Choosing One Moment

by Marja McGraw

  “Jealousy can take some strange roads,” I said. “Maybe one of them figures if he can’t have her, neither can you. I have a feeling we’ll be learning more from Mother Possum, too. She’s really getting into this whole investigation.”

  Daniel smiled. “You and my brother remind me of each other. He calls it an investigation, too. Of course, he was a lawman and you’re a writer, so I guess it makes sense. I think of it as a puzzle that’s got to be worked out before my betrothed gets hurt.”

  “Speaking of your betrothed,” Elsbeth said, “Mama wants us to pick a date for the wedding.”

  “The sooner the better.” Daniel looked at her with pure love in his eyes.

  She’d turned to me and didn’t see his expression.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Nathaniel saw Ruth coming down the road and he’s out front talking to her right now,” I said.

  “I’ll go out and help him,” Daniel said. “I know Ruth can be… Hmm. Difficult. Never mind. ”

  “Are you aware that Ruth is the only friend Carrie has?” Elsbeth looked sad. “I’m sorry my sister is so hard to get along with, but I still think it’s a hormonal problem. Over the years I did a lot of research about natural remedies. When she comes back I hope she’ll work with me. I don’t think she’s happy with the way she is.”

  “I feel sorry for her just because I’m having so much trouble staying in character as her. She must be miserable.” I was too cheerful to keep up the charade much longer. It made me miserable.

  “Things are different in this day and age.” My aunt shrugged her shoulders. “I saw a neighbor put in a mental institution. Well, actually, she’s been in and out a few times. Honestly? I think she’s menopausal, but they don’t understand yet.”

  “Who’s they?” I asked.

  “Mostly men, doctors, and actually a lot of women. You’re lucky you live in an era when people get it.”

  “I don’t remember you going through a horrible time.”

  “I didn’t. I’m one of the lucky ones. I knew a woman in your time who’s always angry. I’ve seen her chase cars down the street with a broom. Seriously. She yells at the cars, too. Her husband can’t understand what she’s going through and even in your day, he wants to put her away.”

  I started to laugh. I couldn’t help myself. “Okay, let’s talk about something else. This is depressing, although your story about chasing cars is kind of funny – in a sad way.”

  “Yes, it is. I think Daniel and Nathaniel should talk to the male suspects. Men don’t seem to respect women and their opinions around here. I’ve started developing a reputation for being rebellious, because I speak up on women’s issues. Men don’t like that, and some women don’t either. Thankfully, Daniel doesn’t mind, and in fact, he sticks up for me from time to time.”

  “Only from time to time?” I was teasing, of course.

  “I’ll take what I can get. Surprisingly, Papa sticks up for me sometimes, too.”

  Papa returned to the barn and we clammed up in a hurry.

  “So, Papa, how are the trees this morning?” I asked.

  He looked nonplussed. “Uh, they’re just fine. We’ll have a good crop this year.”

  How are the trees? I sounded like I thought he was checking on… I didn’t know what, but certainly not trees.

  “Your Mama is looking for you,” he said. “She says you girls have chores to take care of, so you’d better get to it.”

  I nodded and took hold of my aunt’s hand, pulling her outside with me.

  “Elsbeth, I don’t know what chores I’m supposed to be doing. What does Mama expect of me?”

  She laughed and did a rundown of exactly what I was supposed to be doing.

  It was starting to sprinkle but I was used to rain. Washington is infamous for its rain, just like Arizona is for its heat.

  We ran to the house, took off our shoes, and started our chores.

  The first thing I had to do was dust the furniture, which included the whole house. In my time I usually dusted one room a day and spread out the work.

  I found myself whistling while I cleaned.

  Mama seemed to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and she leaned through the doorway, watching me for a moment. She shook her head and returned to her domain.

  I stopped whistling. Being old Carrie was hard work.

