If you know of a young woman approximately 25 years of age in your area named Calliope, I would appreciate you giving her this letter in hope she will contact me.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
It was signed—Cassandra (Denton) Hughes.
There was a Pittsburgh return address.
“Marilyn, didn’t you tell me you inquired around town and then responded to the letter saying you hadn’t been able to locate anyone named Calliope in Allenvale, and you didn’t know of any Dentons?”
“Yep. I even asked the retired Postmaster. He didn’t know of anyone named Calliope, nor any Dentons, either. Of course, the town was much smaller then. Well, not when he retired, but twenty-five years ago. It’s tripled in size over the last ten years because of the pre-Civil War history and reconstruction. Are you going to clue me in on what’s going on Jacob?”
“Not quite yet.” Jacob pulled a pen and paper from his jacket and wrote Cassandra’s name and address. “Hopefully, this lady will be able to solve the mystery.” He replaced the letter in the envelope and handed it back.
He hopped into the Jeep and drove to the nearest gas station—topped the tank. Pittsburgh was two and a half hours away. He’d be able to get there and back before dark. If everything panned out as he thought, he hoped it would fulfill some of Calli’s longings. If she went home—well, he’d have to find her in Maryland.
***
Pittsburgh was like any big city—too many people, too much traffic. He appreciated Allenvale all the more. Locating the address in a modest suburban area, he pulled his vehicle into the driveway. He walked up to the front stoop—a small roof protected a little red wagon and tricycle parked neatly side-by-side. Jacob rang the doorbell. He glanced around the yard and turned as he heard the door open. Calli stood there with a baby on one hip, a toddler tugging at her aproned skirt from behind.
“Can I help you?” she asked, a big smile curling her lightly glossed lips.
“Uh…you must be Cassandra,” Jacob said, astonished at the identical likeness.
“Yes, I am.” She tilted her head trying to draw a memory. “Do I know you?”
“No, Cassandra, you don’t. My name is Jacob Isaacs—I’m from Allenvale, and I know your sister, Calli.”
He had to reach a hand toward the baby as Cassandra turned ashen. She brought the hand not holding the baby up to her mouth, which had formed into the shape of an O. Her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, thank you, Lord. Please, Mr. Isaacs, come in.”
She ran over and put the baby in a playpen and brushed her hands off, extending one heartily toward Jacob.
“Please have a seat and tell me how you know Calli. Is she well? Oh, my gosh. I don’t mean to be running on. And you’re not going to believe this. I was standing in my backyard last night and there was the biggest moon—I think it’s called a blue moon when it comes around twice in a month. Anyway, I prayed the same prayer I’ve spoken before. That God would show me how to find Calli. Listen to me just rattling on and not giving you a chance to talk. Please tell me everything about her.”
***
Jacob pulled up in front of Tyndall’s B&B around six that evening. He ran into the main room looking for Mrs. Tyndall. Much to his surprise, there sat Calli in the prettiest yellow sundress. His first thought what a vision of loveliness. She had on white high heels and was just staring at him as though willing him to appear in the doorway. Her legs were crossed—and what lovely legs they are, he thought since it was the first time he’d actually seen them—one leg swinging back and forth as though she’d been sitting there waiting for him for hours.
Which, he learned later, she had.
“What?” Jacob said. “You didn’t catch the two o’clock train?”
“Well, if you thought I’d left, what are you running in here for?” she taunted, a bright smile revealing glistening teeth between radiant, painted pink lips.
“I...uh...have something to tell you. No, I have something to show you,” he stuttered. “I think you’ll be happy about it. It may not answer all your questions, Calli, but I hope—in time—you’ll be at peace.”
“What the heck are you talking about Jacob Isaacs? I stayed in town and I’ve been waiting for hours. You come traipsing in here wanting to pull me off somewhere, without so much as being surprised I’m still here.” She stood and crossed her arms under her breasts.
“Calli, I’m ecstatic. It saves me a trip to Washington, D.C.”
She looked more bewildered as he bent and kissed her lightly on the lips. Then he unhooked her arm and led her out the door to the Cherokee.
