Not a sound issued from the loft after Matt and Luke, bathed and utterly spent, climbed into their beds. Virgil Stewart apparently had no such leanings toward cleanliness. He used his injured arm as an excuse to avoid washing his rank self in the creek. Even now he lay in John’s bed, smelling up the entire room.
John was disgusted that Lily would have to rewash the bedding she’d left clean for his use. But with her kind spirit, she’d always do what needed to be done. In any event, there was no need for anyone in the house—particularly her—to hear whatever Nate had to say to him. He handed Lily’s brother-in-law a cup of tea. “Why don’t we go sit on the porch?”
“Sounds good to me.” Nate led the way outside and took the far chair, stretching his long legs out before him as he sipped from his mug. “It’s September already. Won’t be havin’ too many more porch-sittin’ nights this year, I ‘spect.”
“No, reckon not.”
Not far away, a pair of bullfrogs croaked back and forth, joined by sporadic hoots from an owl and the rhythmic chirping of crickets.
It seemed Nate was going to start with pleasantries, so John took a moment to gaze up at the brilliant stars sparkling like diamonds against the blue velvet sky.
“Me an’ Bob Bloom, we been gone from home since April. We’ve run for our lives out there more’n once. Sure hate the thought of never getting to see my little ones again, or my own Rose of Sharon.”
Studying Nate’s profile in the starlight, John sighed. “I know. It’s stone-hard. I wish we could make a separate peace with the Indians, separate from the British, I mean.”
“Won’t happen. Not as long as the French keep dolin’ out goodies to the tribes. The Indians want easy access to European trade goods, an’ if they have to spill a little blood to get ’em, they will. The tribes been raidin’ one another for supplies an’ slaves for centuries. It’s a way of life with ’em.”
John mulled over the words and nodded. “Well then, I hope the British navy is doing a better job of blocking the mouth of the St. Lawrence River than our English generals are doing out in the field. Looks like our best hope is in stopping French supplies from coming in altogether.”
Nate huffed through his nose. “Some inglorious way that’d be to win a war.”
Taking a sip of tea, John grunted his agreement. “All I know is I’ll do my family far more good by leaving Fort Henry in November. I was wrong to leave them here alone.”
“Speakin’ of that…” Nate turned to John. The inquisition was about to start. “No self-respectin’ man would go off an’ leave his wife’s baby sister here in a situation like ya have here these days, neither.”
“You’re absolutely right.” John suddenly refused to let the man continue on to where he was headed. The subject was far too painful. “I’ve decided to send Lily and my boys downriver this time. It’s obvious I can’t protect them from a distance.”
“Glad to hear that. Then Lily’ll have no obligations to come back here. Once she delivers your lads to their grandparents, she can go on to the Potomac. I know Rose’d love the company. She always set such store by young Lily.”
The man was talking as if John had nothing to say about the matter. Still, he didn’t want Nate to know how much this conversation gnawed at his insides. He kept his tone casual. “From what you said earlier, your place is just as vulnerable to attack as mine is. It’d be better for Lily to stay with her sister Mariah. I’m set on that.”
Nate gave a slow tip of his head. “I reckon that’d be best. I been after Rose to take our children and go there, too. But she’s too attached to her little yellow house, an’ it’s like pullin’ teeth to get her to go someplace else.”
“It is hard, leaving everything behind.” And everyone. Lily. John stood, his heart aching sorely, and tossed the remnants of his tea out in the yard. He was in no mood to sit out here any longer with this accuser. “I’m done in. I’m going up to the loft to sleep with my sons. You’re welcome to share my quarters with Stewart.”
Nate chuckled. “If you don’t mind, I’ll bed down out here where it’s cool—an’ the air’s a whole lot fresher.”
Lily awakened with the melody of a hymn in her thoughts. She mouthed the words silently as the familiar tune swirled through her mind. “O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come. Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!” She smiled, remembering how God had sheltered her when savages passed close by her not once, but thrice. And He’d sent John to bring her back here. Home.
This morning she felt anything but guilty about a kiss she probably would have given any rescuer—even Rose’s husband had he been the one to find her.
Stretching away her stiffness, she glanced out the open window to where birds already trilled the glorious morning, even though it was nowhere near full daylight. All the better. It would give her extra time. Her men deserved a hearty breakfast after all they’d been through on her behalf.
She bounded out of bed to dress while whisper-singing another stanza of the song. “O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come; be Thou my guide while life shall last, and our eternal home.” God had been her faithful guide through the dark and dangerous woods. She’d never again doubt He was watching over her, even in these perilous times.
Remembering the two small children the war party had snatched from their home, she dropped to her knees beside her bed. “Father, forgive me for not praying for them last night. I am trusting You to take care of them as You did me. Please, keep them as safe as if they were in Your own hand. In Jesus’ most precious name, amen. Oh, and thank You for bringing me home.”
She finished dressing, quickly twisted her night braid into a knot, and pinned it in place. Then, grabbing her apron from a spike by her door, she hurried out to the hearth. She wanted desperately to glance up to the loft, where John slept with the boys, but she fought that desire and refrained from even the slightest peek.
But how nice it would be if he woke before the others and we could enjoy a cup of tea together….
No one stirred while she got a fire going and put water on to boil. Recalling how John always bragged about her biscuits, she quietly got out a mixing bowl and all the makings and in no time at all had a batch baking in the dutch oven. Then she stepped outside to get some side pork from the smokehouse and eggs from the coop.
