“Mama, look at me!”
Abby grinned at his childish antics. He pulled himself up to a higher limb to avoid the outstretched hands of the little girl, who attempted to follow him up the same tree.
The mother, obviously in the family way, fanned her face with the hem of her apron. “Beau, get down before you fall. Dulcie, come back here.”
Then, to Abby’s horror, the woman dropped her basket and crumpled to the ground. In a wink, Abby snatched up her skirt and raced across the way and knelt beside the prone woman whose face was pasty white.
“Ma’am?” Abby patted the woman’s cheeks. “Can you hear me?”
“Mama!” One of the children wailed behind Abby. She turned to find both youngsters staring wide-eyed at their mother lying on the ground. The boy began to cry.
A faint moan escaped from the woman’s lips, and her eyelids fluttered. Abby reached for the little girl’s hand. “Honey, can you go get a cup or a dipper of water? Your mama just fainted. She’ll be all right, but she could use a sip of water right now.”
The little girl didn’t hesitate but bolted back in the direction Abby had seen them come. The little boy knelt beside Abby and reached for his mother’s hand.
“I’m sorry, Mama. Wake up.” His straw-colored hair flopped in his eyes, and he wiped his nose on his sleeve as he blubbered.
Abby glanced at the distraught child from the corner of her eye as she used the woman’s apron to blot moisture from her face. “She’ll be all right, little man. She just needed to take a quick nap.” She reached to brush the boy’s hair from his face.
He turned his chocolate eyes on Abby. His bottom lip stuck out and trembled. “Is Mama gonna be mad ‘cause I climbeded the tree?”
Abby wanted to hug the little fellow and assure him all would be well, but at that moment, the woman opened her eyes. “Dulcie? Beau?”
“I’m right here, Mama.” Beau patted his mother’s arm. “Dulcie went to bringed you a drink of water.”
A feeble smile wobbled the mother’s lips. She turned her gaze on Abby. “What happened? Who are you?”
Abby supported the woman’s arms and helped her to a sitting position. “I expect you fainted. My name is Abby Locke. We just arrived in Tucker’s Gap.” She fanned the woman with her apron. The little girl trotted back up the footpath with a tin cup only half full of water, most of it sloshing down the child’s arm and dripping off her elbow.
The mother took several sips and gave her children a reassuring smile. “Thank you, Abby Locke. I’m Beth Rutledge and this is Dulcie and Beau.” She handed the cup to Dulcie and caressed the chin of each child.
Abby ruffled Beau’s already-unruly hair and patted Dulcie’s shoulder. “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you.” She returned her gaze to Beth. “Are you feeling better?”
Beth sighed. “Yes, some better. I’ve been having such a hard time with…this baby.” A rosy blush chased away the pale pallor. “Keeping up with these two doesn’t allow much time to rest.”
The two impish children on either side of her each bore a stamp of their mother. Beth’s startlingly blue eyes were duplicated in her daughter, and Beau had inherited his mother’s gold hair along with a dusting of freckles across his nose.
Abby sat back on her heels and took in Beth’s swollen stomach and slight build. Her pronounced cheekbones and thin arms gave indication that perhaps she wasn’t eating properly. The babe within her certainly must be a taxing load to carry.
“Do you have anyone who can help out while you’re—” Abby took a turn at blushing. “In the family way.”
Beth shrugged. “My husband works all day and sometimes goes out to help some of the farmers. I had hoped my younger sister could come and stay with me until the baby comes, but my family lives too far away.” The wistfulness in Beth’s voice tugged at Abby and a wave of compassion nudged her. Hesitation hampered her tongue for only a moment.
“Will I do?”
“Pardon?”
Abby lifted her shoulders. “I’m not your sister, but I need a place to stay for a short time, and you need someone to help out. I can clean and cook and look after Beau and Dulcie so you can rest.” She stopped short and covered her cheeks with both hands. “Oh, I’m sorry. My aunt always tells me being presumptuous isn’t ladylike. Besides, you don’t know a thing about me.”
Beth leaned forward. “No, it’s a wonderful idea.” She grasped Abby’s hands. “Do you really mean it? Would you help me at home in exchange for a place to stay?”
