The Lodestone by Charlene Keel Page A

legal and binding. Granda would have to turn everything over to Mr. Stoneham at once. There was nowhere for Cleome, her mother and her grandfather to go, and nothing for them to do except take to the road and hope for the best. She knew of no relatives and she doubted Granda’s friends would offer lodging to an old man, a sickly woman and an illegitimate girl. Her grandfather had never done anything but run the Eagle’s Head, for he had inherited it from his father, who’d gotten it from his father. It wasn’t likely he could find enough work to house, feed and clothe himself and Cleome and provide for her mother’s needs, small though they were. But Drake Stoneham did not seem completely without compassion.
    That is the answer , she thought. Of course . Mr. Stoneham didn’t intend to live in the Eagle’s Head all year so he would need someone to see after things. And he did not seem to have the temperament of one accustomed to waiting on others, as an innkeeper must do. Her grandfather’s pride would prevent him from asking Mr. Stoneham to let them stay on, but Cleome was not encumbered with such an impractical attitude. She would go to Mr. Stoneham as soon as he’d had his breakfast and beg him to let them work the place for him. He wouldn’t cast them out. No one could be so cruel. In youthful optimism, she fell asleep at last.
    **
    Ramona, who had not been sleeping either, opened her eyes and sat up. There was something happening in the house this night and she had a feeling it concerned Jimmy Parker. A newfound strength surged through her limbs, and she struggled to remember what he’d said so long ago.
    He had said he would come back, but he couldn’t simply walk through the door and demand to see his wife. Lady Adelaide would never stand for that. But wait. The bitter, despicable woman who had ruthlessly snatched from Ramona the only happiness she’d ever known, was dead . She remembered now.
    There was nothing to stand in their way when Jimmy came back. But he would have no way of knowing his mother-in-law was dead, so he’d have to find a way to alert Ramona of his return. Why, oh why , couldn’t she remember?
    A nervous whinny from the stables, directly across the courtyard from her room, came in reply . Yes—that was it. He’d said he would wait until everyone had gone to bed and then he’d hide in the second stall on the left. When the house and help were still and quiet, he would signal to her.
    A second nervous whicker from the horses drew her attention to the window. Someone had opened the drapes, but that was all right. She needed to look through that window, to watch for Jimmy. She thought she could reach it if she got out of bed and inched her way around, leaning against the wall. She must, for if Jimmy were down there waiting, and if he went away without her again, she could not bear it.
    With grim resolution, Ramona pushed the coverlet away from her body. Holding on to the table next to the bed, she swung her wasted legs over the side until her feet touched the floor. She had no idea how long it took to reach the window—time had lost all meaning years ago—but she was able, at last, to press her head against the windowpane. And there it was—a light coming from under the stable door. Her heart leapt in wild anticipation. Yes, it was her own darlin’ Jimmy!
    “Wait, my love,” she whispered, the sound of her own voice startling her. “Wait, dearest. I’m coming. Oh, Jimmy—please wait!”
    She turned and surveyed the distance from the window to the door that led out into the hallway. How could she do it, with no one to help her? But she must. There was a low rumble of thunder, and a flash of lightning drew her attention once more to the window. The gentle spring rain continued to fall as another flash split the sky overhead. No matter , she thought. She would get to Jimmy this time, if it was the last thing she did in her useless life.

Chapter Five
     
    “Miss, wake up!”