“I love a mystery,” Crane remarked, while refilling the water carafe, as the two ladies finished their final gathering of items and headed toward the door. “Perhaps we can help solve it.”
“Perhaps.” To hold their interest, John Davis went even further with his mere speculation. “This one could even involve some energetic pirates and a heist.”
“Is that what the sheriff said?” Miss Callie was aghast.
Crane whistled. “You definitely have my mind wondering all sorts of things, sir.”
“Do you really believe it was pirates?” Rachael was wide-eyed with wonder, not alarmed, though.
“No, and I wish to assure all of you that we are completely safe,” he announced.
I’m so happy he thinks so, Rachael thought to herself, or I might not need to ever unpack.
Again, he quietly broke into her thoughts on the matter to change the subject. “I can make you comfortable right here for the afternoon, if need be, if you wish, until dinner or our readings. I mean, perhaps my staff and I can make you comfortable here, in case you can’t maneuver the stairway.” Surprisingly, he was wringing his hands, hoping not to embarrass his new employee, quite different from just moments ago when he was in complete control of the mystery.
His phrasing made him seem a little uncomfortable around Rachael, at least to her. “That would be quite lovely. I would enjoy resting right here in the library, if you don’t mind. It would be interesting to study some of your books.” She tried to put him at ease. “Our reading session is something I look forward to, sir.”
“We shall have to see what Dr. Evans says, however. He may order total bed rest. We’ll learn if you can climb the stairs or not, or traverse the gardens, after he has seen you.”
“Yes, of course,” she agreed. “But, I assure you that my foot will be fine in no time. I wish to assume my duties as soon as possible here. I am more than anxious to earn my first pay.”
“Of course,” he replied.
Noise from outside swiftly caught their attention. Both of them turned to gaze toward the window and sky beyond.
“Geese?” she questioned.
It would be his cousin who satisfied her with an answer, as he and Mrs. Worthington re-entered the room, appearing refreshed. “Yes, there are geese overhead at this very moment, hundreds of them.” Then, he turned to address John. “I’m off for the doctor now, Cousin John.” He and Mrs. Worthington, holding hands, then glanced to see if the visiting dragonfly was still perched upon the ceiling. It was.
“Will you please take this?” the doctor asked his cousin, handing him a paper.
“I certainly will.”
“That lovely creature likes it here, John,” Amber declared, pointing to the winged insect resting above her. “We have them at home, too. They’re harmless, yet none have ever visited my library.”
“He hasn’t moved, has he?” Their host now rose to escort his guests to the front door.
Just then Crane cleared his throat at the library threshold, halting conversation. “Sir, you have more guests with condolences at the front stoop. It’s the twins and their mama.” The butler sported a huge grin after the announcement and shrugged his shoulders in excitement.
Rachael could tell that Crane obviously liked the twins and their mama, and so did their employer, since John Davis’ face lit like a sunny morning sunrise at Crane’s acknowledgement of their arrival.
Rising, the doctor then hesitated, took one step backwards, and sighed. “I don’t know what to say to them, Crane.”
“Say anything. You’ll do just fine, Dr. Davis,” his butler whispered, trying to reassure him. “Point out that the geese are migrating. There are thousands of them in the sky this afternoon. Children like animals. They’ll be delighted with your announcement. Just have them look up into the air, sir. Give it a try.”
Rachael was amused by the suggestion, as she watched Mrs. Worthington, on her employer’s right, touch his right arm. “I’m here, John. I’ll help you,” she assured him. Yet, he still seemed hesitant.
Rachael pulled herself forward from a pile of soft pillows, to stare at the woman, yet wondered why. She knew it was none of her business. After all, the lady was obviously a longtime friend. Though she hadn’t spoken to Rachael, it was an oversight the nanny could easily forgive. Still, Rachael thought the guest was a little too personal with Dr. Davis. Who am I kidding? Once again, she relaxed against the soft cushions, as the trio entered the hall, leaving her alone after her employer’s, “Excuse us, please.”
