Chapter 17
'So let me get this straight,” Aiden said when he stopped by Harriet's on his way home from work. “You're hosting a house full of testosterone-fueled men?'
'Don't be ridiculous,” Harriet said. “I'll probably have the youngest boys.'
'From what I hear, they were the worst of the lot. And they're not that young-a couple of aging troublemakers. If they step a toe out of line, they'll have me to contend with.'
'You're such a tough guy,” she said and pulled him into a hug made only slightly awkward by her right arm being strapped to her chest.
'How much longer do you have to wear this iron maiden?” he asked with a smile.
Harriet used the fingers of her good hand to sweep a strand of hair out of his eyes. “The doctor said it could be six weeks-sooner if I heal more quickly.'
He caught her fingers in his hand and pulled them to his lips.
'That seems an eternity, m'lady.'
'You'll live.'
'Can I take you to dinner?'
'I told Aunt Beth I'd make her dinner, since she's been doing all my work. I've got chicken in the oven. Want to join us?'
'Of course.'
'Wait a minute. Aren't you supposed to be babysitting Wendy tonight?'
'I was, but dinner got cancelled; and before you ask, Carla didn't tell me any more than that.'
With Aiden's help, Harriet made a cold cauliflower salad and a tossed green salad to go with the chicken.
'Honey, this is wonderful.” Aunt Beth proclaimed.
'You're only saying that because you didn't have to cook,” Harriet said.
A knock on the door interrupted the conversation, and Aiden got up to see the guests in.
'Hi,” said a tall, thin red-headed man. “Hey, aren't you Marcel's little brother?'
Aiden didn't say anything.
'Dude, you gotta know those eyes give you away every time.'
Harriet came up behind Aiden.
'Hi, I'm Harriet,” she said. “Are you Harry or Ben?'
'I'm Harry. Ben's parking the car. He sent me to check things out. We're pretty sure my mom and your aunt volunteered your house. We just wanted to give you a chance to bail. If it isn't a good time for you, we can go get a hotel room.'
Aiden started to speak, but Harriet poked him hard in the back and whatever he'd intended to say came out as a cough.
'You'll do no such thing,” Harriet said. “I would have offered in any case.'
Harry Willis turned back and waved to his brother to park the car.
'We're in,” he called.
Aunt Beth stayed until the two youngest Willis boys were settled in their rooms then returned to the peace of her own cottage.
'I better go, too,” Aiden announced. “The feral cat people are bringing a group of females in, and I got spay duty. We're starting early in the morning, so I'll need my beauty rest. I'll check with you later in the day and make sure you're surviving.'
Harriet kissed him lightly on the cheek, and he pulled her to him in a gentle hug. He tilted his face to the ceiling.
'This brace thing is killing me,” he muttered.
'You've made that clear,” Harriet said with a rueful smile. “I'm sorry.'
He kissed her then held her for another minute before turning and going out the door.
Harriet was still in the studio a few moments later, when she heard a soft knock on the outside door.
'Hey, did you forget something?” she asked as she opened the door. Her smile faded when she realized it wasn't Aiden.
'Sorry,” the man on her porch said. “I hope it's not too late to come by to see my brothers.
'Oh, Gerry, hi,” Harriet said, recognizing him. “Aiden just left. I thought maybe he'd forgotten something. Come in.'
He looked at her arm strapped to her side.
'How's the arm?” he asked. “Mom told me what happened.'
Gerald Willis Junior was the only one of Mavis's sons who actually lived in Foggy Point. He was already working when his father disappeared, and according to Aunt Beth, he'd been the one who felt most responsible for taking care of Mavis.
'Sorry you're stuck with my brothers. If we weren't in the middle of a remodel, Katy and I would have had room. As it is, we have two teenagers and a ten-year-old living in three rooms.'
'Don't give it another thought. Come into the kitchen. I'll call your brothers.'
But Harry and Ben had heard their brother's voice and were already waiting when she ushered him through the door.
'Hi, guys,” Gerry said, and took a seat between his brothers at the kitchen island.
'Can I get you something to drink?” Harriet asked. “I've got lemonade or I can make coffee.'
The trio decided on coffee, and Harriet loaded the coffeemaker while the brothers made small talk about their day's travel. She laid out mugs, sugar, milk and spoons, and when the coffee was finished, she poured the steaming liquid.
'Would one of you turn off the pot when you're done?” she asked and started for the stairs.
'Actually, could you stay and talk with us for a little while?” Ben asked. “Gerry told us what Mom said, but you were there. And Mom said your…” He pointed at her shoulder. “…injury happened when you went back to look at the place where you found our dad.'
'There's really not a lot to tell,” Harriet said. “I was watching the main battle with your mom. We were sitting high enough in the bleachers to see the far side of the field and the edge of the forest. I noticed someone lying there, and thought it was one of the re-enactors. The battle took place, and when people got up to take their bows, the man at the edge of the forest didn't move. Your mom and I went over there, and unfortunately, it turned out to be your dad.'
'He was already on the ground when you first saw him?” Gerry asked.
'Yes. I didn't look over there at first because, of course, everything was going to be happening on the main field, but I think he'd been lying there for a little while.'
'This is all too weird,” Harry said. “I mean, our dad has been dead for more than half my life. Is there any possibility it isn't our father? Could it be someone who looks like our dad-maybe a cousin of his or something? Did they do a DNA test?'
Ben looked at Gerry. “You
