by Mona Ingram
She studied her soda, watching the bubbles race each other to the surface. “Janelle told me that when she and my Mom were kids, my Mom used to tease her about a ghost. She’s been leery of the attic ever since,”
“Have you seen her?”
Her gaze drifted up to the small attic window. “No, but I hope to.” She turned back. “What happened to make you change your attitude about all of this?” She almost held her breath waiting for his answer.
He thought for a moment before answering. “Like I said, I talked to Wendy. She didn’t seem to think that there was anything strange about you talking to a ghost.” He gave his head a little shake. “I don’t know what I expected, but she definitely surprised me.”
Interesting. “What else did she say?”
“She said I should have been flattered that you told me about it. Something like that. Oh, and she asked me if I thought you were making it up. I said no.”
Charlie suppressed a sigh of relief. She’d needed to hear those words. “And so you changed your mind?”
He leaned forward. “It’s difficult, I’ll admit that, but I’m trying to be more open-minded.”
“Fair enough.” She took a sip from the soda bottle. “I forgot to bring straws,” she said in an abrupt change of topic.
“Oh, but you look cute with that little bit of red on your upper lip.” He reached across and brushed her lip with his thumb. His touch was electric; the shock raced through her body.
He felt it too. She could see it in his eyes. “I can’t think when you do that,” she said with a smile.
He leaned back against the ornate armrest. “Okay.”
“I’ve got quite a bit to tell you” she said, and started talking.
Chapter Eleven
THE SUN SLID BELOW the horizon as Charlie filled him in on what she’d learned in the past couple of days. Jason watched her face light up as she came to the part about the rings, and the amazing love story. A tear slid down her cheek and he brushed it away tenderly.
He sat for a few moments, turning the details over in his mind. “And so you think that if you could find Charlotte’s ring, he might be able to see her.” It was a lot to absorb at once.
“No, it’s the other way around. He can already see her. If we find the ring, then I really believe she’ll be able to see him as well.” She watched him, willing him to understand. “Does that make sense?”
“Oddly enough, it does.” But he didn’t want to get her hopes up about the ring. “But finding it...where are you going to start?”
She glanced again toward the attic window. “There are a few pages in her journal that I haven’t read yet. I’m hoping that there will be a clue in there.”
“Me too. I want you to succeed in this.”
“Thanks for saying that Jason, but it’s not about me. I want to find it for Charlotte and for Harm. They deserve to be together.”
“So let’s assume that you’re successful and you find the ring,” he said, his voice thoughtful. “How do they get back together?”
“Oh, how could I have forgotten? That’s the best part!” She bolted upright. “It’s the moon. She goes to the dance hall every time there’s a full moon.” She pointed to the western horizon. “It comes up somewhere over there and it’s getting larger. I noticed it last night. We need to find out when it’s full.”
Suddenly Jason wanted desperately to help her. If she was going to fail in this, he wanted to be there beside her, to pick her up when she fell. It was an unfamiliar emotion, but he could get used to it.
“Well I can help you with that. Janelle has a calendar from Jack’s business. Like any good farm calendar, it will show the phases of the moon.”
“That’s right. It’s in the kitchen.”
He took her hand. “Let’s go have a look.”
SHE TAPPED THE CALENDAR. “It’ll be full on Sunday,” she said anxiously. “We only have until then to find the ring.” Her fingers lingered over the full moon symbol as though touching it would bring her luck. She’d take all the help she could get.
She turned to find him looking down at her. “Can I change the subject for a moment?”
“Of course.” Now what?
“Are we back on for Saturday night?” He whisked her into his arms and they took a few steps around the kitchen.
Charlie was amazed at how comfortable she felt in his arms. “I might not dazzle you, but at least I don’t think I’ll step on your feet.”
“I don’t care.” He pulled her close. A low rumble sounded in his chest and she realized he was laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“You have to admit. Stepping on my feet would be nothing compared to what we’ve been through together. And I suspect that the adventure isn’t over yet.” He relaxed his hold and smiled down at her, the dimple in his cheek a deep shadow.
“I hope it’s not over. Just think, if we can find–”
“Hi guys.” Janelle wandered into the kitchen. “I saw you outside, deep in conversation.” She eyed them cautiously. “Have you sorted everything out?”
“You bet.” “Sure have.” They spoke simultaneously.
“We were just talking about the dance,” said Jason.
“Aren’t you glad Tyler’s lessons won’t be wasted?” Charlie couldn’t help smiling.
“He’ll be pleased.” The grandfather clock began striking the hour and Janelle looked at it pointedly. “Unless you’re staying for dinner, you’d better get back. Brad and the boys are probably home by now and Wendy will be expecting you.”
“Okay, I can take a hint.”
Charlie followed him onto the verandah. “I’ll see you tomorrow sometime and let you know if I find anything in the journal.”
“I’ll keep my fingers crossed.” His gaze held hers for several long, intimate seconds and then he was gone.
