The Uncharted Series Omnibus

by Keely Brooke Keith

  “I have never met a man from another land. You must have plenty of interesting stories to tell,” Arnold chuckled. “I want to hear all about your land after we set sail. Yes, I imagine you have great stories to tell. It’s a pity we will deliver you to the bank near Good Springs by morning.”

  “By morning, Mr. Roberts?” Levi asked.

  Arnold walked the plank to the schooner with the graceful ease of a man accustomed to balancing on moving objects. He jumped over the ship’s rail and then looked down at Levi and Connor. “We will have the current and the wind in our favor tonight.” Levi followed the veteran river trader onto his vessel, and Connor walked up the wobbly board after him. Arnold motioned to the back of the boat. “We are full down below. You will have to make do in the stern tonight. My men are almost ready to sail. Keep out of the way and watch for the boom.”

  Connor and Levi stepped to the stern of the small ship and dropped their satchels and bedrolls against the back wall. Connor leaned his shoulder against the taffrail and watched the crew prepare to weigh anchor. It made him think about the last ship he was aboard. The schooner held an old-world charm lacked by an aircraft carrier, and it would cut two weeks off their journey back to Good Springs. Still, Connor missed the carrier—the constant rumble of the action on the flight deck, the noxious smells of men and metal, the terrifying thrill of the catapult launch.

  Levi planted his palms on the wooden railing and looked down at the river below. Connor glanced down briefly, but because of the tight space he kept his attention on the boom while they were standing. Arnold walked to the stern, handed Connor a paper package, and whirled back around, yelling orders to his men. Levi removed his hands from the railing and looked at the package as Connor unrolled it. The contents appeared to be some type of dried meat. Levi pulled a piece of the meat from the package then lowered himself to the deck and began to eat.

  Connor also sat down. He drew a chunk of the meat out of the package and smelled it, then he took a bite, not wanting to appear picky. His jaw ached when he chewed. The salty meat’s tough texture reminded him of beef jerky, but he did not recognize the flavor.

  “Beef?” He asked Levi. Levi shook his head and kept chewing. “Lamb?” Connor guessed again. Levi grinned slightly as he shook his head once more. Connor still did not know. “What is it?”

  Levi swallowed the bite he had been chewing and reached for another piece of the salted meat. “It’s venison.”

  “That was my next guess.” Connor drew his legs close to his chest to stay out of the way when a crewman walked by. He felt the ship begin to move as the crew worked to guide the vessel to the center of the wide river.

  Chapter Twelve

  Levi nudged Connor and pointed to the chapel’s steeple. The moment Connor saw its white cross above the gray leaf trees, a smile spread across his face. They would be walking the cobblestone streets through Good Springs within minutes. Connor felt a burst of energy during the final mile of their journey.

  “I don’t think I have ever been this grateful to see my own village,” Levi grinned. “If I never sleep on the soggy, wet ground again it’ll still be too soon.”

  “I agree.” Connor brushed the growing hair off his forehead. “I will forever be grateful to Arnold Roberts. It would have taken us weeks to walk home if it weren’t for him.”

  Levi raised an eyebrow. “Home?”

  “The village.” Connor corrected himself, but as soon as he said it he realized he did consider Good Springs home.

  “Do you plan to stay in Good Springs?”

  “Are you okay with that?”

  Levi did not immediately respond. Connor knew him well enough now to know Levi thought before he spoke, and he respected Levi for it. After Connor had saved Levi’s life during the robbery, Levi seemed to have lost all animosity toward him. They had forged a friendship in the battle, and it appeared to transcend all previous misconception.

  The path beneath their feet turned into cobblestones as they stepped into the village of Good Springs. Levi drew a deep breath. “I think you have a place here, Connor. You’ve worked hard to prove yourself, and you’re important to my family.”

  Connor knew that meant something coming from Levi. He had not realized how much he needed that affirmation until he heard it. “Thank you.”

