Chase looks over at the rose then goes back to scanning the tree line bordering the west side of the property. About an acre from the house someone with field glasses could watch the house without being detected. Chase glances back at Stephanie sees her talking to Archibald by the corner of the back porch. Needing to investigate the tree line he calls out to Stephanie, when she looks up Chase points to the tree line. Not waiting for a respond he turns on his heels striding across the yard.
Stephanie turns her attention to Archie as they continue walking, following the dirt path. Softly Stephanie asks, “Tell me about Aunt Della. I never met any of my father’s relatives. I don’t even remember my father, he left when I was about a year old. My Mom said he left because he didn’t want to be tied down. Looking back now, we…..my Mother, my Brother and I, we never stayed in one place longer than two years. It was my Mother that didn’t want to be tied down.” Looking over at Archie she continues sadly, “I blamed my Father all these years for not staying; for not being there for us, for not loving us enough to stay.” Stopping on the path, she raises her hand as if to touch Archie, she crosses her arms across her chest instead. “Why am I just now realizing this? Why now?” Turning back to the path she beings to walk slowly, shaking her head to clear her memories.
Archibald floats beside her for a few minutes giving her time to clear her thoughts. He begins with his first memory of Della. “I have been in the house for a long time mostly I would stay in the attic. I would sit up there going over the events of my death and try to figure out why I am still here. On occasions I did go downstairs to listen to people speak, I was afraid if I didn’t hear actual people I would go crazy and lose my mind.” He laughs, when Stephanie stops to look at him, he motions for her to resume walking.
He sees her sneaking glances at him; Archibald smiles as he continues, “I do not understand being a ghost or a spirit.” Waving his hand to dismissed this he tries to explain, “It boils down to I was jealous I hated everyone that had a life. to me; I wanted to be special to them. someone heard me.”
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts Archibald reveals, “I was in the attic, I had been staying there more often than not. When one day I hear someone come up the stairs; the attic door opened and I see the most beautiful woman. She is young and I could sense energy about her. She stayed just long enough to get a box of decoration but she kept looking at the chair I was sitting in. I knew she couldn’t see me; I had made myself fade but I know she knew I was there. That night I went to her room after she had gone to bed.” Smiling at his memories, “She wasn’t scared; we talk for hours and I am sure I talked too much. I loved being able to speak to someone and them hear me.”
When he finished speaking he notices they are at the pond. He hates this place; this pond is where he died, his fellow soldiers they all died here. Looking at Stephanie he tells her, “I don’t like this place, all these years I try not to come here. Della would make me come with her here; she said I had to make peace. I don't understand how to make peace, I did not want to die; I was not done living.”
Standing by the pond, Stephanie looks out over the water for a few second, than turning to Archie she tells him they need to go back to the house as they had been walking a long time. She is tired and her ribs are starting to ache.
On the way back Archie tells her, “Your Aunt Della, she was the woman I was meant to fall in love with. I loved everything about her. She was a caring, loving and beautiful person. She I wanted someone to talk
I wanted to scream until was a person you could talk with for hours and never get bored listening too. My Della never admitted it to me, I am not sure she even admitted it to herself but she was scared I was going to figure out a way to leave this world.” Smiling sadly he adds, “When I realized how much Della was in my heart I did not try to find a way to move on. I would listen to her ideals then find fault with each.”
Stopping he turns to look out over of the field of grass as he admits, “I am in love with Della, if I had been alive I would have courted her. I would have asked her father for her hand in marriage.” Shifting to look at Stephanie, “When her parents were killed in the accident, I was scared Della would leave me. But instead she came to the attic after their funeral and tells me she loves me. She doesn’t want anyone but me.”
Stephanie is staring at Archibald waiting for him to continue. “Her parents are dead, her brother has been away and didn’t make it to the funeral, she tells me she wants us to be together forever, or for however long God sees fit. Miss Stephanie, I did the only thing I knew to do, I asked My Della to be my wife. She was thirty years old, considered an old maid by her parents and the town folk. But to me she was my Della.” His eyes are sad as he remembers aloud, “We stood in front of the fireplace to say our vows from the Bible. We were married sixty-one years when she died.”
