Chapter 20

Tristan remained at a discreet distance from the Point Park parking lot as Shaelynn said goodbye to her father. Once the men disappeared from view, she returned to his side.

“We still have a few hours of daylight left. Do you want to go home, or would you like to visit some of the other sites we didn’t get to see with my dad?” she asked.

“Are you tired?” he countered.

“No, I’m not tired at all. In fact, I have rather enjoyed the day, and I really don’t want to see it end. At least, not quite yet.”

“Then let’s stay awhile longer.” He didn’t want to waste this rare opportunity either. However, he harbored a selfish reason. He wanted to have Shaelynn all to himself without enduring the ever-present audience of his ghostly companions. “I think I’d like to see a bit more, if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind. You lead the way, and I’ll follow,” Shae replied as she made a sweeping motion with her hand and then fell into step beside him.

“The place has changed a great deal since the last time I was here,” he observed as he cast his gaze about the area.

“When did you see it last?” she asked.

“Not since the last day of the last battle,” he replied.

“Is that what made you so quiet this afternoon?” she asked as she peeked up into his face. “Reflecting on the memories of all the battles, I mean?”

“Partly, I guess. There is also the fact that many of the men who lost their lives during those battles are still here, and that surprises me more than you realize. There’s no way in Hades I would choose to stay here, if this is where I fell.”

Shae shot him a wide-eyed glance and then looked over her shoulder as if expecting to see a ghost or two following them. The action made him smile.

“You saw them wandering about the fields?” she asked.

Tristan nodded as his eyes searched the grounds ahead of him. “And even spoke to a few.”

“You spoke to them? Today?” Shae knit her brow. “I didn’t hear you speaking to anyone.”

“A spirit doesn’t need to speak audibly to another spirit. At Starling, we speak to you audibly because that’s the only way you can hear our words. When we communicate with each other, it is through our minds. Therefore, the languages we spoke during our mortality are not an issue when we happen upon each other. Just like today when I spoke to those who belonged to other times and other cultures. Our former languages didn’t matter. We simply shared our thoughts.

“Along the way I discovered some of them are going about their business as if they never died, while others are wandering aimlessly and searching for something that can’t be found. At least not here,” he said.

“Other cultures?” she repeated. “What do you mean? Are you speaking of the Norwegians who lost their lives during the various battles?”

“They are represented here, as are those born in other countries as well. But I’ve also seen quite a few Indians in this area, men, women, and children,” he replied. Then without giving it any thought, he inclined his head in acknowledgement toward a pair of children playing at the bottom of the hill. The little ones waved as they passed by.

“Children? Here?” She took hold of the necklace she wore and briefly toyed with it before she dropped her hand once more. “Oh, I think that’s so sad. You know, according to the historical markers, the Trail of Tears passed through this place, so it’s no wonder Native Americans are here. But my question is, why? Why do the spirits of people stay, instead of moving on? Especially in a place like this,” she whispered.

“The Indian people called this particular bit of country home, well before the federal government forced them to leave it, and as far as their motive for clinging to the only life they know? Well, everyone has his or her own reasons,” Tristan answered.

Shae dropped her gaze as she considered his explanation. Finally, she said, “I know why you stayed, and I know why Amy stays. I think Timothy is waiting for the arrival of his mother so they can say goodbye. But what about Beau and Chauncey? Why do they remain behind, or is it none of my business?”

Tristan lifted his brows and shrugged. “I feel no qualms in telling you their reasons, knowing full well they would tell you themselves if you asked. But it’s like this. Chauncey and Beau feel that if they step beyond the light, they will find themselves roasting in the hellfire and damnation, their ministers preached about during their Sunday sermons. Therefore, they’d rather stay put where they feel comfortable, at home, and where they can enjoy the association of a few good friends.”

Shaelynn halted her steps and drew in a breath as her mouth dropped open. She stared at him for several seconds.

“Why in heaven’s name do they feel that way? They are two of the sweetest, most gentle, kind, and considerate— Well, if anyone deserves to go to heaven, they do,” she said.

Tristan chuckled over her long list of favorable qualities. “Perhaps you ought to tell them that yourself. Chauncey believes, as does Beau, that when the Lord said ‘thou shalt not kill,’ He meant it. They are troubled over all of the lives they are responsible for taking during the war.”

“God’s talking about cold-blooded murder,” Shaelynn huffed. “Not the unfortunate lives taken in a time of war when men are so commanded by their superiors!”

“I agree, but no amount of talking has convinced either one of them of that fact, yet,” Tristan responded. “Perhaps you’ll fare better.”

“Perhaps.”

