by Irene Brand
“So, it’s possible that clipping could have been in some recipes she brought you,” Connie said.
“I suppose so.”
“Now, Rose, what can you tell me about Virginia before I met her? I visited the Perry home two different weekends the last year I was at the university, and Virginia wasn’t at home either time. Where was she?”
Rose fidgeted in her chair and wouldn’t meet Joseph’s gaze. “I don’t like to speak ill of the dead.”
“Any information you have isn’t going to hurt Virginia, but it might do Joseph a lot of good,” Connie insisted.
“Actually, I don’t know where she was, and her parents didn’t know, either. She and one of her girlfriends were supposedly taking a tour of the United States. She telephoned her mother a few times, and when the Perrys received statements of credit card withdrawals, they assumed she was all right, but if they knew where she was, they didn’t say.” She laughed. “In big houses like that, there’s usually an unspoken conspiracy among the staff to find out what their employers are doing. So I don’t think any of the servants knew where Virginia was. It worried me, too, for I was fond of the girl, and I didn’t think her mother gave her enough supervision.”
“Didn’t you know anything about this, Joseph?” Connie asked.
He shook his head. “Virginia often mentioned places in the United States and overseas where she’d traveled, but I assumed it was in the company of her family. I must be the most naive person in the world,” he added in disgust. “Virginia was all right when I met her, and I didn’t pry into her past.”
“I don’t know any particulars, but after several months,” Rose continued, “the news circulated that Virginia was in the hospital and her father and George went someplace and brought her home, but I didn’t know where she’d been hospitalized. Two nurses came to the house and cared for her several months, but the household staff wasn’t given any information about what was wrong with her, we figured she must have been in a detox hospital for drug addicts.”
Joseph’s face blanched, and he moaned, “Surely not!”
“I think so,” Rose said. “Even as a high school student, she’d held a few parties when her parents were away, and the servants knew they were up to something. But after she came back home, as far as I know, she went straight, for her parents guarded her carefully until you married her.”
“If George was the kind of friend he should be, he would’ve told me all of that.”
“He probably figured you wouldn’t marry her if you knew how wild she’d been,” Rose answered. “Mr. Perry was desperate to get Virginia married to a decent man, and you were the answer to their problem.”
“The whole family did court me,” Joseph said grimly. “I wasn’t in their social class, and it surprised me that they approved of our marriage. Now I learn that they were only using me. I would have married her even if they’d told me, but either Virginia or her family should have leveled with me. George plotted against me even before he accused me of killing his sister!”
Obviously, this further disloyalty on the part of a friend he’d trusted had depressed Joseph, and Connie attempted to refocus his attention on his current need. “It’s apparent that the clue to Virginia’s death lies in that year she was away from home. Do either of you know the name of the friend who was with her during that year?”
“Her name was Debbie Smith then, but she’s married now,” Rose answered.
“I know Debbie,” Joseph said. “She was Virginia’s maid of honor, and she came to the ranch quite often until she took a job in California and married someone out there. I believe she’s divorced now and has returned to Colorado. Her father used to manage a motel north of Denver. I can probably get a lead on Debbie by telephoning the motel.”
Joseph stood and shook Rose’s hand. “You’ve been quite helpful, Rose, and I appreciate it. Let Connie know if you think of anything else that seems pertinent. I’m praying for peace of mind, and the strength to forgive George, but I’ll never be free of the past until I find out what really happened.”
Connie was scheduled to meet Tom Cartland for a therapy session, but she took time to walk with Joseph to his truck.
“Where do we go from here?” she asked.
“Although I dread it, I’m going to contact George, and after I find out what he knows, I’ll get in touch with Debbie. I’d rather not face him alone, and Jean would jump at the chance to go, but she’s too out-spoken, and would be pleased to give George a tongue-lashing. I hesitate to ask this, but will you go with me when I visit George? It will be easier for me.”
“I want to go, if you can arrange the visit when it won’t interfere with my work schedule—a Saturday or Sunday afternoon would be best, but not until after the wedding. Kim and I are making floral arrangements and favors for the reception, and until the wedding is over, I won’t even have time to go through Virginia’s possessions to see what I can find.”
Since they had met at NLC, Kim and Eric wanted to be married there. The chapel was too small for the guests they invited, so Kim and Connie planned a wedding on the lawn behind the administration building. They’d chosen the first Sunday in August, hoping for a shower-free afternoon. Kim’s parents were close friends of Bill and Beverly Harmon, and the four of them spent hours at NLC transforming the lawn into a wedding bower. The couple would take their vows in a white gazebo with an arched entrance, covered with live greenery from the mountains, interspersed with white silk daisies.
Eric and Kim planned a short, simple ceremony, and they’d written their own vows based on the Scripture, “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God. You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” Their devotion to the Marriage First conviction was indicated in these vows.
Wedding guests included only family and close friends, but Kim’s family was large and twenty of Eric’s family came from Louisiana. Eric’s brother and Connie were the only attendants, and the pastor of Kim’s church in Lakewood performed the ceremony.
Still hurting over the rift in her Marriage First group caused by the deviousness of Laura and Ray, Connie was heartened by the pure wedding of Kim and Eric. They wore the Marriage First pins on their wedding day.
