The Reunion

The Reunion

The Marino household was filled with activity as was the restaurant. For the first time since it was established the Marino Trattoria was closed for business. Eduardo and his son Eduardo, Jr. were busy scrubbing down the ovens, broiler and grill. Everyone had a job to do including the youngest who had just celebrated her 8^th birthday and wanted to help. Rosa, Nick and Lucinda were washing down the walls getting them ready for a new coat of paint. The wallpaper would have to stay because there just wasn't time.

Mamma and Papa Rossi were due to arrive shortly for their first visit to the United States. Rosa hadn't seen her parents in over 18 years. Mamma and Papa had never met their grandchildren and hadn't seen their sons, Luigi and Nicola in many years.

Nick had explained to Lucinda that Papa always wanted his sons to be educated in America although Mama couldn't bear to let her children go. Papa compromised and sent three of his children to the new land and agreed to allow the three youngest to stay in Tuscany. Papa learned English and insisted that language be used at home to prepare his sons to live outside of Italy. The entire Rossi family spoke English fluently.

Finally, the restaurant was spotless. Maria and Daniella had just put a candle in the center of the last table when there was a knock on the door.

“I wonder who that is,” said Rosa “Can't they see we are closed? I don't want any of those construction workers tracking mud onto my nice shiny floor.”

She walked to the door and opened it with a scowl on her face.

“Surprise” shouted her brother, Luigi

Mamma and Papa were standing in the doorway. Mamma had tears streaming down her face as she folded her daughter in her arms.

“My precious Rosa, you are as beautiful as the day we sent you off on that ship”

Papa wasn't trying to hold back his tears as he wrapped his arms around his son, Nicola. Everyone was hugging and laughing and crying. Papa gave Lucinda a big bear hug and welcomed her to the family. Mamma couldn't stop the tears from flowing as she held her new daughter in her arms. She knew instinctively that her son Nicola was a happy man and that Lucinda was the reason. One by one they met the grandchildren they had never known. Even the boys had tears in their eyes although they were trying to hide it.

After a while, Papa said, “Let me get this right. Nicola is now Nick, Eduardo, Jr. is now Eddie, Antonio is called Tony. Giorgio what do they call you now?”

Giorgio replied “Giorgio”

Everyone laughed.

The bright shiny kitchen was put to use again as the ovens and grills were turned on and the food was brought out from the iceboxes. The cooking had begun and the whole family was helping or hindering the process. Eduardo didn't mind. He was happy to see his Rosa so happy.

“We didn't expect you until tomorrow. We wanted to meet you at the train station.” said Rosa

“That was my fault,” Papa said

“Papa doesn't hear so well anymore” Mamma whispered.

“I thought they told me the 10^th but they must have said the 9^th. Anyway, a nice lady helped us call Luigi on a telephone and he came down to meet us. Why don't you get a telephone Eduardo? Then I could talk to my daughter.”

“We hope to get some wires here in Camden Corners someday soon, Papa. Can't use a telephone unless we can get connected through wires.”

“Where is my newest granddaughter, Cassandra? Daniella and Maria have written about her so often in their letters, I must meet her.” said Mamma.

“She is playing with her friend Iris Taylor. I'll go get her now. As much as she wanted to help prepare for her new Mamma and Papa's arrival, we thought it might be best if she were otherwise occupied.” Replied Lucinda as she donned her hat and coat.

A while later, Cassandra walked through the doors with a big smile on her face. She walked over to her new grandparents and gave Mamma a hug.

She looked at Papa with his white beard and said, “You look just like Mr. Pringle.”

Nick laughed. “Old Chris will have some competition playing Santa Claus this year.”

“La mia bellissima bambina,” said Mamma through her tears

“I'm not a baby,” replied Cassandra. “I'm 6 years old, I'm a big girl.”

“No, you are not a baby Cassandra but you are beautiful and you and your Mama have made my bambino, Nick a very happy man.”

Cassandra giggled. “My new Papa Nick isn't a baby either. Did you know my Mama is going to have a bambino?”

Silence fell over the room and everyone, even the youngest looked at Lucinda. Nick's mouth was open but he couldn't speak.

Lucinda's face turned scarlet as she realized her daughter had heard her talking with Diana Taylor a few minutes ago. She had voiced her suspicions to her.

Lucinda looked at Nick and said. “I wanted to wait another few days to be sure but I think I might be carrying our child. Somehow I didn't think I would have an audience when I told you.” She looked at her innocent little daughter and couldn't help but smile.

Nick pulled up a chair and insisted Lucinda sit down and rest.

“Oh for heaven sake, Nick. I'm perfectly fine. Now give me a hug and tell me how happy you are.”

Nick hugged her tightly.

The party went on until the children and the elder Rossi's were exhausted. Lucinda stayed to help Rosa with the last of the cleanup. Nick, Luigi and Eduardo were having a final glass of wine while the women were in the kitchen.

“Nick, do you see much of the Mackenzie's?” asked Luigi.

“Some of them. Anyone in particular?” replied Nick as he and Eduardo exchanged knowing winks.

“You got me. I was wondering if Amanda ever visited from New York City. The last I heard she was engaged to some high society guy.”

“Couldn't tell you what happened there but I do know she's been living here in Camden Corners for several months. I saw her just yesterday. She was helping Maddie at the candy shop.”

“Wonder if Mamma would like a nice box of chocolates? Maybe I'll stop by there tomorrow and see what kind of sweet treats I can find.”

The men all laughed.

Mamma and Papa slept well after their long trip but were up very early the next morning. Rosa and Eduardo were already in the kitchen preparing breakfast for the family.

“Eduardo, do you know of any houses in the neighborhood that are for sale? Something suitable for Mamma and me?”

