House at Whispering Oaks

by Hargrove Perth

  Jon was able to loosen the jammed window. He instructed Cordie to move to the back so the extra water could flood in and then swim out of the truck. Then, he helped her climb, in the gusts of wind and rain, to the surface of the ravine.

  Holding her hand tightly in his, he walked with her, back towards their homes until someone stopped. “Are you okay, Miss?”

  Cordie looked suspicious and looked to Jon. “It’s okay. That’s Mr. McGee. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

  Mr. McGee looked confused that Cordie was waiting to answer.

  “I’m sorry, Sir. I had a wreck. I’m a bit dazed. Could you take me to Whispering Oaks?”

  As Mr. McGee’s truck pulled into the circle drive, Uncle Jesse and Aunt Sadie came running out. Wind and rain whipped at them as they thanked the man and got Cordie inside.

  “What in the world?!” Sadie shouted.

  Cordie had already started to tear up. “I’m so sorry. I waited for you for hours and you didn’t come home. I came to look for you. I thought something had happened to you.” Cordie burst into tears, thinking about how her parents had once never came home…

  “Oh, child,” Sadie said, kissing Cordie on her forehead. “You dear thing.”

  “The storm cut back for a bit, so we just stopped at the Treadway’s house to ride it out and wait for it to calm down a little. We tried to call you, but you didn’t answer,” Uncle Jesse explained.

  “Uncle Jesse, I wrecked the truck. I’m so sorry,” Cordie cried.

  “It was an old piece of junk anyway. Maybe it’s time we get you something proper to drive,” he answered, happy to have his niece safe.

  Cordie’s exhaustion made her feel drunk. Her aunt and uncle helped her up the stairs and Jesse left while Sadie helped her into dry clothes.

  “Where is the truck, Cordie?” Sadie asked.

  “In the ravine by Weeping Willow Road… or Lane… whatever,” the exhausted Cordie rambled.

  “How did you get out of it?” Sadie asked. “How did you climb the ravine?”

  “Jon saved me,” Cordie answered in a weary stupor.

  Sadie looked at her, pulled the quilt up around her and turned the lights out. “You rest, and we will take you to the doctor in the morning to make sure you are okay.”

  Cordie was asleep before the light even went out.

  Sadie went into the hallway where Jesse waited.

  “Is she okay?” Jesse asked. “Is she hurt anywhere?”

  “She doesn’t seem to be hurt,” Sadie said, with a look of amazement on her face.

  “What’s the matter, honey?” Jesse asked.

  “I think Cordie may be more like her father than we thought,” Sadie said, shaking her head nearly unable to believe it.

  “What do you mean?” Jesse begged.

  Sadie looked to her husband, her most trusted friend. “Tonight, Cordie was trapped in that truck, and it was Jon Schelling that saved her life.”

  Jesse wrapped his arms around his wife.

  “I wouldn’t worry about it. Jon never steered your brother wrong. We wouldn’t have Cordie with us if it weren’t for him insisting James marry Amy.”

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Schelling Plantation, Fall 1864

  Jon waited patiently, knowing Cordie would arrive soon. Her aunt and uncle were due to be gone all day at the cotton market. Beneath the Live Oak Jon waited, as patiently as he could. He loved Cordie Bolivar with all his heart and knew she would be able to save him. Having been through the portal in the mirror now on several occasions, it no longer took the toll on Cordie it once did. She stepped effortlessly into Jon’s world and stood behind him.

  “Boo,” she whispered, laughing. Jon turned and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her gently.

  “Good Morning, Cordelia Foxworth Bolivar Schelling,” he said laughing.

  “Are you proposing?” Cordie blushed and lowered her eyes.

  “Hardly. I am speculating. However, it is certain one day the time will come when the opportunity will be mine to offer such a proposal.”

  “You have that much faith in me?” Cordie asked, astonished Jon believed she had the power to save him.

  “I have all the faith in the world.”

  His hands slipped from Cordie’s waist and held her hands.

