A Steadfast Companion, page 10
“I woke early and needed to keep busy.” Pouring coffee, she arched a brow. “But if you don’t want your breakfast, I’m sure Joey and Ranger will enjoy it.”
“That’d be a hard no.” He yanked out his chair, plopped down and spread a napkin across his thigh.
She snickered and spooned a hearty serving of scrambled eggs onto his plate. Taking a smaller portion for herself, she hoped she could get it down. With the clock ticking toward time to leave, her calm facade wouldn’t last much longer.
After breakfast, Witt helped carry her drawing supplies and a small lunch cooler to the Suburban. Alicia had said there’d be a variety of food vendors on-site, but why squander ten dollars or more for a burger and soft drink when she could bring her own meal for a fraction of the cost?
Climbing behind the wheel, she exhaled sharply. “Here goes nothing.”
“Would you please stop being such a pessimist? You’re gonna do great.” Witt reached through the open door to pat her arm. “And don’t worry a whit about Joey or the other pups. Ranger and I will take good care of them.”
“I know you will. But if anything happens—”
“It won’t.” He backed away and gently pushed her door closed. Raising his voice as she started the engine, he added, “And try to have fun.”
Fun. Right. She’d delivered countless lectures to college classes and successfully conducted group tutoring sessions over Zoom. But in those situations she’d been in her element, doing what she’d studied and trained for—and, frankly, enjoyed.
Not that she didn’t enjoy sketching—she loved it, in fact. However, never in a million years had she once imagined drawing for others, much less asking them to pay for it.
She arrived at the church half an hour before the fair opened to the public. Julia was already in the booth, where she’d positioned her iPad with credit card reader next to a cash box, small ledger and receipt book.
“Wow, you thought of everything.” Maddie set her things beneath the table, then adjusted the clip holding her hair back. “Did you by chance bring a net for corralling my butterflies?”
“No, but I do have some calming lemon-ginger tea for you.” From beside her chair, Julia brought out two travel mugs and passed the yellow one to Maddie.
She took a grateful sip. “And what, dare I ask, is in your mug?”
“Dark roast, extra strong, light on the cream, no sugar. I’m the Caffeine Queen, remember?”
Maddie snickered. “How could I forget?”
Having her best friend to banter with kept her from paying too much attention to the time as they awaited the nine o’clock opening. The noise level gradually rose as more vendors arrived and got organized for the day.
Then, a few minutes before nine, the lady from the pet treat booth came over holding a huge gray Persian tomcat. “Hi, I’m Sarah. Any chance I can beat the rush and have you draw Smokey?”
“Um...okay.” Opening one of her new sketchbooks, Maddie invited Sarah to set Smokey on the cloth-draped pedestal she’d arranged inside the booth. “You can stay beside him so he doesn’t try to jump off.”
The only cats she’d sketched before were the two tabby mousers that lived in the barn, and they hadn’t been very cooperative. Smokey, on the other hand, held a regal pose, slitting his eyes as if the whole thing was utterly beneath him. By the time the doors-opening announcement came over the loudspeaker, Maddie had the beginnings of what she deemed a very good likeness. After filling in a few more details and some shading, she had Sarah take a look.
“Oh, you captured his personality perfectly! He looks just like he’s saying, ‘Don’t bother me, lowly human.’” Laughing, she hugged the grumpy-looking cat under her chin. “Let me put Smokey in his crate, and I’ll be right back with my credit card.”
“First sale,” Julia said with a wink. “How does it feel?”
“I think I’m still in shock.”
Before Julia finished taking Sarah’s payment, two more shoppers approached the table. One held a Chihuahua in a purse-style pet carrier, and the other had a corgi on the end of a bright blue leash. Maddie was soon so busy sketching pets and watching Julia ring up sales that whatever doubts she’d arrived with had vanished. Her new worry became whether she’d brought enough drawing materials to last until closing time.
And her one constant thought was wishing Witt could have been here to witness her success.
* * *
Witt wished more than anything that he could have gone with Maddie to the fair. It was past noon already, and he hadn’t heard a word from her, which could mean one of two things. Either her booth was a total bust and she regretted letting him persuade her not to cancel, or she was staying too busy to give him a second thought.
He hoped and prayed it was the latter.
With Joey staying in the house for now, Maddie had told Witt to come and go as he pleased. Sitting on the living room floor with Joey and Ranger snoozing on either side of him, he stared at the screen of his cell phone and debated whether to check on Maddie.
Not two seconds later, she called. “I thought you might be waiting for an update.”
He wouldn’t let on how anxious he’d been. “How’s it going?”
“Witt, it’s unbelievable!” She sounded breathless. “There’s been a steady flow of customers since the doors opened this morning.”
“That’s great news!” Pumping his fist, he mouthed a silent Yes!
“I’ve had to intentionally slow down a bit so my hand doesn’t cramp—and my supplies don’t run out.”
Joey whimpered softly as he shifted position. Witt gave him a soothing pat to settle him. He’d offer to bring Maddie whatever supplies she needed but knew she wouldn’t want him to leave Joey alone.
