“When do you expect him back from his errand?”
“I don’t know. He seemed to think he’d be back in time for us to depart as soon as the sun rose over the horizon tomorrow. I hope he arrives soon.”
Kate cocked her head to the right and scrutinized Prudence. “You love him, don’t you?”
Feeling the blush rise in her cheeks, she turned back to her packing. “I’m simply concerned for him, is all.”
Kate chuckled. “You can try to deceive me if you wish, but I see that light in your eyes every time you speak of him.”
“I don’t know if I love him. I do care. But love takes time for a man and woman to discover. How can someone love a woman he was forced to marry? It doesn’t seem right.”
“I guess you’re right.” Kate went back to her packing. “I ain’t never been in love. Ain’t likely to happen either.”
“You can’t say that, Kate. You never know.”
“Perhaps.”
Prudence saw that far-off look in Kate’s green eyes. Prudence vowed never to push Kate to tell her about her past. The bits and pieces she had shared were enough to know it had been a horrible time since she was sold into bondage by her mother. Mrs. Campbell had shared with her some of the things that could happen to servants and slaves by their owners. She prayed Kate could move beyond her past and feel the peace Prudence felt around Urias.
“God may just surprise you yet.”
“You know I don’t give no never mind to Him. He ain’t helped me a day in my life.” The bitterness of the past tinged Kate’s voice.
Prudence reached over and lovingly placed her hand on Kate’s. “I know you have a hard time believing in God, but He’s real. And isn’t it likely that Urias finally finding you before you were sold again was God’s answer to Urias’s prayers?”
Kate softened. “Maybe. But I ain’t giving God credit. Urias found me.”
Prudence knew Urias to be a godly man. How would he deal with his sister’s unbelief? Would the MacKenneths accept Kate in their home, knowing she didn’t believe in God?
Prudence resolved that if the MacKenneths wouldn’t allow her to live there, she’d have Kate live with her. Together they would be able to provide for themselves. She hoped.
Prudence heard the sounds of approaching hooves. She glanced out the window. A solitary rider approached the house. Urias. Her heart skipped a beat. Kate was right. She did love this man.
Chapter 13
Urias drove the wagon back to Hiram Greene’s estate. He’d been battling with the Lord and his anger the entire trip. He never would have guessed the cost would be so great. It was one thing to give a man money—quite another to give him your future. And for what? A man who hogtied me into marrying his daughter?
“Yah.” He snapped the reins and encouraged the horses forward. Bullet had been his future, his farm—his stock. Now he’d have to wait another season or two to get another stud like Bullet. Thankfully, he still had the mare and stallion back on the farm. But you never knew if you’d end up with a male or female or one with lines as excellent as Bullet’s.
“Lord, I can’t begin to understand why I had to sacrifice the horse for Hiram Greene. But Sawyer Bishop wouldn’t hear of any other arrangement once he caught sight of Bullet. I still have a substantial amount of money after exchanging Bullet for part of the debt, but it’s a cold compromise.” Urias took in a deep breath and watched the white vapor rise from his mouth. “I’m sorry, Lord. I’m just having a hard time accepting how much this is costing me. First, I get tied down with a wife I don’t want. Then, I get involved with another man’s troubles. When is it going to end?”
The stars flickered in the black velvet sky. There was little Urias could do. He could have left Hiram Greene to the repercussions of his own making, living out his own bad decisions. But that wouldn’t be fair to Prudence. Not that she would have known. Well, besides the fact that he and Prudence had come upon her parents near death’s door. How long would they have survived in those chairs?
The memory of Kate’s pale face and bluish hands still made him tremble. To do business with a man who could do that to others seemed wrong, terribly wrong. And yet there had been little choice. If he were to live with himself, he had only one option and that was to give up Bullet and his future. He was beginning to wonder if he’d be tied down to Prudence the rest of his life, as well.
He’d never know the kind of love his parents knew. He was destined to live out a life of servitude for the sake of others. “How unfair is that, Lord?” he called out to the heavens.
