Prudence’s heart fluttered.
“How’d you know he was out there?” the first stranger asked.
“There were two of you when I first called out. But besides that, I could smell ya. Ever heard of soap?”
“We didn’t mean anything.”
“Let’s just say I’m an overprotective husband who can see in the dark.”
Urias let the guys loose in the morning. Once he exposed their plan, they probably wouldn’t have robbed him, but he wasn’t taking any chances. He’d leave Prudence with the Campbells and finish hauling the hogs over to the Cumberland Gap without her. With those two out there, he needed to protect her. Mac had trained him well on how to listen and watch the signs of being tracked. All morning, he’d watched to see whether the men had doubled back or continued their way north. Thankfully, they’d continued north.
He’d set Prudence on the mule this morning. She seemed nervous. They didn’t talk about what happened last night until they stopped for lunch. Urias heated up some beans and a couple hunks of bacon. “Sorry.” He offered her the poor substitute for a meal.
“I should be able to make our dinner this evening.” She glanced down at her plate and back up to him. “Urias, who were those men last night?”
“Two lazy men looking for a quick way to earn a dollar.”
“Bandits?”
“Not yet. Hopefully, they’ve learned to stay away from folks traveling on the road.”
“How’d you know the other man was in the woods?”
“There were two distinct movements when I called out, but only one man came forward. Which meant the other would circle around and try to sneak up on me. First, they wanted to see how many were in our camp.”
“I was terrified.”
“I’m sorry about that. We should be traveling with two rifles, one for you as well. I’m a fair shot, though not as good as my father. He’s taught me a lot about traveling in the wilderness. Most of the time you’re safe, but the closer you get to the towns, the more you tend to run into bandits.”
She took a small bite of her beans.
“It will be all right, Prudence.” He laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I’ll make certain nothing happens to you.”
“You said something strange last night, and the stranger seemed to know what you were talking about. What are blue people?”
Urias chuckled. If you’ve never heard about them, it’s hard to believe at first, he reminded himself. “There’s a family—the Fugates—in the hills around Hazard. Anyone who lives there knows about them, even if they don’t know them. Their skin has a blue tinge to it. Some folks are afraid of them, and the Fugates keep pretty secluded up in their hills. If you’re ever in the area, don’t mention someone being blue in referring to depression. They’ll fear you’re cursing them.”
“How strange.”
“I’ll admit it took a bit to get used to seeing them, but they’re really fine folks. Nothing different except the skin color. Have you ever been in cold water too long and your lips turn purple?”
“Of course.”
“Well, it’s something like that. We all have blue in us. If you look at your arms and look at your veins, you see it. For some reason, their skin’s just blue.”
“Very peculiar.”
Urias finished off his beans. “We best get a move on if we’re going to make it to the Campbells’ by nightfall.”
“What about the hogs? Do they have room for all them?”
“Since it’s past harvesting time, I don’t think there will be a problem with the hogs sleeping in one of the fields.”
“A real bed would be nice,” Prudence sighed.
He couldn’t fault the woman. She’d never lived on the road like this. She’d been treated with a life of luxury. Yet, she never complained. His admiration for her and her strong will increased each day. She’d make a man a fine wife one day. Urias shook off the thought. No need to go thinkin’ like that, he chided himself, then went straight to work. With everything set to go, he went over to Prudence to carry her over to the mule.
“I feel so useless. Can’t I walk?”
“Indulge me. Let’s get those feet healed.” Urias lifted her. Prudence’s unique scent overwhelmed him. “You’ve got pretty eyes,” he blurted out.
Her eyes widened and searched his own. A gentle smile rose on her face. “You and your sister have the same eyes. Not quite the same, actually. Yours seem to have little flecks of gold around them.”
He began walking slowly, fearing he would be unsteady on his feet. How is it that she affects me so?
Prudence chuckled. “Your ears get red when you’re embarrassed. Hasn’t anyone told you how beautiful your eyes are?”
