Another Grave Matter, page 19
part #3 of Volstead Manor Series
Crying out from the pain in my ankle, I clung to the unstable railing and took my first step onto the crowbar. It wobbled against the wood, but held. Now, I’d have to take my other foot off the back step. I gritted my teeth and let go. I was now standing over the opening on nothing more than the crowbar. My hands gripped the railing, but I knew it couldn’t hold my weight if I fell. I looked downward, a foolish move, and realized I had no idea how deep the hole was. Would the fall break my legs or my neck? What if I didn’t make it across? God, help me!
Fire raged up the stairwell. There was no time for hesitation.
“Don’t look down,” Zola hollered at me.
I stretched my leg up to the higher step and tried to pull myself up with the railing. The sweat on my hands made me slip. My legs trembled. The heat behind me bit into my flesh.
“Take my hand,” Zola yelled.
She reached down to me. I looked into her eyes. I saw no compassion. Only a cold emptiness and nothing more.
Lord, can I trust her with my life?
43 – The Lies and the Transgressions
“Give me your hand!” Zola said.
I took one hand off the railing and placed it in hers. Zola’s palm clamped over mine like steel. I held on and took one last step toward freedom. The crowbar flipped and toppled into the chasm, making me fall. I now dangled over the hole as I held onto the railing and Zola’s hand.
“Let go of the railing,” Zola shouted. “Take my other hand. I’ll pull you up.”
I could hear the roar of the flames just behind me. My choices had run out. Time had run out. I released the railing and grabbed Zola’s other hand. She seized mine in a firm grasp and lifted me upward onto the wooden stairs. Once I was safely on the other side of the pit, she released me.
We both rested on the landing for a moment. I could hear sirens in the distance. Some dear neighbor must have seen the smoke and called 911. The firemen would be here soon.
Zola rose from the floor. “Put some of your weight on me.”
With her help, I limp-walked through the library and out the front door. As the icy wind hit my face, I felt revived a bit, but still exhausted. Most of all, though, I felt grateful to be alive. So grateful.
When I was able to walk a little better on my own, Zola released me. Then the most unforeseen thing happened. She began to cry. What started as a few tears turned into heaving sobs. I paused there on the front lawn, not really knowing how to respond to her agony, but then I gently placed my arm around her. She didn’t pull away, so I held her as the sirens grew louder.
Together we wept. No words were passed between us, but I knew what the tears were for—for all the needless loss of life, for the lies and the transgressions. The great unhappiness of Zola’s childhood. And for the death of my great grandfather.
Moments later the firemen arrived at Volstead Manor and began their valiant efforts to put out the flames, which were now coiling up the front of the house. Zola and I walked over to one of the firemen, and she began to confess her crimes.
Guests poured out of Dedra’s house. With coattails flying and arms waving, they ran toward me. I felt badly for ending Dedra’s party early, but it couldn’t be helped. They all looked so anxious, the scene tore at my heart.
Max arrived first, with Joby in his wake, and they put their arms around me. “Bailey, what on earth has happened? Another fire? Are you okay? We just thought you got busy talking to Zola and lost track of time.”
I chuckled. “Well, not quite.”
“You look like somebody beat you up.” Joby’s eyes filled with tears. “Are you gonna be okay?”
“I’m just a little banged up. I’ll be fine.” I kissed her head and pulled her close.
As I explained what happened, Max and Joby, Magnolia and Jarrett, Dedra and Adam, all surrounded me, encircling me with their love. Dedra’s party guests, including Jason and the count and Mrs. Herring, hovered around me too, looking worried and offering their assistance. I’d never felt so loved in all my life.
When the police arrived, we watched as Zola Fowler walked up to them and turned herself in. After a few minutes of questioning, the officers arrested her. Just before she slipped into the back of the police car, I saw her face one last time. She said nothing to me, but I could see the words on her face. “Thank you.”
I couldn’t help but wonder what a lonely life she must have lived. No family and no friends. No real purpose in life, except to be free of the crimes she’d never committed. Zola hadn’t even asked about the ruby. Had never cared about possessing it. It was all about freedom. Oh, God, be with her. She needs You. I think she’s listening.
As the firemen put out the last of the fire, the color white began drifting from the sky. I gasped.