  “I just have to figure out how to manipulate time so I can get here at the precise moment to stop Carter. I have an idea, a pretty ingenious one, I might add.”

  “Certainly whatever has come to you will be nothing short of brilliant.”

  Cordie laughed, then rested her head on Jon’s shoulder.

  “I need you to tell me as much as you can about Carter and what led up to that day. Specifics at this point are important.”

  Jon led Cordie to a blanket beneath the tree where a picnic basket awaited them. He lifted the cloth covering the basket and handed Cordie a plate and a napkin before removing the cucumber sandwiches Hannah had made.

  “Carter and I have been at odds since we were young. I believe he assumed since he was the eldest son, Schelling House and the estate would naturally become his, but my brother is a man of little ambition. It is a fact that does not set well with father.”

  “Why does your brother believe all of this should be handed to him?” Cordie paused to take a bite of her sandwich.

  “It is an unspoken rule in Savannah Oaks, property and wealth passes to the eldest son. Carter assumed it would naturally be his. My father believes a man should not have the world handed to him but instead earn it through hard work and determination. Carter’s only task was to oversee the slaves, which I might add, he did very poorly.

  “During his first year as Overseer, Carter dropped productivity and cotton production to an all time low for my family. My father was rather disappointed. Carter chose to spend devoting his time to being, shall I shall, amorous with those who caught his eye instead of tending the fields and our profits. So when father returned from Richmond, after a lengthy business trip, and saw Boll Weevils had nearly destroyed our crops, he made it known that Carter would not receive his fair share of the wealth. All that belonged to the Schelling family would pass first to our mother at father’s death and then to me.”

  “And your mother doesn’t find issue with this?”

  “Carter always held the light of my father’s eye. I always held that of my mother. She was quite disappointed when the War broke out and my father and brother were called to arms. It was her dream to see me attend Dartmouth and become a doctor, the first in our family. Alas, some aspirations are not meant to happen in the time we desire. Such is life.”

  Cordie leaned closer to Jon and rested her head in his lap, gazing upward toward the blue sky showing between the branches of the Live Oak, considering everything Jon had told her.

  “You will become a doctor. It is written in the stars. You see, Jon, each of us has a destiny. My father always told me that, and he said one day I would know what mine was, and when I did there would be no stopping me. I just have to figure out how to make it happen without creating a rift.”

  “A rift, such as a family squabble?” Jon asked while brushing Cordie’s hair behind her ear.

  “No, something different. I am not quite sure how to explain it, but I must take care how my actions here affect the future. I met Carter’s great-granddaughter. She is a fine woman. If something happens to your brother here, in this time, and he does not survive, then all those who came after him will be lost. A carefully orchestrated plan needs to unfold to make sure we all have our place.”

  Jon was not certain how this would work but had the utmost faith in Cordie to make the correct decision.

  “I am glad you saved me,” Cordie said while staring into Jon’s deep, blue eyes. “If you had not come the other night,” Cordie began, but Jon placed his forefinger to her lips.

  “It is what any man who loved you would do.”

  “No, Jon, it is what you would do, and it is what I shall do for you as soon as I have a pla
n.”

  “I have faith you will not fail, Cordelia. Love is just the beginning.”

  Love is just the beginning. How sweet… Cordie thought, smiling.

  “We really should walk to the mainhouse and visit with your mother. She will think me a woman of ill-repute, if we continue to sneak around like this this.”

  Jon laughed, leaning forward to kiss Cordie, but she stopped him.

  “Jon Schelling, I am completely serious. The blessing of your mother must be obtained if we are to be married…one day.”

  “She is not home presently. Mother traveled to Savannah proper to meet with the Daughters of the South. Collections are being taken for provisions for the Southern Army and to fund a hospital, should the time come.”

  “There is something you should know,” Cordie began, not knowing how long Jon had been a ghost on the property or if he knew the details surrounding Sherman’s March to the Sea.

  “I am certain you know the South lost the war, but did you know Sherman will burn Savannah?”

