Just a Little Bit Crazy, Chapter 17

Chapter 17

It was a beautiful Sunday morning and the sun was peeking over the mountaintop.

Jim had gotten up early as usual and went to the meadow to take care of the irrigation water. He found the shovel where he had left it and proceeded to get the job done. Doctor Andersen and his wife would be here sometime today and he intended to be at the house when they arrived.

Last night his mother had prepared a good meal, opened the bottle of chilled champagne and drank to their health. She appeared to be very nervous and looked worried.

He left Elly May in the Living room and joined Shirley Green in the kitchen. ”Something is bothering you, Mother. What is it?”

She had told him in a low voice. “I hate to tell you this but I think you must know. Doctor Andersen sounded very upset. He was very rude. He said to have her things all packed they were taking her home with them.”

He had spent a restless night. He had said nothing to the girl about this conversation. No need of bothering her. But now it was morning and they could arrive here most any time. He must tell Elly May.

Jim swore under his breath. So Doctor Andersen figured on taking her home. Home? She was already home!

And another thing, the guy had been rude to his mother. Damn his hide, what right did he have giving orders like he was everyone’s boss!

Jim tried to tell himself that the Doctor was just a little upset coming home and finding the girl gone. He would soon calm down and act like a gentleman.

But he didn’t think so. The Doctor was hiding something and he intended to keep it hidden.

The Doctor didn’t know the facts about himself and Elly May what right did he have to pass judgment? What kind of a man was he? He intended to find out!

Jim looked at his watch, ten o’clock. He should spend a couple of hours more here but there were other things that were much more important. He put the shovel over his shoulder and headed toward the house. To hell with the pasture.

Neither he nor his mother had told the girl of the Doctor’s intentions. He had better take care of that now. Then a terrible thought struck him. Was there a chance that she would go with them? After all she had been taking orders from them for the last four years!

Jim swore. Damn his hide! He had no business coming down here throwing his weight around, trying to spoil everything.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead. He was perspiring freely and the morning temperature was still cool. Jim shook his head as though to clear it. He must keep calm. If he used his head everything would turn out all right.

The first thing to do was to talk to Elly May. After all, she was the subject of the whole affair. She should have something to say about what went on around here. He would talk to her alone.

He leaned the shovel against the tree and opened the door. In an instant Elly May was in his arms. “Oh darling, you are home early.” She drew herself close. “You got something for me?”

He kissed her on the lips. “Want to go for a little walk?”

She nodded, “That would be nice.”

He guided her out the back door to a bench beside the pond. They sat down. He put his arm around her and held her close.

She looked up at him with here blue eyes were wide. “Oh Jim, you look so serious. Is something the matter?”

As always, she seemed to read his mind. Slowly he shook his head. “No everything is just fine. So far so good.” He hesitated for a second. “But there is something that we should talk about. There is something that you should know.”

“Yes darling what is it?”

His voice was low and gentle “Your Uncle John told Mother on the phone that they were going to take you home with them.”

The girl’s eyes were wide. “Did Uncle John say that?”

Jim nodded. “He said to have your clothes all packed. So you could leave as soon as they got here.”

Her big blue eyes flooded with tears “He shouldn’t of said a thing like that. Sweetie, I don’t know what to tell you.”

“Maybe they were shaken up when they returned and found you gone.”

“Maybe so, but, darling, they had no right calling your mother and telling her those things. They could of waited and talked to me.” She hesitated for a moment “Or you,” she finished.

Those last two words seemed to lift a ton of weight from Jim’s shoulders. He pulled her close and kissed her gently.

The little hand with the diamond on it stole around his neck. “You didn’t think I would go with them, did you darling?

Jim’s eyes were stinging; he held her close. “No Sweetie, but it is sure as hell good to hear you say so!”