Page 11 of Into the Starlight (Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing #3)

Chapter Eleven

“Are you feeling all right?”

As worry lines formed between Louisa’s eyes when she saw Joanna in the hallway of her office, Joanna realized she should have anticipated her sister’s concern. This was the first time Joanna had come here, and given her medical history as well as what some would call her current delicate condition, it was no wonder Louisa feared she was ill.

Joanna offered a reassuring smile. “Today’s better than most mornings, and I haven’t been coughing very much. I’m sorry if I alarmed you, but I wanted to talk to Burke.” And, though she’d expected him to be with Louisa, he was not.

Ushering her into the main room of her office, Louisa said, “It’s his day to go to the post office. He should have been back by now, but you know how Jake Winslow likes to talk.”

“Especially to men.” The postmaster was famous for being long-winded. “Poor Burke. He’s a captive audience.”

“Did I hear my name?” Burke entered the office so quietly that Joanna, even though she’d been anticipating his arrival, did not hear him. She’d been studying the room where Doc Sheri dan had once stitched a cut on her arm, looking for changes Louisa had made but finding none.

“You certainly did.” Louisa gave Burke a wry smile before she continued. “My sister came to talk to you. I didn’t ask what couldn’t wait until supper, but I know her well enough to say that she’s determined to do something today.”

When Burke settled in the chair next to her, Joanna turned toward him and wrinkled her nose. “As you can see, my little sister believes she knows everything.” She emphasized the adjective, as she’d done so many times when they were growing up. “Unfortunately for me, this time Louisa’s correct. There is something I was planning for this afternoon, but I wanted to make sure you were in agreement before I did it.”

Louisa lifted an eyebrow. “And just what are you proposing to do?”

“Besides asking you to leave us alone?”

When Louisa let out an exaggerated huff before heading to the storage room and pounding on the piano, Joanna turned to Burke. “Were your sisters like us, deliberately trying to annoy each other even though they knew that by the end of the day they’d be best friends again?” Louisa’s pretended anger was done in fun and reminded Joanna of the happy times she’d shared with both Emily and Louisa.

Burke shrugged. “I don’t know. I did my best to stay away when I heard squabbling.”

“You’re a wise man.” Settling back in the chair, Joanna said, “I didn’t mean to be mysterious, but I also didn’t want Louisa’s opinion. I keep thinking about Della and how disappointed she was on Saturday. I was too. I thought the Albrights would be able to help resolve the questions about Clive, but they didn’t appear to know anything we hadn’t already heard.”

Joanna shook her head slowly. “I probably shouldn’t have had such high hopes. After all, my father was Clive’s closest friend, and he went to his grave believing Clive had left sooner than expected to join an Alabama regiment and that he died in the war. There was no reason to believe Mr. Albright would have thought any differently.”

“Whoever wrote that letter knows the truth.”

“Exactly. There has to be a way to discover who did that.” Joanna kept her gaze fixed on Burke, trying to gauge his reaction to what she was about to propose. “The Albrights may have known Clive better than most of the town, but they weren’t the only ones who spent at least some time with him. I want to talk to everyone who might have a clue to what happened to him.”

Burke nodded his approval. “I assume you’ve decided where to start.”

“That’s what I wanted to discuss with you. Several people have mentioned how many girls were attracted to your uncle. Even if it was only infatuation, they probably sought opportunities to be near him. I know it’s been a long time, but women tend to remember unrequited love.” Joanna suspected she’d remember her foolish attraction to George for the rest of her life. “They may recall something—even a small detail—that will help us put the puzzle together. That’s why I thought I’d talk to them.”

“And you don’t want me to accompany you.”

“How did you guess?”

Burke shrugged as if the answer should be apparent. “You said you wanted my agreement. You already know I want to do everything I can to solve the mystery of my uncle’s death, so something must be different about talking to those women. The only thing I could imagine is that you don’t believe I should be involved.”

Though Burke didn’t seem annoyed, Joanna wanted him to understand her reasoning. “I’m not trying to exclude you. It’s just that I thought the women might be more comfortable talking to me alone. There are some things we women will share with another woman but wouldn’t dream of saying in front of a man.”

Once again Burke nodded. “You’re undoubtedly correct about that, but there’s an even better reason I shouldn’t go with you. Your ladies might be uncomfortable with me because of my resemblance to my uncle. Who’s on your agenda?”

