Secret at Pebble Creek

by Lisa Jones Baker

  But there was more to it than that, she admitted as she crunched on an ice cube. She couldn’t pinpoint what it was, but something inside of her had immediately bonded to the good-looking builder. The more she considered his thoughtfulness and gentleness, the way he saw things in the most logical manner, she acknowledged that her connection to him could never be broken. He’d made her feel welcome. And what was she doing to repay him? I’m going to sell the place that’s so dear to his family. She closed her eyes to calm herself.

  My insecurities are at work. He must understand my point of view, even if he doesn’t agree. Plus, I need his help. Maybe that’s why I’m reacting to him with so much emotion. Because I depend on him for the improvements. More importantly, even, to learn about Old Sam. Eli is my connection to my family.

  She stepped to the kitchen to refill her empty glass. As soon as she poured more tea, she began shopping for windows on her cell phone. When ugly incidents from her past began to enter her mind, she quickly blocked them out. With lots of practice, she’d learned to do it. But her efforts weren’t always successful.

  As she forced composure … again, she pressed her palms against the countertop and looked out the window. She immediately calmed when she saw her great-uncle’s buggy.

  There wasn’t a reason to keep it, of course. But before she sold it, she’d like to take a ride in the simple mode of transportation.

  For a blissful moment, she imagined Old Sam and Esther riding together into town. Another lone tear slipped down her cheek. She wondered how they’d survived a ride in the winter without heat. She imagined Old Sam helping his beloved wife in and out of the buggy. The two holding hands as they walked into church.

  She smiled at the thought. She wanted a man who was a good listener. Someone who cherished her. It was something she’d never experienced. Of course, she couldn’t be sure that she ever would. But she still hoped.

  Old Sam must have been lonely without Esther—and his four sons, who’d died before his wife. The attorney who’d phoned her and told her about the will had briefed her on her uncle’s background.

  Their marriage must have been something like one would read about in a fairy tale. If Esther had been half as wonderful as her husband, they must have been the happiest couple in the world.

  As she scrolled her cell phone, looking at window after window, she thought of how early death had claimed many members of the Beachy family. She pressed her hand over her heart and drew in a deep breath. She looked up at the austere walls. No pictures. Interesting people.

  She continued through the hundreds of pictures on her cell phone and wondered which window would look best in the kitchen. Her thoughts kept turning to her great-uncle. She’d always believed that a person’s home told a lot about them. What this home revealed about Old Sam and Esther was that they had diligently adhered to the Plain Faith.

  She put away her phone and made her way into the library, to the left of her bedroom. Inside the room lined with wall-to-wall shelves, she pulled out a hardcover on woodworking, then returned it to its place.

  When a bead of sweat dripped down her cheek, she pivoted toward the living room to retrieve the fan. Back in the library, she set it in front of the office chair and flipped it back on.

  She sat down and smiled at the large number of books. She checked their titles.

  Woodworking. The Facts on Farming. Gardening. Even a book on horses and their diets. Lots of religious covers. She wasn’t surprised to find a Bible on the small table in the corner.

  Without thinking, she reached for it and flipped it open to where a cloth bookmark had been placed. Perhaps Old Sam had put the marker here for a reason. Maybe he’d just stuck it in randomly without thinking. There was no way to know.

  The small print that said John at the top piqued her curiosity. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

  Jessica paused, her hand not leaving the page. It felt a bit odd to be looking at God’s Holy Word. She knew people who went to church, but they’d never discussed their beliefs with her.

  In fact, Eli was the only person who’d ever mentioned eternal life to her. For some reason, she’d never pursued information on Christianity, and why people believed in an afterlife.

  Still holding the worn book on her lap, she looked around, digesting what she’d just read. She saw numerous Christian magazines stacked neatly, and she realized how very deeply religious Sam must have been.

  Her heart warmed a moment, and she closed her eyes to savor the sweet sensation. Already, she loved him. She was certain. A strong force inside of her accelerated until she was certain she must learn everything about the hope-chest maker.

  She stood and ran her finger over the dustless shelf. Either Old Sam had kept his home clean or church women had kept the place tidy while he’d been ill.

  Curiosity took over, and she began to open desk drawer after drawer, searching for things that might reveal more about her great-uncle. There were odds and ends. Receipts for stain, oats and barley, groceries, mulch, plants. Some loose coins. As she held the receipts, one dropped to the floor. The fan blew it underneath the base of the bookshelves.

  She got on her hands and knees to retrieve it. As she stuck her fingers under the bottom shelf, her finger touched something round. Like a button. Suddenly, her finger slid into a hole, and a small flap released.

  As it did so, an envelope dropped to the floor. She stopped and pressed her lips together in surprise. She retrieved the envelope, but before looking at the contents, she reached back underneath and closed the flap. And stopped.

  It’s a secret drawer. As reality set in, she considered what she’d just discovered. Old Sam hid something.

  She eyed the envelope. It wasn’t flat. Something inside made a small lump.

  She tried to open the envelope as neatly as she could. It was habit. With great care, she pulled both sides open and glimpsed a key. She studied it and held it close to her face. Her jaw dropped because the key wasn’t a normal key, like for a house or car.

