Homefront Dreams by Darlene Franklin

Author:Darlene Franklin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Ralph signed the final certificate, made out to Elizabeth Finch, and smiled at Betty. “Congratulations. You’ll make a fine plane spotter.”

She didn’t look as pleased as Ralph had expected, since she had overflowed with excitement when she had heard about the opportunity. Something was definitely wrong at the Finch household. “Something’s going on, I can tell. Do you want to talk about it? After—” He nodded at the others who crowded around the table, examining the books he had provided for additional information, as well as the ties and scarves he promised to provide for anyone who completed the training and twenty hours of volunteer service. “After the others have left?”

“If Mom hasn’t come by then.” Betty spread out the deck of cards in a game of solitaire, handling them as deftly as she would an ordinary set. The girl who would work as her partner, Imogene, sat down next to her. Betty involved her in finding the matches for the game. She was patient, a good teacher, a lot like her mother. That might explain their frequent clashes.

A few minutes later, Imogene left with her mother, and the others trailed after them. Only Betty remained.

“Let’s go outside.” Ralph headed for the parking lot.

Betty followed him. “Mom probably doesn’t want me telling you.” She looked toward the Bailey Boardinghouse. “But I was praying Mom would be here when the class finished. I’m getting worried.”

“Let’s walk toward your home while we talk.” The temperature hovered right above freezing, teasing them that the ice might melt. “If something is that wrong, I’m sure anyone on the town council is willing to help.”

“Anita ran away this morning.” Betty blurted the news out. “They looked all up and down the house this morning. When I left, Mom was heading to the farm. If Anita’s not there, I don’t know where she is.”

“Oh, Betty.” Ralph closed his eyes, imagining the worry that must be flooding Clarinda. “But running away from home can almost be seen as a rite of passage for children. From what I know of Anita, she has a good head on her shoulders. She knows how to take care of herself.”

Betty gave him the scathing look that he deserved for that remark. “But she’s the baby. When Howie used to act all grown-up, we teased him about it. I guess I did, too, since I’m the oldest girl. The point is, we both know how to do all kinds of things that Anita has never tried. She’s got a great imagination, but I’m not so sure she can take care of herself.”

“As long as she can ask herself ‘what would Anne Shirley do,’ I expect she’ll be all right. I only have a couple of hours before the afternoon class starts, but I can ask around—”

Betty shook her head vehemently. “That’s the last thing Mom wants.”

Enough of this. “Anita needs to be home before dark. The overnight temperatures pose the biggest threat. If we haven’t seen her before I have to return to class, I will tell the constable what has happened.

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