“Would you leave Madeline with someone who could do her harm?”
“No,” Alden said, smiling softly to himself at the memory and picked up a nearby stick. “I will tell you how I met her while I take care of your shoulder. Take off your jacket and shirt, Daniel, and bite down hard. We can’t have you announcing our presence just yet.”
Emma was grateful for the chance to get down off the horse and be given a moment’s privacy. Looking around, she saw the gaps between the wood planks let in a bit of moonlight, illuminating the interior and casting shadows everywhere.
“Will we stay here for a bit?”
“Long enough to rest up the horses before getting back on the road.”
Sighing heavily, she dropped herself down into a pile of hay to rest. There was no point in asking more questions because at this moment, her first priority was to rest. She was beyond tired and needed to be able to think clearly in order to come up with a plan. Staying with Percy until they reached their destination rankled her. There was something so devious and sinister in the way he looked at her.
She wanted to go back to how things were before with Daniel’s bright, smiling eyes and infectious smile. It made her heart ache to think of him lying there injured or worse!
Hot tears welled up in her eyes and nausea settled in her stomach as she lay there. The thought of losing her chance at telling him how she was beginning to feel made her soul weep with sorrow. She’d been so shy, so embarrassed, at the attention he paid her – and now all she wanted was an opportunity to try again.
Daniel couldn’t be gone, she thought bitterly as a shaky sigh escaped her. She had to think positive and hope that he got help right away. Daniel was a fighter. She had to have faith in that steely resolve that seemed to be intrinsic to his personality. Surely a man who’d endured so much could get through another trauma in his life and come out ahead… Daniel was a good man and she was blessed to be with someone who truly took into consideration her feelings. It was time to take the next step in their lives, to build that final bond between them as man and wife.
Emma vowed silently, then and there, that if she was ever reunited with her husband – she would make certain that he never had to fight for anything in his life again. She would cherish him and treasure the moments they had together. The idea that she would never see his teasing smile again was incomprehensible and something she refused to acknowledge. She’d already said goodbye to so many people in her life and was not about to do so again – not with her husband.
She loved him.
Chapter Eight
Emma lay there in the hay trying to fall back asleep. She’d awoken herself, crying painfully as the day’s events replayed in her dreams, only this time her doubts plagued her. Had Daniel been injured worse than she’d imagined? Would anyone even notice she was gone or had been captured? Giving up on getting more sleep, she sat up slowly, hearing loud snoring coming from not far away in the barn. Percy obviously had fallen asleep as well, causing her to roll her eyes. As she prepared to get to her feet, she was shocked to see that he’d tied her left ankle with a rope that lay sprawled across the floor to where he lay at.
Stunned, Emma realized that she’d slept so deeply that she didn’t notice the fact that he’d openly touched her ankle without her knowledge. The thought of anyone touching her rankled her nerves and made her feel uneasy. Reaching down, she struggled to untie the rope quietly without causing it to wiggle or move. The last thing she wanted to do was alert Percy that she was trying to escape. He’d threatened her repeatedly and obviously had no qualms at striking her, having hit her on the head to capture her and once on the cheek.
Hearing the faint sound of movement off to the left of her, she froze. Her heart pounded in her chest as if ice water had been splashed in her face. She wasn’t sure what was more terrifying – the fact that the noise could wake Percy and she’d just freed her ankle from the rope… or whoever was entering the barn! A dark form was making its way through the shadows and as it got closer, a scream of fear bubbled up from deep inside of her.
“Shhh Emma. It’s me.”
Emma’s breath rushed out of her in relief. She recognized Alden’s voice and nearly wept in relief. There was so much she wanted to say or ask but seeing him there - alone - made her heart sink in despair. Where was Daniel?
Extending her hand, she placed it in Alden’s as he helped her up from where she’d been seated. He waved his gun, indicating that she should exit the building. Seeing him standing there not far from Percy’s sleeping form, she almost hesitated. Surely Alden would not shoot a sleeping man – and if so – did she want to be present to witness that horror? Crossing herself, she said a silent prayer for her brother-in-law to make the right decision as she left the barn.
Slipping through the open door into the faint dawn, she realized that she wasn’t sure which direction to go. A faint mist clung to the landscape, giving it a haunting appearance. Straining as she walked towards the nearby forest, she listened for the sound of gunfire.
As she passed the edge of the tobacco barn, she glanced around for any other people nearby. Tears touched her eyes again but she wouldn’t let that hope in her heart wither and die. Daniel had to be alive!
She darted into the copse of trees and continued on her way, spotting horses nearby. Horses – not just one animal, but two! Her heart skipped a beat at the idea that maybe Alden actually hadn’t come alone. She nearly yelped out in alarm as a hand was quickly put over her mouth.
“Ouch! Shhh!”
Emma felt herself cry out as she threw herself into Daniel’s arms only to hear his grunt of pain. Pulling back, she saw the strained lines on his face and the wan smile. His eyes held hers lovingly with a hint of silent apology to them.
“Are you alright?” she whispered, laying her hand on his cheek.
