Finding Elizabeth (13 page)

Stunned Daniel said, "Claire that is an
amazing, and generous offer. I don't know what to say except, thank
you. I would love to convert the carriage house and live there. But
I have a full schedule coming up soon so the project will have to
wait."

Smiling Claire said, "Oh, that's great that
you are busy. But if you are talking about my projects, I think we
should wait on the house until after the store is done. I already
have so much going on right now with the move and opening the
antique store. And I'm still trying to figure out what happened to
Elizabeth."

"I thought you had quit reading Elizabeth's
journal?" Daniel said with worry.

Claire twirled her hair guiltily, "I tried
to quit reading it, but I know she wants her story told. Besides,
do you know what a treasure it is to find a Victorian era
journal?"

"If you start having nightmares again,
please stop reading it. I was so worried about you the other night
when I found you in the hallway. You said the baby was crying and
honestly I haven't heard a fox since I have been staying there,"
Daniel said.

As the thoughts were racing through Claire's
mind she nodded in agreement, "Ok shall we get this over with?"

But as she worked she couldn't help but
think about what Daniel said. How could he not have heard the fox.
Jen heard it when they slept in the upstairs bedroom so it couldn't
have been a dream. Something was definitely going on and Claire
just had to know what it was.

Packing up the apartment and Adam's things
didn't prove to be as difficult as she had thought it would be.
Daniel set up several boxes as Claire started packing. Things she
knew she was keeping first, then things she wanted to store,
including Adams things and finally things she didn't really want or
need.

After a few hours, Claire turned to Daniel,
"I am starving, are you ready to eat lunch?"

"Yes, I'm starving too. Any ideas on what
you want to eat?"

"Do you mind if we go to my favorite Mexican
restaurant? Now that I'm moving I won't get to eat there as often,"
Claire said with a frown.

Daniel grinned, "I love Mexican food as long
as it's authentic. No fast food for me, please."

After they ordered their food Claire said,
"I need to drop something off with an attorney here in Bentonville.
Do you mind running me by there before we head back?"

Daniel looked puzzled, "No, I don't mind, is
everything okay?"

"Yes, everything is fine. I just wanted an
attorney to look over the paperwork that James wants me to sign to
make Van White estates legally mine. I'm sure it's fine, but I want
to make sure that I'm not responsible for a ton of debt. Of course
I doubt that's the case, but I would rather be safe than sorry,"
Claire said with a smile.

After lunch Claire dropped off a copy of the
forms with the attorney's secretary and she promised to have him
call as soon as he was finished with them. Claire felt relieved
that things were coming together. Soon she would be completely
moved to Eureka, and then she would be ready to open the store.
Yes, things were definitely improving for her.

Returning to the apartment, Claire looked
around and decided that much of the furniture wouldn't be needed.
Her new house was full and most of what she had in her apartment
wasn't old enough to be vintage or antique. There were however a
few smaller pieces she had refinished. They would be good for
display or to even sell in the store, so she marked the pieces she
was keeping with a sticky note.

While Daniel loaded the last of what was to
go, onto the trailer Claire spoke to the apartment manager. She
decided to donate the remaining furniture to new residents who had
just moved in next door.

Claire took one last look around the
apartment. She was happy to be moving to Eureka, but at the same
time sad to be leaving the place where so many wonderful memories
were made. She thought about all the meals her and Adam had shared,
playing games on cold evenings and of the night they conceived
their child. Blinking away her tears, she slowly picked up the two
small boxes that held the ashes of Adam and their son, before she
turned and walked away.

***

As the weeks went by Daniel and Claire
settled into a comfortable routine. He would work during the day as
she went through the items that had been brought up from the
basement. In the evening she would cook dinner for him and
sometimes Janet and Steve would come over. They spent their
evenings watching movies, playing games, and occasionally they went
dancing.

True to her word Jen visited often and had
even brought David a few times. Claire was thrilled that her best
friend had found someone she could love, and someone that loved
her. Claire was hopeful she would find love again too. Maybe even
with Daniel, but she was still dealing with her loss of Adam and
her child. And then there was the store to open, the house to
renovate and her ever nagging need to find out what happened to
Elizabeth.

Claire wasn't sure how to tell Daniel that
she was still hearing the baby cry.
What if he thinks your
crazy?
She hadn't read anymore of Elizabeth's journal because
she was trying to convince herself she had been dreaming it.
Finally needing to get to the bottom of it she sat down with the
journal and opened it to the page she had marked.

July 22, 1886

Dear Diary,

I can not tell you how lonely I have become
in my prison. I look forward to the visits from Annie and pray for
word of Thomas and William.

I worry night and day over Williams welfare.
Without Mother, Andrew or I to protect him, I worry that father
will turn his harsh words and abusive hand toward the poor boy. I
have tried thinking of any way to get out of this situation to
rescue him, but I just can not figure it out.

Today when Annie brought my dinner she had
word of Andrew. It seems dear brother has become engaged to
Rebecca. Andrew will be coming for a visit soon. He plans to start
building a home at the rear of the property. It should be completed
by the time he has graduated, and weds Rebecca. I love my dear
brother and Rebecca, but how I envy them. Why can Thomas and I not
have the same?

I have spent countless hours practicing what
I should say to father. I know if someone should hear me they would
think I have gone mad. I suspect father would have me locked away
in an asylum.

