Lillian hoped this trip to Havenwood Falls would confirm the final piece of the puzzle and finally let Nathan accept the truth––Sam met with foul play that fateful day, and the camera and any other belongings were long gone from this world. She typed up the last page for the itinerary and slipped it out of the typewriter wheel with a zing, placing it neatly on her desk. As soon as Nathan returned from afternoon class, she’d let him know the whos, whats, and whens for his departure tomorrow.
The door opened with a click and startled Lillian.
“Finished,” Nathan called out as he entered the office. “The only thing left to do is mark the grades and submit them, then it’s off to Colorado.”
“I’ve made the final arrangements,” she said as she stood. “You’ll be taking the train into Montrose, Colorado, and Miss Mircea will meet you there. Apparently, they don’t have direct access other than a bus to take you into the town itself, so she’s offered to be your means of transportation.”
Nathan gave her an odd look.
“Yes, my thoughts exactly, but considering your insistence that you yourself flesh this one out, you will have to abide by the rules set forth by the woman who has the satchel,” Lillian said with a slight grin.
“Then I shall take it all at face value,” Nathan replied, returning her smile. “Did she say where to meet her?”
“No, only that she’d be there when the train arrived, and she’d be on a bench near the platform.”
“Okay then,” he sighed.
“Have you finished packing?” Lillian asked as she began to sort the papers Nathan had set on her desk.
“Oh you know, I still have a few things to pack,” he replied shyly.
“Nathan Allan Wade. I swear, will you never change?” Lillian laughed out loud. “Go home and get packed this instant.”
Nathan grinned, knowing his truth was revealed. He hadn’t packed a thing, but he was only going to be gone a few days. Nathan didn’t see the point in bringing his dress attire. Instead, he’d settle for his field clothes: a couple of sport shirts, casual trousers, and a pair of suspenders.
“I don’t have that much . . .” He relented under Lillian’s motherly gaze.
“Nonetheless, off you go,” Lillian said, shooing him out the door. “And don’t forget to stop by the bank on the way home. You should have plenty of cash with you—enough to last the week at least.”
“How about dinner tonight at six at Lombardi’s?” Nathan asked as he grabbed his coat and hat.
“That sounds lovely, but only if you’ve done as I’ve asked and will be ready to leave in the morning. Your train departs at seven, and you cannot be late,” Lillian chided.
“I will not only be ready to leave but will have my bags by the door.” Nathan grinned. “I’ll pick you up at five thirty,” he said as he opened the door to leave.
“Five thirty it is.” Lillian waved him out.
Nathan stopped by the bank, as Lillian suggested, and then the library. He needed to grab a book or two to keep his mind occupied on the train. It was, after all, going to take a few days to get to Colorado.
It was five thirty sharp when Nathan knocked on the door of Lillian’s apartment. She was always a stickler for being on time, and Nathan knew if he was late, she’d balk over needing to rush to dinner. He adored Lillian and wanted nothing more than to make her happy. They lived in separate apartments, but within the same building. Lillian lived on the floor below his, and as they headed down the stairs, Nathan remembered carrying his father’s satchel clumsily down each flight before his dad left for his latest expedition. He’d set it down on the last step and taken Lillian’s hand as Samuel told her when he’d be returning. That was the last time he saw his father. It was also the day Lillian became his guardian.
“I want you to order whatever you like tonight, and no scrimping because you’re worried about the cost, understand?” Nathan insisted.
“Oh no, you will not,” Lillian scolded. “We’re going to have a lovely dinner, but it will be on me.” Nathan started to protest but stopped when she gave him “the look.” “Besides, if you pay, I will assume it is to say goodbye, and I will not be saying goodbye to you, young man. You’ll return in a week, and when you do, you can buy dinner then.” She winked.
“Deal,” Nathan replied as he raised his arm in the air to hail a cab.
“We can walk, Nathan.”
