From This Day Forward

by Margaret Daley

  The silence of the marsh kept Nathan’s nerves on alert. Too quiet. As though the animals were waiting for a confrontation. Lord, please keep Ben safe. I know You have no reason to answer my prayer, but Ben is a child. He needs Your protection.

  “We are here.” The boy gestured toward a piece of land in the middle of a waterlogged area with one large oak standing sentinel.

  Nathan locked his gaze on the hollow in the tree about eight or nine feet off the ground.

  “I will have to hoist you up to get the money.”

  “Pa had to.”

  Emerging from the couple of feet of water surrounding the small island, Nathan scanned the shadows. The hair on his nape tingled. He tensed. At the base of the oak, he lifted Ben up to reach into the hole in the trunk.

  “Got it.”

  Nathan lowered Ben to the ground, and the boy handed him a sack, filled with coins as well as jewelry—two necklaces and four rings. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Again Nathan scouted the terrain. Not seeing anything unusual, he started toward the water to the right of the path they had used to come to the island. His chest constricted, and he forced a deep breath into his lungs. He couldn’t relax until he had given the money and jewels to the constable. Then perhaps Rachel and the children would be safe.

  This time he led the way, with Ben slightly behind him. Careful to make as little noise as possible, Nathan chose his steps with caution. Off to the side, about twenty feet away, he saw an alligator scurry into the water and sink below its surface. He paused and watched for any signs of the animal.

  In a low voice Nathan said, “We need to hurry.” He pointed to a spot where there was some dry land, indicating Ben was to go first while Nathan backed away to guard their escape.

  The sloshing sound of their footsteps echoed through the quiet. The alligator surfaced a few yards away. The only part of him visible was his eyes and snout. Nathan kept moving backward, but he brought his musket around and loaded it then aimed it at the beast. He did not want to fire his gun if he did not have to.

  He made his way toward the small rise in the swampland, his gaze trained on the alligator. “Ben, all right?” he asked in a whisper since he had not heard him for a moment.

  No answer.

  A chill skimmed down Nathan’s length. He chanced a look behind him at the small dry spot of land. His heart plummeted. The man who had accosted Rachel in Charleston had his arm locked around Ben and a knife at his throat.

  “Drop that musket or…” The man let his threat trail off into the silence.

  The wild-eyed look on Ben’s face held Nathan’s attention. He evened his expression into a calm one, trying to convey a composed bearing to the boy. Nathan stepped out of the water and leaned over to lay the weapon on the ground.

  “Move away from your gun to the left.”

  Nathan did as the assailant ordered. As he sidled toward higher ground, the man, still gripping Ben to him with the knife pressed into his neck, sidestepped toward the musket.

  “I want the money. Toss it to me.” His dark eyes bore into Nathan with lethal intent. When Nathan hesitated, the man grinned, revealing tobacco-stained teeth. “Now. You don’t want me getting impatient.”

  Having stuffed the sack into his shirt so his hands could be free, Nathan reached inside and withdrew it. The assailant’s eyes flared. Nathan only had one chance. He threw the bag off to the man’s side into the water. The assailant followed the bag as it made a splash and began to sink below the surface. He loosened his grasp on Ben.

  “Run, Ben!” Nathan leaped toward the large man as he went after the money.

  Nathan tackled him in midair, and they sailed into the swamp. The man still had his knife clasped in his hand and brought it up between them. The blade caught the sunlight filtering through the trees and gleamed. It nicked Nathan’s neck before he got a good grip around the thief’s wrist. Nathan poured all his strength into his hand about the man’s and managed to push the knife away, a few inches from his throat. Squeezing, Nathan grappled for control, the blade hovering between them. The thief’s fierce expression slowly evolved into one of pain, but he did not relent.

  Ben screamed. “The alligator, Nathan!”