Rosa wouldn't let Eduardo answer the question. She piped in “Houses for sale? Why on earth would you want to buy a house in Camden Corners?”

“I sold the winery and all the Rossi land. I'm getting too old to manage it and none of my boys wanted it so I sold it.”

Rosa couldn't believe her ears. “Papa, that land has been in the Rossi family for generations. How could you have sold it?”

“Daughter, no one wanted it. None of your brothers except maybe Nicola and his life is here in America now. Come Eduardo, come take a walk with your father-in-law.”

“Mamma, tell me what happened. I can't believe Papa sold his land.” Rosa asked when the men left.

“Do you remember Salvatore Russo? He had the plantation adjoining your papa's land. They were the best of friends and the best of rivals. Through the years they fought about anything and everything. It was a strange relationship but it made them both happy. They had grown up together and their fathers had been friends and rivals before them. The day I met your papa, Sal was with him. Sal and Maria were like family. Sal and Maria had one boy and five girls so they had it all planned that each of Sal's children would marry one of papa's children.”

Rosa shivered thinking of marrying Sal, Jr. He may have become a halfway decent man but she remembered the adolescent who liked to eat bugs and yank her pigtails.

Mama continued her story with tears in her eyes. “Sal and your papa were walking the vineyards one day last spring when Sal collapsed. The doctor said he had a heart attack and died out there in the hot sun. Your Papa lost his dearest friend. Papa changed after that. He was so sad and so lost without Sal I was beginning to worry that I would lose him too. Sal's son took over running the vineyard and tried to help out your papa too. Then one day, Papa came down for breakfast and asked how I would like to visit my Rosa and her family. Of course I said yes. We had never been away from the vineyard in our entire married life. The next thing I knew he invited Sal's boy over for a cup of coffee and asked if he would like to buy him out. The house and all. He jumped at the chance and here we are.”

“Mamma, I had no idea. I'm so sorry you lost your home.”

“Rosa dear, it was just a house. It wasn't even much of a home anymore. You and your brothers hadn't lived there in so long. Roberto, Marco and Dino all left the valley and have good lives. You all have made wonderful lives for yourselves without the land and the grapes. It was time to move on. Anything that was important to me is traveling by ship to America. Papa wants us to live our final days close to you and your two brothers. I hope you will be happy to have us here with you.”

“Oh Mamma, I couldn't be happier. I have missed you so through the years. I know we have written but it hasn't been the same having my sweet Mamma right here holding my hand.”

Eduardo remembered the Schmidt house on the corner of Oak and Vine. He and Papa walked to the house. It was only a block away from the Trattoria. Eduardo was happy that the Rossi's were planning to stay in America. His parents had passed on several years ago and Eduardo always had great affection for his in-laws. He knew it would make Rosa happy too.

“Ah yes,” said Papa when he saw the house, “I think my Anna will like her new home.”

Eduardo and Papa walked further down Vine and turned back to Main Street. The shops were just beginning to open. Chris Pringle with his dog Rudy was sweeping the walk in front of his Christmas shop.

Papa noticed the beard right away and the resemblance to the American Santa Claus. “How do you do, Mr. Pringle?” I am Lou Rossi, Rosa Marino's papa. My new granddaughter Cassandra Rossi tells me I look just like you.”

Both men laughed in such a ho ho ho way that Eduardo thought for a moment that he was at the North Pole.

“So your name is Lou? I always thought it was Luigi like your son.”

“Yes, but I decided to Americanize it like my son and grandsons did to theirs. I rather like the name Lou, don't you Eduardo?”

“Yes, Lou. It's a very nice name.”

The New Automobile

 

The New Automobile

“Are you and Hyacinth going to be staying around home today?” Harold Hightower asked Dahlia as he scooped up his infant son in one arm and his tiny daughter in the other. Harold still found it difficult to believe that these tiny little human beings were his children.

He thought he was happy as a carefree bachelor but from the moment Dahlia Bloom came into his life, he had never been the same. The day two months ago when she presented him with twins, Harry and Violet, was the happiest day of his life.

“I'm not sure, dear. We may have found someone who is interested in buying the quilt shop. Hyacinth and I just have too many responsibilities at home to worry about the shop. We are waiting to hear when the potential buyer may arrive in Camden Corners. Why do you ask Harold?”

“Oh, no reason, I would just like to spend some time with my little family. That's all.”

The nanny arrived to take the babies to the nursery for their morning baths before they were ready for breakfast. Harold followed along. He couldn't get enough of his children and was in awe of every little movement they made.

Dahlia arrived in the kitchen only to find Hyacinth already there. The sisters enjoyed preparing the morning meal together. Hyacinth was just taking a pan of blueberry muffins out of the oven.

“Good morning Dahlia. I thought I'd get an early start. Howard is as nervous as a cat this morning. He was making me so nervous myself I had to come down here just to calm down.”

“How odd, Harold is the same way. I wonder what those boys are up to? Harold asked me if we were planning to stay home today.”

“Howard wondered if we were going into town? Now I'm getting nervous all over again.”

Dahlia was preparing the eggs and ham when the fellows joined them taking dishes from the cupboard and setting the table. The Hightower men had lived by themselves for such a long time they didn't think twice about helping their wives in the kitchen.

“Hyacinth dear, Harold and I were hoping you and Dahlia would be here today to accept a delivery. I hope you weren't planning a trip into town this morning.”

“What in the world is up with the two of you. I have never known either of you to act so strangely.”

The boys just looked at each other and grinned. “All in good time, my love.”

The morning progressed, it was always a very busy time in the Hightower household. The babies were freshly bathed, diapered and fed. Each set of twins had their own nanny. The housekeeper was busy cleaning up in the kitchen after breakfast although the sisters had always been very neat while preparing meals. Dahlia and Hyacinth were not accustomed to having chores done for them and were very thoughtful employers. Domestic workers were always happy when their services were required at the Hightower home.

