The Fetch

By Jean Fairfax

Kathrine Leigh was traumatized by her father’s deathbed confession. He was not her father, and she was not Kathrine Leigh. Her entire life was a lie made up to protect her from a family she never knew existed. A family he made her swear she would never go near.

To find the truth she must break the promise she had made to her father on his deathbed. To find a family she never knew existed, she must leave the wall of security he had built around her. To find out who she really was, she must leave behind the only man she had ever loved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
• Release date: Feb 4, 2024
• ISBN: 9781662941344

Book preview

PROLOGUE

There is a force in nature so powerful that it is capable of transcending all obstacles put in its way. It is an energy seldom trapped by mortal man and yet it is always there…waiting.

This harnessed energy is within the grasp of all mankind. It exists because of us and works for or against us depending on our weaknesses or our strengths. Everything within the universe, death included, can be deferred. Not even the finality of death can stay the potency of the human will or conquer the constancy of love.

If it is asked with a purity of love all things are possible. The human will is an enigma. It is a force so great it will make all things wait…for a time. God in His wisdom saw and understood that which only He could rectify.

ONE

Beaufort, South Carolina

1968

At sixty-three Sarah Knight was a picture of health. Her sliver gray hair, always a study in artistic disarray, merely enhanced her slight frame, porcelain skin, and eccentric mode of dress.

There had never been anything common or average about her and she was cherished for her nonconformity and outspoken ways. Being a widow for years, she detested being called Widow Knight. She had put a stop to it the first time she’d heard someone say it.

She had not been looking to fall in love when she had met Joseph Knight in Europe. However, she had done just that in the most uncommon way. After spending several difficult years caring for an elderly aunt, she had intended to return home to Virginia when her aunt passed away.

That is until fate altered her plans at her aunt’s funeral. Never suffering from clumsiness, she had fortunately tripped over a tree root and fallen into the arms of the most handsome man she had ever seen. She always joked that Joseph had swept her off her feet that day and married her three months later.

The chaos of war-torn Europe was as bad as at home during those years between wars. Joseph said he was a trust fund baby who enjoyed working for a living. Even in those years of need by so many, she and Joseph always had everything they needed. Everything except the one thing she longed for most of all: a child.

She had known so little of Joseph’s life before they met and married, and he seemed to take pleasure in keeping it that way. All she knew was that he was from South Carolina and had a brother who was married with two children.

When she’d asked him about his parents his reply had been an angry scowl that was not difficult to interpret. He said he and his brother had grown up in a boarding school and that he never really knew his mother.

He assured her that if anything ever happened to him she would be well taken care of. There was a house in Beaufort, South Carolina that could be her home for as long as she wanted. She would be financially taken care of, no matter where she chose to live, and he gave her the contact information for the family attorney should that day ever come.

That day came in 1943 when he was run down in the street walking home from the market. Shocked by the suddenness of his death she pulled herself together enough to abide by his wishes. She returned him to his family’s plot in South Carolina where she finally met his elusive brother Mathew and his wife Julia.

They had taken her in with open arms and begged her to stay with them. She had always wanted children and their two boys quickly filled that need. Christopher was six and Garrick only a year old when tragedy once more struck the Knight family.

Mathew and Julia were coming home late one night when the brakes failed on the car they were driving. When the police arrived to notify her of the accident, she learned that the car had gone over an embankment at a high rate of speed. They said the car had rolled several times before bursting into flames and that they had been pronounced dead at the scene.

That is when her dream of having children was realized for all the wrong reasons nearly twenty-five years ago. Once she had reconciled herself to the tragedy, she set about raising the boys. Chris had been confused and angry but Rick, thankfully, had been too young to really understand.

As Joseph had promised, the family’s trust saw that they were well cared for. They took care of all the expenses and gave her a very generous allowance each month. The boys had wanted for nothing except, perhaps, their mother and father.

They had both grown up way too fast, going off to university and then to law school. She knew Mathew would have been proud to know they had both chosen to follow in his legal footsteps. That is until Chris’ head was turned after climbing into an airplane for the first time.

She had managed to stay busy when the boys moved on to find their own places in the world. She had her charity work and a full social calendar that kept her as busy as she wanted to be. She missed the boys, now grown into men, but was determined to live a full life until she went to join Joseph.

Remaining unmarried was by choice, not for want of being asked. It wasn’t that marriage had disagreed with her the first time. She enjoyed the freedom of her single state and had no wish to change it. She always said, to those who pressed her on the subject, that there was no reason to marry and make one man happy when she could stay single and make them all happy.

