They moved toward the house and Mr. Kline greeted them in front of his home. “Good day,” they all greeted one another.
“Who is it, honey? Are we having guests?” Could be heard from inside the house.
“It's Geraldine Laurel and the Sheriff,” Mr. Kline provided.
Sheriff Bradway dismounted and then helped Geraldine do the same. She didn't need help but accepted it, nevertheless.
Mrs. Kline came outside to greet them as well. Geraldine was surprised to see that the other woman was completely blind. Mrs. Kline always had problems with her eyesight. Geraldine was saddened it deteriorated so greatly. “Good day, Mrs. Kline,” Geraldine greeted her, moving a bit closer. She did not want to get in her path since it looked like the other woman had a certain pattern moving about. Geraldine was quite impressed she walked without anyone's help, even though Mr. Kline looked ready to assist if needed, he stayed put.
“Hello Geraldine,” Mrs. Kline replied with a broad, genuine smile. “Long time, no see.”
Geraldine couldn't help but chuckle, she was glad Mrs. Kline managed to keep her sense of humor despite her difficulties “Ah, yes, long time.”
She couldn't even imagine what it would be like to never see the world around her, her husband, her children as they grew up. Mrs. Agatha Kline was one brave woman for staying so vibrant and vigilant, and Geraldine was at awe with her.
Sheriff Bradway stated their business. If Mr. or Mrs. Kline were surprised the Sheriff dropped by at their doorstep, they didn't show it. “Please, do come in,” Mrs. Kline offered.
After visiting Mrs. Hobbs, and Mrs. Taylor who pretty much did all the talking, Geraldine was none the wiser how to start a conversation with Mrs. Kline about Elsa and her husband even indirectly. Geraldine was too confident before, she realized that now. That was her biggest mistake. Sadly, she was still at a loss, not knowing what to do or say. The Sheriff suggested confidence, apparently, she was lacking it.
Besides, this situation was far more delicate that she thought it would be. Truth be told, she didn't think, that was the problem. She was too focused on the bigger picture to be bothered with the small details like actually speaking with the wives. Completely foolish.
Mr. Kline looked like he wanted to help his wife back inside. When he neared her, she waved him away, and Geraldine was quite impressed she knew it was him.
I guess what they say is true, your other senses do become heightened when you lose one.
“You can sit in here,” Mr. Kline offered seats inside the living room. “Make yourself at home while I prepare the tea.”
“I will join you,” Sheriff offered.
“Let me do that,” Mrs. Kline objected. “No dear, you sit here with Geraldine.”
“Very well, thank you,” she made herself comfortable and Geraldine followed suit.
“Do you know what this is about?” Mrs. Kline asked her when the men left the room.
Geraldine decided to follow Sheriff Bradway's suit and not beat around the bush. “Elsa Potter was murdered, ma'am.”
Mrs. Kline sighed. “I heard. It's always tragic when something like that happens in our community and to one of our own.” Mrs. Kline offered, and Geraldine couldn't agree more. Also, Mrs. Kline was the first that didn't openly show disdain toward Elsa, and Geraldine was grateful for that.
“She meant a great deal to me,” Geraldine said in a small voice. She didn't have anyone to speak about that.
“I am sorry for your loss, honey. We only just heard about what happened. We do not leave the ranch that often, you know,” Mrs. Kline explained. “There's too much work to be done, especially at this time of the year.”
Geraldine knew that, remembering what it was like when they had a proper ranch as well. “I can only imagine,” Geraldine commented back. “How are you, my dear?”
“Me?” Geraldine was quite taken aback by that question.
Mrs. Kline nodded. “We heard you were the one that discovered Elsa. How are you fairing?” There was so much compassion in Agatha Kline's voice, Geraldine almost broke down and started crying again.
No more tears, you have to be strong now. Geraldine took a deep breath. “All right, I suppose, as much as I can be,” she replied honestly. It helped her spirit that she was doing this, helping the Sheriff. Although she was fairly certain she was doing a poor job since, once again, someone else was leading the conversation. Geraldine did not share such words with her companion.
“You poor thing,” Mrs. Kline scooted over and slowly by touch managed to find Geraldine's hand, and gave it a little squeeze, offering silent support.
Stay strong. “Poor Elsa,” Geraldine murmured.
“Indeed.” After a short pause Mrs. Kline added. “I never knew her that well.”
Unlike your husband, Geraldine thought to herself and immediately felt ashamed for such rudeness. On the other hand, the more she spent time with Robert digging through Auntie Elsa's past, the more she realized, Geraldine didn't know her that well at all.
She knew parts of her for sure, but not everything. Maybe that is only natural, we all keep some parts of ourselves buried deep inside and private.
“She always appeared a bit sad to me, despite that false bravado,” Mrs. Kline concluded, taking Geraldine by surprise. She was astounded by such a description of her aunt. It was not wrong, per se, simply different from what other people thought of her. “I really hope that Sheriff Bradway will catch the person responsible.”
