Rose's Pledge

by Dianna Crawford

  Even as she moved out of sight behind a tree trunk, she knew it was silly to not want him to know she was there.

  He joined Robert at the rocky cave and set down both vessels with a faint clink. “Can’t believe it. How could both of us go off without grabbin’ our flasks?”

  Smiling to herself, Rose tilted her head enough to peer out at them. Suddenly Nate straightened with a start and swung around, accidentally bumping the gourd. Water sloshed to the ground. She ducked behind the tree again.

  “Where’s Rose?” A distinct note of panic tinged the frontiersman’s voice.

  Robert snorted. “Calm down. She just went to find moss for the baby.”

  “Oh.” Nate released a lungful of air. “You did caution her not to wander too far, right?”

  “I did. Take it easy, pal. She’s not gonna take any chances.”

  “Hmph.” He paused. “Guess it’s just as well she ain’t here right now.”

  Rose inched forward and saw Robert look up at Nate in question.

  “I saw some Senecas across the river runnin’ along the bank. They’re prob’ly the bunch that followed our trail. They must’ve found where we built the raft, and now they’re searchin’ the banks to see where we landed. They know we ain’t stupid enough to let ourselves drift very far downstream.”

  Rose moistened her lips and let out an uneasy breath.

  “You’re right about that,” Robert agreed. “Let’s pray they don’t find a canoe before gettin’ back to the village an’ spreadin’ the word.”

  Nate lowered his voice, making his next words barely audible to Rose. “Don’t mention nothin’ to the women. They’re scairt enough as it is.”

  As we have every right to be. Shrinking out of sight again, Rose thought about Nate, her knight in shining armor, always doing his utmost to protect her, always taking care of her—regardless of anything thoughtless or hurtful she said to him. Why, she’d even refused to marry him, all because she was too good for him. What a laugh. Truth was, she didn’t deserve him! The very thought of how she’d berated him, how she’d so callously dismissed his proposal, made her loathe herself.

  Still, the reasons for her refusal—no matter how tactlessly she might have expressed them—remained valid. She belonged to the Lord, and Nate Kinyon did not. God’s instructions must stand. She could not be bound for life to a man who did not seek after the Lord. No matter how her heart ached about it.

  God had seen them through thus far. She had to believe He’d continue to do so. Please, Father, give Nate and Robert wisdom for whatever may lie ahead. Stay with us. Keep us safe.

  The foursome gathered around the tin pan of mush. Holding Jenny in her lap, Rose couldn’t help thinking back on the sumptuous Sabbath meal they’d enjoyed a mere two days past. The roasted chicken had been tender and moist, the vegetables cooked to perfection. Yet this simple fare of mush with jerked meat could be no less appreciated. Nate and Robert had carved crude spoons from a couple of broad sticks they’d found, and Rose held hers poised and ready to attack the meal.

  “We need to give thanks,” Robert said, bowing his head. “Lord God, we thank You for providin’ us with this food. I thank You for Shining Star, too, an’ ask a special blessin’ on her for rememberin’ to bring the cornmeal. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

  About to thrust forth her spoon, Rose stopped midmotion as Nate’s voice interrupted.

  “And one more thing, Lord,” he added as she closed her eyes again. “We need to thank You for all You’ve been doin’ to keep us safe.” He chuckled. “The fact that You had Rose make me so mad I couldn’t sleep was the first of ‘em.”

  She sneaked a peek through her lashes at him, wondering if he was trying to get back at her, but the expression on his rugged face was the most sincere she’d ever glimpsed there.

  “An’ since then it’s been one thing after the other,” he went on. “You know better than me all You been doin’ to look after us. I wanna thank You for that. Really thank You.” Abruptly he raised his voice. “Well, eat up, y’all.” He dug his makeshift spoon into the mush.

  Still mildly stunned, it took a moment for Rose to remember to join the others scooping food from the communal pan. What was she to think about Nate’s prayer? She simply didn’t know what to make of it.

  “Uhh. Uhh.” Jenny reached out a little hand toward the food, returning Rose to the moment. She quickly dipped her spoon and gave the child the first bite then alternated with her, making sure Jenny had no reason to fuss again.