  On the contrary, the key’s shiny gold surface and ornate details reminded her of a pirate movie she’d once seen. The key in the movie had opened a treasure chest.

  Her heart pumped to an excited beat. But what did this key unlock? She pulled the envelope all the way open. There’s more. Careful not to tear the thin paper inside, she pulled it out and admired the beautiful print. Her gaze quickly drifted to the bottom where Old Sam had signed, My Love Forever, Sam.

  Salty moisture stung Jessica’s eyes, and she blinked. Emotion tugged at her insides while she reclaimed her chair, keeping the note in front of her. While her fingers shook with excitement, she read it out loud:

  To my true love:

  I’ve made you something from my heart

  It’s hidden in a special place

  My Love, we’ll never part

  Our anniversary of sixty years

  To find it, here’s a start

  It’s at the spot

  We both agreed

  To spend our lives as one

  Here and in eternity

  When time on earth is done.

  Jessica swallowed a huge knot that blocked her throat. As she stared at the impeccable print in front of her, her pulse picked up.

  She traced a finger over the love letter that had obviously been authored by Old Sam to Esther for their sixtieth anniversary. But she’d passed before that day. That meant that her great-uncle had hidden a gift for her before she’d died.

  Of course, how did Jessica know for certain that he’d actually done so? She studied the key. And the note. Finally, her instincts told her that he had indeed hidden a special gift for Esther. Where they’d agreed to marry. How romantic.

  Jessica stood. Without a doubt, she had to find the gift. Her curiosity wouldn’t let her forget about it. Here, in the place where she’d thought she’d be bored out of her mind, she’d found som
ething that piqued her curiosity like nothing else ever had.

  Her heart pounded as she reread the letter. Afterwards, she checked it again and frowned. There was no clue where their special place was. She sighed.

  Obviously, Esther never had the chance to lay eyes on the special gift he’d made her. Jessica straightened, and her mind kicked into high gear. What was the present? And where was it?

  *

  The following morning, Eli arched a brow. Jessica was acting … distracted. Like something was on her mind. He and Chuck worked to remove the small tiles on the kitchen countertop. Wayne was putting finishing touches on the new construction a few miles away.

  While Eli cracked the dark mortar, Chuck bent to press his hand against his right hip. My back’s actin’ up again. Mind if I take a break?”

  Eli shook his head as he put down his tool and nodded. “Gut idea. Time for a drink of water.”

  The moment the driver stepped outside, Jessica appeared. “How about an iced tea?” Before Eli could say yes, she lowered her voice. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

  “Tea sounds good.” He stepped to the hall bathroom and washed his hands. When he returned to the kitchen, she handed him a full glass and smiled.

  “What is it?”

  She motioned with her hand while she stepped into the library. Curiosity prompted him to follow.

  Eli had always loved Old Sam’s library. It was common knowledge that Sam was well-read. That he couldn’t start the day without reading the newspaper. And that he was always up-to-date on the weather forecast. Farmers constantly asked for his thoughts on their crops.

  Eli took in the book-filled shelves on the walls. He could hear the voice of the local news announcer coming from Chuck’s portable radio in the pickup.

  He turned to Jessica and eyed her with curiosity.

  In silence, she retrieved something from one of the shelves and carefully handed it to him. As he took the ornate-looking key, he pressed his lips together thoughtfully.

  He looked at Jessica. “And? You want me to do something with this?”

  As he looked into her deep green eyes, he noted a determination he’d never seen before.

  Jessica motioned to the empty chair, and he shook his head. “No thanks. I’d rather stand.”

  Jessica reached for a piece of paper next to the books. “Here. Read this.”

  Raising an inquisitive brow, he took the paper from her, careful not to tear it. While he read the love letter Old Sam had written Esther, he teared up. Jessica finally stepped around him to claim the empty chair.

  In silence, he held the letter closer and reread the touching words. When his gaze drifted from the neat print to Jessica’s face, his lips parted in surprise.

  In silence, he studied her, and his throat constricted with emotion. The compassionate expression on her face pulled at his heartstrings until he swallowed and raised his chin.

  She got up from her chair. “Old Sam made something special for Esther and hid it in hopes of giving it to her at their special place on their sixtieth wedding anniversary.”

  He took another glance at the note before meeting her gaze. “Where did you find this?”

  He watched while she sqatted down at the base of the cabinets. She pressed something, and pulled out a drawer.

  Eli’s jaw dropped in surprise. In all the years he’d known Old Sam, he’d never been aware that the hope-chest maker had a secret hiding place. Of course, it was most likely that no one had known. Until now.

  When he regarded Jessica, he could tell that she awaited his response.

  “It’s a secret drawer.”

  “I see that.” After a slight hesitation, he added, “So this is where you found the key and the letter?”

  Still in a squatting position, she looked up and nodded. “I discovered the drawer by accident.” She stood and planted her hands on her hips. “Eli, I’ve been dying to talk to you about this.”

  “How long have you known?”

  “Not long. Where was their favorite place?”