Just as she was learning some about the quilt pattern before her, the appealing commotion of children laughing in delight wafted through the open front door to the library. Could it be little Miss Lily Davis arriving with them, returning home from her grandparents, Rachael wondered?
“Emma,” was all that John could say to their mother, as he hugged this dear family friend.
“John, I’ve brought you a dinner dish, with chicken, vegetables, and such, and some muffins and raspberry preserves. I didn’t have time for a pie this afternoon, but I will bake in a day or so and bring it by or send it over with Albert.”
“That is so very kind of you. Thank you, Emma. Tell him ‘Hello,’ and I do appreciate this so much. Do the children know Lily isn’t here right now? She is staying with Mother and Father for another week, and then with Rose’s parents for awhile, until Miss Hathaway, our new nanny, settles in,” he explained. Emma and Pastor Albert Hoover were dear friends to John and Rose. “Lily always loves playing with the twins, you know,” he continued. “So, we’ll have Minnie and Quinny over when she returns.”
The twins called Lily’s name several times. “They know she’s with her grandparents, and we’ll all look forward to visiting when it’s convenient, John,” his friend responded. “We can’t stay today, anyway, since we’re going to give our regards and cookies to the new family who moved into the Croft place.”
Rachael hobbled to the doorway, where she peeked around the corner to learn more. That’s when she realized that Rose must be Lily’s mother. Dr. Davis was a widower, it would seem.
“See those geese up there?” John questioned the pair of youngsters. “Because there are so many of them, they had to leave home to find food,” he chuckled, as he knelt and the three of them pointed to the sky together, laughing in delight. “They’re flying.”
Rachael heard her name mentioned. At the same time she also noticed that the lovely Mrs. Worthington still held her arm around the doctor’s right arm in a friendly gesture, even when he tried to receive the gifts of food his friends were offering. Cheerfully, Mrs. Worthington took the casserole dish, leaving him holding the preserves and muffin basket.
The young nanny heard the horse of Emery Davis galloping away to summon the family doctor. Nervously, she wondered what the doctor would declare. But at this moment, she hoped she would be allowed to meet these people. Upon hearing the word ‘accident,’ she guessed that her employer was probably referring to her fall. Suddenly, he quickly said ‘goodbye’ to the twins and their mother and turned, trying to dispel himself from Amber Worthington. But the woman quickly planted a kiss on his right cheek after the front door was closed. Then, she turned about to hold and hug him.
Rachael Hathaway suddenly felt ill at the sight of it. Not wishing to intrude or be seen, she limped back to recline again. Truthfully, she could not imagine this kind of reaction within herself, to what she had seen between her employer and his friend, since it was positively none of her business. She slumped onto the cushions, while wishing with all of her heart that she was instead at Bower Farm House.
Crane and Mrs. Worthington helpfully transported the food to the kitchen, while Dr. Davis returned to rest within his library. “You shall be meeting the Hoover family very soon when they return for a visit after Lily comes home, Miss Hathaway,” he quickly explained.
“I see. I
look forward to that. I love children.”
Shortly thereafter, Dr. Evans arrived to examine and bandage John and Rachael, giving both of them strict orders to stay off their injured legs for awhile. Teasingly, he instructed them that he would acquire some Army wheelchairs if they did not. “I have access to them, you know,” he remarked to John with a chuckle.
Rachael thought it ironic that they both had leg injuries. At the same time she wondered how he had acquired his. But, she dared not ask. He already had enough on his mind, it would seem, without her asking him to relive any painful memories.
Cousin Emery thoughtfully came forward, as Dr. Evans took his leave that afternoon. “May I show you the gardens from the veranda, Miss Hathaway?” the Davis cousin offered, with a huge smile upon his handsome face. “They’re quite beautiful in any season,” he complimented.
Understandably, John Davis would not hear of it. “Of course, you may not, Emery. Did you not hear the family doctor threatening us with wheelchairs, and cousin, I am boss here.”
“I quite agree, John, and no I did not hear the fine doctor’s specific instructions to you and Miss Hathaway, since I was giving you privacy by waiting in the hallway until Doc Evan’s departure,” was his cousin’s quick response. “I shall certainly honor his instructions, though.”
