Uncharted Journey (The Uncharted Series Book 6)

by Keely Brooke Keith

  “You in there Solomon?” his boss called from the doorway.

  Solo swallowed his embarrassment, grateful his boss hadn’t heard him talking to King. “Yes, sir.”

  “Well, get out here and take this worthless horse into the pasture.” His boss cracked a whip at the horse Solo had ridden from the inn when he came to get the doctor. It was Frederick’s horse.

  Solo stomped toward his boss. “He isn’t worthless. And he isn’t yours to whip.”

  His boss narrowed his eyes. “I didn’t ask your opinion. Now get him into the barn.”

  Solo took the horse’s rope but didn’t obey his boss. The horse didn’t belong here, and neither did he. They both belonged at the inn. He squared his stiff shoulders. “I need to take this horse back to his owner at Falls Creek. I brought your horse back to you, so it’s only fair. The Roberts family was grateful you let me swap horses that day.”

  His boss lifted his chin, a rare flash of concern easing his gaze. “Did the old man live?”

  “Leonard recovered mostly. This is Frederick Roberts’ horse. I should return him to the inn.”

  “Joe can take him when he goes through there on his way to Stonehill next week.”

  The hope of returning to the inn quickened Solo’s pulse. The excuse of taking the horse back wasn’t working on his boss. Horses were often swapped between the inn and the ranches of the Land as travelers had needs. No one at the inn was missing the horse, but he was missing Eva. He took a step closer to his boss. “I have to go back to the inn, sir.”

  The man shook his head sternly. “You just came back from spending over a month away. If you want to claim your acreage next year, you’d better get to work.”

  Nine years down and only one to go, then he would be free and have his own land and could raise his own horses. But Eva’s feelings might disappear by then. Urgency quaked his insides. He had to see her once more, to try again to win her heart. “Let me return the horse to the inn. Please. It’s important to me.”

  “I don’t care what it means to you. Do you think I’m running a charity here?” His boss spit on the ground and turned to walk away. “Get to work.”

  “I would only be gone a couple of days, three at most.”

  His boss rounded on his heel. “If you leave here again and it’s not for work I’ve assigned you, you aren’t coming back.”

  If he left, he would lose his job and the chance to own his own land. Without land he would always be at the mercy of others for work. But if he didn’t go back to Eva now, he would always regret it. It wouldn’t matter if he had all the land in the world if his soul was crushed. He straightened his spine. “I have to go.”

  “Then you’re out of a job, Solomon. Don’t come back here begging me for work.”

  Solo’s blood pumped hard through his veins as he gave the decision one last moment of thought. Then with certainty he looked his boss in the eye. “Don’t worry. I won’t.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Eva followed along as Zeke read aloud from his storybook during their afternoon reading lesson. She turned the last page for him, and he snuggled close to her on the divan in the reception room. As he read the story’s ending, she looked away from the book and out the window.

  Tree limbs rustled across the road, swaying with the cold autumn wind that blew up from Antarctica. Before long, a layer of snow would blanket the road, and fewer travelers would visit the inn.

  “The end.” Zeke pulled away from her and closed the book. “Can we read one more story? From the book with the red cover?”

  “Sure, sweetie.”

  While he hopped to the bookshelf pretending to be a bunny rabbit, the rumble of a wagon on the stone bridge drew Eva to the front window. She stood close to the glass to look to the east but couldn’t see who was coming. Hoping it would be a trader with lantern oil, she hurried to the door. She glanced back at Zeke. “Start reading your next story. I’ll be back in a moment.”

  “All right, Mama.” Zeke flopped onto the divan and opened the thick story book.

  The chilly air stung Eva’s nose when she drew her first breath outside. She wrapped her shawl closer to her neck while the approaching wagon came into view.

  A mismatched pair of horses—a brawny Shire stallion and a thin dun gelding—pulled the wagon to a stop in front of the inn. One man sat atop the wagon bench, but it was the only man she wanted to see. Her breath caught on a spike of excitement.

