"I’m beginning to unravel some of the mystery that surrounds Liza-Mae. It’s important to both of us that I figure this out, and see this through to the end.”
“You’ve already indicated that you intend to see it through to the end, whenever that may be. Good luck, Lyle.” Blaire said with weariness in her voice as she turned to leave.
“You sound cold, but I suppose I deserve it.”
Blaire remained frozen to the spot, her inner turmoil clearly unveiled in her features, and turned again to the river, concentrating on the sunset in silence. Lyle watched her, hoping to commit her face to memory until he saw her again. When she turned to look at him, he witnessed a transparency in her eyes that seemed to mirror the torment in her soul. His heart hammered with renewed excitement, for he realized he hadn’t lost her yet.
He reached out for her arm to stop her departure, and in the quietness of the night, he swore he could hear the identical beat pounding from her chest.
She rubbed the goose-bumps from her flesh but did not attempt to stop the flow of tears that trickled down her cheeks while she leveled her gaze upon him. Their brief contact betrayed her brave show of confidence, and he watched as her well-erected walls broke down.
Lyle responded by gathering her into his arms, her lips burned on his, and their tears mingled together, seasoning their embrace. He missed her already. Would he ever stop missing her?
She finally pulled away. He saw hints of panic grazing her expression, and Lyle realized the desperation of the moment had passed like a fleeting breeze leaving debris that could not be swept away.
She touched his cheek briefly, tenderly, and whispered, “Goodbye, my love.”
“Not goodbye, Blaire—see you later.”
She smiled, turned, and walked out of his life, without so much as a glance behind her. The sun disappeared behind the horizon and he was alone again.
Chapter 13
Lyle was awake before the sun. He stretched lazily, turning his face to the east, waiting for the horizon to light up with a yellow glow. A new day always brought hope, It was scriptural that His blessings were new every morning, and Lyle definitely needed the Lord on his side that day. He planned to confront Timothy, Blaire’s brother, before he left for Spalding with the hope he could get enough of the mystery solved to stop Blaire from boarding the train that afternoon. Of course, he had no idea as to her plans, now armed with the knowledge of Timothy’s arrival in Pelican Rapids—she’d given no indication last night.
Lyle munched on some bread and pasties he’d purchased the day before at Winthrop’s Tea Shop and Bakery along with some cheese from the mercantile, then he rolled up his blanket, and went to saddle Jasper. He could have left him at the livery, but he’d heard Blaire talk about the Chase fellow who owned it. He’d actually had the nerve to make a play for her, knowing she was slated to marry someone else. With everything that had happened since then, Lyle would be just as pleased not to have the man know of Blaire’s unexpected availability. She might possibly feel desperate enough to take him up on a marriage proposal.
His fears relaxed when he recalled Blaire’s kiss the night before and knew she was not ready to become Mrs. Chase Falcon any time soon. Lyle still held her heart, and that knowledge provided the urgency to get this business with Liza-Mae over with, once and for all. Perhaps the appearance of Timothy Davis would speed up the process.
He heard the train whistle in the distance and knew time was not on his side. Pelican Rapids was the end of the line, and the passengers would disembark there, and later in the day, the cars would fill again with folks heading south.
Once the horse was saddled, his bags fastened to the side, and the bedroll tied, Lyle slid onto Jasper’s back and steered away from the river to make his way for the train station. Whenever he found himself in Pelican Rapids, curiosity to see the people who came and went always lured him to the bench to watch. He started to whittle just as the train chugged to a stop.
When the air cleared, passengers began to disembark. Ladies, men, and families of all stations in life stepped onto the platform, and Lyle wondered if Ella Milton had any new brides on the hook. He’d sat there for two days watching for his to arrive, but somehow never suspected Blaire would be his mail-order surprise. She was everything he had ever wanted in a woman, and it caused him no end of grief to think of her boarding the same train six hours from now to go back to where she had come from with her childhood sweetheart by her side. A lot of things could happen when cooped up together inside that steel contraption for so long.