  “There was much I could not see in the days that followed my death. For many years, I was but a listless traveler who knew not his way, but I do know what happened.”

  “Oh, good. I mean, I thought you did, but I needed to make sure.” Cordie paused for a moment. “And you are okay with it, right?”

  “I never believed the profit of a man should come at the expense of another or their happiness, Cordie. That tiny belief of mine is what caused the rift between Carter and I. Though you were here and saw what transpired when my brother took my life, there was much you did not see.”

  “I don’t understand,” Cordie said innocently, not fully comprehending what Jon was implying.

  “Did you not notice the slaves were gone?”

  Cordie’s eyes closed. The divide that existed between Jon and Carter began with his brother feeling that Jon was the favorite son and ended with Jon releasing the slaves. It was the perfect moment for Carter to seize and show his family Jon had been unworthy of their adoration.

  “Do you believe you can control when you will arrive?” Jon asked.

  “Well, I have been able to do it so far. Let’s pray it continues that way.”

  Jon paused for a moment and smiled. “It pleases me the argument between you and Miss Cricket has been mended. In my heart, it is difficult for me to believe she meant any malice by her actions. She was genuinely fearful for your condition.”

  Cordie smiled as she thought about nearly breaking Maggie’s nose.

  “I know, she doesn’t mean to get me in trouble.”

  “Perhaps if I could speak to her, Miss Cricket might better understand the love I feel for you?”

  She sat forward, with her mouth nearly hanging open.

  “You will catch flies, Miss Cordelia,” Jon said as he took his hand and closed her mouth.

  “But how could you do that? I mean, Aunt Sadie and Uncle Jesse have never seen you.”

  “Only because I have never wanted them to see me, Cordelia. Spirits make themselves known either in times of duress, or when they have been wronged and desire for someone to know the truth. Your aunt and uncle are happy. Seeing me would only trouble them, but your Miss Cricket, she has the sight the same as her Aunt Petulia.”

  “The sight?”

  “Yes, Cordelia, Miss Cricket can see spirits the same as her aunt. Did you not consider it curious Miss Petulia was so knowledgeable where I am concerned? I have spoken to her on many an occasion.”

  Cordie looked at the position of the sun, knowing her time with Jon was growing to a close, for today at least.

  “It is nearly time for me to go,” she whispered.

  “Stay with me, if only for a little while.”

  She closed her eyes and smiled as all the questions began to form concerning Petulia, why she had lied, and why Petulia had not mentioned she too had seen Jon.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Miss Cricket

  Cordie awoke on the floor in front of the mirror. She had a plan now, a plan she believed would work, if she could get Cricket to help her.

  She undressed, threw on a pair of jeans and teeshirt, then grabbed her cell phone.

  “Hey, you busy?” Cordie asked as she answered the phone.

  “I was just getting ready to bring your homework over. Why?”

  “Well, it’s Friday. I thought you could stay the night.”

  “Awesome!” Cricket squealed. “Let me tell Aunt Petulia.”

  A few minutes later, Cricket was back. “Auntie said no problem. See you in an hour.”

  Cordie tossed her phone in the center of the bed, walked to the doors leading to the balcony, and opened the doors.

  “She’s coming, Jon. Be ready,” Cordie whispered then returned to her room.

  It would be another three hours before Sadie and Jesse would be back from the cotton sellers market. It would barely be enough time. Cordie rushed down the stairs and rummaged through the cabinets to see what she could find to make for dinner and have it waiting when her aunt and uncle got home. Aunt Sadie had a large amount of canned tomatoes and sauce, several cans of clams, and enough linguine to feed a small army. Cordie didn’t know if they would like her northern cooking, but knew the thought of her going to the trouble would make her aunt proud.

  “Clams and red sauce it is,” she said, reaching into the cupboard. An hour later, Cricket was knocking at the door, and the sauce was simmering on low.

  “Coming,” Cordie shouted as she wiped her hands on the apron around her waist. She ran to the front door and opened it, immediately tossing her arms around Cricket and hugging her.

