1022 Evergreen Place - Debbie Macomber [65]
“We don’t think so now,” Mary Jo said, “because we can’t find his name on the list of soldiers laid to rest in France following D-day. Nor is he among those recorded as missing in action.”
“He might have been wounded,” Roy suggested.
“We thought so, too, but getting that kind of information is much more difficult.”
“I see,” Roy said, casting Corrie one of his I-told-you-so looks. “So you want me to help you with the research?”
“Not yet,” Mack responded. “For now, we’d just like any ideas you might have. Any new directions you could point us in.”
Mary Jo smiled. “We’re actually having a lot of fun reading about the war and looking for information on Jacob’s role. We found some maps of Normandy—of the beaches—on the internet with the battle plans marked on them. We know approximately where his division landed.”
Mack gave a slight nod of his head. “I was never that interested in history, but these letters have opened my eyes to how exciting it can be. These were real people who put their lives on the line. Jacob didn’t want to die—I mean, no one does. He said in one of his letters that he didn’t see himself as any sort of hero.”
“But he was. They all were,” Mary Jo said. “And I’m sure Joan must have told him that. Unfortunately, we only have the letters Jacob wrote, not hers.”
“But we have Joan’s diary, which is filled with little details about everyday life during that time period,” Mack went on to say. “I think they’re fascinating. She has just a few lines for each day and agonizes when she hasn’t heard from Jacob.”
“She talks about saving her sugar coupons to make a cake and walking for miles to save on gas.”
“Nearly everything was rationed during the war years,” Roy said. “I remember my parents talking about that.”
Mary Jo nodded. “And there are abbreviations for things, but we can’t always figure them out.”
Corrie felt their enthusiasm and, despite herself, was becoming intrigued.
“If and when you decide you need help,” Roy said, “you let me know and I’ll see what I can find.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Mack said.
“Yes, thank you so much, Mr. McAfee.”
“Call me Roy.”
Or Dad, Corrie wanted to say, but didn’t; she’d annoy Mack, not to mention Roy, and embarrass Mary Jo, if she did. But she knew her son and every indication she saw said that Mack was in love with this girl.
The baby began to whimper, and Mary Jo immediately pushed back her chair. “Noelle’s teething. She’s had a difficult week.”
“I’ll take her,” Mack offered, getting up.
While they discussed who should comfort the baby, Corrie leaned toward her husband. “Look at them,” she whispered. “They act just like a married couple.”
“Corrie,” Roy said in a warning voice. “Keep out of this.”
“I think they need help. You know, to realize how they feel about each other.”
“If so, it shouldn’t come from us.”
Corrie didn’t agree, but there wasn’t much she could do. Roy obviously felt she’d interfered enough.
When Mack and Mary Jo returned to the table, he held Noelle in his arms while Mary Jo rubbed a numbing gel over the baby’s gums.
“She’s usually a happy baby,” Mary Jo said apologetically.
“Of course she is,” Corrie said. “Listen, would you two like me to watch her so you could go out for the rest of the evening?” Perhaps if she gave them some time alone, they’d reach the same conclusion she had. Roy might not think the young couple needed her assistance, but in Corrie’s view they did.
Mack glanced at Mary Jo. “What do you think?”
Mary Jo thanked Corrie with a smile. “I don’t want to leave Noelle when she’s this fussy, but I appreciate the offer.”
Corrie’s spirits sank.
Mack got to his feet and started to clear the table. “Any dessert?” he asked, peering into the kitchen.
“Ah…”
“I thought you baked a cake,” Roy said. “Didn’t you tell me that earlier?”
“Yes, well—it didn’t turn out.”
“It’s inedible?” Roy asked, looking disappointed. Thanks to his sweet tooth, he didn’t understand what she was trying to hint.
“I didn’t say that.”
“Corrie,