“I didn’t want you to have to walk all that way,” he replied as the car pulled up to the curb. “And you gave no stipulation about a taxi, only dinner.”
Nathan opened the door and offered his hand to her.
Lillian clicked her tongue, but didn’t argue. Instead, the two rode to the restaurant, enjoyed a lovely meal, and returned home early enough for her to be able to read a chapter in her book before heading to bed. Nathan had left before on excursions, but he always came home. Something about him leaving this time felt different, though. They hugged one another tightly as they said their goodbyes.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be home in a week,” Nathan insisted as he kissed her forehead. “I love you, Lillian.”
“I love you too, Nathan. Now be careful. I’ll hold the fort down here until you return.”
He smiled. “You always do.”
Nathan looked back one last time before he headed upstairs.
Nathan slept for most of his three-day trip. The gentle sway of the train and clatter of the wheels on the track lulled him to sleep. When the train pulled into the station, he gathered his things and headed toward the exit. He was anxious, and not because he hadn’t traveled before, but because he was not simply venturing into the unknown, but into his own personal unknown. What if he found more than just his father’s satchel? Then again, what if it was a fake, a trick of some sort? Nathan quickly dismissed both lines of thinking, because it was pointless. Why would someone in Colorado play a joke on a professor in New York? It made no sense.
As he stepped onto the platform, Nathan glanced around, hoping to find a sign saying Havenwood Falls or a woman sitting on a bench waving her hand in the air, but there was nothing—no reference and no woman.
“Excuse me,” Nathan asked the conductor. “Which way to Havenwood Falls?”
The man stared at him with an odd expression. “I have no idea where that is, sir. This is Montrose, Colorado. Maybe you should check with the office,” he said, pointing to a window in the main building off the platform.
Nathan was confused, but thanked the man and headed in the direction the conductor pointed. He knew this was Montrose, but assumed Havenwood Falls was a town nearby. Why did the conductor act like he’d never heard of it?
“Mr. Wade?”
Nathan turned to see a young woman offering her hand to him. He gave her an odd look, but shook her hand anyway.
“Let me guess, you expected someone older?” she said.
“Ah! Miss Mircea. Actually, I did. I apologize. I meant no offense.”
“None taken. Glad to see you made it here safely,” she replied with a slight nod. “And please call me Calla Lily.”
“What a beautiful name.”
“Thank you.” She smiled kindly. “This way, we’re right over here.” Calla Lily pointed to a Ford Model T that had been retrofitted with tires thicker than the norm, obviously a necessity for dealing with the Colorado terrain.
Nathan deposited his bag in the back and climbed inside, choosing to stick to a generic topic like the weather as a way to pass the time while Calla Lily navigated the mountain pass. He was, of course, bursting at the seams to ask all the questions pooling on the tip of his tongue. How had his father’s camera ended up in Colorado? Did she remember who brought it in? Did she perhaps see his father firsthand? But, remembering Lillian’s words, he wasn’t ready to have his hopes crushed just yet, so he’d wait—wait until he saw it with his own eyes before broaching the sensitive subject.
“So, are all the mountain towns around here this hard to find?” Nathan asked as they rounde
d yet another bend in the road.
Calla Lily stifled a laugh. “No, probably not. Our little town is . . . special, a hidden gem, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Nathan arched his brow, but dismissed her comment. Instead, he turned back to the window and glanced up at the snow-tipped mountain caps.
Chapter 3
Nathan saw a large wooden sign atop a solid stone base that read “Havenwood Falls” as they entered the town. It wasn’t what he expected, but then again, this was the country, and he was a city boy. It was late afternoon when they rolled up to Whisper Falls Inn—a large Victorian-style manor complete with a wraparound porch, turrets and gingerbread trim. He definitely wasn’t in New York anymore. The next few days would be slow, easy country living, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to take in the calm, cool mountain air.
“You coming?” Calla Lily asked as she stepped onto the porch.
Nathan nodded. “Of course. Sorry. Was just taking in the fresh, clean air. Not something I’m used to, I’m afraid.”
