I tell you this because some of William’s things weren’t included in the shipment. We know he carried a small Bible with him at all times. This Bible meant a great deal to him and therefore, means a great deal to us. He also had a silver wrist watch, which had his initials engraved on the back. You should also have found a small pocket knife, which once belonged to his grandfather. In a letter, he also mentioned a foot locker. Could the missing items be inside it?
If at all possible, we would like to have these items located and returned to the family. They are of great personal worth. Of course, if you come across anything else that belonged to William, we would appreciate the prompt return of these items as well. Your efforts would mean so much to this grieving family.
Sincerely,
Laura Lea Erickson
A single teardrop fell from Katie’s cheek and splashed onto the bottom of the letter. She sniffed and wiped the others away. Funny that a moment in time that happened so long ago could hurt this much—especially since she didn’t live through it like his loved ones did. Without doubt, had she lived and known William then as she did now, she too would have wanted something of his she could hold close to her heart.
With a bit of trepidation, she went through the remaining documents. Among them she found the notice of a second shipment that arrived much later. This shipment contained the missing items Laura mentioned, as well as a few books William must’ve picked up while in the service. Did those in charge try a little harder to find his possessions after her letter? If so, then thank Heaven for Laura Erickson.
Laura Lea.
Just who was she anyway? A friend of William’s parents? A friend of William’s or the entire family in general? No matter. It wasn’t like she could call her and thank her now. The woman wrote the letter seventy plus years ago. Katie sighed as she grasped the stack of papers, straightened them out, and put them back in the envelope. Once she tucked it away in her file drawer, she turned her attention away from William and placed it solely on Rachel.
She clicked the file on her desktop and for the umpteenth time, studied the contents. It occurred to her then that she hadn’t Googled the woman’s name alongside the year of her birth, coupled with county and state. At once she placed the information in the search engine and hit enter. The top of the page indicated about 350 results, most of which she’d already gone through. Then on a whim, she added the name “Donald Martin” and entered again.
Excitement consumed her as she gazed at the single link at the top of the page. She clicked it. Katie couldn’t help but laugh out loud as she gazed at the page. She drew her clasped hands to her chin and nodded.
Bingo.
Chapter Ten
William gazed at the latest entry in his journal and grinned. The words in his letter to Katie could’ve been penned by some love-sick teenager with his first crush. That’s the way she made him feel, though. How could it be otherwise when she had entered this newest chapter in their relationship with the same joyful enthusiasm he did?
As he reread the words that detailed the last evening they had shared, he stopped at the passages that spoke of Rachel Jameson. This time, the comment Don Martin made about working a full year for her ring came barreling to the forefront of his mind. Could he have meant—at least in part—she deserved a ring suitable for a wealthy heiress? The more he thought on it, the more plausible it seemed. Could he somehow find out without being obvious?
At once he closed his journal, returned it to the desk drawer, and headed for Don’s house. He stopped just outside the gate. Second thoughts kept his feet planted there. In the instant he turned for home, Don opened the door.
“Are you just going to stand there and gawk at the bushes, or are you coming in?”
William chuckled. “You know, I stopped right here so I could debate that very thing.”
“Were you winning or losing the fight?”
“I suppose that depends upon your perspective.”
Don shook his head and rolled his eyes skyward as he invited him in with a wave of his hand. Once they were seated, he clasped his hands together and leaned forward. “Is there someone you need my help with and found you were reluctant to ask?”
“No, well—at least not right now anyway.”
“Do we have another rash of incoming and it’s all hands on deck then?”
“No, it’s not that either. At least not yet. I just hadn’t seen you for awhile and wondered how you were doing. That’s all.”
“Ah.” Don pinned his gaze to his and nodded. “After we last spoke I figured that sooner or later you’d show up with that very question on your mind.”
“Did you now.”
“Yep. You can’t help yourself—it’s in your nature.” He shrugged. “Of course, that’s not such a bad thing, mind you.”
“Okay, so now that we have your evaluation as to my character out of the way, how are you doing?”
“Oh, I’m all right. You know, the last time we spoke you caught me at one of my lowest moments in this fine existence of mine. I’m sorry about that.” He paused for a moment. “Then again, if someone had to witness my bout of self-pity, I’m glad you were that someone.”
William leaned back in his chair as he gazed at his companion. “I know what you mean. I chose Isaiah as my hapless victim when I ranted and raved over the unfairness of my life. I felt much better after we talked though. I realized then that sometimes the things that fester deep inside our souls have to come out sooner or later. When they do, it might as well be with a friend.”
“Yes, well—I thought about my emotional state for quite some time after we parted company. Far longer than you might guess. Thoughts and feelings, both good and bad, tangled themselves up inside my mind and wouldn’t let go. It took a while to put them in order and lay some of them to rest.”
“What did you conclude, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“As strange as it might sound, I don’t hold any real animosity toward Rachel. Quite the opposite actually. I’d appreciate it as well if you didn’t think ill of her either. Despite the way our relationship ended, I still find her the most wonderful, most amazing woman I’ve ever known. That’s the part I’ll keep in my heart. That’s the only part I’ll choose to remember in the future.”
