The Secret of Stavewood (Stavewood Saga Book 4) Read Online Free PDF

of fabric to the closet shelves and arranged them neatly. She noticed a knob in the panel at the back of the closet.
          “Mama, what is behind this panel? I always wondered.”
          “It’s an access shaft for the pipes that run from the basement to the top floor. Your father was certain one of you would fall down there one day and he put in that panel. You couldn’t reach that knob when you were little.” Rebecca laughed lightly. “I think we are ready for breakfast now.”
          “Do we still have any of that Brazilian tea I used to like so much?” Louisa asked.
          “There may be some in the cellar.” Rebecca reached up and touched her daughter’s cheek. “We’ll talk more later on, alright? I’ll tell you anything you would like to know. Don’t you know that your happiness has always been the most important thing?”
          “I know, Mama. Thank you.”
     
          Louisa checked the pantry first where the smaller canisters were generally stored. The larder was filled as generously as she recalled from her childhood but there was no Brazilian tea. She lit a lamp and ventured down into the cellar. She passed racks where her father kept fine wines and brandies and turned a corner.  Against the wall to her left were shelves of tools where jars of nails, screws and other supplies were kept. There was a large red paint can and an opened old tin filled with screwdrivers. On a shelf to her right she found the can of Brazilian tea. No matter what you were seeking at Stavewood you were likely to find it. She felt a draft and looked up the narrow pipe access that ran up to the upper floors of the house. With the closet door in the sewing room closed the top of the shaft disappeared into the darkness.

 
    Six

          L ouis a burped softly as she stood beside her father in the stable. The long, wide structure had six stalls but only two had horses. In her youth there had been a beautiful animal in every one, tucked away behind heavy Dutch doors. On one end was the place where her father had kept his massive stallion, Cannonball. She had learned earlier, as a child, never to tease the big horse, even in fun. Although she had never seen him violent, his huge size and solid black color was enough to discourage cruelty.
          “Excuse me,” she giggled.
          “Good breakfast, eh?” Her father cinched the saddle onto Romeo, a beautiful bay gelding. The horse’s points were black along the ankle and muzzle against a rich brown hide. He was finely bred and extremely gentle. She scratched the horse’s shoulder and admired his gleaming coat.
          “I’ve gotten used to having much less to eat so early in the day.” Louisa had enjoyed the customary hearty breakfast of home. She’d taken an instant liking to Liv, who not only was a very talented cook, but was also efficient, patient and respectful to Birget.
    “I like the new girl,” she said as she reached up to grab the horn on the saddle and stepped into the stirrup.
          “Birget likes her, too. I suppose that’s the most important thing. It’ll always be her kitchen more than anyone’s.” Timothy handed his daughter the reins as she settled into the saddle and snapped closed the strap on her riding cap.
          “I expect I’ll be out at Mark and Colleen’s a good part of the morning. Are you sure Momma doesn’t mind that I take Romeo all day?”
          “Of course not. You know there is nothing in the world she wouldn’t give you.”
          “Daddy,” Louisa looked into her father’s warm brown eyes. “It’s good to be home. I remember once you told me you built Stavewood to be more than a home. I see that now. I’ve been thinking a lot about Mama, and you. I took a walk on the train back to the coach cars. It broke my heart to imagine her there, young, afraid and hungry.”
          Timothy Elgerson looked up at his daughter on the horse. “And things only