Hyacinth tucked Daisy and Henry into their carriage and waited while Dahlia did the same. They enjoyed their morning walks and knew the snow would be falling very soon. Harold had already built them two sleighs for the babies' walks when the snows arrived. It was a beautiful morning. The leaves had turned to lovely yellows, oranges and reds and the sun was beaming through the branches.

Nick Rossi was already at the vineyards overlooking the grape plants. He waved to the sisters as they passed by. Lucinda was there also having taken Cassandra to school. She caught up to them and asked if she could join them on their stroll. Lucinda said hello to the babies and she was sure Daisy smiled at her.

After hearing all about the peculiar behavior of the sister's husbands, Lucinda didn't have much to say.

“You know what the big secret is, don't you?” said Hyacinth

“Oh please, Hyacinth, don't ask me. You know what a terrible liar I am. Can we talk about something else before I spoil everything?”

It was difficult for Hyacinth not to push but Dahlia calmed her sister down and repeated what Howard told her earlier. “All in good time.”

“You know too! Am I the only one who doesn't know what this secret is?”

“I'm not sure but I have my suspicions. I heard the boys talking one day last week and now their conversation makes sense to me. That is all I'm saying. Let's change the subject. Lucinda what is going on in your life and how is our darling girl, Cassandra?”

“Cassandra is doing just fine. She loves school and can hardly make it through breakfast before she is dressed and waiting for me to walk with her. I know she would be fine walking alone with the other children but I feel as though I'm losing my little girl to the big old world out there. It was just the two of us for so long. Silly, isn't it?”

“Not silly at all Lucinda. Your life has changed so much over the year or so. You are bound to have some qualms about letting go.” said Hyacinth.

“What you need is a new baby to occupy your time.” Dahlia whispered.

The women all laughed and Lucinda was tempted to mention that she thought that time might not be too far off but she wanted to wait a bit to make sure. She hadn't told Nick about her suspicions yet because she didn't want him to be disappointed if it wasn't true.

“I almost forgot. Rosa received a wire from Mama and Papa Rossi. They are sailing from Italy as we speak. The wire was delayed and they will be here by the end of the week. Nick is so excited to see his parents again. It has been so many years. Rosa has the whole family cleaning their house from top to bottom. She says she doesn't want her mama to find a speck of dirt anywhere. I think it's nervous energy. Rosa hasn't seen her folks since she and Eduardo were married and came to the United States.”

They were headed back to the house when they heard the strangest noise.

“Sounds like a sick cow.” said Hyacinth.

They looked up and saw a sleek white automobile with red trim and red wheels. The man driving it was still honking it's horn. Howard and Harold came running out of the house and waved to the girls as they stood with their mouths open.

“It's beautiful” shouted Dahlia “I thought it would be a motor car but I never imagined it would look like this. There is room in it for all of us if we hold the babies on our laps.”

“That terrible racket will frighten the babies” cried Hyacinth.

But she couldn't hide the smile that was beginning to form on her face.

Nick came running from the fields along with everyone else in the area.

Elmer Griffin was driving the automobile. He and Harold exchanged paperwork. Elmer handed him the keys.

“Now, you know how to drive this thing, don't you Harold?”

“Oh sure. No problem. Howard and I can handle it.”

Elmer's assistant came after him in a horse and buggy. Dahlia couldn't help but wonder why they didn't drive their own automobile from Greensboro. She wondered if that was a warning sign that the horse and carriage were more reliable than this new fangled contraption.

“Harold and I flipped a coin to see who would drive it first and he won” said Howard as he and Hyacinth got in the back seat. Harold opened the passenger door for Dahlia as she sat down on the leather seat. Harold turned the key and was clueless as to how to start the car moving. He saw two pedals on the floorboard and was embarrassed that he had no idea what to do with them. He stepped on one pedal and the car lurched forward and stalled. He turned the key again, stepped on the other pedal and it made a terrible noise but didn't move.

“Harold” Dahlia whispered “This is just like our sewing machines with the two pedals one has to go down while the other is coming back up.”

Harold was so embarrassed with everyone looking on he opened the door and said to the crowd.

“I'm going to let my dear wife be the first to drive the new automobile since she seems to be an expert.”

“I'm sorry, Harold dear. It was just an observation, but I will give it a try.”

Hyacinth was giggling in the back seat. She had never heard Harold say a harsh word to Dahlia before and knew Dahlia was keeping her temper in check too.

Dahlia slowly pressed on the left pedal then the right as she slowly lifted her left foot. The auto purred quietly. She was as surprised as anyone when the vehicle began to move forward. It didn't take long before she was traveling down the road at close to 25 miles an hour. She had no idea how she was going to turn this contraption around and get back home.

The housekeeper, Mrs. Harper was watching with the rest of the crowd as the automobile was traveling farther and farther away.

“Oh dear! Oh dear!” she cried “What will those babies do without their mothers. I've heard those horseless carriages are not safe, not safe at all.”

Lucinda tried to calm Mrs. Harper. “They will be just fine. You saw how easily Miss Dahlia drove the auto. She has it under control. I'm sure of that.”

Just then she heard Dahlia's normally quiet voice shout “How do you stop this thing?”

“Step on the brake!” came Hyacinth's voice as she herself pictured her babies motherless.

Dahlia found the third pedal and pushed on it with her foot.

“Gently” shouted Hyacinth a little too late.

The automobile stopped short and all three passengers lunged forward. Dahlia was pushing back on the steering wheel as she put all her might into stepping on the brake pedal.

Dahlia was shaking as she looked around to see everyone practically sitting on the floor. She began to cry and Harold, who had bumped his head but was otherwise none the worse for wear, hugged his wife. His earlier anger had disappeared.