“Me, as well,” Geraldine replied simply. This whole conversation with Mrs. Kline left her in shambles. Geraldine couldn't believe Mr. Kline ever noticed another woman, let alone fell in love with her while having this fierce and wise woman at his side. It was as Elsa used to say. Men are easily distracted by little things to see a bigger picture.
Said men chose that moment to return with a fresh, steaming pot of tea. By the look on Sheriff Bradway's face, it was more than apparent they already had their own version of this conversation. He doesn't look pleased, she observed. He handed her a cup of tea. “Thank you.”
“Here you go, my dear. Be careful, it's very hot,” Mr. Kline was very attentive to his wife and once again, Geraldine wondered what made him fall in love with Elsa in the first place. Looking at him now, at his demeanor and the way he looked at Agatha Kline, it was obvious she was everything to him.
I guess this is his atonement, she concluded. They drank their tea in silence. Clearly too lost in their own thoughts to carry on a conversation. The Sheriff clearly thought about this case. Mr. Kline thought about Elsa as well, maybe even about his love for her, Geraldine guessed. What was on Mrs. Kline's mind? Did she know? Geraldine asked herself.
Geraldine hoped she didn't, it would certainly break her heart.
Shortly after Sheriff Bradway thanked the pair, and Geraldine stood up for them to leave. She would always remember the talk she had with Mrs. Kline and her kind words.
I hope he never betrays her again, she prayed to the heavens. Placing herself in the shoes of these women, Geraldine couldn't say what she would do if she discovered her husband was disloyal to her.
Would I be capable of murder? That thought chilled her to the bones. I pray never to find out.
* * *
“Well?” Geraldine prompted the minute they were at a safe distance to talk without anyone being able to overhear them.
“He really does say ‘If divine providence wished it’ a lot.”
Geraldine gave him an annoyed look. “He doesn't have an alibi,” Robert replied, knowing that was what would interest her the most. “At least he does not have a very good one.”
Geraldine gasped then collected herself immediately, it was apparent she wanted to know more.
“They were both at the ranch, working.”
Geraldine nodded. “Yes, Mrs. Kline told me as much herself. They do have a lot of work on the ranch, especially at this time of year.”
“I know. That is not quite viable though, especially since—”
He managed to stop himself in time. Geraldine knew what was on his mind, nevertheless.
“Especially since his wife is blind, and he could have sneaked out,” she filled in the blank, which made Robert slightly uncomfortable. “Do you believe him to be innocent?” She asked another one.
That made him pause for a moment. It intrigued him she asked if he believed Cole Kline to be innocent other than being guilty. I guess she still believes in the good in people, which was a very precious trait. “I am inclined to,” Robert replied eventually.
“How so?”
Robert shrugged. “He broke down in tears when I mentioned the affair he had with Elsa Potter.”
“Really? That poor man.”
Robert wouldn't go that far. “He was terrified his wife would find out the truth about his infidelity.”
Geraldine nodded as if that completely made sense to her. “She is a sweet woman, who didn't deserve that.”
Robert tended to agree with her, however... “The problem with men who have something to lose is just that. They can get pretty desperate in preserving what they have.”
“What about Mr. Hobbs and Mr. Taylor?”
“They both have more solid alibis than Cole Kline, besides, Mrs. Taylor is far more suspicious than her husband, if you ask me.”
“You must be joking,” Geraldine rebelled. He most certainly wasn't. “Do you believe Mr. Kline killed Elsa?” Geraldine asked tentatively.
“I do not know; it is a possibility.” And he will find out. Besides, he had one more suspect to talk with. “Are you ready for us to confront Mr. Fergus Johnson?”
Geraldine made a face. It was apparent that despite her previous elation, she wasn't looking forward to that meeting.
Robert was prepared to change that.
Chapter Twenty-One
“So, you cannot walk, we can all attest to that,” Robert said in a cheerful tone. “And the only time you were bathing in a river, you almost drowned?” Robert asked rhetorically.
For the last twenty minutes, or so, he was trying to cheer Geraldine up. Not to sound too confident or smug, he was doing an amazing job. Geraldine was laughing with him, and that was a good sign since she wasn't thinking about all the negative stuff she heard or experienced.
She simply shrugged which Robert could feel with his entire body. They were riding together. Suddenly he had trouble swallowing. Robert couldn't decide if this riding together business was the best idea he ever had in his entire life or the most diabolical one since the agony he was in at the moment was so sweet, he never wanted it to end. This moment is not about you, so focus, he reminded himself.
Geraldine had difficulties with the Johnson family, to put it mildly, so he needed her in the right set of mind to handle this visit with him. Robert sighed in false exasperation. “A man can't take you anywhere out of fear you would hurt yourself.”
“Or ruin a perfectly good shirt,” she played along.