  “Jeez, it’s only been a day,” Cricket said, laughing.

  “I know. I made red sauce and clams for dinner. I hope you like that kind of stuff.”

  “Never had it, but it sounds good,” Cricket said, laying her backpack on the floor by the door.

  “Come on, there’s something I want to show you.”

  Cricket followed Cordie up the stairs to her room.

  “It’s not another dress is it? You aren’t thinking about doing that again, are you?”

  “Just wait,” Cordie replied with her hand resting on the doorknob. She opened the door and ushered her friend inside.

  “I don’t see anything new,” Cricket commented as her eyes scanned the room. Jon smiled as he stood silently in the doorway, leaning against the frame.

  “Are you so certain?” Jon asked.

  Cricket’s eyes were as large as teacups before she fainted.

  “Jon!” Cordie screamed as she kneeled at her friend’s side and began fanning Cricket.

  “It appears she is waking. I shall wait on the balcony.”

  Slowly, Cricket’s eyes opened. “Was that who I think it was?”

  “Yep. Do you want to meet him?”

  Her head barely nodded as Cordie helped Cricket to stand. She held Cricket’s hand tightly and led her to the balcony where Jon was seated in one of the rocking chairs.

  “Cricket Derringer, might I introduce you to Jon Pembroke Schelling.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Miss Cricket,” Jon said as he stood.

  “Um, yeah,” Cricket whispered, unsure if she should attempt to shake his hand or not.

  “It’s ok, Cricket. Jon is just as real as you or me,” Cordie said with encouragement.

  “Except he died nearly 200 years ago,” Cricket said in an attempt to break the tension. She finally extended her hand and was surprised when Jon took hers and kissed it.

  “His lips are warm,” she exclaimed.

  “I know,” Cordie whispered and giggled.

  “It would appear our meeting has been a long time in the making, Miss Cricket,” Jon said as he waited for the women to sit down.

  “He won’t sit down till we do,” Cordie whispered in Cricket’s ear.

  “Oh.” Cricket immediately sat down. Cordie walked over to Jon and sat on the floor next to him.

  “Now do you believe me?”
>
  “It’s a little hard not to when he is sitting right there. I mean, I touched him. He’s real,” Cricket said, still in shock.

  “We need your assistance, Miss Cricket,” Jon began. “If we are to effect a right wronged.”

  “Okay,” she hesitantly.

  “I need you to distract my aunt and uncle on the day I travel back to stop Jon’s murder.”

  “You what?”

  “Maybe it would be better if you could see it first hand,” Cordie said, looking at Jon.

  Cordie walked to her room and pulled the dress from the closet, slipping it over her clothes. She walked to the balcony and led Cricket to the mirror, holding her friend’s hand tightly.

  “Take us to Jon,” Cordie whispered and placed her hand in the center of the glass. The portal opened, which allowed Cricket to see Jon, standing at the edge of the cotton field as he wiped sweat from his brow. Cordie quickly pulled her hand away from the glass. The image immediately disappeared.

  “No way!” Cricket shouted as Cordie removed the dress and tucked it inside the closet.

  “I can control it, Cricket. It’s just that when I am there, here I look like I am sleeping. My breathing gets shallow, but you have to trust me. Nothing bad can happen. If you don’t help us, I won’t be able to save Jon.”

  Cricket turned to look at Jon, who was standing in the doorway. She could see the love in their eyes as they looked at each other. They had a connection that Cricket had only dreamed of making.

  In hushed and whispered tones, Cordie explained the plan and what she meant to do to save Jon from his fate. Cricket listened intently.

  “You know, that just might work. What do you need me to do?”

  Thirty minutes later, a car pulled into the drive. Cordie and Cricket rushed to the kitchen so nothing would appear out of sorts. As soon as the chime on the door sounded, Sadie called out to her niece.

  “Something sure smells delicious,” Sadie said as she hung her coat on the tree rack in the foyer.

  “It sure does,” Jesse chimed. “I could eat a horse.”