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“All I ever remember was me and my dad. Two against the world, as he would say.” Ever looked over at Ben, sadness in her eyes. “I found out about Daisy too.”, she continued.
“Oh?” he looked up in curiosity, meeting her eyes.
“You were right. I am Daisy Wolton.”
* * *
With puzzle pieces slowly coming together, Ever was determined to find the answers she needed. There was only one place she could think of that might provide them: her father’s office.
Walking into her father’s office, she rounded the desk and took a seat in the office chair. She sifted through the papers on his desk. They were all invoices for farm expenses, receipts, and typical farm business paperwork with a few livestock magazines in the mix. Nothing out of the ordinary. Pulling out the desk drawers, she found nothing abnormal, basically office supplies. Zoning in on the tall metal filing cabinet in the corner, she stood up and noticed the cabinet was locked.
“Where would he keep the key?” she whispered. “His key ring, yes!”
Heading back into the front entrance and reaching into the bowl sitting on the narrow table, her father’s keys were still there. Grabbing them, she made her way back into his office and fumbled through the keys until she found the one that fit the lock. The file cabinet now unlocked; she opened it slowly to see the usual hanging file system. She sifted through the files, going through each file folder, most containing tax information with receipts and invoices. One folder marked legal documents caught her attention, so she pulled it out, bringing it to the desk. Taking a seat in the leather office chair, she looked through each document. The deed for the farm, a copy of his Will, a surveyor’s certificate for the property and the last document, making Ever stop, her hands trembling. A clue.
“Application for the Change of Name.”
Ever skimmed the document. September 4, 1994 - Change of name from Daisy Everleigh Wolton to Ever Bethany Wolton.
Confusion washed over her face as she sat back in the chair, her head spinning with questions. Why would my father legally change my name? She silently asked as she read through the document again.
“Daddy, why so many secrets?” she whispered as she stood up and stared at her painting on his office wall.
Glancing down to her father’s recliner in the corner, she spotted a faded leather journal on the seat. Was that there before? Picking it up, she unbound the leather tie that held it together and took a seat in the recliner. Closing her eyes, the scent of Old Spice and the soft material of the chair felt like a hug. A hug from her father. Returning her attention to the journal, she ran her hands over the cover, tracing the lines deep in the leather. It was old. Worn and frayed on the edges. Something her father probably treasured. Slowly she opened it to see, written on the first page, in her father’s handwriting, “Journal of Hardin Wolton.”
CHAPTER 10
Excerpts from the Journal of Hardin Wolton:
May 28, 1977
I am not sure where she came from, but today, I think, I met an angel. Pulling up to Primrose Feeds this morning, I saw her. Sitting on the edge of the loading dock, bare feet dangling and a sketchbook in hand. She was so beautiful. Long wavy red brown hair and large brown eyes. The kind of eyes you could get lost in if you looked into them too long. When I got out of the truck, she looked up at me and smiled. Her smile made my heart jump. The prettiest girl I have ever seen. I asked Will, as he loaded my feed onto the truck, who she was, and he said she is the owner of the feed mill’s daughter. She is 16, so one year younger than me. I will look for her at school. I need to know more about her and see her again.
May 30, 1977
Today I looked for her at school and it did not take long to find her in the library with her sketchbook beside her. I sat down with my copy of “Catcher in the Rye” at her table, and she looked up at me. She smiled and asked me, “Do you like J. D. Salinger?” I nodded, and she introduced herself. Her name is Violet. Such a pretty name. We talked about our favorite books, and she showed me a sketch she was working on. Then I walked her to her next class. We decided to meet in the library again tomorrow. I want to ask her out the first chance I get.
April 7, 1978
All I want is to spend my days with Violet. Violet helps me with my chores so we can spend more time together going to movies in St. Augustine, reading together on the porch and taking long drives in the country. We park at the dead end near the diversion and kiss. Her lips are so soft, and I cannot get enough of her. I want more with her, but I am a gentleman. Violet wants to wait till marriage, and I know and respect it. I love her very much. She consumes my every thought and I want to be the man to marry her. When I graduate in June and am going to ask her father’s blessing to ask her to marry me. I hope he says yes.
August 2, 1978
She said yes! I asked her during the Pioneer Days fireworks. Our parents were there, as well as Fred & Lynette. Her father gave me his blessing but asked that we wait until Violet graduates to get married. We have one year to wait and make plans for our future. Violet wants to move to the farm after we are married, so she can stay close to her family in Primrose. I want her here with me, too. Mom and Dad are talking about retiring next spring and want to pass the farm on to me. It's a lot of work, but I know I can handle it. My whole life has been the farm until Violet came along. I will do my parents proud and be the best husband I can be for my beautiful flower. Violet loves my name for her.
July 14, 1979
I don’t think I have ever felt so happy as I felt watching Violet walk down the church aisle yesterday. She looked angelic walking down the aisle to me. I have never seen her look more beautiful. I am still not sure I am worthy of her, but I vowed to spend every day trying. We finally made love for the first time. It’s hard to fully describe what it was like to touch her finally. She is so soft, so perfect. Knowing God made her only for me. I am not sure I can ever get enough of her.
July 13, 1984
Today is our 5-year Anniversary! Violet gave me a framed sketch of me and my show horse. I put it over the fireplace so I could see it every day. My flower is so talented. I bought her flowers and took her out for dinner in St. Augustine. Some fancy new restaurant. The kind of place where you wear a tie. She looked so beautiful in a blue dress and high heels. How did I get so lucky? I see how others look at her, and I am thankful each day that she picked me. Over dinner, we made an important decision. We decided to start trying for a family. Not that we have been very careful, but now we are going to officially try. I want a family with Violet. A house that’s loud and full of laughter. If the good Lord gives us a house full, I know we will be blessed!
October 18, 1989
Violet is not doing well. She tries to hide her disappointment, but I know she is hurting. Every month we pray together that this will be the month. Making love has become routine and on a schedule. Everyone is giving her advice, saying it will happen when it happens. But I am the one that sees her red-rimmed eyes as she curls up on the porch wrapped in a blanket watching another day’s sunset. It has been 5 years; how much longer should we continue to try?
December 3, 1991