Joanna almost sighed with relief that Burke was so agreeable. More than agreeable. Understanding.

“I want to start with Beulah’s mother. If I’d thought about it sooner, I could have spoken to her when she brought Beulah into town this morning, but it might be better to talk to her at her home. Her mother-in-law lives with her and may remember more than Miriam does. Afterwards, I’ll see what Miss Heppel has to say.”

Burke picked up the round paperweight Louisa had inherited from Doc Sheridan and tossed it from hand to hand. “Unless Louisa needs me here tomorrow, we can talk to some of the older men ... together.”

The smile that accompanied Burke’s final word sent a surprising warmth surging through Joanna. A warmth that was as unusual as it was unexpected. Both Louisa and Emily had told her that tears could be common at this stage of her pregnancy, but neither had mentioned what felt almost like attraction. How odd.

Joanna was still mulling over her reaction to Burke’s smile when she guided the buggy onto the Douglas ranch. Though modest compared to the one Gertrude and her husband now shared, it was well cared for, with a few flowers still blooming next to the porch.

Alerted by the sound of the approaching vehicle, the woman who’d been cutting dead blossoms swiveled her head, then stood. Beulah’s mother was close to Joanna’s height, but her hair was many shades lighter and threaded with gray, her eyes blue rather than brown.

“I wasn’t expecting you. Did something happen to Beulah?” Miriam Douglas’s voice reflected both surprise and concern.

“No. I’m sorry to have alarmed you.” Miriam’s first thought was for her daughter, something Joanna should have anticipated. “Beulah’s fine. I came because I wondered if I could talk to you and Mrs. Douglas for a few minutes.”

As the tension in her shoulders dissipated, Miriam nodded. “Of course.” She gestured toward the house. “Let’s go inside. Mother Douglas will be happy to see you again. All Beulah can talk about is you and the newcomers who are staying at Finley House.”

Once again Joanna chided herself for her thoughtlessness. Even though Miriam delivered Beulah to the schoolhouse and picked her up there rather than coming to Finley House, Joanna could have made the effort to spend a few minutes with her.

“Come inside.” Miriam led Joanna into the small but immaculately clean kitchen that was redolent of freshly baked cake. “Look who came to see us.”

A second later, the gray-haired woman who Mama had claimed refused to let age stop her from doing things that those a decade younger wouldn’t have attempted emerged from the adjoining room. After giving Joanna a welcoming smile and hug, she studied her for a moment, then nodded, her eyes radiating satisfaction.

“Miriam, you din’t tell me we was gonna have visitors. I reckon it’s good that I just took that pan of gingerbread out of the oven. Joanna here will surely wanna have a piece.” Mrs. Douglas’s smile broadened as her gaze returned to Joanna’s midsection. “Ginger’s good for settlin’ stomachs when you’re in the family way. Now sit down. Sit down.”

As she took the chair Mrs. Douglas had indicated, Joanna stared at the older woman in astonishment. “How did you know? I haven’t told anyone other than my sisters.”

Beulah’s grandmother chuckled. “You’re glowin’. Miriam looked the same way when she was carryin’ Beulah. I cain’t count the number of pots of ginger tea I made for her. Right, Miriam?”

“Yes, Mother Douglas. And they helped.”

But it was milk that the older woman insisted Joanna drink with her gingerbread, saying it was good for both her and her baby.

When Miriam had joined Joanna and her mother-in-law at the kitchen table and had accepted Joanna’s compliments on the gingerbread, she turned to her mother-in-law. “Joanna said she has some questions for us.”

“And I got some for her, like how long that handsome young fella’s gonna stay. When I saw him in church, I nearly dropped my teeth. He sure do remind me of Clive Finley.”

Thankful that she’d been given a way to introduce her questions, Joanna nodded. “That’s who I wanted to talk about. You know that Miss Samuels was Clive’s fiancée. I’m trying to help her learn more about Clive’s life here and wondered what you recall about that time.”

Miriam swallowed her cake, then said, “He caused quite a stir among my friends. They all wished he’d forget his sweetheart and marry them.” She gave her mother-in-law a quick smile. “If I hadn’t been promised to Hiram, I might have felt the same way, but no one could compare to Hiram.”