As they strolled along in companionable silence, Shae recalled walking this same path the day she so foolishly and erroneously confronted Tristan about his past. She released a sigh of self-recrimination as she called her words to mind.

“Why the sigh?” asked Tristan as he sidled a bit closer and gave her a gentle nudge.

Shae shook her head, glanced heavenward, and tsked. “The last time I walked this path I drove home and let my temper get the better of me. I think you’ll remember that day. After all, I accused you of doing terrible things you didn’t do. I’m so sorry about that, Tristan. I just wished I could go back in time and set it right.”

“Shh,” he whispered. “We’ve let that one go, remember?”

“I know you have, and I know you’ve forgiven me. Really, I do,” she replied. “Nevertheless, you didn’t deserve my attitude or what I said. You are the most wonderful man I have ever met and I just wished that I—” Could scream to high heaven that I love you. She laughed inwardly as she conjured the expression Tristan would surely carry if he ever got wind of that fact. And then as he caught and held her gaze, she could feel the blush steal across her cheeks. Great.

“Look, as I told you, after what Isaac said at Adaria, no one could fault you for your conclusions. Besides, you’ve made up for your little fit of Irish temper many times over now,” he said as he gave her a playful wink.

Despite the multitude of butterflies taking sudden flight, Shae’s mouth fell open as she lifted a hand to her chest. She stopped in her tracks and stared in mock indignation. “My little fit of Irish temper? My fit? What about your Norwegian fit? Might I remind you that you started the whole thing by spewing paper all over my office that night?”

Tristan shrugged as he so obviously fought to control his laughter.

“A fit had nothing to do with my actions. I just wanted to gain your attention so I could tell you my side of the story before you read the report, which you diligently sought to find. I did see the shred of paper you held in your hand, you know.”

“No, I didn’t know that. But you could’ve just appeared in front of me and said so,” she replied as once again, she fell into step beside him.

“Nah. You weren’t in any mood to listen,” he teased.

He brushed a wayward lock of hair over her shoulder and his touch made her shiver. Temperature had nothing to do with it, either.

“I might have listened if given the chance,” Shae countered, once she could speak.

Tristan burst out laughing then. “Right.”

Her lips twitched as she fought to quiet her own laughter. “So, how about that Kentucky Derby.”

“What?” Tristan knit his brow and cocked his head to the side. He looked perplexed over the comment that didn’t make any sense whatsoever. She didn’t mean it to. “Kentucky—what?” he repeated.

Shae leaned in close and whispered, “It’s a clever ploy to change the subject, so just go with it.”

He laughed anew and kept walking. “Kentucky Derby, huh?”

Shae nodded as she lifted a brow. “Yes, where one can see a vast array of beautiful horses all in one place. You should plan to see it sometime.”

Despite the ploy, she discovered she didn’t need a clever change in subject. For at that very moment they entered the quiet of the Chattanooga National Cemetery and began strolling up and down the well-manicured rows. She watched as Tristan paused over some of the names as if calling the men to mind. At times, he related an incident or two, and the memories fascinated her. Aulric shared his past much in the same way. She found it enthralling to speak to someone about a distant time that actually experienced it firsthand.

“Are you buried here, Tristan?” She regretted the question the moment a pained expression settled over his features.

“They don’t bury traitors in cemeteries such as these. This type of cemetery is for those who served their country honorably,” he replied.

She seethed as he made the comment. At the same time, she curled and uncurled her hands into fists. How could they? Just how could they? After everything Tristan had done for his country, the men he had saved, and the good he accomplished.

At that moment, she caught Tristan’s gaze. His mouth twitched as he regarded her rising temper. Then it seemed he couldn’t stop the grin that appeared on his face. She blushed in return.

He softened his tone and said, “No, actually, my body is buried in the little church cemetery, just down the road from Starling.”

“And let me guess,” she hissed as she folded her arms and slammed them hard against her chest. “They dug a hole and unceremoniously dumped your body into it, carelessly covered it over, and let it go at that!”

“Oh, come on, Shaelynn,” he replied, with an indifferent shrug. “Do you really think they were that heartless?”

His expression told her she guessed correctly. She felt her temper rise even higher. “Do you really want me to answer that question?” she countered as her eyes continued shooting daggers toward the unseen enemy of his past.

“If it makes you feel any better, some friends of mine said some nice things over my grave, once they found it,” he said.

“Well,” she muttered under her breath. “We’ll just see about that.”

Tristan chuckled as they made their way toward the parking lot. Once the Point Park Visitor Center came into view, he said, “Do you want to finish up our day by seeing what they offer inside this visitor center?”

Shae released a breath and nodded. She didn’t see the sense in allowing her irritation to ruin this lovely, memorable day with Tristan. They had precious few of them.