Archie continues sharing his memories with Stephanie, “At first I had tried talking her out of marriage, but she told me she loved me and wanted to be with me for the rest of her life. After a few years she was older, almost 35 years old. I see she is troubled I ask her what is wrong, she tells me she is getting gray hair, she explained she will get old but I would always be young, she apologized for getting old. I had laughed and she became furious, said she would be old and I wouldn’t love her anymore.” Smiling a little, “I waited a few weeks, then I showed her I was aging, it had just taken me longer. I could give her the illusion of me aging. I did this for My Della.” And to be truthful, he admits to Stephanie, “I am a man who loves deeply, I am still in love with Della. Your Aunt made me as happy as I could possibly be. I wish we could have been husband and wife in every sense. But I did everything I could to make Della happy, to prove to her every day she was my world.” Softly he adds as he begins moving again, “She was happy I believe that in my heart. The day My Della died I was with her; as I lay beside her, she took her last breath. I prayed God would allow me to go with her.”
Stephanie walks beside Archie with tears in her eyes, the love they had was what most people only hope for. Her heart fills with tenderness for Archie, his voice had wobbled as he had told of him and Della and their love. With her head down, she allows Archie to follow silently. Both are lost in their own thoughts.
Almost to the house they hear the sound of a car coming down the driveway, Archie tells Stephanie to remain behind the house hidden by the trees until he tells her it is safe. He floats to the front of the house, just as Chase walks to the car. Archie sees it is the young Deputy, Johnny and Chase are talking and Chase keeps pointing to the tree line. Floating closer he hears Chase tell the younger man “I want you to call the state police, tell them I need them to send someone out here to tag some evidence.” Seeing Archibald out of the corner of his eye, he turns to him and asks, “Where is Stephanie?”
Deputy Johnny assumes Chase is speaking to him and answers, “Sheriff I haven’t seen Miss Stephanie.” Johnny is confused when Chase just laughs then calls for Stephanie to come out, it’s safe. Archibald had informed him Stephanie was behind the house waiting.
Walking to the front of the house, Stephanie sees Chase talking with the Deputy. She figures they are talking business. She walks faster stopping when she reaches Chase’s side. “So what did you find?” Stephanie addresses her question to Chase, puzzled by his laughter a few minutes before.
Needing physical contact he takes her hand in his as he answers, “Just a few cigarette butts and a piece of cloth. I want the state boys to come tag and bag.” He gives her hand a gentle squeeze, “May not be anything but I would feel better knowing either way.”
Taking a step closer to Chase, Stephanie looks over at the tree line; a shiver goes down her back. How long had someone been watching the house? She had slept last night on the loveseat. Had the person or persons watched her? Feeling exposed she decides it’s time to go back in the house. Stepping away, she removes her hand from Chase’s, “I think I’ll go back in the house. I had enough fresh air for today.” Turni
ng she walks away.
Chase waits for the front door to close behind her before he turns to Johnny, “If you don’t mind can you wait at the tree line for the state boys? I don’t want to be away from Stephanie and I will go make some phone calls to get the ball rolling.” At Johnny’s nod, he continues, “When they get here you can show them the evidence. I didn’t touch anything, I was careful to preserve the scene. If they have to talk with me, call my cell. I don’t want them bothering Stephanie right now. She has been through enough. If I can’t answer their questions I will get back to them.”
Writing as fast as he can, Johnny glances up at Chase, “I will handle everything I can Chase. You just take care of Miss Stephanie.” Closing the leather bound book he slides it back in his pocket. Johnny opens the car door, stopping to look at the house, he says to Chase, “Not a great welcome to our little town; is it?” Getting in the cruiser, Johnny turns the vehicle around then heads down the driveway to wait for the State Police.