  Nathan glanced up and spotted the beast making straight for them. He continued to struggle for the knife, but when the animal was a few feet away, Nathan lunged back toward his musket, releasing the man’s hand. Nearest to the alligator, with his body mostly submerged in the water, the assailant could not move fast enough. The beast opened its jaws and clamped down on the man’s right arm. As Nathan scrambled for the gun, the alligator shook his head and grasped more of the man, biting into his shoulder.

  The thief’s screams pierced the damp air. He thrashed about, but the alligator dragged him farther out into the swamp. Nathan clasped the musket and lifted it to shoot the beast, but the animal pulled his prey below the murkiness and disappeared.

  Nathan hurried to the place where the sack went into the water and felt around for it, his gaze fixed on the spot he had last seen the alligator. Finally he clutched the bag, brought it up, and clambered out of the swamp.

  The sound of Ben crying behind him swung him toward the boy. “We will be all right. He will not bother us.”

  “The alligator?”

  “Both. Let’s get out of here.”

  “Are there more?”

  “The weather is warm. There might be. Keep an eye out for any. I still have my knife and musket.”

  Ben panned the dense vegetation then nodded.

  Nathan clasped the boy’s shoulder. “I am not letting anything hurt you.”

  Ben gave him another nod, but doubt darkened his eyes.

  A sound behind Nathan stiffened him. Was there more than one thief? He whirled around, bringing up his musket.

  Rachel paced back and forth in front of the window, giving her a view of anyone who would approach the house. “Where are they? They should be back by now.”

  Maddy sat on a stool at the table, biting her nails. A frown marred her features.

  Father, I need Your help again. Please bring them all home unharmed.

  “Rachel, what’s wrong?” Emma asked from the doorway into the bedchamber. She rubbed her eyes and looked away. “Where’s Nathan and Ben? They leave already?”

  “Yes, honey.” Rachel cut the distance between them and hugged her. “They should be back soon. They left at first light.”

  “I wanted to say good-bye.”

  “Then you can tell them hello when they return. I hate good-byes.”

  Emma peered up at her. “Me too.”

  “Are you hungry?” Rachel cradled the child to her as they walked toward the table where the bread was.

  Emma shook her head. “Can we go outside and wait for ’em?”

  “We should stay in here until they return.”

  Maddy hopped up and took Rachel’s position at the window.

  Rachel sat next to Emma. “Try to eat something. It might be a long day.” She slid the plate with bread close to the child. Rachel’s stomach knotted in a tangle of nerves. Here she was telling the little girl to eat and she couldn’t. The very thought nauseated her.

  “Was Pa a bad man?” Emma asked, fingering one slice but not eating it.

  “It is wrong to steal, but I leave the judging to the Lord.” Or do I? Have not I judged Tom and his behavior? I have not been able to forgive him. I determined he deserved what happened to him.

  “Pa was scared. That’s why we ran away.”

  “When you are scared, you sometimes do things that are not smart.”

  “Like stealin’?”

  Rachel nodded. “The Lord tells us not to covet what others have. When we do, it can lead to unhappiness and trouble.”

  “Like now. I’m scared for Ben and Nathan.”

  So am I. Rachel forced a smile to her lips. “The Lord is with them.”

  “They are coming. They are safe.” Maddy rushed toward the door.

&nbs
p; “Hold it,” Rachel shouted and hurried to the window to look out. “What if it is a trap?” But when she saw Ben smiling, even running ahead of Nathan and Mr. Baker, she relaxed. “Go ahead.”

  Maddy threw open the door and ran out of the house with Rachel and Emma right behind her. Rachel’s gaze fixed on Nathan, and the gleam in his eyes warmed the coldness that had encased her since he left. Her pace picked up, and before she realized it, she was only a few steps behind Maddy.

  Her servant launched herself into Mr. Baker’s outstretched arms. He gave Maddy a kiss, laughter dancing in his eyes.

  Rachel slowed some, but when Nathan’s focus centered on her, as though she were the only one around, she threw her arms around him and kissed him—on the cheek until he shifted slightly and claimed her mouth. His embrace welded her to him, and she didn’t want to be any other place.