“That too. By the way, I tried washing it, and I swear it still smells,” he confessed, and she laughed so hard it made his heart swell.
“I will give it a go, then” she offered.
“Well, you should. It was your fault anyway.”
“You got in my way.”
“I was on my way.” Here we go again. They continued to banter about their first encounter, and Robert was loving every second of it. “I guess we reached an impasse,” Robert provided at some point.
Geraldine remained quiet. “I guess we did,” she replied eventually.
There was a short pause in the conversation, clearly, both were trying to out-clever the other one when Geraldine broke the silence. “I am good on horseback.”
“Excuse me?”
“You said a man cannot take you anywhere,” she mimicked his voice and he chuckled.
“I do not sound like that. Do I?”
“Well, maybe it's true that I cannot walk or swim, but I know how to ride,” she provided in a bright tone, and once again, Robert felt like patting himself on the back for managing to cheer her up.
“That is highly debatable,” he insisted, sternly. It was all for show, of course. “I'll believe it when I see it.”
“We could have a race,” she offered without a thought.
A horse race against her did wonders to his pulse, it doubled in mere seconds. Thinking about racing, Geraldine worried him to no end. It was clear the girl had no balance or proper motor skills, so picturing her in a gallop was the most frightening thing in the world. On the other hand, picturing her during such ride with her hair loose, smiling, completely free and unburdened thrilled him to no end.
That was why he heard himself say. “Deal.”
Robert knew the moment they stepped onto the Johnson's' property. Her whole demeanor changed. Geraldine's back became stiff as a board and her disdain was almost tangible, not that Robert could blame her.
After a few minutes of riding like that, Geraldine announced. “Here we are,” she glanced to her left and Robert followed suit.
He could see a rather big mansion in the distance. Robert was sure birds high up in the sky had no problems spotting it. Done all in white with blue jalousies, it was rather beautiful, Robert couldn't say differently. The floral garden in front of it complimented it perfectly, leaving the spectator thinking he stepped into another world. “The Summer Grove Mansion.”
Robert wasn't that surprised that their house had a name. Some people liked to do that, needing to incite importance in everything around them. As far as Robert was concerned, those kinds of people were highly insecure, and no amount of money or pompous names could change that.
“Summer? Do they have three more houses for the rest of the seasons,” he joked, unfortunately, Geraldine did not laugh. “Summer is Mrs. Johnson's middle name.”
Mr. Johnson went to great lengths to show the world how he loved and respected his wife. Robert felt like rolling his eyes. Knowing what Robert did know, all of this felt just a bit too much for him.
There were a lot of people on the grounds, workers just milling about, gardeners, maids, a stable boy that actually came running their way the minute they were in range.
Robert dismounted, Geraldine followed suit, and Robert offered the reins to the boy. The boy took Duke quite effortlessly toward the stable, offering him a simple cube of sugar. Traitor. That horse was apparently only difficult with him.“Back entrance is that way,” Geraldine provided. She started toward it and Robert stopped her. Back entrance? Why on earth would we go there?
“Let's go to the main one,” not waiting for a reply, he started marching toward it. He slowed his pace ever so slightly, climbing the steps so Geraldine could catch up with him.
He knocked on the door quite energetically even though he didn't have to bother. Everybody in this house knew they were coming the moment they stepped on Johnson's land. To prove the point, a young maid opened the door instantly. “Yes?”
“I am here to see Mr. Johnson.”
The maid pursed her lips together. She wasn't pleased about something. “Mr. Johnson is currently at a business meeting.”
“Is he here?” Robert insisted.
That flustered the maid ever so slightly, not that he cared. “Well yes, but—” Apparently, she didn't expect for him to linger after her initial refusal. So naive...“Then, as I said,” he stopped her mid-sentence. “I am here to see him.” Delivering that line, he marched inside, despite the maid's protest. Those protests weren't verbal, she simply looked as if her head was about to explode, all red and contorted with outrage. Geraldine was right at his side, ignoring the help and that was all that mattered to him.
“Sir—” The maid started.
“It's Sheriff Bradway,” he corrected her.
“Please.”
“Inform your master that we are here.”
It was clear there was something she wanted to say. Robert lost his patience with her a long time ago. “Well, what are you waiting for?” He snapped.
The mai
d, clearly confused and irritated by his behavior, turned on her heels and left, hopefully to do his bidding, leaving them right there in the grand foyer, which wasn't a very host-like thing to do.
Robert didn't like that he had to be that nasty, especially to a young woman. Sometimes, that is a necessary evil. Geraldine gave him the look, clearly thinking about the same thing, however, she didn't vocalize them. “Nice house,” he commented with a wink, trying to lighten the mood again.
Geraldine simply shrugged faking boredom. “If you like this kind of thing.” Robert couldn't help but chuckle in return.
The Sheriff's Rebellious Bride (Historical Western Romance) Page 21
