Letters in Time, Reiss Susan [read me a book TXT] 📗

valuation of currency was fluctuating. Also, there was the question of access to safe deposit boxes that held other valuables in the bank vaults. The author of this short historical piece raised the question I had: Where did families hide their valuables if they removed them from the banks?

Could it be true? Did Emma’s father bury a chest of treasures under the Lone Oak?

I didn’t have to speculate in the silent, dusty corridors of history. I only had to raise that question with Daniel as soon as I got back to the Cottage.

“Did you find anything interesting?” asked Stephani as her eyes eagerly searched the papers spread out in front of me.

I calmly moved my right hand to cover the page about buried treasure. I didn’t want to share any information yet. “Oh, there are so many interesting things in your research files. I could get lost in them for hours. These files alone would be a great inspiration for a novel.”

I noticed Stephani’s eyes were racing over the labels on the file folders. Quickly, I shuffled the papers into an organized stack.

“Or” I added, “The information would be a great jumping-off point for a nonfiction book.” I gently pulled more folders toward me. I felt like I was playing a shell game. “There are some wonderful drawings of ladies fashions in these folders.”

After I showed her a few, I rested my hands on the files. “You have all the information and answers any writer might need for a book.” I gently leaned against the back of my chair. “I don’t know, Stephani. I'm in a real quandary about what story I want to tell. What story the kids would enjoy."

Stephani lit up as she glanced down the aisle and mused, “I remember being mesmerized by stories my grandmother used to tell.”

“Oh, tell me.”

"No, they were nothing special. Just family stories. I'm sure you can come up with something much better than hers." Her bright expression had closed down tight. She wasn’t going to share anything with me.

Disappointed, I gently pushed myself away from the table when I saw TJ making his way through the bank of computers toward me. "It's time for me to go. Thanks again for driving me around. I appreciate it."

Stephani watched while I collected my things. “I don’t mind carrying you around.”

I had to smile at her use of a favorite local phrase, carrying you around.

Stephani continued. “I’m happy to do it. If you need any more research help, you know you can call on me. I’m learning more every day about what is here in the Maryland Room. You have my telephone number. Just call me and let me know what you need and I’ll look it up.”

TJ walked in, but his eyes were following Stephani as she went into a back room. “What were you talking about with her?”

“And hello to you, too,” I said with a little sarcasm.

He drew his eyes back to me and laughed. “Okay, hello. How was P.T.? How was your research time? Have I focused my attention on you now?”

I playfully punched him in the arm and said, “Yes, I think it’s time for us to get going.”

I handed my things to him. “Come on, I have plans for you.” He followed me as I moved right along. I was feeling pretty good.

"You don't have to make a mad dash to the truck," he warned.

“I know,” I whispered as we made our way through the library. “I’m not pushing myself. I’m just feeling stronger. I’m hesitant to say it out loud, but I feel like I’ve turned the corner.”

We walked through the automatic doors into the small, landscaped courtyard of the library. The sun shone brightly without the scorching heat of summer.

TJ walked closer to me and lowered his voice. “Did you hear? Craig caught up with Josh and has him in custody.”

"That's a relief." And it was. I hadn't realized how worried I was about running into Josh again, especially on my patio. "Could you put my papers in the truck, then take a short walk with me?"

“Part of your research?”

“Yes,” I said. “I’ve made a discovery.”

After he stashed the papers, we crossed the street and followed the brick walkway to the front of the county courthouse. I found a bench and sank down on it.

“Okay, before you lecture me, that was too far to walk, I’m happy to rest here awhile.”

“Why did you want to come to the courthouse?” TJ asked as he sat down next to me.

“I wanted to see where it happened. This is where Union soldiers marched on the Eastern Shore. The story was in one of the library books we took out on your card.”

“Tell me more,” TJ said.

It was a pleasure to talk with a history buff as avid as I was. “The soldiers came from Baltimore to arrest a circuit court judge suspected of being a Southern sympathizer. He had directed a grand jury to investigate some arrests made during the 1861 election and issue indictments. They pulled the judge right off the bench while he was conducting a trial. When he resisted, they pistol-whipped him and hauled him off to Fort McHenry on a charge of treason, punishable by death.”

TJ took off his hat, ran his fingers through his hair, and reset the hat. "And I thought today's political maneuverings were getting outrageous."

"Remember, the nation was being torn apart by civil war. It didn't help that the federal troops stayed here to keep the peace, which only outraged both Southern and Northern sympathizers." I thought for a moment. "Maybe that was the event that forced Benjamin to choose sides."

“You might be right,” said