Abby glanced in the direction of the livery where Mr. Danfield still stood talking with the blacksmith. What would he say if she made such arrangements on her own? She didn’t want to go to Raleigh, and her father didn’t want her at the fort. Why couldn’t she stay in this little community and help Beth Rutledge? She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders.
“Yes.” Abby nodded. “Yes, I will. And I’ll stay for as long as you need me.”
Tears filled Beth’s eyes. “I don’t know how to thank you, Abby. You have no idea what a blessing this is. It’s true, God sometimes sends angels among us.”
Angel probably wasn’t the word Mr. Danfield would use. A week and a half ago she wouldn’t have cared. Now, she could only pray he wouldn’t force her to break her promise to Beth. Giving her word wasn’t something Abby took lightly, and she was beginning to think Mr. Danfield didn’t either, no matter what the army said.
Chapter 6
With Beth comfortably seated on the grass under the sprawling oaks, Abby turned her attention to the youngsters.
“Do either of you know how to play hopscotch?”
Both children shook their heads. Abby smiled. “I can show you.”
Dulcie gave her a gap-toothed grin. “I like to play games.”
Beau’s bottom lip pooched out. “I don’t. Dulcie always beats me ‘cause she’s bigger.”
Abby sent a wink to Beth. She took Beau’s chin in her hand. “Well, this is a game everyone can play. You might even beat me.”
Beau’s freckles seemed to dance as his eyes widened. “You’re gonna play, too?”
“I sure am.” Abby plunked her hands on her hips. “Do you think I’m going to let you have all the fun?” She ruffled his hair. “Help me find a stick so we can draw in the dirt. Dulcie, see if you can find a small flat stone.”
Beau searched the ground in close proximity to the oaks and quickly produced a twig. Abby set to work drawing a grid of lines in the smoothed-out dirt of the road next to the grass. Dulcie returned a minute later and held out a smooth flat rock in her grimy palm.
“That’s a perfect stone. Now watch.” She tossed the stone, and it landed in the seventh square. With a grin to the children, she picked up her skirt and hopped, first on one foot and then on both feet, until she reach the rock. With a deft movement, she bent and scooped the stone in her hand, turned, and hopped back.
She placed the piece of granite in Dulcie’s hand. “Now see if you can do it.” Within minutes, the children were absorbed in the activity of tossing the stone and hopping after it. Their giggles rang across the shady common.
Abby clapped her hands and cheered encouragement to them, remembering the happy times she’d spent with her school chums. Her aunt had considered the games vulgar and unladylike. But as Abby watched Dulcie with her pigtails flopping and listened to the music of Beau’s giggles, their cheeks flushed rosy from effort and delight, Aunt Charlotte’s reprimands faded from her memory.
She cast a glance over her shoulder toward the livery where Mr. Danfield remained engaged in conversation with the blacksmith. His back was to her, and she allowed herself a moment to take in the outline of his sturdy form. He stabbed the air with his thumb over his shoulder. Doubtless the men were discussing her and Florrie.
With a gasp, Abby clapped a hand to her forehead. Florrie. Having a roof over her own head in exchange for helping Beth with the housework and the children so excited her, she’d forgotten about the widow.
&nb
sp; At that moment, Florrie called her name. Abby turned to see the older woman, a broad smile on her face, hurrying over to where Abby supervised the children in their game.
“Abby!”
Abby’s heart lifted. Judging by her friend’s animated tone, she bore good news. She must have discovered the tiny town had mail service.
“Abby, I have just met the two nicest people.” Florrie cocked her head toward the store. “Leon and Mercy Tucker run the trading post here in Tucker’s Gap. For the time being, Mercy is trying to run the place by herself.” A frown worked its way into the space between Florrie’s brows and worry inflected her tone. “Mr. Leon Tucker had an accident last week and broke his leg.” She tsked. “Poor man. Anyway, Mercy has her hands full trying to take care of him and run the store alone, so—” Florrie hesitated, a tentative smile on her lips.
“What, Florrie?”
