by Linda Tillis
Samuel broke into a genuine, full-blown grin. “That, sir, is the best news I’ve had in a week!”
Mr. Finch laughed out loud. “Well, all right, then, let’s get moving.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Garth was glad he had a head start on the train. He should get to Tallahassee about an hour ahead of the animals, which would give him time to make the arrangements for all of them to be transported to the manor. He had to stop thinking of the Wellington estate as the manor, but it was going to be a while before he could call it home. Maybe once Eleanor and Patrick were there with him he would relax.
He looked across the picnic basket to Mrs. Peters. She was having a little nap in the corner. The poor woman had been running around like a chicken with its head cut off for days now. She’d not had a lot of personal belongings of her own to pack, but she had taken great care to get all the things she knew Mae would want and need. There were four crates of well-packed canned fruits and vegetables, and the good Lord only knew how many quilts. The woman must have saved every quilt she’d ever made. Of course, Garth could remember how dear all of Ruth’s quilts had been to her, especially the ones she and Mae had worked on together.
He was four days ahead of schedule, and the Finches would keep his secret, but he couldn’t wait to see the look of surprise on Mae’s and Samuel’s faces when he arrived this evening with Cyrus, Hansu, and Mrs. Peters in tow. He had missed those two older children of his, even with all the busyness of the move. It was a constant source of amazement to him how they had grown and matured when he wasn’t looking. Now, through the generosity of a dear woman, they would all be together and could get back to a normal family life.
Garth turned in to the loading area on the south end of the rail depot. It had been a long drive. Mrs. Peters looked exhausted, but they had beaten the train. He slowed the truck to a stop and stretched his legs. He smiled at Mrs. Peters and said, “Well, welcome to Tallahassee. I know you must be exhausted, but if you’ll give me about fifteen more minutes, I’ll see if I can get you home.”
She smiled back weakly. “I’m fine, dear. You just take your time.”
Garth stepped down out of the truck and turned toward the offices.
He was stopped in his tracks by the sight of Samuel and Mr. Finch walking toward him. Samuel threw both arms around his pa and hugged him tightly. Garth couldn’t remember the last time Samuel had shown so much open affection. He was surprised but happy.
Samuel stepped back and grinned sheepishly. “Glad to see ya, Pa.”
Mr. Finch laughed. “Now, I do believe that’s an understatement. How are you, Garth? You’ll have to forgive me for spoiling your surprise, but this young man was in town on important business, and I enlisted his help. We have trucks lined up for the animals when the train gets in.”
Garth turned to Samuel. “Is everything all right, son?”
Before Samuel could go into his story, Mr. Finch spoke. “Is that your housekeeper in the truck, Garth? We need to get the poor woman to the house. Samuel, how about you taking her home, and I’ll explain everything to your father. Would that be okay, young man?”
Samuel looked at both men. As much as he wanted to stay, he knew Mae would scold him severely if he didn’t take proper care of Mrs. Peters. “Yes, sir, it would probably be best. I don’t want Mae coming down on my head.” Both men laughed.
Samuel helped Mrs. Peters down from the truck and gave her a hug. “My goodness, young man, it’s only been three weeks since I’ve seen you, and I think you’ve grown!”
Samuel laughed. “Well, I may be taller, but I bet I’ve lost weight. They don’t seem to be able to make a good pie around here.”
The little woman stretched up to pat his cheek. “You just let me rest tonight, honey. I’ve got peaches and blackberries canned, and I’ll be able to whip up something for you tomorrow.”
Samuel placed Mrs. Peters’ small bags in the motorcar hatch and then helped get her seated in the front. He turned to Mr. Finch and shook his hand. “Thank you, sir, for all your help. Please tell Mrs. Finch again how much I enjoyed lunch.” He hugged his pa one more time, grinned, and said, “I’ll see you at home, sir. Tell Cyrus and Hansu I’ll be ready for the animals, and there’ll be a good supper waiting for them.”