As they walked inside the charming structure, Shae focused on keeping her conversation with her unseen companion quiet. Truly, she didn’t want anyone inside to think her insane. Yet, as they approached the last of the framed documents, one of the signatures appearing at the bottom made her gasp.

“Jeppe Adlundsen, Provost Marshal?” she sputtered aloud as several heads turned in her direction. At once, she lowered her gaze. Behind the hand that now covered her mouth, and in a voice as quiet as she could make it, she asked, “Is that Nils’s father?”

“None other,” Tristan answered.

She settled on a single nod as they moved through the rest of the displays. They perused everything the center offered its guests and all the while, question after question popped into her mind. She found it difficult not to ask them. After walking out of the door and crossing the parking lot, she unlocked her jeep and climbed inside. A scant second later Tristan appeared in the passenger seat.

“So, how about that Kentucky Derby?” he asked as he gave her a devilish smile.

Shae couldn’t refrain from laughing as she inserted the key into the ignition, started the vehicle, and then turned it toward home. “Spill it, Jordahl,” she demanded once they reached the highway.

“What is it you want to know?” he asked.

“Everything, of course,” she said as she adjusted her mirror, and then added, “to start with, I am under the assumption that both you and Nils joined the army in Wisconsin. Am I right?”

Tristan folded his arms against his chest and nodded. “You are.”

“It stands to reason then, that the Adlundsen family also resided in Wisconsin,” she said.

“They did,” he replied.

Shae breathed out a sigh of exasperation while rolling her eyes. “Enough with the two-word answers, Tristan! If the Adlundsen family resided in Wisconsin, how in the world did Jeppe Adlundsen become a provost marshal here in Tennessee?”

Tristan laughed over her impatience and for his trouble, Shae threw her sunglasses straight through him. They smacked against the door and bounced onto the floor. He leaned down, picked them up, and set them on the dash just out of range. Probably a good thing, too.

“I should start by telling you that Jeppe amassed a great deal of wealth after his arrival to this country,” he said. “Over the years, he used that wealth to back several political figures, which aided them in their successful campaigns for public office. Nevertheless, for all his assistance, they never included him within their ‘elite’ circle. They never invited him to their social parties and such. The slight riled him a bit.

“However, once Nils joined the army, Jeppe began calling in favors from those very people. They owed him that much and they were aware of it. In thinking back, I believe that perhaps Jeppe harbored political aspirations for his son. As provost marshal, he could keep an eye on Nils and ensure the assignments given him kept him out of harm’s way. At least, that’s the way it appeared to me. I don’t remember a single incident of Nils actually going out onto the field of battle, though he sent his troops in often enough. Something always happened to defer him from getting too close to the line. A cryptic message, an unexpected assignment. Something.”

“I see,” Shae murmured as she mulled over the vast differences between Nils and Tristan. She found it truly a wonder they ever became friends at all.

“Of course, it’s all conjecture on my part, but I think Jeppe believed that with his son holding some kind of political office, the so-called upper echelons of society would finally welcome the entire Adlundsen family with open arms,” he added. “Personally, I’ve never had much use for such people or their pretensions. In my book, people are just people. Every man puts his trousers on the same way, regardless of how much money he has in his pockets, what color of blood flows through his veins, or the position he holds.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more. So, are you telling me that during the whole of the war, Jeppe ended up wherever they happened to send Nils?” she asked.

“Yes, pretty much,” Tristan replied. “At least he did until our deaths. After that, I don’t have a clue as to what Jeppe did. I never heard his name mentioned again. In all likelihood, he went back to Wisconsin.”

“Do you think his aspirations had anything to do with your death?” she asked.

“I can’t see where it would,” Tristan replied. “I didn’t have anything to do with politics nor did I harbor any desire to go in that direction.”

“Well, something triggered Nils’s madness. When I visit the dream again, I am going to look for all the things I missed the first time. Maybe I should bring a list with me.” She gave him a sideways glance as she stepped on the brake at the traffic light. “And speaking of that visit, how about we repeat the dream tonight, while all this stuff is fresh in my mind?”

Tristan placed an arm on the console as he shook his head. “You know I can’t repeat it when you are expecting it to happen. We’ve covered this ground before.”

“Maybe you’ll need to do something to take my mind off it then,” she challenged as she lifted a mischievous brow and smiled. Then, when he didn’t reply to her little taunt, she turned her head toward him. She forgot to breathe as she beheld the sheer force of his penetrating gaze. For that one precious moment, time stood still as they regarded each other. What she wouldn’t give to know where his thoughts had taken him and know what that expression actually meant.