Hogtied

by Coleman, Lynn A.

  “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?”

  Fourteen

  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 haul 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 toward 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 in 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.

  She ran up the stairs and collapsed on her bed. A couple minutes ago, he’d been so reasonable. Not that she didn’t want to be with Urias—she ached to be a real wife to him. But now she couldn’t imagine it. Perhaps it was a good thing they weren’t really husband and wife.

  “Prudence?” Kate called. “What’s the matter?”

  “Nothing.” Prudence wiped her eyes. “Urias is eating. We’ll be leaving soon.”

  “I’m all ready. I’m scared,” Kate confessed.

  Me, too. “It’ll be all right. He loves you.” Unlike me. Prudence knew self-pity would get her nowhere. She would settle up with Urias just how much she owed and how long it would take for her to work off her bondage. She would not allow him to treat her like others had treated his sister. Did he forget that I gave up my life for Kate, too, Lord?

  Prudence followed Kate down the hall and down the stairway to the kitchen. It struck her odd knowing that Kate was once her servant, following orders, and now she would be Kate’s servant. Father, give me strength. Help me to not displease Urias, Prudence silently prayed.

  ❧

  The eggs and sausage sat in the pit of Urias’s stomach. He’d gone too far with Prudence. He never should have insisted that she be his bond servant. Her working off her father’s debt would have been far more than enough of a sacrifice. But he’d been angry
, and when he was angry, he could get himself into a heap of trouble.

  Scouting ahead, he checked the trail before the women passed. Being alert would take all of his concentration. Sleep had eluded him last night, and after the two days of hard travel, he should not have insisted they be on the road so early this morning.

  Hiram Greene had fumbled over his words of thanks when Urias and the ladies departed. Urias even thought he saw a tear in the man’s eye when he gave his daughter a hug and a kiss good-bye, confirming Urias’s darkest thoughts of the plot the parents and Prudence must have put together. It was Prudence who sought him out and suggested they run the hogs to the Cumberland Gap. It was Prudence whose bold presence in the barn caused Hiram to be angry and force a marriage upon them.

  It took effort to lift his feet off the ground and place them in front of him. If walking was this difficult, how was he ever going to get these women to Jamestown? He glanced back at the women. They seemed to be talking about him. The way Katherine kept looking at him, the way Prudence kept avoiding looking at him… She must have told Katherine he’d made her his bond servant. Urias groaned. This would be the longest trip he’d ever been on.

  He scanned the area in front of him and pushed himself to keep walking. Running might be better. Even his parents would not be happy to hear what he’d done to Prudence. Admittedly, he wasn’t too proud of himself, either. On the other hand, everything seemed to add up that Hiram and Prudence had conspired against him. He was an easy mark. Hiram held Katherine’s bond and realized Urias would have done anything to gain his sister’s freedom, including paying higher than normal fees and bringing those hogs to the Cumberland Gap. A smile swept across his face.

  He had enjoyed that trip with Prudence. She’d been more than just a good traveling companion. The memory of the kiss they shared stabbed his conscience. She felt so wonderful in his arms. The kiss, so warm and inviting.

  Urias shook off the memory. The devil comes in all forms, he reminded himself.

  The only real question was: How soon could he have this marriage annulled?

  ❧

  “I’m scared, Pru. If he can do to you what others did to me… I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t treat me like a servant, too.”

  “Something happened when he went to pay Father’s debt.” Prudence gnawed her lower lip. “I could have had the marriage annulled immediately, and he was free to leave with you.”

  “Why is he making you work for your father’s debt?” Kate tossed her head from side to side.

  “I don’t know.” Why did Father make Urias pay for Kate’s debt? Maybe she truly didn’t understand business matters. As her father suggested time and time again, it’s a man’s world.

  Prudence was afraid to speak her fears. How was it that the man she started to understand on the trail was not the same man on this new trail? It didn’t make sense. But then again, nothing had made sense since Urias O’Leary came into her world. And sharing her fears with Kate, who seemed to live in constant fear, didn’t seem fair to her.

  “Kate, we’ll have to trust the Lord for our protection.”

  “Humph.” Kate snickered. “Ain’t been much good in the past. Don’t know why it be much good in the future.”

  “Kate, I know things have happened to you, but I doubt those same things will happen with Urias. He seems to be a man of honor. Remember what I said to you about Mrs. Campbell and how he took care of her needs?”

  Kate nodded.

  “That same man is still in there. Whatever happened for him to lose Bullet has to be a deep wound. Those take time to heal.”

  “You’re defending him?” Kate gasped.

  “I suppose I am. I came to know Urias on the trail. He is not the same man we talked with last night or this morning. Whatever it is, we need to give him some time to work it all out.”

  “I know he’s my kin, but I don’t know him and I don’t trust any man. I can’t.”

  “Then let me do the trusting for the both of us. Things will work out.” Prudence fired another prayer toward heaven. Please, Lord, make everything work out. Don’t let Kate suffer too much longer. She needs to know people care about her and love her. I know Urias does, even if he has a funny way of showing it to folks. I can’t begin to understand why he wants me to be his bond servant, but if that is what I must do for Kate, then I’ll do it.

