They crossed the channel and headed toward land. Hollan felt vulnerable out in the open, even though she knew no one could possibly be nearby. The moon glistened off the top of the water. She prayed Fletcher would be all right and that they would find him.
Though Hollan longed to dangle her fingers in the water, she knew better than to do it at night. She rested her elbow on her knee and put her chin on her fist as she watched the water for obstacles. She searched the shore for any sign of the supply boat. The lateness of the hour caught up with her, and she struggled to stay awake.
Lord, help me to focus and do my part. I’m so tired. I don’t want to let the men down or fall asleep in my seat.
Just as she finished the prayer, a large shape rose up from the water and then rolled back down in front of her. Hollan smiled. A dolphin! She hadn’t seen one in three years, and here this one was swimming in front of them as if directing their boat across the waters. Any thoughts of sleep drifted away as she watched the magnificent creature. Each time he ducked below, she hoped he’d surface again. As long as she could see him, she’d know there wasn’t anything in front of them.
Finally the dolphin did a half turn and swam away from the boat. Hollan wanted to beg him to return. But as she looked up, she noticed a structure ahead of them.
“I see the dock! And Fletcher’s boat is there.” Hollan all but bounced on her seat as they neared their destination.
“Sit still, girl, before you swamp us,” her father’s good-natured voice called from the middle seat. “Looks like Fletcher made it back.”
“What a relief.”
“Strange,” Jonathon said. “It looked like they did him in.”
“Fletcher is a very strong man. He must have recovered from the blows and made his way back home,” Jacob stated.
“I sure hope so. I’d feel a lot better.”
“We’ll know soon. We’ll check on him as soon as we get in.” Jacob dragged his oar in the water, spinning them around. The current pushed them closer to shore.
“Now to see how the town has fared.”
They pulled the boat up against the dock. Jacob jumped out to secure it. He helped Hollan from the boat, and the other two men joined them. Samson ran happily from one end of the dock to the other.
Fletcher’s boat was tied securely to the pier. There was no sign of the man on the dock or in the water nearby.
“Where do we go from here?” Jonathon asked nervously.
“We don’t have far to go,” Hollan assured him. “We’ll go to my uncle’s house. It’s just up the road from here.”
“It’s the middle of the night. Will he be upset to find all of us at his door?”
Hollan grimaced. “He’s the reverend of the church. He’s used to late-night calls.”
They trudged along the sandy path, the moonlight leading the way. Samson ran ahead. Every so often he’d return to check on them, and then off he’d go again. An alligator bellowed from the marsh to their right, and Hollan shivered. Jacob wrapped a reassuring arm around her shoulders.
Hollan let out a sigh of relief when they reached civilization, though the houses they passed were all dark. As they neared the row of buildings that composed the town, Jacob stopped. “I want to alert the sheriff. I doubt David would be so brass as to come here in the morning, but it’s best not to take a chance.”
“I’ll head up the road. I’ll wait for you there.” Jonathon backed away.
“Nonsense.” Hollan grabbed his arm. “You’ll stay here with us.”
She could feel his muscles tense when the sheriff opened the door.
“What’s going on?” The gruff voice made her want to run, too, but she stood firm.
Jacob nodded toward Hollan. “Pastor Edward’s niece here was kidnapped from the beach yesterday by my brother and his crew of men. They met with some misfortune and ran their boat ashore and have now moved into the cottage at the lighthouse.”
“I see.” The sheriff looked at each of them in turn. “Fletcher apparently met up with the same group on his way to your place. He made it back, but he’s in pretty bad shape.”
“Where is he?” Hollan asked.
“They took him to Doc when they first found him, but he’s at his mother’s now. We were going to put together a posse at first light and go over to check on you. At least now we can concentrate on the hurricane repairs. Where are you all headed?”
“We’re headed for Edward’s place, and we’ll stay there for the night.”
“I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.”
“Thank you.” Jacob reached out his hand, and the sheriff shook it. “When do you think you’ll be able to secure the island? David said they were wanted. That’s the reason he attempted the channel as it was.”