  Elsbeth tapped me on the shoulder. “I wish I could talk Papa into buying a gramophone. Even if it’s different than we’re used to, I’d like to hear music. Take Me Out to the Ballgame might be one you’re familiar with, Carrie. Or you could sing Cuddle Up a Little Closer to Nathaniel.” She turned and left the room before I could make a sarcastic reply, but I’d seen the grin on her face.

  I suddenly realized how much I missed listening to my music, and I smiled when I thought about her comment regarding singing to Nathaniel.

  There was more laundry to be done and that was my next task. Elsbeth said she’d help me hang it out to dry. Dry the laundry? I glanced out the window and saw that the sun was making a grand entrance with the clouds drifting out of sight. I wondered what they did about the laundry when it was raining, but soon forgot about that as I figured out how the washing machine worked.

  I started to whistle again, caught myself, and clamped my lips together. After all, this was hard work. What did I have to whistle about?

  I peeked in the kitchen and saw Elsbeth shelling peas. Huh! I wondered how she got the easier job.

  We eventually finished our chores and returned to the barn where we found Papa and the brothers deep in conversation. We stopped by the door and listened, watching through cracks in the door.

  “…and from what Ruth said, I honestly don’t think Clarence had anything to do with trying to harm Elsbeth. Or Carrie, as the case might be.” Daniel sat on top of a wooden box while they talked.

  Nathaniel leaned against a post, while Papa sat on a stool at his work bench.

  Papa looked angry. “No one is going to hurt one of my girls. I’m probably not the best father, but I care about my daughters. I just don’t always show it.” His expression changed to one of discomfort. I suspected he wasn’t used to discussing feelings with anyone. It probably took an army to get him to talk to Mama about such things.

  “We can take another look at Ruth and Clarence after we talk to Willy Rhodes and Jesse Baker,” Nathaniel said. “I can’t put my finger on it, but something about Ruth didn’t feel right. Mother Possum doesn’t miss much around here. She might come up with some other names, too.”

  “What do you mean about Ruth?” Daniel asked.

  “I can’t explain it. I’ll have to think on some of her answers to my questions before it’ll come to me.”

  “Mr. McFerrin,” Daniel said, “you don’t have to worry about your daughters. My brother and I will keep an eye on them. They’re two special girls.”

  “Call me Clayton, son.”

  I loved the way everyone referred to us as girls, and I was pretty sure my aunt enjoyed it even more than me. These were the days when political correctness didn’t exist, and being called a girl made me feel younger again. I figured she probably felt almost giddy when she was referred to like that. After all, she’d been eighty-eight when she died, or traveled, depending on your point of view.

  Elsbeth whispered in my ear. “I have to admit, it’s rather nice to have someone want to take care of me. I spent a lifetime taking care of myself. I could fix anything from a toilet to installing a light fixture in the ceiling. It got old.”

  I’d never thought about it. She’d taken care of most of her own repairs until she reached an age where she couldn’t. She made me feel spoiled. I always hired a handyman, or sometimes my father showed me how to do things.

  My aunt coughed. “Uh oh. I’m sure they heard that.”

  She stepped forward so they wouldn’t know we’d been eavesdropping.

  “So?” she asked. “What did Ruth have to say?”

  “Nothing of any importance.” N
athaniel watched me while he spoke to her.

  I felt my face turn hot.

  “She said she didn’t like the way you treated Carrie, but none of us have ever seen you mistreat her. Elsbeth, you’ve never done anything to her, have you?”

  “Certainly not,” she replied. “I’ve always reached out to her, but she wouldn’t have any part of it.”

  Papa looked at me. “Carrie? Has your sister done anything to hurt you?”

  “Why, no, Papa.” I had no idea, and I was sure my aunt didn’t either. “I’m not sure what Ruth meant.”

  We’d have to ask more questions and do as much research as possible. I figured it would be a lost cause. We hadn’t found any diaries, and there wasn’t a library with history books or a computer nearby.

  Papa nodded, satisfied with our answers. “Have you girls finished your chores yet?”

  “Yes, Papa.”

  He glanced up at the sun. “It must be just about time for your mama to call us for supper.”

