A Love for all Ages (Crockett County Trilogy Book 1) (11 page)

Hearing a soft meow Chase picks up the kitten; he feeds her
a bite of his omelet.
Then sets her back on the floor, looking up
he sees Stephanie looking at him smiling.
“We really need to name
her.”
Looking back down at her plate she takes another bite.

Taking bite of toast Chase looks down at the kitten, “I don’t
know I am not very good with names.
What is wrong with Kitten?”
Laughing Stephanie says no.
Continuing as if he hadn’t heard her,
“We could call her Black Kitten?”
Seeing her eyes dance at this
awful suggestions, he opens his mouth to continue.

Not waiting for his next proposal Stephanie laughingly tells
Chase, “Enough already.”
She looks down at the little black ball of
fur then back at Chase, “I think we should call her Lucky, because it
was lucky for her we arrived when we did.
Archie said she
wondered in a couple of hours before we got here, maybe it was
fate that brought her here allowing her to find us.”
Feeling silly for
sounding so whimsical Stephanie blushes.

Remembering the last time he had seen her blush he
watches as she fiddles with her fork.
Chase reaches across the
table removing the fork from Stephanie’s hand, he lays it on her
plate; he then lays his hand over hers, when she looks up at him, he
tells her, “I think that is a wonderful name for our kitten.
Lucky it
is.”
Grinning he leans over picking up the kitten, lifting her until
she is eye level with him; he stares into the kitten’s black eyes,
“Hello Lucky. I am your new Dad.” Turning the kitten in
Stephanie’s direction, “And this is your new Mom.”
With the
introductions over as Chase sets Lucky on the floor he hears
Stephanie giggle.

Laughing she tells Chases, “I don’t think that is how new
parents are introduced to their child.” Stephanie rises from the
table taking their dishes to the sink washing them.
When the task
is completed she goes back to the table, sitting down she sees Chase
once again reading something on her computer.
“What is so
interesting?” Moving so she can see the screen too, she begins to
read about the Civil War, the events for the year 1863.

Not sure if he has found something or just wishful thinking,
Chase calls loudly for Archibald.
He tells Archibald he is needed in
the kitchen.
Looking confused Stephanie continues to read the
article.
She doesn’t know what Chase has found but she is aware
he thinks it is important.

Archibald appears at the table floating just above the chair
giving the impression of sitting.
Stephanie turns from the
computer as Chase walks to the table sitting down across from
Archibald.
Not knowing what this is about but not wanting to miss
anything crucial Stephanie scoots her chair closer to the table and
waits.

Using a pencil Chase draws a line across the paper lying on
the table in front of him; looking up he explains, “I need you to tell
us about the day you were killed.”
Hearing Stephanie gasps Chase
continues, still looking at Archibald.
“I know this is difficult for you.
I wouldn’t ask if this wasn’t important.”

Seeing Archibald tense Chase waits just a few seconds and
then tells him, “I need to know the basics not the actual fighting,
unless you feel you need to include that part.
Sir, I am not trying
to bring up painful memories but I feel the reason you are still here
and the reason the ledger was taken is related.”
Smiling at the
confused faces staring at him, he draws another line just below the
first one.
On the top line he writes Archibald, on the second he
writes Burglar. Laying the pencil down he looks over at Archibald
giving him time to gather his thoughts.

Being a cop Chase knows to allow a witness time, not to
rush. Leaning back in the chair he gets more comfortable.
“The
ledger that was taken was for the year 1863; you lived here and died
here the year of 1863.
If what I read on the web site is accurate,
the year 1863 was a very profitable year for both sides of the war.
When we go down the timeline if anything stands out I am going to
write it down, then we will check local history, compare, then
hopefully find a reason.”

Wishing she could help Archie; Stephanie wants to hold his
hand, having the physical contact of another person would help.
Catching herself just before she moves to lay her hand over his, she
puts both her hands on her lap.
Watching him closely she tries to
communicate with him through her mind; sending him calming
thoughts.

