Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle Read Free Page A

own problems and not go looking for anybody else’s.
    “No, but they should be back any time now. I hope the doctor tells her when those babies are due. I declare, Sam, I need to be prepared. Their onset was such a surprise to me that I don’t think I can take their sudden and unannounced arrival. I’ve heard young women who were expecting talk about their due dates, and they were quite specific. Such and such a date, down to the month and day, yet we’ve not heard a word from the doctor or from Hazel Marie. For all we know, she could keep on expecting for months to come.”
    Sam laughed. “Oh, I don’t think she’ll do that.” He reached over and put his hand on mine. “We don’t need to know a date. They’re all prepared for whenever it is. We’ve got the crib up, and from the looks of things in their room, Hazel Marie has all the blankets, clothes, diapers, and so forth they’re going to need. We’re ready and they’re ready, so let’s just take it as it comes.”
    “I know, I know, and I will, since I have to. I just like to know what to expect.”
    We looked at each other and laughed. “We pretty much know what to expect, don’t we?” I said, feeling a bit foolish, but loving the way the skin around his eyes crinkled when he laughed. “You know, Lloyd was so disappointed when we didn’t have Christmas babies. I think he was convinced that Santa Claus would bring them.”
    “Julia, honey, here’s a news flash for you. He doesn’t believe in Santa Claus. He got over that years ago.”
    “Why, Sam, you know not. He always makes a list of what he wants Santa to bring him.”
    “Yes, and he gives it to you, doesn’t he? He knows the pretense is important to you, so he keeps it up.”
    “My goodness,” I said, “I guess that means he’s growing up, and I’m not sure I like it. Well, he can just keep on doing it, even though Santa wasn’t able to deliver this year. Lloyd had to make do with that Guitar Hero instead of two little babies.”

    Lillian came in then, along with a gust of cold air. She walked over to the pantry to put away the broom. “Well,” she announced, “one thing for sure: they’s no dead folks ’round here.”
    “That’s a relief,” Sam said, smiling.
    “Miss Julia,” Lillian said, closing the pantry door, “I ’bout forget to tell you. When I went to the grocery store, I got Lloyd some new shoelaces for his tennie pumps. What he got now is nothin’ but knots, an’ they so short he can’t hardly tie a bow. They right over here on the counter.”
    “Oh good, I’m glad you thought of them. Thank you, but where is he, anyhow?” I asked, getting up to bring the coffeepot to the table. “He still in the garage?”
    “No’m, he get on his bicycle to go ride around.”
    “Why, Lillian,” I said, stopping in my tracks, “you know he’ll go to his teacher’s house, and no telling what he’ll hear and see. Next thing you know, he’ll be having bad dreams. Sam, let’s go look for him.”
    “He’ll be all right, Julia,” Sam assured me. “He won’t get within blocks of the place. They’ll have crime-scene tape strung everywhere, and the cops’ll be keeping people back. He’ll be on his way home in a little while.”
    “Well, but what if that body isn’t just dead, but killed? And what if whoever killed it is still around? I don’t like him being out by himself. Besides, it’ll be dark soon, and he needs to be home.”
    “Okay,” Sam said, rising, “I’ll go get him. And,” he went on as he slipped into his coat, “maybe I’ll find out a little more about what’s going on while I’m at it.”
    Uh-huh, I thought to myself, and maybe you’re a little more interested in what was in that toolshed than you’ve been letting on.

Chapter 3

    Sam had been gone barely ten minutes when Mr. Pickens and Hazel Marie arrived, both of them looking happy and expectant. Well, of course, Hazel Marie looked expectant, generally speaking, but I’m