by Faith Helm
"Hey you two, why such long faces?" Janet said from the open doorway.
As Claire motioned for Janet to come in, "Come sit down, we found out what happened to Elizabeth."
"Are you serious? How did you find out, please tell me everything," Janet said with interest.
As Claire relayed the information to Janet, she heard Daniel talking on his phone, "I will be right there."
Claire looked up as Daniel headed toward the door, "I need to go into town. The guys have questions about the flooring for the loft, but I shouldn't be gone long."
Following Daniel out of the room, Claire and Janet made a pot of coffee before going to the cozy room off of the kitchen.
As Janet sipped her coffee, she listened intently to every word that Claire spoke.
When Claire finished relaying the story the two set silently for a while before Janet spoke, "So what are you going to do now. I know this isn't over for you yet. I can see it on your face."
"I know what I want to do to honor Elizabeth, and hopefully set her free, but I want to think it over for a bit. I need to discuss it with Daniel," Claire said with a thoughtful smile.
Changing the subject Claire said, "So I haven't seen you and Steve around here for days. What have you two been up to? If you don't mind me asking."
"Oh, not much, a little of this and a little of that," Janet said with a guilty grin.
Claire threw Janet a knowing glance, "I know exactly what you were up to. You were giving Daniel and I space, so we could get to know each other better."
Janet put her hand over her chest, "Do you honestly think I would try to force you two together?" but Janet couldn't help herself, "Did it work?"
Claire smiled as she thought of Daniel, "I have to admit it has been great having him around here. He is such a wonderful, caring person. I can't believe I am saying this, but I think I might be falling in love with him."
"That is wonderful news, I'm so happy for you two," Janet said.
"Well I still don't know how he feels about me, or if we have the same goals for the future. I haven't known him for long but somehow I can't imagine my life without him. Just a few months ago I thought I would never re-marry or have children. But now I can't imagine a life without them," Claire said.
Janet looked lovingly at Claire, "I would love for you to marry my son and give me grandchildren, but just take it slow, your wounds are still fresh. You and Daniel are both young and have plenty of time, so just enjoy this time getting to know each other."
Hearing Daniel come into the room Janet quickly stood and looked at her watch before hugging her son, "Will you look at the time? I have got to get back home, I have so much to do," and with that she was gone.
"I'm starving. Do you want to go out to eat and maybe catch a movie?" Daniel asked.
Claire smiled, "I would love to."
As they drove to the restaurant Claire said, "Oh, I forgot to tell you but I got a call the other day from the attorney in Bentonville. He has finished going over the documents and everything looks legit. He spent some time trying to research the Van Whites just to rule out the possibility of an heir coming forward some day. Like James and myself, he couldn't find anything. So as soon as I sign the forms Van White estates will legally be mine."
"That is wonderful news! But I knew the moment I met you, this is where you belonged. You have shown so much love and care, not only for the home but for the people who once lived there. This is your family, as much as it would be anyone else's," Daniel said thoughtfully.
As they reached the restaurant and were ushered inside to their booth Claire said, "I was wanting to talk to you about a way I want to honor Elizabeth."
Daniel listened intently as Claire continued, "I know from Elizabeth's journal that she had wanted to take the room to the left of the balcony on the second floor. It is a beautiful room, and I thought it would be perfect to move all of Elizabeth and Emma's thing in there. I also wanted to see about having their remains moved into the family cemetery, but I'm not sure what the law requires."
As Daniel looked into Claire's eyes, he was overcome with emotion for the beautiful, caring woman, "I'm not sure either. It is on private land, and the graves are only being moved from one area of the property to another. But I think we should still get a permit. Just so there isn't a problem in the future."
Nodding her head in agreement Claire said, "So will you help me pick out monuments and be there with me when they are moved to their final resting place?"
"I would be honored," Daniel said.
Thinking about Elizabeth, Claire was saddened by the thought that this woman who she had gotten to know through her journals was gone. Not that she expected her to be alive after more than a hundred years, but that she died at such a young age, without ever experiencing life. It was strange that Claire felt such a sense of grief for a woman she never knew, yet considered a friend. But at the same time Claire was excited about the thought of how she would honor Elizabeth's memory.
As soon as they returned home Claire headed up the stairs, ready to begin honoring her friend. Looking into the room she intended to use, she was struck by the beauty of it. It was a large room, especially for the time. It was beautifully decorated with an elegant bed, whose cream colored headboard was more than six feet tall and ornately carved with gracious curves. The walls were the prettiest shade of sky blue that Claire had ever seen. As she looked around the room she already knew where everything would go.