A single rider passed him on the road to Hiram Greene’s estate. “Nice night,” the stranger called out.
“Bit chilly,” Urias replied.
“Grows hair on the chest.” The stranger chuckled and headed off.
Five minutes later, Urias found himself in Hiram Greene’s barn, unfastening the horses and settling them in with some fresh water and oats.
“Urias?” Prudence called as she ran into the barn. “You got Father’s carriage and horses back.”
“Yup,” he mumbled.
“Are you all right?”
“Fine. Fine.”
“I saved some dinner for you. Come back to the kitchen and I’ll heat it up.” She flitted out of the barn as swiftly as she came in.
He wasn’t in the mood to play husband and wife. She could try all she wanted, but she really wasn’t his wife.
If she didn’t care, would she have bothered with your dinner? he challenged his own wayward thoughts.
“Urias,” another feminine voice gently called. Katherine came into the barn a bit more timid than the last time he’d seen her.
“Katherine, you’re looking better.”
“Thanks to you and Prudence. She says you are going to build your own house when you return to your family’s farm. Is this true?”
I’d been planning on it. “Not until spring. More than likely it will take me a year or two.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, where will I be staying?”
“I’ll set you up in my room. I’ll make a spot for myself in the barn. You and Prudence can share my room. It’s a busy household. I’ll enjoy the peace.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love my younger brother and sisters, but they can be a handful. Little Nash gave me this for the trip.” Urias reached in and handed Katherine the arrowhead. “It’s in case I run out of bullets and run into a bear. Of course, the poor boy doesn’t know I wouldn’t have time to fashion a bow and arrow first, but it’s the thought that matters. You’ll like him, Katherine.”
Katherine hunched her shoulders. “I’m nervous about going there, Urias. I won’t fit in.”
“You’ll fit in just fine. Remember, these folks have been praying for you and your safety for years.”
Katherine opened her mouth to speak, but closed it instead. How peculiar, Urias thought. It’s the second time he’d referred to God and had a negative response from her. Urias pinched the bridge of his nose. His sister had been through a lot. She didn’t say anything about it, but she didn’t have to. The way she walked, the way she held her shoulders, her head—everything pointed to a life of abuse and little encouragement. “It’ll be all right, Katherine. Trust me.”
“I’ll help Prudence warm up your dinner.” And that was that. She was gone as quietly as she arrived. Only this time, Urias knew what she was thinking. Trust.
Prudence placed the cast-iron frying pan on the woodstove in the kitchen. She took off the kettle of hot water and poured it over some ground coffee beans.
Kate stepped into the kitchen and removed her shawl. “Did you see Urias’s horse in the barn?”
Prudence thought for a bit. “No, I don’t think I saw Bullet. You don’t suppose …” Her words trailed off.
“I don’t know horses, but the way your father was carrying on about Urias’s horse, I figure he was worth something.”
“Yes, he was. Urias was pl
anning on using that horse to start his farm for breeding horses.”
Kate went to the cupboard and pulled down a plate for Urias. “Do you think he had to trade his horse for your father’s debt?”
The back door creaked open.
“Yes, but we won’t speak another word on the matter, is that clear?” Urias said as he scrutinized Kate and Prudence.
Prudence nodded and turned away. Father not only cost Urias and me the chance of ever having a real relationship, he’s now cost Urias his future. Prudence took the wooden spoon and stirred the beef and gravy stew.
“Smells great.” Urias gave a mock smile when she looked up.
Kate put her hands to her hips and said, “If we be of a mind to question you, you ought to be of a mind to tell us. What happened?”
Urias pushed up his sleeves and dipped his hands into the washbowl by the back door.
“Let’s just say there was little negotiating with Mr. Bishop. I had to pay in full. He wouldn’t accept a partial payment, no matter how large it was. Now, I don’t wish to discuss the matter again. I did what needed to be done, and that is all.”
