Chapter 31

 

A musty, sweet smell that reminded Reena of frankincense filled her nose as Freddy carried her inside the church—a holy, aged smell of old books, beeswax, and the sweet innocence of children. By the time Freddy set her down on a bench, Mrs. Radcliff had resurrected a fire in the hearth. The flames leapt and danced, crackling and sending out a warmth that drew the children around. Mr. Radcliff set the toddler down with them, and together, he and his wife began taking off the children's wet attire and wrapping them in warm blankets.

The quaint sanctuary exuded a sense of peace that immediately settled Reena. Divots speckled the wooden floor where pews must have once stood. Small tables, chairs, and bedraggled couches took their place, while a dais, harboring an old altar and benches rose at one end. Above it, three stained glass windows depicting the birth, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ let in a fair amount of light. Hence, no lanterns were needed during the day. Along the sides of the room, blankets, pillows, and straw mattresses lay stacked and ready to be pulled out for the children to sleep upon at night. To the left of the hearth, a door led to another room, and to the right, a wide arched doorway opened to an alcove wherein Reena could see shelves of books and an old desk.

Freddy knelt beside her, his hair dripping onto his sodden shirt and waistcoat. “Let me see your ankle.”

“I’m quite all right.” She pushed him away. “In truth, I feel like a fool. I can balance on a heaving ship, but I trip and fall running across a field.” She sighed.

He gave her one of his beguiling grins, his eyes shifting between hers and making her insides warm. “Regardless of your pride, I should—” Lifting her skirts slightly, he attempted to remove her boot. Pain speared up her leg. Before she could help it, a screech flew from her mouth.

Freddy stopped. “Check it.”

Gritting her teeth, she nodded, knowing he was right. Yet that knowledge did naught to quell the ensuing pain as he slid off her boot and set it aside.

He gently laid her stockinged foot in his lap and examined it. Even in the dim light, she could tell it was swollen. Thunder bellowed, shaking the old church and sprinkling dust upon them from the rafters above. Rain tapped on the roof like a thousand marching soldiers.

Freddy turned her foot to the side.

“Ouch!”

“Don't be such a swab.” He smiled up at her, then grew serious. “How is your back?”

“Better than my ankle at the moment.”

Mrs. Radcliff rushed over and knelt beside them. “Are you all ri’, Miss? I'm so sorry you slipped. Let me tend t’ you.” She all but pushed Freddy away. “A gentleman should not be lookin’ at a lady’s ankle. Would you assist Mr. Radcliff, Mr. Carlton?”

Freddy seemed taken aback at first, but then nodded and headed toward the children.

Mrs. Radcliff pressed gently on Reena's tender flesh, and then turned her foot slightly left to right, all the while watching Reena bite her tongue to keep from crying out.

“You sprained it, my dear. But ’tis not a break. You must stay off your feet for a few days, an’ it will mend itself.” She struggled to rise. “I’ll find bandages to wrap it and keep it in place.”

“I can't stay off it,” Reena appealed to no one in particular. “I must find what we're looking for and leave immediately.”

Sympathy poured from the woman’s soft brown eyes. “Ah, goose livers! Nothin’ is ever that important, Miss. An’ the good Lord controls our time. ’Sides.” She glanced toward the windows where rain pelted the panes. “Even should you find what you seek, ’twill be night soon. You and your gentlemen friends are welcome t’ stay. In fact, we insist.” She glanced toward Mr. Radcliff, who was heading her way. “Isn’t that right, Mr. Radcliff?”

“Aye. Please stay—Miss Hyde, were it?—until you are able to walk. In the meantime, Mrs. Radcliff will cook us a feast.” Rubbing his hands together, he smiled lovingly at his wife, then winked at Reena. “You haven’t had a good meal until you’ve tasted my wife’s cookin’. I and the children will help your friends find this relic you seek.”