  The last statement prompted Eli to think hard. The eager expression on Jessica’s face told him that she couldn’t wait to see what the key unlocked. And the last thing he wanted to do was disappoint her.

  His thoughts drifted back to conversations he’d had with Old Sam about his marriage to Esther. He knew so many things. Old Sam’s favorite dish. That Jessica’s great-uncle didn’t like beets. Even what treats Esther had fed their horses.

  Where was it?

  A combination of excitement and great inquisitiveness edged Jessica’s voice when she finally broke the silence. “Eli? Where was their favorite place?”

  He chuckled. He wasn’t sure why he laughed. Perhaps it was a disappointed reaction because he didn’t know the answer to her question. Finally, he shrugged. “Jessica, I’m sorry. I don’t have the faintest idea.”

  “No, Eli. Don’t say that.” She looked disappointed.

  “But it’s true.”

  “You said you talked to my great-uncle often.”

  “Jah. Of course. But he didn’t share where he and Esther had agreed to start a life together.” He threw his hands up in the air. “To be honest, this letter comes as a surprise to me.”

  “That Old Sam was a romantic?”

  Eli could feel the pink flooding his cheeks. He wasn’t sure why this discussion made him uncomfortable.

  Jessica placed a stubborn hand on her hip and challenged Eli. “What’s wrong with being a romantic?”

  This conversation was becoming ridiculous. Where was Chuck? Why didn’t he interrupt them?

  She continued to look at Eli expectantly.

  Finally, he gave a conciliatory shake of his head and met her gaze. “Okay. I might as well address this issue and get it over with. I just don’t see Old Sam as a romantic.” He lifted his palms in a casual gesture. “Maybe he was. Maybe he wasn’t. At this point, it really doesn’t matter.”

  She raised her voice a notch and squared her shoulders. “Of course it matters. You’ve read the letter yourself. What would you call someone, then, who so loves their spouse that they go about making something very special for an anniversary and hide it?”

  Eli considered Jessica’s logic. The woman had a point. The letter itself showed a side of Old Sam that Eli had never seen. Of course, Eli hadn’t been around when Esther was alive. Old Sam hadn’t shown his affectionate side as a husband with his beloved wife gone.

  When he finally looked back at Jessica, she arched an eyebrow. “That my great-uncle was a romantic makes me love him even more. In fact, just knowing the gift he made her is hidden somewhere makes me feel compelled to find it.” She hesitated as if searching for the right words.

  When she continued, a combination of determination and sincerity edged her voice. “I don’t know why …” She rolled her shoulders. “You know the story you told me about the dots? About them all being connected?”

  He contemplated her question, and waited for her to explain what she was getting at.

  She breathed in before continuing in a lowered voice. “Don’t you see? I feel like I’m in the picture now, with Old Sam and Esther. I don’t know why, but when I go to sleep at night, I can’t put them out of my mind. Now I’m not just a lone dot, I guess. In my mind, I’m on the page with all the other dots, including Old Sam and Esther. And Eli, there must be someone who knows where Sam’s and Esther’s favorite place was. Maybe your mother?”

  Eli drew a breath and offered a conciliatory shrug. “I’ll ask her. And … about being a romantic? I never said anything was wrong with it. In fact …”

  “What?” Her voice had softened.

  “I guess I’ve never thought of Old Sam in that way.”

  “As a husband?”

  “I always thought of him as a husband to Esther. But I never knew he did things like write poetry and hide gifts.”

  “Eli, I’m curious …”

  “There’s more?”

  Sh
e laughed. “If you were married, would you write a poem for your wife?”

  He cleared his throat and said firmly, “You’re really putting me on the spot, here, aren’t you?”

  “I don’t mean to. It’s just that … what Old Sam did for Esther …” She drew her arms over her chest and closed her eyes a moment. When she opened them, she slowly dropped her hands to her sides. “It’s my dream. To have someone who loves me so much that they would do something with so much love. It’s so sweet. And now that I’m privy to this, I feel like I have a much better picture of my great-uncle. Before, I’d respected him as a person. As someone with special creative talents. But now, I can glimpse his heart.”

  “To be honest, I’m still a bit stunned by the poem.”

  “But there’s nothing wrong with that.”

  Eli lifted a dismissive hand. “Of course not. It’s just that now, I realize how truly close he was to Esther. And that he must have missed her terribly.”

  “Would you ever write your wife an anniversary poem?” she asked again.

  A chuckle left his throat, and he lifted his palms in defeat. “Jessica … no.”

  “Why not?”

  “Well, because, one: I’m not married. And secondly, I don’t write poems. So there. You’ve got your answer. And it’s a no.”

  Her expression stopped him, and he found his words. “Maybe I’m just not the romantic type. I don’t know. You’re asking me questions I’m not equipped to answer.”

  “Eli, you know what I think?”

  He frowned. “I’m not sure I want to know.”

  She smiled. “You said yourself that you’re the chivalrous type.”

  “I did, didn’t I?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “But that doesn’t mean I’m into poetry.”

  With a small laugh, she said, “You don’t have to be.”

  He watched as the corners of her lips curved into what appeared to be a combination of determination and amusement.

  “But there is something I want you to do.”