Then a Scripture passage popped into his head. Closing his eyes, he murmured, “‘And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord.’”
“From the Bible?”
“First Kings. It’s about Elijah and a widow he helped during a severe drought. She never ran out of flour or oil, because the Lord provided enough for each day.” His heart warmed with a deep inner assurance. “Just like He’ll do for you, today and always.”
Maddie grew silent for a moment. “Thank you, Witt.” Her voice cracked. “Having you around is helping me find my faith again.”
“I doubt it was ever really lost, just a bit neglected.”
“Maybe so.” She sighed, then changed the subject and asked how Joey was doing.
“Taking it easy. Eating well, lots of naps. He told me to tell you not to worry.”
“I know he’s in good hands.” Voices and a small dog’s yip sounded in the background. “Oops, things are picking up again. Gotta go. I’ll see you this evening.”
Disconnecting, Witt smiled. And not only because of Maddie’s successful day so far, but because of the increasing level of trust she’d placed in him. After so many years of not being trusted—of being looked upon as a criminal because of his former employment, then bearing the stigma of alcoholism and homelessness—he liked the man he was becoming. His two years at the transitional home had set him on a better path, but with Maddie he’d experienced glimpses of a future he thought he’d lost forever.
It was about time to let the dogs out for a bit. While the kennel dogs roamed and sniffed inside the play yard, he watched Ranger and Joey stretch their legs outside the fence. Leaning on a gate post, he tugged his wallet from his pocket and eased out the faded, ragged-edged photograph he’d managed to hold on to all these years. It was a studio portrait of his son and daughter. Flaxen-haired Emily had been twelve then, and Trent, with darker hair like his dad, had just turned eight. It was the way Witt liked to remember them, while they’d still looked up to him with love and respect.
He doubted he’d ever get past the pain of missing them. But mistakes had consequences, and he was paying the price. Best he could do now was to cling to his faith and keep moving forward.
And today, that meant cooking up a celebratory dinner for Maddie. She was bound to be both exhausted and hungry by the time she got home. The other day in the barn, he’d come across an old charcoal grill and a half-used bag of briquettes. He’d rummaged through her freezer earlier and found some pork chops the perfect size for grilling. Baked potatoes and a green salad would complete the meal.
He tucked the photo back into his wallet. “Let’s go, pups. The afternoon’s half-gone and we’ve got stuff to do.”
* * *
By four o’clock, the crowd began to thin. Back aching, fingers stiff, Maddie stood from the hard metal folding chair to stretch.
“You’ve made quite the haul today,” Julia said as she perused sales figures on her iPad. “Almost five hundred dollars, and that doesn’t count the orders from people who didn’t have their pets with them today but are sending you photos.”
She released an incredulous chuckle. “Witt and Alicia both tried to tell me. I should have believed them.”
“I tried to tell you, too,” Julia said with a smirk. “But what does your very best friend know?” She opened a fresh bottle of water and handed it to Maddie—a blessing, because she doubted she’d have had enough grip strength left to open it herself.
After another stretch and a sip of water, Maddie pulled her chair closer. She plopped down and leaned her shoulder into Julia’s. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for sticking with me all day. I could never have done this alone.”
“It’s been fun. Not just watching the money roll in but getting to see you at work.” Grinning, Julia cocked her head. “Did you know the tip of your tongue peeks out when you’re concentrating on doing a sketch?”
Maddie clamped her lips together. “Um, no. I did not know that.”
“It’s cute.” Julia nodded as a couple strolling by slowed to look at the display of framed drawings. When they’d moved on, she said, “Too bad you didn’t have more Eventide brochures for people to pick up.”
Maddie had brought all she could scrape together of the ones her grandmother had ordered a few years ago. Those had run out over the noon hour. “They need to be updated, but I’ve sorely neglected fundraising since Nana died, so getting new brochures printed hasn’t been a priority—much less in the budget.”
“Well, after today I’d say that’s changed. You’ll want to have plenty on hand for next time.”
She gaped. “Next time?”
“Of course. You’ve found your niche, Maddie. There are all kinds of opportunities like this you could sign up for throughout the year. Just think of all the money you could raise for Eventide.”
She couldn’t argue the point, but she’d need a few days to assimilate this experience before she could contemplate repeating it.
Glancing up, she noticed a sixtysomething couple hurrying up the aisle, two handsome golden retrievers trotting alongside.
“Oh, good, you’re still here.” The woman caught her breath as she arrived in front of Maddie’s booth. “We were running late and I was afraid we’d miss you. We were hoping to get a portrait of Duke and Duchess.”
Maddie rose and invited them behind the table. “Would you like them together or separately?”
“Oh, together, definitely.” Lowering her voice to a whisper, the woman said, “They’re about to become parents.”
Trying not to laugh, Maddie retrieved her pencil and sketchbook while Julia took the couple’s information. The Everetts, as with a number of patrons that day, mentioned they’d heard about Maddie’s booth from Witt when he’d recently done a handyman job for them.
“He is just the nicest man,” Mrs. Everett said as she posed the dogs.
“Hard worker, too,” her husband chimed in. “I’d hire him again anytime.”