“Now that you are here - yes,” he smiled and grimaced.
“I saw you! You were injured,” she accused, looking at his shoulder and instantly prying back his jacket and pulling at his shirt.
“Oh, so now my wife is ready and wants me to remove my clothing? Right here, my darling?” he teased, and winced as she ignored his words, prodding his shoulder. The raw, shiny skin of the wound looked terribly inflamed and she could see the evidence of where it had been cauterized very recently.
She looked up at his loving eyes as they searched hers and felt tears burst forth. There was so much raw emotion in that moment, words that needed to be said but couldn’t yet because they were so overwhelming. Instead of speaking, he pulled her into his arms carefully and cradled her to his chest.
“Does this mean you might have been concerned about me?” he whispered against her hair; his warm breath treasured beyond measure. She’d been afraid for him and he was here, alive. Emma didn’t answer right away; instead she wrapped her arms around his waist and simply enjoyed the comfort of holding him right now. She needed this to feel real, for him to be there, and she hadn’t realized the depth of emotion she’d buried inside until it burst forth in a painful rush.
“The reunion will need to wait, you two,” Alden’s voice announced, causing the two of them to separate where they’d been clinging to each other. “Our Uncle is quite upset with me right now and I’ve no desire to see if he can untie those knots. Plus, I believe he’s got a long overdue appointment with His Majesty’s Navy. I believe that I shall pass along word that there is a loyalist hidden away and he cannot wait to set sail.”
Daniel and Alden grinned at each other; the irony was not lost between them. Her husband had been pressed into service and now his brother was suggesting the very same thing. Truthfully, it made her relieved that whatever happened now to their uncle would be in God’s hands, his blood would not stain their own. It made Emma’s heart nearly burst with affection for her new family and how very clever they were. She missed her own family but being a part of their world had helped her heal so very much.
Several snowflakes began to cascade down around t
hem as they mounted the horses. Daniel pulled her up in front of him in the saddle as she looked up at him shyly. He grinned before nudging his horse forward to keep up with his brother.
Emma was stunned to see the transformation of Alden on the outskirts of town. He dug a redcoat out of his bag along with a powdered wig. Donning it, smoothing it down and straightening up his uniform, she saw that he marched into town towards the docks like he didn’t have a care in the world. He had informed them to wait outside of town for their safety as they were currently near one of the British strongholds that had yet to be taken. Time passed and the flurries of snowflakes continued to fall as they waited. It wasn’t much longer before several men rode off and Alden appeared out of nowhere, grinning.
“It seems our uncle will be setting sail this very evening.”
“You’re jesting? Today?”
“It seems that they’ve a shortage of sailors,” Alden said simply, shrugging. “I claimed that I’d been sent to fetch supplies and was due back very soon since I myself was scheduled to leave on that very ship,” he feigned with mock innocence. “What a shame I shan’t make it.”
“Thank you,” Daniel said softly, “for everything.”
“Of course, brother.”
“We should go,” Emma interrupted and saw Alden nod.
“Yes, I claimed to be on the ship – but I certainly don’t want Daniel pressed into service again and there are too many redcoats in the area.”
“Then that is our cue to leave.”
“And I’ve got to return home to Madeline before she boxes my ears.”
“Frightened of your lady love, my brave brother?” Daniel teased, winking at Emma playfully.
“Oh no, I wouldn’t say frightened. She’s earned my respect repeatedly in the past. She’s as gentle as a lamb when happy and fiercer than a grizzly when provoked. I prefer my little lambkin.” Emma and Daniel looked at each other in surprise before laughing merrily at the sheepish look on the older man’s face. Wiping her eyes, she smiled at Daniel.
“Let’s go home, husband.”
Chapter Nine
Emma had never been so relieved to see the small town of Lexington within sights as they crossed over the final ridge towards home. Between the kidnapping and her long ride back home, she realized that while unconscious they’d covered miles and miles of road.
Now that she sat cradled in Daniel’s arms silently, she was keenly aware of how rough the experience truly was. Her body was extremely sore and she was fairly bursting to talk to him alone. With Alden within range, she wanted to keep things private between them.
Daniel’s brother was wonderful and such a gentleman, but discussing emotions and her love for her husband seemed so intimate. This was not something she was ready to share as it was too personal and nearly painful to admit. She was mentally preparing herself to lay bare her soul to the man she was pledged to and prayed that he felt the same.
“It won’t be long now,” Daniel whispered softly against her cheek, making her sigh in happiness. There was something about the way he held her that reaffirmed her faith that no matter the outcome of their talk, things would be okay. If he simply cared for her as a true friend – while it might hurt - she could handle that and continue to earn his heart.
She lacked confidence and realized that their relationship had been shaken from the very beginning due to things out of their control. There wasn’t time to develop the bonds between them but rather thrust upon them both years later.
“I’m glad all the dangers to our future are in the past now.”
“As am I,” he admitted and then chuckled, “it’s very nearly the best Christmas present we could have received.”