  Our chores had taken longer than I realized. Time flies when you’re busy.

  Papa turned to leave the barn, and Nathaniel stepped forward.

  “Do we have time to take the girls for a stroll before supper?” he asked.

  “I’d say so, but make it a short one.” Papa stopped walking and turned back. “Say, why don’t you fellas stay and eat with us?”

  Daniel didn’t hesitate. “Thanks for the invite.”

  Nathaniel nodded his agreement. “Jane cooks better ‘n my own Mama used to, and I didn’t think that was possible.”

  “Get on with ya,” Papa said, but he was grinning.

  Daniel took my aunt’s hand and led her out of the barn, following Papa.

  Nathaniel watched them before reaching for my hand. He grinned from ear to ear. “Not only are you a writer of mysteries, but you’re a beautiful woman. And you’re nothing like old Carrie.”

  “Thank you.” Had my voice sounded almost shy? Sometimes I surprised myself.

  “You’re welcome. Daniel and me are putting our work aside for a few days to watch over you and Elsbeth. There won’t be any murders today.”

  “Wait!” That’s when it struck me, a mystery writer, who should have seen it earlier – a murder had already been committed. Original Elsbeth had been shoved down the stairs on purpose and died, which was murder. We hadn’t seen a dead body because of my aunt leaping into Elsbeth, so it hadn’t seemed real.

  All four of us should have realized the truth.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Wait for what?” Nathaniel asked.

  I squeezed his hand and stopped walking before pulling him back into the barn. “We’re going about this all wrong. Yes, we need to protect my aunt, but we need to solve a murder, too. There’s already been a murder. Or hadn’t you taken notice of that little fact?”

  “I wondered when you’d figure that out. Daniel and me have already figured that part out, but we didn’t know how you ladies would take the news. We didn’t want to get you all in a dither.”

  I didn’t even have to think about it. I knew just what he meant. “Listen, pal, I know people think women are delicate little flowers in your day, except when they’re doing chores and working hard, but in my day things are different. You can be honest and outspoken with me and my aunt.” My sarcasm about working hard seemed to be lost on him.

  “Okay, if you want honesty, here it is.”

  I looked into his eyes, feeling sure there was more that the brothers hadn’t told us. It was time for him to fess up and… Fess up? Oh, good grief. I was picking up on the vernacular of the era.

  He pulled me close, put his arms around me, and kissed me. “I’ve wanted to do that since I first laid eyes on you. I don’t want to be your pal. How’s that for honesty?”

  “But – “

  He interrupted me by kissing me again. It certainly wasn’t a kiss you’d get from a pal. In fact, I liked it and decided maybe I didn’t want him for just a friend. It was too bad I’d eventually have to return to my own time.

  When we broke for air, I said, “Too bad I don’t get to stay longer. I could get used to this. I hope I’m not being too forward. I know things are different in these days. After all, I only met you yesterday.”

  He laughed and hugged me before taking hold of my shoulders and turning me toward the door. “It’s time for a long stroll, you delicate little flower.”

  I tripped on the way out of the barn. “Yeah, that’s me. I’m as graceful as they come.”

  We walked outside and found Elsbeth and Daniel waiting for us.

  My aunt took one look at my face and turned away. I knew she was laughing because her shoulders shook.

  “What’s so funny?” Daniel walked beside her.

  “Nothing. We’ll talk later.”

  Nathaniel reached forward and nudged his brother’s shoulder. “Carrie finally figured it out.”

  “Kind of a slow thinker for a writer of mysteries, isn’t she?” Daniel smiled over his shoulder at me.

  “Now wait a minute. I just got here yesterday. You guys have had time to figure out all of this. Give me a break.”

  Nathaniel backpedaled a little. “You’re right. You couldn’t have known everything. We couldn’t decide whether to tell you what we knew or not. I feel like I’ve known you a long time, but I haven’t.”

  “Darn right you haven’t.” My feathers had been ruffled and he knew it. I got over it quickly though. “It’s okay.”