“Harold, I don't care how you do it but turn this thing around, I want to go home.”

Everyone was happy to see the automobile head back to the house. It was something special to look at but they decided maybe they should all have a few lessons before they drove the motorcar too far from home.

Secret Weapon

Secret Weapon

After reading his pa's journal, Dusty was even more certain Al Blanchard's fall from the scaffolding of the job site in Greensboro was not an accident. He was also certain that the man responsible was Leo Carlisle. Dusty knew Leo's threats were to be taken seriously and his mother was in serious jeopardy if Dusty didn't do exactly what Leo told him to do.

Dusty was surprised Ernie Black gave him a job on the hospital project. He couldn't hide his nervousness. He couldn't stop thinking about his pa's fate and what may lay ahead for Ma. He knew Ernie only hired him because of his father and shuddered to think what Leo would have done if he came home without the job on the project.

Reggie went with Ernie back to the job site. Reggie told Ernie all about his visit to the Dalton Sawmill and let him know the first part of their order would be on its way in just a day or two. Ernie asked Reggie if Josie was feeling alright.

“She looked a little pale to me”

“Josie? She's just fine. Had a great time with Effie Dalton. If she didn't love Camden Corners so much, I don't think I could keep her away from Dalton's Mountain. Sure is beautiful country down there.”

In the meantime, Josie had her head over the commode in the McMillan home. Her mother was sympathetic but couldn't keep the smile off her face because it looked like she would be a grandmother very soon.

Josie joined her mother at the kitchen table.

“I wanted to ask you if you thought I might be expecting but I can tell by the look on your face that you suspect it too.”

“It's probably too soon to tell but maybe you should talk to your sister. I would guess you are suffering from morning sickness. I'll bet Reggie is beside himself.”

“I haven't mentioned it to Reggie. He is so preoccupied with troubles with the lumber order. I want his full attention before I let him know he might be a father in a few months.”

Reggie and Ernie were in Reggie's office discussing how the order could possibly have been switched. Ernie was quiet for a moment and then spoke up.

“I was walking from the wagon across the street when a fellow bumped my arm. I remember thinking it was odd because there was plenty of room for him to walk by me without running into me. The envelope dropped to the ground and he picked it up and handed it to me. Our eyes met and I remember feeling a chill for a moment. I then walked over to the Post Office and handed the envelope to Jackson Parker. We chatted for a few minutes and I returned back here.”

“Let's start with Jackson Parker.” said Reggie “We'll have him look at his log and see where that envelope actually went.”

They rode to the Post Office. Reggie noticed Josie and her mother were going into the doctor's office next door to the McMillan house. He didn't think anything about it since they were all in the family.

Jackson brought out the log and scanned the pages until he came to the one that named the recipient as Dalton Mills, Box 808, Pineville, NY.

“I'm sorry boss.” Ernie said quietly “It was so careless of me not to check that envelope. I should have known something was fishy about that guy. It was all my fault. I cost Miss Lucinda a bundle of money. I will have my resignation letter on your desk first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Ernie, you will do no such thing. It wasn't your fault. Why would you even look at the envelope? You had no way of knowing someone was on the lookout for you. I just wonder how this Carlisle guy knew that order was going out at that time and knew you would have it in your hand when he bumped into you. I'm afraid we may have a spy in our organization.”

The crew was called back to the job the following morning. Dusty thought he saw Leo standing next to the light pole as he walked from the worker's camping grounds to the job site. He knew he had to let Mr. Blackburn know what Leo was capable of but the veiled threat against his ma was constantly on his mind. An hour later, Dusty tripped over his tool box hurting his arm and was taken to see Doctor Tom Campbell.

Tom entered the examining room just as Dusty was removing his jacket without any obvious pain.

“Sorry Doc I didn't hurt myself, I just needed to talk to you or your wife or Doc McMillan. I know you are related to Mrs. Blackburn and I have to get some information to her husband without anyone knowing.

Tom was leery of the boy but willing to listen to his explanation. Dusty showed him the journal. Tom knew of the recent mix up with the lumber and that Reggie was very worried about who was sabotaging the hospital project.

“Has this Leo Carlisle threatened you Dusty?” Tom asked after he had read a few of the incriminating pages.

“No sir, not me. He has cast some kind of spell over my mother and he has hinted that harm will come to her if I don't do as he tells me. So far he hasn't told me to do anything except sign up to work on this job.”

Tom wrapped the boys arm and placed a sling around his neck.

“We will say you have a sprained arm. That way if Leo sees you he won't be suspicious. My wife and I are expected at the Blackburn house this evening for supper. I will give the journal to Reggie then. Dusty, you are a brave young man. I didn't know your pa but I'm sure he would be very proud of the way you are handling this situation.”

Dusty was walking back to the job site when Leo slithered from behind a tree.

“Looks like you will be given a job in the office for a while boy. That works out very well. You will be of more help to me there than out working in the field.”

Later that evening Reggie read over pages of Al Blanchard's journal. He was furious that the man was apparently murdered because of Leo Carlisle's greed.

“Ernie said the kid acted nervous. It's no wonder. From reading through the journal, it appears that Leo is either lurking around the job site of his current victim or he has intimidated someone else to do his dirty work.”

Josie spoke up “Reggie, do you remember that young girl we hired to do the filing and help with some of the paperwork? Her name was Pamela. I would find her crying at her desk almost daily. She never let on what was wrong and one day she simply didn't show up for work. She said she was staying with Evelyn Keys but when I checked with Evelyn, she had never heard of the girl. Maybe I should have looked into it further.”

“We need to get this information to Sheriff Mendenhall but I'm afraid Leo is watching every move we make. For Dusty's safety and his mother's we will have to be very careful.”