Mr. Radcliff kissed his wife on the cheek, and they both skittered away, leaving Reena stunned in their wake. Aside from her own family, she’d never met anyone so kind, so generous and caring to complete strangers.

Within minutes, Mrs. Radcliff returned with a long string of bandages that she quickly wrapped around Reena's ankle, making it as stiff as possible. “Now, then.” She studied Reena with concern. “You poor dear, you’re soaked to the bone. Let me fetch you some dry clothing. ’Twill no doubt be too large for you.” She glanced down at her rounded figure then over at Reena and chuckled.

“Nay.” Reena held up a hand. “No need. Thank you. I'll sit by the fire and dry quickly.” Besides, she didn’t wish the woman to see the lashes on her back.

The woman tsked and gave her a motherly look that no doubt sent the children running to do her bidding. But then she sighed and called Abraham over to help.

All but lifting her from the ground, he ushered Reena to a stuffed chair on the right side of the hearth, though not without enduring a barrage of her complaints. She hated being weak. Hated she couldn’t walk without help. But there was naught to be done for it at the moment.

Besides, she was glad for the warmth of the fire that penetrated her wet gown and evicted the chill in her bones.

Freddy glanced her way and smiled, but continued to move from child to child, exchanging sodden attire for dry, and wrapping blankets around others. She had never seen him with children before. For such a rough pirate, he certainly had a tender touch with these wee ones—offering them a smile, tussling their hair, and even causing a few to giggle. She shook off the vision and leaned toward Abraham, stooping by the fire to add another log.

“We must find the map and be gone as soon as possible,” she whispered.

Abraham stared at the flames. “I like it here, Cap’n. Dere’s a sense o’ God's presence in dis church, an’ de Radcliff’s be wonderful people. Why not stay de night?”

“Because Antoine may very well be on his way here right now.”

He looked at her. “He don’t have de map.”

“Nay, not the real ones. But he’s cunning and always seems ahead of me somehow.” Reena sighed as another blast of thunder rumbled across the roof.

The littlest of the children squealed, their wide eyes gazing above. Kneeling, Freddy took several in his arms and drew them close. A little girl, no more than three, grabbed Reena’s leg. Terror streaked across her eyes as she stared up at her. A bouquet of black curls surrounded an angelic face with skin the color of Reena’s hot chocolate.

Unsure what to do, Reena patted the girl’s back. “’Twill be okay. Naught to fear.”

The child leapt into her arms, taking her by surprise. Reena had never been good with children, but as the trembling girl clung to her, she couldn’t help but wrap her arms around her and squeeze tight. The poor thing shivered, her tiny frock wet and cold. Had they not changed her yet? “You are safe, little one.”

“My name is Evie,” the girl said without looking up.

“Very well, Evie. I’m Reena.” Wind banged against the windows and whistled around the old stone walls as the rain continued to pound entrance into the warm church. The girl whimpered, and Reena looked over at Abraham and found him smiling at her. She wanted to ask how one calmed down a frightened child, but why would he know such a thing? A song, perhaps? Her mother used to sing to Reena when she was frightened. An old tune came to mind, and she hummed, drawing the gaze of several children.

After a few minutes, Evie melted in her arms.

“Come here, Evie.” Mr. Radcliff appeared before them. “We must change you into somethin’ dry before dinner.” The man had quite the trouble prying the poor girl from Reena, but finally she relinquished her hold and smiled at Reena as the man ushered her away.

Gazing after the girl, Reena wondered if she would ever have children of her own. Which drew her focus to Freddy, holding a young lad in his lap. A longing filled her, a longing for a different life than the one she had planned. But ’twas a fantasy, a dream. For the life of a wife and mother was naught but hard work and sacrifice and one that aged a woman before her time.

“Help me up, Abraham, I wish to search.” She lifted her hand and the quartermaster stood and assisted her. Leaning on his meaty arm, Reena kept weight off her bad ankle, though just the movement caused it to throb.