THAT EVENING SHE PAUSED in front of Charlotte’s picture, as was becoming her habit. “I saw him again today,” she said softly, “but then you know that, don’t you?” Was it her imagination, or did something move behind the widely spaced eyes? Her gaze fell to the cameo at Charlotte’s throat and she touched the pulse in her own throat at the same point. “Your cameo is lovely, but it’s the ring that really meant something to you, wasn’t it?” She reached out and touched the glass. “I’ll make you the same promise I made to Harm. I’ll do everything I can to find the ring.” Somehow that seemed even more important than ever, especially now that she and Jason were back together.
THE DIM BULB CAST SOFT illumination into the farthest corners of the attic. Everything looked the same as it had when she was here yesterday. With a relieved sigh, she curled up in her chair and turned on the reading light.
She picked up the journal and with a cry of alarm dropped it in her lap. Her heart started to beat rapidly. The stalk of lavender she’d used as a bookmark was missing and in its place a fine gold chain lay nestled between the pages. She took careful note of the page as the chain slipped out, filling the palm of her hand like a puddle of liquid gold. The metal was warm to the touch and she knew without a doubt that the chain had belonged to Charlotte.
“All right” she said aloud, “I get the message.” Let’s see what’s so important about this page.”
STU AND TIMMY ELBOWED each other at the dining room table. “Jason’s got a girlfriend, Jason’s got a girlfriend,” they chanted in unison.
He shot them a bemused look. “What makes you think that?”
“Annie says you let a girl wear your Stetson. That makes her your girlfriend.”
His brother’s knife hung suspended over his place for a moment and then he continued cutting his meat. “Is that so?” Eyes the same colour as Jason’s were as alert as a hawk’s, waiting for a response. The twins sat uncharacteristically still, their mischievous eyes darting back and forth between their father and their uncle.
That’s right, he thought to himself. I have a girlfriend. The notion filled him with a warm glow. “The Stetson
kept the rain off, and it looked good.” The look he sent his brother was clear. The twins were right, Jason did have a girlfriend.
“Well okay then.” Brad Fleming wanted to cheer out loud, but managed to keep a straight face. He turned to his sons. “All right boys, let’s hear about camp.”
CHARLIE SIGHED. WHAT she had just read was sadder, more poignant than any story she’d ever imagined. Still clutching the fine gold chain, she fought against an overwhelming melancholy. She slowly flipped through the pages and returned to the one that had been marked by the chain.
They say that no one ever dies of a broken heart, but I don’t believe that for a minute. My heart is shattered and yet here I am...still alive. I almost wish it would quit beating, so I could join Harm and be with him forever. I went up to the windbreak again today to look for the ring. How could I have been so foolish? Throwing it away is the most irrational thing I’ve ever done and I regret it every minute of every day. I won’t rest until I find it, even if the earth seems to have swallowed it up. Without the ring, Harm is lost to me. I look for him everywhere and my spirit aches to feel his presence just one more time.
Charlie wound the chain around her fingers and let her thoughts drift back in time. She could only imagine how Charlotte must have felt scrambling on the ground, searching for the ring. Tossing it away had been a senseless gesture by a heartbroken young woman, but then of course Charlotte knew that better than anyone. What was it Harm had said? ‘I could touch my ring and almost feel her heart beating’. The enormity of her mistake became evident in Charlotte’s later journal entries, when she reluctantly accepted the fact that the ring was lost. And yet she had never stopped loving Harm, never stopped looking for him at the dance hall. And she was still looking.
Charlie nibbled on her bottom lip, her thoughts churning. Why had she agreed to help in this hopeless quest? How could she possibly find the ring now, after all these years? The ground up on the hill by the windbreak was littered with years of debris from the trees. The row of trees must be two or three hundred feet long. She unwound the chain from her fingers and replaced it in the journal. Would Jason still want to help when she told him about the impossible task that lay ahead? She set the book on the table, patted it absently. If he didn’t want to help she would look by herself. After all, she’d made a promise.
THE BACK STEPS HAD become Charlie’s favourite place to sit and think. She sipped her orange juice, enjoying the early morning stillness. Everything looked brighter in the aftermath of yesterday’s thunderstorm. Spidery channels meandered through the yard where the rain had run off, and the willow leaves gleamed brightly. Thomas appeared out of nowhere and sat in a shaft of sunlight, pupils narrowed to slits. Charlie sighed. She was content here, and that fact still surprised her.
As though reading her thoughts, Janelle came through the screen door and sat down beside her, coffee cup in hand. “Are you happy here, Charlie?” She smelled like the herb garden.
“You must be a mind reader. I was just thinking how peaceful it is, and how content I feel.” She turned to her aunt. “There were a few moments on the bus coming out here where I wondered what I was doing, but I’m glad I came.”
Janelle nodded. “I think Jason feels the same way. How would you feel about living here if he asked you to stay?”
“Wow. That’s quite a leap.” Charlie stared into her coffee mug. “But I can write from anywhere. That’s one nice thing about being a writer.” She gave her head a quick shake. “But it’s too soon to be thinking about that, even though the idea is very appealing. You see, I’ve been learning about Charlotte. The woman in the picture upstairs?”
“Really?” Janelle raised an eyebrow.
