Always Dakota - Debbie Macomber [97]
“You did a fabulous job,” Rachel insisted.
Maddy had admired his workmanship, too, and said so.
Brandon flushed at their praise. “Well, if the town could come up with money for the materials, I could build a jungle gym for the park.”
“Consider it done,” Heath said. “You order whatever you need and send me the bill.”
It was all Maddy could do to keep from clapping her hands. Then she noticed Hassie, who seemed to have something else to say.
“Hassie?”
“Listen,” she began, “I know I’m older and I won’t have grandchildren living here to enjoy the park once it’s completed.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Maddy assured her. “If you have a suggestion, we’d like to hear it.”
A number of people nodded in agreement.
“Everyone here knows I lost my son in Vietnam. I’m not the only mother to lose a son in war. I want this town to remember that there were a number of fine young men from right here in Buffalo Valley who died for their country and the freedom we enjoy.” She paused, and Maddy could tell by the way her throat worked that she was swallowing the tears brought on by painful memories of her only son’s death.
“Would you like a memorial built to honor those who died in war?” Maddy asked, taking Hassie’s hand and squeezing her fingers, letting her know she understood. “The First and Second World Wars, Korea, Vietnam?”
Hassie returned the squeeze, then reached inside her sweater pocket for a handkerchief and blew her nose. “That would please me very much. Now, I know a memorial’s going to cost a lot of money, but I’m prepared to pay for it myself. I’ve got a few dollars set aside and I can’t think of any better use for it.”
“If you’d like a sculpture, what about having Kevin work up a few designs?” Gage asked. “He’d be honored if you asked him to submit a drawing for this memorial.”
Hassie nodded. “Kevin would be my first choice.”
Maddy and Lindsay smiled at each other again. It’d been Lindsay who’d encouraged Kevin Betts to pursue his love of art, and now his artistic skills would serve the town. There was something very satisfying in that.
Matt sat at the kitchen table and watched Sadie as she fussed about the kitchen. Strangely enough, the housekeeper had turned into the best ally he had. Although she didn’t actually give him information about Margaret, she was kind enough to drop hints now and then. If it wasn’t for Sadie, he wouldn’t have any idea what his wife was thinking.
This latest tidbit, however, worried him.
“You want a refill on that coffee?” the housekeeper asked, nodding toward the ever-ready pot.
“Sure.” Although he’d already drunk two cups, he didn’t want to leave, and the coffee provided him with a convenient excuse to linger. Although God knew if Margaret caught him inside the house, there’d be hell to pay.
“She’s not suffering from morning sickness, is she?” he asked for at least the third time. Sadie had already told him that Margaret didn’t appear to be experiencing any discomfort as a result of the pregnancy.
“She’s in good health—physically,” Sadie told him and then scowled in his direction, letting him know that her emotional health was a different matter. As if he wasn’t already aware of how much his wife was hurting. Dammit, he was hurting, too.
“You don’t know why she drove into Grand Forks, then?” This was as bold as his questions had gotten. Right after breakfast, Margaret had left without a word. Sadie had told him it wasn’t a doctor’s appointment; those were marked on the office calendar. When Margaret hadn’t returned by lunchtime, Matt figured something was up.
Sadie finished pouring his coffee. “I have my suspicions about where she went.”
Matt did, too, and it bothered him plenty. Banished to the empty bunkhouse with nothing more than a radio to keep him occupied, Matt was left to his own devices once work was through for the day. Most nights he lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He worried about Sheryl and Margaret and their