The widow lifted her shoulders. “I told Mercy that Dewey and I ran the sutler’s store at the fort. She asked if I would be interested in helping out until Mr. Tucker gets back on his feet. She said they have an empty room since their daughter married and moved away.”
“And you said…”
“Why, Abby,” Florrie shook her finger, “you know I’d never make such a commitment without first discussing it with you and Nathaniel.”
Heat flooded Abby’s face and chagrin trampled her toes. She glanced at Beth who sat watching the children. “Florrie, you see the woman sitting over there?”
Florrie’s gaze followed Abby’s pointer finger. “Looks like she’s expecting.”
Abby grinned. “She is, and those two children playing hopscotch are hers. She’s having a difficult time with…you know, being in the family way.” Abby shrugged. “So I offered to help her with the children and housework. In exchange for a place to stay. Until the baby comes.”
She expected Florrie to admonish her for agreeing to work for Beth without Mr. Danfield’s knowledge. But instead, Florrie just grinned.
“Well then, since that is the case, I’ll go and tell Mercy I’ll take the job, at least until her husband’s leg heals.” She started to turn but halted. “Should we wait and talk to Nathaniel first?”
Abby clamped her lips down on the giggle that bubbled up inside her. “Mr. Danfield will find out soon enough he has two headstrong women on his hands.” She took Florrie’s hand. “Come and meet Beth.”
Abby made the introductions and helped Beth to her feet. “Looks like Florrie is going to be helping out the Tuckers for a while. Beth, why don’t you go with Florrie to the store, and I’ll watch the children so you can take your time shopping?”
A relieved sigh passed Beth’s lips. “That would be wonderful.” She called to Dulcie and Beau who were still laughing and tumbling over each other as they hopped back and forth. “Children, you stay here with Miss Abby.”
Florrie picked up Beth’s basket and looped her arm through Beth’s. “Let’s go tell Mercy Tucker she has a new employee.”
Abby couldn’t keep the smile from her face. Would the smile remain, however, when she and Florrie informed Mr. Danfield of their arrangements?
“Miss Abby, can we play ring-around-the-rosy?”
Abby pushed aside her concern over Mr. Danfield’s reaction. “Certainly. Let’s play over here in the grass.”
Beau latched on to her hand and sent her an endearing grin. She was already falling in love with this family. A measure of assurance came over her. This was where she was supposed to be—for now.
Feeling like a failure was getting to be an annoying habit. Quinn Rutledge, the blacksmith and livery owner, told Nathaniel he could sleep in the livery loft in exchange for keeping the place cleaned out and caring for the stock. But he was no closer to finding accommodations for the ladies. Rutledge suggested he ask at Tucker’s General Store.
Distant thunder rumbled under the leaden sky. He cast his gaze toward the thickening clouds. “Lord, I need to find a place for the women. I can’t expect them to stay in a stable.” A check in his spirit slowed his steps. “Lord, do You ever get tired of me telling You what to do? It’s just that I had hoped for something a little…nicer smelling for the ladies.” He could almost see the Lord’s smile.
He found Miss Locke holding two young children by the hands, her face wreathed in a radiant smile. They skipped in a circle and their singsong voices carried to his ears.
“Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.”
The corners of Nathaniel’s mouth twitched as Miss Locke dropped to the ground and the youngsters fell on her, their giggles rivaling the singing of the birds.
“Let’s do it again, Miss Abby.” The little boy couldn’t have been more than five, and he seemed entirely taken with the colonel’s daughter. Miss Abby. The name fit her.
“Oh my, I think I need to catch my breath.” She shook her skirt, brushing off the bits of grass and twigs. When she straightened, her gaze collided with Nathaniel’s. A pink glow filled her cheeks in sharp contrast to the gloomy countenance she’d worn for the past few days. Nathaniel stared at the sparkle in her dark-brown eyes, hypnotized by their vibrant depth. She broke the spell when she dropped her gaze.
“Mr. Danfield.” Her voice, breathless and airy, captured his senses. “I apologize for my unladylike behavior.”