Chase watches Johnny drive away. Pulling the phone out of his pocket Chase asks Archibald to go check on Stephanie. He shakes his head as Archibald vanishes, thinking just for a second how weird it was to ask a ghost for help. Hitting the speed dial button for dispatch he fills Karen in on his plans; letting her know about the evidence and Johnny’s new role at the office. Hanging up with Karen he makes a couple more calls.
Chapter Four
Archibald appears beside Stephanie, she is sitting at the kitchen table staring at her cup of coffee. Sensing a presence she glances at Archie. A half smile is the best she can do right now. With sadness in her voice she tells him, “I hate this, the feeling of helplessness. It makes me angry.” A shaky laugh escapes, “I know I don’t sound angry. But I am. I feel violated.” Rising from the chair she continues, “Why would someone want to hurt me? Why brake in here then take just one ledger? What is the point of all this?”
Stephanie starts to pace, “Maybe Chase is right, we need to know everything about the year you were killed.” Realizing how hard this is for him she adds, “I am sorry we are asking you for details you would rather forget. The only excuse I have is; maybe by solving this mystery we can help you find out why your still here.”
Blowing out a breath Stephanie stops pacing to look at Archie; wishing she could comfort him. She wants to help him find peace. Remembering how rough it was on him earlier, she walks over to stand directly in front of him making eye contact, “I hate having you do this. Reliving the worst time of your life, I wish there was another way.”
Archie smiles sadly, “This is something I have to do. If it helps figure out why the man stole the ledger, why he hurt you and why he broke in three years ago then I will do all in my power to help.” Raising his hand he brushes it gently down her check.
Stephanie feels a slight chill but nothing else. She touches her face where Archie had touched; smiling she crosses her arms over her chest.
Chase walks in the kitchen finding them standing looking at each other. The tension is thick in here. Clearing his throat he asks, “Stephanie, how are you doing?” Walking to her he begins rubbing her shoulders. Her muscles are tight under his hands; he massages the tight areas, feeling her start to relax.
Stephanie turns around to face Chase; his hands fall away from her as she looks up at him, “Thank you.” Stephanie walks back to the table and sits down. Chase observes her body language as she continues talking, “I am alright. We have been talking and have decided you are right, all this is connected.” She looks from Chase to Archie, seeing the concern look on Chase’s face, she tries to smile.
Chase knows Stephanie is trying to be strong. Her weak smile doesn’t reach her eyes. Sitting down at the table he sees the paper from earlier; he had not written anything on it since he had drawn the lines. Not really wanting to do this now, the walk earlier hadn’t accomplished what he had wanted it too. Both Stephanie and Archibald are still tense. Chase sits looking down at the paper trying to come up with a reason to stall. The decision is taken out of his hands when he hears Archibald begin to speak.
“I think I was at the part where we were at the Ohio River waiting.” Floating just above the chair he gives the illusion again of sitting. Both Stephanie and Chase look up at the sound of his voice. “We waited a total of two nights, on the third day the boat pulled to shore. Three men came ashore carrying the box. It was heavy, as the men labored under the weight. Seeing the size and weight of the box we were to transport, I knew it was funds we were delivering. The men loaded the box on the wagon. I ordered two of my men to cover the box with our supplies, needing to try to hide it as much as possible. The box was locked and several men tried guessing what was inside. I told them we were not privy to that information. We had orders to take the box to Fort Crockett and that was all they needed to know.”
Looking up from the table Archie looks at Chase, “I should have known the curiosity of the men would make them crazy.” Chase nods his head in agreement but doesn’t say a word. “From the River to the Fort was a ten day ride, having to travel by roads only with the wagon, I figured it would take an extra four days. I had tried to keep the men separated as much as I could, so not to let them discuss and plan. I myself figured the box contained gold coins. I kept my thoughts to myself; I did not share this information with any of my men.” Again Chase nods in agreement. Archie glances at Stephanie she is sitting silently listening; however, he sees sorrow in her eyes.
Clearing his throat Archie begins speaking, “Our journey for the first twelve days was mostly uneventful. A few falls, a few bumps, a horse fell broke his leg and had to be shot. But no more talk of the box, at least none reached my ears.”
