Hannah Alexander

by Keeping Faith

  Victoria returned to her perusal of the man she admired more than any other and was startled by the sudden direction of her thoughts; he would make an excellent father. Why hadn’t she noticed this sooner? His patience with the younger ones impressed her.

  “The guy who rode into the stables said there’s got to be at least four or five dogs with that killer and his pals,” Buster said.

  “Did he say how long he thinks it’ll take for them to arrive here?” Joseph asked.

  “Maybe a few hours. I don’t know what he meant by a few.” Buster finished the pot, wiped it off and sank onto a chair.

  “The horses are ready,” Joseph said. “Food’s packed, medical supplies aplenty. We have enough weapons and ammunition to fight off a dozen men, maybe more.”

  “I’d hate shooting dogs,” Gray said.

  Victoria took a heartening swallow of her coffee. “I don’t believe dogs are typically vicious, especially if they’re well fed.”

  “They won’t be,” Joseph said. “Dogs are usually starved just before a hunt so they’ll have an appetite for their kill.”

  “I can almost hear the hounds now,” Buster said.

  The front door slammed open and Buck came stomping inside with chunks of wood for the cookstove, buffing the soles of his shoes on the front mat. “Y’all aren’t waiting for me to eat, are you?”

  “You’re worth waiting for,” Francine said playfully. “No better time than the present to gather together and say our prayers. These boys are likely to blow steam from their ears if they aren’t given something to keep them busy.”

  “Duncan’s coming,” Joseph warned Buck.

  “Well, then, that does give us reason for prayer.” He seated himself at the head of the table as the others took their chairs. He held his hand out to his wife and indicated with a nod that all were to do the same. Victoria grasped Heidi’s slender hand with a quick pat of reassurance and then felt the warmth of Joseph’s strength as Buck beseeched the Almighty to protect them from Duncan, the killer of slaves and neighbors alike.

  Victoria had been in other situations where friends beseeched God for protection. She’d felt this kind of camaraderie and love before with Francine and Buck, but always before, Matthew had been present. She peeked sideways at Joseph and saw him watching her. He gave her a slow nod of encouragement, squeezed her hand and closed his eyes.

  By the time Buck was finished, her appetite was back, and she dug into her coddled eggs and bacon, fried potatoes and coffee, French toast with butter and honey. At least they would be filled if they had to leave in a hurry, though as the boys and men continued to murmur and mutter at the west end of the table about their plans for leaving, they also filled and refilled their plates with the abundant food, and Victoria felt empathy for the poor beasts that would be carrying their burdens.

  “Francine,” she said quietly to her friend, who sat next to Heidi, “have you and Buck considered coming with us?”

  “It’s all we’ve talked about.” Francine indicated her huge stomach, glanced toward the men and blushed. One didn’t speak aloud about such things in proper society, and Victoria knew Francine had been taught proper etiquette in her well-to-do home back East. “The little one’s on its way any day,” she whispered.

  “Yes. I’ve already seen the signs.” That was what Victoria had feared. “I’ve wondered if, perhaps, it might be sooner than a few days.”

  Francine patted her arm and chuckled. “Don’t fret yourself, my dear. Women have been doing this since Genesis. I figure I’m fit for the task.”

  Victoria noted that there was no denial in her friend’s answer. She watched Francine’s movements closely, and she caught Heidi’s look of blue-eyed innocence. If word got out that Buck and Francine had been aiding so-called runaways, their lives, and the life of their baby, could be at risk.

  * * *

  Joseph stood watching out the window after a farewell meal at the noon hour with the Africans in the large upper chamber of Buck and Francine’s home. The morning had sped by far too quickly. He could feel the tension of impending battle loom over the town. Buster or Gray returned to the house every hour or so with news about the boat building, and he wanted to be there helping. He couldn’t. He had to keep watch. Anything could go wrong.

  He spotted Victoria on the bench at the side of the house, her head bowed, her soft hair fluttering in the breeze. How he wanted to be a world away with her, running his hands through that beautiful hair, raining abundant kisses on that delicate face, sharing all the love he’d held inside for her all these years. Instead, they were here in sight of danger.

