Sitting up on the bed concerned Stephanie asks, “Did I hurt your head? During all the excitement I grabbed your head. Did I hit you with my cast?” Searching with her eyes she looks for marks or scratches on his face; finding none she pulls her lower lip between her teeth. She had been filled with passion and need, she hadn’t even thought about her cast or the fact she could be hurting Chase.
Seeing the concern on her face Chase moves to lie on the bed beside her, taking her hand he laces their fingers together, “You didn’t hurt me.” Bringing Stephanie’s hand to his mouth he kisses it then lays their joined hands on his chest.
Lying beside Chase, Stephanie tries to stifle a yawn, unable to hide it she rolls closer to him. Now with her body temperature returning to normal she feels chilly. “I think we need to get under the covers and take a nap. For some reason I am exhausted. “ Smiling sleepily she closes her eyes.
Chase feels her body cuddled next to his, agreeing he responds, “Good ideal but before you pass out we need to move under the covers as you suggested.” Sitting up Chase takes off his boots then stands to remove his jeans. Deciding it’s best for them both he leaves his boxer shorts on, glancing at Stephanie he sees her watching him. Smiling Chase motions for Stephanie to get under the covers he joins her on the bed. Stephanie lays her head on Chase’s arm as she moves closer against him. After pulling the covers over them Chase puts his other arm around her waist. His last thought before he falls asleep is he could get use to spooning with Stephanie.
A few hours later Stephanie sits at the kitchen table browsing through the Civil War sites on her computer. Not sure what she is actually looking for she lets her thoughts turn to Chase. After they had wakened they had gotten dressed then went to the attic to check out what the burglar had done. Seeing the box across the room Stephanie had set it upright then placed the items back inside. Folding the flaps closed she stacked it with the other boxes by the window.
They had tried to come up with answers to why he had just taken the one ledger. The house has a few antiques, as well as her laptop is state of the art, yet he hadn’t bothered to steal those items. Not coming any closer to the reason Chase had taken the ledgers still in the box downstairs to look through later, placing the box by the couch. Next he had fixed the broken pane on the back door, upon completing that task he had gone to the living room to begin reading the ledgers.
She had left him sitting on the couch with the box at his feet. Coming in the kitchen she had thought maybe she could find something to help with Archie on the civil war sites, she had been sitting here for over an hour, however she was no closer to finding any beneficial information. Coming back from her thoughts, Stephanie decides it is time to fix something to eat; she hadn’t eaten since the toast this morning with her coffee.
Rising from her chair Stephanie abandons the computer but allows it to remain open on the page she had been reading. Leaving the kitchen she walks to the living room door. Spotting Chase flipping through a ledger Stephanie takes a minute to just study him. He is sitting on the couch with his legs stretched out in front of him, he has his ankles crossed and his feet are bare. Chase has on a pair of well wore jeans and a black t-shirt. His hair looks as if he has racked his fingers through it, the dark brown strands laying in a messy sexy style; remembering how the silkiness had felt in her fists she longs to repeat the experience. Deciding now was not the time to have these thoughts she clears her throat, as Chase glances over the top of the book she blurts out, “I am going to fix something to eat, are you hungry?” Thinking that could have been smoother she waits for his answer.
Placing the ledger on top of other ones lying beside him on the couch he nods his head, “Actually, that sounds good, I’ll help you.” He was already getting to his feet as he finishes speaking. Standing straight Chase stretches the kinks out of his back, thinking he must be getting old. He feels as if he has been sitting for days; not for just an hour. Ending his stretching Chase walks over to Stephanie, he lays his forearms lightly on her shoulders; leaning over he lightly kisses her lips.
Stephanie smiles up at Chase enjoying the contact. Never having been a touchy person she wasn’t sure how to act with Chase; it seems he is always touching or kissing her. Deciding she enjoys his attention, she just wasn’t sure how to handle this type of thing. Having been alone for so many years with only her brother as a role model; she hadn’t formed any long term relationships with men.