  Across the campfire, Shining Star said something to Robert that sounded like a question. He answered, his voice casual as they spoke back and forth throughout the meal.

  Rose could think of nothing worthy to say to Nate. Fortunately, he wasn’t speaking to her either. Fact was, he seemed to be going out of his way not to look at her, even when he passed her the gourd of water. He kept all his attention on the food before them. So she did as well.

  Eventually Robert broke the tense silence. “Shining Star asked me to thank you, Nate, for your prayer.” A smile added a spark to his dark eyes. “She says it’s a great comfort to know she’s with men who seek the favor of our God. An’ she believes that He must be very powerful.”

  Nate tipped his head to the Indian girl. “That was a real nice thing to say.”

  As Robert translated, Rose sprang to her feet, bringing the baby up with her. Truly overwhelmed with the incredible change in the frontiersman, she didn’t want anyone to discover the tears brimming in her eyes. Wiping Jenny’s mouth with her already-ruined cloak, she went to the cradleboard to fasten her in. Without chancing a look back at the others, she cleared the clog in her throat. “Time’s a’wasting”—words she’d heard Nate say so many times during their journey to Muskingum.

  “But you gals’ clothes are still damp,” Robert protested.

  “They’ll dry soon enough,” Rose assured him airily as she laced the baby in her warm cocoon.

  Nate stood up. “She’s right. He used his foot to kick dirt over the fire, effectively snuffing it. Then he swung his gaze to Rose and locked with hers for the first time. He grinned. “Time’s a’wastin’.”

  Chapter 35

  Rose scarcely noticed the weight of the baby and cradleboard digging into her shoulders. The seriousness of the pursuers chasing after them made even the discomfort of her battered feet of little import as she followed Robert and Shining Star into the woods, skirting leftover patches of dismal snow in their path. Nate had smiled at her. Sensing he was no longer angry, she walked on in silence, basking in the sweet memory of his grin.

  No one had to remind her that two skilled frontiersmen like Nate and Robert could easily elude the French and Seneca trackers, were they on their own and had minds to do so. Instead they were willingly risking capture, torture, and even death just to protect their women. Their women. Rose didn’t dare dwell on the significance of that thought.

  She tossed a worried look over her shoulder, hoping to see Nate coming. He’d remained behind to cover any evidence of their presence at the cave. Her last view of him as the party left the campsite revealed him spreading moldy leaves across those they’d disturbed and raking over imprints of their feet with a leafless tree branch. Watch over him, Father. Surround him with Your angels….

  The image of his priceless smile drifted across her thoughts again. But dear as the sight of it had been to her, Rose hesitated to assign it much significance. He could easily have changed his mind about marriage, considering the heartless fashion in which she’d crushed him by voicing her strong religious convictions. Even now the memory tormented her. But at least he was back to his old teasing self again …and how she loved that side of him.

  She loved him. The prospect of having to give him up in the near future while they went their separate ways was worse than torture. How would she ever find the strength to do it? Dear Lord, help me to bear in mind that just because Nate turned to You in a time of dire need, it doesn’t mean he won’t revert to his
old ways the minute the danger is past. Slowing her pace to step over a protruding root in the path, she deliberately steered her mind onto a different course. And thank You so much that Jenny has been quiet and happy all this time. She truly loves being outdoors and traveling. Were I a Shawnee mother, I’d give her the name Traveling Woman. With a smile, Rose stepped cautiously through a low, muddy spot.

  Somewhere behind her twigs snapped. She and Robert both halted and whirled around. He raised his musket to his shoulder.

  Rose caught her breath as the clatter intensified, growing closer. Nate? Was he being chased?

  Then, a few yards in back of them, a doe leaped out of the brush, its eyes wild with alarm as it crashed on and vanished into the forest growth, a young fawn clattering after it.

  Something had frightened the animals. A shudder went through Rose as she detected the yipping of wolves echoing in the distance.

  “Come along,” Robert ordered, his voice low and sharp.

