Chapter Seven

I made my budget,” Jessica said quietly. “It’s not very complete, I’m afraid.”

Jessica, Trace, Paul, and Kate were sitting in Paul’s office at the church having their third premarital counseling session. Jessica held a computer printout.

“The trust paid all my expenses from the time I went away to boarding school. I had a monthly allowance, so I had to budget that, I suppose, but it was pretty generous. I just paid for personal things, like snacks and entertainment, but I didn’t keep track of my expenditures. So making a list was a bit of a challenge.” She held the paper out to Paul.

“I know how much Trace pays in rent, and I made up a grocery list of basics that I thought we’d need and then went to the store and priced them. I was shocked at how much groceries cost. Then there’s household utilities and gas and maintenance for our cars, as well as insurance and medical expenses.”

Kate smiled. Jessica had put more thought into this than she had expected.

“By the time we pay our bills, there’s nothing left for personal care or vacations or even cable TV and Internet, let alone for savings or emergencies.” Jessica’s shoulders slumped. She looked defeated before she even started. Kate’s heart went out to the younger woman.

“We’re not that bad off,” Trace said, reaching over to squeeze his fiancée’s hand. Then he leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “I’ve budgeted for years, so I know how to stretch a dollar.” He unfolded his list. “I admit I ate pretty simply in college. Mainly PBJs and tomato soup and lots of cold cereal, but I figure Jessica and I can brown bag our lunches for a while and be fine.”

He looked at Paul, then down at his list. “My apartment is small, but it’ll do until we get on our feet. I included tithing to church and a small monthly donation to the Special Olympics. That’s my favorite charity. I’ve been supporting it for years.” He looked over at Jessica. “We’ll be tight for a while, but we’ll make it.”

“Jessica, I’ve heard you say that you want pets. Did you factor that into your budget?” Paul asked.

“We can’t afford it. In fact, I don’t know what I’ll do with my horse. Monica told me I need to pay to board it at the stable. She said I’m an adult now, and I have to pay my own way. I can’t bear the thought of selling her, but I may have to.”

Trace frowned. “Seems like she could have waited to dump that on you.”

“I have to face it sooner or later. Like Monica said, I have to pay my own way. I’m broke, and I can’t expect Daddy to bail me out.” Jessica shrugged. “At least Monica’s being honest.”

Kate looked from Jessica to Trace, sensing the tension between them. Paul shot her a look indicating he noticed it too.

“How did you do on the other part of last week’s assignment—talking about your differences and expectations?” Paul asked.

Jessica and Trace looked at each other. Trace looked away.

“We did great on some parts. We both want the Lord to be central in our marriage,” Jessica said. “We didn’t do so well talking about our pasts, though.” She looked at Kate. “I brought up what Monica said, but he won’t discuss it.”

Trace shuffled his feet. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

“There’s plenty to talk about,” Jessica said, her voice rising a little. “You were accused of taking money. I know you’d never do that, but I want my father and Monica to believe in you too. Why won’t you defend yourself and tell us what happened?”

Trace looked down at the floor and shook his head. “Can’t you just trust me?”

“I do. I trust you. But Daddy wants to protect me. Can’t you see that?”

“That about says it all, doesn’t it?” He ran his hands through his hair and looked over at his fiancée. “I don’t want to come between you and your father, but he’s trying to pull us apart. He’s the one pushing you to choose between us.”

Jessica didn’t say a word but just stared at Trace. Kate looked at Paul.

Paul leaned forward, looking first at Trace, then at Jessica. He usually led couples through premarital counseling with a gentle touch, allowing them to explore their relationship and make discoveries together. But he could also be firm, and Kate sensed one of those moments coming. Marriage was too important to leave any misconceptions alone.

“You two are about to commit to the closest human relationship that life offers. There should be no secrets or subjects that you keep from each other. A wife needs to trust that her husband loves her above any other person and will protect her with his life, if necessary. A husband needs to trust that his wife respects him as a man of God and as a husband and loves him above all others. That’s straight out of Ephesians 5:33. It says, ‘Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.’”

Paul sat back in his chair. “If you can make this a firm commitment to each other now before you marry, you’ll get a head start on working through the problems that may come along.”