Hearing Daniel's footsteps behind her, she turned to see him standing there holding Elizabeth's portrait, "Can you help me get some things from the attic?" Claire asked.
"Sure let me sit this down somewhere safe," Daniel said as he laid the portrait on the bed.
As Claire returned to the attic, she knew exactly what she wanted to put in the room. She would need the beautiful little cradle, the carved mahogany rocking chair and the domed top trunk. As Daniel carried the first two items down to Elizabeth's room Claire turned her attention to the trunk. The realization that she still had a compartment she hadn't checked made Claire's heart flutter. Maybe there is still more to learn. As she carefully opened the box, she gasped, there were Thomas' letters.
As Daniel returned Claire looked at him and said, "I found the letters that Thomas wrote to Elizabeth."
Daniel set down next to her as she opened them and began to read.
February 25, 1886
My Dearest Elizabeth,
I am distressed at the thought of not setting eyes upon your beauty every day. It gives me urgency to earn enough money that your father would consider me worthy of having you as my wife.
I know I should not say this, as I do not wish to cause alarm to you. But I have accepted another position as a hand at a neighbors home. I can not hope to raise the money I need on my meager wages. So I have taken to the gambling house in hopes I will be able to. As it turns out I have been quite successful at playing cards and I hope to have enough money saved very soon.
I have learned of your trip to Arkansas. I wish you did not have to go, but I will follow as soon as I can, so we can start our life together as man and wife.
I pray you have a safe trip and know that you are always in my heart and prayers.
Eternally Yours,
Thomas
March 1, 1886
My Dearest Elizabeth,
I hope this letter finds you well, and your travels to Arkansas were safe. I can not think of anything other than the life we shall have and the beautiful redheaded children you shall surely give me.
I continue to work as a hand by day and play cards in the gambling house at night. I have had a bit of a setback, but please do not worry. Even if it takes a hundred years, I will come for you as soon as I have a large enough dowry. I have earned enough for the trip to Arkansas, and saved a small amount in addition to that, but fear I will need much more to please your father.
I often ask after you in hopes that someone has word, but sadly all I ever get is the answer no. For now, I ju
st have to continue on, but please Dear Elizabeth know, that I love you.
I know I should not think of it, or even write it, but I love to think back of our day in the carriage house. I hope you do not think less of me, for you are a beautiful flower that deserves so much more than a roll in the hay. As soon as we are together as man and wife, know that you will be cherished for the rest of your life.
I will be there as soon as I can, please do not give up on me, because I shall never give up on you.
Forever Yours,
Thomas
Claire folded the letters and put them back into the envelope, "Wow, he really did love her. I had begun to wonder until I read he had come for her and that Phillip killed him. But after reading his letters, I got the sense she was all he ever thought of and everything he did was so they could be together."
"I think you are right. I wish things would have been different for them, but just knowing they are together now, with Emma will have to be enough," Daniel said.
As they carried the trunk into Elizabeth's bedroom, they carefully set it down in the far corner of the room. After all the contents had been pulled out, Claire began carefully arranging them. With the white blanket lining the inside of the bassinet, she positioned it near the bed. She lovingly laid the handmade doll and the tiny silver rattle on top of the blanket.
In the other corner was the beautiful rocking chair, and she gently placed the blanket Elizabeth made, over the back. Claire found a small antique hanger and hung Emma's beautiful dress from the picture rail as Daniel hung Elizabeth's painting over the bed.
Retrieving the item's from Elizabeth's pink room she laid the beautiful bottles and the brush and comb set on the vanity next to the gold heart shaped locket. Laying the beautiful Garnet gown on the bed before sitting the journal and the letters from Thomas on top.
Stepping back to look at their work Claire felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that Elizabeth was pleased, "As soon as I can grow them, I plan to fill this room with pink peonies."
Feeling Daniel beside her, she looked up and saw a look of pure love on his face, just before he leaned down to kiss her.
As Daniel pulled away he said, "I'm sorry Claire, I shouldn't have done that. I just couldn't help myself. I am falling in love with you, and I think you feel the same. If I am wrong, just tell me and I will leave."
But he didn't have to worry long as Claire reached up and returned his kiss.