The town was awake now, and he figured he’d better get to investigating Timothy before he skedaddled in the wrong direction. Just as he started down the road toward the hotel, he looked up and came face to face with Samuel Frierson. Lyle stopped dead in his tracks as the two men stared each other down. The last thing he’d expected was a face to face confrontation with his ex-father-in-law.
“Good morning, sir,” Lyle said to break the ice. “I was expecting a wire, not a flesh-and-blood visit, but thank you for coming.”
“You’ve gotten yourself into another mess, son. One you probably did not foresee.”
“I thought Liza-Mae was dead. Imagine my surprise when she landed on my doorstep,” Lyle said.
“She is dead.” The tall, well-dressed man took his watch from an inside pocket and grunted. “I’m starved. Is there anywhere to eat before the stagecoach leaves for Spalding?”
“You can hire a horse and ride with me sir, or if you prefer, we can take the stagecoach,” Lyle added recalling the man came from a cushioned existence and would probably not appreciate bouncing around on a horse’s back for an entire day.
“Food first. I’ve just put my feet on solid ground and am eager to stay there for a few hours.”
Lyle picked up his bag and grimaced on the inside. It was a force of habit; he’d always catered to the man. But what would it hurt one last time if it meant getting rid of Liza-Mae?
The three words Mr. Frierson had said finally registered. “Dead sir? I beg to differ.”
The man slapped Lyle on the back and sighed. “Food first, then we’ll strategize.”
Lyle could barely eat a bite, but he watched Samuel Frierson down a plate of eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes.
“Not hungry, boy?”
“More curious than hungry.”
Samuel dabbed at the corners of his mouth with his cloth napkin and drained his cup of coffee. “Well, I’ll get right to it. Everything you believed about your wife’s death is true. I swear it on a stack of Bibles.”
“Then, who is the woman in Spalding who looks identical to Liza-Mae and claims to be my wife?”
“Her twin sister.”
“No one ever mentioned a twin sister.”
“Yes, well, she is a social disgrace to the family, and we kept her whereabouts a secret. Eventually, we forgot about her. God only gave her half a brain, you see. Our Liza-Mae got all the smarts when the identical twins were born.”
“You stashed your own daughter in an asylum and forgot she was there? Am I hearing you right?”
“I did pay for her upkeep,” said Mr. Frierson as if that made it acceptable. “A half-wit who nobody would accept in normal society. We’d been given a good one, so we raised her and left the other in the Good Lord’s hands.”
“Well, the lady in Spalding does not qualify as a half-wit. She is quite ingenious in her role, playing Liza-Mae.”
“I stopped reading the reports the asylum send. Like I said, I paid a handsome sum to keep her safe behind locked doors.” Samuel cleared his throat. “When I received your wire, I was baffled at first, for I knew we’d put Liza-Mae in the ground. If you were fooled by the woman’s identity, the only one left to fit the bill was Joyce-Ann. I immediately went to the institution, only to discover the girl was gone, and they’d discontinued the search. Apparently, they’d written a letter informing me, but I suppose it went in the fire, unread like the previous ones.”
“How does a father totally disconnect from his child like that?” Lyle said his voice raised in anger. “It’s inhumane.”
“You never did understand us, Lyle. That’s why we were glad you left without causing a fuss.”
“A fuss? Why would I do that?”
“We are one of the wealthiest families in California.”
“I never wanted your money.”
“Luck was with us, for I knew a friend who was sucked financially dry for years by blackmail deals gone awry,” Mr. Frierson said. “When you left, we sighed in relief. After a time of grieving, we went on with life as if you’d never been part of it.”
Lyle sat back in his chair and stared at the man in front of him. It all came rushing back—the complete lack of consideration for another human being when it did not fit into his tight, well-defined status.
“So, what brings you to Pelican Rapids? I expected to meet up with you in Spalding,” he said, his expression taking on a level of uneasiness. “Is Joyce-Ann here?”
“No, I left her in Spalding,” Lyle said.