Jessica looked at Trace, her eyes begging him to trust her with whatever he was holding back. Trace pursed his lips, a stoic expression on his face, and looked straight ahead. Paul gave Kate a look of unease. Her eyes echoed his concern. She believed that Trace and Jessica loved each other, but they had some serious issues to overcome. She prayed they could either work through them before the wedding or have the wisdom to step back and reevaluate their relationship.

KATE FELT A LITTLE STRANGE about being with Jessica when she opened her mother’s trunks, but she was glad to be invited to witness the event. She thought of all the fun and confidences she’d shared with her daughters as they matured into young women. Jessica was missing that special time with her mother, especially as she planned her wedding. Kate had seen her wistful expression more than once as they’d talked. More than that, though, Kate hoped she’d get a chance to talk to Flora about what was really going on.

As before, Monica’s housekeeper, Helen, let Kate into the mansion. Monica was nowhere to be seen, but Jessica and Flora were visiting in the living room, waiting for her. Jessica jumped up, a glow of excitement on her face, and gave Kate a hug.

“Thanks for coming. I can’t wait to see what’s in those trunks. I didn’t even know about them until last week, or I’d have been into them a long time ago.”

“They were put up so long ago, I had completely forgotten about them,” Flora said, rubbing her hip as she pushed herself to her feet.

Kate wondered how Flora could have forgotten a detail as important as an heirloom wedding dress, but she shrugged off the thought.

“I don’t even know what all’s in them,” Jessica said, “but it’s worth a look, isn’t it? Wouldn’t it be amazing if my mother’s dress really was in one of those trunks?” Jessica interlaced her hands over her heart and did a little jump.

“Thanks for inviting me to come today. I’m a sucker for a mystery! I’m almost as excited as you to learn what your mother stored away.”

Jessica took Kate’s arm. “Well, let’s get to it! Lead the way, Flora.”

“Will do, Miss Jessica. My old bones don’t move so easily these days, so let’s take the elevator.”

Kate and Jessica followed Flora slowly out of the room, then turned down the hallway and made their way to an elevator near the back of the house. Kate was surprised how large the elevator was. They got in, and Jessica pushed the button for the third floor. The elevator groaned loudly as it rose.

“This lift goes to the attic,” Flora said. “They use it to move furniture and such into storage, but I doubt it’s used much anymore. Monica got rid of most of everything.”

“You know this house well,” Kate said, smiling at Flora.

“Oh yes.” Flora reached out and touched the wall to steady herself as the elevator shuddered. “I worked here for most of my life, caring for Mrs. Amelia, and then Miss Jessica. This old place is as familiar as my own home.”

Kate watched Flora. There was a sadness in her eyes as she talked about the old days. Kate suspected that Flora and her husband probably knew much more about what had gone on in the house than anyone.

“So, Kate, umm...have you had any luck? With the trust fund?” Jessica’s face was almost pleading.

Kate shook her head. “But I’m looking into a few leads,” she said, trying to keep her voice hopeful. She let her eyes gaze downward. Kate wasn’t ready to tell Jessica about her research into Trace’s background. She just wasn’t sure how the young woman would feel if she learned that Kate was investigating her fiancé. Would she feel betrayed? When Kate lifted her eyes, she noticed Flora watching her.

“Thank you, Kate.” Jessica said. “I wish money wasn’t such a big issue with my family. I mean, I understand that money’s important, but my family seems so fixated on it. And now that Monica is hinting that Trace isn’t trustworthy, well...I just hope we can prove her wrong.”

Kate noted that Jessica didn’t mention proving her father wrong, even though Monica had said that Gordon was the one looking into Trace’s background. Did Monica put Gordon up to investigating Trace? Or perhaps Jessica just didn’t want to think about her own father’s doubts about her fiancé. Kate knew that Gordon adored his daughter. Still, he had good reason to be suspicious of Trace, and to make matters worse, he was torn between two women. A perilous place for the poor man.

“I knew you’d be good for my Jessica,” Flora said to Kate as the elevator stopped. “She needs an ally around here.”

Kate glanced at Flora and smiled. She prayed she could be the ally Jessica needed. On the other hand, she was worried that so far her investigation had led nowhere.

