After dinner, Brad and Jamie escaped to the library to discuss their plan to locate Tom. It had become increasingly important to Brad to find his younger brother.
After the fire took the lives of their parents and sister, Tom had gone to live with his aunt and uncle. He was only twelve when everything took place. Brad had been sixteen. He chose to go out on his own and no one felt compelled to stop him. He ended up doing what he loved. He worked on a horse ranch and spent the next four years learning the business while finishing high school and getting a couple of years of college under his belt.
“It shouldn’t be that difficult to find your aunt and uncle,” Jamie said. “Did they have any children of their own?”
“None. I realize now that they thought they had to take Tom in because Aunt Mildred was my mother’s sister and there really was no one else.”
“My heart breaks for Tom,” Jamie said. “Do you remember anything in the letters that gave a clue as to where any of the three of them are now?”
“No…” Brad walked over to a wall filled with books. “These were all here when I bought this house,” he said. “I’ve been here almost fifteen years and I’ve never spent any time in this room. It’s kind of nice in here isn’t it?”
Jamie knew Brad well enough now to know he was done talking about his family. At least for tonight. I will have to be the one to take the bull by the horns and find Tom, she thought.
Dina went to the hospital with Steve every day, and after spending time with his daughter, Steve came back to the waiting room shaking his head.
Each day, Katie begged to see Arf, but didn’t show an interest in seeing her mother.
On the sixth day, Steve and Dina had a meeting with Doctor Simpson. “I think we’re going to send Katie home,” he said. “Unfortunately, we’re not like the research hospital and we can’t allow dogs to visit patients, but we have to let her be with…is it Arf? I would stick close by if I were you, Dina. Katie will eventually come around. Maybe Arf will help bridge the gap.”
***Katie came home!!! She doesn’t look too good. She must have really missed me. I get to stay with her all of the time…day and night. I won’t be able to help Mark with the horses or Jamie with the chickens, because Katie is what matters and she needs me.
*************
Mildred and Jack Jones were relaxing in the living room of their home in a very exquisite retirement community when there was a knock at the door. “Who could that be?” Were you expecting someone, Jack?”
When she opened the door, an attractive young woman was standing there.
“Hello Mrs. Jones,” she said. “I must apologize for not calling first, but when I discovered where you live, I felt an urgency to meet you. I’m a friend of Brad Humbolt, Tom’s brother. May I come in?”
Mrs. Jones stepped aside and motioned for Jamie to come in.
“If you’re looking for Tom,” she said. “I know exactly where he is.”
Those 70ish Girls 