  Solo climbed down from the wagon bench and patted King as he passed the stallion. He said something to the horse, but Eva couldn’t hear his words.

  The wind flipped the collar of his overcoat against his neck as he strode toward the inn. He locked his confident gaze on her but didn’t smile. Maybe he was just passing through, or perhaps he’d left something behind and was only here to claim it and would leave again.

  Everything within Eva wanted to dash down the porch steps, fling her arms around him, and beg him to stay. Somehow, she kept her feet firmly planted on the porch, wanting to hear why he had returned before she offered him the half of her heart that was still beating.

  Solo stopped at the bottom of the porch steps and knocked the brim of his hat higher. He looked up at her, his voice flat. “Afternoon, Eva.”

  “Good afternoon, Solomon.”

  He pointed a thumb over his shoulder at the wagon but left his gaze on her. “I’m returning your father’s horse.”

  Old habits told her to keep her chin raised and her tone curt, but she wanted to melt down the stairs into a sniveling puddle and plead for his forgiveness. She no longer needed her former hard facade, nor would she crumble. “I read the letter you left on my desk.”

  He said nothing. His eyes studied her acutely.

  She walked to the edge of the steps. “I’m sorry for how I treated you. I misjudged you.”

  She waited for him to accept her apology, to say something, but he quietly watched her. Maybe after the way she’d behaved, it would be fair if he made her squirm. If the tables were turned, she might be tempted to do the same. No. The Solomon she knew was more mature than that.

  Slowly, his expression softened as he chose his words. His low voice stayed steady and full, like it had been the evening they sat on the porch swing together. “Forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” He climbed the first step as he quoted the verse from Ephesians. “Would you spare a bed for the night? I can trade two tins of lantern oil for a night in the bunkhouse.”

  She descended the top step, unsure of how she could keep her feelings to herself with him on the property for a night. “If that is what you wish.”

  A faint smile curved his lips. “Is that what you wish?”

  No, it wasn’t. She wanted so much more but wouldn’t say it. There was one thing she could offer without giving herself away. “We need a stable manager. Father was right when he said you are the best man for the job. Would you consider filling the position… permanently?”

  His smile flared then vanished and his gaze intensified. “I will consider it, but I didn’t come here for a job, Eva.”

  His change in demeanor reminded her of the Sunday they had fought in the reception room, her dodging the truth of her feelings, him offended by her accusations. If her apology now hadn’t ended their argument, she had nothing left to say. She blew out an exhausted breath and its white cloud was carried away by the cold wind. “Solo, I’m tired of fighting.”

  He pulled off his leather gloves. “I’m not fighting anything but my own desire. I think that might be true for you too.”

  “What are you saying?”

  He slid his gloves into his coat pocket and climbed one more step. “I quit my job in Riverside. I don’t belong there. I can go up to my cousin’s horse farm in Good Springs and work. Mark would be glad to have me, but I doubt I would feel like I belonged there either. If you need me here, that’s reason enough for me to stay. I belong here.” He took another step and stood eye-to-eye with her. “But I
want more than a job. I love you, Eva, and I want to spend my life with you. I want to make a family with you and Zeke.”

  She opened her mouth to speak but stopped when he took her hand in his.

  “I know I’m not the first to love you, and I promise to never diminish what you had with Ezekiel.” He glanced toward the barn. “A wise man recently told me there will always be something missing in life, something wrong in our circumstances, and there isn’t anything I can do to change it. That’s life in this fallen world. But I can promise to love you and Zeke with everything in me.”

  He climbed the last step and stood on equal footing with her on the top stair. “And just like a wild mare, I know you will need time to get used to me, so I’ll take it slow. I’m not going anywhere unless you tell me to leave.”

  Sybil had been right: God had more for her in life, more than she could have asked or imagined. As Solo’s words sank into her soul, she wrapped his callused hand with both of hers. “Stay. I want you to stay.”