Garth waited until the vehicle was out of sight. He turned to Mr. Finch and gave him a stern look. “My son just hugged me twice in the same day. Am I correct in thinking we have something to talk about?”
Mr. Finch pointed toward the station office and said, “Let’s get a cup of coffee, and I’ll tell you just how proud you should be of your son.”
Mr. Finch finished his tale with very few interruptions for questions. Garth was just sitting there trying to process all the information. He finally turned to Finch. “Do we know if the poor girl has relatives? Is there anything we can do for them?”
“Samuel assures me Mae is handling the arrangements. The detective is supposed to send the body to the undertaker as soon as they release it, and the undertaker will get with Mae. I cannot tell you how amazed I have been with your offspring. Captain Lance was pretty impressed with Samuel, as well. The boy seems to have tremendous insight into the criminal mind.”
Garth gave a pained smile of acknowledgment for the compliments. “All of my brood has had to grow up quickly. Cyrus seems to have grown two inches this past month, and he has taken on the raising of all our food for next spring. He and Hansu have big ideas about raising herbs with curative powers for the veterinary business.
“I think it’s just as well I’m marrying soon and taking on another family, because this one seems to be leaving me behind. I thank the Lord every night, sir, for watching over my brood. But I give special thanks for my first wife, Ruth. God made that woman about as perfect as a woman could be. She filled those kids with enough love while she was here to get them through the lean times after she was gone. She taught them to do for others before themselves, and how to give thanks to the Man upstairs for every day they’re given. Heck, we’ve been so blessed I’m not so sure she’s not up there right now telling the Good Lord how to watch over us.”
****
Garth had apologized at least three times to Mrs. Patrick for showing up unannounced and causing such a stir in the household. The dear lady had been glad for the distraction. She’d been so busy preparing rooms for them all that there had actually been moments when she wasn’t thinking about Margaret. It was almost ten at night now, and the household had settled down somewhat.
Mrs. Peters had been given a small room on the ground floor behind the kitchen. The poor soul had been exhausted from the trip, but she had made a place for herself in the hearts of all at the manor. She had humbly presented Cook with all her canned goods, and Cook had used several of the items to whip up a light supper for everyone.
The Huebner brothers had helped Cyrus and Hansu get all the animals sorted out and housed for the night. The chickens had been excited and noisy. They would probably not produce eggs for a few days, but they had survived the trip. The two horses, two steers, and three milk cows had all been watered, fed, and brushed down by Cyrus. They were, after all, his children, and he took his care of them very seriously. He and Hansu had needed good baths after their several hours in the train car with the animals. Garth had laughed and asked them to please stay downwind of everyone.
After all the others were either asleep or preparing to retire, Mr. Bennett, Garth, and Samuel were in the library. Samuel had just finished repeating the details of his visit to the sheriff’s offices for Mr. Bennett.
“Well, this is just heartbreaking. I hate to think of our young woman dying in such a manner. Do they really think they can trace this to Hardwick?” he asked.
“Mr. Finch seems to think there is a good possibility. Captain Lance will be traveling to Pensacola in a few days. Perhaps then we’ll know more. Until they find the animal that did this, we’ll use some good common sense. None of the women will go to town without one of us
. We’ll keep a close eye on things around here, and I’ll only enlist known, local workers for the building.” Garth patted Samuel on the shoulder. “You’ve done a good job of keeping watch on everyone here, son. There is no way you could have predicted something like this, and I won’t have you thinking you could have. We had all better get some sleep now. The next few days are going to be pretty busy.”
Samuel paused outside Mae’s door. He could see no light, but he doubted she was asleep. He’d not had an opportunity today to speak with Henry, but he would make time for it tomorrow. Mae could fool the others, but Samuel was sure something Henry had said the other night had upset her.
