She didn’t know why she worried about it. She was definitely not planning marriage before she finished college—if she was able to go to college this fall. He hadn’t said anything to her, but she knew her father was worried about the slump. He was afraid the crops wouldn’t make much this year, the way the prices were falling.
Well, maybe Sonny Redwine wouldn’t make a bad husband—if she had to settle. She liked Sonny; liked him a lot. He had been very sweet last night—and a little surprising, because he was usually so bashful. She smiled to herself.
Then her smile broadened and she laughed out loud. She had known Sonny all her life and he had never asked her for a date before yesterday. They had been friends, but he had never shown any romantic interest. Why, suddenly, had he? Unless… he had looked around and decided, if he had to settle, she was the best available. She didn’t know whether she felt flattered or not, but she thought it was very funny, if true.
She waved at Elmo Whittaker loading salt blocks on his wagon at the feed and grain store, smiled at Sonny’s mother leaving the bank, yelled, “Hello,” to Billy Sullivan at the ice house. (Did Sonny’s mother seem friendlier? Was she a part of the plot?)
She slowed when she passed the Wonder Show and looked at it curiously. It was silent and a little shabby in the bright sunlight, and no one was about. She passed the yellow depot and her bicycle tires plocked four times crossing the railroad tracks.
The pavement ended at the bridge over Crooked Creek. The boards rattled rhythmically as she rode across. She looked down at the water and saw Angel sitting on the bank fishing.
She stopped, leaned against the iron railing, and watched him. How pale he is, she thought, and how sweet and innocent and sad he looks. She would have had a difficult time explaining her emotions at that moment. There was awe, because of what she had seen him do, but, again, she wasn’t disturbed by it. There was pity also because he was so different and exotic. A bit of erotic fascination because she had never seen a man quite so good looking, except maybe at the picture show. And there was no small amount of simple curiosity.
He suddenly looked up at her. His tousled white hair shone in the sun like silver. His first expression was wary, like a beautiful cat, she thought, uncertain of the danger but ready to flee. Then, apparently deciding that he wasn’t threatened, he smiled, hesitantly and shyly. Evelyn felt a pain in her breast, an honest physical pain.
My God, she thought, and Sonny Redwine vanished from her mind. She smiled back tentatively and made a sudden decision. She rode the rest of the way across the bridge, parked the bicycle, and went down the path to the water.
He watched her approach and then stood up, again reminding her of a cat preparing for flight should the situation warrant it.
“Hello,” she said a little nervously. “I saw the show last night. It was slightly overwhelming.”
Angel smiled and nodded slightly. Evelyn began to feel a bit embarrassed by her forwardness and a little flustered when he said nothing. She noticed his eyes and realized the irises were red. She fidgeted and tried not to stare, although her fascination was nearly overpowering.
She cleared her throat and forged ahead. “I’m Evelyn Bradley. I live down the road a couple of miles.” She indicated the direction with a nod of her head. Angel still said nothing, just looked at her with his clear ruby eyes and smiled foolishly. “Well,” she said and took a step backward, “I didn’t mean to disturb you. I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the show last night.”
Disappointment crossed Angel’s face. He put his fingers to his mouth and shook his head.
“He can’t talk,” a small voice said near the ground. Tiny Tim stepped from behind Angel’s leg. Angel smiled and nodded again.
“Oh,” Evelyn said, startled, “I didn’t know. If I’m bothering you, I’ll leave.”
“Perhaps…” Tim began, but Angel stopped him by reaching down and touching him on the top of his head. Tim squinted up at him and frowned. Angel put his fingertips to his mouth again, then held the hand out toward Evelyn. He looked at her questioningly.
Tim sighed a small sigh and sat on a three-inch rock. “Not at all,” he said. “Pull up a rock and join us. Are there any fish in this creek?”
“I think so.” She sat on a large flat stone and folded her skirt under her knees.
“They must be somewhere else this morning,” Tim grumbled, a frown creasing his ugly little face. “We haven’t had a nibble.”
Evelyn smiled and listened to a couple of scissortails squabbling in the cottonwood leaning over the water. Angel reseated himself and picked up his fishing pole.
“It’s a pleasant way to spend a little time, even if you don’t catch anything,” she said and felt a lethargy of contentment creeping through her.
“That’s true enough, Miss Bradley.” Tim nodded.
She was a little amazed at the casual way she talked with these two exotic creatures: an ugly little gnome whose head didn’t reach her knee and the pale young man with the ruby eyes. And Angel was a part of the conversation, she suddenly realized. His marvelously expressive face commented on everything said. She supposed it was a normal characteristic of mutes.
“I… ah… suppose it would be tactless of me to ask how some of the things in the show are done? My brother thinks that you, for instance, are done with mirrors. Now I can tell him you’re one hundred percent real.”
“I would have no objection to telling you how everything is done, but if Haverstock found out, I’d wind up as the snake woman’s breakfast.” He pitched a pebble the size of his fist into the water. “Miss Bradley,” he said without looking at her, “it might be a good idea if you didn’t mention speaking to us, not even to your brother. Haverstock doesn’t like us to have anything to do with the town people. We’re not even supposed to leave the wagons, but I thought Angel needed some sun. He’s been a little peaked lately.”
Angel frowned at him.
“Of course.” She stood up. “I’d better leave before someone sees us. I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble.”
Angel rose to his feet and smiled at her. His sadness and loneliness and tenderness radiated against her. She felt a funny sensation in her stomach.
“Good-bye, Miss Bradley,” Tim said, unable to keep the relief from his voice.
“Good-bye,” she said and turned. Her foot landed on a round river rock. The rock was wet and slick with moss. Her foot slid sideways. She gasped and fell toward the water. Angel reached forward to grab her.
She stopped falling, but Angel’s hand was still six inches from her. Then his fingers clasped her wrist and pulled her to her feet. He looked at her with concern as she caught her breath. She laughed in embarrassment.
“You see, Angel!” Tim shouted with excitement. “I told you! I told you!” Then he looked at Evelyn and composed himself. “Are you all right, Miss Bradley? It’s a good thing Angel has quick reflexes.”
“Yes, I’m fine.” She looked at Angel’s hand, still holding hers. He released it suddenly and wiped his hand nervously on his thigh. Evelyn touched his arm briefly. “Thank you,” she said. He grinned and nodded, radiating pleasure.
She turned to Tim with a perplexed expression. “I was aware of everything that happened. Angel didn’t touch me until I had already stopped falling.”
She looked back at Angel. He frowned in confusion.
“You must be mistaken, Miss Bradley,” Tim said and smiled. His little face twisted grotesquely. “Naturally Angel caught you. What else could have happened?”
“That’s what I’m asking you. It could have been the same thing that makes Angel fly, that changes him into a flaming bird, that makes a thunderstorm in a tent, that makes an invisible woman.”