Men she thought, holding less than complimentary thoughts about the entire species at that moment. She had just talked to her nephew Rick in Dallas. Although the conversation was amusing, in its way, had been less than agreeable.

She had never been one to complain about his failure to visit. At least not excessively. She knew how hard he was working to become the caliber of lawyer his father had been. He was busy and she tried to be as understanding as possible.

She’d also been more than patient with her nephew Chris, she thought with a fresh wave of irritability. Yes, patient enough not to complain of his total indifference of late. Her frustration came with her inability to reach them when she needed to discuss matters that were important to her. They always had some trumped-up excuse for not being available and not coming home.

She would be the last person to admit how much she missed them. That she only found things wrong when she was lonely and needed their constant teasing to relieve the tedium of her never-ending schedule. Even their constant fighting, engaged in all their lives, would be better than the endless silence that filled all her waking hours lately.

She knew that Rick, at twenty-five, was preoccupied with taking the bar exam and interviewing with law firms. It was for this reason she had not been as demanding as she might have been. She understood his absence and didn’t want to disturb him at this crucial time.

She had not hesitated to let him know, when he failed to come home for Christmas, that she was quite sure the studies engrossing him had blond hair, long legs, and a bust bigger than her IQ. With his sandy-colored hair, blue eyes, and little-boy-lost look she knew what effect he had on the opposite sex.

She couldn’t resist a smile, as she ran a brush haphazardly through her hair. She could be testy with Rick and end up laughing. It was Chris, she thought with a worried frown, who worried her the most. She knew he was thirty years old and more than capable of taking care of himself. It was his serious, almost brooding nature, that concerned her the most. It seemed to be getting worse as he got older.

He was as dark in looks and nature as Rick was fair in his. They were total opposites until you got the two of them together. That is when there was no denying their kinship.

Sitting alone in her room she smelled the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, mingled with that of frying bacon and eggs. Breakfast was the one meal she thoroughly enjoyed and, dismissing all thoughts of her nephews, allowed her nose to lead her toward the kitchen below.

As was her habit, during the winter months, she preferred taking her meals in the large kitchen with Henry and Letty. Not only was it warm and comfortable, she enjoyed their company. This, however, was something she would never admit to either of them.

They were the only two people who had remained constant in her life since moving to Beaufort. They had come to work for Mathew and Julia after their marriage and she was more than grateful that they stayed on after Mathew and Julia were killed.

She could never have managed those two young hellions without their help. God knows she could never thank Letty and Henry enough for all they had done over the years. At times Henry had been the only source of discipline the boys listened to. His big black hand had left many a red mark on the backsides of both boys over the years.

The house she lived in had been built by a Knight and only Knights had resided within its walls. Considering the changing times, she often wondered if either of the boys would come back to stay. It was a sad thought, on this chill January morning, and she refused to dwell on it. They would do what they wanted, and she accepted this fact as stoically as possible.

Working her way to the kitchen she admired the graceful elegance of the old house that had been her home since bringing Joseph’s body home. It was one of the oldest and most beautiful homes in South Carolina and, if the boys ever did decide to sell, they would have no trouble finding a ready buyer. Her only hope was that she would be in her grave when and if that day ever came.

This last thought gave her a sudden chill. She and the two boys were the only Knights left to carry on the family name and she could only claim the name by marriage.

She had heard about a curse put on the family by some woman who had been wronged by her father-in-law. Remembering the look Joseph had given her when she’d asked about him, she wondered if there might be truth to the old tale. It was said that the men in the family were cursed to die young. Thinking of Chris and Rick the thought made her shiver.

She followed her nose to the kitchen with these morbid thoughts still fresh in her mind. She couldn’t keep from smiling when she saw Letty polishing the stove she took so much pride in. It hadn’t been new for over ten years but, to Letty, it was a treasure she always kept gleaming like new.

Mornin’, Letty said with a subdued smile that told Sarah something was troubling her. It was noteworthy because Letty seldom let her feelings show. Knowing the phone had rung earlier she wondered if that could be the cause of her unusual mood.

Who called so early this morning? she asked hoping Letty would speak her mind and have done with it.

It was Doctor Stan, Letty replied irritably. He told Henry to tell you that putting off your checkup was a great lot of hogwash. He said he’d be discussing it with you when he comes for Sunday supper.

Sarah could tell, by the way Letty’s ample bosom rose and fell, that Stan’s call was not the reason behind her ill temper. She was upset about something, and Sarah knew that patience would eventually give her the answer.

