by Tracey Smith
“They were still living with her uncle, it had been a bad winter and Billy hadn’t had much opportunity to work on the house. Kim was nine months pregnant, but she’d stopped talking about the house, about the baby’s room. She’d really just stopped talking all together. I was so worried about her. I should have done something.” Sarah shook her head and wiped away her tears. Cassidy realized tears were silently streaking down her own cheeks as well. Ben reached over and took her hand squeezing it comfortingly.
“It was raining that night.” Sarah’s voice was sad as she continued her story. “Kim came to my house and she was completely soaked from head to toe as if she’d walked through the rain. She was holding her stomach and crying. She asked me to take her to the hospital. I asked her if she wanted me to call Billy and she said ‘No.’ She was adamant that I didn’t call him, that I didn’t call anyone. I could tell she was going into labor so I rushed her to the hospital in Montgomery. I didn’t think we were going to make it, she was screaming the whole way in the car. She was in so much pain. We just barely made it. You were born minutes after we’d passed through the doors of the emergency room.
“When the nurses took you away to clean you up I was finally able to ask Kim what was going on. She told me that somebody had tried to kill her, just like somebody had killed her sister. She was terrified. Terrified for you. Terrified for Billy. She said she had to leave right away, we couldn’t tell anyone, not even Billy. She even insisted on using her maiden name on the hospital admissions paperwork. She didn’t want anything that could trace back to Billy.
“I didn’t know what to do. She was hysterical, she begged me not to tell anyone that I’d seen her, begged me not to tell anyone about you. I had never seen Kim so frightened. She said that people needed to believe that she was dead; it was the only way she would be safe. She asked for my car and I gave her the keys along with all the money I had in my pocket, which wasn’t much. I never saw her again.” Sarah hung her head and cried. Cassidy had no words.
“The weeks that followed were the hardest.” Sarah continued after a moment. “Billy filed a missing persons report and every one began looking for Kim. I couldn’t tell them, I’d promised her I wouldn’t. Then they found her car at the bottom of the bay. The brake lines had been cut. But Billy refused to believe that she was gone, they hadn’t found her body. He finished the house out on Glen Oaks and moved out there alone. Everyone knew he was waiting for Kim to come back to him. Everyone thought he’d gone crazy. He was right, though, she did come back. She couldn’t stay away from him, couldn’t live without him. I’m surprised she managed to stay away as long as she did.”
“She came back?” Cassidy scrubbed the tears from her eyes.
“Most of Cedar Hollow still believes that she died in that car accident in 1982, but a few of us know the truth. She died alongside your father in their house on Glen Oaks Road. I don’t know how long she’d been back, but when I heard that a woman had died in the fire. I knew it was her.”
“Who else knew?” Ben spoke up.
“I believe her uncle was informed after her death. The medical examiner identified her body, but Dean Woodard was able to pull some strings and keep it out of the paper. The Miller family had already experienced more tragedy than any one family deserved, I guess they wanted to grieve privately.”
“How did you find out?” Cassidy questioned.
“My brother worked for the newspaper, he was there the day Dean came into the office to speak with the editor about keeping her name out of the paper. He overheard the conversation, actually he eavesdropped. He told me because he knew how close Kim and I had been.”
“How was Dean Woodard involved?”
“He was the family’s attorney.”
Silence descended on the table as Cassidy tried to process everything she’d just learned. There was so much to think about.
“Honestly, Cassidy, I’d believed you died in that fire along with your parents. I never imagined you were still alive until you walked through that door with Ben the other night. You look so much like your mother.” Sarah smiled wistfully.
“I was put up for adoption.” Cassidy explained hoarsely. She was surprised she could speak at all around the lump that was lodged in her throat.
“I always wondered how Kim was going to survive on her own with a new baby and no money to her name. I always felt guilty for letting her go, for helping her leave. I worried about her constantly, about both of you. I can promise you one thing Cassidy, giving you up had to have been the hardest thing she’d ever done. She loved you even before you were born.”
Cassidy broke down, all the tears she’d been holding back could no longer be contained. She was racked with sobs and Ben held her while she cried.
“I’ll leave you two.” Sarah said standing from the table. “But Cassidy, sweetheart, if you need anything please don’t hesitate to ask. It’s the least I can do for Kim.” Sarah choked back a sob and turned from the table.
Ben continued to hold Cassidy until she cried her last tear. Finally spent, Cassidy sat back and wiped away her tears, taking a deep stabilizing breath. One thing she’d learned how to do after her parent’s death was bottle down emotion and get through the day.
“Did you call about getting your tire fixed?” She asked Ben, clearing her throat and reaching for her purse. She rummaged around inside as Ben eyed her with concern. He saw that she wasn’t ready to talk yet.
“Tony is fixing it now. They towed it in this morning. It should be ready soon.” Ben answered. Cassidy found the rubber band she’d been searching for. She reached for her long blonde hair and pulled it up into a tight pony tail then quickly twisted it into a bun.