Traveling the short distance to his house, he pulled into his driveway and killed the ignition.
He swiveled and took her hands into his. “Calli, honey, I want you to take a deep breath before we go inside—”
***
Before he could finish, Cassandra came running out his front door. She pulled the car door open and practically yanked Calli out of the car hugging her and crying.
“Cassandra, wait... I haven’t had a chance to explain,” Jacob tried to intervene.
She wasn’t paying attention. Years of searching had culminated in this joyful reunion. “Calli, I’m your sister. Your twin sister.”
Calli was as stunned at the revelation as Cassandra had been when Jacob informed her he knew her sister. Both women were crying alligator-sized tears and jumping around hugging each other as if they hadn’t seen each other for years...which, of course, they hadn’t. In fact, they’d been nine months old the last time they’d laid eyes on each other.
Inside Jacob’s house, Cassandra related to Calli as best she could about their separated years.
***
Still in shock, Calli paced the living room. “All right. So, what you’re saying, is your Aunt Faith—I guess our Aunt Faith—was able to locate you. She told you our mother, Margaret Denton, had discovered shortly after we were born, that her father—our grandfather—had sexually abused both his daughters—Faith and Margaret.”
“Yes,” Cassandra said, shaking her head. “Totally disgusting.”
“How did she not know this before?” Calli questioned.
Cassandra wrinkled her brow. “I don’t understand it all, either. Something about repressed memories when traumatic events occur and then another traumatic event, in this instance, she found out she was dying, brings it to the surface.”
Calli shook her head. “Okay, we’ll find out more about it later. So Margaret—Mom—discovered she was terminally ill with less than a year to live. Her husband—our father—Jonathan Denton, a colonel in the military, was killed in a training accident right before we were born.”
Again, Cassandra nodded.
“...And to make sure we’d never be abused by our grandfather—” Calli continued—“she decided to hide us somewhere he’d never find us. She couldn’t involve Aunt Faith because...he would’ve coerced her into talking.”
“Yeah,” Cassandra said. “She took you to Allenvale and me to Pittsburgh, from Philadelphia, hoping it was far enough away. I guess we should thank God there wasn’t an Amber Alert in those days or he might have found us.”
“I suppose.” Calli couldn’t believe it. All of the haunting questions answered in the space of twenty-four hours. And a bonus of a twin sister, a brother-in-law, a nephew, a niece, and an aunt. And then there was...she turned to Jacob. “I’ve whined all these years about my life...our poor mother. What a wimp I’ve been. Jacob, how did you figure all this out?”
***
“Ah...inquiring minds want to know,” he chided. “Before I answer that question, I have one of my own.”
Taking several short steps he pulled Calli into his arms. “Calliope Denton Windsong Winson... I don’t know how things can happen in such a short time span, but I know what I know. And the one thing I’m most certain about is... I love you.”
Then he turned to Cassandra. “I’m an old-fashioned kind of guy and as Calli’s closest living relati
ve—well, I guess there is Aunt Faith, however, she’s not here right now—I’d like to ask for your sister’s hand in marriage. That is, if she’ll have me.”
Cassandra looked at Calli. “Isn’t this kind of sudden?”
“I suppose it is,” Calli agreed. “Yet, if I’m going to share that acre on the moon with him, I suppose I’ll have to accept.”
Jacob and Cassandra stared at her and said in unison, “What acre on the moon?”
“The one I bought online today. I had it deeded to you and I certainly don’t know the directions to get there.”
Cassandra’s eyes cut to her sister. “You’re going to be in trouble, sister dear, if you head for a place you both don’t know how to get to. Cause he’ll never stop and ask directions!”
***
After Cassandra lavished kisses and hugs on her sister, and not too few on Jacob, she obtained a promise he would bring Calli to Pittsburgh tomorrow. Then she left to return home.
Jacob’s hand snuggled Calli’s waist as they waved goodbye. Cassandra tapped the horn in a quick bye-bye toot.
