Love for Sale

Mary.
    When he knocked on her door, she opened it holding her own copy of the letter.
    “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Towerton,“ he said.
    “I suppose I knew all along that it was Richard,“ she said. Her eyes were red but there weren’t tears. “I’ll write up an obituary for Mr. Summer to put in the paper now that it’s official.“
    “Is there anyone else I could help you contact?“
    “I can’t think of anyone. Richard was an only child of only children for parents. There are no relatives that I know of. Except, of course, my children. Emily never knew him and I think Joey has forgotten him.”
    Mr. Prinney almost blurted out that now she could remarry. He caught himself before he spoke. This wasn’t the proper time to say such a thing. It wouldn’t be proper for him to mention it any time, in fact.
    “They’ll probably send the death certificate to my office,“ he said. “I’ll bring it to you as soon as I receive it.”

    Jack Summer was standing at his office window, wondering idly when they’d be getting some snow. The farmers hereabouts needed the water for their fields. As he was gazing out, he saw Mary Towerton’s wagon. She didn’t appear to have the children with her today. She’d probably left them with a neighbor to do her grocery shopping. As he watched, she stopped in front of the newspaper office.
    Good Lord! Was she coming to see him? He went to the door with a smile, wishing he had on better clothes and had combed his hair.
    “Mrs. Towerton. How good to see you. Please come in. Forgive the mess my office is in.”
    She didn’t smile back. She handed him a neatly written note. “This is my husband’s obituary. I’d like it to be in the newspaper.“
    “Obituary?“ he repeated stupidly. “I’m so sorry.“
    “So am I,“ she said. “Thank you,“ she added, heading for the door.
    He caught up with her and put his hand on her shoulder before she could touch the doorknob. “You must be devastated by this news. Is there anything else I can do to help you and the children?”
    She whirled and threw herself into his arms, sobbing. Suddenly she realized to her horror what she’d done and pulled away, deeply embarrassed.
    “That’s just it,“ she said through her tears. “I’m not devastated. Poor Richard.“ She pulled a handkerchief from the pocket of her coat and dabbed her eyes. “I’m sorry I’ve behaved so badly. I must go now.”

    Jack called Grace and Favor. Mrs. Prinney answered the phone. “Mrs. Prinney, Mrs. Towerton was just here to leave her husband’s obituary to print in the paper. I thought you’d want to know.“
    “Oh, no! The poor darling girl, and those two orphaned children. I was just making a casserole to cook for dinner. I think I’ll make another and ask Mr. Prinney to drive me right over there. Maybe bring some candies for her little boy. How did her husband perish?“
    “The obituary says he died of pneumonia,“ Jack said. “I suspect that’s not true. He was probably killed by falling rocks while digging the tunnels through the mountain. He was working at Hoover Dam. I guess you knew that.“
    “I didn’t know what dam he was working on. Why would they lie?“
    “Because if it’s their own fault, they’d probably have to pay death benefits. If it’s a natural death, they don’t. The last thing they want is bad press as well.“
    “Oh dear. How awful. I must call Elgin.”
    Chief Walker came to the door as Jack was hanging up the phone. “Jack, do you happen to know Yoast Gerrit and his wife, who lived in that house at the top of Lilac Road?“
    “I don’t think so. I’ve only been along Lilac Road once, when Highway 9 was closed. Why do you ask?“
    “I was hoping you knew where they’d gone. There’s someone living in their house. I thought I should tell them about it if I could, so they could let me know what they want me to do about it.“
    “Someone living there? Who?“
    “I have no idea. There wasn’t anyone in the house when I dropped by. I should have asked the neighbors about it while I was up there.“ Walker turned to leave.
    Jack said, “Mrs. Towerton was here a few minutes ago. She was leaving the obituary for her husband to print in the paper.“
    “Oh, no! Poor lady,“ Walker said. “I knew she’d seen Mr. Prinney about something relating to her family. I should have guessed what it was. I’ll drop off some toys for her children later.“
    “Mrs. Prinney’s already making a