“My mom has told me on more than one occasion that my wife …” He wouldn’t finish that statement. Not to Prudence. This situation was getting awkward, to say the least. He placed her on the mule, forcing himself not to drop her out of sheer embarrassment.
Prudence kept replaying in her mind Urias’s touch, his words, his kindness, and his embarrassment. Truthfully, she found herself thinking about him most of the day. She watched how he worked with the animals—how he watched the trail, always alert. He was a true mountain man, or rather one very comfortable in the mountains. There was little more than a path most of this trip down to the Wilderness Road. He took his time herding the pigs through some of the narrow spots.
But mostly her mind kept drifting back to his words: “You’ve got pretty eyes.” A girl could go a week with no food on that compliment. At least this girl could. No one had ever paid her much attention. Father claimed it was because of her constant blabbering about finances. No man would be interested in a woman who spoke on such matters.
But not Urias. He didn’t mind. He actually appreciated her business sense. Her heart sank. By forcing this marriage, Father had ruined any chance of her and Urias ever getting to know one another. Urias would never be content to love her. He’d do his duty, but the freedom to love had been stripped away. And, truthfully, she’d never know if he was just doing his duty or truly loved her. More than anything in this world, Prudence wanted to be loved. Her parents loved her in their own way, but they were always trying to force her to be something she wasn’t, never appreciating her for what skills came naturally. Will I ever have my own life?
“Watch out!” Urias yelled.
Prudence startled from her musings. She jerked the reins. Slippery rocks covered with morning dew sprawled out just down the path.
Urias ran over to her. “Are you all right?”
“Fine. Sorry. I wasn’t paying close attention.”
“Prudence, I was going to tell you this later, but you’re going to have to stay with the Campbells while I finish bringing the hogs.”
“I don’t want to stay with the Campbells. I want to finish going with you.”
“You’re not able. By the time I come back, you’ll be able to walk again.”
“I can walk now,” she protested. She didn’t mind taking it easy for a day, and her feet were in bad shape, but she could still walk. Painfully, but she still could do it.
“No. Your feet are a mess. I won’t be responsible for you injuring yourself. Katherine is my sister and my responsibility,” he argued.
“I love your sister and I want to help.”
Urias closed his eyes and waited a moment before he spoke. She felt certain he was collecting his thoughts. “Prudence, I know you care for Katherine, and I appreciate all you’ve done. But, honey, your feet are in serious need of healing.”
“Then wait for me. Perhaps we can take a day or two, feed the hogs at the Campbells’ farm, then continue on.”
“Look, you’ll do as I say. You’re my wife, and if I say it’s going to be this way, then that’s it.”
Prudence clamped her mouth shut. All the warm feelings she had for Urias had just rolled down the hollow. She would get the annulment and earn her freedom. She would not live under another tyrant.<
br />
Chapter 7
Urias glanced back at Prudence. By the set of her jaw, he knew she was still angry with him. Ordering Prudence to do anything was not the right course of action. He knew better, but he didn’t know what else to say. She was too stubborn for her own good.
The sun was low on the horizon by the time they came up to the Campbells’ farm. He ran ahead and knocked on the old farmhouse door. Mrs. Campbell opened it.
“Urias?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Well, come on in. It’s been ages. How are you?”
“Fine, fine. I need a favor. I’m herding some hogs down to the Cumberland Gap, and I was wondering if my wife and I could spend the night.”
“Wife? When did you get married?”
Urias felt the heat rise on his cheeks. “Fairly recently.”
“Of course you can stay.”
“My wife has injured her feet—from her new boots. I’ll bring her in, then take care of the hogs, if that’s all right with you.”
“Of course. Bring the poor child in. I’ll warm some water and get out the salts so she can soak ’em real good.”
“Thank you.” Urias turned and ran back to Prudence and the hogs. He explained what was going to happen as he led the mule toward the house.