Ben was anxious as he drove back to Cedar Hollow; he kept checking his rearview mirror watching Cassidy drive behind him. He didn’t like leaving her alone, not after everything she’d just learned. He knew she needed to talk and he wanted to be there for her when she was ready. They both pulled to a stop in front of the house and Ben crossed over to Cassidy’s car, meeting her at the trunk to help with the shopping bags.
“Do you realize what this means?” Cassidy finally spoke as they reached the door to her room.
“What’s that?” Ben asked softly following her inside and placing the bags on the floor.
“My parents did die because of me.” She answered solemnly, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Cassidy, don’t do that to yourself.”
“Think about it, Ben. Someone wants my entire family dead. My grandparents were murdered. So was my aunt, and then someone tried to kill my mother while she was pregnant with me, they finally succeeded once she returned. All that’s left is me. They found Lainey in Boston, with a different name. The first time I searched for my biological family, my parents ended up dead. That’s not coincidence. They were coming for me then.
“I was supposed to be in the car that night. It had been advertised in the local paper that my father would be escorting me to the Homecoming Ball. I should have been riding to the dance with them, but my mom let me ride with a friend.” Cassidy’s voice cracked and she took a deep breath. “They died on the way to the dance. The brakes went out on their car.”
“It’s not your fault.” Ben insisted.
Cassidy just shook her head and stared out the window. Ben sat next to her, feeling helpless. He held her hand and she leaned her head on his shoulder. He wished there was something he could say, something he could do to make everything better. But some things couldn’t be made better. So he just sat with her for a few minutes staring out the window.
“I have a few things I need to check on in the garden but it won’t take long.” Ben apologized.
“That’s fine, I think I’d like to be alone for a while anyway.” Cassidy replied. Ben nodded and left the room, quietly closing the door behind him.
Cassidy looked around the room, again wondering who it had once belonged to. This house held so much history. This is the house her mother had liv
ed in, the house her grandparents had died in. Cassidy remembered the letters tucked away in her drawer. She got up and retrieved them. The first was dated August 1952 and was addressed to her grandmother Elizabeth Greene.
Dear Liz,
I haven’t stopped thinking about you since I left. When I first shipped off you were just a girl in pigtails, I was not prepared to come home and find the beautiful woman that you’ve become. I know that my leave was only a short few days, but those days changed my life forever. I pray that you feel the same way. I pray that this awful war will end and I will be able to come home to you for good. I will write as often as I can. I hope you will write back.
Sincerely,
Curtis
Dear Curtis,
My heart sings with joy to read the words you’ve written me. Those three days with you were the happiest of my life. I think of you every day and am counting the days until I can see you again. It’s funny how you can know someone your whole life, but then one day see them differently. The years we’ve been apart since you went off to war have changed us both. As you said, I am no longer a child, and you are no longer the pesky boy who used to pull my pigtails. A few short days can most definitely change the course of one’s life forever. It surely has altered mine.
I wish this letter could bring you only happy news, but I must tell you that your father has fallen ill. Robert has come home. The years have changed him as well.
Please take care of yourself and come home to me soon.
With Love,
Liz
Dear Liz,
These last few months have been grueling. The only thing that gets me through is the promise of coming home to you. Morale is high with the election of Eisenhower, many hope that this war will soon be coming to an end.
I have received word from my brother that father has passed away. Will you and your mother remain at the house? If not where shall I find you when I return? I miss you every day and the only thing getting me through is knowing that you are waiting for me. Until I can hold you in my arms, I will hold you in my heart.
Yours Forever,
Curtis
Dear Curtis,
The days since your father passed have been hard. He left a large inheritance for my mother and Robert has been very hostile. She has chosen to retire and move back to Connecticut where she was raised. She has promised to remain long enough for me to finish my last year of school if Robert will allow it, however she will leave this coming summer. I pray that you will be home in time, but if I must go with her I promise to send you my forwarding address in Connecticut so that you can come for me. I will always be waiting, wherever I am my heart is yours.
With all my Love,
Liz
Dear Liz,
I will come for you wherever you are, nothing could keep me away. But I will write my brother and ask him to accommodate you and your mother until my return. Rumors are flying that some of us may be shipped home soon. Hopefully I will be coming home to you shortly.
With Love,
Curtis
Dear Curtis,
I cannot stay any longer. Robert has been acting very strangely. He corned me and accused me of seducing you. He said that our love was wrong and sinful, he said that I would be punished. He called me an awful name. I am frightened. I need to leave. I am going to Connecticut with mother. Please come find me there.
Yours Always,
Liz
There were no other letters between her grandparents. Cassidy quickly grabbed the stack of letters between Curtis and Robert. The postmark dates were similar to those between her grandparents. The first letter was from Robert.
