Almost a Bride (The Bride Ships Book 4)

by Jody Hedlund

  He huddled above Kate and held her as pebbles rained down. When finally the rumbling ceased, he straightened and held up the lantern, assessing her. “You okay?”

  “Just frightened. That’s all.” She rubbed her arms, glancing around the tunnel with wide eyes. “For a minute I thought the tunnel was collapsing on top of us.”

  He took a step but almost fell, realizing too late his crutch was in the water. He bit back a frustrated curse. Already seeing his dilemma, Kate was bending and plunging her hand into the water, feeling around. A second later, she produced the crutch.

  He handed her the lantern and took the carved stick. At the crumbling of more rocks down by the shaft, fear swelled inside Zeke’s chest and nearly cut off his air.

  “Phil, you there?” He hobbled forward.

  Kate followed closely behind. The going was slow, as it had been when he’d slogged his way down the drift earlier.

  At the sound of a moan, he tried to pick up his pace, relieved Phil was alive, hopefully not injured too badly. His mind raced ahead with all the possibilities of what might have happened. A gas leak could have caused an explosion. Or maybe the pressure of the recent rainwater had caused a cave-in up in the main drift.

  As the lantern light fell upon the beginning of the tunnel, Zeke’s heart plunged hard. Rocks of all shapes and sizes littered the tunnel floor along with a broken ladder and the remains of the windlass. The shaft opening was completely blocked, large boulders and rocks having wedged inside as they fell from the drift above.

  Worse, Phil was sprawled out, holding his head, blood oozing between his fingers. If all the rocks had fallen, he would have been crushed and killed. But thankfully, he’d been spared.

  With crumbling stones continuing to fall and the possibility of the large ones dropping at any moment, a fresh sense of urgency propelled Zeke. He had to get Phil away from further danger.

  “Oh dear.” Kate brushed past Zeke and veered toward Phil.

  He grabbed her arm. “Stay back, Kate. Let me pull him loose.”

  Only then did she seem to see the seriousness of their predicament.

  Zeke tried to hurry his steps despite the crutch, one eye on the rubble above and the other upon Phil.

  “Be careful.” Her voice was wobbly.

  “Aye, I will.” The more he evaluated their situation, the more dread settled over him. From what he could tell, they were trapped in the drift with no way out. But he refused to worry Kate. Not yet.

  Instead, for the first time in over three years, his thoughts shifted heavenward. God help me. The plea came out before he could think about it.

  “Phil?” he called as he reached his foreman.

  Phil groaned and moved his head but was only half-conscious.

  Zeke surveyed the debris, then he tossed aside his crutch, grabbed Phil under his arms, and hauled him backward. The pain of the pressure on Zeke’s broken leg nearly made him crumple. But he gritted his teeth and heaved.

  As soon as he was out from underneath the shaft, Kate was at his side and took hold of one of Phil’s arms so that together they managed to slide him a safe distance away. Once Phil was propped against the tunnel wall, Kate checked his wounds.

  With her attention fixed upon doctoring Phil, Zeke braced himself against the wall and closed his eyes. The throbbing in his leg moved throughout his body, weakening him and causing him to slide down.

  He didn’t want to get wetter than he already was, especially not his cast. With the temperature in the tunnel hovering around forty degrees, being wet would only add to the misery. He lifted his thoughts heavenward again. God help me. Not for my sake but so I can help Kate and Phil survive.

  Fact was, Zeke didn’t deserve any help from the Almighty. After the misery and death he’d caused the mill workers on the day of the fire, God would be justified in ignoring him and letting him suffer.

  I’ll suffer and willingly die. But please spare these two, especially Kate. She’s innocent and beautiful and has so much life ahead of her.

  “He’s got several deep lacerations.” Kate’s prognosis drew Zeke back to the direness of their predicament. “I’ll try to staunch the bleeding until help arrives.”