Floating to stand Archie begins to pace around the room, both Chase and Stephanie exchange looks but neither say a word. “On the thirteenth day, we made camp by the pond; the one here on this land. We gave the horses water and several of the men had jumped in the pond for a quick dip. To say we were caught unprepared is an understatement. When the first shot rang out I saw my second in command fall. I then called for all men to take cover.”
Archie lost in his memories of the past relates the events vividly. “Many years ago the trees were many down there. I told one man to reattach the wagon to the horse; I told him to hurry, he had to get the box away from here. I told him to go as fast as he could and to not look back. I then ran to the trees, I joined my men in the fight.” He stops pacing, he just stands looking out the back door window, towards the pond too far to see, but Chase knows he is seeing the battle clearly in his mind.
Stephanie starts to stand however Chase catches her hand motioning for her to stay seated. Slowly she sits back down. Fighting the urge to go to Archie to offer him comfort Stephanie sits and waits. She understands the love her Aunt had for this brave man. He had been a soldier; a man of honor. And even in his ghostly existent he is still a man of honor; a man who still feels the pain of failure and the pain of the deaths of his fellow soldiers. Archie is a man who has suffered for decades. Chase laces his fingers with hers, bringing her back from her thoughts. Stephanie focuses on Archie realizing she wasn’t the only one that had been deep in thought.
Archie turns from the window seeing them both still at the table. He had been so lost in his memories he had forgotten they were there, waiting for him to continue. Shaking his head to clear the cobwebs he turns back to the window as he continues, “We were surrounded on three sides with the pond behind us. I knew we were in trouble, I heard my men fall around me. By my count we were down to seven men and me. With Kentucky being neutral I should have known better than to make camp. I should have pushed on but the men and our horses were tired. When we had seen the pond from the small hill we had thought it was our lucky day. The horses smelled water and started to twitch, we didn’t see any other tracks but still we approached the pond slowly keeping our eyes open wide. I would give anything to go back and change this, to be able to keep my men alive.”
“As it was, I seen the gray uniforms
approaching; I was reloading my rifle when two Confederate Soldiers yelled for me to halt. Looking up I saw them standing close their own rifles raised pointing at me. I wasn’t thinking; I acted on instinct. I started to lift my rifle however before I had moved it more than a couple of inches I felt an explosion of fire in my chest. I was falling backwards when another bullet hit almost in the same spot. My last thought before I died was I hoped the men that were left escaped.” Leaving the window, Archibald floats to the table, stopping just briefly he tells them, “I am tired, I am going to my attic. If you need further assistance, please give me time to recuperate.” Finished speaking he vanishes.
When Archie leaves the kitchen they sit in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. After a few minutes, Chase raises from his chair he takes Stephanie’s coffee mug to the sink pouring out the cold liquid. He turns with his eyebrow raised, “Do you want another cup? I think I need one.”
Stephanie nods her head yes, she watches as Chase readies the pot to brew. Chase flips the switch to on then leans against the counter as the pot starts the brewing process. Looking over at Stephanie he notices tears in her eyes, “That was bad for him. And to make it worse his memories didn’t stop with his death, he continues remembering the tragedy day after day; year after year.”
Wiping the tears from her face she looks at Chase, “This is my fault, I pushed for this tonight. I knew he wasn’t ready to finish his story. He is a wonderful man and knew we needed to know about the battle.” Shaking her head she adds softly, “Having heard the events, I don’t see how this will help us but it sure hurt him emotionally.” Laying her head down on her arms crossed on the table, she sobs.
Sensitive to her pain Chase lets her cry. He knows from the many foster children his parents had help raise that sometimes a good cry was healthy. When the coffee is finished brewing Chase prepares Stephanie cup then fixes his, he carries them to the table and sits down; placing the mug close to her, Chase leans back in the chair to wait. Her sobs are heartbreaking. Understanding her need to cry but hating her sorrow Chase lays his hand on her shoulder.
A Love for all Ages (Crockett County Trilogy Book 1) Page 9