  A satisfied grin warmed his eyes. He drew her close and lifted her chin with a soft touch. His gaze moved down her face as he lowered his lips to hers, not with the curious testing of the first kiss they had shared in the office that day but with the eager passion of a man declaring his love.

  Before she could fully surrender to his kiss, he pulled back and took both of her hands in his. His breath was raspy as he spoke, his mouth still inches from hers. “I’ll talk with your father, let him know my intentions.”

  She looked down at their joined hands, the heat between them taking all chill from the air. The Lord had carried her through tragedy and was now leading her into something she never thought possible. She lifted a silent prayer of thanks to God and decided to begin this new relationship with complete forthrightness. “Before you speak with my father…”

  “Yes?”

  “Since he isn’t always in his right mind, I need you to make one more promise.”

  “Anything.”

  “No matter what words come out of his mouth now or in the future, I know this is what he wants for me. He told me as much when he was having a moment of clarity. So if he refuses you now or someday tells you to leave, promise me you will stay.”

  His quick response came with an assuring gaze. “I promise.” He pressed his lips to hers, kissing her slowly, sweetly.

  “No matter what comes, we will face it together.”

  “Together,” she repeated on a hopeful breath. Her heart swelled inside her chest, what was dead now coming to life. The fullness of its beat flooded her with joy.

  ***

  Long after dinner, the aroma of Sybil’s delicious vegetable stew clung to the air in the dining room. Solo had pushed two tables together to make one long table so the whole family could eat together then play cards. Eva refilled the water cups before she sat beside Solo. He put his arm over her chair, so she leaned against his side.

  Zeke smiled at them then reached down to pet Joshua. Her sweet son hadn’t stopped smiling since Solo came back. He’d already asked her if one day soon Solo could be his daddy.

  The burning gray leaf log in the fireplace warmed the room and offered its soft glow to the faces of those at the table. Eva studied each of them while her father shuffled the cards. Not everyone she loved was present; there would always be something missing, but never had she felt so content.

  As Frederick dealt the cards, Zeke sat on his knees in the chair and his little dog curled up beneath it. Leonard winked at Claudia as he picked up the cards he was dealt and readied his hand. Sybil shifted in her seat beside Eva as if struggling to keep herself awake after a long day of work.

  Footsteps thumped the steps as a trader from Northcrest descended the stairs. He turned at the newel post and walked into the dining room where he caught Eva’s eye. “Excuse me, ma’am. Sorry to interrupt your game. I forgot to deliver this message to you earlier.”

  Eva accepted the folded piece of paper. “Thank you.” She hoped it was from Revel but didn’t recognize the writing. As soon as she read the message, she looked at Leonard. “It is from Isaac Owens. His current employer found a replacement for him, so he can move here and start managing our farm immediately.”

  Leonard nodded once. “Excellent news!”

  Claudia rubbed Leonard’s back. “Praise the Lord!”

  Frederick contracted his brow. “Who is doing what?”

  As Solo patiently explained to Frederick what was happening, Eva glanced at Sybil, who perked up instantly. Her wide eyes were lit with an uncensored smile.

  Eva leaned toward her and whispered, “You were right about God having more for me. Perhaps He has more for you too.”

  Sybil giggled and covered her grinning mouth with her fingertips.

  Eva picked up her cards but instead of looking at the hand she’d been dealt, she watched her family. There would be moments of joy and laughter, such as now, and moments of tears and mourning, but so long as she remembered what God had done for her in the past, she could face the future with hope, knowing He would faithfully carry her through all things.

  Epilogue

  Bailey sat in the Colburns’ living room, talking with Revel until the others came home. Connor and Lydia arrived first with little Andrew asleep in Lydia’s arms. While she took the baby upstairs, Connor stayed in the living room, hovering as if he wanted to say something to Revel but couldn’t in front of Bailey.