“Given the circumstances, I’d say that’s very charitable of you, Don.”
“Nah, it’s just something my grandmother once said. Something long forgotten that surfaced during my inner reflection after you left.”
“Really? What profound thing did she say?”
“In order for it to make sense, I should tell you my granddad died when my mom was just a little girl. So little in fact that her memories of the man are few in number. One day as my grandma dusted off her wedding portrait, I asked her why she never remarried. I never saw a sweeter smile cross a woman’s face as I did in that moment. She gazed at the image of my grandfather. As her fingers glided over his face, I could almost see the flood of recollections she must’ve relived in that moment. Tears filled her eyes as she turned to face me. Once again she smiled and I swear that smile erased decades of wear from her face. She said she had lived—and could happily live forever if needs be—on just her memories. I suppose I can do the same.”
“Can you really?” he asked.
“I hope so.” A soft chuckle accompanied the shake of his head. “You know, given her privileged status, Rachel shouldn’t ever have given someone like me a second look anyway. Yet she did. Never once, in all of our time together, did she treat me as anything less than her equal. During the brief years we shared, she made me happy. That’s what I’ll hold on to when the bitterness rears its ugly head—as I know it surely will.”
“Privileged status? Are you saying your Rachel came from a well-to-do family?”
Don’s smile broadened. “That’s putting it mildly. You should see the Jameson estate—it takes up an entire city block. That doesn’t count the farm property they own either. If either of them still exists
, that is. I haven’t visited the area since my death, nor do I have any plans to do so in the future. Better to leave it at just the good memories, right?”
William hoped he responded in an appropriate manner to the comments as well as the remainder of their conversation that shifted away from the Jameson family. He couldn’t keep his mind on any of it. Not when Katie needed to know what he found out. The moment he left Don’s home, he headed straight for her inner light. He found her outside, tending her garden.
“Katie?”
She whirled around to face him. A radiant smile lit up her face as she met his gaze.
“Guess what I found out,” they said in almost perfect unison.
Katie laughed. “You first. What did you discover?”
“That you found the right Rachel Jameson after all.” He dropped a kiss on her lips. Though he craved more, he stepped back. “Your turn.”
The sparkle in her eyes matched her sunny smile. She pulled off her gloves and laid them on the outdoor table. “Come with me and I’ll show you.”
Once inside the house she sat down at her computer. Her hands raced across the keyboard. With the one final tap, she turned the screen toward him. “In confirmation of what you already know, here’s a photo of the happy couple in their online high school yearbook. As you can see, she’s standing hand in hand with your Donnie Martin. She looks properly blissful as the newly crowned prom queen with her tall, dark, and handsome king. Don’t you think?”
“Yes, indeed she does.” William paused as he gazed at the couple smiling back at him from the pages. “Have you found out anything more about her?”
“No, I’m afraid not.” She turned away from the computer and settled her gaze on him. “Are you ever going to tell me their story, or are you just going to make me wonder why Don isn’t with this woman right now? Is it that for some reason she can’t see him or even feel his presence?”
“Those types of barriers do exist between couples and far more often than you might guess as you already know. However, in this case, I’m afraid their story isn’t nearly as joyful as mine has been here of late.” For the next little while William told Katie just enough to satisfy her curiosity, but still keep most of Don’s confidences. At the end of his tale a thoughtful look entered her lovely eyes as she nodded more at some inner reflection than at him.
At last she spoke. “We need to find out what happened to her, don’t we.”
“If at all possible, I sure would like to.”
“You know, despite all of the decisions she’s made throughout the years, Donnie could still be the love of her life. Right? I mean, they look so in love in that photograph. Time can’t have erased that entirely.”
“If not for that possibility, I wouldn’t have asked you to look for her.”
Determination firmed her jaw. “You don’t have to worry. One way or another, I’ll find her. You can count on that.”
“That’s my girl.” He leaned down and gave her another kiss. But then when he would’ve given her more, she held up a hand.
“Wait a minute, I have a question to ask before I forget. Do you know where Don is buried?”
He shook his head. “No, I’m afraid I don’t. Why?”
“Well, because I had a thought. If she still loves him, she just might visit his grave. Often. If she does that, then someone may’ve seen her. Like a caretaker for instance. If so, perhaps the caretaker may’ve struck up a conversation and know something useful.”
“That’s a very good possibility. Do you think you can find out where they buried his body?”
“I think I can, even if I have to write to the National Archives in order to do it.”
“Good.” He drew her to her feet and turned her to face him. “Now, do you have any more comments or questions regarding this quest of ours?”
“No, I don’t think so. Why?”
“Because I want a little bit of uninterrupted time for this—” He leaned down and touched his lips to hers. The sweet, gentle kiss turned into several more that went far deeper and became far more meaningful. Kisses that spoke of the deep love and devotion he had for her. Could she feel them as he intended her to feel them? Better yet, did she know she gave as well as she got?
“Sergeant Griffin? You’re needed right away, sir. A young soldier has made an unexpected arrival with a soul deeply wounded. He is in desperate need of your help.”
With more reluctance than he thought possible, he released her from his arms. “I’m afraid I have to go now. I can’t be certain when I’ll be back.”