“You said no one’s in harm’s way?”
“No, and David and his men aren’t going anywhere fast. They’re stuck there. Unless they decide to come over here.”
“I’ll set up watch, but I doubt David will come here. He’s still a wanted man. We’re still repairing damage from the storm. We need to secure the homes that are open to the elements. I’d guess we have about two to three more days, and then we’ll gather up a posse.”
“Three days?” Hollan asked in disbelief. “The cottage and lighthouse could be in shambles if you wait that long!”
“Hollan, it’ll be fine.” Her father laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “We’re safe, and that’s what matters most.”
“What about the ships, Papa? Who will keep them safe? The lighthouse needs to guide them.”
“Gunter? Is that you?” The sheriff leaned forward with his lantern.
“Yes, Sheriff Roberts, it’s me.”
“I’m glad to see you safe. Parson Edward said you were missing.”
“David and his crew took me just before the storm hit. Hollan and Jacob came to my rescue.”
“Only after they kidnapped me!” Hollan filled in. “But Jacob came for us both.”
“I’m sorry this happened to you.” The sheriff lifted his lantern and stared at Jonathon. “And who do we have here?”
“Jonathon, sir.” Jonathon’s voice quaked under the sheriff’s perusal.
“That don’t tell me much.”
Hollan hurried to intervene. “He helped us escape. He’s from the ship.”
“Did you now? I’m glad to hear that. We’ll need to talk in the morning. I’ll have some questions for you.”
“Yes, sir.” Relief tinged Jonathon’s words. “I’ll be here.”
Sheriff Roberts looked at Jacob. “Swan. It’s good to have you home. Edward told me about the marriage. Congratulations to you both.”
They thanked him.
“Go on with you now. We’ll all get some sleep, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
They walked up the road toward Edward’s place.
“Your uncle has room enough for all of us?” Jonathon asked.
“He does. He’ll probably put you men up in the church, and I’ll stay in their home.”
“Will you be safe there?” Jonathon continued with his questions. “David is a dangerous man.”
“Yes, she’ll be safe,” Jacob interrupted. “I intend to make sure of it.”
“Jacob, you need to get some sleep. I’ll be fine. David won’t know where we are. He surely won’t dare to come after us.”
“I agree. Most likely he won’t. But I’m not taking any chances. If I have to sit on Edward’s front porch, I’ll do so in order to know that you’re safe.”
“Then perhaps we’ll all stay in their home. They have several extra rooms.”
“We’ll see what Edward says. But I can guarantee if you’re staying in that house, I’ll be right there with you.”
Edward answered his door and welcomed them in. Ettie pulled Hollan into her arms and cried when she saw Gunter.
“My brother!” Edward’s eyes moistened as he took in the sight of Gunter. “You’re alive.”
“I’m fine. Or I will be after a bit of rest.”
“You look well, Hollan.” Edward beamed. “Married life must agree with you.”
Hollan smiled up at Jacob. “Much to my surprise, it does.”
“And Jacob. Is island life everything you hoped it would be? Did you find it to be a balm to your weary soul?”
Hollan laughed out loud.
“You find the question amusing?” Her uncle looked confused.
Jacob looked at Hollan, and they shared another smile. “Life on the island has been interesting to say the least. Two things stand out at the moment, though. Hollan has her sight back, and Gunter is safe.”
“Hollan!” Ettie’s tears continued. “I’m so happy, sweetheart. Let me look at you.”
“More importantly, Auntie, let me look at you.”
“We have a lot to catch up on.”
“Indeed we do.”
Aunt Ettie turned to Hollan’s father.
“Gunter”—she gave him a little poke—“you gave us all quite a scare.”
Uncle Edward raised his hands. “I’m glad we’ve all had a moment to catch up, but I’m sure you didn’t make your way out here in the middle of the night to share your good news.”
Fifteen
“Gunter and Hollan were kidnapped by my brother David.” The words rolled off Jacob’s tongue.