  Help arrives? He could only hope his workers hadn’t been too far from the mine to hear the explosion. Even if they’d heard the rumble and saw the cloud of dust rising from the entrance, they might not think anything of it, assuming he and Phil had planned a blast after they left. And when the night guards arrived in a little bit, they wouldn’t think to check this far back.

  The frightening truth was that the three of them might be stuck in the drift all night until the first miners arrived in the morning and discovered the cave-in. Even then, depending on how much debris littered the upper drift, it could take hours of digging and chipping to clear away the rubble before reaching the shaft.

  Zeke glanced down the tunnel. The new drift wasn’t long. How much time did they have before they used up the oxygen and had nothing left? Even if they had enough breathable air to sustain them, how would Kate survive the cold for hours, especially having wet feet?

  He couldn’t wait around to find out, had to do something now. But what?

  Turning his attention to the entrance, he surveyed the jagged pieces of rock that had already fallen. Maybe he could force the rest of the rocks out of the shaft. By standing close and poking at them, he’d put himself directly into danger. He might get caught in an avalanche of granite and end up like Phil or worse. But if he could work the rocks loose and they dropped from the shaft, he’d be able to clear the way out. At the very least, additional oxygen would flow down into the tunnel.

  Zeke crawled forward and grabbed his crutch from where it had wedged between several fallen rocks. Then he pushed himself up, trying to ignore the fire shooting through his leg.

  “Can you help me rip my petticoat?” Kate probed Phil’s scalp. “The hem is wet but higher is dry and clean.”

  He was tempted to tell her Phil’s injuries were the least of their concerns. But at the earnestness of her expression, he nodded. Helping Phil would occupy her for a while and keep her from figuring out how grim their situation was.

  She lifted her skirt to reveal her petticoat. Under other circumstances, he would have marveled at the sight of her ankles and slender calves. But now, all he could think about was how wet and cold her feet already were and how he needed to find a way to dry them and keep her warm.

  He helped her rip several strips. Once she was busy bandaging Phil, he limped toward the shaft. The ladder had snapped in two, and half of it was wedged along the side of the tunnel. He hoisted it, and then before he could talk himself out of acting, he shoved the ladder against the rocks stuck in the shaft.

  “Zeke! Don’t!” Kate called, apparently paying more attention to him than he’d realized.

  He thrust the ladder again harder. This time a rumbling was followed by a sprinkling of dust and dirt. In an instant, she was at his side, yanking him back. Already unsteady, he stumbled, his momentum propelling them both away from a new shower of debris.

  For endless seconds, they huddled together against the tunnel wall, waiting for the downpour to cease. When only a trickle of dust remained, he started to move, but Kate slapped her hands against his chest, forcing him to remain against the wall. “What do you think you’re doing? Trying to get yourself killed?”

  “I’m trying to find a way to get us out of here.”

  “You won’t get out if you’re buried under the rubble.”

  “I have to try something.”

  “Don’t you dare try that again, Zeke Hart.” Her eyes flashed, making her more beautiful than he’d ever seen her. She was near enough he could feel the warmth of her breath. He had a sudden urge to wrap her in his arms and kiss her until they were both senseless.

  What if they only had hours left? Why not spend their last moments in each other’s arms?

  He shook off the urge, frustration swelling. He broke away from her and s
taggered toward the other side of the tunnel. “I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life.” He spun around and faced her. “But I won’t cower away this time. I’m gonna do what I have to do in order to save you.”

  “I won’t let you kill yourself in the process.” Her voice rang with anger.

  From where Phil sat propped up against the wall, he released a low groan, as if agreeing with Kate.

  “If I die, maybe I can finally make up for all the lives I cost others.” As soon as the words were out, he wished he could take them back. He didn’t like to talk about what had happened in Manchester at the mill. He’d worked to keep his memories locked away. And most of the time, they stayed well out of sight.

  From the softening of her expression, he could see that she knew what he was referring to. “I know everything that happened that day, Zeke. And you weren’t to blame for any of it.”