Her stomach quivered, and Prudence fought the shakes at hearing the great sacrifices Urias continued to make for her and her family. He didn’t need to. He just did. She’d never met a man like him. But she also felt terribly guilty for the actions of her father, for the condition of his financial affairs, and for the abuse Urias had taken out of concern for his sister. Her disappointment in her father rose once again. “You should tell Father. Perhaps he’ll pay you back.”
“As I said, ladies, I will not discuss this further.”
Prudence’s back stiffened at Urias’s firm tone. He’d seldom been that sharp with her on the trail. She glanced over to Kate and noticed her shoulders squared.
“Forgive me.” Urias sat down at the kitchen table. “It’s been a long day, and I’ve had little sleep. If you’ll be so kind as to serve me up a plate of that wonderful stew, I’ll be more fit for company.”
Prudence filled the plate. Kate cut him a thick slice of bread and placed it in front of him.
“Thank you, ladies. This is a fine meal, indeed. How is the packing coming?”
“We’re just about ready,” Prudence offered. “Without Bullet, perhaps we should consider bringing less.”
Urias scooped a forkful of his supper, then put his fork back down on his plate. “Please sit down and join me.” He reached out both of his hands. “Pray with me.”
They joined hands, and Urias led them through a brief prayer, thanking the Lord for His many blessings and asking for safety on the trip home.
“How long will the journey last?” Kate asked.
“By horseback, three days—possibly a piece of a fourth. Walking it will take several days more. However, I have a mind to speak with Thomas Hagins again and see if I might be able to purchase another horse and a small wagon. Because Bullet was so valuable, I still have some money.”
Prudence looked over to her husband. What was he thinking? Obviously, he was upset to lose Bullet, but how could he be upset one minute and calm the next? She looked over to Kate, who seemed just as puzzled about Urias’s behavior.
“What’s all the tongue wagging going on in here?”
Prudence watched her father walk into the room.
“Mr. O’Leary, you’ve returned.”
Urias wiped his mouth on the cloth napkin. “Yes sir. Your debt is paid in full.”
Prudence watched the silent communication that flowed between Urias and her father. Something else, or some greater sum of money, was owed. Her father’s face brightened to a deep crimson shade. His shoulders slumped, and he looked down at the floor. “Thank you. I’ll pay you back.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Urias sopped up the last of his stew from his plate with the remaining corner of his bread. “We’ll be leaving in the morning.” Urias stood up from the table. “Thank you for the dinner, Prudence, Katherine. I’ll see you in the morning.” He placed his hat upon his head and slipped out the back door.
Prudence turned and looked to her father for a possible answer to Urias’s bizarre behavior. Her father’s face reflected a similar guarded expression. He excused himself and silently departed the room.
Kate looked at Prudence. “What is going on?”
Chapter 14
Hiram Greene had a lot to answer for, but Urias felt convinced he wasn’t the man to address him on the matter. It was all the years of listening to Dad telling him to respect his elders, Urias figured. It didn’t make much sense with a man like Hiram Greene—he’d been fooling his family and neighbors for years. Urias now knew his secret and, he prayed, Hiram’s shame might keep him from making the same mistake twice. One thing was certain: Urias had never been put in such an awkward position before. Hiram’s life and the lives of his family would have been in jeopardy if Urias hadn’t paid off Mr. Greene’s gambling debts.
Gambling was one of the hesitations Urias had about raising horses. Horse racing was becoming a statewide interest for folks in Kentucky. And folks were willing to pay well for good horse stock. Urias enjoyed horses, and Bullet had been his pride and joy. He’d bred him to be a fast horse with strong lines, and he was. Now someone else would be earning the money from breeding Bullet.
Farmers had need of a horse that could pull the plows and work hard to earn their keep. They didn’t have to be fast, but they did have to be strong and steady. Unfortunately, the average farmer was unable to pay higher prices for a good racehorse. Urias had heard that the army was always on the lookout for good, strong stock. But profit would be slower in coming, and it would take more time to earn the funds needed to build his own house. That was something he’d been dreaming of for a long time, but something even more pressing, now that he’d found Katherine.
