Unsettled Graves: A Crossroads of Kings Mill Novel (The Crossroads of Kings Mill Book 3) (15 page)

“It is their choice. There are those who will look to you, your offspring and those of the women around you. This is your world. You are the keepers of lost souls. Fate will guide you all. You must believe.”

“Will I see you again?” Tonya had to ask. She’d become attached to the old woman.

“You will see me in your reflection, in your children and grand-children. You will keep me alive.” The old woman leaned forward into her and continued to walk through her. But of all the souls that had moved her with their stories, this woman’s affected her the most.

Slowly the world of the past faded away and she was surrounded by the chants of the Wilton Women again. Opening her eyes to their soft candlelit reflections she was seeing them through new eyes. She saw their auras and was blessed by their energy.

“Did you find what you were seeking?” Vickie asked.

“I found more than what I was seeking.” Tonya smiled. She couldn’t wait to get home and tell the stories within her.

August 18
th
--Williamsburg, Virginia

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

“I’ll be fine, Dad. Stop worrying.” Tonya carried the final box into the duplex apartment she was sharing with another History student just off campus. The apartments were separate but shared a common kitchen and living area.

“It’s a four hour drive from here to Kings Mill…it’s not likely you’ll be able to come home every weekend.”

“God I hope not. Besides, you and Virginia are having too much fun. And I’ll be busy with papers and work.”

Christopher Mead still didn’t look convinced. “Try and take time for some fun, too.”

“Of course. You know I will.

The door to the other apartment opened. “It’s about time you showed up.” Camden stood in the doorway, leaning on crutches, his right leg in a splinted cast up to his mid-thigh.

“Camden? What? How?”

“Hey, Camden. Good to see you again.” Chris went and shook his hand.

“You, too, Mr. Mead.” Camden smiled, impishly.

Tonya couldn’t believe Camden was right there. He looked more muscular and tanned but still the Camden she knew a few weeks ago. Yet, there was a subtle difference that had nothing to do with having a broken leg.

“I take it you are no longer on the Tribe?”

“Went in during second quarter at last pre-season game. One of the wide-receivers from the other team decided I looked too much like Joe Theismann…and well, not playing this season, at least. Dad wasn’t happy but finally relented to the fact I had to have something to fall back on.”

“So he agreed to you studying history?”

“Heck no. He wanted me to go into political science.” Camden rolled his eyes. “No, I’m here on my own laurels, believe it or not.”

“Scholarship?” She’d been the recipient of the scholarship they’d been battling for. Her paper not only told of the lost Susquahanna tribe but many of their stories. She’d began the process of getting the rights to a historical marker for the Main and Addison intersection of Kings Mill, describing the tribe and the massacre that had taken place.

“Yes, but not from Dr. Moreland. I sent my paper in about Jared and finding out the truth about him. I was late in getting it in. I didn’t think I could do both football and focus on history this semester. Dr. Moreland said he couldn’t accept it for the scholarship but would take a look at it.”

“He did, didn’t he? Is that why you are here?” Tonya motioned to the apartment complex.

“No. Actually, he did look at it. He was impressed and turned it over to a friend of his at the South Carolina Historical Research Department. I received a scholarship from them and a part-time research gig in which I don’t have to write papers but produce the sources.”

“So how did we end up roommates?” Tonya asked. She knew that only William & Mary History Honors students received the housing.

Looking a bit sheepish, Camden shrugged. “I…um…requested you as my research partner.”

Tonya cocked her eyebrow at him.

“We work well together…I think. We’ve been through quite a bit that I don’t think anyone else would ever believe.”

He wasn’t kidding.

“And I didn’t want anyone else being tossed out of your car if you got into a fight. I’ve been through it, I can deal,” he teased. His eyes twinkled with amusement.

“Really?” Tonya drawled. She stared him down, but there was more behind their banter than humor and jest. They shared a friendship that might just might take on something more if given time.

Her father cleared his throat nervously.

