Joelle's Secret Read Free Page A

Ma?”
    “I had a dream last night.”
    “What did you dream?”
    “A dream that God would—send somebody to look out for you. I saw somebody. He looked like my brother Caleb—you never saw him. He was tall and lean with hair as black as a crow’s wing. You’ve seen his picture.”
    “Yes, he was a fine-looking man.”
    “He always took care of me when we were kids. In the dream he said, ‘Don’t worry about Jo, Sister. Someone will take care of her like I took care of you.’”
    Joelle felt tears come to her eyes. She didn’t believe in dreams, but now she said, “That’s a good dream, Ma.”
    “I believe—it’s from the Lord.”
    Joelle held her mother’s hand as the woman drifted off to sleep. Ten minutes later her eyes opened, and she said, “Something I want you to do.”
    “What is it, Ma?”
    “Go into the attic. Look in the old chest that was my mama’s. Open the bottom drawer and take it out. Behind it there’s a metal box. Bring it to me.”
    Joelle was surprised, but she was also curious. “I’ll be right back, Ma.” She left the bedroom and went up the stairs—glad that Harper was gone. She found the old walnut chest, pulled the bottom drawer out, and there it was—a flat metal box no more than two inches thick and probably eight inches square. She put the drawer back and then, holding the box, ran down the stairs. “Is this it, Ma?” she said as she pulled her chair close.
    “Open it.”
    Joelle gasped. “Ma, what’s this?” She pulled out a pair of diamond earrings and whispered, “Are these real?”
    “Yes, they’re real.”
    Joelle picked up a large ruby ring, a gold necklace and matching bracelets with diamonds in them, and also considerable cash.
    “What is this, Ma?”
    “My mother gave these to me on my wedding day when I married Charles. Her mother had given them to her.”
    “What do I do with these, Ma?”
    Clara Harper was quiet, and her eyes fluttered as she struggled to stay awake. “Don’t let Harper know you have this.I made a mistake marrying him, but I’ve been saving money. Don’t forget my dreams.” She reached down. Her grip was stronger as she held Jo’s hand. “God will send a man to help you. He’ll be tall and have dark hair and dark eyes.”
    Joelle sat there, holding her mother’s hand and examining the contents of the box. Her mother had fallen into a fitful sleep, and her breathing was shallow. Joelle fastened the box, loosened her mother’s hand, and replaced the box behind the drawer in the chest. As she did, she wondered at her mother’s keeping this a secret all these years. Somehow it seemed to be a purposeful thing, and she was glad to know the box was there.
    She returned to sit with her mother. Two hours later her mother arched her back, uttered a single soft cry, and said, “Charles.” Then life left her.
    Joelle held her mother’s still hand. She was still there when Burl came in. He opened the door and started to speak, but when he saw Joelle’s face, he said, “Is she gone?”
    “Yes, she’s gone.”
    “Well, where do you want the grave?”
    “Under the big hickory tree beside the river.”
    * * *
    CLARA’S FUNERAL WAS WELL attended. She and her first husband had made many friends, and now the neighbors came by. The funeral was held in the church, followed by a brief service by the grave. After the pastor read the Scripture, the neighbors greeted Joelle. Edward Campbell, the pastor, came to her. “We’ll help all we can, Joelle. She was a wonderful woman. A fine Christian.”
    “Thank you, Pastor.”
    Campbell turned away and waited until his wife had spoken to Joelle. The two watched as Burl Harper turned and went to the house. “That’s a sad story building there,” Campbell said.
    “Yes, Harper married Clara for her farm, and he’s got it now.”
    “I’m worried about Joelle. She’s afraid of Harper. Doc Raeburn told me that we’ve got to do something about it.”
    “Can you do anything,