Despite the doctor’s orders, Rachael absolutely longed to see the veranda and more of Magnolia Gardens, since she could only imagine what they were like in reality. In addition, she practically begged her employer to change his mind about that desire. “I am so very anxious to see your horticultural displays, Dr. Davis.”
But, just then, Miss Callie came to him with a report and a request. “We are nearly out of ice. I can send Crane, for you both could probably use some on your injuries, doctor.”
“No, I won’t hear of it. I’ll do it.”
Yet, his butler disagreed. “Sir, if the doctor gave you certain instructions about staying off your leg for a time, you should probably allow me to go to the Ice House.”
“You’re both right, of course. You may go at any time that is convenient for you, Crane, since we seem to be having more guests for cold tea lately, and two of us could stand icing our injuries, plus, I am ordered to rest.” Still, her employer would not relent on Rachael’s request, wouldn’t budge in his decision, for now, at least. Shaking his head, he looked toward his cousin and barked, “She needs rest!” Although he was addressing Emery Davis, whom he loved dearly, Rachael heard every word plainly. Surprisingly, though, when the room fell silent for a few moments, he changed his mind, since he could see her great disappointment at being denied garden access. He had to agree with his staff on two counts, Crane going for the ice, and the nanny, Miss Hathaway, being encouraged to stay by viewing his gardens.
He sighed. “Fine, she should be able to take a peek from the door, and I shall help her,” he instructed, moving slowly to help the injured lady, which was, of course, against doctor’s orders.
In a turn of events, his cousin would not hear of it. “You are weak from loss of blood, John. So, I would strongly suggest that you allow me to show the lady to the veranda door for a view of the floral displays and patterns,” Cousin Emery snipped. Rising, he moved forward to give his assistance. “There are many lovely gardens to see in this area, you’ll find as you venture out, Miss Hathaway.” Holding out his hand to her, she gladly accepted his offer.
Rivalry and chivalry prevailed at once that day, as they both helped Rachael, silently, one at each side, for her first glimpse of those lovely back gardens. Azaleas, cyclamen, daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, dogwoods, fruit trees, and magnolias bloomed in lush profusion there, offering pastel displays as far as the eye could see. The path seemed inviting. She knew she’d take it, someday, not today, however. Birds and butterflies flitted throughout the area and a squirrel scampered, to add a certain amount of animal life, plus, the ceiling dragonfly now flew to join the other invertebrates. They all simply took Rachael’s breath away ~ animals, gardens and the two Davis cousins.
“Would you like help up the stairs to your room now, Miss Hathaway, or do you prefer to read awhile longer here in the library?” her employer asked, before taking leave of her to rest. Cousin Emery headed toward the barn and stables, so she knew that this room would soon be quiet and restful. “Incidentally, I shall bring you an arrival bouquet,” the doctor added.
“But, isn’t that against the doctor’s orders? Actually, I would prefer to stay here and write a letter home, for, I wish to inform my family that I have arrived safely,” she answered. “I also will marvel at your library and gardens, and at the wildflowers I saw during my trip.”
“Splendid!” he replied. Moving to his magnificent desk, he produced paper, pen, and ink for her. “However, I have already sent a telegram advising your family of your safe arrival. It went out with my Cousin Emery when he fetched Doc Evans. Please, though, write to them,” he advised, smiling. Then, he excused himself from her presence, to rest, saying he’d return to check on her in one hour.
At this point, she found herself exhausted, from the pain and the journey. Clutching paper and pen, she very carefully covered with the quilt, snuggling into it. Quickly, she fell into an unplanned, yet much needed snooze, awaking just as unexpectedly to the sound of excited male voices. Cousin Emery was entering the room with butler Crane following directly behind him. They paid her little attention and perhaps did not even notice her there. Fortunately, she heard every word spoken, as she stayed very still.
“I can’t believe it!” her employer’s cousin exclaimed. “The horses are gone! They are prize winners, Crane.”