She locked her gaze with his and for a time, she searched his eyes. Her expression changed to one of tender concern. She lifted a hand and touched the side of his face. With the greatest of care, her fingers glided down the length of his jaw and then she smiled. “I’ll be here waiting when you do.”
Chapter Eleven
Sleep wouldn’t come. She wouldn’t pretend otherwise. Katie tossed her covers off to the side and abandoned the comfort of her bed. In the hours that followed, she all but carved a path on the plush, teal-colored carpet beneath her bare feet. As she paced, the image of PFC Donald R. Martin’s small cemetery stone haunted her. In the moment the photographer had taken the photo, a bunch of wilting violets had adorned his grave. Did Rachel put them there? After all, it couldn’t have been his parents. Both were deceased and buried beside him. Don’s obituary didn’t mention any siblings. Could the flowers have come from an aunt or an uncle perhaps? A cousin? A kind stranger with a deep respect for those who died in service to their country?
The question kept her company until the faint colors of dawn seeped through the white wooden slats of her bedroom window blinds. Without doubt, she wouldn’t rest until she found an answer to the many riddles that plagued her. She knew of only one way to solve them.
Before she lost her nerve, she booked the first available flight to Houston. William hadn’t in any way asked her to take her investigation this far. He probably wouldn’t approve. Nonetheless, if she didn’t take this next step, her search wouldn’t go any further than it already had. Her heart hammered inside her chest as she picked up her phone and placed the call. Jared answered on the second ring.
“Well, I’ll be a son of a beachcomber if it isn’t our lovely Katie! To what do I owe the pleasure on this fine morning?”
Justin hollered out a hello over and over again in the background, all in tones from a screechy high to the boom of the lowest low he could muster. His antics made her laugh.
“Well, I’m looking for some cahoots partners. If either one or both of you can spare a bit of time during the next two or three days, I’d love it to be you. And for Heaven’s sake, tell Justin I said hello before he hurts himself.”
“Katie says hello, and shut up,” Jared said. “Just a minute. Since no one’s in the office, let me put you on speaker phone so he gets out of my face. Okay. Now then, what type of cahoots did you have in mind?”
“Well, I’m looking for a mysterious wealthy heiress who’s disappeared from off the internet radar. I need to find her if I can. That means snooping in places we probably shouldn’t go and won’t be welcome.”
“A wealthy heiress you say? Then by all means, I’m in.”
“I like the ‘snooping into places we shouldn’t go’ part,” Justin called out. “Tell me though, why do you need to find her? Is this some sort of bizarre contest where the eccentric heiress gives you half her fortune if you find her?”
“No, nothing quite so exciting, I’m afraid. I’m helping a friend, that’s all.”
“Ah,” said Jared. “The shadowy unnamed ‘friend’ rears his ugly head. This intrigues me. Does your heiress have a name?”
“Rachel Jameson,” she said.
Justin gasped. “Are you talking about the Jamesons over in Brazoria?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. Have you heard of them?”
Jared snorted. “Everyone’s heard of them, Katie. At least everyone this side of Texas.”
> “Dude! If that’s who you’re after, then I’m definitely in. I could use a very large loan. When do we get started?” Justin asked.
“As soon as possible. I don’t know what your immediate plans are, but my plane lands there at three-thirty. I thought I could take a tax—”
“If you know what’s good for you, you will not finish that sentence,” Jared warned. “We’ll pick you up. The Jameson compound is in West Columbia. That isn’t really all that far as the crow flies. Should only take us an hour or so to get there from the airport—especially if we let Justin drive. We’ll let him get the ticket.”
“Not going to happen. I’ll just tell them I’m you,” Justin volleyed back.
Katie laughed. “No, no. We don’t have to go this afternoon. I mean, you have your construction business that needs attention, I’m sure. In addition, it’s Friday, for goodness sake. You must have dates or some—”
“Nothing that can’t be rearranged, right, Justin?” Jared asked.
“Absolutely. The town of cahoots sounds a lot more fun than anything I have planned this evening. Besides, for all the ghost stories told around campfires, I’ve had a hankering to see that creepy old mansion up close and personal. Now’s as good a time as any.”
Katie raised a hand to her throat. “Creepy? As in abandoned rather than lived in creepy?”
“That’s the rumor,” Jared said. “I guess we’ll find out if she’s hiding in there soon enough though, right?”
“Okay. I, uh, also want to stop at the Columbia Cemetery if that’s all right with you guys.”
“Even creepier. Let’s do it,” Justin said. “I’ll bring along a camera and see if we can catch some ghosts while we’re at it. Maybe that one guy will put us on his TV show and make us famous.”
Her cousins’ enthusiasm made her laugh. “All right, I’ll see you both this afternoon and stop with all the creepy nonsense. You’re creeping me out.”
****
All throughout the flight Katie wondered what William would think of her spontaneous decision. On one hand she wished he had stopped in to see her before she left, but he didn’t. The other hand told her she got off lucky. Although she hadn’t seen him for three weeks, and missed him so terribly, she now hoped he stayed away until she got back. After all, she did promise she’d be home when he returned.
Love Letters from Heaven Page 11