“I found her journal in the attic. She talks a lot about the man she was going to marry. His name is Harm.” It felt odd talking about them like this when in fact she thought of them as friends, but maybe Janelle could help. “He gave her a ring. They each had one, actually. Anyway, she threw hers away and then regretted it almost instantly. She looked for a long time, but she never found it. And she never stopped loving him.”
Janelle’s features softened. “It would be a beautiful story if it wasn’t so sad.”
Charlie’s thoughts raced as she tried to decide how much to divulge. She took a deep breath. “If you were going to look for something that had been thrown on the ground, how would you go about it?”
A slow smile lit up Janelle’s face as understanding dawned. “You want to find the ring, don’t you?”
Charlie nodded. “Call me crazy but yeah, I do.”
“I don’t think you’re crazy at all.” She tilted her head to one side as though trying to recall something, a frown furrowing her normally placid brow. “I take it you know where to look.”
Charlie glanced toward the row of trees. “I have a pretty good idea.”
Janelle jumped up and beckoned for Charlie to follow. “Then come with me.” She led her upstairs and to the foot of the attic stairs, where she took three quick gulps of air then made her way up the narrow stairwell as quickly as her stiff leg would allow. “It takes a lot to get me up here in the best of times,” she said breathlessly, “but I can see that this is important to you.” She flicked on the light, turned left and headed toward a jumble of items shoved back under the eave. “It’s here somewhere,” she said, bending down and shoving aside a mangled bicycle frame. “I should really clean this place up,” she muttered to herself, reaching out to steady an old floor lamp.
“Here it is! I knew I’d find it.” She backed out, dragging a circular disk attached to a long handle. She handed it over with a proud smile.
Charlie looked at the label on the handle. “‘Treasure Finder’?” she said, trying to hide her disappointment. “Is this some sort of a joke?”
“No, not at all.” Janelle looked around for somewhere to wipe her hands, then gave up and rubbed them on her jeans. “It’s a metal detector. Matt bought it a few months before he died.” She smiled sadly at the memory. “He’d always wanted one, but he never got to use it. The batteries are probably dead, but we keep lots of extra batteries on hand.”
Charlie was intrigued. “This thing finds metal? I’ve never seen one before.”
“Yeah, isn’t it great?” Janelle headed for the stairs. “Come on, this place is creepy.” She hurried down to the kitchen sink and scrubbed her hands. “Sorry I can’t help you look. I have a couple of appointments in town today.” She grinned. “But I suppose Jason was going to help you, anyway.”
“Speak of the devil.” Charlie looked out the window. “I think I hear him now.”
“Well, good luck.” Janelle grabbed her purse. “Oh, wait a minute.” She pulled out a deep kitchen drawer. “I’m sure you’ll find whatever type of battery you need in here. Anyway, see you later. What time are you and Jason going out tonight?”
Charlie had almost forgotten about the dance. “I don’t know.”
“Probably around eight. Jack and I are going together, but I’ll be back in time for a bite of dinner.”
“Sounds good.” Charlie watched as her aunt made her way down the steps, waved to Jason and climbed into her truck.
Jason raised a hand in Janelle’s direction and then turned the full wattage of his smile onto Charlie. Her heart did a little two-step as he tilted his Stetson back on his head. “Howdy Scarlett,” he drawled. “You’re up early.”
“I couldn’t sleep. Oh Jason, I’ve got so much to tell you.” She knew she was babbling but she couldn’t seem to stop. “I’ve got good news and bad news.”
“Whoa.” He took her arm. “Come on, let’s sit down.” He guided her to the step. “Let’s have the bad news first.” He turned sideways, giving her his full attention. “Is it something from the journal?”
“I found out where the ring is.”
“And that’s the bad news? I can deal with that.”
“Trouble is, all I found out was the general area, and it’s huge. According to the journal, she
used to walk up by the windbreak you pointed out the other day. That’s where she tossed it away and even though she searched for it over and over, she was never able to find it.”
“Okay.” He drew the word out. “What’s the good news?”
“The good news is that Janelle has a metal detector.” His eyes brightened, confirming that it was indeed good news. “It’s in the kitchen; do you want to see it?”
“This is a great little rig,” he said, rummaging through the drawer for batteries. He slid two into the machine and turned it on. A display panel lit up and he pointed it out. “See? You can set it for whatever you want to find...within reason, of course.”
She watched as he adjusted the dial. “How do you know so much about this stuff?”
“I’m a guy, remember?”
She almost laughed out loud. As if she could ever forget about that. “Oh,” she said with a wry smile. “That explains a lot.”
Jason threw a penny on the floor and waved the flat circular head over it. The panel emitted a high pitched squeal every time it passed over the coin. “If the ring is up there, we have a much better chance of finding it with this.”
“It has to be there!” she said, surprised at the intensity in her voice. “It just has to be there.”
He flicked the switch to “off” and placed the detector against the kitchen counter. “Charlie,” he said softly, “you really want this, don’t you.” It wasn’t a question.
It meant a lot to her that he understood her feelings. “Harm and Charlotte are so real to me. I feel as if I’m their only hope. I know it sounds foolish to care so much, but I can’t help it. I truly believe that if we can find this ring, they will end up together.”