The elevator door slid open, and they stepped into the attic. It took Kate a moment to adjust to the dim light. Dust motes hung in the air, disturbed by the movement of the elevator doors and made visible by the filtered light that seeped through the dingy attic dormer windows. Flora flipped a switch, and a row of lights on the ceiling flickered to life. A jumble of boxes and odd furniture occupied one side of the cavernous room. Flora started shuffling to the far end of the long room, stirring up more dust.

“Grab two chairs and bring them along,” Flora called behind her. “You don’t want to sit on the floor over here. It’s much too dusty.”

Kate picked up a chair and carried it to the end of the row, dodging piles of boxes and furniture covered in sheets. Flora beckoned to her around a corner and turned on another overhead light.

“I think the trunks might be over this way. Go ahead and put the chairs there, then sit down,” she told Kate and Jessica.

On Kate’s left, large sheets covered what looked like two long caskets.

“Let me help you,” Kate said, going over to pick up one end of each sheet. She helped Flora fold the sheets inward, trapping the dust. Beneath were beautifully carved mahogany chests.

“Oh!” Jessica clapped her hands together, then came over and passed her hand over the lovely wood. “I remember these. They belonged to my grandmother.” She turned and hugged Flora.

“Monica wanted all this to be thrown away, but I packed it all up and moved everything up here until you were old enough to appreciate it. I don’t know which trunk the dress would be in, though.” The elderly woman stepped back and surveyed the trunks, then she crouched down, reached behind one of them, and felt along the back side.

“Aha!” she said as she struggled with what sounded like a piece of tape. A moment later she straightened up and handed Jessica a key, then she went over and lowered herself into a nearby rocking chair. “Kate, maybe you could help her. I think some of the contents may be brittle by now.”

“All right.” Kate resisted the urge to rub her hands together in anticipation of what she might learn from these treasures. There had to be some clue in all this. She knew that one could tell a lot about people by their discarded things, and this attic was chock-full of them.

Jessica bent down to unlock one of the chests. Flora was leaning back, hands folded in her lap, her eyes fixed on Jessica. Jessica raised a lid to reveal what looked like a trunk filled with tissue paper. She lifted something out and began unwrapping it.

“Oh, I remember this,” she exclaimed. She held up a dainty porcelain cup covered with roses. She set it aside with great care, then took out another object wrapped in tissue. “Is the whole set here?”

“There was a full service for twelve,” Flora said. “It’s probably all still there.”

“How wonderful! I can have a tea party. Maybe I could have one before the wedding, when my friends and Trace’s family get here. Remember Mama’s tea parties, Flora?”

“Indeed I do. I taught her how to make scones that would melt in your mouth.”

“Can you show me?” Jessica asked.

“I’d be happy to. You can come too, Kate.”

“Oh, thank you. I’d love to. I have a wonderful collection of teapots, and I put on tea parties for our church ladies once in a while. I try to be authentic, but I’ve never learned how to make a proper English tea.”

Flora nodded once. “Good. It’s settled, then. You and Jessica come to my cottage tomorrow afternoon. We’ll have English tea with all the dainties.”

Kate watched the former housekeeper. She felt honored to be included in all these activities, but what was Flora up to? Had she really forgotten that Amelia’s trunks were stored up in the attic? And why had she spoken so mysteriously with Kate at the shower? She had said they needed to talk. About what?

Kate pulled her chair over near Flora and sat down, working hard at observing the woman without acting too obvious about her curiosity.

Kate also watched Jessica as she lifted piles of linens out of the trunk: fine lace tablecloths, napkins, crocheted doilies, and embroidered dresser scarves. Jessica handled each piece with care, examining each heirloom with rapt attention, then smoothing it with her hand as she set it aside. Her expression seemed more somber than joyful. These treasures came from her mother and surely evoked strong memories, but Kate hoped the beauty of her memories outweighed the renewed sense of loss.

While Jessica continued unpacking the trunk, Flora motioned for Kate to lean in closer, so she edged a little more to the left.

“Something isn’t right with that new gardener at the estate,” Flora said under her breath. “The one Monica hired. If I were looking for missing money, that’s where I’d start.”

Kate stared at Flora and exhaled, realizing this must be what Flora had wanted to talk about. Still, Kate wasn’t sure what to make of the former housekeeper’s advice, and she couldn’t interpret the strange expression on her face. Flora knew the family so well. Could she also know about their financial interests? Or did Flora have her own reasons for directing Kate’s investigation toward Monica’s employee?