  John arrived a few minutes later and the sound of running water came from the kitchen. Revel popped up out of John’s chair as if he would be in trouble if caught sitting in it. Connor gave him an amused expression, and then they both looked at Bailey.

  She didn’t know why and didn’t want to. “Okay,” she said, drawing out the word. Picking up the novel from the side table, she backed away from the sofa. “Night, guys.”

  Revel flashed a warm grin. “Goodnight, Bailey.”

  “Night, Jeans,” Connor said. Then he started telling Revel about an idea he was working on for starting a communications system between the villages.

  Before Bailey turned into the hallway, John stepped into the living room and interrupted the guys’ conversation. “Excuse me, gentlemen.” The patriarch looked at Revel while holding up a folded piece of paper. “I received a letter from your sister, Eva, today. Have a seat, son. We need to talk.”

  As Bailey closed her bedroom door, the men spoke quietly in the living room. She wanted to keep the door cracked and listen to what they were saying but knew better. Whatever it was, John didn’t sound happy about it. She was half intrigued, half concerned for Revel.

  The twinge of interest growing inside her for these people made her feel alive. Having others around refreshed her with a sense of comfort and community. Whatever her life in the Land held, she hoped it would be in an active house surrounded by caring people.

  She placed the book on the bedside table and ambled to the window. Darkness smothered the Land, but she wasn’t tired yet. She peeled back the lacy curtain and stared toward the coast even though she couldn’t see beyond the yard.

  She wished Tim were here and could get to know John and everyone. There was no sense in thinking about how much she missed him. He had died giving her a chance at a new life. Still, she wanted to show him how that new life was taking shape. She wanted to tell him about sparring with Connor and going with Lydia to the seamstress and talking with Revel. She wanted to tell him that even though John Colburn was a distant relative, she felt a connection to him. She wanted to tell him maybe he was right when he said she could make a family out of friends.

  Her mind told her not to, but her hands opened the wardrobe and felt around in the deflated backpack for the two-way radio. It was a step backward instead of forward. Maybe that was how she would eventually move on. She turned the radio on and glanced at the closed bedroom door as she increased the volume.

  A man’s scratchy voice was mid-sentence. “…out there please answer.”

  Bailey’s heart thudded in her
chest. “Hello?”

  “Bailey? Bailey, is that you?”

  “Tim?”

  “Bailey, I can’t believe it! You finally picked up. Are you really there?”

  His hoarse voice sounded weak, more like the man he’d been after his family died during the water poisoning back in Virginia than the man she’d left on the yacht the night they found the Land. “I’m here, Tim.”

  “I’ve been trying to reach you for weeks.”

  “I’m so sorry. We thought you were dead.”

  “I thought I was too… a couple of times.”

  “Where are you?”

  “I don’t know where exactly.”

  “We looked everywhere along the coast. Have you tried to find the village?”

  “I’m not on the same beach where you and the boys went ashore. I heard the gunfire and stayed in the tender for several hours. The ocean flipped me every which way, but I managed to hold onto the boat. The currents took me south and then into an estuary.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I found a survival kit in the boat’s compartment. I have matches, a water filter, fishing gear—stuff like that. I don’t have any insulin left. I’m not doing well, Bailey.”

  “Wherever you are, I will find you. The people here will form a search party with me.” She paced the floor as she tried not to picture Tim sick and alone. “Are there any landmarks we can use to find you?”

  “I followed the river inland a ways. Now, I’m camping on the shore. Landmarks?” He paused for a moment as if looking around. “It’s dark right now, but all I’ve seen from here is mountains.”

  Bailey swallowed hard. “You’re near the mountains?”

  “Yes. Is that bad?”

  “Don’t worry, Tim,” she quickly replied, hoping he wouldn’t sense her fear over the air waves. “We will find you.”

  # # #

  Our journey in the Land continues in Uncharted Destiny. Join me on the adventure. Tap here to download Uncharted Destiny, Book 7 in the Uncharted series.