Helping herself to a generous portion of eggs, two slices of bacon, and a bonus of biscuits and gravy, Sarah sat down at the round oak table and began to eat.

When Letty brought her a cup of coffee and set it down with force, Sarah simply gave her a quizzical glance. She watched with humor as Letty’s demeanor grew worse with each silent moment that passed.

Dear God, Sarah thought with a smile, she’s working herself into a state that will bode an ill temper for the rest of the day. Knowing what that would do to the peaceful routine of her own day, Sarah decided to give in and find out the cause of Letty’s angst.

Where is Henry this morning? she asked, not wanting to come right out and demand an explanation. He has never missed a meal in his life. Is he sick?

No ma’am, he ain’t sick! Letty snapped, giving Sarah a wary look. He went into town to get some…well, some things we been needin’ round here. Doctor Stan said he saw some mouse droppings last time he came so Henry went to get some traps.

There’s an entire box of them in the attic, Sarah replied, not liking Letty’s snappish tone of voice. She was also wondering if Henry’s mind was beginning to dim with age. He’s well aware of that. At least he should be since he put them there himself.

He knows there’s a box full of ‘em up there! Letty replied with indignation. But, missy, he said there weren’t no way he’s goin’ up there to get ‘em neither.

All right Letty, Sarah said, studying the black woman’s deep frown. You may as well tell me what’s going on with the two of you this morning. You have been banging pots and pans for thirty minutes. Now you tell me Henry won’t go into the attic to get a mouse trap. I suggest you sit down and tell me what is wrong.

Reluctantly Letty did as she was told and yet several moments passed before she finally spoke her mind.

Well? Sarah finally said no longer able to enjoy her breakfast as she waited for an explanation.

Now you listen here, Miss Sarah. I know somethin’ strange has been goin’ on ‘round here for a lot of years. I ain’t never asked what it was ‘cause I’m a God-fearin’ woman. I’ll tell you this! What I’m fearin’ now ain’t got nothin’ to do with God!

Letty, would you please tell me what you’re talking about, Sarah replied although she thought she knew what the answer was going to be before she heard it.

I’ll tell you, Miss Sarah. I’ll tell you for sure! Henry went up to the attic this mornin’ to get them traps…and…when he come back down he was as close to bein’ white as I ever seen him. Letty gave Sarah a squinty-eyed stare and studied her reaction.

And? Sarah said.

He said he done smelled roses up there! Now you and I both know it ain’t the first time this house has been filled up with that smell. I don’t like it! I don’t like it one bit and I think you know why! It just ain’t natural to smell fresh-cut roses. Not in the middle of January least ways.

Sarah’s heart skipped a beat when Letty mentioned the smell of roses. She knew what it meant but was struck by the unusual time of year. It had happened before, but only in the spring. Always during the first part of April.

Yes, it had happened before, but this was the first time Letty had ever mentioned it. Not only was the time of year unusual, it had never happened anywhere but the library.

Just what in the world do you think it is Letty? Sarah asked. I know it has happened before but what makes you think I know any more about it than you do?

Don't you go playin’ word games with me missy, Letty said. I've known you too long to let you get by with that. You know what it means better than I do! As much as I think of you and this house and those two boys, Henry…Henry and me ain't gonna be staying where the devil’s at work.

Oh, for heaven's sake, Letty don't be ridiculous! Sarah scoffed, shocked by Letty’s conjecture. It was unusual, true, but completely harmless.

The devil has nothing to do with the smell of roses in this house, Letty. From what I’ve heard the devil doesn't even like flowers. The way you and Henry are acting you would think Satan himself was up there. Just to prove how wrong you are I will go up to the attic and see what horrible demon is trying to steal your soul by sprinkling rosewater all over the place.

You just do that! Letty said, fear mixed with anger as she faced Sarah defiantly. You go on up there and see for yourself. Just don't go blamin’ me if you never come back down. If something happens to you up there you can just plan on stayin'. I’m telling you here and now we ain't goin’ up there to find out why.

Why thank you Letty, Sarah said sarcastically. She wanted to ease the woman’s fears even if she had to make her mad to do it. I'm glad to know you are so very concerned for me. As she stood up and walked toward the door she said, I won't bother to call if I need help,

Sarah made her way up the two flights of stairs and, the moment she opened the door to the attic, she could indeed smell the roses. Unlike Letty, however, she had no fear of an evil spirit or the devil at work.

Turning on the lights she made her way up the last few steps and began to look around at the large array of antique furniture piled haphazardly in one corner of the spacious room. As children, Chris and Rick had loved to come to the attic and play. She had spent hours with them rummaging through the old boxes and trunks that seemed filled with a child’s treasures.