  Her pulse still throbbing, Rose cast a fearful look around. Then she started up the hill after Robert and Star with a longer stride, dodging snags and whips from brambly bushes she pushed past. Oh Lord, please don’t let Nate get caught. Keep him safe.

  Nate grimaced as he half jogged, half walked, following the broken twigs and footprints the threesome had left in their wake. He’d done his level best to cover their tracks from the river so the Senecas would be unable to detect the point where they’d emerged from the water. Then he buried the campfire and cleared a good fifty-yard radius around the cave, hoping the sharp-eyed trackers would be unable to decipher signs of their resting place. Hopefully they’d be long gone before anyone stumbled upon this fresh trail.

  It was taking him longer than expected to catch up to Bob and the others. But that was good. Obviously his friend had set a rapid pace as the party headed for Gist’s Trail, a trace that would lead them back toward civilization. Both he and Bob knew they’d have to keep off the actual trail, but by staying within close proximity of it, they’d at least be going in the right direction.

  He stopped now and then to cock an ear in the direction of the cave, listening for any signs they were being followed. So far he’d heard nothing unusual. And don’t let there be none, Lord, he prayed for the dozenth time.

  Nate had to concede that prayer was becoming the best weapon he and his friends had in these dire circumstances. He could no longer discount the amazing way they’d managed to elude capture thus far. The gut-wrenching fear that had clutched his insides through the first part of the day had gradually eased, and a sense of peace had taken its place. If it really was God looking after them, Shining Star had been right about the Lord being powerful. And Rose was right that He took care of His people. Surely God’s hand had helped them cross that river, and it had to be Him keeping Rose and the others safe now till Nate could catch up to them. That was a mighty comforting thought. And quite humbling.

  Continuing to follow the trail for an hour or so, Nate caught the scent of smoke in the air. A terrible sense of foreboding tightened his chest. The others couldn’t be more than a mile this side of Gist’s Trail. Why in the world would Bob start a fire? He had to know the smell would lead the Indians right to them!

  He broke into a run. The blaze needed to be put out before the trackers behind them caught wind of it.

  Suddenly someone darted into his path. Nate dove off to the side in reflex.

  “Partial to dead ferns, are ya?” Bob asked quietly, a grin broadening his dusky cheeks.

  It was quite tempting to illuminate his pal on his partialities, but Nate rolled his eyes instead as he picked himself up and dusted himself off.

  Bob held a warning finger up to his lips and motioned for Nate to follow him. Not far away, he parted the low, straddling limbs of a fir. There beneath an evergreen canopy sat Rose and Star, sharing one of the blankets Star had brought, with Jenny Ann between them.

  All three girls favored him with smiles, but Rose’s was the one that warmed Nate’s heart.

  He was about to crawl in and join them, when Bob released the branches and motioned for Nate to go with him several feet away from the others. There Bob spoke under his breath. “There’s some Senecas up on the trail. They must’ve figgered we’d head for it. But thank the good Lord they decided to make camp before we accidentally stumbled into their nest.”

  Nate clamped a hand on his friend’s shoulder and gave a squeeze. “Aye. He’s been watchin’ out for us today. That’s for sure.”

  “I figger we’re far enough away from ‘em here that even if the baby starts to fussin’ they won’t hear her.”

  “How close are we to the trail, anyway?”

  Bob gave a casual shrug. “I snuck up a ways. I’d say ‘bout half a mile.”

  As they turned and strode back to the fir tree, Nate checked the sky, gauging the remaining light. The day was almost over. Finally. This had been one of the longest of his life. He stopped near the tree and turned to his friend. “We need to save the cornmeal for Jenny. For now, I reckon we can get by on what cracked corn’s in my haversack. Plus I found two small pieces of jerked meat. How much you got?”

  “None.” Bob winced. “Me an’ the gals ate what little cracked corn I had. Baby’s been fed, too. Tomorrow mornin’ we better snare a critter of some kind.”

  “Right. Can’t afford to make noise shootin’ somethin’.”

  Pulling aside the floppy limb, Bob motioned Nate inside. “I’ll take the first watch. You get some rest. The women already piled up a goodly amount of needles for beds.”