Closing the door quietly behind her, she spied her brother-in-law asleep at the far end of the porch. She cringed, knowing he’d caught her kissing John square on the mouth, and guilt made her cheeks burn again—as they were prone to do every time she saw him. After leaving the porch on tiptoe, she ran all the way down near the creek to the smokehouse. Maybe she’d even milk the cow before collecting the first laid eggs of the day, since the coop could be easily seen from Nate’s position.
By the time Lily took the milk down to the springhouse and filled a pitcher of the creamy liquid for breakfast, Rose’s husband was nowhere to be seen. She did spot Matt and Luke, however, on their way across the yard to tend to morning chores.
The younger boy caught her eye and waved. “The biscuits sure smell grand. We ain’t had much of anything good since you went off.”
Stopping before the duo, she grinned, knowing Luke could devour three or four biscuits with no help from anyone. “Remember, we have guests this morning. You’ll need to share.”
He nodded, his eyes as bright as sunshine. “How soon’ll breakfast be ready?”
Lily chuckled, tempted to ruffle that shaggy mane of his. Had her hands been free, she wouldn’t have resisted the impulse. “As soon as I get this side pork sliced and cooked.” She held the slab aloft for them to see. “If one of you would collect the eggs for me.”
“I’ll get ’em.” A smile splashed across half-grown Matt’s face. “Soon as I let the livestock out to graze.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”
The boys headed toward the stable, and Lily turned back for the house. If those two were up, likely the rest of the men had risen. And no matter how much she’d lectured herself, her heart tripped over itself at the thought of facing John and her brother-in-law together at the same time. But the biscuits did need to come out of the oven before they burned. Taking a calming breath, she walked purposefully to the house.
The door swung open before she reached it.
“Good morning.” John smiled and stepped back for her to enter.
“Good morning.” Her voice came out in a whisper as she passed him.
“Mornin’, Lily.”
Her eyes widened at the sight of Nate actually setting the table. “Them biscuits smell powerful good.”
Having lost her voice a second ago, she acknowledged his greeting with a quick smile and a nod, then hurried with the milk and side pork to the worktable.
John followed her. “I’ll slice it for you.”
He’d done that chore for her a number of times in the past, but this morning his kindness felt considerably more intimate. “Why, thank you.” Glad to have recovered her voice, she hurried on to the hearth. She scanned the room. “Mr. Stewart is still asleep?”
“I reckon.” Nate plunked down a plate. “It’s hard to get rested up with a shoulder wound.”
“I see.” She stooped to haul the dutch oven out of the embers with a poker.
“We need to have us a talk, Lily, b’fore John’s boys come back in.”
The serious note in her brother-in-law’s voice set her on edge. “Very well. As soon as I get the biscuits on the table.”
To her dismay, she accomplished the task far sooner than she’d hoped.
Both men had taken seats and now stared at her.
“Sit down a moment,” John urged.
She looked from one to the other. Whatever they had to say, she wasn’t going to like it.
“Please.” John gestured toward an empty chair.
Reluctantly, she did as he bid.
He glanced from her to Nate. “Nate and I have decided you and the boys will be leaving here tomorrow morning. And this time I mean it. You need to stay where it’s safe.”
“Aye.” Her brother-in-law nodded. “We decided the best place for you is with your sister Mariah.”
They decided. They decided? Lily sprang to her feet. “And I’ve decided I’m staying right here—at least until John’s enlistment is up. I’m certain the boys will side with me.”
“No.” Raking a hand through his hair, John stood up. “Not this time. The way the Indians have started breaking into small groups and moving fast, they can strike anywhere, anytime.”
“You’re quite correct in that regard.” She retook her seat, pulling him down as well. Then, realizing she had hold of his hand, she quickly let go.
“I’m glad ya come to yer senses,” Kinyon said.
At his gloating expression, Lily hiked her chin. “I never lost them.” She switched her attention to John. “I’ve witnessed myself how and where this group of Indians strike. They don’t attack anywhere near a stockade or a populated neighborhood like ours. They sneak up like cowards on outlying farms before the families know what’s going to happen, do their worst, then hightail it back into the woods. Well, the boys and I do not live off by ourselves. We’ll be quite safe here. After all, we have the blockhouse just across the creek. And you did say the Dunlap brothers aren’t returning to Fort Henry. That’s two veteran fighters we’ll have at the very next farm.”
John opened his mouth as if to respond, then closed it.
Lily continued before he could utter a word. “So, as you see, I, too, have been weighing the danger. Matt and Luke want to stay and protect their inheritance, and I’ll not abandon them. After seeing the sort of life they’d have in Philadelphia—and considering the life they’d be relinquishing for one less worthy—I can do no less.”
Nate whacked a hand on the table so hard, the plates rattled. “By George, Waldon, this gal has spunk. An’ she does make sense. Lily, girl, if you wanna stay on here, I won’t be one to stand in yer way.” He cocked his head. “ ’Course, come the first of November, I ‘spect ya to go on to yer sister’s. What d’ya say, Waldon?”
Lily felt her cheeks catch fire again. She couldn’t bring herself to look John directly in his eyes.
“I don’t like it.” He paused and heaved a defeated breath. “But you didn’t mind me when I told you not to come back. I shouldn’t be surprised that you won’t listen now. One thing I will have your word on, though.”
Her gaze slid up to his.
“If those Dunlaps start trying to get too cozy, I want you to spend your nights at the MacBride place.”
“You don’t have to worry none about Jackson or Frank as long as I’m here, Pa.”
Lily swiveled in her chair.
There stood Matt, his shirt cradling the eggs, her young, rustic knight in shining armor. She could not have been more proud of him.