It had been years since she was last in the attic, and it was like going back in time. Her mind was suddenly flooded with forgotten memories that were good and happy ones.

There was nothing scary about the attic. There never had been that she could recall. The large flood lights, combined with the sunlight filtering through the dirt-smudged dormers, lit up every corner of the large open room. The floating dust motes she had disturbed looked like specks of gold as they drifted down from the well-insulated ceiling above.

It only took a moment to locate the source of Letty’s concern. She was no longer surprised or worried when she saw the beautiful young woman standing not far away. As they always did, her startling green eyes held Sarah motionless with their pleading quality.

Knowing their conversation would be one-sided, as it had been in the past, she said You know my dear, you gave poor old Henry the scare of his life this morning. Letty swears the devil is working his evil up here and is threatening to leave for good because of you.

Expecting no answer, she moved a little closer to the woman who stood translucent beside one of the windows. Sitting down on a trunk she continued to study this young woman who had visited her for the past several years. She was no closer to understanding her presence in the house than she had been the first time she had seen her.

It had been five years ago that Letty first mentioned the smell of roses. She knew this phenomenon had not gone unnoticed by Letty and Henry, but this morning was the first time Letty had been upset by it. She wasn’t worried, simply curious about the sudden change in the time of year and the location of the lady’s appearance.

She had been in the library the first time she had smelled the roses. When she looked up and saw this ethereal young woman standing there, she had been startled into thinking she had an unannounced visitor.

When Letty had come in the room and said something about her wearing too much perfume, she had been dumbfounded. Letty had been standing right next to this woman and had given no indication that anyone else was in the room.

That is when Sarah was forced to accept what she had considered the product of an overactive imagination. It had been difficult for her to believe at first, but these past five years had changed her feelings on the matter. She had come to terms with the fact that this young woman was not of this world.

Considering what she had heard about the Knight family, a ghost merely kept the stories alive. It certainly went along with curses and premature deaths she thought. Studying how her sad lady was dressed she had tried and failed to guess at the time period.

She was smart enough to know that keeping this to herself was the best course of action. Her nephews were already worried about her mental health, and this would…well, it would send them off looking for a home to put her in.

Resigning herself to the fact that only she could see this woman, she had begun to look forward to her annual visits. She had no fear of the woman. The only thing that bothered her was the woman’s sadness that made her heart ache each time she saw her.

Her visits, always in April, held an appeal for Sarah. She had never felt the need to rationalize them, but she was concerned this time. It was only January and she had never seen so much sadness on the lady’s face.

She sensed something was differed this time. She got the distinct impression that her lady needed help this time. She read a pleading in the woman’s eyes that spoke of a tragedy she could do nothing about. She seemed to be trying to communicate her feelings with a look that tore at Sarah’s heart.

I wish you could talk to me, Sarah said. I wish you could tell me what is troubling you. As she said this she felt an overwhelming sense of sorrow pulsing in the air around her.

You must know I would do anything I can to help you, Sarah said. I don’t know who you are, or why you are here, but I can sense that something is very wrong.

As if understanding Sarah’s words, the woman moved toward a dust cloth that covered a large pile in the far corner of the room. Only then did she turn and call to Sarah with her eyes. It didn’t take Sarah long to pull the sheet away from a great stack of oil paintings she’d never ventured to look at. They belonged to another age; another lifetime that held no interest for her.

The first was of a hunt so poor in quality, she understood why it had been relegated to this forgotten place. If it had been up to her she would have seen it trashed. Suddenly realizing what she might be looking for she quickly sorted through the dusty frames until she stopped short with a startled gasp. Hidden near the back of the stack of paintings was a portrait of the woman who once again stood by the window. What she saw left her momentarily speechless.

Regaining her equilibrium she said, So, you belong here do you? I see that now, just as I can see that something has you deeply troubled.

Looking down at the portrait she said, "Don’t give up on me just yet. I know I may be a bit slow, but I pride myself on being thorough. Perhaps, if I can find out who you are I’ll be able to help you. Since your painting is here, I can only assume you are part of this strange family.

If that is the case, the boys will thank you for being the catalyst that makes me sort through what I have put off for so many years. Give me a little more time, my dear. I promise I will find out who you are and see what I can do to help you.

Although it was a large painting, she was determined to get it to her room. By the time she reached her bedroom she was winded but well-pleased with herself. She could only imagine what Letty was thinking with all the banging and bumping. She decided it would be Letty’s just punishment to wait and wonder.

Propping the portrait against