Doc McMillan who had been sitting quietly listening to the conversation said “I'm having breakfast with the sheriff and Oscar in the morning. I'll make sure he gets the journal. Oscar will have some ideas, too.”

The sheriff was indeed interested in Al Blanchard's journal and the implications. He had recently returned from a convention of area sheriffs and it seemed Mr. Leo Carlisle had been under suspicion in several cases. None of the cases had ever been resolved because witnesses were unwilling to implicate Leo in any of them.

“I'll check the whereabouts of Pamela Fuller. It sounds like she may have the proof we need to arrest Leo Carlisle. I'm sure the Sheriff in Greensboro would be interested to know that Al Blanchard's death may not have been accidental after all.”

Josie really liked Dusty Blanchard. He was still very worried about his mother but he felt assured that Leo's reign of terror would be coming to an end soon. Josie had told him not to worry. The matter was being handled. They never knew who might be listening so they limited their conversation about the matter.

Dusty was sleeping soundly in his bunk that evening when he was suddenly awakened with a poke to the ribs.

“Find the order for bricks and meet me in the park near the library tomorrow at 12:00. Bring your lunch, we'll have a picnic” Dusty couldn't mistake the evil cackle of Leo Carlisle.

Dusty reported Leo's demand the following morning. Josie quickly drew up an order with false information. She knew it would be impossible to fill the order even from a disreputable company but she hoped when Leo was transferring the information to his own order forms he would not recognize the errors.

Josie was still suffering from morning sickness. Her sister had given her some medication to ease the nausea but she had left it at home this morning. Her stomach felt a little queasy but she was determined to fight it. She was sorry she had eaten so much last night but she was terribly hungry and she couldn't seem to stop herself from reaching for that second helping. She still hadn't told Reggie her news. She wanted it to be a special time for them and with the uproar with Leo and his shenanigans Reggie was still preoccupied.

There was a knock on the office door. Josie opened it to see Pamela Fuller standing there.

“Pamela, where have you been? You just disappeared and we had no idea where to find you.”

“I'm sorry Miss Josie, I have been dishonest with you and you were so kind to me. I met a fellow named Leo Carlisle. I've never had a beau before and he was so very charming I'm afraid after a few kind words I developed a crush on him. He wanted me to help him with a plan to swindle your husband and take money for himself. Oh, Miss Josie, I told him I couldn't do such a thing and suddenly he turned on me. What I thought was charm became pure evil. He threatened to hurt my dear mama. I couldn't bear anything happening to her and I went along with his plan. I started working here and copied the lumber order and gave it to Leo. Leo bumped into Ernie on the street and exchanged the envelope with the bogus one. He then took the check made out to Dalton Mills and was able to cash it at the bank in Greensboro. I suspect he may have been blackmailing someone at the bank to illegally cash the checks. I felt so guilty all those times you found me crying but I couldn't tell you. I had confided in my cousin Muriel who lives in Pennsylvania. She arranged for my mother and me to board the train under false identities and come to stay with her. My mother passed away in her sleep last week. I decided to come back here and face my punishment. Now that my mother is safe with the Lord, I am no longer afraid of Mr. Leo Carlisle.”

Leo had been watching Ernie Black from across the street and hadn't noticed Pamela Fuller walking into the office until it was too late to stop her.

“I should have gotten rid of the insipid woman a long time ago” he whispered to himself.

Leo practically ran to the office door, put his ear to the door and listened as Julie spoke.

“You did the right thing Pamela, I'm very sorry about your mother but we will keep you safe from Leo. You stay here while I find Reggie. We will call Sheriff Mendenhall and have Leo Carlisle arrested.

Leo backed away from the door. They weren't going to catch him. His way out of town was right here in plain sight. Josie Blackburn was a fine looking woman and his insurance policy.

Josie was walking quickly to the construction area where Reggie was talking with Ernie and a couple of the men. She felt the bile rising in her throat but had to get to Reggie before Leo got to Pamela. Suddenly she felt an arm around her waist and felt metal in her ribs. She wasn't surprised when she turned and her captor was none other than Leo Carlisle. She heard Pamela scream and Reggie shout her name. Leo was holding her tightly and was looking into her eyes when she couldn't hold back any longer. She regurgitated directly into Leo's face. He jumped back, dropped the gun and started retching himself. Leo had no qualms about killing someone in cold blood but couldn't take watching someone vomit. Especially, when it was directed at him.

The crew wrestled Leo to the ground and held him there and hosed him down while they waited for the sheriff to arrive and haul him off to jail.

Reggie held Josie closely. “You have been doing that often lately. Do you think we should get you over to Doc's so he can check you out? A stomach flu shouldn't last this long.”

“It's not a stomach flu, Papa. I was waiting for a special time to tell you but I think our little baby just saved my life and I would say this is a very special time.”

Reggie picked her up and swung her around until he thought better of it. Josie was looking a little green at the moment. Instead he put his arm around her and walked her back into the office where she could rest after her ordeal.

Leo confessed to Al Blanchard's murder and several other crimes insuring that he would be spending the next 99 years in prison.

Pamela was exonerated from any criminal charges and went back to Pennsylvania where she met and married Arnold Swanson who charmed her in only good ways.

Dusty was welcomed with open arms upon returning to Greensboro. He became sought after whenever a new construction project began.

The Journal

 

The Journal

On the way home from Virginia, Reggie was very quiet. Josie didn't notice because she was lost in her own thoughts. She had felt a little queasy when she woke up this morning and the horse back ride to the train station hadn't helped. She knew Reggie was worried about the lumber order and how the inferior lumber had shown up at the job site in Camden Corners. Josie excused herself to visit the ladies room where she promptly lost the wonderful breakfast Effie Dalton had prepared before they left Dalton's Mountain. She rinsed her mouth out as best she could.