  “Ain’t you tired? You been on the trail as long as me.”

  Bob gave a snort. “I already had plenty of sittin’ time, waitin’ for you to git your lazy self up here. Go ahead. I’ll wake you in an hour or two.”

  Sleep. The very thought made Nate yawn. He let the branch swing back into place, effectively closing him inside the small haven.

  He met Rose’s gaze as she patted a welcoming pile of needles. “Here.” Her sweet whisper lulled him even further. “Lie down and rest.”

  She was here. She was safe. He could rest now. He dropped down to the makeshift bedding and closed his eyes, warmed by her presence.

  A long, miserable night dragged by. The bitter cold intensified when freezing rain began to fall from the heavens, drenching the branches of the fir tree and dripping relentlessly over the limited shelter. If not for the three shared fur robes, they’d have been soggy messes. In the wee hours the sleet turned to snow, whipped about by a sharp wind. By the time morning dawned, not a hint of a smile graced a face in the bedraggled group. Even Jenny squirmed restlessly in her cradleboard.

  “Think I’ll make us a fire.” Forcing a note of optimism into his voice, Nate scanned the area for something that might burn.

  Rose glanced up in alarm. “But—won’t that give away our position?”

  He shrugged. “Naw. At first light, I hoofed out to the spot where Bob an’ me figgered the Senecas made camp, an’ it was deserted. We’re pretty safe now.”

  “You mean they returned to Muskingum?” Giving his sodden moccasins a cursory glance, she released a slow breath.

  Shaking his head, he took the bundled-up baby from her when Jenny grunted and looked at him with rounded eyes. He nuzzled the little darling. “They left tracks in the snow. Headin’ east.”

  Bob unwrapped a few pieces of dry wood from his haversack and knelt down with his knife and flint to coax a blaze to life. “That’s what I expected. They’ll prob’ly go up several miles an’ wait for us to come to them.” His gaze gravitated to Shining Star as she stepped past Rose, tying the end of her ebony braid. He said something to her, and she gave him a shy smile. “I should have a fire goin’ in a minute or so,” he said to no one in particular.

  A concerned frown drew Rose’s brows downward. “Are you quite sure a fire won’t be dangerous?”

  “Trust me,” Nate said, drawing her attention to him. “The Senecas had a pretty good-sized one go
in’ through the night. They’ll think any smoke that drifts their way is leftover from theirs.”

  Her gaze clung to his for a heartbeat before she let it slide to the babe in his arms.

  As Rose wrapped her hooded cloak more tightly around her, Nate couldn’t help but glimpse the muddied, ruffled edge of her flannel nightdress. Though at times she wrapped in one of the two blankets Star had brought, the nightdress and her damp cloak were all she had to ward off the morning’s bitter cold, while the rest of them wore thick fur robes. He had to do something about that.

  “Ya know …I’ve been covetin’ that cloak of yours,” he told her.

  That brought her eyes back to his as she looked from him down to her limp wrap. “I can’t imagine why.” She gave a wry shake of her head.

  “Well, think about it.” He handed Jenny to Shining Star and tried to sound earnest as he nonchalantly stooped down beside Bob to help with the fire. “This here heavy robe of mine sorta gets in the way times when I need to be movin’ real fast. Your cloak I could belt down good an’ tight an’—” He watched a slow smile of disbelief add a twinkle in her eye. “What’s so all-fired funny?”

  She snickered. “The sleeves wouldn’t even reach halfway down your arms.”

  The woman was making it hard for him to maintain a straight face, especially when he pictured himself in it. Without cracking a smile, he gave particular attention to feeding dry needles to Bob’s tiny flame. “See? That’s what I mean. They’d be outta the way for sure.”

  “You’re right.” Bob’s lips twitched at the corners as he made an effort to quell his own grin. “Mebbe I’ll outbid you for it.”

  Nate slanted him a meaningful glare. “It was my idea,” he blustered to keep from laughing out loud.

  “Well,” Rose said ever so innocently, “if you’re positive you must have it, then I’d welcome the extra warmth of yours.”

  “It’s a deal.” Managing to control his features, Nate stood up.