****
When Samuel’s footsteps paused outside Mae’s door, she hoped he would not knock. She didn’t want to have to lie to her brother, but she would not allow her fear to ruin all the good that was working in their lives right now. Surely Henry’s words had nothing to do with her, she thought, as she placed the pistol under her pillow. She lay in bed and listened to the owls outside her window, and she prayed. She asked the Lord to keep all her loved ones safe. She asked for guidance for her project, and she asked the Lord to hold Margaret near to Him and comfort her.
****
It was Friday. They had received word from the undertaker, and he would transport Margaret to them Sunday morning, at ten. Mae and Mr. Bennett had selected a five-acre section for the cemetery. It was about a half mile west of the manor house in a level, open field surrounded by several magnolia trees. The family and servants would have a graveside service for Margaret, followed by a late brunch. All the household servants had Sunday afternoon off and would be given use of the motorcar if they wanted to get away for the day. Mrs. Peters was more than happy to do supper for the family.
Mae carried an armload of books to the back drawing room. It was a little cool this morning, and the girls had not opened the glass doors. Mae stood looking out at the small lake. She remembered the first time she had stood here. It was a lot for her to take in. She deeply regretted not having had time to get to know Lady Wellington better. Mae just prayed she could make the lady proud with the good she intended to do with the inheritance. She smiled to herself. She was sure the lady would approve of educating and uplifting young women. Well, so much for daydreaming. If she was going to pass her exams, she needed to be studying. She spread the books out on the desk and pulled up a chair.
****
Garth and Samuel found Henry in the garage. The old gentleman was polishing the estate motorcar. He still had a bandage secured to the back of his head. Garth smiled at him and said, “Henry, are you feeling up to this? There’s no hurry, you know.”
Henry’s face filled with pain. “Sir, I understand we’ll be bringing Miss Margaret home Sunday. I just want the family transportation to look sharp when we lay the girl to rest, sir.” Garth could see the man was still a little shaky.
“Well, if you wouldn’t mind, could we have a seat and talk for a minute?” Garth indicated a bench against the wall. Once they had the man seated, Garth nodded to Samuel.
“Sir, I hate to ask you to go over the events again, but my pa is trying to get a handle on everything. If you could, just tell us again how it all happened,” Samuel said as he knelt by the bench.
Henry stared at the ceiling a moment, took a deep breath, and started at the beginning. “First on the list was Taylor’s, to pick up the books the young miss needed. Then we drove to Carters Dry Goods. Miss Margaret went in and shopped for the housekeeper. I helped her load the things in the boot. Then Miss Margaret said we needed to stop at the produce shed on the way out of town. When I let her out there, she said, ‘Henry, I’m going to be a while. If you’d like a nap…’ ” At this point the poor man had to stop.
Garth put a hand on the man’s shoulder and said, “Henry, you did nothing wrong. If this man was after Margaret, he would have gotten to her no matter where you were parked.”
Henry nodded. “Yes, sir, my head knows it, but my heart doesn’t want to hear it.”
“That’s because you’re a good man, Henry. Now, what else can you remember?”
“Well, I drove the motorcar over to the big tree. The shade was deeper on the backside, so I pulled a little past the tree. I got out to stretch my legs, and that’s when he must have hit me. I never heard it coming. Then I think Miss Margaret was calling my name, but I can’t be sure. I must have been out of my head, ’cause I coulda swore I heard a man talking to a cat.”
Samuel and Garth exchanged looks, and Garth said, “What do you mean, Henry? What did you hear the man say?”
Henry hesitated. “Well, I think he said, ‘Hello, little she-cat.’ ”
Garth stood abruptly, patted Henry on the shoulder again, murmured thanks, and strode away.
Samuel thanked Henry, told him to rest awhile, and took off after his pa.
Garth walked to the paddock rail and leaned his head against it.
Samuel waited for Pa to calm himself. Finally, Garth raised his head and looked at his son. The hair on the back of Samuel’s neck stood. He wasn’t sure he wanted to hear what Pa was about to say.
