A Heart for Freedom: He longs for freedom, but won’t risk the lives of those he loves.

by Janet S. Grunst

  “You are right. I’m certain ’tis no accident the Macmillans are here now. The Lord may be orchestrating events so we will learn of your father’s whereabouts. We must continue to trust the Lord will be with us. And, God willing, we shall be provided with the answers we need.”

  Mary tilted her head toward the common room. “I can clean these. You go in and visit with Mr. Macmillan. James is going to see Martha for a while before we all work on the decorations. He mentioned they are leaving in the morning.”

  Heather removed her apron and went upstairs to retrieve the letters before joining the others. She caught Andrew’s eye and signaled him to follow her.

  Once in the parlor, she closed the door behind them. “I found two letters Matthew left.” She drew them from her pocket and handed them to him. She pointed to the longer missive. “Read this one first.”

  She watched his expression change as he read them and then looked at her. “This is welcoming and troubling at the same time.”

  “My thoughts also. What do you think it means?”

  “That his trip had little to do with buying farm equipment and cattle, but what he is involved in is puzzling. Matthew would not be secretive about his activities, but it clearly sounds like he was concerned that ...”

  When he didn’t finish, she said, “Go ahead and say it ... that he might be in some danger and possibly would not come home.”

  Andrew stared at the floor.

  She took the letters from his hand. “Where do we go from here?”

  “I will keep this in mind as I search for answers.”

  They returned to the common room as James left for the Whitcombs’ and the others worked on their crafts.

  The afternoon passed quickly as the young people assembled and hung the wreaths and pine boughs. With the decorating completed, the group settled into a variety of activities.

  At half past five, Heather looked up from her mending. “’Tis dark out, Mary. What are you doing by the window?”

  “James has been gone for hours. I wonder if he will have trouble finding his way back in the dark.”

  Philip jumped up from where he was playing with Douglas. “I will get a lantern and wait for him.”

  Mary rolled her eyes and sat next to Heather on the settee.

  Andrew rose from his seat. “No need, Philip, I can go out with a lantern.”

  Mark smirked at his sister. “The Whitcombs will give James a lantern to light the way.”

  Mary picked up the embroidery and glared at her brother.

  It was almost six when Andrew and James returned.

  Mary helped to serve the tankards of warm cider Polly brought to the room. “How were Martha and her family, James?”

  James’ expression turned pensive as he took a sip from the steamy cup. “Martha’s mother appeared ... upset. I wonder if my call troubled her.”

  Heather approached him. “Mrs. Whitcomb’s demeanor has nothing to do with you. She has been suffering from melancholy ever since Tobias joined the militia.”

  “Martha said as much when I expressed my concern to her.”

  Mary cocked her head. “Martha said you spent a lot of time together in Williamsburg.”

  James shrugged and smiled. “We ran into each other one day, and she encouraged me to visit at her aunt and uncle’s home. They were all very gracious and invited me to return several times. I think Martha enjoyed having someone she already knew in town.”

  Mary smiled. “You were generous to make her feel less lonely while she was there.” James was a nice young man. ’Twas no wonder Martha had taken a shine to him.

  CHAPTER 24

  Matthew woke to the aroma of baking bread. Could he eat something solid today and keep it down? The headaches and nausea continued, but the head injury was better. His gunshot wound was another matter. It had festered, leaving him weak and feverish. Anna alternately cleaned the wound with brandy or a concoction of vinegar and balsam apple leaves before dressing it again. God willing, one day he would be able to pay back the Flemings’ kindness.

  Matthew glanced out the window to the blowing snow. Driving off questions that plagued him day and night was impossible. How were Heather and the children? What must they be thinking about his absence? Had Heather found his letters? Who had attacked him? Did it have anything to do with the packet he carried for Henry Ferguson? If it did, getting word of his whereabouts to Heather and the family could endanger them and the Flemings. Oden and Anna seemed trustworthy, but revealing anything to them might place them—or him—in additional danger. They must know nothing of his activities.