***
Epilogue
Over the coming weeks and months as Claire and Daniels love grew, winter gave way to spring and then to summer. Orchard House was returned to it's original twentieth century condition. The gardens were more lovely than Claire could have envisioned. Her favorite part of the garden was the various shades of peonies that lined the gracious curves along the patio and walkway. The same paths she knew William helped build when he was a young boy.
Claire and Daniel stayed busy with the opening of the antique store, that Claire lovingly named Elizabeth's Attic. The store was a huge success. Customers flocked to the old building and many commented, saying they loved the look of the old and the new.
As promised, Jen was by her side for much of the preparation and for the grand opening. Claire remained hopeful that some day Jen would move to Eureka, and make it her home, but for now her visits would have to be enough.
Claire brought most of the items from the basement to the store but she was not ready to part with her treasures from the attic, or with Adam's things.
She still hadn't learned much about William and was hopeful that someday she would discover what had become of him after he left Orchard House. She often wondered about the grove of pines at the rear of the property, and if she would ever find out where Thomas had been buried.
After the store was opened Daniel turned his attention to the carriage house. He worked for weeks on end as he turned the lovely old building into a beautiful new home. When the carriage house was complete, he quickly began work on the changes that Claire wanted to make to the home. She decided to keep her bedroom on the ground floor and Daniel turned the large room into a master suite built for a Queen.
They spent hours in the evening and on weekends scouring antique stores, estate sales and auctions. Always looking for antique light fixtures, doors, sinks and tubs and anything that looked like it belonged in her Victorian mansion. Claire could not believe how beautiful the home had become, with the rooms lovingly restored to the style and elegance of the 1880's.
Looking playfully at Claire, "I have something for you," Daniel said as he handed Claire a thick bundle of old envelopes.
Shocked, Claire looked at the stack of unopened letters from Thomas, "Where did you find these? I thought we covered every inch of the house."
Daniel smiled at the excitement on Claire's face, "I found them tucked inside the wall in one of the bathrooms. Are you going to read them?"
Thinking for a moment Claire said, "No, She is at peace now. I haven't heard her sobs or the baby cry since we discovered the truth. And I no longer feel the sensation of deja vu. I think we should leave them for Elizabeth. She shared her journal and everything we discovered as we read it. I think the letters should remain sealed. They will be Elizabeth's secret."
"I wonder what other secrets that old house is hiding. I have often wondered if there are other secret passages or hidden rooms," Claire said.
"I have wondered the same thing. Maybe we will find out more in the years to come," Daniel said as he looked at his watch. "Oh, it's almost time, are you ready?"
"I'm ready. It's time to lay Elizabeth and Emma to rest in their rightful place in the family plot," Claire said as they walked toward the cemetery.
As they reached the graves they looked on as the two wooden boxes were pulled from the ground and gently laid to rest inside of the gate. The headstone that Claire had chosen for Emma was a beautiful cross with a cherub resting on top. The epitaph simply read, Emma Olivia Campbell, beloved infant daughter of Elizabeth Van White and Thomas Campbell 1886-1887.
For Elizabeth, Claire chose the most beautiful headstone she had ever seen. It was a large angel that stood over five feet tall and it was holding a heart. The heart read, Elizabeth Van White, Beloved Mother, Daughter, Sister and Friend 1869-1887. On the back of the stone were the words, Too Dearly Loved To Be Forgotten.
"I think Elizabeth would be pleased. She is finally resting next to her beloved mother and brother," Claire said as she tried not to think of Elizabeth's murderous father lying just a few feet away.
Daniel squeezed her hand, "Are you ready to say goodbye? I can go to the house and give you privacy if you want me to."
With tears in her eyes Claire said, "I'm as ready as I will ever be, but I need you here with me."
They walked into the cemetery to the two small graves as she gently placed the wooden boxes that held the ashes of Adam and her baby into the ground.
As they walked toward the house Claire paused in her favorite spot, Olivia's English garden. As Claire heard her name she turned to find Daniel on one knee.
"Miss Claire Van White, I have never felt this way about another person. You are the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing I think of at night. I can not imagine spending the rest of my life without you."
Taking a deep breath Daniel continued, "If not for Adam, we would never have met, I truly feel he led you to me. Adam has your past, and I hope to have your future." As Daniel slipped the ring on Claire's finger he said, "I would be honored if you would become my wife."
Without even a thought Claire simply cried, "Yes, Yes, Yes, I would love to be your wife."
***
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