“Are you feeling alright Miss?” Josie heard someone say.

“I'm going to be fine” replied Josie “I must have picked up a virus on my visit to Virginia. Thank you for asking.”

“Oh dear, I have seen the signs before and I think you may have something a little more than a virus. Are you sure you aren't expecting?”

“Expecting? Certainly not, we have only been married for a few weeks. It's much too soon to be experiencing morning sickness.”

“I have five children and had morning sickness for the full nine months with each and every one of them. It does happen. If I were a betting woman, I would guess you will be feeling better by this afternoon. In the meantime, I have some soda crackers that might do the trick. I make sure I don't leave home without a fresh supply.”

She winked at Josie as she handed her several crackers. It was then Josie noticed the woman definitely had an expanding waistline.

“Thank you for the crackers and good luck with number six.”

“They tell me it's going to be number six and seven this time.” The stranger grinned widely and was out the door.

By the time Josie returned to her seat she had nibbled on three of the saltines and was feeling much better. She wondered if she should mention her conversation with the woman in the ladies room and decided against it. Reggie was so preoccupied she wanted his full attention before she talked of the possibility of a new baby.

Ernie Black was anxious for Reggie's return. He didn't have a clue as to what happened to the order that was suppose to go to Zeke Dalton for the lumber. He went over it in his mind. He had taken the order with him to the post office and remembered having a conversation with Jackson Parker, the postmaster. Somewhere between his office and the post office the order had been changed and had been sent to an outfit just over the border that had a reputation for cheap, shoddy workmanship. Did he stop somewhere along the way? He tried but couldn't remember.

The train pulled into the station and Ernie was there to meet it. Josie told Reggie to go along, she would walk over to the McMillan house and say hello to her mother. She would find a way home and see him later. She wanted talk to her mother about her suspicions.

Dusty Blanchard was working on the tracks on the north side of the train depot. It was one of the jobs the crew had been reassigned to while they waited for the Dalton lumber to arrive. He noticed Reggie as he and his wife stepped off the train and were greeted by Ernie Black. Dusty swore they were looking directly at him but maybe it was simply his imagination due to his guilty conscience.

Dusty's life had taken a dramatic turn eighteen months ago. He had just graduated from Greensboro High and had taken a job with the construction company his pa worked with. He was proud to be working with Al Blanchard. Al was respected by the entire crew and the owners of the company alike. Seemingly overnight, Al's attitude began to change. He was curt with the crew and with Dusty. He walked around with a scowl on his face most of the day. Even his ma noticed the change in Al. Two months later Al fell to his death from the third floor of the new bank building being constructed on Main.

Dusty stayed on with the crew but the job was never the same. He had a hard time believing his father would have ever been so careless as to slip on the scaffolding as it appeared that he did. Al Blanchard always stressed the importance of safety. Dusty's ma retreated into herself after her husband's death.

After a few months, Leo Carlisle knocked on Connie Blanchard's front door. Leo was a charmer and Connie was charmed. He claimed to have come by to offer his condolences for her loss.

As he walked into the parlor, he looked around the room and said “What a lovely home you have Mrs. Blanchard. May I call you Connie? Al spoke of you so often I feel as though I know you.”

Connie was surprised that this gentleman was such a close friend to Al since she had never heard his name before.

“Would you care for a cup of tea Mr. Carlisle?”

“Connie dear, please call me Leo. Yes, I would love to have some tea. Don't bother with the sugar, there is enough sweetness in the room already.”

Connie giggled. Al never said things like that to her. She felt like a school girl and after months of mourning, it felt good to be able to laugh again.

It didn't take Leo long to ingratiate himself into the Blanchard home. Dusty didn't find him nearly as charming as his mother did. He remembered seeing him around the job site. He knew he wasn't part of the crew but he would appear at various times. Dusty remembered seeing him behind the counter of a coffee and doughnut stand he'd set up by the side of the road near the site where the workers would take their morning breaks.

Leo had taken up going to church with Connie and Dusty. One Sunday, on the way back to the Blanchard home, Leo suggested they go through Al's clothes and give them to the poor.

“The Al I knew was generous to a fault and I know he would want his things to go to a good cause.”

Connie hadn't been able to face that task but with dear Leo at her side she thought she was ready. Dusty wasn't sure he wanted Leo going through his pa's things and made sure he got to his dresser before Leo did.

Dusty opened the top drawer. He knew right away that it wasn't going to be easy to sort through all these things of his pa's. He found the pen knife he'd had since he was a boy. A pair of cuff links he remembered seeing pa wear every Sunday. A journal filled with entries in Pa's handwriting. Dusty had to blink away some tears and put the journal in his pocket to read when he was by himself.

Just then Leo came up behind him. He hadn't seen Dusty put the journal into his pocket but he started rummaging through the drawer himself. Dusty picked up some papers that looked like receipts. Leo grabbed them out of his hand and without saying a word stuffed them in his pocket and continued searching through the drawer. After he was satisfied he had seen everything in the drawer, he shut it abruptly and went on to the next. Dusty found another receipt tucked between two handkerchiefs. Something was not right. He saw his father's name on the bottom but it didn't look anything like his signature.

Suddenly Leo grabbed the receipt out of his hand.

“Unless you want the same fate for your mother as was your fathers, you will forget you saw this.”

Dusty looked into Leo's eyes and saw pure evil. He knew at that moment that his father's death was not accidental and he knew who was responsible for it.

The days went on and Leo became more and more important in Connie's life. One day he mentioned at the dinner table that there was a big construction project beginning in Camden Corners.

“Dusty wouldn't it be a good idea for you to sign on to the crew there. I would be sure your mother remained safe here in Greensboro if you were to do that.”

