Mountain Murder: A Silver River Mystery, #2

By Carré White

After the death of a guest at the reception for Roger and Abigail’s wedding, the Bradford-Bevan sisters set out to discover the murderer. It seems the deceased, Mr. Fox, had a reputation as a libertine, romancing several married women in town. As the list of suspects grows, Rosemary finds herself entangled with a widower and his sons, the boys coming to stay in the Kimball house while their father is away.

Charles Oliver arrives home to discover that someone has taken his boys. Fate leads him to the Kimball doorstep, where he encounters Miss Bradford-Bevan, who is the teacher in town. Although she has meddled in his affairs, he is drawn to her sweetness and beauty. As Rosemary and Abigail work to unravel the mystery, Rose and Charles grow closer, uncovering a startling truth about someone they thought they knew.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Love Lust Story
• Release date: Oct 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536518658

Carré White

  Carré White is the author of Sonoran Nights, a book that is set in the same small town in Arizona that she grew up in. After marrying, having children, and traveling, she settled in Colorado, enjoying nearly 350 days of sunshine. The Colorado Brides Series, which follow the lives of adventurous frontier women, who traveled west in the 1850's to find love is available now.

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Description

After the death of a guest at the reception for Roger and Abigail’s wedding, the Bradford-Bevan sisters set out to discover the murderer. It seems the deceased, Mr. Fox, had a reputation as a libertine, romancing several married women in town. As the list of suspects grows, Rosemary finds herself entangled with a widower and his sons, the boys coming to stay in the Kimball house while their father is away.

Charles Oliver arrives home to discover that someone has taken his boys. Fate leads him to the Kimball doorstep, where he encounters Miss Bradford-Bevan, who is the teacher in town. Although she has meddled in his affairs, he is drawn to her sweetness and beauty. As Rosemary and Abigail work to unravel the mystery, Rose and Charles grow closer, uncovering a startling truth about someone they thought they knew.

Chapter One

Silver River, Colorado 1880

As I sat at the front of the church, my sister and Doctor Roger Cameron standing before the pastor, I felt something hit the back of my head. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw one of Augusta’s friends, Florence Wentworth. She smiled at me, nodding slightly. Returning my attention to the wedding ceremony, I watched, while my beloved sister married the man of her dreams.

The pastor spoke, If any man do allege and declare any impediment, why they may not be joined together in Matrimony, by God’s law, or the laws of this ...

By all rights, I should have followed her into marriage, having formed an attachment to Doctor Spencer Griffin, but ... our courtship hadn’t lasted a month, his feelings not as strong as mine. He left more than three weeks ago to return to the Arapahoe County Hospital. We now only had my soon-to-be brother-in-law, Doctor Cameron, in our hospital, although he searched for another doctor to help him, the need still dire.

Wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? asked Pastor Thomas.

I gazed upon my sister, who wore an ivory skirt and bodice, an ivory veil upon her face. She faced her intended, who was dressed in a black suit and necktie. Mother, having returned from a European trip, sat beside me, her eyes glimmering with unshed tears. We had all but given up hope that Abigail might marry, my sister having been content to work as a nurse and care for other people.

It’s so beautiful, Rosemary, mother whispered. So lovely.

It is.

Something small fell against my head again, my hair captured in a bun beneath a small, flowery hat. Looking over my shoulder, I eyed who sat behind me, seeing Aunt Augusta’s friends, then Percival Horst, who owned the mercantile, and his family. Behind them sat Sheriff Donovan and his family, while further back, I spied some of my students, Ralph Poindexter, Annie Beal, and the Oliver brothers. They all stared straight ahead, watching my sister and Doctor Cameron exchange their vows.

I, Roger Eric Cameron, take thee, Abigail Elizabeth Bradford-Bevan to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better ...

As he spoke, another tap occurred at the back of my head. Annoyed, my hand flew there to see what it might be, feeling something in the lace around my collar. Retrieving whatever it was, I stared at what looked like a small seed of some sort. Glancing over my shoulder, the people behind me eyed the ceremony with rapt attention. I stared at my students, especially the Oliver boys, knowing how unruly they could be.

You boys better not be the cause of this ... I thought angrily, my lips forming a grim line. They sat with their father, a miner, who had just lost his wife six months ago. By all accounts, he had taken her death poorly, the woman succumbing to scarlet fever. The father and children had all been sick as well, although they recovered.

I eyed them now, the boys, Jeremy, who was twelve, and his younger brother, Stuart, sitting beside their father. The man appeared haggard, his eyes bleary. My intuition told me the boys might be misbehaving, but surely they wouldn’t stoop so low as to throw seeds in the middle of a wedding ceremony, would they?

With this ring I thee wed, said my sister. With this body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow ...

Once the rings had been exchanged, Pastor Thomas said, O eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, and the Author of everlasting life ...

While he spoke, I felt mother’s appraisal, her eyes swimming with tears. She grasped my hand in her gloved one. She didn’t say a word, her look betraying the happiness she felt. Father stood just behind Abigail, his expression staid, yet the tilt of his chin revealed satisfaction. Roger’s mother had arrived for the ceremony, with his sister and her husband. They sat across the aisle from us.

I now pronounce you man and wife, declared the pastor.

A happy murmur drifted through the assemblage, while something hit the back of my head again. I turned around angrily, spying a smirk on Jeremy Oliver’s face.

Why, you little rascal! It’s you, isn’t it?