Thinking back in time, Archibald tenses as his memories
replay in his mind.
“I was a Sargent First Class in the Union Army.
I earned my rank; I was not from a prominent family.
My parents
owned a General Store in Illinois, they never turned down anyone
that needed credit to purchase supplies, this made them scrapping
to pay bills, but my parents believed helping neighbors was what
God guided them to do.
When General Mitchell came to our town
asking for men to join the Union Army, he promised a short battle,
he also promised that every man that joined would earn a good pay.
I knew my parents needed money, when I joined the Union I made
arrangements for half of my pay to be sent to my parents.
I
needed to advance in ranks to receive more pay, more pay meant
my parents would receive more money.”
Pausing he looks at
Stephanie, he sees her eyes filled with tears.
Smiling he continues,
“I worked hard, followed orders and got promoted to Sargent First
Class.
That was an honorable rank with better pay.”
He looks
down at his hands, seeing the table through his palms.

Chase listens as Archibald talks of his past, he see the
similarities with him, Chase’s parents had taken in foster care kids
since he first started school.
His parents explained they did this to
help children God needed them to watch over.
Growing up living
on a farm, Chase also knew the hardship of paying bills and the
gratitude of local stores giving credit.
He looks at Archibald with
understanding in his eyes.
Still leaning back in his chair Chase sits
quietly giving Archibald time to gather his thoughts.

Taking a deep breath Archibald continues sharing his
memories with two people he has known for just a short time but
with whom he feels a bond with.
“After seven months of fighting
we get a break and pushed through the lines drawn by the
Confederate Army.
We just passed into the Kentucky territory
when my commanding office approaches and says he has a special
assignment for me.
This is a privilege for a soldier so young, since I
just had my twenty forth birthday, I felt I was ready for the duty
being assigned to me.”
Looking forlorn he shares his thoughts, “I
was a foolish young man, I should have never accepted that
assignment.
I had been a good soldier until my last assignment.”
Standing up, he turns away from them, not wanting them to see him
as a failure; as someone not fit to be called a soldier.

Softly, Stephanie asks the question she knows he doesn’t
want to answer, “What was your assignment?”
Wishing she could
stop his memories but understanding he needs to finish.

Turning back to face the two people who is trying to help
him; Archibald crosses his arms over this chest.
He closes his eyes
briefly opening them he begins relating his down fall as a human.
“I was ordered to take a small squad to the Ohio River to pick up a
box.
I was told it was important to us defeating the South.
I had
a small squad, fifteen young men plus me.
I was the highest
ranking and the one in charge.
We were given supplies, a map and
ammo; we left at first light of day the following morning.
We were
all excited, having been told we were handpicked for our special
skills as soldiers.”

Archibald laughs a bitter laugh, feeling sorry for the man he
was in his youth.
“I was gullible; we all were.
We thought we
were being honored with this assignment.
It took us seven days to
make the trip to the Ohio River then we had to wait another two
days for the boat carrying the box to meet us.
We spent the time
waiting telling stories of our families and how they would all be
proud of us when we return heroes of the war.
I would lie in my
bed roll writing letter to my parents, every night I would write
hoping to get to a town to post them.” Turning to Stephanie he
tells her, “I was lonely, even with fifteen other men and I was scared
but couldn’t let them know.
I had a feeling something was wrong,
terribly wrong.”
Seeing the sadness in her beautiful eyes; eyes
that looked just like his Della’s, he closes his own eyes, trying to
block out the image of his Della.

Watching both Archibald and Stephanie, their emotions at
the surface, the anguish in their eyes, Chase leans forward, putting
his elbows on the table, he announces it is time for a break.
“I
think we need to move around, take a walk.
Having sat here for
almost two hours my muscles is getting stiff and we all can go
explore the grounds.”
Looking at Archibald, he adds, “I want you
to come with us, you have been on this farm a long time, you can
tell us the best places to explore.
It will help to give your mind
time to clear.”

He sees the relief on both their faces, standing he stretches
his arms above his head, bending backwards just a little to flex his
muscles. Glancing to his right he sees Stephanie follow his
movements.
With her arms above her head, the outline of her
breast is more visible, he remembers how they felt cupped in his
hands.