Maddie’s heart warmed on behalf of the man she was coming to care for in ways she couldn’t yet explain. “I’ll be sure and pass along your compliments.”
By the time she finished the portrait, it was nearing five o’clock, and other vendors were beginning to close down their booths. With what little Maddie had brought, it was easy enough to pack up everything while Julia finalized the day’s totals. Even minus the cost of supplies and the 25 percent owed to the church, there was no denying it had been an extremely profitable day.
Sighing with pleasure, she furled the banner and placed it in the supplies box. “This would never have happened without Witt.”
Julia studied her. “Maddie, are you falling for him?”
“I... I don’t know. Maybe I am.” Her gaze swept the high gym ceiling. “All I know is, since he came into my life, I’m seeing everything differently. It’s like in The Wizard of Oz, where Dorothy’s life in Kansas is filmed in shades of gray, and then she gets to Oz and everything’s in vibrant color.”
A concerned smile touched Julia’s lips. “Yes, you are definitely falling in love. Just be—”
“You don’t have to say it,” she interrupted, thrusting out her palm. “I am being careful, I promise. And I’m certainly not ready to use the L word yet. But I am sick to death of letting doubt and suspicion control my life. Whether for Witt or someone I have yet to meet, it’s time I unbarred the doors of my heart.”
Chapter Nine
After the scare with Joey and then the Memorial Day fair, it had taken Maddie most of the week to start sleeping better again and regain her energy. Once again, Witt had picked up the slack by taking over most of the kennel and barn chores and even insisted on cooking a couple of meals.
Although nothing could top those delicious grilled pork chops he’d had waiting for her when she’d gotten home Monday evening.
She had a short break before summer tutoring sessions would begin for students who’d fallen behind during the school year. In the meantime, she couldn’t postpone completing the additional orders from the fair. After supplying her with photos of their pets, the patrons had been more than willing to drive out to Eventide to pick up the portraits. Following a brief tour of the sanctuary, many had tacked on sizable donations with their payments.
While cleaning up after breakfast Friday morning, Maddie glanced out the kitchen window as Witt released the horses into the paddock. Reaching through the gate, he offered Sunny and Sage each a peppermint, then braced his forearms across the top rail and gazed into the distance.
She’d noticed a subtle change in him over the past several days. For the most part, he seemed happier, more at peace, even hopeful. Then the light would momentarily fade from those deep-set brown eyes, and she’d glimpse the weight of regret that still lay heavy upon his heart.
Something told her that no matter how far he traveled from those years of homelessness or how much his life improved, he’d never be whole while his children were estranged.
If only she could find them, make them understand how much their father regretted the pain he’d caused, tell them how hard he’d worked to overcome his past and rebuild his life.
Turning away from the window, she massaged her temple. She knew his children’s names, and she knew their ages. That should be enough to begin an internet search. Surely as young adults they’d be active on social media. She’d start there. And since Witt would be leaving shortly after eight for what he expected to be an all-day handyman job in Frenchtown, she’d have uninterrupted time at the computer.
Once he and Ranger had climbed into the truck and headed down the lane, she settled at her desk and opened her internet browser—only to be thwarted when neither an Emily nor a Trent Wittenbauer turned up on any of the major social media platforms.
Then it occurred to her that if they really wanted to distance themselves from their father, they could be using a different surname. Possibly their mother’s maiden name? Maddie had never heard Witt mention it, so that was a dead end.
Or maybe they’d abbreviated the name, something like... Bauer.
She searched again. This time she found a Facebook account for Trent Bauer. His profile photo looked to be about the right age—nineteen—and there was an unmistakable resemblance to Witt. The About section said he’d grown up in Butte, went to high school in Boise, Idaho, and now attended college at Boise State.
Joey lay by her chair, and she reached down to give him a pat. “What do you think, boy? Have we found Witt’s son?”
Trent’s privacy settings allowed her to browse his friends list, and among them she found an Emily Bauer Pearson. When she viewed the profile, several photos popped up from Emily’s Christmas wedding. One of the photos showed Emily and her groom posing with an attractive ash-blond woman and a balding mustached man. The caption identified the older couple as Emily’s mother and stepfather, Linda and Ed Rogers.
Maddie pressed her hand to her heart. “Oh, Witt, your daughter got married and you weren’t there to see it.”
She wondered if he’d even known about the wedding, but she couldn’t ask him without revealing how she’d come across the news. Besides, if he hadn’t heard, it wasn’t her place to tell him.
However, nothing was stopping her from privately reaching out to Trent and Emily. At worst, they’d tell her to mind her own business and refuse further contact. At best, she could foster a long-overdue reunion between Witt and his children.
Pulse hammering, she opened the message window on Emily’s profile page. After thinking hard about what to say, she typed:
Hello, Emily. My name is Maddie McNeill, and I’m a friend of Angus Wittenbauer, who I believe is your father. I don’t know all that happened in the past, but I do know he is deeply remorseful for how his actions hurt his family. If only you’d give him a chance to show you he’s changed, you’d see for yourself the good man he’s become. Please, if you get this, I would so love to arrange for you to see your father again. He loves you and misses you terribly.