Elizabeth

August 18, 1886

Dear Diary,

To my dismay, father continues to visit me.
I have learned to just lie still and let him do what he must, for
if I try to fight him I know I will surely be beaten again. And I
fear he might kill me or my Emma. I awoke the other night to find
him standing on the opposite side of my bedroom. I became fearful
at the thought of the things he could have done to me as I slept. I
am not certain how I did not hear him when he entered the room as
he traipsed around with his heavy footsteps.

When father visits me, I always think of a
song I love that is soothing to me. It is a hymn Annie always sings
called "Down to the river and pray." It is a beautiful hymn and I
have found myself singing it over and over day and night to ease
the silence. I should think that my daughter would surely hear it
and perhaps it soothes her too.

I can not help wondering if Thomas knew of
what father has done, would he still love me, or should he think I
was a loose woman? Or would he risk himself and rescue me?

Today when Annie came she brought me mothers
wedding ring. I do not know how she has the courage to take these
things but I do appreciate her so. I pray for her safety as if it
were not for Annie I would most certainly go mad.

Elizabeth

October 1, 1886

Dear Diary,

It is with great sadness that I write this
entry. Alas all hope of a rescue or a life with Thomas is gone.
Annie came to me today with tears in her eyes and she told me of
Thomas' death.

She overheard father talking to one of the
hands about digging a hole just beyond the cemetery, near a grove
of small pine trees. Later Annie asked one of the hands who has
been her friend for years. He told her that Thomas had come to
father with a dowry and asked for my hand in marriage. Father
forbade such a thing and when Thomas insisted on seeing me and that
we be married, father shot him.

I shall continue to love and miss my dear
Thomas, and I shall never forget him. It saddens me that he will
never know his daughter, nor will she know him.

As Thomas was not afforded a proper burial,
I asked Annie to sit and pray with me and then we sang the
beautiful hymn that brings me so much comfort.

I shall cherish every moment I have ever
spent with Thomas and his memory will live with me now and forever.
But I am assured that my beloved Thomas is watching over me, for
eternity.

Elizabeth

October 24, 1886

Dear Diary,

Yesterday was a day I shall never forget. It
was the day I met my beautiful daughter Emma Olivia Campbell. She
is such a tiny thing and has already brought me so much joy. When I
look into her perfect little face I just can not imagine how a
parent can harm a child. I feel more love for her than I ever could
have imagined was possible.

I had not prepared for such a tiny baby, so
I have kept her swaddled with her new blanket. I can not wait to
see her in the beautiful dress I made, but fear it will be months
before she will be able to wear it.

Annie has remained by my side for the last
few days fearing my time was near. I am thankful to have such a
wise and wonderful woman, who is so dear.

I have thought how tragic it was that less
than a month ago my Thomas was right here on this property. I keep
thinking over what it would have been like if father had permitted
us to be married.

I become fearful at the thought of father
seeing Emma. I worry he will make good on his threat and send her
away, but I am hopeful that she may steal his heart as she has
stolen mine.

Elizabeth

Hearing Daniel yell from the doorway Claire
quickly sat the journal down and ran to meet him.

Worried Claire asked, "Daniel, is everything
ok?"

"Oh, yes everything is great. I'm just
excited," Daniel said. "The mezzanine loft we ordered has come in.
We are going to start working on it this afternoon. I thought you
might want to join me."

"Oh my gosh, that is wonderful news. Yes, I
would love to go," Claire said.

After a few errands Claire and Daniel walked
into the shop. Claire couldn't believe what she was seeing. There
were several men working. Some were installing huge metal bolts in
the brick as others were welding together the various pieces.

"Wow, this is unbelievable. I can't believe
how many pieces there are, it's like a giant jigsaw puzzle. How
long do you think it will take before it's finished?" Claire
asked.

Smiling Daniel said, "It depends on the size
and how it's being installed. You happen to be in good with the
boss, so yours won't take long, even though it's pretty large. I'm
guessing three or four days at most."

"That is amazing. There are so many parts, I
would have thought it would take weeks. I appreciate you installing
this for me, but there isn't any rush. I certainly don't expect you
to put any other jobs on hold just to focus on this one," Claire
said.

"I promise nothing is being put on hold, and
everything is right on schedule. Are you ready to go home? This
will be a long process, I just thought you would want to see
it."

Smiling, Claire said, "I'm ready. If you
have time I have something I want to do in the attic, and I could
really use your help."

Daniels curiosity got the best of him, "I
have all the time in the world, but what do we need to do in the
attic?"

"I want to find Elizabeth's hidden room. I
have been reading her journal again and I just need to see it. You
won't believe the things she said," Grabbing Daniels hand Claire
led him out the door.

The drive home seemed to take longer than
normal. Claire was both anxious and nervous at the thought of
finding Elizabeth's room. But she was eager to solve the mystery
and hopefully Elizabeth would finally be at rest.

By the time Claire and Daniel reached the
attic she was so excited she thought she would explode. Although
the things she had read were heartbreaking, she just felt an
urgency to find this room.

Quickly making their way to the back of the
attic, they moved the items that had been left against the wall.
After everything had been moved Claire began searching for the
opening.

Watching her with curiosity Daniel came up
beside her, "What are you looking for?"

"I... I'm not sure exactly. The doorway is
supposed to be on this side of the attic. Well, the hidden room is
the attic for the turret room."