“Well, there is plenty for you to enjoy while you’re here,” Calla Lily said as she stepped inside the doorway.
“Nathan, this is Mihail Petran. He and his wife Irina run the inn,” Calla Lily said with a bright smile as they made their way to the front desk.
Nathan nodded and extended his hand. “Mr. Petran, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Mihail gave Calla Lily a quick glance before extending his hand in return. Nathan looked between them and dismissed whatever silent conversation they were having.
“A woman named Lillian Hartman made the reservations for me,” he said, pulling a slip of paper from his pocket.
Mihail trailed his finger over the guestbook until he found Nathan’s name. “Mr. Wade?”
“See,” Calla Lily lilted, “everything is as it should be. They’ll get you checked in, and I will be back in a bit with the camera, if that works for you?” she said as she touched Nathan’s shoulder. “I know you want answers,” Calla Lily said softly. “And soon, you shall have them.”
Nathan started to speak, but Calla Lily seemed to be out the door before he could gather the first question he wanted to ask her. He’d waited this long, though, so what were a few more hours in the grand scheme of things?
“I have you all checked in, Mr. Wade,” Mihail said with a smile. “Irina will show you to your room, and if you need anything while you are here, please do not hesitate to find one of us.”
“Thank you, Mr. Petran.”
“Please, call me Mihail.”
Nathan nodded, but was confused by the sudden chill he felt as he looked at Mihail’s eyes—grey-green with an oddly handsome intrigue behind them.
“This way, Mr. Wade,” a woman’s voice spoke from over his shoulder.
Nathan turned and came face to face with a woman with the same grey-green eyes as Mihail’s. He stared for longer than a man should, before apologizing to her profusely. “I’m so very sorry. I was taken aback by your eyes.”
“No need to apologize, Mr. Wade. My name is Irina, and I’ll be showing you to your room.”
“O-of course,” Nathan stuttered as he reached for his bag and glanced back at Mihail, embarrassed for staring at the man’s wife. “Thank you. Thank you both.”
Mihail grinned slightly at Nathan before the professor moved to follow Irina down the hall. When the two of them arrived at his room, Irina opened and held the door for him.
The room was spacious, larger than any he was used to in New York. People often joked that hotels and apartments were postage-stamp-sized unless you were fortunate enough to be wealthy and could afford a larger space. Either way, Nathan was pleased with this room and happy to have the space to spread out. Maybe he’d view this as a vacation after all.
“If you need anything, Mr. Wade, please feel free to call down. We’ll be happy to help. Oh, and while we are working on putting a bathroom in each room, yours does not have one yet. The communal bathroom is down the hall to the right. We only have a few guests staying currently, so this floor should be relatively empty. At least that should give you a little peace and quiet while you’re here.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Petran.”
“Madame Luiza serves dinner in the dining room promptly at six. I’ll expect to see you in half an hour,” she said with a smile before closing the door.
Nathan grinned and thought of Lillian. She, too, was always concerned with whether or not he was properly fed. His stomach growled as he glanced at his watch. It had been a long trip, and while he’d eaten on the train, that had been hours ago. He opened up his bag and grabbed a few toiletries before heading down the hall to wash up.
Nathan stared at his reflection and sighed. He was only twenty-six, but with the circles darkening under his eyes, he appeared much older. The quest to find the answers surrounding his father’s death had taken its toll on him. He knew Lillian had seen it, but she always danced around the topic. Yet now, as he looked at himself, so close to the end of this quest, Nathan realized that no matter what he uncovered, he would have to move beyond this. He needed to put his father’s death in the past and move forward with his life. When his mother died of consumption, he was too young to have any memories of her, but with Samuel, he had eight years of laughter and fun. All not easily forgotten. Especially when there were no reasons why. Nathan washed his face and tamed the wild hairs on his five o’clock shadow before heading back to his room.
