Chapter 29
Susan followedIfor, watching him as hestrode out into daylight. She couldn’t believe he’d agreed to help her. She’d been convinced he would’ve wanted nothing to do with her.
“Ifor! You’re all right...”
She didn’t recognize the deep voice nor the man it belonged to. But Ifor did.
He clapped his hands around the man’s shoulders. “Timothy. Is your family well?”
“Thankfully, yes.” Timothy looked dazed. “Still can’t believe it’s all really real.” His lips firmed. “Did you hear about Freddie?”
“No...”
“He’s gone. His whole family, too. Wiped out, like that.” He snapped his fingers, shaking his head at the same time.
Ifor’s eyes widened. “Oh no. That’s awful.”
Timothy glanced around.“What about your pa?”
“He’s injured.” Ifor swallowed. His brow was etched with concern. “Quite badly. But I’m hopeful he’ll pull through.”
Timothy gave a kind smile. “You Welsh are a hardy lot, ain’t you?”
Ifor smiled. “That we are, my friend. By God’s grace.”
“Well, I’d better go see if there’s any other folk who need my help.”
“Oh, Timothy?” Ifor seized his arm. “There’s actually a matter I could use your help with, if you wouldn’t mind...”
He introduced her to Timothy and told him about the situation with her father. Timothy seemed surprised, but not judgmental, and he agreed to help Ifor manhandle her father back into town and straight toward the sheriff’s office, where the holding cell was.
“Let’s try the post office first,” she said, leading the way. Timothy’s presence haddispelled the awkwardness that’d been lingering between her and Ifor, though part of her still wished it were just the two of them so she could apologize again.
He believed her—he must, or he wouldn’t have agreed to help. But would he ever truly trust her? Her heart was heavy as she trudged along.
They reached the post office, which was half-intact, half-ruined. The roof had collapsed, though a few of the walls were still standing.
“We ought to be careful, now,” Ifor said.“It might not take much movement for those walls to join the ceiling on the ground. Let me go in first.”
Susan’s heart sped up. “Be careful.”
He looked at her, his eyes tender yet guarded. He gave a slight nod, then strode toward the building and tested out the first step.
Timothy was right behind him, looking as though he wereready to help, should anything dangerous occur.
Susan watched as Ifor cautiously disappeared inside the structure. Was her father in there? Had he found a way to take the money from the safe?
Timothy stayed by the door, which she thought was wise. It was bad enough that Ifor had gone in. An extra person could’ve been just the trigger necessary to bring the whole thing down around them.
After a few agonizing moments,Ifor emerged. He came back down the steps, looked at her, and shook his head. “No sign of him in there. And the place looks even worse inside. It’ll have to be rebuilt from the ground up.”
Sorrow curled around her heart again. Opal was gone... What had been blossoming between her and Ifor had been shattered... And, now,her little post office was ruined, too. How different life would be over the coming weeks and months.
“Shall we try your house now?” Ifor asked.
“I suppose it’s the logical choice,” Susan replied. She sighed. “I was sure we’d find him here.”
“Well, let’s just keep looking.”