  As they walked through the village, Connor looked from one house to the next. He saw an elderly woman peeking through her curtains as they passed her house. He looked over at the library and remembered the day Lydia came in while he was reading. He could not look away from her then, and he was desperate to see her now. He glanced at the chapel as they passed by and wondered if John would be there or if he had already gone home for the day.

  Levi cleared his throat. “Do you still want to talk to my father about Lydia?” He kept his voice low and aimed at Connor, but he looked straight ahead.

  “I plan to, yes.”

  Levi nodded. “I know you don’t need my blessing, but I want you to know that you have it.”

  “Thank you. That’s good to know.” Connor agreed—he did not need Levi’s permission—but he did not want to sow discord in their family.

  “My sister is stronger than most women and independent too. She needs a man who is stronger than she, but meek enough to support her—not stop her. She has never been interested in courting, but I think that’s because there wasn’t a suitable man in Good Springs. I’m not sure what your chances are, but if she accepts you, I know you will be good to her.”

  “Yes, I will.”

  * * *

  Lydia worked all day and had not eaten since breakfast. Her stomach growled incessantly as she walked her horse into the barn. It was long past dark, so she lit a lantern and hung it near her horse’s stall. She removed the saddle and blanket and brushed the horse before she took off the bridle and slung it over a rusted hook on the wall. After checking her horse’s hooves, she walked it into the stall. The horse snorted as Lydia put out the lantern’s flame. She picked up her medical bag, closed the barn doors, and walked through the darkness to her family’s house.

  As Lydia got close to the back door, she could see through the window and into the kitchen. The low fire of a gray leaf log glowed in the fireplace. Bethany approached the door and stepped outside carrying a milk pail. She closed the kitchen door behind her and flinched when she saw Lydia.

  “Oh, my!” Bethany sucked in a breath. “Thank goodness it’s you! I’m glad you’re home.”

  “I’m sorry. I did not mean to startle you.” Lydia glanced at the milk pail. “It is a little late to go milk the cow, isn’t it?”

  “Oh, you will not believe what has happened.” Bethany gripped Lydia’s forearm as she spoke. Her dramatic enunciations came with every report, so they rarely piqued Lydia’s curiosity. “You simply will not believe it.”

  Lydia was exhausted and hungry, but she could tell Bethany would not be ignored. She inclined her head. “If it is gossip, Bethany, I don’t want to hear it.”

  “I don’t think it is gossip. It’s not a secret or slanderous anyway. It’s simply all too exciting! You will be shocked.”

  “Fine, what is it?”

  “Levi and Connor were robbed.” Bethany froze as if she wanted a dramatic response from Lydia.

  Lydia tried to process the news. She glanced at the road but only saw darkness. “Have they returned? The wagon was not in the barn. What do you mean robbed?”

  “That’s just it—the wagon was stolen by the robbers. And after the robbery, Levi and Connor had to walk all day to Clover Ridge, and a river trader let them ride on his boat down the river. Then they still had to walk three days to get from the river to Good Springs. I tried to hear the rest, but Father keeps sending me to do chores.” Bethany glanced at the pail then back to Lydia. “Can you believe it? Robbers! Isn’t that exciting!”

  “Levi and Connor are here? Now?” Lydia’s warm breath puffed in little clouds in the cold, night air. Her stomach fluttered at the thought of Co
nnor’s return. She wanted to see him. “Are they inside?”

  Bethany smiled and nodded. “Yes, they are in the parlor with Father.”

  Lydia dropped her medical bag and rushed past Bethany for the kitchen door. Just as she did, Levi opened the door from the other side and stepped out of the house. She threw her arms around his neck. “Levi!” He kissed the top of her head. She drew back and looked up at him. “Bethany said you were robbed. Are you all right?”

  “Yes, I’m fine.” Levi smiled down at her.

  “Who robbed you?” Lydia watched Levi’s face, and every trace of happiness withdrew from his expression.