Curtis,
I am writing to inform you that our father has died. The house has been left to me. A small sum has been allotted to you, and a rather indecent stipend has been left for the housekeeper. I have opened a savings account in your name into which I deposited the funds father delegated to you. It will be available to you upon your return.
Robert
Dear Robert,
It is with sadness that I read your letter. I regret that I could not be there to tell our father goodbye. Thank you for handling the details. I trust that everything will be taken care of accordingly. I do have one request. Liz is finishing her final year of school and I ask you to please allow her and her mother to remain in the house until she is able to receive her diploma. I understand that you have never felt fondly about Mrs. Greene, but I ask as your brother to do this for me.
Sincerely,
Curtis
Curtis,
Mrs. Greene has already made this request of me. I am curious why you are taking an interest in her daughter’s education. I understand that you and Liz were closer in age as children, but it has been years since you’ve seen the girl. Why should her circumstances concern you?
Robert
Dear Robert,
Brother, I must confide in you that last summer after the short leave I had at home I developed a very keen interest in Liz’s circumstances. As you said it had been years since I’d seen her, but upon our re-acquaintance I found myself to have great feelings for her. I plan to marry her as soon as I return. This is why I ask you to please allow her and her mother to remain in the house until I come home. I realize our relationship has not always been an easy one, but I hope that as adults perhaps we can finally treat each other as brothers and not enemies. This is my greatest hope.
Sincerely,
Curtis
Curtis,
You always were an impulsive child, but surely even you see the obvious reasons why a romance between you and Liz cannot possibly happen. No man hires a pregnant widow to be his housekeeper, even the townspeople were not fooled by that pretense. Liz Greene is most surely our half-sister and it would be a sin against God for you to pursue any sort of relationship with her beyond that. Come to your senses, brother, and leave the child alone.
Robert
Dear Robert,
I always knew you fueled those rumors when we were children, but surely you cannot actually believe them. My mother was a dear friend of Constance Greene, and our father kindly took in the poor woman when she found herself widowed and with child. It was an act of kindness. Liz is not our sister! I am in love with her and I will make her my wife. I hope that you as my brother can accept that. But it will happen with or without your approval.
Curtis
That was the final letter. Cassidy’s hands were trembling as she re-folded it and slipped it back into the aged envelope. A knock at the door startled her, she quickly gathered the letters and hid them back in the dresser drawer. Cassidy let out a sigh of relief when she found Ben waiting on the other side of the door.
“There’s a Labor Day festival in town tonight, I just thought I’d see if you felt up to it.” Ben said as he leaned against the doorjamb with a crooked smile. Despite everything else that was going on, she still felt that nervous flutter every time she saw him. His presence had a way of making everything ok, even when it wasn’t.
“Actually, I think it would be nice to get out of the house tonight.” She agreed.
The Chosen One had not expected such a difficult challenge. This had gone on too long. The wrongs must be righted. No one could be allowed to stand in the way. No one! It must be done.
Chapter Fourteen
“Do you remember how Sarah said there had been some sort of falling out between Curtis and Robert Miller?” Cassidy asked as they drove down the mountain towards town.
“Yes.”
“Well I read those other letters I’d found, and I think I know what happened.” Cassidy revealed. “My grandmother Elizabeth Greene was the daughter of the housekeeper. They’d all grown up together, but then Curtis went off to war and when he came home he and Elizabeth fell in love. But Robert was against it. Apparently he believed that Liz could possibly be their half-sister.”
“How?”
“Her mother had been pregnant when she came to work for the Miller’s. Their
father and Curtis’s mother were married, but apparently there were rumors that he could be the father of Mrs. Greene’s baby. Curtis didn’t believe the rumors, but I guess Robert did. Mrs. Owens once told me that my grandparents moved away right after they married. That’s probably because Robert was against the marriage.”
“Then Curtis returned to Cedar Hollow with his family years later when your mother and aunt were teenagers.” Ben continued.
“Sarah had said the brothers were trying to make amends.” Cassidy agreed.
“But then Curtis and Liz were both killed within weeks of each other.”
“And everyone else in my family since.”
“Everyone except your uncle.” Ben pointed out.
“Do you think he’s behind it all?” Cassidy asked.
“He was against your grandparents’ marriage, but then he makes amends with them and they come back to Cedar Hollow just to wind up dead. It sounds pretty suspicious to me. But regardless of whether this started with him he’s not the one who ran us off the road. Someone else is involved.”
“Mr. Woodard said my uncle had asked him to find living relatives. Do you think my uncle wanted me dead? Is that why he was looking for me? Why would he want to murder his entire family?”
“The few times I actually saw your uncle he was always mumbling about sin and retribution, punishment for wickedness. I assumed he was mostly out of his mind and avoided him as much as possible. But if he truly believed that your grandparents were related, that their marriage was a sin, it’s not hard to believe that he would’ve held that against their children as well. Even their grandchildren.”