  “You’re praying, ain’t ya?” Kate asked from behind her on the horse.

  “Yes,” Prudence admitted.

  They continued on in silence, three people bound together by love and family, yet separated by the very same things. Prudence wanted to cry. Her heart ached. She didn’t know what she’d done to bring about Urias’s wrath or why he would hold her to her father’s debts, but she’d done something to trigger his behavior. At least, it gave that appearance.

  They traveled this way for days, barely talking one with the other. This time the journey was uneventful, unlike the last trip and the numerous events they’d endured while bringing the hogs down to the Cumberland Gap. When they arrived on the tenth day at Jamestown, Prudence couldn’t believe her eyes. The house was large and well cared for. There was a smaller single-story house also set on the property, which she assumed was Urias’s adoptive grandparents’ home that he’d told her about building with his father.

  “Urias,” cried a small, black-haired boy, who ran out to greet them.

  Urias caught the child in his arms and swung him up in the air. “Good to see you, Nash.”

  A small group of people gathered on the front porch.

  Urias carried the youngster to the porch. “Mom, Dad, it’s good to see you.” Urias came up to the couple and gave them each a hug and a kiss.

  Prudence looked over at Kate, who also appeared to feel out of place.

  “You found her!” Mrs. MacKenneth stepped off the porch and went right over to Kate. “Welcome to our home, Katherine. We’ve been waiting and praying for you for a long time.”

  “Where’s Bullet, Son?” Mr. MacKenneth asked.

  Urias glanced over at Prudence, then back to his father. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell ya later.”

  “And who might you be?” Mrs. MacKenneth asked in a gentle voice.

  Kate stood rigidly in place as their attention turned to Prudence.

  “I’m—”

  “She’s my wife,” Urias said, cutting her off. “In name only. It has to do with Bullet.”

  Mrs. MacKenneth paused for a moment, then opened her arms and embraced Prudence. “Welcome to the family.”

  Unable to respond, Prudence stood there just like Kate had done a few moments prior.

  “Mom, the ladies would probably like to freshen up and get off their feet. They’ve been walking for miles. We pushed to get here before nightfall.”

  “Oh, certainly, do come in. Where are my manners?” Mrs. MacKenneth asked no one in particular.

  Mac, as Urias had referred to him on more than one occasion, cleared his throat. “You ladies go freshen up a bit. Urias and I can take care of the horse and baggage.”

  Kate and Prudence glanced at each other, following Mrs. MacKenneth into the house. It was decorated with nice furnishings—nothing from a fancy cabinetmaker, but all looking extremely homey and functional.

  “Come. Follow me. I’ll set you up a warm pitcher of water to clean with and some fresh towels. Would you like to change your dresses as well?”

  “Thank you. That would be wonderful, Mrs. MacKenneth.” Prudence spoke up first.

  “Please call me Pam. And my husband goes by Mac.”

  “Thank you…Pam. I can prepare the water,” Kate offered.

  “Nonsense. Tonight you’re guests. Tomorrow you’ll be family and given your own lot of chores to be done. Urias’s room is at the top of the stairs, second door on the right. Make yourselves at home, and I’ll bring up some warm water.”

  Prudence took the lead. Kate seemed too unsure of herself. Prudence took Kate by the hand and led her up the stairs. “C
ome on. I can’t wait to get this dress off.”

  Kate giggled.

  They found the second room on the right and opened the door. Inside they found a room filled with books and hand drawings of horses. Prudence could smell Urias’s compelling scent in the air. “This is his room,” she blurted out.

  “How do you know?”

  Prudence pointed to a framed sketch on top of the dresser. “That’s a picture of Bullet. Can’t you tell?”

  “If you say so. A horse is a horse, and they all look the same to me.”

  Pam came into the room carrying a pitcher of water and a kettle. “I brought up a second pitcher. I figured with two of you, you’ll be needing more. I know when I come off the road, one pitcher is barely enough to hold me over before I can take a bath. I’ll have Mac and Urias set up the tub for a hot bath tonight.”

  “I wouldn’t want to impose.” Prudence hoped Pam wouldn’t take back her offer. A hot bath would be perfect.

  “Nonsense. It’s no trouble. Besides, Urias will need one as well. He’ll get the tub after you two.” Pam winked.

  Kate giggled again.

  Prudence smiled. Pam was everything Urias said she would be and more.

  “Now, which one of you is going to tell me how it is that you married my son?”

  Fifteen

  All right, Son, out with it. What happened?” Mac asked.

  “It’s a long story. Our mother sold Katherine as a bond servant. Her latest owner was Hiram Greene, Prudence’s father. Hiram wanted me to pay her bond before he’d release Katherine. Prudence told me of a way to earn the money without having to come home and ask you for it. While she was explaining her idea to me in the barn, her father came out. He insisted that we marry after we were caught speaking to one another again later that night. He said I had dishonored his daughter.”

  Mac leaned back against the rail of the horse’s pen. “And you agreed to this?”