Admitting she had dated mostly men she knew hadn’t wanted a relationship; long term or not. After a while, she quit dating all together not wanting just sexual partners and not wanting a relationship, she had gotten out of the dating scene.
Staring into Stephanie’s eyes Chase wonders what she is thinking. Laying his forehead against hers he whispers, “A penny for your thoughts.” Trying to lighten her mood feeling she had been in deep thought; he wants to see her smile again. He enjoys when she smiles and the smile reaches her eyes, her eyes get a gray ring around the outside of the irises. Thinking she has the most amazing eyes he has ever seen sometimes he feels he could look deep in her eyes and find the answers to the universe, other times her eyes hold mysteries.
Stephanie steps back from him making his arms fall from her shoulders. Turning she says, “They are not worth a penny.” Changing the subject she adds, “Having any luck with the ledgers?” Walking in the kitchen she doesn’t wait for Chase to answer; she goes straight to the refrigerator, opens the door looking for something to fix them to eat. Loving to cook but just not in the mood right now she decides to make omelets. Stephanie begins setting the ingredients on the counter; selecting ham and cheese she mixes it together in a bowl. “If you’re serious about helping, want to fix toast?” Looking over at Chase she sees him reading the open page on her computer. He looks up at her nodding his head. They work in silence preparing their part of the meal.
With the meal cooked they sit at the table eating. Swallowing a bite of toast, Chase tells Stephanie, “I have read most of the ledgers I can’t find anything that would make someone want to steal one. I wish I knew why the year 1863 was so important. Other than it being the year Archibald died, I don’t know any vital reason.” Closing his eyes briefly he adds, “I have looked at all the number and columns until my eyes hurt.” Lifting his fork he takes a bite of the omelet, “This is good, thanks, I didn’t realize I was hungry until you mentioned food.” Grinning he continues to eat.
“You’re welcome. I have been busy trying to look up information on the civil war, particularly the year Archie died. Not having any luck either.” Shrugging one slim shoulder, she goes back to eating.
Hearing a soft meow Chase picks up the kitten; he feeds her a bite of his omelet. Then sets her back on the floor, looking up he sees Stephanie looking at him smiling. “We really need to name her.” Looking back down at her plate she takes another bite.
Taking bite of toast Chase looks down at the kitten, “I don’t know I am not very good with names. What is wrong with Kitten?” Laughing Stephanie says no. Continuing as if he hadn’t heard her, “We could call her Black Kitten?” Seeing her eyes dance at this awful suggestions, he opens his mouth to continue.
Not waiting for his next proposal Stephanie laughingly tells Chase, “Enough already.” She looks down at the little black ball of fur then back at Chase, “I think we should call her Lucky, because it was lucky for her we arrived when we did. Archie said she wondered in a couple of hours before we got here, maybe it was fate that brought her here allowing her to find us.” Feeling silly for sounding so whimsical Stephanie blushes.
Remembering the last time he had seen her blush he watches as she fiddles with her fork. Chase reaches across the table removing the fork from Stephanie’s hand, he lays it on her plate; he then lays his hand over hers, when she looks up at him, he tells her, “I think that is a wonderful name for our kitten. Lucky it is.” Grinning he leans over picking up the kitten, lifting her until she is eye level with him; he stares into the kitten’s black eyes,
“Hello Lucky. I am your new Dad.” Turning the kitten in Stephanie’s direction, “And this is your new Mom.” With the introductions over as Chase sets Lucky on the floor he hears Stephanie giggle.
Laughing she tells Chases, “I don’t think that is how new parents are introduced to their child.” Stephanie rises from the table taking their dishes to the sink washing them. When the task is completed she goes back to the table, sitting down she sees Chase once again reading something on her computer. “What is so interesting?” Moving so she can see the screen too, she begins to read about the Civil War, the events for the year 1863.
Not sure if he has found something or just wishful thinking, Chase calls loudly for Archibald. He tells Archibald he is needed in the kitchen. Looking confused Stephanie continues to read the article. She doesn’t know what Chase has found but she is aware he thinks it is important.