Clearing his throat Chase walks to the refrigerator and grabs
two bottles of water. Turning around he closes the door, Chase
almost bumps into Stephanie as she has walked up behind him.
He tries to hand her on of the waters but smiling she puts her arms
around his waist giving him a tight hug.
Removing her arms she
takes the water from Chase after twisting the cap takes a long drink.
Bringing the bottle down from her lips she mouths, “Thank you.”
Then announces she is going to put her shoes on then leaves the
room.

They meet in the foyer within minutes; Chase and Stephanie
both have on tennis shoes.
Stephanie had taken the time to fix her
hair in a messy bun, seeing this; all Chase can think about is
removing the pins so he can watch it tumble in his hands.
Remembering the way she looked as she laid naked on her bed, his
lower region start hardening.
Inhaling a deep breath, he releases
it, trying for a calm he is not feeling.
Concluding the best plan is
fresh air he takes Stephanie’s hand in his as they walk out the front
door, stopping just outside on the porch, Chase takes the key and
locks the door.

Stephanie grins at Chase as she cups her hands around her
month she hollers, “Archie, we are waiting for you.
Come out;
come out, where ever you are.”
Giggling she finishes the
childhood saying.
Walking slowing down the steps she stands in
the grass waiting.

As Chase joins her on the grass he stands looking around the
property. The cop in him needs to know the surrounds. The
reason for this outing wasn’t just to take a break he figures the
more he knows about the area around the house, the better equip
he will be to protect Stephanie.
Looking at his watch, he figures an
hour would be enough time away from the house and the
memories.
He didn’t want to keep Archibald upset but he needs to
hear the rest of his story.

As if thinking about him makes him appear, Archibald floats
beside Stephanie.
He leans close to her and asks, “Why Miss
Stephanie, do you call me Archie?
I have never been called by that
name.” He frowns down at her.

Stephanie laughs explaining, “I really don’t know, you look
like an Archie.
Archibald reminds me of an old man.”
Turning
she begins walking the dirt path leading to the back of the house.
Looking around as she walks she sees the flower bed goes along the
front of the house to the back corner of the side wall.
Never sure
of the names of flowers she has no clue what kinds are growing.

Stephanie walks over for a closer look, bending down she
picks a mini pink rose from a bush.
Sniffing the rose, she wiggles
her nose at the strong smell.
Turning to Chase she holds the rose
up for him to see, “I don’t really know a lot about flowers, I have a
black thumb, but I know a rose when I see it.”

Chase looks over at the rose then goes back to scanning the
tree line bordering the west side of the property.
About an acre
from the house someone with field glasses could watch the house
without being detected. Chase glances back at Stephanie sees her
talking to Archibald by the corner of the back porch.
Needing to
investigate the tree line he calls out to Stephanie, when she looks up
Chase points to the tree line.
Not waiting for a respond he turns
on his heels striding across the yard.

Stephanie turns her attention to Archie as they continue
walking, following the dirt path.
Softly Stephanie asks, “Tell me
about Aunt Della.
I never met any of my father’s relatives.
I
don’t even remember my father, he left when I was about a year
old.
My Mom said he left because he didn’t want to be tied down.
Looking back now, we…..my Mother, my Brother and I, we never
stayed in one place longer than two years.
It was my Mother that
didn’t want to be tied down.”
Looking over at Archie she
continues sadly, “I blamed my Father all these years for not staying;
for not being there for us, for not loving us enough to stay.”
Stopping on the path, she raises her hand as if to touch Archie, she
crosses her arms across her chest instead.
“Why am I just now
realizing this? Why now?” Turning back to the path she beings
to walk slowly, shaking her head to clear her memories.

Archibald floats beside her for a few minutes giving her time
to clear her thoughts. He begins with his first memory of Della.
“I have been in the house for a long time mostly I would stay in the
attic.
I would sit up there going over the events of my death and
try to figure out why I am still here.
On occasions I did go
downstairs to listen to people speak, I was afraid if I didn’t hear
actual people I would go crazy and lose my mind.”
He laughs,
when Stephanie stops to look at him, he motions for her to resume
walking.