“It’s not like we’ll be living together, Dad. We are sharing a common area. We have our own private rooms,” Tonya explained.

Her father’s eyes narrowed but he finally gave up. “Well, I guess it’s better to know the devil you have, then the one you don’t.”

Tonya couldn’t agree more, but she wasn’t sure if her dad was speaking for her…or Camden’s sake.

“I’ll take care of Tonya, sir. You know we get along pretty well.”

Tonya looked him up and down. “Hey, it looks to me like I’ll be taking care of you, big guy!”

“Both of you promise me when you say ‘we’re just studying’ that is really all you’ll be doing.”

Neither one could promise anything. They would leave that up to fate.

#

Vickie hadn’t cleaned the rooms all summer. Too much had gone on. Now that things were settling down and the weather had turned cooler, she decided a good cleaning was in order.

She washed the windows and took down all the lightweight curtains. The summer quilts were stripped from the beds and had them taken to the dry cleaners. Dust bunnies were herded from under beds and dressers while closets were cleaned and rearranged to change out summer and fall clothing.

A beige envelope caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. It was hidden between the closet door and behind the Victorian winged back chair in the guest bedroom where Jared had stayed while he was here.

She bent down and picked it up. The vellum paper was old, brittle with a feminine hand scrolled writing on the front.

Jared Evansworth

Third Brigade

South Carolina

The envelope appeared to have never been opened. Where did this come from? Had it fallen out of Jared’s uniform the day he came here when he’d removed his clothing? She contacted April right away. This might be a historic document and a fine touch should be used.

April had her bring the letter over to her office as soon as she could. Wearing white cotton gloves, she meticulously went about documenting the finding and carefully steamed open the sealed envelope.

“Should we be doing this?” Vickie worried.

“Jared’s been dead since the Battle of Gettysburg. I’m sure he won’t mind knowing it will be in good hands.”

After the battle and his and Joshua’s disappearance from their lives, Camden’s research paper had provided proof that the history books now showed Corporeal Jared Evansworth as having died heroically carrying the Confederate flag into battle. 

April removed the letter inside, laying the brittle paper out after over a hundred years. But technically had it been that long if Jared had been here? Not a topic either one really wanted to explore at this moment. They wanted to hear what the letter said.

My Dearest Husband,

I do not know when you will receive this letter. There is so much fighting going on and I know you must be weary of it all. I hope this letter finds you well and in high spirits as I have great news to share with you.

Our child was born on the ninth of April. A healthy and hearty son with your red hair and temper when he is upset. I named him Joshua, in your father’s memory. He is a fine boy and I love him as much as I love you. We eagerly await your safe return home from this God forsaken war.

All my love,             

Molly

Vickie placed her hand over her mouth as a soft sob escaped. She shook her head.

“Jared was a father. Did he know?”

“I don’t think so,” April replied sadly.

They sat studying the letter for quite a while, each lost in thought.

“It’s kind of ironic that the name of his son and the young boy from the orphanage was the same.” April sighed.

“Maybe fate meant it that way…a chance for him to bond with a young boy…”

They turned to look at each other. The same thought going through their heads.

“Do you think?”

“Could it be that simple?”

April searched through the pile of books still on loan from the Gettysburg Historical Society, she hadn’t had a chance to return them. She found the book from the Soldiers Orphanage and searched through the names where Tonya and Camden had found the name Evansworth, earlier in the log. But when she went to look, the name was no longer listed. It should surprise her but it didn’t…not really.

“It’s not there is it?” Vickie asked knowingly.

April shook her head. “What are the odds?”

“I don’t know, but I think I’ll do a little research on my own before I let Camden and Tonya in on the news.”

Kings Mill, Maryland

November 20
th

Tonya watched as James Addison told his final story, eagerly inviting everyone to join him in a pint to celebrate his day. She clinked glasses of ale with Virginia and her father before turning and linking hands and mugs with Camden. They shared a private look over their foamy brew.