He pulled Calli inside and kissed her—deeply and intimately—then held her at arm’s length, enjoying the image before him. “We can’t let this lady get all dolled up with nowhere to go, now, can we?”
“It’s unnecessary, Jacob. I’m happy just being with you.”
“Oh, yes, it’s definitely necessary. I’m hungry and your tummy’s been growling for the last hour. Besides, I want to show my pretty lady off.” He glanced at his watch. It was almost ten.
He stepped to the telephone and dialed. “Sam, this is Jacob... Yeah, hi. Listen I have a favor to ask...” He turned and whispered into the phone. Then he dialed another number.
“Let’s go, beautiful one.” He grabbed her elbow and led her out the door.
He stopped in front of The Hermitage Inn—an old, restored and renovated estate—the town’s most prestigious restaurant. The maitre d’ met them at the door and ushered them to a private area of the large dining room. There were only a few patrons at this late hour; all knew Jacob and spoke to him.
Once seated at a sumptuously appointed candlelit table, the waiter immediately brought over a bottle of Beringer 2001 Private Reserve. “Compliments of the management.” He opened the bottle for Jacob to sample.
“Everything else is in order Mr. Isaacs. Let us know when you’re ready.”
Jacob picked up his wineglass, but Calli intervened. “I want to do the toast this time, if it’s okay.”
“Of course, sweetheart.”
***
Tears welled in Calli’s eyes as she stared at the fiery red liquid. Her mouth had gone dry and she tugged at her upper lip to stanch the flood of emotions.
“I don’t know where to begin.” A lone tear escaped, trickling down her cheek. “My entire life has been in pursuit of my origins. Since meeting you, Jacob, I’ve learned not to look backward, but forward. To believe in my hopes and dreams for the future and live for today. I thank you, Dear Jacob, for the good news you’ve brought and promise to reciprocate in love and devotion.”
“I’ll drink to that.” He clinked his glass to hers. They gazed into each other’s eyes as they sipped. Jacob’s heart overflowed with joy as he knew it was only the beginning of the Good News he would share with this enchanting woman.
After the main course, the waiter served small, sweet strawberries in a twinkling, crystal compote—each bright red tip dipped in decadent dark-brown chocolate. Jacob retrieved one and brought it to Calli’s lips. She bit into it and accidentally nipped the tips of his fingers. They laughed and Calli grabbed her mouth to capture the red juice flowing from the berry. Then she fed one to Jacob.
Calli had never been happier, and for the last time, she mourned the lost years. She vowed never again to be self-absorbed and instead to learn to be as giving as Jacob.
At the last strawberry, Calli insisted on feeding it to him. She lifted it from the dish and did a double-take. Under the succulent, juicy red fruit, a diamond ring glistened and sparkled from the dancing rays emitted by the candles. She dropped the berry as Jacob nimbly plucked the sphere between his fingers.
He moved from his seat and knelt beside her. “Calli, will you marry me?”
With unbridled ecstasy, her heart burst as she reached out amid tears and embraced him. “Oh yes, yes I will.”
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Blue Moon Reunion
Gerri Bowen
Sir Edwyn cleared his throat preparing to speak. Piper listened whilst her gaze remained on the rising moon rather than on the besieging army sprawled below, outside Escewiche’s walls. “My Aunt Elizabeth tells a story of how she once wished on a blue moon. But the tale is a cautionary one. She wished for her love to return to her. He did.”
Piper looked at her seneschal. She’d heard this story afore. “...But he returned with another woman as his wife. Thus, be careful for what you wish.”
Edwyn nodded. “But her wish did come true, My Lady, that is the point. Choose your words well.”
“Is it?” Piper huffed softly and pulled her mantle tight against the brisk breeze buffeting them upon the battlements. “I thought the moral was we wish for what cannot be.” She shrugged. “If I were to wish, obviously I would wish for those men to depart, never to return. Or any other besiegers.” But there would be other besiegers. Other men ready to take Escewiche. Ready to claim her as wife, willing or no.
“Might you also wish for a man, My Lady? A strong warrior? With many knights of his own? Someone to...”
