Free A Love for all Ages (Crockett County Trilogy Book 1) by Brenda Phillips Page B

go be with Della.
She loved you,
I am sure she misses you.
Don’t you miss her?”
As she finishes
speaking, Stephanie closes her eyes trying to clear her mind of
everything but Archibald.
As if she could will him to make an
appearance; opening her eyes she looks at Chase.
    Chase walks over and takes Stephanie’s hand helping her to
stand.
Hearing a muffled sigh, they turn seeing Archibald.
He is
wearing his Union uniform and he looks to be in his early to
mid-twenties.
He is standing close to the window with the sun
shining in around him it makes him seem as if he is glowing.
When
he moves closer to them and away from the window he becomes
more solid, he now looks more human than ghost.
    Stopping a couple of feet from them he begins, “My name is
Archibald Butterworth; I was a soldier in the Union army.
I died
the summer of 1863.
For many years I have been here in this
house, people would come and go; Miss Della was the first person
able to see me.
I am pleased you are also ‘gifted’ with the ability.”
He looks from Stephanie to Chase to make sure they understand his
meaning. They nod and he continues, “Over the years Miss Della
and I have tried to figure out how to get me over to the other side.
As you can see we were unable to discover a way to help me.
I am
not sure if you can help me or not but I want you to know I love
Miss Della.
ever seen.”
could have been sisters.”
He smiles stopping to gather his
thoughts.
    Not waiting for him to continue, Chase asks, “Yesterday it
was you at the window, wasn’t it?”
Crossing his arms he looked
sternly at Archibald.
    With a shameful look Archibald nods his head yes.
He
begins to explain, “When the ladies came to clean the house I heard
them talk about Miss Stephanie coming to live here.
Yesterday I
heard the motorized vehicle and looked out the window; I was
shocked when you saw me.”
Seeing Chase’s face relax some, he
finishes his explanation, “After the shock of being seen, I decided
the kitten could take the blame in my place as she had wandered in
She was the most wonderful beautiful woman I have
He looks at Stephanie, “You look like her; you and she
just a few hours before you got here.”
    Standing between the two men, Stephanie examines
Archibald closely.
Believing in ghost but coming face to face with
one is two different things.
She realizes she isn’t scared she just
feels sorrow for Della and the love she had for Archibald.
She also
feels sorry for Archibald; since he is unable to more on.
The whole
situation is heartbreaking.
Determined to continue Della promise
to help Archibald to the other side, where ever that was, Stephanie
lays a hand on Chase’s arm to get his attention, “I think we should
go pick up the rental car after we get back I can look up some
history on the internet.
come up with a solution.”
    Downstairs Stephanie fetches her purse while Chase fills the
bowls for the kitten.
Ready to leave Stephanie tells Archibald they
will be back soon then closes the door, locking it before moving
across the porch.
    Chase assists Stephanie in the car, fixing the seatbelt to avoid
her ribs; he leans in and kisses her lips before moving to the other
side of the car.
Once he is inside he starts the engine, as he drives
down the lane he asks, “So how are you feeling? Ribs still hurt?”
    Needing the distraction Stephanie answers his questions,
“My ribs are better.
I had a headache last night and ended up
falling to sleep on the loveseat.”
She didn’t mention her dizzy spell
as there is no reason to worry him.
Turning in her seat so she can
see him better she asks “By any chance do you know where my cell
phone is?
Last time I seen it I had put it in the console of the car.
After unpacking last night I noticed it was gone.”
    Chase glances at Stephanie then back to watch the road, “I
didn’t see it in the car when I got your suitcases and purse.
But
honestly I didn’t look