  Zoe had already told him the same thing when he’d visited with her earlier in the summer. He hadn’t believed Zoe then any more than he believed Kate now. Neither of them would be able to understand that even if he hadn’t been the one to light the fire that killed the workers, his careless actions had been the impetus behind the crime. If not for him, all those people would still be alive and with their loved ones.

  Kate waded across the tunnel and stood in front of him. “We all make mistakes. For a while, those mistakes might hurt others and us. But we can find healing, if we seek after it.”

  “Healing?”

  “Like your leg. If you’d done nothing after the break, your leg may never have healed—at least properly. But with time and the right care, someday it will be as good as new, or nearly so. The same is true of our inner wounds. If we ignore them, they’ll fester. But with time and the right doctoring, eventually they’ll heal too.”

  He studied her face, as sweet and sincere as always. “You’ve never made mistakes the same way I have.”

  She ducked her gaze. “I’ve hurt people too, Zeke.”

  “Can’t imagine how.”

  “Like Mr. Frank.” A note of distress echoed in her voice. “And the other men I was engaged to marry. I hurt them all by making promises and then breaking them.”

  Like she’d almost done with him and still could do. “Hey.” He gentled his tone. “If I have inner wounds that are festering, maybe you do too.”

  She stuck her hand in her pocket and fidgeted for a moment. “You might be right.”

  He waited for her to expound, but she withdrew her hand and held a dirty, frayed piece of cloth. On closer examination, he could see it was an old ribbon. “I’m guessing one of your previous suitors gave it to you.”

  She twisted it between her fingers. “No, my father did.”

  In the far corners of Zeke’s mind, he had a faint image of her father, a tall and handsome man, full of life and energy, always joking and teasing and laughing. One day he’d been there and the next he was gone, changing Jeremiah from a fun-loving friend to a serious young man with the weight of his family’s welfare resting on his shoulders.

  Had Mr. Millington’s leaving affected Kate too? Causing wounds no one could see?

  “He tied it in my hair the day he left,” she whispered. “And he told me he was sorry he couldn’t be everything my mum and I needed him to be.”

  “He was a fool for leaving.”

  Kate continued to stroke the worn ribbon. “Did you know he didn’t share my mum’s faith?” When she lifted her eyes, his heart ceased beating. He knew then what he’d been trying to deny all along. Kate needed a better man than him—a man who was following the Almighty and His ways with all his heart. Not someone who was trying to appease her with spiritual platitudes and promises of a church.

  “Maybe because of the way he left,” she continued softly, “I get scared of being left again. Or maybe I don’t want to end up like my mum.”

  “That makes sense.” Pain stabbed his chest at the realization he wasn’t the godly man she needed. He wanted to be that man. But he also couldn’t—wouldn’t—fake his faith to have her. He’d never had much of an example with his own father. Maybe his father hadn’t left the same way hers had, but he’d been absent in all the ways that mattered. Zeke didn’t want to be like that, like either of those men—her father or his. But he’d already run away once. What would stop him from doing it again?

  As much as he wanted to marry Kate and make her his, he couldn’t put her in a situation where she’d always be wondering if she married someone like her father.

  “I guess that’s why I only get so far in my relationships,” she said. “I hadn’t thought of it before, but maybe I have inner wounds that need healing too.”

  The ache in his core spread to his limbs. As she studied his face and waited for his response, he was afraid she’d see his resolution. He reached for her, and did the cowardly thing by wrapping her into an embrace so she wouldn’t read the truth.

  He’d been selfish to convince her to marry him, had only been thinking of himself and what he needed. Now, no matter that it might kill him, he had to let her go so she could find a man who was worthy of her.

  But first, he had to find a way to free her from the mine. Or nothing else would matter because they’d all be dead.

  TWENTY

  KATE SHUDDERED, THE damp cold of the tunnel penetrating deep and waking her. Zeke’s arms tightened around her, his body bringing her some warmth but not quite enough.

  “How’s Phil?” She wiggled her toes, which were frigid but dry and wrapped in Zeke’s coat after he’d made her take off her wet shoes and stockings.