“You two were meant for each other. I knowed that the first time I seen you together. Hiram had a lovin’ look in his eye. Gladys—you remember her, don’t you, Miriam?—said Hiram looked the same way Malcolm did when he saw Minerva. ’Course her son weren’t as lucky in love as you and Hiram were.”

It took Joanna a second to realize that Mrs. Douglas was referring to Mayor Alcott and Miss Heppel. Perhaps because her parents had discouraged gossip, but more likely because it had happened so far in the past, this was the first she’d heard of any romantic interest between them. The mayor had been married for as long as Joanna could remember, and Miss Heppel was what the town called a confirmed spinster.

“It sure were amusin’ watchin’ them gals tryin’ to outdo the others,” Mrs. Douglas continued. “I heard tell they brung Clive cakes and pies.”

Miriam’s eyes widened for a second. “You’re right, Mother Douglas. I’d forgotten that. What I remember is the way all the girls hoped he’d dance with them at the church social.”

“Did he?”

“Nope.” Mrs. Douglas answered before Miriam could speak. “Not a one. He sure were a mighty fine dancer.”

Joanna made no effort to hide her puzzlement. “I thought you said he didn’t dance with the girls.”

“He din’t. He wouldn’t favor any of them single gals, but he sure as shootin’ danced with everyone what was married.”

This was a new facet of Clive’s personality and one Joanna suspected would amuse Della, but though the conversation continued, she learned nothing that lent clues to what might have happened to the man who built Finley House. She could only hope her next visit would be more fruitful.

“I’m so glad you came,” Miss Heppel said, repeating the greeting she’d given Joanna last week. The speed with which she opened the door made Joanna suspect she’d been watching for her. “Your visits are making Monday my favorite day of the week, after Sunday, that is. The peace I feel when I’m playing hymns reminds me that our Lord is a God of love and forgiveness.”

Miss Heppel pursed her lips the way she had when Joanna had hit a wrong note, only this time her displeasure appeared directed at herself. “I didn’t invite you here to listen to me. I want to hear more about your time in Europe.”

When she was seated on the chair across from her former teacher, Joanna said, “I did come to listen to you. I was hoping you might be able to help me.”

A faint flush colored Miss Heppel’s cheeks, making Joanna wonder how often people asked for her assistance. “Of course I’ll help you if I can. What can I do for you?”

“It’s really for Della Samuels. There are questions about how Clive Finley died, so Burke and I are trying to learn everything we can about his life here. I’m sure you remember him.”

Miss Heppel nodded vigorously. “How could anyone forget the man who built that huge house? I don’t mean to offend you, Joanna, because I know you love your home, but you must realize how unsuitable it is for Sweetwater Crossing. The best I can say about it is that those stairways are attractive, even if a bit ostentatious, but it’s a building that doesn’t belong here.”

Miss Heppel’s vehemence, so different from her normal calm demeanor, puzzled Joanna. “The house has served us well,” she said, choosing to ignore the unflattering description of Finley House. “I think it must have been interesting to see it being built.”

Miss Heppel shrugged. “Like most of the town, I occasionally snuck inside when the workers were gone. Curiosity is powerful, even when you know you shouldn’t give in to it.” She folded her hands as if preparing to pray. “Haven’t you ever done something you regretted?”

“Yes, of course I have.” Most recently, being jealous of Emily when George had asked her to marry him and causing her family unnecessary worry by being such a poor correspondent while she was in Europe.

“Then you know how I feel. Unfortunately, I can’t undo the past.”

“I can’t imagine that anyone would begrudge you a look at the house.” That seemed an odd thing to be dwelling on decades later. “Is there anything else you can tell me about Clive?”

A shake of the head was Miss Heppel’s first response. “It was a difficult period in my life. My father had just died very suddenly—Doc Sheridan said it was a heart attack—and my mother had to sell the livery. That’s when I started giving piano lessons. We needed the money, you see. I didn’t have time to think about anything else.”

She frowned before giving her head another shake. “I’m sorry that I can’t be more helpful, but it was a long time ago, and memories fade. Let’s talk about something more pleasant. Tell me about your husband. It must have been love at first sight. Isn’t it glorious when that happens?”

Joanna’s confusion must have shown, because Miss Heppel said, “Oh, yes, I was in love once upon a time. Unfortunately, my story doesn’t end with ‘and they lived happily ever after.’”

Joanna’s hadn’t either.