Dusty knew a threat when he heard it. He didn't want to leave his mother in the hands of Leo Carlisle but he also knew he had no choice.

As Dusty was packing his bag, he came across his father's journal. He had blanked it out of his mind. He dropped it in his bag. At the train station he gave his mother a big hug. She cried as he boarded the train and Leo whispered, “I'll be in touch.” Dusty was still shaking as the train pulled away from the station.

Dusty opened the journal and began reading his father's entries. Al's concern showed through on the first few pages of the journal. He had been aware that the materials they received for the project were not up to the usual standards of any of the companies the outfit had always dealt with. Al mentioned finding receipts with his name in the signature line but not signed by him. According to the journal, Al hadn't mentioned his suspicions to any of the crew. He had started his own investigation and was close to finding the answer. He went on to mention Leo Carlisle. Leo appeared on the job site one morning. He told Al he was in the insurance business and was inquiring about the project. Al informed him the job's insurance needs were covered and his services weren't required. He mentioned the look of pure evil in the man's eyes as he said, “We'll see about that.”

Al wired each and every company where original material orders had been placed. No recent orders had been received by any one of them. The same procedure was followed every time an order was placed. After writing the order and checking it for errors, he would give the paperwork to one of the crew members to take to the post office to be mailed to the supply company. He did remember asking Emmett Larson to take the order for steel girders. He called Emmett into his office and asked him to remember everything he could about the time between when he was given the envelope and when he delivered it to the post office. Emmett couldn't remember anything unusual but after a few minutes, he did recall something that was hardly worth mentioning. On his way across the street, a fellow bumped into him almost knocking him over. He dropped the envelope and the man picked it up and handed it back to him.

“Do you remember what the fellow looked like?”

“Yes sir. I have seen him around here before. He has been selling doughnuts from a stand across the street. Some of the fellows go there every morning during break. It is almost break time now and I think he might be out there sir.”

Al followed Emmett out the door and across to the coffee stand. He wasn't too surprised to see Leo Carlisle grinning at him.

“Good morning Mr. Blanchard. How nice to see you at my little coffee stand this morning.”

“Insurance business not going too well these days Leo?”

“On the contrary sir, on the contrary.” Leo's maniacal laugh sent chills down Al's spine.

Al spoke with several other workers who had delivered orders. In each instance they recalled a similar experience getting the envelope to the post office and each one of them remembered someone who looked like Leo Carlisle was involved.

The last entry in the journal was dated the day before Al died. He was going to report his suspicions to the sheriff first thing in the morning.

Dalton's Mountain

 

Dalton's Mountain

Vicar Will had been reciting the wedding vows so often for the new brides and grooms of Camden Corners that he knew what to say without looking at the printed word. This week was no exception. The Crowley boys had been married two days ago and now sitting in his office were Lucinda McCoy and Nick Rossi. They had passed Josie McMillan and Reggie Blackburn on their way into the vicar's office.

“Seems to be the season for weddings” he said as he looked at the two smiling faces in front of him.

Will and his beloved Kate had been married themselves just a few weeks ago.

Both weddings were very simple, Josie and Reggie were married in the chapel just west of town. Josie wore her sister's gown. A small reception was given at the lake house she and Reggie were still in the process of remodeling.

The following day, Lucinda and Nick were married under the grapevine archway behind the Marino Trattoria. The reception was in the restaurant where Eduardo had prepared all of his specialties for the occasion. Rosa and the entire Marino family were overjoyed with the two additions to the family. Nick rented a small house two doors down from the Bentley house and just south of the Marinos. He was worried that Cassandra would be lonely without her friends close by. Cassandra was just so happy to have Nick in their lives. She told everyone she saw that Nick was now her new papa.

There wasn't much time for adjusting to married life for either couple. Construction on the new hospital was about to begin. Jamison Bentley had drawn up the preliminary plans with the assistance of Doc McMillan, Tom and Julie. Lucinda was more than happy to leave the details to the professionals, however she insisted on only top quality construction material and labor. She didn't believe in cutting corners to save a few dollars.

Reggie was happy to abide by her wishes. It was a pleasure to work with someone who believed in the high standards that he did. His crew was all in place and waiting for the materials to be delivered by train. Reggie assembled the usual men in his crew. He assigned Ernie Black as foreman of the project. Ernie was one of the best men in construction. He was almost as much of a perfectionist as Reggie and was the man Reggie relied on the most. This would be the biggest project either man had ever been involved in and he knew Ernie would do the job well. Ernie voiced concern about one worker who had signed on for the job. Ernie was a good judge of character and felt uncomfortable about the fellow named Dusty Blanchard. Ernie had known Dusty's paw, Al, who died a year or so ago working on a project in Greensboro. Al was a good man. The incident had been ruled accidental but Ernie had never known Al to be careless about his safety or that of the crew. Ernie hired Dusty because of who his father was but he was such a nervous kid he wasn't sure he was up to the pressure of constructing a building of this magnitude. He'd keep his eye on him, maybe the kid just needed a break.

It wasn't too long before the first shipment of lumber arrived. The men loaded it on buckboards and transported the planks of wood to the job site. Ernie came out of the makeshift office to inspect the shipment.

“This can't be our order. The quality is poor.” He picked up one plank and there was a knothole almost as wide as the plank itself. Ernie called Reggie over to do his own inspection. At least half of the order had some type of flaw. Something was not right. This lumber had been ordered from the most reputable sawmill he had ever dealt with. It was just a small outfit located at the base of a mountain in Virginia. Ezekiel Dalton owned the mill. He assured Reggie the task would not be more than he could handle.