Archibald appears at the table floating just above the chair giving the impression of sitting. Stephanie turns from the computer as Chase walks to the table sitting down across from Archibald. Not knowing what this is about but not wanting to miss anything crucial Stephanie scoots her chair closer to the table and waits.
Using a pencil Chase draws a line across the paper lying on the table in front of him; looking up he explains, “I need you to tell us about the day you were killed.” Hearing Stephanie gasps Chase continues, still looking at Archibald. “I know this is difficult for you. I wouldn’t ask if this wasn’t important.”
Seeing Archibald tense Chase waits just a few seconds and then tells him, “I need to know the basics not the actual fighting, unless you feel you need to include that part. Sir, I am not trying to bring up painful memories but I feel the reason you are still here and the reason the ledger was taken is related.” Smiling at the confused faces staring at him, he draws another line just below the first one. On the top line he writes Archibald, on the second he writes Burglar. Laying the pencil down he looks over at Archibald giving him time to gather his thoughts.
Being a cop Chase knows to allow a witness time, not to rush. Leaning back in the chair he gets more comfortable. “The ledger that was taken was for the year 1863; you lived here and died here the year of 1863. If what I read on the web site is accurate, the year 1863 was a very profitable year for both sides of the war. When we go down the timeline if anything stands out I am going to write it down, then we will check local history, compare, then hopefully find a reason.”
Wishing she could help Archie; Stephanie wants to hold his hand, having the physical contact of another person would help. Catching herself just before she moves to lay her hand over his, she puts both her hands on her lap. Watching him closely she tries to communicate with him through her mind; sending him calming thoughts.
Thinking back in time, Archibald tenses as his memories replay in his mind. “I was a Sargent First Class in the Union Army. I earned my rank; I was not from a prominent family. My parents owned a General Store in Illinois, they never turned down anyone that needed credit to purchase supplies, this made them scrapping to pay bills, but my parents believed helping neighbors was what God guided them to do. When General Mitchell came to our town asking for men to join the Union Army, he promised a short battle, he also promised that every man that joined would earn a good pay. I knew my parents needed money, when I joined the Union I made arrangements for half of my pay to be sent to my parents. I needed to advance in ranks to receive more pay, more pay meant my parents would receive more money.” Pausing he looks at Stephanie, he sees her eyes filled with tears. Smiling he continues, “I worked hard, followed orders and got promoted to Sargent First Class. That was an honorable rank with better pay.” He looks down at his hands, seeing the table through his palms.
Chase listens as Archibald talks of his past, he see the similarities with him, Chase’s parents had taken in foster care kids since he first started school. His parents explained they did this to help children God needed them to watch over. Growing up living on a farm, Chase also knew the hardship of paying bills and the gratitude of local stores giving credit. He looks at Archibald with understanding in his eyes. Still leaning back in his chair Chase sits quietly giving Archibald time to gather his thoughts.
Taking a deep breath Archibald continues sharing his memories with two people he has known for just a short time but with whom he feels a bond with. “After seven months of fighting we get a break and pushed through the lines drawn by the Confederate Army. We just passed into the Kentucky territory when my commanding office approaches and says he has a special assignment for me. This is a privilege for a soldier so young, since I just had my twenty forth birthday, I felt I was ready for the duty being assigned to me.” Looking forlorn he shares his thoughts, “I was a foolish young man, I should have never accepted that assignment. I had been a good soldier until my last assignment.” Standing up, he turns away from them, not wanting them to see him as a failure; as someone not fit to be called a soldier.
Softly, Stephanie asks the question she knows he doesn’t want to answer, “What was your assignment?” Wishing she could stop his memories but understanding he needs to finish.
Turning back to face the two people who is trying to help him; Archibald crosses his arms over this chest. He closes his eyes briefly opening them he begins relating his down fall as a human. “I was ordered to take a small squad to the Ohio River to pick up a box. I was told it was important to us defeating the South. I had a small squad, fifteen young men plus me. I was the highest ranking and the one in charge. We were given supplies, a map and ammo; we left at first light of day the following morning. We were all excited, having been told we were handpicked for our special skills as soldiers.”