  When she finally leaned back, tears obscured her vision. “I was so afraid something would go wrong. That…” Her words jammed her throat as thoughts of what could have happened tumbled through her mind.

  He cupped her face within his large hands and gave her a quick kiss. “We don’t have to worry about the man who attacked you in Charleston anymore.”

  “What happened?”

  His eyebrows slashed downward. “An alligator got him. The man had Ben and wanted me to toss him the money. I threw the bag. Not to him but into the water. He went after it, and I went after him. I think the alligator was attracted by our splashing.”

  Mr. Baker, his arm around Maddy’s shoulders, joined them. “That was when I found them. I will not forget that man.” He rubbed his shoulder where he had been shot. “He was most likely the one who shot me.”

  “Is that the money?” Rachel pointed to the bag clutched in Ben’s hand.

  The boy nodded and opened the sack to show her.

  Rachel peered inside at the massive amount of coins and jewelry. “That is a lot of money.”

  “Yes, and I cannot wait until it is in the constable’s hands. It has caused enough trouble.” Nathan took the bag.

  “Then I think we should leave right away.” Rachel started for the barn.

  “We?”

  Nathan’s one-word question halted her. She swept around. “Yes. You are not going by yourself. I have business in town with Mrs. Bridges as well as seed to buy to replant that field.” Which would take the last of her money.

  “I will stay with Maddy and the children.” Mr. Baker swung his attention to Maddy. “Just in case.”

  “Then it is settled. We leave now,” Rachel said.

  Nathan glanced down at his dirty, wet clothing. “Not like this.”

  Maddy took Mr. Baker’s hand and led him toward the door. “Come in and I will fix a proper breakfast.”

  Rachel waited until everyone went into her house before turning to Nathan. “Are you really all right?” She touched a nick on his neck. “You are bleeding.”

  Nathan pressed his fingers into the cut then pulled them away and stared at the small amount of blood on their tips. “We fought over the knife until that alligator”—he swallowed hard—“took hold of him and dragged him into the deeper water. I would not want anyone to die that way. His screams reminded me of what I heard on the battlefield.” A shudder rippled down his length.

  His distress reached out and drew her close to him. She cupped his jaw. “If that man had not come after you and Ben, he would be alive. He chose his fate. You have done so much good for others. Even for your grandfather, in spite of him throwing you off the plantation. You said it. You were defending someone. You cannot save everyone.”

  “In the war I killed an English soldier because he surprised me while I was tending one of our wounded. I did not stop to think. I picked up a musket and used the bayonet to defend my patient. I killed a man who was no more than twenty. I—”

  “Again, you were defending a patient in your care. That soldier would have killed you and the wounded man.”

  “I know, but when I looked into his eyes as he died, all I saw was how frightened and young he was. I was to save lives, not take them.”

  “Then you need to be a doctor again. You will have patients who die but also many who will not. All you can do is your best.”

  “Sometimes that isn’t good enough.”

  “No, it isn’t. But that doesn’t mean you don’t try.”

  His expression unreadable, he stared at her long and hard. “I will change and then we will go.” He pivoted and strode toward the barn.

  “This is for you, Mrs. Gordon.” The constable palmed a small sack. “A reward.”

  Stunned, Rachel tried to make sense of the constable’s words. Three weeks before, she had accompanied Nathan to Charleston to turn over the money to the authorities, and the constable wanted to give them a reward for returning the money and jewelry to its rightful owners.

  He placed the small bag of coins into her hand. “A token of the victims’ appreciation. A couple of pieces of jewelry were heirlooms.”

  “Come inside.” Rachel stood in the middle of her vegetable garden, her basket filled with carrots, spinach, and turnips. “I can fix you some tea after your long ride out here.”

  “I have business at Pinecrest and must be leaving.”

  Pinecrest? “Is there a problem there?”

  “Not anything that cannot be settled peacefully between two neighbors. Good day, Mrs. Gordon. The area is safer since that gang has been taken care of.” He bowed his head then vaulted into his saddle and rode toward the road.