Bullet would have been the stud he would rely on to develop his horse farm. But Bullet was gone, and so were the dreams and plans he had for the future. How am I going to provide for Katherine and Prudence, Lord?
“Urias?” Prudence called from the barn door. He’d slept in the barn last night. Hiram Greene hadn’t even offered him a bed.
“Unbelievable,” Urias muttered, then said aloud, “I have our horse just about ready. Are you and Katherine all set?”
“Yes, but breakfast is ready. We’ve been cooking for an hour. Mother had us make some provisions for the road.”
Prudence stepped closer to him. “Urias?”
“Hmm?” he mumbled while cinching the saddle.
“Mother wants to know why you didn’t spend the night with me.”
Urias couldn’t believe Prudence could be so open with him. She truly deserved better parents. “What did you say?”
“I told her we don’t see ourselves as truly married.”
“What did she say?” Urias asked, then turned to face Prudence. Her beauty made him question more than once why they hadn’t acted on being man and wife.
“She suggested I stay home and let you go your way with your sister.”
He didn’t expect to hear that. Then again, Prudence and her family were full of constant surprises. Urias cleared his throat. “Is that what you would like?”
“I don’t know.” Prudence sat down on a sawhorse. “I’ve been wanting out of my parents’ home for a very long time, yet we aren’t truly man and wife. I can’t live like this either. But you’ve given so much to my family. I can’t begin to understand why you needed to give Mr. Bishop Bullet for my father’s debt, but I trust your word on it.”
“Prudence, you and I both know this marriage is a sham. We married to secure Katherine’s freedom. If you would like to stay in your parents’ home, I will not stop you. I’ll sign whatever papers you wish to dissolve our marriage.”
Tears welled in her eyes. Urias wanted to reach out and hold her. He kept his hands in place.
“I want a real husband, Urias. But I need a man who can respect me and what I think on matters. All the men in this area, the
marrying ones, are not interested in a woman like me. Are there others like you and your family in Jamestown?”
Urias felt his gut wrench. The idea—the thought of another man holding Prudence … He shook the thought away. She didn’t belong to him. He had no rights to this woman. “I suppose there are some. I never gave it much thought.”
Prudence sighed. “My family has been enough of a burden to you, Urias. I’ll stay.”
The tears that had threatened to fall now ran silvery tracks down her cheeks. She stood up and headed back out the door. “Come in and have a warm breakfast before you and Kate leave,” she called over her shoulder.
Stunned, Urias stood there gazing at the open door with the sun rising over the mountain. Then it hit him. He’d been afraid all along that she, as well as her parents, had cooked up this marriage. Now he was certain. They had all used him. They used him to pay off their personal debts. Well, she might think she’s free….
Urias stomped out of the barn and toward the kitchen.
Urias marched to the table and sat down without washing up first. Prudence thought to suggest it, but there was something in his rigid movements that she recognized. He was upset. Does that mean he wants me, Lord? She fought off the foolish thought and asked, “How would you like your eggs?”
“Fried.” He placed his napkin in his lap. “Prudence, I’ve given the matter some thought. You’ll come with me and work off your father’s debt.”
“What?” Anger burned in her heart. Hot tears formed in her eyes. “Fine. Anything you say.”
“You can be my bond servant,” he said.
Prudence took quick, short breaths. She was to be her husband’s slave? The man she loved wanted to treat her like property? Her hands shook as she dropped the eggs into the frying pan. They sizzled against the hot iron. “Fine. But if you don’t mind, please don’t tell my parents.”
Urias coughed, then gave a slight nod.
Prudence finished cooking his eggs and placed them on the plate in front of him. She discarded the pan and left him to his meal. After all, a servant wasn’t allowed to eat with the family. In her wildest dreams, she never would have thought Urias to be so cruel. If being a servant was what it would take to help her parents, then she’d be the best servant she could. Truthfully, she’d have to rely on Kate instructing her in how to do most of the tasks.
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