“What? The doctors at the hospital say she is fragile—whatever that means—and could turn on you faster than flipping a coin. She is a danger to herself as well as everyone around here.”
“She seemed fairly focused on her mission to pick up where Liza-Mae and I left off. I did notice some oddities, but I chalked them up as something new and deceptive in her character, or maybe results from the accident that she’d somehow survived. Never imagined her as dangerous.”
“That’s good,” he said. “Doctors tend to exaggerate. Makes them look important.”
Lyle straightened in his chair and asked, “Perhaps you can help me with a matter before we head to Spalding?”
“Help you?” the man said, looking down his nose at him quizzically. “I suppose one good turn deserves another. How?”
“Well, your Joyce-Ann has created mayhem in my life. I am a married man, and my wife was understandably upset at the sudden appearance of what I suspected was my deceased wife in the flesh.”
Samuel Frierson chuckled as if a woman’s feelings did not warrant serious consideration.
“Blaire has graciously stepped aside, and she is leaving on the train later today,” Lyle said. “This is not something either of us wants, and it would help my cause if you were to explain this case of mistaken identity.”
“So, that’s why you’re in Pelican Rapids—to get your wife back?” Samuel chuckled again. “You, young man, do not seem to have a good track record with women.”
Lyle let that comment slide. He couldn’t care less what the man thought of him, as long as Blaire did not board that train. “What do you say? It is your daughter’s fault we are considering separation.”
Samuel Frierson stood up. “Fine. Let’s get to it. I’m not in Minnesota for a vacation. And by the way, we’ll be buying a fare to ride the stagecoach to your backward town. I won’t be riding on the back of a sweaty animal.”
“Fine with me.” It was just as Lyle had guessed, but the arrangement would be a better choice for Blaire as well, considering all the bags she’d packed.
The two men walked at a steady pace to the hotel on Birch Street where Blaire was staying. Lyle hurried inside, and at the desk, asked as to whether Blaire was still at the hotel.
“Yes, sir. The lady just returned five minutes ago, toting two men on her arms. They are in her room, as far as I know.”
“What’s the number?”
The desk clerk looked at Samuel and back to Lyle. “Four men, sir, in the lady’s room? She must take better care of her reputation if she is to be respected hereabouts.”
“I am her husband, so you needn’t worry about her reputation,” Lyle said, angered at his comment.
“Sorry, sir. She’s in Room 202, Mr. Davis.”
Lyle did not bother to correct his name, but at the same time, he felt deflated that Blaire had returned to her maiden name so quickly. He took two steps at a time and landed on the second floor only to find Samuel Frierson taking his good old time following. He heard laughter coming from inside the room, and he knocked hard on the door to get their attention.
Blaire opened the door and gasped, bringing a hand to her throat. “Lyle, what are you doing here? Surely, we cannot say goodbye any more times.”
“If you recall, I never said goodbye; simply, see you later.”
“You’ve become quite literal in your thinking, I see.” She beckoned him inside, and Lyle could see the excitement in her face. “I thought you were grasping at straws when you said Timothy was here, but it appears, he is. David and I are enjoying this surprise reunion.”
Lyle stumbled in and glanced behind him. “I brought someone for you to meet, as well. May he come in?”
“Certainly.” She grinned. “Any friend of yours is a friend of mine—except, of course, your wife. My grace is not that encompassing.”
“Your wife has a sense of humor,” Samuel said.
“Why, thank you, sir. I consider that a compliment. My name is Blaire Frazer…I mean, Davis.”
“No, my dear, I think you had it right the first time.” He walked past her and headed for a small bar in the room. “May I indulge? The train ride was deplorable and my throat is parched.”
“Help yourself. The bottle has not been opened. We are non-drinkers—feel free to take it with you when you leave.”
“Not only a sense of humor but hospitable,” he said to Lyle. “You might have done yourself proud this time around.”
Blaire looked confused and Lyle moved in to take her hand. “I am not sorry to barge in on your reunion, for I have wonderful news. The mystery has been solved.”