  “Rachel, is something wrong?” Maddy scurried toward her, carrying Faith.

  All servant/mistress boundaries had fallen over the past month with what Maddy and she had endured. Maddy had become an invaluable friend. “No. Actually everything is wonderful.” She hoisted the small bag of coins. “The constable gave me a reward. With my share perhaps I can finally buy a cow.”

  “Your share?”

  “We all were involved with the capture of the gang and the return of the stolen money and jewels.”

  Maddy shook her head. “That is yours to use for the farm.”

  Rachel took Faith from her friend and passed the basket and bag to her. “Things are starting to look up. Let’s plan a party for tonight. Where is Emma?”

  “At the barn collecting the eggs and I think playing with the piglets.”

  “She does have a soft heart.” Rachel kissed the top of her daughter’s head. “She is so good with Faith.” They started walking toward the house. “We better get dinner on the table. I reckon it will not be long before Nathan and Ben come in from the field and want something to eat.”

  “I will go get Emma.”

  While Maddy headed for the barn, Rachel entered her house and took stock of her surroundings. A rocker along with two chairs sat in front of the fireplace, not used as much because of the beastly hot July temperatures. Her gaze shifted to the heart of the main room, the table with six stools around it. Mr. Baker joined them so often that he had made a stool for himself.

  This was her home now. A sense of accomplishment flowed through her as she crossed to the cradle where she placed Faith. “I love you.” She smiled at her daughter and was overjoyed to see Faith return it. She was three months old and already trying to roll over. Before she knew it, Faith would be walking, then talking. The thought of Faith growing up faster than she wanted swept over her.

  “I wish you could meet your grandparents. Mama would love holding you. Papa…” She did not know what her father would think of Faith. Would he let his feelings toward Rachel color how he felt about Faith? She probably would never know. She glanced at the trunk along the far wall. Inside was a piece of paper with a letter partially written to him. She had not been able to finish it yet. Also in there was a completed one to her mother.

  She went to the trunk and lifted its lid. Retrieving the incomplete letter, she stared at what she had written. Faith has your eyes. Every time I look at her, I think of you.

  Tears welled
up in Rachel’s eyes, blurring the words together. The sound of the door opening swept her around to face Nathan coming inside, his strong, tan features tugging at her heart. What would she have done if she had not met him that first day? A tear slid down her cheek.

  He covered the distance between them in long strides, concern puckering his brow. “Why are you crying?”

  “Oh, it is nothing.”

  “I have learned from my sister that it is never nothing if she is crying.”

  “I was reading an unfinished letter I had written to my father.”

  “Why is it unfinished?” He moved closer.

  “I wanted him and Mama to know about Faith. I described her, but I didn’t know what else to say after that. I said it all when he disowned me for marrying Tom.”

  “Cross words?”

  “No, actually. Amazement at his actions. And hurt. Anger came later.”

  “If he walked into this house, how would you feel?”

  “Amazed again.” She tilted her head. “I love my family. I miss them. I think a lot like how you feel concerning your grandfather. If he welcomed you back to Pinecrest, would you go?”

  “Pinecrest will always be my home.”

  “That is the way I feel about Mansfield Manor. I lived there for twenty years. It was my whole world for so long.”

  “Until now.” One corner of his mouth lifted.

  She wanted to touch the cleft in his chin, the dimple in his cheek that appeared when he smiled, but she kept her arms at her sides. “Yes, but I shall always miss England. You know what I mean. Is that not why you came back here after the war? You missed Pinecrest, South Carolina.”

  “Yes. I have realized from my encounters with my grandfather since I have come back that I will do what I can to amend our differences. He can be a hard man, set in his ways, but at one time our bond was strong, more so than the one I had with my father.”

  Remembering the connection she had with her parents before Tom brought the tears back, several rolling down her cheeks. “I know what you mean.”

  Nathan brushed his thumbs across her cheeks, erasing any evidence of her sorrow. “I saw Maddy at the barn. She said the constable gave you a reward.”