  He settled onto the bench beside her, and he could almost feel her anxiety impact the air that surrounded her. “You know, there are a lot of hunting dogs in Missouri,” he said. “What if that person Buster overheard this morning was mistaken? Those dogs they mentioned could have belonged to anyone.” He reached out and touched her arm. It felt as he had known it would feel—like silken sunshine.

  She took a shaky breath. “Or perhaps to the man at the stables, ‘a few’ means six hours, or even eight to ten hours, instead of four or five.”

  He slid his hand down to hers. She grasped it, held on tightly. The warmth flooded him. For her, with her, he could do anything.

  “Or Duncan might not be in such a big hurry after all,” he said, returning the pressure. “He might have stopped along the way to rest.”

  “Or to visit.” Her hand lost its grip.

  He glanced at the suddenly grim shape of her profile, the clenching of her jaws, and he hated the ominous sound of her voice. “What do you mean?”

  “Do you remember I told you John Brown believed Otto Duncan was a member of the Knights of the Golden Circle?”

  “I remember.”

  She nodded, eyes closing as her lips pressed together until they were white.

  “You think he’s rounding up some friends to help him hunt?” Joseph asked.

  “If he believes John or one of his sons could be in the vicinity, a killer like Duncan would do anything to stop them, and he’ll take all the help he can get.” She leaned her head back against a smoothly hewn log. “I’ve been thinking. How likely is it that no one at all in this town has noticed the other Africans?”

  “You’re worried for Buck and Francine.”

  “I wish they’d come with us, but Francine can’t travel now.” Victoria stood slowly, as if in pain, and released his hand. He felt as if the sky dimmed.

  “Is your wound hurting you?”

  “It’s stiff. I need to be ready to move.”

  “You need more laudanum.” He stood with her.

  “No, I need my wits about me.” She walked across the porch and back. “The men should have everything ready to go by now.”

  “Buster knows where I am. He said I’d know when they were ready for us.” Francine had been insistent on sharing today’s noon meal with all their friends as a farewell, and though many had chafed at the delay, they’d had to agree that they needed a good meal in their stomachs. Buck, the boys, Heidi and several of the African women had done the work while Francine supervised. At Victoria’s insistence, Francine remained seated with her feet up.

  Before Joseph could comment again on Victoria’s concern for her friend’s health, he heard a sound that chilled him to his core. It was the baying of hounds.

  * * *

  Victoria sucked in her breath so hard she felt woozy. “Joseph!”

  He stepped to her side and took her hand. “Remember what we said? It could be anyone’s dogs.”

  “I think we were wrong.”

  “Settle yourself. We’re almost ready to leave. We need to stick to the plan.”

  She squeezed his hand until she saw him wince.

  “You’ve got a mighty firm grip for such a gentle woman,” he murmured.

  “Sorry. I feel as if the earth is moving from beneath us.”

  He took her arm. “No time to allow the food to settle. We’re going.
Our people need to get down to the cave now, and Buck and Francine need to hide the entrance.”

  “I still hate leaving them.”

  “So do I, but our getting as far away as possible without alerting anyone will be their best protection.”

  “The dogs can smell their way to a cave entrance if they know what they’re hunting,” she said.

  “Then we’d better hope we can get out the other side before they arrive.”

  Victoria reached for the door and looked over her shoulder to see three men on horses following four hounds trotting down the main street of town. To her relief, they weren’t coming toward the house, but their attention was drawn to the west.

  Joseph groaned. “What’s Buster doing now?”

  The raw-boned young man stood a couple of hundred feet away from them, not far from the outside entry to the cave—the one Buck had said was dangerous. Buster held a large package covered in sackcloth. He tossed it into the air and caught it, kicked a couple of rocks so hard they splashed into the creek below. He appeared not to notice the approaching group and seemed deaf to the loud baying of the hounds.