Anger rippled through me, appalled by the boy’s bad behavior and in a place of worship no less! As Roger lifted the veil from my sister and kissed her, we got to our feet, watching as the newly married couple made their way down the aisle, beaming, hand-in-hand.

Oh, that was truly lovely, murmured mother. I’m so happy for them.

Father, who appeared stoic, said, Yes, it’s done now, Millicent. We finally managed to marry her off, after all these years. Never thought I’d live to see the day, but miracles do happen. Humor sparked in his eyes.

Mother gasped. Edward, what a horrible thing to say. Stop that. She grinned.

He’s salty today, murmured Aunt Augusta.

Father possessed a wry sense of humor, his expression usually dour, although he wasn’t an unpleasant man.

She looks eternally beautiful, I murmured. My sister hadn’t worn her glasses today, and I worried she might stumble over her feet on the way out. The reception was at the house, in the back yard, where cake and champagne waited.

She certainly does. Mother gazed after her. It’s a marvel I ever fit into that dress. I certainly couldn’t squeeze into it now, no matter how tight the corset.

Oh, dear, I giggled, hoping no one had heard that. Abigail had worn mother’s wedding outfit, although some repairs occurred at the hem, which had been ripped. I hope to wear it too one of these days. Disappointment registered for a moment. I thought I might marry Spencer Griffin, the doctor from Denver having caught my fancy, but once the summer began to draw to a close, I realized he wasn’t the man for me after all.

We filed out of the church, some folks walking to the house on Kimball Way, while others took wagons and carriages. I found myself in the entranceway of the church, Mr. Oliver and his sons before me. They hadn’t left yet.

If I might have a word, I said, reaching them, as people moved past us. Mr. Oliver. I stared at the man, seeing someone in a wrinkled sack suit, his necktie askew. His sons, Jeremy and Stuart, hardly looked at me, their expressions vacant, as they stared at their feet. I’m glad you were able to come, sir.

Hello, Miss Bradford-Bevan. Thank you for inviting us.

I had extended the invitation to all my students, a few of them having come. We’ve cake and refreshments at the house. This caught Jeremy’s attention, his eyes widening. You may help yourselves, of course. I have just one question, if I may. I don’t know if you were aware, but it seemed like something was being thrown about earlier. Little seeds and things.

Mr. Oliver stared at me blankly, his dark eyes red-rimmed. Pardon?

Didn’t you feel it too?

Feel what?

Things being thrown about in the church?

I’m sorry, Miss Bradford-Bevan, but I don’t know what you’re talking about.

I gave Jeremy a pointed look. I could’ve sworn I felt someone throwing something in the church. I found several seeds in my collar. I opened my hand, revealing two small seeds. See. I found these.

Mr. Oliver glanced at my hand. I don’t know what you mean, Miss Bradford-Bevan.

He clearly hadn’t observed his son behaving badly. Well, I’m sure they must’ve come from a bird or something. No one would dream of throwing things inside a church on a day as special as this, would they? I can’t imagine anyone being so ill-behaved.

The man’s mouth parted slightly, his expression dimming. An irritated look drifted over his rough features. You numbskull! He swatted Jeremy’s head, knocking the hat off him. You were throwing things at your teacher, weren’t you?

No, Pa, I wasn’t. I swear.

I oughta drag you home and whip your butt. You and your brother both.

I didn’t do anything, Pa.

Knowing their mother had passed away only a few months ago, I felt a measure of sympathy for the trio, and, from the looks of it, times were hard. Well, perhaps I’ve been mistaken. I’m sure the seeds came from outside.

You say you’re sorry, chided Mr. Oliver. Say you’re sorry. He grasped Jeremy’s arm, shaking him. You apologize right now for your bad behavior.

Jeremy stared at his feet. I’m ... sorry.

Apology accepted.

You’re not gettin’ any cake. Mr. Oliver scowled. I’m sorry, Miss Bradford-Bevan. He pushed his son before him. Excuse me.

Now I felt bad for mentioning the incident, knowing the boys wouldn’t have drinks or cake. Wait! I took hold of his arm. Wait. Please, let’s not make more of this than need be. I only wanted to express my displeasure at some poor behavior. No harm’s been done. Boys will be boys and all. They do love to pull pranks, that’s for certain. I hope you’ll still come to the house for refreshments, sir. We’ve food and drink and more than one cake. My aunt’s outdone herself. I knew half the town would be at the house, the staff having been busy for the last three days in preparation. By the looks of it, Mr. Oliver and his sons could use a good meal.

We don’t deserve your hospitality, Miss Bradford-Bevan. My sons haven’t behaved.

It’s water under the bridge. I glanced at Jeremy. I don’t like that sort of behavior in the least, and I’m sure you won’t do it again. Realizing I grasped Mr. Oliver’s sleeve still, I released it. Please come to the house. If you must, punish them later, but let them eat some cake first.

Please, Pa, implored Stuart. I really, really want cake.

I sure am sorry, murmured Jeremy. I didn’t mean it. I didn't.

The boys wore clothing that didn’t fit them, their trousers several inches too short, with tattered frock coats. Times had been rough for the family, and I could only imagine how badly they coped with the loss of their mother. As annoyed as I had been about the seed incident, I now felt worse that they might not have an afternoon of food and drink.

Please come to the house, I entreated, staring at Mr. Oliver. Despite looking haggard, he wasn’t an old man, his dark hair thick and the lashes around his eyes longer than mine. "I'm not upset, sir. The