Emma started as she realized that it was indeed Christmas and she hadn’t had time to finish the mittens she’d been knitting for him. She’d started working on them upstairs in the evening, out of sight, when she’d seen his chapped hands as he brought in firewood. She wanted to give him something thoughtful and caring – and now had nothing. Sighing heavily, she nodded silently and wondered if she hurried, could she finish them tonight and gift them to Daniel in the morning.
“If you don’t mind me taking my leave now,” Alden began, pulling his horse to a stop, “I’d like to spend Christmas with my lady love.”
“Certainly, give our new sister all our love,” Daniel replied easily.
“We would like to meet her soon – perhaps this spring?”
“Most definitely, sweet sister,” Alden answered with a smile, nodding. “Take care of my brother.”
“It’s my honor.”
She watched as Alden nudged his horse into a gallop towards the north and his home. Daniel didn’t say a word, he gently tugged the reins to the left where their building lay. Drawing close, Daniel jumped down and held out his hands to assist her. She placed her hands on his shoulders automatically and then reared back as if burnt.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” she explained.
Emma was surprised to see Daniel grab at her waist and pull her down towards him. She was almost on her feet at the snow-covered ground when his arm failed him due to his injury. She stumbled against him as a groan slipped out. He was injured and still trying to help her. Glancing up into his eyes, she caught her breath.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. I hope I didn’t hurt you or cause you to turn an ankle.”
“Not at all.”
“Why don’t you head inside and I’ll put up the horse.”
“I’ll start a fire,” she offered, “would you like some coffee?”
“Just anything warm right now would be wonderful.”
“Can I help put away the horse?”
“No, just head in and I will bring you a few logs.”
“I can get them,” she argued staunchly. “You are doing too much with your arm, let me help you. I’ve done this on my own for years – a few more days won’t hurt.”
“I’m grateful for your help. You’re kind, wife.”
“Of course,” she answered quickly, looking away from him. She didn’t want to be a kind wife. She wanted to be his beloved wife, his treasured wife, his everything. Stepping back, she walked through the accumulating snow to the side door near the kitchen where she’d first met Daniel months ago.
The wood had been stacked neatly along the side wall of the home for ease during the long, cold winter months. She saw the soot stained corner of the house where it looked like the fire had been when she’d been taken. They were lucky to have a shelter to return to – together.
Picking up three smaller logs, she juggled them in her arms while working the iron latch on the door that had obviously frozen in place due to lack of use during the weather. She heard the pop of the bar as the latch moved upwards, cracking through the tiny layer of ice.
Once inside, she took a deep breath, smelling the faint scent of the pomander he’d given her. Was it only a day or so ago? Stacking the wood in the fireplace, she quickly managed to light the kindling and put a kettle on to heat the water. Rubbing her hands together to warm up, she quickly uncovered the now-molding unbaked loaves of bread.
She had just shaped them for their final rising when she’d realized Daniel was nowhere to be found. Remembering that moment, she peered outside. The snow was coming down faster now and it looked like the tops of each wooden grave marker were quickly being covered. She was truly blessed that he was such a kind man and obviously would take care of her. As if on cue, the door opened behind her and he walked inside. He quickly shut the door behind him and dusted off the snow on his head.
“It’s going to be quite chilly this evening.”
“Yes, I’m grateful you decided to stack the wood along the house. It’s much easier to fetch when the weather turns like this. Are you hungry?”
“Famished.”
“Let me see what I can put together for you,” she said quickly, looking away and busying herself. She was a little nervous at being alone with him because it seem
ed that now that she had admitted to herself how much she cared for him and how handsome she thought he was, it seemed a herculean task to keep it hidden.
“I apologize that I haven’t finished your Christmas present yet. There has been so much upheaval in the last few days that I… I wanted…” she stammered and grew silent.
It was Christmas, a time of love and sharing. She wanted to give him the mittens. She needed to tell him how she felt – yet felt so torn, so lost, in this moment. Did she need to be the one to bridge the gulf between them? Couldn’t he see that she was scared and needed to have some sort of reassurance?
“Why don’t I help you so we can both sit down together.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Perhaps I would like to,” he offered firmly, putting his hand over hers when she reached for the basket of vegetables she had gotten out a few days ago to make a stew to go with the bread. The feeling of his hand over hers, made her jerk her hand backwards nervously.
“I’m sorry,” he immediately said, pulling back. “I don’t mean to annoy you.” Emma glanced up at him and saw he was looking away, almost as if he was unsure of his standings with her. Was he just as unsure as she was? All the bravado from him, the unnerving way he’d acted… was it just that? An act? Without a thought, she reached out to take his hand in hers.
“You aren’t annoying me at all,” she offered quietly in the silence. Taking a deep breath, she continued on, “It’s just a bit unnerving and scary how much I feel sometimes.”
His golden-brown eyes shot up from the floor and met hers. He was devastatingly handsome and took her breath away. Unable to fight the attraction any longer, she knew this was her moment to admit her feelings. She saw his tentative smile and felt him lace his fingers with hers.
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