Joseph and Jean came to the wedding, and when the bride and bridegroom took their vows, Connie sensed Joseph looking at her, and she met his solemn gaze. How she wished she knew what he was thinking! Perhaps he looked forward to a day when they would be married, or more likely, he remembered the day he’d married Virginia. During the reception, Joseph shook hands with Eric, kissed Kim on the cheek, but only patted Connie’s hand. “Bridesmaids don’t get kissed at a wedding,” he said, “and especially not without an invitation.”
She grimaced at him as he moved on.
Since NLC had been responsible for her brother’s recovery, Jean was interested in the facility and asked for a tour. She was so impressed by their program that she gave Connie a check for five hundred dollars. “You’re doing wonderful work here, Connie—use this little contribution where you need it.”
Connie was touched. “We have plenty of places to use your gift,” she told Jean, “but I’ll wait until Kim returns from her honeymoon before I spend it, since she keeps track of NLC’s finances.”
Chapter Nine
During the week Kim and Eric were away on their honeymoon, Connie spent every night sifting through Virginia’s possessions. It was a heartrending time for her as she handled the designer clothing that Virginia had worn. A haunting combination of jasmine, musk and lily of the valley permeated all the boxes, and Connie knew she would never again smell this shimmering oriental fragrance without thinking of Virginia. Did Joseph associate that scent with Virginia? Did he still love his wife? Even if they solved the mystery of Virginia’s death, would he ever marry again?
After the first evening of riffling through Virginia’s belongings, Connie was so agitated that she contemplated hauling t
he boxes to the clothes pantry without looking at the rest of them. After she’d worked in the storeroom for several hours, Connie couldn’t sleep when she went to bed later on. Even in death, Virginia Caldwell stood between her and Joseph. Connie tried to develop an idea of Virginia’s personality as she assessed the clothing the woman had worn. The garments all contained exclusive designer labels, and Connie couldn’t imagine anyone having so many clothes. Numerous items had never been taken from the wrappers. Many of her garments were made of lightweight fabrics in pastel shades, and Connie envisioned Virginia as a pampered woman, spoiled by her parents and perhaps Joseph, too, although from what Jean had said, he wouldn’t have had the money to provide the clothing. Connie pegged her as a selfish, indecisive person, one who avoided responsibility. But in all fairness, she admitted that she probably wanted to characterize Virginia as that type of person. Based on the same facts, Joseph’s wife could just as easily have been quiet, easy to get along with and full of compassion and concern.
Yet these assumptions might all be wrong, for Connie had never even seen a picture of the woman who occupied her thoughts. At the ranch, she’d expected to see a portrait of Virginia, but if there had ever been any photos of her, they’d been removed. After each restless night of looking through her things, Connie realized how foolish she was to be intimidated by a dead woman, so she determined that, in spite of the emotional stress, she’d finish what she’d started.
By Wednesday evening, Connie had looked through half of the boxes without finding any evidence that would lead to Joseph’s vindication. The next night she checked the cartons that had been stored in the attic at the ranch house—items that looked as if they hadn’t been used for many years. In the bottom of one box, she found Joseph and Virginia’s wedding album, which upset her emotional equilibrium for weeks after.
Virginia Caldwell had been beautiful, and on her wedding day, she’d glowed with happiness. In one picture, she gazed up at Joseph as if she couldn’t believe her good fortune in having him for a husband. A petite blonde, with vivid green eyes set in a peach blossom complexion, Virginia’s head was on a level with Joseph’s shoulders. Everything about Virginia—clothing, physical structure, and poise—proclaimed her femininity.
Her exquisite, ostentatious gown, which must have cost thousands, was enhanced by a floor-length veil that flowed backward from a golden crown, and a long train that spread gracefully over the steps leading to the chancel of the church. Every aspect of the wedding and reception spoke of wealth.
And Joseph? There was no doubt that he was happy, too, and how long would it take to get over losing someone you loved as much as he must have loved his wife? Looking at his youthful countenance five years ago, it was evident that the past months of illness, and being a suspect in his wife’s death, had taken their toll on him. Connie couldn’t bear to look at the pictures, and she put the album back in the box.
Still holding it, she plopped down on the floor of the storeroom comparing herself to Virginia, and accepting an unpleasant reality. Joseph had chosen Virginia, so she thought it was doubtful that he could ever generate a romantic interest in her. She’d never been uncomfortable with her own physical characteristics, but now she conceded that she came in a poor second place when compared to Virginia. A tall, lanky, tomboyish physical therapist wouldn’t appeal to a man who’d been married to a woman possessing all the elegance and refinement that wealth could bring.
So then, where did that leave her association with Joseph? Did his pleasure in her company stem from the therapist-patient association they’d had? That must be it, for Joseph had insisted that he hadn’t considered a premarital relationship with her, and she believed him. After almost daily companionship for three months, he would naturally feel some closeness to her—perhaps it was more of a brotherly emotion, but whatever it was, Connie knew it wouldn’t be enough for her. She’d committed to helping him solve the mystery of Virginia’s death, and she’d do that, but when his name was cleared, what then? Joseph would be able to go on with his life, and somehow she’d make it easy for him to go on without her.