His tongue stuck to his teeth, and he groped to form an intelligent answer. His brain refused to function. “I, uh…no, that’s quite…you don’t, uh…” He clamped his mouth shut before any more insipid noises fell out and glanced at the ground, half expecting to find his wits lying at his feet. Heat raced up his neck and burned his ears. He cleared his throat and prayed for composure.
He jerked his thumb toward the livery. “Mr. Rutledge, the livery owner, suggested we check with Mrs. Tucker in the general store—”
“Mr. Danfield.” She broke in before he could finish. “I met the mother of these children. Her name is Beth Rutledge, so I assume she is wife to the blacksmith. She’s—” Her eyes widened, and her cheeks turned bright red. “She’s…well…”
Miss Locke coughed and gulped simultaneously. She took a slow deep breath. “Mrs. Rutledge is going to need some help for the next few months, keeping house and caring for the children. She and I have arranged for me to stay with her family in exchange for providing—”
“You did what?” Nathaniel sucked in a breath. A scowl pulled his mouth downward. What did she think she was doing? Her well-being was his responsibility.
The little boy looked up and tugged on Miss Locke’s arm. “He looks mean.” The whimper in the child’s voice smote Nathaniel as effectively as Quinn Rutledge’s hammer at the forge.
She bent and slipped her arm around the little fellow. “It’s all right, Beau. Mr. Danfield isn’t mean.” She tipped her head and shot an incriminating glare at Nathaniel and then returned a soft smile to the boy. “He’s just had a hard day.”
Nathaniel pressed his lips together and rolled his head from side to side to work the kinks out of his neck. He didn’t wish to confront her in the presence of these children.
“I think we need to discuss this.” He lowered his voice and spoke through clenched teeth. “Your safety is my responsibility. I can’t let you—”
“Let me?” She folded her arms across her chest. “I beg your pardon?”
He held his hands up. “Sorry.” He had no idea why he was apologizing for doing his job, but for some reason he couldn’t explain, it mattered to him that she understood his caution. “I simply want to be certain you are in a safe situation. Of course, I won’t be far away. Quinn Rutledge is letting me sleep in the loft at the livery. So I can keep an eye—no, that’s not what I mean either.”
He scrubbed one hand over his face, the stubble on his chin raking his palm like sandpaper. The tapping of her foot on the packed dirt beat out a rhythm that matched the pulsing of his heart.
“Exactly what do you mean, Mr. Danfield?”
He pulled his head up and looked her square in the eye. “I mean I h
ave been entrusted with your safety. If at any time I feel the arrangement is unsatisfactory…”
Her stormy stare rivaled the roiling clouds overhead. Then she cocked her head to one side and unfolded her arms. “I do understand your position, regardless of what you may think.”
“Oh, Nathaniel, there you are.” Mrs. Cobb’s cheerful voice broke through his gathering ire. He turned to see her coming from the general store with a loaded basket on her arm and accompanying a woman who was obviously with child. “I can hardly wait to tell you my news.”
News? He’d had about all the news he could handle for one day, but he forced a smile. “Mrs. Cobb.” He tipped his hat to the woman beside her. “Ma’am.”
Miss Locke stepped over to take the basket from the widow. “Mr. Danfield, this is Mrs. Rutledge.” She turned to smile at the woman. “I was just telling Mr. Danfield about our arrangement.”
Mrs. Cobb clasped her hands in front of her waist. “Did you tell him about mine?”
Hers? Nathaniel jerked his head to face the older woman. “You have an arrangement, too?”
As Mrs. Cobb explained Mercy Tucker’s need for help in the store while her husband convalesced, Nathaniel started to raise his index finger but quickly folded it back within his fist. He couldn’t shake his finger at a woman old enough to be his mother. He shifted his glance to Miss Locke who appeared to be failing miserably at suppressing a chuckle.
“So you see, Nathaniel, Abby and I both have places to stay. I must tell you, though, that Mr. Tucker is going to need several weeks to heal, and I promised Mercy that I’d stay until he was back on his feet.” Mrs. Cobb sidestepped over to stand next to Miss Locke. “See? God has worked everything for good. Such a blessing.”
Blessing wasn’t the first word that popped into his head.
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