A vein in Edward’s neck began to throb. “Hasn’t that boy caused y’all enough grief?”
“He’s hardly a boy anymore, Ed,” Ettie corrected. “But he does need to be stopped.”
“Where is he now?”
Hollan answered, “He’s on the island.”
“Then we need to go after him. I’ll get the sheriff.”
“We’ve already talked to the sheriff, Uncle Edward. We’re meeting him again first thing in the morning.”
“Hmmph.”
“There’s more.” Hollan knew her uncle and aunt were very close to Fletcher and Sylvia. “Fletcher apparently brought our supplies over about the same time David and his men came ashore. They stole everything he had, beat him, and left him for dead.”
“Oh dear me.” Ettie’s hand was at her throat, and she fanned herself.
“Now, dear, sit down before you get yourself too worked up.” Uncle Edward helped her over to the settee. “Where’s Fletcher now?”
Jacob shifted on his feet. He looked tired enough to fall over. “According to the sheriff, he’s home with Sylvia. We intend to go out there in the morning, too.”
“I’ll be going with you.” Edward sighed. “Ettie and I were at the Black place all day. We had no idea.”
“Poor Sylvia, dealing with this all alone.” Ettie kept shaking her head.
“She’s a strong woman, Ettie. I’m sure she’s fine.”
Hollan listened to them talk. “Well, I’m glad Sylvia was here to care for Fletcher.” A plan began to formulate in Hollan’s mind. If the menfolk were too busy to go over and capture an outlaw, she’d talk to Sylvia about flushing them out somehow. Surely the woman would be just as incensed as Hollan after what happened to her son. “She has to be furious at David.”
“As well she should be,” Ettie huffed.
Ah, yes. Hollan would surely have an ally in Sylvia. Ettie was upset, and it wasn’t even her son hurt, though Hollan was like a daughter to her.
The simple facts were her father wasn’t well, the lighthouse was unattended, and local seafarers were unsafe as long as they had no light to guide them. Hollan glanced at her father. He’d paled and now looked exhausted. She hurried to his side. “Papa?”
“I’m just tired. I suppose all the excitement of the past few weeks is catching up with me.”
“Well, let’s get you tucked into bed, then.” Ettie was on her feet and acting as hostess, leading the weary Gunter to a room at the back of the house. “And you two take the room upstairs across from ours—Hollan’s room when she stays here,” she called as she retreated down the hallway.
Hollan darted her eyes to Jacob.
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather stay down here where I can watch the door. Let Hollan sleep in the bed. She needs a good night’s sleep.”
“As do you,” Hollan quipped. “You’ve lost several nights’ sleep.”
“I’ll be fine. Like I told you before, between the war and the traveling, I’ve learned to sleep in snatches.”
“Jonathon.” Ettie’s no-nonsense voice as she came up the hall made the man jump. “You’ll settle into the room across from Gunter. Follow me to the back of the house, and I’ll show you the way.”
Jonathon blushed. “Oh no, ma’am. I’ll be fine on the porch or in a shed if you have one out back. I haven’t slept on the likes of a bed in longer than I can remember.”
“Then it’s high time you had a good night’s sleep. Tonight you’ll be blessed with a bed.”
“I’ve already been blessed in many ways tonight.” Jonathon glanced at Hollan.
She smiled back at him. “You deserve it, Jonathon. You helped save us. Tomorrow I’ll make a celebration breakfast in your honor.”
“I’m not sure I earned such an honor.”
“You’ve more than earned it, Jonathon,” Hollan encouraged.
“You brought our niece home safe and sound. We will celebrate.”
Jonathon beamed.
Edward walked with Ettie and Jonathon as they headed for the back of the house, leaving Hollan and Jacob temporarily alone.
“Thank you for volunteering to stand watch. That saved us an awkward situation.”
“I volunteered to stand watch because I want to know you’re safe. Otherwise I would have grabbed Ettie’s suggestion before you could have said anything about it.”
“Oh,” Hollan croaked.
