Mountain Ice (David Dean Mysteries)

"Bird Song's pretty informal," Fred said.

"It's silly. I felt such a strong urge to dress up in this, like a little girl trying to be someone she isn't-fishing in an attic trunk." She looked at Fred. "Was she happy here?" she asked again.

"I guess so," he answered, surprised at the question. "No reason to say otherwise." Then he added, "I don't know a whole lot about her. Yet."

Dean offered his two cents. "We don't know where she lived in town before she married the minister. There were lots of rooming houses but we have no idea how Bird Song was utilized at the turn of the century."

"Oh, I'm sure she was here! I can almost feel her presence. Oh, yes! She was here! I'm certain of it!" She looked at them, embarrassed at her own exuberance. "What a senseless thing to say. How could I possibly know? Wishful thinking, I guess." Then, as if to change the subject, she added, to Fred, "I'm sure you'll find she was happy, wherever she lived."

Fred answered. "I expect you're right. She was a do-gooder and a society lady, married a minister. That was a real high-up position in town. I'd guess she was real content here in Ouray."

The answer seemed to please Edith Shipton and she appeared to relax. "That would be so nice. To be happy. To have a contented life and be loved by someone." She turned again to Fred. "Did she have children?"

"I don't suspect so. Them Boston ladies would have said if they knew any cousins. And they wouldn't have had so much trouble tracing Annie down if she left heirs. No, I'd say she didn't have kids."

"Is there something troubling you?" Cynthia asked. "I don't mean to pry, but you seem on edge. If there is anything we can do to help, we'd certainly be willing."

David Dean felt a momentary twinge of the here-we-go-agains that floated by on the wings of his wife's question. Edith shook her head no, much to Dean's relief. A rhythmic thumping echoed from the floor above. Edith looked up. "That's Donnie's way of calling me." She started to rise but Fred O'Connor rose to his feet.

"You sit still. I'll go up. It's past my bedtime anyway." Before she could protest, Fred was off with a wave good night.

Edith looked up at the ceiling once more but in a few moments there was only silence. The Fred O'Connor charm extended beyond the blue haired set to children as well. Cynthia took the opportunity to push Edith a bit further.

"Just remember we're here to help you if there's anything we can do."