her friend’s strong Christian faith that had kept both of them optimistic during years of difficulties. Trina’s daily prayers on her behalf had brought a semblance of peace to Autumn’s life, and calmness out of the chaos the two friends shared as they worked their way through the veterinary school at the University of Wisconsin.
“Sorry I went to sleep and left you alone with your thoughts,” Trina said. “Have they been pleasant?”
“Not particularly. I’ve been thinking about the summer I left Ohio, wondering why I was foolish enough to return.”
“I believe it’s the providence of God. It wasn’t a coincidence that we met Doc Wheeler at that veterinarians’ convention. Whether you were right or wrong, you can’t have peace of mind and experience the full love of God in your heart until you come to terms with the past. Our temporary jobs as Wheeler’s assistants will give you time to make up with your family and set things right with Nathan Holland.”
“I don’t even know where Nathan went to when he left Greensboro.”
“Did you ask Doc Wheeler about Nathan?”
“No. Doc surprised me so much when he told me he was taking a world tour, I didn’t ask any questions. To my knowledge, he’s never traveled overseas. Before I recovered from my surprise, I agreed to take over for him. He has a large practice, so I’m glad he wanted you to come along, too.”
Conversation ceased and the tires hummed as they hit the concrete in steady rhythm. The lyrics of the song once more infiltrated Autumn’s thoughts: “If I have wounded any soul today.” It’s not “if”, God. You know how many people I’ve wounded.
“The things Ray told me about my family are worrying me. I can’t believe they’ve changed so much since I left home.”
“You’ve been gone eight years! A lot of things can happen in that time.”
“But I can’t imagine Mother as an invalid, confined to a wheelchair. And it’s hard to believe that the six years she’s been sick, Daddy has lost interest in the farm. If Ray is right about how run-down the farm is, and I’m sure he wouldn’t have told me if he hadn’t known, it’ll hurt me to see it.”
“Didn’t he say your sister is living at home? Maybe she’s taken over.”
“Not Summer! She’s a quiet, shy person, who prefers indoor activities. I was the tomboy who followed Daddy around the farm.”
Punching a button to clear steam from the windshield, Autumn looked at the highway markers. “We leave the interstate at the next exit, then it’s a short drive to Greensboro.” She handed Trina the granola wrapper to put in the trash bag. “That did liven me up. Let’s stop at a restaurant for a cup of coffee, and I’ll be okay until we get to our destination.”
“Not a very lively town,” Trina observed as they drove along Greensboro’s main street an hour later. The rain had lessened somewhat, but dense fog obscured the streetlights and the business section resembled an eerie scene in a Hallowe’en movie.
“It never has been,” Autumn agreed, but she looked fondly at the stores and office buildings. They passed the high school where she’d graduated, and she remembered the years she’d been the star of the girls’ basketball team. Her sisters, Spring and Summer, had been cheerleaders, but because of her height, she’d considered herself too gauche to try out as a cheerleader.
“Things haven’t changed much, except for the new shopping mall we passed on the outskirts of town. Apparently, it hasn’t hurt the downtown merchants, for most of these businesses are still operating.”
“Where’s your home?” Trina asked. “Did we pass it?”
“No. Indian Creek Farm is south of Greensboro about ten miles.” They crossed a bridge, and the headlights illuminated a muddy creek, running bank full. “Apparently, it’s been a wet spring. The grass looks lush and green. Every year while I’ve been away, I’ve thought of how the farm would be changing with the seasons. I liked spring best of all.”
Yes, she liked spring, although she had to admit that winter was also a favorite time because she’d first met Nathan in the midst of a snowstorm. Every mile she’d come closer to Greensboro rapidly brought memories of Nathan to the foreground of her mind. Things about him she hadn’t remembered for years had surfaced. Coming home may have been the greatest mistake of her life.
Autumn turned into a driveway beside a two-story frame house with a low, long building attached to the rear of the residence. “Here we are,” she said. “That’s the animal clinic in back.”
“The house is dark,” Trina said. “Maybe we aren’t expected.”
“Ray and his sister, Olive, live together, but she’s probably gone to bed.” Flashing her car lights on bright, Autumn said, “There’s a note on the door. It’s probably for us. Wait in the car until I find out.”
Pulling on her raincoat, Autumn got out of the car and ran up the steps. The note was addressed to her, so she pulled it off the screen and hurried back to the car.
“Dear Autumn,” Olive had written. “It’s midnight, and I’m going to bed. The door is unlocked, and your two rooms are upstairs on the right side of the hall. You and your friend will share the bath between your rooms. Make yourself at home. Wake me if you need help. Olive.”
Using a flashlight, taking only two small bags, and supporting the drowsy Dolly between them, Autumn and Trina moved into the central hallway of the house.
“Should we lock the door behind us?” Trina whispered.
“Not many people in Greensboro lock their doors, so don’t bother.” Tiptoeing quietly up the wooden stair treads wasn’t easy, but they didn’t awaken Olive. “You and Dolly take the rear bedroom,” Autumn said.
“Okay. Wake me in the morning when you want to get up.”
“It’s almost two o’clock now, so let’s sleep late if we can.”
For weeks Autumn had been dreading the return to her childhood haunts, and now that she was finally here, she doubted she would sleep, but an antique wooden bed with white sheets, covered with one of Olive Wheeler’s handmade quilts, looked inviting. Autumn pulled off her denim shorts and cotton shirt, slipped into a cotton nightshirt and snuggled beneath the fresh scented covers.
God, she prayed, I feel sort of like Jacob in the Old Testament, who’d run away to escape the wrath of his brother. Jacob returned a rich man, and I’ve come home penniless. So maybe I’m more like the prodigal son, who came back home wanting his father’s forgiveness. Will Daddy be as willing to forgive as the father in the parable? Will I have the nerve to approach him and ask forgiveness? Maybe I won’t be able to make up with my family, but I want to. You know there’s never been a day I haven’t missed them. Even if I can’t be received back into the good graces of my parents, it still feels good to be home.
In spite of her unpleasant memories, incessant rain dripping on the tin roof soon lulled Autumn into a sense of peace, forgetfulness and sleep.
“Autumn! Autumn!” A quiet voice intruded into her thoughts, and she sat up in bed, momentarily forgetting where she was. A soft knock sounded at the door.
“Come in!” she said,