Connie didn’t like that solution, but she didn’t know what else she could do. After the altercation when she’d thought Joseph had propositioned her, he’d promised that he wouldn’t kiss her again until she was ready. To her shame, she remembered that on Faith Mountain she’d been the first to break the agreement by kissing him. He’d kissed her when he left NLC, but would he have done so if she hadn’t been so obvious in her feelings for him?
Connie got up from the floor, knowing that if she kept stewing about the past, she’d soon be wallowing in self-pity, and she had no patience with that attitude. What should she do with the photo album? Obviously she couldn’t send it to the church. Before she put the lid on the box, she glanced at some loose photos lying beneath the album. Most of the pictures were of Virginia, and presumably George, when they were children, but one was of three adults. It was a beach picture with Virginia and another young woman, scantily clad, standing on either side of a barefoot, bearded man wearing jean cutoffs and sandals. “San Diego,” and a date, was scrawled on the back, and judging by the date, the picture could have been taken during the year Virginia had been absent from her home. It could mean something or it might not, but Connie laid it aside to show Joseph.
Other than the picture, the week of searching produced nothing that would exonerate Joseph, but it left Connie with anguish she figured time would never erase. Probably she’d learned nothing that would help the man she loved, and she’d experienced enough heartache to last for a lifetime. The next day, the gardener helped her load the boxes in the van, and she took them to the church in Lakewood. All trace of Virginia Caldwell had been removed from the ranch house and the storeroom at NLC. How Connie wished she could so easily erase memories of the woman from her mind—and Joseph’s.
Connie telephoned Joseph Saturday evening.
“Hi,” she said when he answered. “I’ve checked through all of those cartons, without much success. I do have a picture of Virginia, another woman and a man, which may have been taken in San Diego during the year she was gone. Outside of that, I found nothing suspicious, and I haven’t had any response from any of the newspapers I’ve contacted. The first of the week, I’ll start checking out San Diego newspapers.”
“I struck out on my first attempt to see George, too. When I telephoned his office, I learned he’ll be gone for another week.”
“Next Monday is when we have our wagon train trip into the forest. Are you still planning to go with us, Joseph?”
“As far as I know.”
“Then meet us at the first picnic area inside Roosevelt National Forest next Monday at ten o’clock.”
“How many are going?”
“Twenty, plus the workers the outfitter will bring.”
“I’ll provide my own horse and equipment. I prefer a familiar mount and saddle.”
“I’m pleased you’re going, Joseph, and I hope you enjoy the week.”
Bill and Beverly always supervised the grounds of NLC while the others enjoyed a holiday. It was a time of relaxation for them too, for in the absence of staff and patients, Bill spent the time fishing, and Beverly walked the easy trails and spent a lot of time in the pool. The gates were closed and locked, so not even any curious passersby could disturb them.
Connie enjoyed the trail ride, and she was looking forward to it even more this year because Joseph was going along. Kim and Eric rode to the rendezvous with Connie, who had the rear of the van piled high with food supplies. Rose was going along as cook, and she’d helped Connie choose menus that required a lot of groceries. Appetites usually tripled in the great outdoors!
Della Sinnet rode with Rose in her car, for the wagon train was the high point of her summer before she headed for a warmer climate. Some of the participants had gone each of the three years, and even though they no longer needed the services of NLC, they liked the camaraderie of the trail, so the wagon trip was al
so a reunion for some NLC graduates.
Five wagons were lined up near the entrance when Connie drove into the campground. These wagons were much larger than the covered wagons of the past. They had benches on each side for seating, and the canvas rolled up to afford a good view for those who rode in the wagon. A couple of people could spread out their bedrolls on the floor at night, but most participants preferred to sleep in small tents. Always before, Connie and Kim had bunked together, but since Kim and Eric would share a tent this trip, Connie elected to sleep alone.
Connie made it a point to arrive well before her guests. She wanted to be on hand to greet them—it was uplifting for her to be reunited with patients whom NLC had been able to help. Joseph came soon after the three of them arrived, accompanied by his foreman, Danny Keller, and pulling a stock trailer behind his pickup. Smiling, Joseph waved to them, and when he stepped jauntily from the truck, Connie remembered the pain he’d been in, and how he’d limped when she’d first met him. She recalled the first week when he struggled to walk a few yards. As he smilingly came to greet her, she thanked God again for guiding her into the field of physical and spiritual therapy. This was the first time Connie had seen him since she’d deduced so much about his wife’s character, but she was determined that Joseph would never know how she’d been humbled by her own comparison of herself to Virginia.
“Hello,” she said, and Joseph took her hand.
“I brought my own horse and gear, and also the mare you rode at the ranch when you visited. You seemed to like her.”
Connie ran to the stock trailer and reached a hand through the opening to pat the sleek flank of the horse.
“Hi, Piaute,” she said. “Thanks, Joseph. As you know, I’m not a skilled rider, and it will be better for me to have a familiar mount.”
Eric and Kim joined them. “How’s everything at the ranch?” Eric said.