He stepped closer, and his green eyes stared into hers with such intensity she figured he could read her deepest thoughts. “And when we get this all taken care of, I expect to start all over with this marriage. This time we’ll do it right.”
“I see.”
Jacob laughed. “My wife appears to be tongue-tied for the first time ever.”
Hollan mashed the toe of her boot into a knothole on the floor. “And what am I to say to such talk? I wonder. . . .”
“What?”
“Would it be possible to have our wedding ceremony over?” She felt silly asking. “I’d love to have Aunt Ettie there this time around. And our friends. . .”
“If that’s what it takes to set this marriage straight.”
“Your intensity embarrasses me.” Hollan stepped away but laughed. She might as well get used to it.
He moved closer still. “It isn’t my intent to embarrass you. But you should know my thoughts. We’ll start our marriage again, and we’ll do it right this time.”
“I’d like that.”
“Good.” He grinned. “Now get up to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow.”
❧
Hollan woke later than she’d planned the next morning, after the long and tiring night. She couldn’t wait to talk to Sylvia. She wanted to check on Fletcher. But she also wanted to ask for Sylvia’s assistance in ridding their lives of David. If Jacob wouldn’t go along with her, and the townsmen still wouldn’t go after David after all that he’d done, she’d find a way to capture him herself. Surely after a night’s sleep, Jacob, the sheriff, and the townspeople would agree this couldn’t wait.
A few minutes later she listened as Jacob dashed her dreams of going home soon.
“We can’t do this yet. The town needs to be secured, then we’ll worry about the island. People will lose their life’s belongings if we don’t fix their roofs before the next storm rolls through.”
“Jacob, why are you standing against me in this? Our life has been in turmoil far too long and all because of David.”
“I’m not standing against you, Hollan. But we need to have a plan. David’s not going anywhere. The ship is stuck for now.”
“But I want to go home. I want our life to ge
t back to normal. I want to enjoy the return of my vision in the place I love.”
“Oh. . .and here I thought you were in a hurry to get back so you could officially start your life with me.”
Hollan blushed. “You know I want that, too. But first we need to rid the island of David.”
Jacob refused to budge.
She tried her ace in the hole. “The lighthouse is unattended. At least, it’s unattended if they haven’t broken into it yet. They’ve probably destroyed everything I hold of value. I could lose everything I own, too.”
“I admit that bothers me.” Jacob paced as he always did when stressed. “But the lighthouse is well secured, and I’m pretty sure they won’t be able to get in. I’ll replace anything we lose.”
“You’re ‘pretty sure’ they won’t get in?” Hollan raised an eyebrow. “Do you realize how long it will take to replace the lens if they find a way to damage it?”
The scent of fried ham and eggs wafted into the room from the kitchen. Hollan’s mouth watered, momentarily distracting her.
“Hollan. We can’t go back until we put a plan in place. Gunter, Jonathon, and I will talk to the sheriff as soon as we’ve eaten breakfast. I want you to stay here and wait with Ettie. Understand?”
“I need to go see Sylvia.”
Jacob’s face lit up. “That’s a wonderful plan. You spend your time with Sylvia and Fletcher while we menfolk come up with our plan.”
Hollan scowled.
Jonathon walked into the room. He looked uncomfortable. “Good morning.”
“Is everything all right?” Hollan hurried over to his side.
“I’m not used to waking up in a—home. It’s unnerving.”
Hollan smiled at Jacob. “I’m sure it is. Aunt Ettie has breakfast ready, and we were just heading that way. Do you want to clean up and meet us in the kitchen?”
Jonathon nodded and shuffled toward the back of the house while Hollan and Jacob headed for the kitchen.
Hollan hesitated in the doorway. “Aunt Ettie? If you don’t mind, I’d like to go on over and see how Sylvia and Fletcher fared last night.”
“Before you eat?” Jacob frowned.
Her aunt looked up from the biscuits she was pulling from the oven. “Can’t you wait, dear? I’d planned to walk over with you.”
Truly Yours Historical Collection December 2014 Page 29