  Levi moved only his eyes toward Bethany. Their younger sister was waiting, wide-eyed, to absorb all the details of his misadventure. He squinted slightly as he looked at Bethany. “Don’t you have a cow to milk?” Disappointment washed over Bethany’s face and she nodded at Levi. “Then go,” he ordered. Bethany turned and stomped toward the barn.

  Levi watched her until she was out of earshot and then he looked back at Lydia. “It was Felix—”

  “Felix Colburn?” Lydia asked. Levi nodded and Lydia audibly drew a breath and put her hand over her open mouth.

  “Felix and his two sons. They are older now, but I recognized them instantly.”

  One thousand anxious thoughts flooded Lydia’s mind. She had not heard Felix’s name mentioned in years. Even when she traveled during her medical training, she wondered if she would hear of him, or worse yet, encounter him on the road, but she never did. She squeezed Levi’s forearm. “Did they recognize you?”

  Levi shook his head. “I don’t think so. They were planning to rob whoever was at the campsite—it just was by chance that it was me and Connor.”

  “How did it happen?” Lydia kept her hand on her brother’s arm.

  “One morning on our way home, we were breaking camp near the river. I looked up and saw them riding across the bridge. I warned Connor and he stood with me as they approached. Felix told his sons to take the wagon. Connor fought both of Felix’s sons while I tried to pull Felix off his horse. Felix took off while I was halfway on the horse and I ended up going over the side of the bridge. I was barely able to hold onto the edge. All I saw were the rocks and the river below. My fingers dug into the wood, but I couldn’t get back up. Connor pulled me onto the bridge. He saved my life. The men got away—with our wagon and horses.”

  Lydia’s eyes searched Levi’s face for any signs of injury. “Was anyone hurt?”

  “Connor took a punch to get to me, but I’m sure Felix’s sons got the worst of it.”

  “Is Connor all right?”

  “He was hit in the mouth. It bled for the rest of the day. We still had our satchels and I reminded him of the medicine you had sent, but he said he did not need to numb his whole body for a busted lip.”

  Lydia tried to imagine Connor brawling with two men then refusing medicine. Her face softened. “He would say something like that.” She smiled a little. “I’m so relieved you are both safely home. Where is Connor? I would like to see him.”

  Levi looked over his shoulder through the kitchen window. He turned his head back toward Lydia but did not move out of the way. His expression relaxed, which immediately aroused her suspicion. Lydia raised an eyebrow as she watched her brother. She moved to look over Levi’s shoulder and through the window, but she did not see anyone in the kitchen. “What is going on?”

  Levi blew out a breath and grinned. “Lydia, I was wrong about Connor.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “When he arrived—even after we got to know him—I thought he was dangerous. I thought he would ruin us. Now I see he has done nothing but try to protect us… the Land… you.” Levi grinned as he looked at Lydia. She realized he was trying to hint at something and quickly discerned his meaning.

  Lydia glanced through the window then back at her brother. “Is Connor in the house?” Levi nodded. She tried to keep her excitement to herself, but her smile gave her away. “Is he speaking with Father?” Levi nodded again. Lydia pressed her palm to her stomach. She was glad Levi’s opinion of Connor had changed, but she wondered how he felt about the possibility of Connor courting her. “If you have anything to say about this, Levi, you should probably say it now.”

  “No, Lydia, I have no objection. I have come to respect Connor. He wants to spend time with you, and I told him he has my blessing.” Levi shrugged and grinned. “I believe he will treat you well, and if he does not, he knows I will hold him accountable.”

  Bethany walked toward them from the barn. She had a full pail of milk and a sour expression on her face. Lydia glanced at her and back at the kitchen door.

  John opened the door. “Bethany, Levi. Come inside, please.” John held the door by its knob as his grown children walked inside. When they had passed, John looked at Lydia. “Connor would like to speak with you, and I have given him my permission, but it is up to you if you would like to spend time with him… alone.” Lydia recognized the approval on her father’s face and nodded. John disappeared into the parlor with Levi and Bethany, and Connor stepped outside.