Archibald laughs a bitter laugh, feeling sorry for the man he was in his youth. “I was gullible; we all were. We thought we were being honored with this assignment. It took us seven days to make the trip to the Ohio River then we had to wait another two days for the boat carrying the box to meet us. We spent the time waiting telling stories of our families and how they would all be proud of us when we return heroes of the war. I would lie in my bed roll writing letter to my parents, every night I would write hoping to get to a town to post them.” Turning to Stephanie he tells her, “I was lonely, even with fifteen other men and I was scared but couldn’t let them know. I had a feeling something was wrong, terribly wrong.” Seeing the sadness in her beautiful eyes; eyes that looked just like his Della’s, he closes his own eyes, trying to block out the image of his Della.
Watching both Archibald and Stephanie, their emotions at the surface, the anguish in their eyes, Chase leans forward, putting his elbows on the table, he announces it is time for a break. “I think we need to move around, take a walk. Having sat here for almost two hours my muscles is getting stiff and we all can go explore the grounds.” Looking at Archibald, he adds, “I want you to come with us, you have been on this farm a long time, you can tell us the best places to explore. It will help to give your mind time to clear.”
He sees the relief on both their faces, standing he stretches his arms above his head, bending backwards just a little to flex his muscles. Glancing to his right he sees Stephanie follow his movements. With her arms above her head, the outline of her breast is more visible, he remembers how they felt cupped in his hands.
Clearing his throat Chase walks to the refrigerator and grabs two bottles of water. Turning around he closes the door, Chase almost bumps into Stephanie as she has walked up behind him. He tries to hand her on of the waters but smiling she puts her arms around his waist giving him a tight hug. Removing her arms she takes the water from Chase after twisting the cap takes a long drink. Bringing the bottle down from her lips she mouths, “Thank you.” Then announces she is going to put her shoes on then leaves the room.
They meet in the foyer within minutes; Chase and Stephanie both have on tennis shoes. Stephanie had taken the time to fix her hair in a messy bun, seeing this; all Chase can think about is removing the pins so he can watch
it tumble in his hands. Remembering the way she looked as she laid naked on her bed, his lower region start hardening. Inhaling a deep breath, he releases it, trying for a calm he is not feeling. Concluding the best plan is fresh air he takes Stephanie’s hand in his as they walk out the front door, stopping just outside on the porch, Chase takes the key and locks the door.
Stephanie grins at Chase as she cups her hands around her month she hollers, “Archie, we are waiting for you. Come out; come out, where ever you are.” Giggling she finishes the childhood saying. Walking slowing down the steps she stands in the grass waiting.
As Chase joins her on the grass he stands looking around the property. The cop in him needs to know the surrounds. The reason for this outing wasn’t just to take a break he figures the more he knows about the area around the house, the better equip he will be to protect Stephanie. Looking at his watch, he figures an hour would be enough time away from the house and the memories. He didn’t want to keep Archibald upset but he needs to hear the rest of his story.
As if thinking about him makes him appear, Archibald floats beside Stephanie. He leans close to her and asks, “Why Miss Stephanie, do you call me Archie? I have never been called by that name.” He frowns down at her.
Stephanie laughs explaining, “I really don’t know, you look like an Archie. Archibald reminds me of an old man.” Turning she begins walking the dirt path leading to the back of the house. Looking around as she walks she sees the flower bed goes along the front of the house to the back corner of the side wall. Never sure of the names of flowers she has no clue what kinds are growing.
Stephanie walks over for a closer look, bending down she picks a mini pink rose from a bush. Sniffing the rose, she wiggles her nose at the strong smell. Turning to Chase she holds the rose up for him to see, “I don’t really know a lot about flowers, I have a black thumb, but I know a rose when I see it.”
A Love for all Ages (Crockett County Trilogy Book 1) Page 8
