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Show -42- Peppermint Monday wrong turns. I debated the whole way with my conscience, and 1 guess my conscience won because it took me right to the door of Jake's house. I guess my sick brother meant more to me than my own hide, because I knocked. That took a lot of guts when you were trembling like I was. I was scared out of my wits and I hadn't even seen Jake yet. After waiting a minute, I knocked again, louder this time because he obviously wasn't there. I didn't have any idea where Jake's ground was. I knew it had to be nearby, because Jake's only transportation was his feet and his mules. I knew Jake was used to a lot of walking, but his mules still did the heavy work most people used tractors for. He'd need to save their strength for farming, not traipsing all over the hills. I turned away, a little relieved he wasn't home. I guess a lot relieved was more like it. Ma would have to understand. Maybe she could send pa later if it was that necessary. "Snooping again? What ya after this time?" A spun around, coming face to face with Jake. Actually we weren't face to face. My forehead was level with his huge chest. I watched his chest rise and fall in angry breaths. I pinched my eyes shut and waitedj for what, I wasn't sure, but I knew it would be coming soon. "I'm speaken at ya, girl. What ya after?" He was mad, roaring mad. It took me a minute to remember why I had come. "It's Russ," I said breathlessly. I hadn't been running or anything, but Jake had scared the breath right out of me. "What about Russ?" Jake gripped my upper arms and shook me. It wasn't a hard shake, but enough of one to remind me what he could do to me. I |