  Lydia tried not to shiver from the cold. She waited until her family was out of sight and then she spoke. “Levi told me what you did.” Connor’s eyebrows arched slightly and Lydia realized he was not sure what she meant. She smiled. “During the robbery—you saved his life.” In the dim light that came through the kitchen window, she could see the mark on his lip. “Were you injured?”

  Connor touched his mouth. “Not badly. I’m fine. Thanks, Doc.” He grinned and Lydia saw the confidence she had come to admire.

  “Look, I know it’s late and you have worked all day, so I won’t keep you out here long.” Connor raked his fingers through his hair. “I talked to your dad and he gave me permission to spend time with you. I thought about you the whole time I was gone, and I want to get to know you more. Come with me tomorrow night. There is that thing—your dad mentioned it—the festival.”

  Lydia nodded. “The Squash Festival?”

  “Yes,” Connor chuckled. “That. Let me take you.”

  Connor was asking to begin something she had never imagined but now desperately wanted. She would not enter into it blindly. And she would make sure he did not either. “Connor, I’m flattered and I would like to spend time with you as well, but you must understand my plans are frequently interrupted by someone needing—”

  “I can deal with that.”

  “No, I’m not simply speaking of tomorrow night.” Aware of what she could give and what she could not, Lydia looked into his eyes and searched for a way to make him understand. “I mean every day. My life is devoted to my profession. I couldn’t be a good physician and put myself in a position to where I am unavailable to people. And I could not be a good wife and constantly disappoint a husband.” Her priorities were unusual for a woman in the Land, and she expected Connor to be shocked by her devotion to her profession, but he did not appear to be fazed at all.

  Connor tilted his head. “I would never expect you to give up your work. Not tomorrow, not ever.”

  A wave of loose hair fell into Lydia’s face. Before she could push it away, Connor took his finger and tucked the strand of hair behind her ear. “Where I’m from, most women—most people—have commitments in addition to relationships and family. You are a committed physician. You are passionate about medicine and saving people. Life is pitifully mediocre without passion. Never let anyone take your passion away from you. I certainly won’t try to take it away from you—or take you away from your village. These people need you.” He reached for her hand and lightly held her fingers. “Plan to go with me tomorrow night, and if that plan is interrupted we will make another plan and another. Eventually it will happen.” Connor made her burdensome complication sound like a simple inconvenience.

  Lydia liked the feeling of her hand in his. His palm was wide and warm. She left her hand there until he let go. “All right, I will go with you tomorrow. Good night, Co
nnor.” She smiled and picked up her medical bag, then she turned and walked to her cottage. The floorboards creaked as she stepped inside. She felt his eyes watch her until she closed the door behind her.

  Lydia leaned her back against the door, feeling as though her whole body might melt right there on the doormat. She needed to absorb the moment—Connor wanted her. His words rang in her head and confirmed it was more than intrigue. He had given serious thought to this, just as she had. It would take more than biological desire or social expectation to move her to join her life to another—it would take a certain man. One who captured her curiosity and held it. One who proved his strength through action, even when no one was around to see his choices. One who understood her passion and would not try to take it away from her. Connor was the only man who could ever fit at the end of that equation for Lydia, and she was willing to accept his offer to court. More than willing, she was elated. He had initiated the journey she had always assumed she would never have to take.

  Lydia was too tired to eat and too excited to sleep, so she lit the lamp on her desk and carried it upstairs.

  * * *

  Mandy held several hairpins between her lips as she combed out a small section of Lydia’s hair. She braided the long strand from behind one ear, wrapped it over the top of Lydia’s head, and pinned it behind the other ear. Then she began the process on the other side, rhythmically intertwining Lydia’s hair.

  The braids held Lydia’s hair off of her face and revealed her light brown eyes, bright and unpainted. Lydia sat on the cushioned chair in front of her dressing mirror while Mandy primped her like a favorite doll.

  Mandy took the last hairpin from between her lips. She studied Lydia in the mirror and gauged where to place the pin. “When is Connor coming for you?”

  “At sunset.”

  “Have you seen him today?”