AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Believe it,” said Franklin, standing beside Martha. “I’m Franklin. Been with Miss Martha my whole life, and afterlife. Ain’t nowhere else I wanna be.”
“Franklin ran this farm and property for me. I certainly did my fair share, but women were not accepted at the business table back then. He was paid the same as I would have paid any foreman. The families that lived here were given cottages not much different than you see here. Certainly, a bit smaller.”
“But you can only imagine what folks would have thought had they come out and seen them living this way. Miss Martha woulda’ been strung up,” said Franklin.
“Franklin is bein’ kind,” said Martha. “He was my right-hand man. I wouldn’t have survived without him.”
“It’s just remarkable,” smiled Sage. “You should be incredibly proud of the legacy you’ve created here.”
“Legacy?” asked Martha, tilting her head.
“You must see it,” grinned Sage. “You started the trend of this family doing good, doing right by others. Every man and woman born after continued the legacy of what you created. You afforded an opportunity for women to succeed and move to the front of the line, not the back of the line. You did the same for every man and woman of color. I think that’s all owed to you.”
Martha stared at the young woman, standing a little taller and straighter. She’d never thought of that before.
“Thank you for saying that, Sage. I’m beyond proud of my family and blessed that I get to continue to watch them grow.” Martha left with Franklin and Nathan by her side. Sage turned to the table. All eyes were on her, but with a smile.
“You’re an amazing young woman,” said Joseph. “You’ll fit in with this family very well.”
“Alright,” nodded Mike. “Let’s speak to a ghost about a killer.”
Sage stared at the pile of rubble and ash that had once been one of the crown jewels of the Garden District. The beautiful Greek columns that every year held fresh garland and ribbon during the holidays were gone. The wrought iron lantern that hung from her porch, carved by artisans more than a hundred-and-fifty years ago, was melted in a pile of twisted metal.
Firefighters had attempted to pull things from the burning home, leaving them in a pile near the untouched gazebo. She picked up one of the paintings, an original by a New Orleans artist. There were several porcelain bowls and plates, and a few photographs and other items.
“What do you want us to save, baby?” asked Mike.
“I don’t even know. Is it worth saving?”
“It is if it’s important to you,” said Nathan. “We have the space in the trucks. If you want anything, we’ll load it up.”
“I-I guess whatever isn’t destroyed,” she said, nodding at the man.
Near where the kitchen once stood, Mauricio hovered in a ghostly gray smoke. Sage walked slowly toward him, wishing she could hug him.
“I’m glad to see you are well,” he said in a deep voice.
“Mauricio, I’m so glad you’re well,” she smiled.
“You can’t kill a man twice,” he grinned. “I’m sorry about Clara. She was a lovely companion and a good conversationalist.”
“You spoke to her?”
“Often. She and your granny were wonderful women. Women I would have liked to know in my time.”
“May we ask you questions?” asked Noah. Mauricio froze, surprised by the direct conversation of the man.
“We mean no harm,” said Julia, smiling at him.
“They can see me?” frowned Mauricio. “How is this possible?”
“They are able to see, hear, and speak to all ghosts. This is Julia and Noah. They’re part of the larger family of my fiancé,” she said with a blushing smile.
“Fiancé? That is good news. I’ve only been able to speak with those who belong to the house. Meeting you is quite unique for me,” he said, nodding at the two spirit-talkers.
“Will you tell us your story?” asked Noah.
“I would be honored, Viking.” Noah gave a half-grin, realizing that this man probably still thought of him as a Viking of some sort. “We had men on our ships that looked like you. All Northmen from far above Scotland and Ireland. They were beasts. Big, strong, hard-working. I enjoyed their company very much. Although drinking with them was somewhat of a sport I was unprepared for.”
