn't be right not to bring him back for burial in the family plot!

Get your bags packed, and I'll take you there right now.

Aunt Iris, Arthur's wife isn't that kind of woman. She's not running away—she's going to bring Arthur home.

Seeing that everyone was on our side.

Iris had no grounds to stop us. After thinking it over, she took out a few dollars and handed them to my mother.

"You're right, we do need to go and bring Arthur home."

"But Jenny is still little, and she's got that injury on her head, so the trip will surely be hard on her."

"Here's what we'll do: you take the money and go with Rhys to bring Arthur home."