  Victoria thought she heard him chuckle. Loudly. She caught her breath. “He’s taunting them. That kid’s going to get himself and the rest of us killed.”

  The dogs picked up speed, followed by the horses and riders.

  “They’re following him, sure enough,” Joseph said.

  “Why? What interest would those men have in Buster?”

  “He’s using something to scatter a scent to draw the dogs. See how he’s tossing that sack? Those men no longer have control. The hounds do.”

  “But they’re headed for the cave. Is he crazy?”

  “Get inside. I’m sure he has a plan, and Gray must be in on it.”

  “That doesn’t mean it’s a good plan.”

  Joseph held the door and urged her forward.

  The house greeted them with a silence so eerie Victoria nearly stepped back, wondering if this was the same building where thirty-five people had completed a meal together less than fifteen minutes ago. Joseph helped her up the stairs to what Francine affectionately called her “ballroom.” It was empty.

  Someone had taken the time to clear out the food and eating utensils, obviously because they believed the house might be entered by the incoming attackers. The Africans had learned to become shadows over the winter.

  “They must have heard the dogs,” Victoria said. She walked across the room to peer out the only window, which was curtained heavily. It was high in the wall, built for parties such as the one they’d enjoyed today, with no place for snoops to look inside and see who was there. She could imagine them entering this room on cold nights and settling onto comfortable pallets for the night.

  Joseph put a hand on her shoulder. “Let’s go. They’ll need our help.”

  She allowed him to lead her out the door and toward the stairs, but she caught a sound that chilled her. A cry. A stifled whimper. Someone was in pain. What kind of trouble...?

  “Victoria?” The feminine voice, muffled by the closed door to Francine and Buck’s room, held an edge of anxiety.

  Victoria looked up at Joseph. “Something’s wrong.” No. This couldn’t be happening. But of course it was. Francine had nearly blurted the truth at breakfast this morning. How long had she been in labor?

  Joseph placed an arm across her shoulders. “What is it?”

  “I can’t leave right now. You go on and do what you have to.”

  “I’m not leaving you here.”

  “Francine needs me, and Buck’s with the others.”

  Joseph frowned, then glanced toward the door of the bedroom as comprehension dawned. “Now?”

  “You think she has a choice?”

  She saw the struggle take place in his expression. They had to go. Lives were at stake, possibly their own, but she couldn’t leave Francine yet.

  His dark eyes grew black. “Can she be moved?”

  “Of course not, but you have to go, Joseph. Save those people. You know I can take care of myself.”

  He didn’t seem to agree. “I’ll be back to get you as soon as they’re out of danger.”

  Victoria followed him down the hallway to the stairwell, but he stopped at the second step.

  He hesitated and turned back. “You’ll be careful?”

  “You’re the one entering a danger zone, Joseph. I’m doing what I’ve done for years.”

  “Buck knows how to take care of her.”

  “I know, and as soon as he arrives I’ll be able to leave, but she obviously needs me now.”

  He came back up the steps. “Victoria...”

  She straightened to her full height. “Yes, Captain?”

  Another cry reached them from behind the door where she stood. She started to turn, but Joseph took her gently by the arm and turned her back. “I can’t lose you.”

  She felt his touch hum through her entire being. “Perhaps you should exercise some of that faith you seem to have in such abundant supply.”

  “You won’t know where we’ll be.”

  “How can I miss lanterns in the caverns or twenty-five covered wagons on the trail?”

  “We won’t be in sight.”

  “Then watch for me. Perhaps...perhaps my heart will find its way there.” She attempted to pull away, but he held onto her arm.

  “You are the most stubborn woman—”

  “And you’re the most bullheaded—”

  He pulled her to him until he captured her lips with gentle pressure. His hand slid up to her shoulder and he drew her closer. His other hand caught her against him. He raised his head for but a second. “I’ve missed this,” he said before lowering his head once again.

  She had, too. As the tingle of warmth spread through her, she realized how much she’d missed this.

  The kiss was timeless as they held each other, but there was no time for them. Not now. Too many lives depended on them.