The smell wafting down the hall was too tempting, and Nathan decided to arrive a few minutes early. Irina’s mouth curved into a smile when she caught his eye, and he gave her an approving nod as he found a seat and put a napkin into his lap. Nathan thought about Lillian when “Regretful Blues” started to play on the Victrola. It had only been a few days, but he missed her and this was one of her favorite songs.
“Good evening, Nathan,” a woman with salt-and-pepper hair and elegant features said as she set down a loaf of bread and a few pats of butter. “We have two dishes this evening, if you’re hungry,” she lilted. “Pot roast with potatoes, carrots, and onions, or meatloaf and mashed potatoes.”
Nathan knew immediately. “Pot roast, please, with extra gravy if you have it to spare.”
She laughed. “Extra gravy it is.”
“Thank you, Madame Luiza,” Nathan replied.
“Ah, a perceptive one. How did you know I was Madame Luiza?”
“I just assumed.” He grinned as he reached for a piece of bread.
She winked and turned to leave. “Calla Lily will be joining you shortly, if you care to wait.”
Nathan pulled back his hand and set them in his lap, confused as to how Madame Luiza knew he was about to grab the bread with her back turned. A moment later, Calla Lily stepped into the foyer. Nathan saw her talking to Mihail and Irina before turning toward the dining hall. He could see underneath the evening cloak she was wearing that she brought the satchel. Moments from the truth, Nathan thought, standing as Calla Lily drew near.
“Calla Lily,” Nathan said as he pulled out the chair next to his. “Madame Luiza said you’d be arriving shortly. It seems she was correct.”
Calla Lily grinned as she moved to sit, setting the bag next to the chair. “She does have a keen sense when it comes to timing.”
Madame Luiza walked in, carrying a tray of teacups and a small teapot. “I assumed you’d want your usual green tea, but I added a bit of passion fruit and mango to it.”
She removed the items from the tray and placed them in front of Calla Lily.
“That sounds magnificent, Madame Luiza. I cannot wait to try it, and the pot roast smells heavenly. May I have some of that as well?”
Madame Luiza nodded her head gently. “Two pot roast plates, one with extra gravy, coming right up.”
As Madame Luiza made her way to the kitchen, Nathan stole a glance at the bag sitting next to Calla Lily.
“I know you are anxious to see this bag, but I’d like to share a meal—talk and get
to know one another—first,” Calla Lily said as she laid her hand on his. “Will that be okay?”
“I didn’t mean to be obvious. It has been a long time of wanting to know the truth.”
“You know, when I saw you this morning, you weren’t the only one who was expecting someone older. When I sent the letter, I didn’t know who the satchel or camera belonged to, but as I sit here before you, I am curious to know why it means so much.”
Nathan sat back in his chair and wondered why it felt as though Calla Lily could see parts in him that he desperately tried to keep hidden. Her caring, soulful eyes seemed to almost draw out the words.
“It’s a simple story, but nonetheless a painful one,” he started. “My father, Samuel Wade, the man whose bag you have there, was an Egyptologist—a great one, in fact. He was on a dig for Hatshepsut’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings when he disappeared—he and the camera. No one has seen either since.”
“And you’ve been searching now for how long?”
“Eighteen years.”
“Hope you two are hungry,” Madame Luiza said, setting their plates in front of them. “I put a little extra for each of you. And save room for dessert.”
Nathan and Calla Lily inhaled and let the scent of the roast tease their senses.
“Thank you very much, Madame Luiza. It looks delicious.”
“Enjoy. I’ll be back around in a bit to check on you.”
“By the way, Madame Luiza, the tea is delicious.” Calla Lily beamed. “I believe I have a new favorite.”
Madame Luiza laughed. “You say that every time.”
When she left, Nathan and Calla Lily ate and chatted, but left the conversation about Sam on hold to enjoy their meals. When they were finished, Madame Luiza refreshed their drinks and cleared their plates before leaving them once again to grab two bowls of homemade cobbler—another one of her specialties.
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