“It’s snowing.” Joby danced around, catching snowflakes on her tongue and chanting, “Snow, snow, snow!”
“Well, look at that. Hasn’t snowed in Houston in years,” Magnolia said. “Looks like the angels are coming for a visit.”
Chuckles and gasps erupted from the crowd. Everyone, including the firemen, gazed upward with wonder.
The huge flakes fell softly on us all. I raised my face toward heaven. I knew then that we wouldn’t stay at Volstead Manor, and we would build our lives somewhere beyond Midnight Falls. But not too far from our friends.
Even though each and every battle fought at Volstead Manor had been daunting, almost overwhelming, the final war had been won. The gothic mansion would rise again, and this time hopefully, it would be filled with love and joy and peace, the way Granny had always intended. But for our little family, it was time to move on. And if Volstead Manor did harbor any more secrets, they would have to be discovered by someone else…
44 – The Walker-Summer Wedding ... at Last
Months later, in May, I looked down the garden path at my groom and took my first step as a bride. Violins played and the merry whispers of the crowd embraced me as I made my long walk. I’d ventured way out of my jean-clad comfort zone and had a gown designed to look like Grace Kelly’s when she’d married into royalty. The dress worked its magic. I felt like a princess.
And God had honored our day with a sun-drenched sky. The bougainvillea blushed all around us, the tree frogs sang in the willows, and the spring breeze felt like warm silk.
Through the delicate lace veil, I could see Max smiling at me. It was the day. Our day. My mind raced with a thousand happy thoughts, but none had anything to do with the past. Only the future.
I stopped at the first row of seats to squeeze Magnolia’s hand and to give Jarrett a wink. Then I marched up to the platform, handed my bouquet of yellow roses to Dedra, my matron of honor, and then gave Joby a smile that said she’d done a splendid job of scattering the petals up the aisle.
“Dearly beloved,” I heard the pastor begin.
Oh, God, this is it. Be with us now. I wanted to memorize every second.
After Max and I exchanged our vows, Julie, one of the women in our church, began playing her acoustic guitar and singing “The Wedding Song.”
Chills went through me as I listened to the lyrics. I’d never been so moved or felt so untethered. Or so utterly steeped in joy. Mist stung my eyes.
Max squeezed my hand as he sniffled a bit. What radiated between us was warm and expectant and full of sweet affection. At that moment, I felt we had begun our lives together. A new life. I was his “One and Only,” and he was mine. As the song came to a close, doves were released into the air. They lifted off in a cluster of white as a symbol of all things graceful and beautiful. All things at peace.
###
About Spyglass Lane
Spyglass Lane Mysteries is a collection of Christian cozy mysteries—modern-day whodunnits with colorful characters and plenty of wholesome romance.
Discover other Forget Me Not Romances at www.forgetmenotromances.com
About the Author
Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has forty books published. She’s been a Barnes & Noble “Author of the Month” for Houston and has a BA in the combined fields of speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, traveling to exotic places, and brunch with her friends.
Social Media:
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Website: www.anitahigman.com
Other Books by Anita Higman:
A Marriage in Middlebury
http://www.amazon.com/Marriage-Middlebury-Anita-Higman-ebook/dp/B00E0TN95K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425323299&sr=8-1&keywords=Anita+Higman
A Matchmaker in Middlebury
http://www.amazon.com/Matchmaker-Middlebury-Anita-Higman-ebook/dp/B00OMHVCX6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1425323299&sr=8-2&keywords=Anita+Higman
Love Finds You in Humble Texas
http://www.amazon.com/Love-Finds-You-Humble-Texas-ebook/dp/B006VCM9ZK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1425323299&sr=8-3&keywords=Anita+Higman
Winter in Full Bloom
http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Full-Bloom-Anita-Higman-ebook/dp/B00BV0FK6W/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1425323299&sr=8-4&keywords=Anita+Higman
Summer’s List
http://www.amazon.com/Summers-List-Anita-Higman-ebook/dp/B00PI111LS/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1425323521&sr=8-18&keywords=Anita+Higman
A Merry Little Christmas
http://www.amazon.com/Merry-Little-Christmas-Songs-season-ebook/dp/B009CCG1F0/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1425323299&sr=8-7&keywords=Anita+Higman
Higman, Anita, Another Grave Matter