“What are the chances this man would call Margaret the same thing one of Mae’s attackers called her? And then he would kill Margaret?”
****
Sunday arrived with the first cold morning of the season, not quite cold enough for frost, but cold enough to see your breath on the air. The household had an early breakfast, in near silence. It would be a hard day for all of them, but for many different reasons.
The household servants had all known and loved Margaret for the smiling, always cheerful, sometimes teasing young woman she was. They’d had a few years to develop friendships and maybe share secrets with her.
Mae had only known Margaret marginally, but there would always be a place deep inside her that wept for her. She’d known the fear Margaret must have felt, and that knowledge would forever connect their souls.
Garth had only met the girl once, but if there was the slimmest chance he could bring her killer to justice, he wanted the chance. His stomach knotted, just thinking of what the girl must have endured.
Samuel had seen the woman at work and admired her ability to be comfortable with anyone. She always had a smile and a helping hand and would have been a great friend to Mae. Now a man had cut her life short, thinking he was killing Mae. That alone was reason enough for Samuel to find him and stop him.
The Huebner brothers dug the grave for Margaret. The casket was plain, but Mae had arranged to have several bouquets of beautiful flowers placed atop it. The priest from the small Catholic chapel on Beacon Street would give the service. Mae had contacted him after Martha mentioned Margaret occasionally attended services there. The service was short but beautiful. Three young choirboys, who sang “Ave Maria” at the closing, accompanied the priest. Their music was so beautifully haunting you could imagine the angels in heaven singing.
Everyone returned to the manor for coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Cook and Mrs. Peters had baked cookies and pies. After everyone had their fill, the leftovers were wrapped for the priest to take back to the rectory. He thanked the ladies heartily and advised them of the baking contests held annually at his parish. By his account, they had every chance of winning.
After the priest departed, Garth gathered everyone into the kitchen. “I want all of you to know we will be doing everything we can to find Margaret’s killer. In the meantime, just as a precaution, I don’t want any of you to go into town alone. If you ladies need to run errands, or just spend some time away from the manor, ask one of us men to accompany you. It will not be a bother, I promise you.
“Now, we are all going to take some time this coming week to rest, get settled in, and then celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday. Mae and I want to have the Finches here, since they have been so good to us. Eleanor Taylor, my fiancée, and her son, Patrick, will be here also.
“The following Monday, work will begin. I’ll be going into town to hire s
ome carpenters to start work on Mae’s ‘village.’ I expect to hire about ten to fifteen men. Mrs. Patrick, do you think we could provide lunch for so many on a regular basis? If you need to hire a couple more girls to help, please do so, as long as they are local people you know and trust.”
She looked at Cook, who nodded and said, “Yes, sir, I will probably need two more girls to do the heavy lifting, but I believe we can handle it.”
“Wonderful. You’ll have Cyrus and Hansu to carry and distribute it to the men. All you ladies have to do is just keep that wonderful stuff coming.”
Garth thanked them all again, and then they were free to spend the rest of the day at their leisure.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Mae woke to beautiful sunshine streaming through her bedroom windows. She had actually slept all night, no tossing or turning, just a deep sleep. She ran her hand under her pillow, pulled out the pistol, and placed it in the box at the bottom of her wardrobe. She always worried one of the girls would find it and be alarmed. As far as they knew, they were all safe, but Mae had lived in a state of unease since the night they’d found Margaret’s body. She had a feeling of something yet to come. She refused to allow herself to worry today. Today was Thanksgiving. She had all of her family around her, and the Finches were yet to arrive. She would not let anything interrupt this beautiful day. After a quick wash, she pulled her hair back into a bun and dressed for cooking.
Garth opened the front door as Mae was bouncing down the stairs. “You look like you had a good night’s rest.” He smiled.
She skipped the rest of the way down, kissed Papa on the cheek, and smiled back. “Can’t stay to talk. I have cooking to do.”