  Elsbeth suddenly stopped walking and, unfortunately, I’d turned to Nathaniel. There was a sparkle in his eyes and he winked at me. I ran into her. Daniel held onto her arm so she wouldn’t fall.

  Why did people feel the need to wink at me? My aunt did it, my father did it, and now Nathaniel was winking at me. Total strangers winked at me from time to time.

  “Watch where you’re going, and what are you talking about?” my aunt asked.

  Daniel explained the situation to her and she gasped. I mean, she literally gasped.

  “Why didn’t I see it? I’m as slow as Carrie. No offense, Carrie, but between us we should have figured this out. I mean, we’ve even talked about Elsbeth being dead.”

  “None taken,” I said. “Original Elsbeth was murdered, and someone is still after you. Whoever it is doesn’t realize what they’ve done.”

  My aunt nodded. “But don’t forget, it appears that they might be after you, too. What could the two sisters have done to make someone angry enough to try to kill them? I haven’t found anything, or heard anything, that could have caused this.”

  “Maybe Mother Possum has the answer.” My brain had finally kicked into gear. “Remember, not much gets past her. I’m sure she knows all the local gossip, too. She might be our best source of information.”

  “Mama made a cobbler. After supper why don’t the two of us take her some cobbler and go talk to her.” The idea of a murder already happening had apparently whet my aunt’s appetite for answers.

  Nathaniel agreed with her. “But, let’s all go. Maybe we can start figuring this out.”

  Daniel nodded. “I like that old woman, and I’m liking her more all the time. Lots of people stop to talk to her.”

  My aunt smiled. “For just a few minutes, let’s forget about all of this. Let’s walk down to the creek. I know a spot that leads to a little field along the bank and no one else knows about it.”

  We walked a little faster because we knew we had to get back in time for supper.

  “Will we see all the frogs?” I asked.

  “Maybe. The creek isn’t that far away.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I know. It’s still there in my time. I wonder why I never thought about how musical the frogs sound.”

  “Too much traffic and background noise. You’re not as likely to notice them in your day as in this era.” My aunt’s steps came faster.

  We followed her to the edge of the woods before she took off running.

  “Race ya,” she yelled.

>   There wasn’t much of a trail, but we followed her through the trees as well as we could. She took a turn past a pine tree, running as fast as her long skirt would allow.

  “Wait for us,” Daniel hollered.

  There was a sound like something falling just before we heard Elsbeth cry out. Daniel took off like a shot.

  Nathaniel and I followed suit and found my aunt on the ground, rubbing her ankle and muttering under her breath.

  We started to run to her.

  “Stop,” she said. “Slow down and watch where you’re walking.” She pointed at something before holding her hand up in a halting signal. Her face was pale and she looked frightened.

  Daniel approached her cautiously.

  He and Nathaniel studied something. It took a moment for me to focus on what had caught their interest.

  There was a heavy string tied between two trees and it was fairly close to the ground – maybe ankle height. My aunt had tripped over it.

  She groaned. “I think I really hurt my ankle, but it could have been worse. You’d better come closer, but be careful.” She was staring at something on the ground.

  Daniel’s face turned beet red with anger. “Who would do something like this? There’s no excuse and it wasn’t an accident.” His voice became louder with each word.

  Just to the left of my aunt, a knife had been buried – blade up – in the ground. There were no questions left in my mind about possible accidents. This had been done on purpose. She’d said no one else knew about the trail through the trees. She was wrong. Someone knew all about her secret path, and they’d tried to kill her again.

  “Wait a minute,” I said. “How did you find this path? You’re the new Elsbeth. You couldn’t know Original Elsbeth’s secrets.”

  She looked sheepish. “Carrie showed it to me not long before you and she changed places. When she and Ruth wanted to get away from the world, they’d come down here. No one else knew about it, that I know of.”

  “There’s Ruth’s name again.” Nathaniel had suspicion written all over his face. “I knew something didn’t seem right about her.”