Prudence simply nodded. Apparently she still wasn’t ready to speak with him. He lifted her off the mule and carried her to the front door. Mrs. Campbell had him set her on an overstuffed chair in the living room, and, after a brief introduction, he left the two women and rounded up the hogs. He set them in the fenced-in area to the right of the barn and noticed something was wrong. There was little feed for the winter, and the wood supply wasn’t fully stocked. It then occurred to him he hadn’t seen Mr. Campbell. He walked behind the barn and found a grave and tombstone. Urias choked down a sob.
He stood there for a moment, then went into the house. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know about Mr. Campbell.”
Mrs. Campbell’s eyes filled with tears. “He died just after planting the west field.”
Urias stepped up to Mrs. Campbell and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m so sorry. I’d like to do some chores for you while I’m here.”
Mrs. Campbell stepped back and wiped her eyes with her white apron. “I’d appreciate that. I’m going to sell the place and move in with my daughter. She and her husband live in Barbourville. The farm is too much for me, and the boys aren’t interested in the place.”
In all the years he’d known the Campbells, he’d never seen her sons. He’d heard them talk about their daughter on several occasions. “I’ll set you up with enough wood for the winter. It’s the least I can do.”
“Thank you. Neighbors came around and harvested what there was of the corn. I’ve gotten rid of most of the livestock, except for a cow, a horse, and the chickens. I can handle chickens just fine.”
“Write a list of things you need done. I’ll go to the Mercers’ place and purchase some grain for the hogs.” He turned to Prudence. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay here for a couple of days and help Mrs. Campbell out.”
Prudence’s face brightened. “I don’t mind.”
Didn’t think ya would. “Great. I’ll be back later. May I borrow your horse, Mrs. Campbell?”
“Of course, son. Do what you need to do.”
He wanted to lean over and give Prudence a kiss. Where that thought came from he didn’t want to know. He set his hat upon his head and said, “I’ll be back.”
Urias headed for the front door. With his hand to the knob, Prudence called, “Urias, aren’t you forgetting something?”
She wants a good-bye kiss? He glanced back at Mrs. Campbell. She didn’t know their marriage was a sham. “What?”
She held up the brown leather purse that held her money.
“Thanks.” He winked. He’d completely forgotten about money. He just knew what needed to be done and had only a very short time to do it.
He left the house, readied the horse, and headed for the Mercers’ place in less than ten minutes. Mentally, he went through a quick list of what he could do to help Mrs. Campbell out in a day—possibly two. He didn’t want to take the time, but Prudence needed it for her feet, and Mrs. Campbell obviously needed some help.
Frank Mercer was more than happy to sell off some feed. He also agreed to send his boys over in the morning to give Urias a hand. “They’d been meaning to come by and help Mrs. Campbell anyway,” he said apologetically.
Back at the farm, Urias fed the pigs, blending the grain with some water and various edible greens he’d found along the road. After that he went to the woodpile, stacked the split logs, then proceeded to split those already cut. Tomorrow, he’d have to go into the woods and down the standing deadwood.
The clang of the iron triangle that hung on the front porch rang. Urias brushed the sweat off his brow, extinguished the lantern, and headed for the house.
“Wash barrel is over there now,” Mrs. Campbell directed, pointing to the right rear corner of the house.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t take too much time. Dinner’s getting cold. We’ve been waiting on you.”
“Sorry.” Urias snickered as he headed to the barrel. “Women.”
Mrs. Campbell’s treatment for Prudence’s feet had her feeling much better. They weren’t as raw as when Urias treated them the night before. Mrs. Campbell also lent her a pair of fur-lined slippers that felt absolutely wonderful. Urias didn’t know it yet, but she’d been up walking around and helping Mrs. Campbell prepare dinner.
Urias also didn’t know that the room Mrs. Campbell had put them in only had one bed and very little space for Urias to sleep on the floor. Somehow Prudence knew she would have to convince Urias to sleep on the bed. He’d been up the entire night before, worked the hogs hard to come here before nightfall, and he’d been working hard all evening. The man was going to collapse if he didn’t get some rest.