The first trunk seemed to hold no hint of wedding finery, so Jessica moved to the second and carefully worked the lock. Inside, she uncovered embroidered and lacy linen handkerchiefs, a rectangular celluloid box decorated with roses, and another box that held several pairs of gloves—a pair of short lace gloves; sheer gloves without fingers, but ruffled at the wrists; and pale pink kid leather gloves.

Next, Jessica opened a white dress box full of baby clothes. She looked up at Flora with luminous eyes. “These were mine, weren’t they?”

Flora just grinned.

Jessica held up a soft pink cotton toddler’s dress with white lace and puffy sleeves. “No wonder I love pink,” she said. Then she took out a yellow outfit.

“You wore that on your first Easter. You looked like a little buttercup.”

Jessica held the little dress against her heart and stared at Flora.

“You used to call me Buttercup. Is that why?”

Flora chuckled. “You went for the buttercups from the moment you could toddle along in the garden. You would pick them, then hold them to your nose and sniff. The pollen would get on your nose, and then you would sneeze and the force of it would knock you over. You’d look so startled sitting there with your eyes all big and round. Your mother would snatch you up and kiss you on the neck, and you’d giggle and forget about your spill until the next time. That’s when I started calling you Buttercup.”

Jessica got up and gave Flora another hug.

“Oh, now,” Flora sputtered, but she looked pleased. “Get on with looking through those trunks. It’s stuffy up here.”

Kate watched the two, touched to witness the long-standing camaraderie between them. Flora obviously loved Jessica.

“All right.” Jessica obediently leaned over the trunk and pulled out several sheets of tissue.

She gasped. Her hands flew to her mouth. “Oh, Flora. Oh!” She reached in and reverently lifted out a cloud of pure white and held it up. It fell open in soft folds of fabric. “Mama’s wedding dress. Kate, look.” She eyed it silently for a long moment. “I wonder if it fits me.”

She stood up, letting the heavy skirt cascade to its full length. Out of the corner of her eye, Kate saw something fall out of the folds of the skirt. Jessica was too excited to notice the small tap as it hit the dusty wooden floor, but Kate saw Flora eyeing the small yellowed envelope.

“Can you help me?” Jessica asked.

Kate and Flora turned their attention back to the girl and helped fluff out the yards and yards of satin skirt. The dress had a long fitted bodice that came down to a dropped waistline. Thin straps of delicate embroidered roses were attached to the princess neckline and edged the seam separating the torso from the full skirt. Fine tulle netting overlaid the skirt. Jessica held the bodice up to her, and Kate stepped away, letting the skirt fall gently against the girl. Kate glanced over to where the envelope had fallen. It was gone.

The elevator dinged. The door opened, and footsteps advanced toward them. A moment later, Monica appeared around the corner.

“There you are.” She waved a hand around her head as if pushing away cobwebs. “I’ve been looking all over for you.” She was dressed for riding. All she lacked was a helmet and riding crop. “What in the world?” She took in the scene. “Oh, you found your mother’s trunks.” She sighed. “I hope you’re not too disappointed. I told Florence you wouldn’t want that old stuff.”

Kate noted how Monica called Flora by her formal name. She almost felt sorry for Monica; it seemed as if she was being purposefully withdrawn. Was there a softer woman behind all that poise?

She came closer, squinting against the dim light. “Oh my. Was that your grandmother’s wedding dress? It looks like it belongs in a museum.”

“It was my mother’s,” Jessica said, raising her chin. “And I think I’m going to wear it in my wedding.”

“Oh.” Monica swallowed. “But the dress is old and dingy. It’s terribly out of style and probably falling apart.” She sighed. “I’d rather buy you a new dress. Surely we can find something, even if it is short notice.”

“No, thanks, Monica. If it fits me, this is what I want to wear.”

Monica stiffened and looked at Kate and Flora. “We’ll talk about this later,” she said.

Jessica slightly shook her head, then looked up at Monica and gave her a strained smile. “Are you going to join us for lunch?”

“No. I have a tennis match, and I need to change or I’ll be late.” She turned around and left, her riding boots clicking on the floor as she marched to the elevator. As she walked away, Kate realized she hadn’t mentioned why she’d been looking for Jessica.