Free The Witch of Roan Mountain by Blaire Edens Page A

“That’s always been part of the legend. No one knows for sure.”
    “Is Campbell Hyatt a descendant?”
    He nodded. “If they had a baby, if that part’s true, Campbell would be a great-great-great-great grandson.”
    A chill ran up Maeve’s spine. “But why would she kill the man she loved and the father of her unborn child?” It was the one, central question. The one that had to be answered before anything of the other pieces would fit into place. So far, Maeve saw no motive. If anything, Bessie was the one with motive to kill Delphine.
    “She wouldn’t,” Virgil said, mirroring Maeve’s thoughts. “The one thing I know for sure, after years of hearing version after version of the story, is that Delphine loved Jenks, probably too much for her own good.”
    I am innocent of murder.
    The short sentence reverberated through Maeve’s body, repeating itself over and over. “Then who killed him?”
    “That’s the important question to answer.” With that, Virgil rose to his feet and placed a ten dollar bill on the Formica table. “I expect you’ll know soon enough.”
     
    *****
     
    By the time Campbell got to the hospital, Maeve had Granny Holcolmbe dressed and ready to go back to the cabin.
    “Don’t you look pretty as a picture,” he said to Granny, giving only a curt nod to Maeve. He pretended not to notice her but he could be blindfolded and still know when she was in the room.
    The older woman batted her eyelashes at him and grinned. “I do my best.”
    Maeve rolled her eyes. “Y’all are intolerable.”
    “You’re the only one complaining,” Granny said. “They’re letting me go home. Can you drive us?”
    “I sure can. I thought maybe you’d decided to stay.”
    Granny swatted at him. “You, hush.”
    While Campbell pulled the car around to the front entrance, a nurse brought a wheelchair into the room and helped Granny get into it. Maeve covered her legs with a knitted blanket and they walked toward the lobby.
    He was waiting and lifted Granny into the front seat of his Explorer. “You comfortable?” he asked, tucking the blanket tightly around her legs. “It’s a long ride.”
    Maeve stood to the side and marveled how such a large man could be so gentle. It was one of the things she’d always loved about him.
    “I’m set,” Granny said. “Ready to get home.”
    Maeve hopped into the backseat with Granny’s things. The small scooter that would allow her to get around until the cast came off was propped on the other seat. Campbell drove slowly, taking the curves at a lazy pace. By the time they got the cabin, it was full-dark.
    “Let me get the lights on,” Campbell said. “And then I’ll come get you.”
    Maeve breathed a sigh of relief. With everything she’d seen and heard in the past few days, she was more than a little spooked. She didn’t like going into the house alone, especially after dark. Although she’d only seen Delphine once, she’d felt her many times, not to mention seen the long-dead woman’s handwriting in her notebook.
    The porch light cast a yellow glow across the yard. It was cozy, homey and Maeve realized how much she’d missed this place. It was, and would always be, home.
    After Campbell helped Granny to her favorite chair, he got a fire started and banished the chill. “Y’all alright if I go?”
    “We’re fine, honey. Thanks again for bringing us home. I really appreciate it.”
    “Anything you need, you call me,” he said, looking between Maeve and Granny. He winked at Maeve when he thought Granny wasn’t looking.
    When Campbell left, the cabin seemed empty. Without his large presence, Granny and Maeve were quiet for a long time both of them focused on the reds and yellows of the fire in the grate.
    “Need anything? Maybe a cup of tea?” Maeve asked.
    “That would be very nice,” Granny said. “Chamomile to soothe my nerves.”
    Maeve brewed two cups of the tea and handed one to Granny. “I put a spoonful of honey in it, just