  “He’s still unconscious.” Zeke’s voice rumbled near her ear in the darkness.

  Hours ago, they’d positioned several of the biggest rocks together in order to move Phil out of the water and give him something to lean against. While they couldn’t do anything about his wet trousers, at least his feet were mostly dry since he’d been wearing his waterproof mining boots.

  She’d stopped the blood flow of two deep lacerations on Phil’s head and bandaged them as best she could. She’d cleaned a handful of smaller cuts, but the bruising and swelling on the left side of his head was most worrisome.

  “Maybe I should light the lantern and check on him again.” She tried sitting forward, but Zeke held her in place.

  “I will in a few minutes.”

  Light-headed and weak, she settled back into the curve of his body. Similar to what they’d done with Phil, they’d hauled rocks until they formed a pile, which allowed them a dry place to sit out of the water where his cast could stay as dry as possible under the circumstances. Zeke had leaned against the damp wall and pulled her down in front of him, insisting on keeping her dry and warm.

  Though the rocks were uncomfortable beneath her and she’d grown colder with each passing hour, she didn’t complain. She was dryer and warmer than Zeke who was sacrificing for her comfort.

  Amidst her protests, Zeke had made several more attempts at knocking the debris from the shaft in order to clear it. While small stones and dust had filtered down, the largest of the avalanche remained stuck, jagged pieces wedged too tightly for any one human to move on his own.

  Finally, Zeke had given up heaving against the rocks, his shoulders slumped in defeat and his face taut with the pain his exertion had cost him. Though the stab wound was healing and the burns on his back had scabbed over, the doctor had indicated Zeke needed to be in the cast for several more weeks. She had no doubt he was exhausted.

  She shivered, and Zeke immediately rubbed her arms, causing friction that brought some warmth back to her skin. He was so kind.

  And he loved her.

  She hadn’t wanted to think of his declaration when they’d been kissing, had simply given herself over to the passion that so easily flared between them. But now, hours later, she relived his soul-stirring kisses along with his bold words. Though he hadn’t spoken of love again, she’d felt his love in every effort he made to protect her.

  Was it possible
she could put her fears to rest? She’d admonished Zeke to give himself a chance to heal from his past mistakes and hurts. Didn’t she need to do the same? Was it time to push her father’s rejection behind her and move on?

  Zeke rubbed her arms and hands a moment longer and then moved up to her shoulders before he enveloped her, wrapping her against him. She snuggled in, and even though she was stiff and uncomfortable and tired, she knew she was exactly where she wanted to be. In his arms.

  The whisper of I love you hovered at the tip of her tongue. She wanted to tell him how she felt in return. He was as handsome and charming as he’d always been while growing up, but now even more so. In addition, he was generous with everyone who worked for him, cared about the community, and was a man of integrity among his peers. He was self-disciplined and worked hard, and yet he also had a relaxed and playful side to him. He would be a good provider. She’d never have to worry about being in want ever again.

  The truth was, he was everything she could ever dream of having in a husband. Except for one thing—he didn’t share her views on God.

  Once again, she told herself it didn’t matter. He was searching and would hopefully find the Lord. But as she justified her choice, the steady tap of his heartbeat resounded in her ear, reminding her of the wounds deep inside him.

  Was it possible he might use her and their relationship to cover over his past? Maybe loving her eased his aches and made him forget about his mistakes instead of taking them to the only One who could truly heal and restore wholeness.

  Weariness tugged at her, towing her back into the world of sleep. She tightened her hold on Zeke, not wanting to let him go. But even as she tried to keep her grip, a sharp sense of God’s truth prodded her to release him in order to give him the chance he needed to turn his heart back to the Giver of Life.

  Flames blazed into the air, and Zeke fought through them, scorching his flesh. Kate was on the other side, and he had to save her before the fire consumed her.

  Kate! Hold on. I’m coming to rescue you!

  “Zeke?”