“May I look around a bit, Mr. Radcliff?”

He looked up from Evie. “Of course, Miss, but you shouldn’t be on that foot.” He raised a gray eyebrow.

“Abraham will assist me.”

She thought she heard Freddy grunt.

Ignoring him and the pain in her ankle, she hobbled around the sanctuary. If she’d remembered the rhyme correctly, the map was tied and bound and had something to do with water. She looked for a basin, perhaps one used to baptize new converts, but found nothing of the sort. In truth, aside from the steeple and bell tower outside, the inside of the building looked naught like a church. Even the dais where the altar stood was filled with musical instruments meant for little hands.

With Abraham gripping her elbow, she felt her way around the walls, seeking any loose stones, though she doubted she would find the map hidden in the same way as the first one. Yet, this was a church, right? Shouldn’t there be holy items lying about? Incense holders, cups for communion, tiny bells, vestments? In truth, she had no idea. All the church services she’d attended had been aboard the Redemption and were more like celebrations than solemn occasions.

She huffed out a sigh as Abraham, no doubt sensing her pain, wove around children and a dashing Mr. Radcliff, to a distant chair.

“What is upstairs?” she asked him as he passed.

Halting, he faced her and glanced up. “Storage—old books, farm tools, chairs, pots and pans. You’re welcome to go up and see.”

Reena accidentally put weight on her ankle, bit her lip, and fell into the chair in a huff of exasperation. “Would you mind if Abraham went up to look around?” She knew she was asking a great deal of these kind people, but how else to find the map?

Mr. Radcliff shrugged. “’Course not. There isn’t anythin’ o’ value.”

“You are most kind.” Reena smiled up at the man, then turned to Abraham. “Look for something holy that has to do with water. Mayhap a baptismal.”

One of the older children called for Mr. Radcliff.

“Nothin’ like that up there,” he said over his shoulder as he headed toward the child.

Abraham nodded and started off, disapproval in his eyes.

Thunder growled as if God were also displeased with her. Lightening flashed through the room. Her eyes wandered to Freddy comforting a small boy. In truth, she felt a pinch of jealousy at how much attention he was paying these children. She was the one with the twisted ankle! But that was selfish, wasn’t it? And she could not deny that he was good with them. She smiled even now as two little ones crawled into his lap, and he embraced them as if they were his own.

The man was a dichotomy. Pirate, preacher, and now parent. Was there nothing he could not do and do well? So unlike her.

A delicious smell wafted into the room—all buttery and spicey and meaty.

Stomach rumbling, Reena set her foot up on another chair and tried to steady her anxious nerves. Was it the storm or being in this holy place that rattled her so? Nay, ’twas most likely being so close to the last piece of the puzzle that would make her dreams come true.

At least one of them. She glanced at her other dream, the man cuddling a group of children, and suddenly felt as if they were a world apart. The thought of losing him made her stomach fold in on itself. She could not.

She would not.

She leaned back in the chair and drew a deep breath, doing her best to keep her heavy eyelids from closing. They must have done so for a moment, for she jumped slightly at a touch to her leg. Blinking, she stared down at Evie. The girl said nothing, just lifted her arms toward Reena, and she felt a piece of her hardened pirate heart crack in two.

Smiling, she gathered the precious girl up in her arms and pressed her against her bosom, patting her hair. “Shh, ’tis just rain. ’Twill be over soon.” A whimper escaped the girl’s lips as she nestled against Reena. Embracing her even tighter, Reena glanced up and found Freddy smiling at her. Not a sarcastic or an I-told-you-so smile, but one that bore the admiration she had longed to see in those eyes for quite some time.

A group of children crowded around his feet. One little hand tugged on his breeches, drawing his gaze down. “Will you tell us a story, Mr. Carlton?”