  Matthew rested against the pillow on the narrow pallet and surveyed the cabin. It was modest but had some well-crafted pieces of furniture. A door at the far end led to what he assumed was a bedroom.

  This was a home, a lovely home filled with love. But it wasn’t his.

  He must figure a way to get back to Heather and the children as soon as he could travel.

  Heather pulled back on the reins as their wagon approached the front of the Green. Church that morning had been a balm to her spirit. The pastor’s message encouraged her, and the dinner in the school with their neighbors had been the respite they all needed. On this blustery February day, it had warmed her heart and helped dispel the ever-present cloud of anxiety over Matthew’s absence.

  “Mark, please take care of the horse. The Gordons have not yet returned from church.”

  Mary handed Sara to her before helping Douglas out of the wagon.

  Heather shifted Sara in her arms and led Douglas and Mary to the front door. Once inside, Douglas headed toward the common room.

  Heather stopped abruptly. Something was wrong.

  The drawer from the hall table lay on the floor, its contents spread everywhere. She looked to the left. The parlor looked like a storm had blown through it.

  “Stop!” she screamed.

  The children froze and stared at the mess.

  “Mary, take Sara and Douglas back outside, now.”

  “What happened here?” Mary’s shrill cry did nothing to ease Heather’s nerves.

  “Now! Take them outside right now.”

  Mark ran to the door and peeked inside. “What happened?”

  “Mark, stay out front with the mare. Do not go in the barn.” She placed Sara into Mary’s arms. “Go, now!”

  “Mama, what is wrong?” Douglas wailed.

  Mark grabbed his little brother’s hand. “Everything is scattered everywhere.”

  “The Green has been ransacked,” Heather said. “Take the others and run up the lane and wait for the Gordons to return.” Heather picked up the poker by the hearth in the parlor and walked to the common room. Everywhere she looked was a mess. The contents of the bookcase had been strewn on the floor, and the kitchen was in total disarray. Broken pottery was scattered all over the floor. Her heart raced, and beads of perspiration formed on her brow.

  She climbed the stairs avoiding the spots she knew to creak. She first went to the right, down the hallway to the patrons’ rooms. Each room was in shambles. Why had she not gotten the gun from the parlor?

  Then she headed in the other direction. In Mary’s room, clothes had been tossed on the floor. Heather tightened her grip on the poker and crossed the hall. The boys’ room was in the same state. Back in the hallway, she glanced down the hall to Matthew’s and her bedroom. She inched down the hallway, the poker raised above her head and the taste of bile in her throat. Opening the door, she swallowed the bad taste that came up in her mouth. Clothes had been pulled from the wardrobe. The thought of some stranger handling her garments was disgusting. Everything would need to be washed. Even the mattress had been pulled from the bedstead and cut open. The chaos was stunning. Who would do this ... and why? What could they possibly have been looking for?

  She glanced at the chest-on-chest with its drawers pulled out and askew. The letters, Matthew’s letters. She caught her breath. She had taken Matthew’s Bible and the letters tucked ins
ide with her to church since Mary had asked to use hers. Praise you, Lord.

  She climbed over her things to get to the window. Mary stood in front of the Green holding Sara and Douglas by his hand. Heather didn’t see Mark. She made her way to the stairs.

  Mark stood at the foot of the stairs with the gun readied. “I’m here ... and ready.”

  “Aye, we need to get the children inside. I’m warning you, this is distressing, but we will put it back in order.”

  Heather began picking up items from the floor. “Why would someone do this? And who ... who would do such a thing?”

  She could hear Mark, still holding the gun, wandering from room to room.

  He came into the kitchen with a look of fury she had never before witnessed. “Who did this, Mama? The only people who come this way are boarders, and they rarely come by till afternoon.”