Piper’s raised brow silenced the man. She rolled her eyes and looked out over the battlements. “A man. I have had a man, Sir Edwyn. Three, in fact. The first was Sir Robin, my dearest betrothed. Sir Robin who abandoned me, then had the unfortunate fate to get himself killed. Then his cousin, Sir Nigel. When he could not find me, he wed Robin’s mother. When he did find me, he wed me to another cousin, Sir Unger. When Unger was killed and Robin’s mother dead, Nigel wed me.” She turned to Edwyn. “Two years he kept me locked away. Two years! Yet you suggest I wish for a strong man? A warrior? To do what? Take what doesn’t belong to him because I haven’t the physical strength to best him on the field?”
“Not all men are like Sir Nigel and Sir Unger, My Lady. If you recall, it was the notion of treasure hidden in these walls that obsessed Sir Nigel, caused his madness. Robin was not like them. Our Robin was a true knight, the best of all men.”
Robin. He had been her dearest love—long ago, when she still believed in love. Before he abandoned her. She raised her head to the moon. “I would wish for a man like Robin. But alive. In good health. Not a weakling, for I would despise him within the hour. Nor a tyrant, for he would be dead by nightfall. In all things, a man like Robin.” Except he won’t abandon me. She nodded. “I shall do it.”
Edwyn expelled a breath. “Praise be. Be sure to include a right good amount of men under him, too. With food aplenty.”
***
Sir Robin of Escewiche’s wrists were chained together and his hands secured to his saddle. His guards kept him in the middle of their escort. He looked up at the full moon as he rode and wondered if his new cell would have a window. He thought not. Most didn’t. Nor would he waste a wish for one. Nay, his wish—his only wish these past years—was for revenge against the one who had caused his imprisonment. His betrothed. Lady Piper of Auban. The bitch.
Robin stared at the moon, the second full moon for the month, and decided he had naught to lose by wishing. “I wish for my release anon. A rescue by allies. A speedy return to Escewiche. And Piper. Soon.” No quicker had he uttered his wish, then the stars brightened, blinked rapidly and the moon turned blue. Damnation. I should have wished for more.
***
Piper rushed to the battlements to see for herself if the astonishing report was true. Aye, she could see a large swell of men advancing. Couldn’t make out their banner.
“Pr
aise be to God! The siege is broken!”
Even though Piper wanted to echo her seneschal’s prayer, how did they know the troops advancing were friendly? “Can you make out...” She leaned forward and then whooped with joy. “Do you see? ‘Tis the Auban banner! My brothers have come! They have come!”
She and Edwyn linked arms and danced until Piper recalled the men below would be leaving. There were a few things she wanted to tell them before they turned tail and ran. Looking to the far hill, she saw Sir Geoffrey and his men still camped—waiting to swoop in and claim Escewiche. Her eyes narrowed. Be damned, but she had a few things to say to that scoundrel as well. And say them she would, now her brothers had come.
She sounded a veritable shrew. Robin’s helmet remained on his head, but he could hear. Where had she learned such words? Damnation, but she made him blush. Just as well he heard her true voice before she realized who rode with her brothers. ‘Twas good Peter and Dunstan, her brothers, were there to hear her as well—haps they might now believe him. They’d laughed at his tale, refused to believe their sweet, innocent sister behind his imprisonment.
Looking like a witch, she shrieked and stalked about the battlements. Was she taller? Nay, thinner. He could believe the stories he was hearing. Snatches about the witch inside, how she was able to draw strange creatures to Escewiche, how she’d murdered Sir Nigel. The question of how the people inside had survived without food if not by her witchcraft.
Robin said naught, but listened. He wanted none to know he’d returned until the bitch faced him. Then he’d remove his helmet. Watch her face when she realized he was free from the imprisonment she’d set for him. And then he’d... Robin wasn’t sure what he’d do. Strangling was his first choice. A knife to her black heart—if she had one—would satisfy just as well. He doubted her brothers would allow him such freedom, however. Not until they were convinced of her guilt.
Blue Moon Enchantment (Once In A Blue Moon Series) Page 14