“I know, Mr. Davis. Perhaps we shouldn’t even tell Dr. Davis at this particular time, though,” the butler advised the cousin. “He is already grieving much, with the deaths of Mrs. Davis and his friend, Captain Worthington. To learn of his stolen horses would be dreadful for him right now.”
“I think you’re right. But how can we keep this from him? He’ll want to go to the barn eventually.”
“We’ll have to keep him away from it and the pastures with excuses,” Crane explained. “I can do that, I think. I’ll advise him that he must rest his leg, while I do chores, since Dr. Evans told him not to be on it. That may work for awhile, until we learn the truth.”
“Yes, but what about the race?” the Davis cousin asked. “Isn’t it to be scheduled soon, and I’m not quite sure how to dissuade John from it? He certainly needs something to look forward to.”
“That poses two problems,” the butler admitted. “But, I know that he has made no plans for a race, as of today.”
Rachael was shocked and spellbound to learn that Mrs. Davis had indeed passed away, as well as one of the doctor’s best friends, and on top of that, some of her employer’s prizewinning horses were missing. She kept her eyes closed, while hoping the men would think she was sleeping, or that she was just a pile of quilts on the settee. Silently, she laughed at the notion.
“Those horses mean so much to him. I just can’t endure telling John right now,” his cousin confided, after slumping into an overstuffed chair to gaze out the window. “It would break his heart again.”
“I know, sir. We’ll just have to wait a few days. Maybe the horses will magically appear. Perhaps they’re just grazing somewhere. If not, we’ll have to tell him before he plans to host a race,” Crane advised, with an air of authority, for he’d helped with the previous ones, even while John Davis was away.
“Let’s act like nothing’s happened when he gets up from his nap. It’s our secret for now,” Emery Davis advised, and the butler nodded approval of their concealment plan. “By the way, how many are missing?”
“Two,” was the answer, as both of them shook their heads in anguish. “One won last year, you know. But both of the missing pair were ready to race this year, sir. He has others, but those were his favorites.” The butler’s voice broke with emoti
on and one could tell that he also loved the animals.
Cousin Emery advised butler Crane that he would “do a search, and ask neighbors and friends, Buddy Callahan and Monty Graham, to help look for them without telling John. I know they will all oblige. They care.”
“Good. Yes, they do care. This is a close knit, caring community,” Crane whispered. “I am going to tell my mother, though, so she can help by alerting me if the doctor heads for the barn, so I can divert his attention. I’ll also search the pastures here and at Black Woods when I can.”
“Perfect.” Cousin Emery laughed nervously. “It’s sad to be so deviously sneaky. But I believe that we have a right to be in this case. This could all end happily if I or someone else finds them grazing in the south forty or they miraculously reappear on their own,” he chuckled. “I also have an idea on how to cheer John.”
The two men left the room as quickly as they had entered, each with his own secret plan to spare Dr. Davis even more grief than he already had. “It’s my secret, too,” Rachael said to herself, although she had not learned what Cousin Emery’s plan was to cheer the doctor. She also felt that they were doing the right thing, sparing him the added grief of knowing right now. Later, in her room on the second floor, above the entry gardens, after being carefully helped upstairs by Miss Mariah and Crane, they took leave of her. Alone at last, she settled into the comfortable bed, to rest and dream. Thankfully, she had just learned that it would be days before little Lily, her charge, would return home from her grandparents. I know that will give me ample time to heal, learn the routine of the household, and read, and write. Then, suddenly, to her dismay, someone knocked at her door, startling her. “Yes,” she called.
“It’s me, Miss Hathaway, John Davis. Remember, I promised you a bouquet? Well, you departed the library before I could procure one for you. I do not mean to disturb you, though,” he informed her from the other side of the door.
“Wait just a moment, please.” Was this appropriate? Of course, it was, she told herself. I need to learn to trust him, although I really prefer to be alone just now. However, this should only take a moment. “I’ll be right there. I was just watching geese on the wing.” She slipped into her cozy white slippers.
Sanctuary Page 4