Reggie explained to Lucinda that this lumber could not be used for the hospital. He personally would travel to the Dalton Mills to speak with Zeke about the order and see what could be done about getting the superior product he had always been able to depend on. The problem was, if he let the crew go, they would most likely finding other jobs. He couldn't expect them to be waiting around without pay. Lucinda didn't blink an eye.

“No, don't let the men go. We can find something around town for them to do. You look into this matter.”

“Thanks Lucinda, I think Josie would like to go with me to Dalton's Mountain. It's beautiful country around there and I know she would enjoy the adventure.”

Reggie was right about Josie wanting to go with him. She loved Camden Corners but was anxious to see more of the country. She was a little nervous when they arrived in West Virginia as to what they would find. They rented a horse and buggy and started the trek through some of the most beautiful territory they had ever seen. The only thing she knew about the Daltons was that Zeke was the head of the household. He lived on his land with his wife and their two sons. Josie had them pictured with corn cob pipes and missing teeth. Mules and critters roaming in and out of their house with no windows or doors. Reggie pulled up to a charming farmhouse.

“Here we are.”

They were greeted by a nice young man who introduced himself as John Dalton. “Please come in the house. You must be exhausted from your long trip. Ma has some fresh lemonade made for you.”

They walked into the warm and welcoming house. Mrs. Dalton greeted her visitors. She was a tiny woman, but Josie had the feeling she could hold her own. She had the most welcoming smile and Josie noticed all of her teeth were intact. Zeke came through the door. A friendly man with a twinkle in his eye. Behind him was another young boy. Zeke introduced him as Benjamin.

Josie liked this family right away. Zeke reminded her of Oscar Crowley although she had never seen Oscar in a pair of overalls.

“Effie, these young folks must be hungry. Let's dish up some stew for them and while you're at it, I'll have some myself”.

“Just about to do that old man.”

Josie had to suppress a giggle the way they spoke to each other. It was done in such a loving way that it didn't sound offensive. She had called him old man and he couldn't have been more than 40. Josie wondered what she will call him when he really is an old man, Methuselah maybe. She didn't dare look at Reggie, she knew she wouldn't be able to keep from chuckling.

Josie was thoroughly enjoying the stew. She had no idea she was eating rabbit which was probably for the best. The fresh baked bread and sliced tomatoes were the best she'd ever tasted. Effie told her they lived mostly from the land up here.

“Our families have lived in these mountains for a century or two.”

“There are Daltons all the way up that mountain there” said Zeke. “We don't see them much. They don't like to come down this far. They live totally off the land and take care of their own. They're not much on having visitors either so we just leave them alone for the most part.”

After dessert of a fresh baked apple pie, the men went out to the sawmill. Reggie felt bad complaining about the lumber received after being treated to a meal but knew it had to be done. He showed Zeke the block of wood he carried with him.

“Where'd you get this? It's from what we call a junk tree. They grow like weeds but you have to pull them up by the roots before they take over all the land.”

“Zeke, this came from the order you sent to Camden Corners.”

“Reggie, we never got any order from you, I know you mentioned it and I have some wood set aside for you but when I didn't hear from you I thought the project had been delayed or abandoned.”

“I don't understand Zeke, I signed off on that order myself. It was to be in three shipments to make it easier for you. Something is not right and I will get to the bottom of it. In the meantime, will you accept my handwritten order and I will wire for your money.”

Josie came out to the mill to see what the operation looked like.

“Josie is one of my best crew workers Zeke. She knows her way around a hammer and nails.”

Zeke loved the idea of a woman working somewhere beside the kitchen.

“My Effie hung the door of this barn” he said proudly.

“Only to hang it back up after it fell down and broke your arm”.

“It only sprained it, old woman. That was the lightning that we had that day”

“Maybe the lightning helped, but it had more to do with the bolts being too short when someone hung it in the first place.”

John piped in, “Those two keep Ben and me entertained. It's like watching a Punch and Judy show.”

Reggie did as he said and put an order in writing. Zeke insisted there was no hurry in requisitioning the deposit but Reggie insisted and he and Josie traveled to the general store that also housed the telegraph office. He sent a wire to Lucinda explaining that the lumber received was not sent by Zeke Dalton and he would get to the heart of the matter upon his return. He asked that she speak privately with Ernie but not to let on to the crew what the hold up is.

Reggie thought it best to wait for a reply. He and Josie took a seat at the small table by the window of the store. The store owner, Ike Goolsbee poured them a cup of coffee on the house. It wasn't too often strangers visited his store and he was happy for the company.

While the threesome chatted, a young girl entered the store. She heard them mention the Daltons and a smile came on her face.

“I'm going to marry John Dalton some day and we will have so many children that old farmhouse will be bursting at the seams.”

Ike introduced the girl who couldn't have been more than 13 to the visitors.

“This is Olivia Benson, I think if anyone is capable of snaring young John Dalton it will be Miss Olivia here.”

Josie didn't want to burst the child's bubble but she thought back to the boy she thought she'd marry when she was 13 and shuddered now at the thought.

Before long there was a message on the telegraph machine telling Reggie the deposit was on its way. Ernie was in the office with Lucinda and Jamison and he had some ideas about solving the mystery of where the inferior wood came from.

Josie and Reggie thanked Ike for his hospitality and returned to the Daltons to bid good bye and assure Zeke that they were back in business.

Effie wouldn't hear of the two young people riding all the way back to the train station that evening. She insisted they stay the night with them. There was plenty of room and they would be able to get a fresh start in the morning.

The next morning Josie tearfully hugged her new friend Effie Dalton goodbye. It was the start of a friendship that lasted through the years. Five years after their first meeting Effie wrote that Olivia Benson was her new daughter-in-law. She and John had been married and moved into the Dalton home. Every year or two after a new arrival was announced until the old Dalton farmhouse was bursting at the seams

Just as Olivia said it would be.