  He pulled away with patent reluctance. “Do you remember what you told me when you were delirious with fever?”

  “I’m supposed to remember what I did when I was out of my mind?” She reached up to draw his head down for one more kiss.

  He evaded her grasp. “You promised.”

  “Don’t hold me to it.”

  “You seemed to think it was important enough to recall.”

  She walked to a window to look for Buster up on the cliff. But he was gone. She had no doubt he’d disappeared down into that dangerous cave, because the dogs and men were gone and the horses were tethered to nearby trees.

  “Would you be so gracious as to give me a hint?” she asked, suppressing a smile as she turned back to Joseph.

  His shoulders slumped. “Only someone in love would remember such a statement.”

  She bit her tongue. How could she be such a heartless tease at a time like this? And yet the tension was so thick she could cut it apart with her scalpel. “And someone with a gracious heart would understand delirium. That was a very difficult day, and I couldn’t tell whether I was thinking aloud or to myself. Whatever it was, I know how grateful I was for you.”

  Joseph took her hand, raised it to his lips and kissed it. “You told me you loved me.”

  Buck and Francine’s bedroom door opened, and Heidi Ladue stuck her head out. Her glance immediately went to Victoria’s raised hand. “Um, excuse me, Doctor. Mrs. Frasier’s...well, Buck went down with the others into the cave, and I never done this before.” Another low moan reached them through the door.

  “Tell her I’m coming.” As Heidi vanished behind the door, blushing furiously, Victoria withdrew her hand from Joseph’s and touched his cheek, loving the feel of the soft beard against her fingertips and for some reason recalling Heidi’s comparison of love to mashed goose liver. Whoever had told her that was wrong. This was so much more substantial than goose liver. “Don’t worry. I’ll be sure to recall what I said when the time is right.”

  Chapter Seventeen<
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  Victoria’s gentle voice followed Joseph down the stairs and into the back parlor. He couldn’t bear to leave her unprotected in the house, but he knew where the hunters had gone. Time to take care of them. Later they could prepare for others who might be coming.

  He slid aside a beautifully carved wooden chest that sat against the back wall. Had he not known, he would have never guessed the wood plank floor rested against a trapdoor. He pushed inward at the corner and the wall gave way just enough for him to get a grip on the edge of the floor and pull upward.

  Only then did he pause long enough to light one of his torches. He lowered himself down the solid ladder Buck had built and landed in a second springhouse, where sides of venison and beef hung from the ceiling. Barrels of brine held fish, fermented cabbage and cucumber pickles, and dried fruits lined the shelving. This was the room where the Frasiers kept stores for their friends, so visitors wouldn’t wonder why a married couple with no children would need so much food.

  The shelves holding the dried fruit were nailed to a backboard that slid to the left, and Joseph stepped through to the other side where he caught the immediate scent of smoking lantern oil. It smelled new and thick, as he would expect it to smell with more than thirty people finding their way around columns and formations along uneven walkways and crawl spaces.

  Deep inside the cavern, the scent grew stronger, and he held his torch high. There were no footprints, as this part of the cavern was pure rock. He followed the scent of lantern smoke across the width of the cavern and downhill on the other side. Several lights moved upward ahead of him through the darkness like stars floating toward the sky; the floor of the cavern extended into a gentle grade after he reached the lowest part of the cavern floor. Buster and Gray had, of course, spent a great deal of time down here when they didn’t have chores, especially after the building of the flat-bottom boats had ended for the day. Joseph always seemed to have too many other things on his mind to pay much attention to their activities. He still did.

  Victoria. The imprint of her hand had burned itself so truly into his flesh that he’d begun to wonder if his beard had been scorched. He grinned at the thought and reached up to feel his face. No scorching, no blisters. He couldn’t get her out of his thoughts. But that was nothing new to him. She’d been burned into his heart since he’d first met her eleven years ago. He had to keep her safe for her sake, but also for his, because if anything happened to her now he would be destroyed, as well.