James came back to the table to be with his family amid cheers to him and the name Addison. After a few moments, the wild crowd settled into a gentle roar of a regular evening at the lively tavern.

“I would like to make an announcement, if I may…” Camden stood up with his mug. “I have something very important to ask a very special person in my life.”

The family table grew still. Kenneth-James and her father narrowed their eyes at her boyfriend as all the Wilton Women smiled and eagerly awaited news of nuptials. Tonya knew it couldn’t be the latter, neither one was even remotely ready for that. But still, she wasn’t sure what he was about to propose.

“I recently found out that my research into our dear friend, Jared Evansworth, has been accepted in his hometown in South Carolina. His story from this summer has had a sad and happy ending. Thanks to Miss Vickie and Dr. Branford-Miles’ research on the letter from his wife, Molly, I was able to trace his son Joshua, to his grandson, Joshua, and his great-grandson Jared Joshua Evansworth…and on to his great-great-grandson Joshua Jared. The history of Jared’s great sacrifice in the Battle of Gettysburg was not in vain. And I have pictures to prove it.”

He handed out copies of photos he had procured from the Evansworth family and Tonya joined in with the gasps of excitement and awe. The picture of the latest grandson was that of a red-headed, freckle faced boy…an identical replica of their Joshua.

After the connection was made and tears were shed knowing their Joshua hadn’t died in vain either, Chris cleared his throat.

“Now what was it that you had to ask this
special person
?” He groused, teasingly.

“Yes, well…I was getting to that. I have been asked to present the historical commentary at Jared Evansworth honor and to be the Grand Marshall in honor of him for their local parade at their Christmas Parade in South Carolina. I was wanting to know, Tonya, would you do me the honors of being my guest and sitting beside me as we both honor Jared and Joshua?”

Still crying, joyfully from the news of the pictures, Tonya jumped up and hugged him. “I will!”

Cheers and laughter went up even though her father’s cheers were heard the most. She couldn’t think of a better Christmas gift to share with Camden.

Kenneth-James stepped forward. “Speaking of honors…are you about ready to do your honors, Tonya?”

She nodded, afraid she would burst at the seams with emotion. Could life be any better? Six months ago, she hadn’t been so sure.

#

The tavern was a mass of people all waiting to head down the street. James Addison had told his final story at his annual festival and had announced the special commencement of the Historical Marker at the intersection of Addison and Main.

Kenneth adorned in his James Addison attire took the arm of Tonya Mead in one hand and an old lamplighters light in the other. A good hundred or so town folks and friends joined them on their short trek.

A light drifting of snow had started to fall making the evening even more festive. Pitch Pots hung from store front street posts, lighting their way. So much like Williamsburg but this was Kings Mill…two of her favorite towns. So full of history and life.

They arrived at the northeast corner of Addison and Main where the Director of Kings Mill Historical Society and Professor Moreland of William and Mary presided to help Tonya uncover the marker she’d fought so hard for.

“Ladies and Good Gents,” James Addison spoke up, his fine Kings English lighting the night’s mood. “It is with great pride and admiration that I present to you the young woman who has added another chapter to Kings Mill’s fascinating history. Her research and stories of the proud Susquahannan people have given us a new appreciation of our past and those who’ve made Kings Mill what it is. So without further ado, I give you, Miss Tonya Mead.”

Nervously, Tonya stepped forward where a microphone had been set up. She’d narrowed her paper down to cover the major topics, telling of the ‘People of the Muddy Water’, their struggles, their history…everything they’d shared with her in spirit, she could now tell to the world.

A great applause went up at the end of her speech as April stood next to her to reveal the bronze plaque to the town of Kings Mill. More applause echoed around her but she only ran her hand over the embossed markings she’d brought to life. She looked out into the crowds of people clogging the intersection…but she didn’t see them. Instead she saw her people…The Susquahanna.

Stepping forward, away from the crowd she walked to them and stood on the cobblestone patch as one by one the spirits of her people disappeared into her light.