She wanted to prepare a hot bath for him but didn’t feel she had the right to ask Mrs. Campbell for such a sacrifice. One thing was certain: She’d be leaving with Urias when he left. Prudence didn’t want to be glad that Mr. Campbell had passed away, but his passing had allowed her the time she needed to heal and continue with Urias.
The front door opened, and Prudence watched Urias remove his boots before entering. “Evening,” he said and smiled.
“Good evening. We’ve made dinner for you,” Prudence offered.
“Come on in and set a spell, son, before you drop. A man can’t work that hard and not stop for a rest. Even the Good Book tells us we need to rest.”
“Yes ma’am.” Urias stepped into the front room.
“I’ve set you two up in the upstairs front bedroom. The other rooms are not fit for guests, I’m sorry to say. I’ve been rummaging through our belongings and deciding what to keep, what to get rid of, what to pass on to others….” Mrs. Campbell sniffed. “It’s not an easy task. I hope the two of you never have to go through it.”
Prudence didn’t know what to say. The woman truly loved her husband and missed him, but she wasn’t pining away for him. She was getting on with her life, near as Prudence could tell.
“That’ll be fine, thanks. What smells so delicious?”
Mrs. Campbell beamed. “Just something we cooked up.”
“We?”
“Your wife helped. She’s handy in the kitchen.”
“I know but …” Urias looked down at her feet.
“They’re feeling much better, and with these, it’s easy to walk around.” Prudence lifted her skirt slightly to give Urias a peek of the slippers.
“They look warm.” He scrunched his eyebrows together. “They look familiar.” He turned to Mrs. Campbell.
“Good eye, son.” Mrs. Campbell led them to the dining room. “They’re the pair your father made me several years back.”
“Your father made these?”
“Dad is quite handy with animal hides.” Urias sat down in the desi
gnated chair.
Prudence sat down beside him.
“Shame on you, son. You’re as good as your pa. You mustn’t keep those hidden talents away from your wife.”
Crimson washed over Urias’s face.
“Come now. Say the blessing before this dinner is stone cold.”
“Yes’m.” Urias led them through a brief but meaningful prayer, asking the Lord’s blessing on Mrs. Campbell.
“The Mercer boys will be coming over in the morning to help me with the wood. Between the three of us, I’m sure we’ll have enough for the winter by the end of the day.”
“I can’t thank you enough.” Mrs. Campbell reached for the casserole dish and offered it to Urias first. He took out a huge helping and passed the dish on to Prudence, who spooned out a much smaller portion.
“You don’t each much, child.” Mrs. Campbell received the dish from Prudence.
“My stomach hasn’t been feeling too well.”
“Are you with child?” Mrs. Campbell asked.
Prudence could feel the heat on her face rage as bright as what had appeared on Urias’s. “No, I don’t believe so.”
Urias stared at her and blinked.
Oh no, Lord, I’ve given Urias the wrong impression. “We haven’t been married that long,” Prudence amended, trying to motion with her eyebrows that she was saying that for Mrs. Campbell’s sake.
The stew and biscuits stuck in Urias’s throat. Had he been forced to marry Prudence because she was with child? Had Hiram Greene seen him as a dupe? Urias’s temper rose a notch. He forced the morsel down his throat, closed his eyes, and prayed for grace. If Prudence was with child, that would present another problem. How could he abandon her while she’s expecting? And what happened to the father?
He took another forkful of the stew and examined his wife a bit more closely.
“Don’t take long,” Mrs. Campbell answered.
Prudence’s face was beet red now.
Now things were beginning to make sense. Someone had gotten Prudence pregnant and run out before Hiram Greene knew of his daughter’s sin. Which is why he was so upset at their meeting privately in the barn. Would Prudence have tried to seduce him to convince him the child she was carrying was his?
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