  She glanced at the hutch where some pieces of silver and pewter appeared untouched. “Put the gun back. Everything is not destroyed, just scattered about. Whoever did this is gone.”

  Mark headed for the parlor as Mary and the children came in. Douglas ran across the debris-laden floor and latched onto Heather’s skirts. She rubbed his soft hair. “Everybody is well.”

  Mary’s face had broken out with blotches. “Who would rob us while we were at church?”

  Douglas held on to Heather’s skirt, following her as she tried to put their home in order.

  “I’m not certain, but I question the intruder’s motive. The gun, the silver, and the pewter are still here, as are other things of value. Had it been robbers, they would have taken those.” She walked over to Mary and caressed Sara’s cheek. “Please put her down for a nap and watch Douglas. Mark, come with me to the barn to see what that looks like. We will see that this mess is made right.”

  She headed to the barn only to find more disorder. They had their work cut out for them. Nothing seemed to be missing except a small amount of money in the hutch drawer. Could any of this have to do with Matthew’s situation? She needed to tell the children about the letters, but this wasn’t the time.

  When the Gordons returned from church, they found their own cottage in disarray. Mark rode over to the Whitcombs’ to see if their home had also been targeted. George and Martha Whitcomb had not been at church and had seen nothing unusual. They came back to the Green with him to assist them in restoring their home.

  George’s mouth dropped open at the sight of the chaos. “Leave the heavier items to me.”

  “Did you notice any riders or activity around here this morning?”

  “I saw no one coming from this direction.”

  It took the remainder of the day to put their homes and barn back in order. Exhausted, everyone readied for bed by nine. As she was, sleep eluded her. Every noise made her jump. Would the intruder return? How could she trust boarders after this?

  CHAPTER 25

  Matthew sat on the side of the pallet with Oden on one side and Anna on the other. Mid-February and he was finally making progress in his recovery. “Try again. If I could just stand.”

  Oden took one of his arms and put it over his shoulder. “Han är for svag.”

  Anna took his other arm. “Engelsk, Oden.”

  “He is too weak, woman!”

  “I can do this,” Matthew choked. “Just help me.”

  They got him on his feet.

  His breathing was rapid, but Anna’s big grin was contagious.

  Oden put his free arm behind Matthew’s back. “Bra, bra.”

  Matthew took a step forward, then another, breathing hard and working up a sweat.

  “Rest now. Enough for today.” Anna signaled Oden with a nod of her head back toward the pallet.

  They turned him gently and got him back to a seating position.

  “Thank you. Let me rest a few minutes, and then I want to try again.”

  His caretakers looked at each other with raised brows.

  “’Tis the only way I will get stronger.”

  Over the next couple of hours, he made two more attempts to stand and walk.

  Anna brought him some broth. “You doing good. We try again tomorrow.”

  Matthew looked at Anna, then Oden. “Have you told anyone that I’m here?”

  “No.” Anna gazed at Oden. “You say anything, Oden?”

  “Nej.” He shook his head.

  Matthew took a deep breath. “Good. I may still be in danger, and I would not want to put you in peril for taking care of me.”

  “You said you not criminal,” Oden said, “and we believe you. Why you not want family know you here?”

  “It might put them in danger or allow people to trace me here. My horse. Do you still have my horse?”

  “Ja.” Oden nodded. “In barn most of time, just take out after dark, like you said.”

  “I need to get strong enough to go home, for your protection, mine, and my family’s.” He lay back on the pallet, spent. Tomorrow, he would try again to walk to build up his strength. Bless this dear couple for all their aid.

  Anna bent over him. “You hungry?”

  “Too tired right now ... later.”

  The day after the break-in was bitterly cold. As Heather walked back toward the Green from the barn, she spotted a coach in the distance. Mark and Todd were not home yet from the schoolhouse, so Thomas or Philip would need to mind the horses.

  Thomas came alongside her. “It looks like we have guests. Philip is hunting a couple of deer he spotted earlier. I can see to the horses.”

