Read Online Murder at the Holiday Flotilla by Ellen Elizabeth Hunter - Free Book Online Page A

Hughes family plot in Sanford and he managed to find his way back there and to bury James in secrecy with only members of the Hughes family in attendance. Then Samuel took his young wife Elizabeth and the barrel of gold, and made his way to Brunswick County. Using some of the gold he bought himself a huge longleaf pine forest, so remote he hoped not to be found by either the Loyalists or the Americans. With James’ death, he had had enough of war and simply wanted to live in peace. And in fact the war was just about over.
    “ Thus he settled in Brunswick County and raised a family there. This we know. He was able to make a living by supplying the naval stores industry with pitch, tar, turpentine, and lumber. But according to the legend, he did not spend any more of the gold for fear of arousing suspicions. His descendants survived and thrived. Whether they knew of the gold is unknown. The family home never changed hands. It is occupied by a Wood even now.”
    “ Dr. Amy Wood,” I exclaimed.
    “ Yes, Dr. Wood. Do you know her?”
    “ She’s our babies’ pediatrician,” Jon answered.
    “ But what about the gold?” Binkie asked.
    “ Yes, what about the gold?” Cam seconded.
    “ No one knows if it ever existed. But if it did, it is well hidden because there has never been a mention of it since.”
    Roger chuckled. “Now if I were a gambling man, I’d say it is hidden at the bottom of a deep well, the well grown over. Unseen. Forgotten. It’ll never be found.”
    Binkie said, “As you say, legends that Cornwallis left behind gold abound. None have ever been proved. I’m afraid this is but another fanciful tale. I sincerely doubt that gold exists. Granted, the main thrust of this story may be true. That Samuel and James made off with a supply wagon. But that the supply wagon contained gold? I sincerely doubt it.”
    “ I don’t know, Binkie,” Roger said, disagreeing with his former professor. “Where there’s smoke there’s fire.”
    “ I’m with Binkie,” Melanie said. “If you listen to the legends there’s more gold hidden in Wilmington than in Ft. Knox.”
    Good, I thought, throw him off the track. Still, our family had the proof that there was a “Wilmington treasure.” It was listed in our g5 grandfather’s will. I was with Melanie. We should show that will to no one but immediate family.
     

 
     
     
     
    8
     
    After lunch on Wednesday Melanie drove me out Oleander toward Bradley Creek.
    “ What would I do without Aunt Ruby and Binkie? I feel like I’m taking advantage of them but they are so good with my boys.”
    “ You’re not imposing. Those two just love taking care of your twins,” Melanie said. “And you know, shug, this is the closest to being grandparents they’ll ever get.”
    “ Yes, that’s true. But I still feel like I’m taking advantage of them.”
    “ Aunt Ruby is forthright. She’ll tell you when she’s tired, or can’t do it.”
    I yawned noisily. “Jon has a design project he’s trying to finish. I ought to be at home taking a nap. Wouldn’t Mama and Daddy just love to baby-sit the twins? I wish they were still with us; I miss them so much.”
    “ Me too,” Melanie said and reached over to pat my knee.
    I had to admit Melanie’s driving was improving. She was getting better at keeping her eyes on the road. And she was not speeding. This improvement had to be Cam’s doing.
    “ Mama and Daddy would have been so thrilled with grandchildren,” I went on. “But, I’ve got to say, as much as I adore those precious babies of mine, it sure is nice to have an hour to myself.”
    “ I figured as much. That’s why I insisted on picking you up and taking you to this showing. I don’t have any appointments for tomorrow so I can go shopping for furniture for the nursery I’m setting up at my house. Although I’d give anything to have another listing to show.”
    “ Don’t be discouraged, Mel. The market will pick up. And won’t this one bring you a