“The mystery? Your mystery?”
Samuel Frierson took a gulp of liquor and returned to where Lyle and Blaire were standing. “Your husband has dragged me here to ease your conscience. It appears that my daughter has been naughty and causing you grief.”
“Liza-Mae? Is she your daughter?”
“Yes, she was, as is her identical twin sister, Joyce-Ann. The girls share an exact likeness, but only in appearance. One had a well-developed mind while the other was coy and could play as many roles as she saw fit. Her mother and I committed her to an asylum upstate when she was young, and until recently, that was her home. The doctors say she slipped away in the night.”
“How is that possible?” Blaire said.
“An oversight on the organization’s part. When I return, I will see to it that security is strengthened around the perimeter.”
“You will put her back in there?” Blaire asked. “I can’t imagine the woman is beyond reasoning. Besides her obvious deception, she functioned quite normally.”
Timothy joined the group. “I beg to differ. I met the woman in Kentucky as she passed through. We had a few too many drinks, and the liquor loosened her tongue. She aroused my suspicion when she mentioned the surname Frazer, and I immediately thought of the doctor my little sister had just married. How many Frazers could there be in Minnesota? After she left, I couldn’t shake the omen, as if I had to go and see that Blaire was happily married to a different Frazer.”
“You never gave that as your reason for coming,” David said. “Are you in on this woman’s game?”
“No, I swear, but she is unpredictable, as her father claims.” Timothy looked at Lyle. “Where is she now?”
“I left her in Spalding. I was on my own mission to talk my wife into coming home. This morning when my ex-father-in-law stepped off the train and answered all my questions, I couldn’t get to the hotel fast enough.” He grabbed Blaire’s hands. “I know I disappointed you by not telling you of my past, but I beg you to forgive me. I love you and want to share my life with you. That has never changed during this entire mess.”
Blaire simply stared and he watched her eyes gloss over with emotion. Lyle prayed that her heart would be softened, and she would take him back. When she bit her lower lip, he knew she was debating the issue, and he took hope fro
m it.
“While you two are taking your sweet time with this stand-off, I can vouch for one certainty: we need to get to Spalding before Joyce-Ann moves into phase two of her plan.”
“Which is?” Lyle asked.
“Wouldn’t be surprised she’s moved into your house by now, or if you left on bad terms, she might have burned the thing down,” Timothy said. “Some of the nonsense she spouted while under the influence of hard liquor would set your mind to wondering how a woman could dream up such devilment.”
Samuel Frierson dropped his shot glass on the table and picked up the bottle. “Thanks for the contribution. Got a feeling I may need more of this before this ordeal is over.”
Lyle squeezed Blair’s hand. “It’s almost over. We are heading back on the stagecoach. If you love me and want to try again, I hope you will be there. Please, Blair—I can’t bear the thought of living without you.” He turned his attention to Timothy. “You coming for the final showdown?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said. “Besides, I promised Father I’d see this through to the end. He kissed his sister before he slung his bag over his shoulder. “See you there…or at home—your choice, sis.”
As the three men entered the hallway, Lyle thought he heard Blair sniffle, and he took hope once more that her heart was still open, and this horrid interruption to their marital bliss would simply be a hiccup they’d survive to tell their grandchildren someday.
For now, he needed to focus on safely handing the confused Joyce-Ann over to her father.
Chapter 14
Blaire closed the door behind the men and fell against it, breathing deeply. She closed her eyes and wondered if the previous ten minutes had been her imagination. She thought of what her brother had said, referring to Kentucky as home when everything within her yearned for small-town Spalding. She recalled Lyle’s countless declarations of love, and she smiled.
If the woman arriving on their doorstep had been his wife, would that have made a difference in the trust issue she’d battled? After all, Lyle had lied by omission, not apprising her of his previous marriage. That had been wrong, but he’d apologized, and that should have been enough. Humanity in its very essence was imperfection. Everyone made mistakes.
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