  She strained to make out the party approaching. “I think it might be the Duncans.”

  Mary came out the door, putting her cape on as she hurried down the steps.

  As the Duncans arrived and began to unload the wagon, unexpected tears filled Heather’s eyes. She hugged Maggie. “You are an answer to prayer.”

  Maggie’s eyes were filled with compassion. “We would have been here sooner, but between the weather and some illness, we had to postpone the trip. We are finally beginning to be ourselves again.”

  She held on to Maggie as if she were clinging to life itself. “I’m so glad you came.” She wiped tears from her cheeks.

  “Have you received any word at all from Matthew? We were shocked when Aaron Turner brought your letter and told us Matthew had not returned.”

  “Nay, we have heard nothing.”

  They went inside to the kitchen, the children to the common room.

  With her head up and shoulders back, Heather fought to keep her emotions under control.

  Adam removed his coat. “I made some inquiries about Matt in town, but to no avail. If that is coffee, I will have some.” He rubbed his hands together before the hearth.

  Heather reached for the kettle and motioned to Adam and Maggie. “Please stay in here a few minutes ... away from the children.” Heather poured them each some of the steamy brew and then detailed the events of the previous day’s disturbing home breach. Talking about it made her shake again.

  Adam looked drawn. “I will get some new hardware for the Green with a better locking function. Maggie’s brother-in-law in Leesburg is a gunsmith and locksmith.”

  “That sounds like a good idea,” Heather said. “Some money was stolen, but as near as I can tell, nothing else is missing. We have no idea what they were seeking. Nothing else of value is gone.”

  Maggie held her hand. “I cannot imagine how frightening it must have been to come home and find the house in such a state.”

  “I hardly slept at all last night. Every sound made me jump.” She shuddered, wanting to put the whole event behind her. “Now, tell me how all of you are.”

  Adam poured more coffee. “I suppose you know Andrew Macmillan came by and stayed with us an evening before traveling on to Annapolis. He mentioned a letter Matthew left you. What is that all about?”

  Heather looked around. “We need to speak softly. I have not yet mentioned the letters to the children. Let me fetch them and see what you make of them.” She went
upstairs, leaving Adam and Maggie at the table in the kitchen. When she returned, she put on a shawl. “Bring your coffee to the barn so we can speak privately.”

  Maggie and Adam followed her into the chilly confines of the barn.

  She motioned for them to sit on some wooden crates. “’Twas uncanny and providential that I found the letters in Matthew’s Bible while Andrew and James were still here. But I fear they raise more questions than answers.” She handed them to Adam.

  Adam rubbed his forehead as he read. “’Tis as Andrew said, and I do not like how it sounds.”

  Heather stood near the barn door. “It suggests Matthew anticipated something might ... delay or prevent his returning home. What might he be involved in that could place him in danger?”

  “You had no inkling of anything amiss before he left?”

  “He said he would be away about a fortnight to purchase farm equipment and some cattle. He never mentioned his destination, and now, I feel foolish for not having asked more questions.”

  Maggie got up and placed an arm around her. “’Tis odd Matthew did not mention his destination.”

  Maggie and Adam exchanged glances.

  Heather fought back tears. “Matthew had been distracted for a while. He dismissed it whenever I asked him what troubled him.” She paced back and forth, glancing occasionally out the open door.

  Adam got up and motioned for her to sit with Maggie. “Who are these Jones and Stephens chaps he mentions? This sounds like they might have knowledge about his whereabouts.”

  She sat on the crate next to Maggie and locked eyes with Adam. “I went back to the log we keep of our guests. The men were patrons here in June. One of them returned in August. I have been asking myself these same questions since I found the letters.”

  Maggie and Adam shook their heads.

  Heather gazed out the door in the direction of the Green. “We best get back inside. The children may be wondering where we are. We should refrain from discussing Matthew’s absence during dinner as ’tis distressing for the children.”