And so he did. Gathering more of the wee ones around him, Freddy regaled them with a fascinating tale of pirates, mermaids, and sirens. Of course being a preacher, he had to interject God into everything. Hence, there was a fair share of miracles—raising the dead, calming the sea—along with angels and battles and a message of trusting in the Son of God for entrance into a heavenly kingdom.

The children loved it, staring at him with wide eyes. Mr. Radcliff smiled his approval as he went about lighting lanterns and candles against the encroaching night.

Descending the stairs, Abraham approached her, shaking his head, a look of remorse on his face, though she knew he cared not for the map. But he cared for her and that meant a great deal.

Soon Mr. Radcliff called the children to their seats around a large table, and he helped his wife deliver bowls of savory smelling stew to each one. Freddy brought a bowl to Reena, and she thought he might sit with her for the meal, but he sped off to assist the Radcliffs.

Forcing down her disappointment, she raised a spoonful of the meaty broth to her mouth when Mr. Radcliff cleared his throat. She glanced up, embarrassed, as he bowed his head and uttered the most heartfelt prayer she'd heard in a long while. He gave thanks for everything—the rain, the food, their humble home, their meager clothing—even though they barely had any possessions at all. How could this man be grateful to a God who provided them with so little?

Still, Mr. Radcliff had been right about one thing. The stew was the most delicious Reena had ever tasted, and she was sorry she was unable to help the woman clean up. But Mrs. Radcliff insisted she sit and heal her foot, waving a hand through the air, uttering that she'd done this task a thousand times before.

The storm finally passed, leaving naught but the sound of raindrops dripping from trees. As if to accompany the peaceful sound, Mr. Radcliff grabbed a fiddle, and together with his wife, led the children in song—old hymns that sounded familiar to Reena's ears. Freddy and Abraham joined in, and she found herself singing along as well. The joyous sound of little voices praising God filled the sanctuary, and Reena could not deny the cloak of peace and joy that settled over her. The candles even seemed to shine brighter, their glittering light dancing up to the rafters.

She shook away the sensations. She had a task to accomplish—an important task. As soon as her ankle stopped throbbing, she intended to search the entire church again.

In the meantime, Reena could hardly tear her gaze from Mr. and Mrs. Radcliff. They had to be well over sixty years, evidenced by the wrinkled skin that hung beneath their chin and jaw, their drooping eyelids, and gray, thinning hair. Mrs. Radcliff’s youthful figure had plumped in some places and shriveled in others, while Mr. Radcliff bent over slightly and hobbled when he walked. Yet, they sat together on the couch, arm in arm. Mr. Radcliff whispered something in her ear, and she playfully slapped him and gazed up at him as if they were newlyweds. Then he did the strangest thing. He leaned over and kissed her full on the mouth. In fact they must've forgotten they had guests, for afterward, Mrs. Radcliff's eyes met hers across the room and a blush rose on her cheeks.

Reena had never seen the likes of such a thing—in a couple this old. Though, now that she thought about it, her own parents approached sixty. Memories surged of how affectionate they had always been with one another, and she wondered if they still were. Surely, you could still love someone in their old age, but feeling attraction and being affectionate was quite another thing. In truth, Reena enjoyed the looks she got from men, at least the respectable ones—the glances of admiration, appreciation, and even desire. All that would cease if she shriveled up in old age.

Finally, the singing stopped and the Radcliffs pulled out the bedding for the children.

Mrs. Radcliff approached, her face aflush and a smile on her lips. “How is your ankle, my dear? Do you need anythin’?”

Reena gestured for Abraham to help her stand. “Nay. Thank you. However, I was wondering…” She hesitated to impose on this woman’s kindness further, almost hated herself for it. “Is there anything here—a statue, ornament, utensil—anything that was here when you first took over the church?”

Seemingly not put off at all, Mrs. Radcliff tapped her finger on her chin. “Not that I recall.” She glanced over the room. “’Cept for the floors, walls, an’ that altar over there. O’ course we cook with the priest’s utensils. Makes our food holy.” She winked.

Abraham laughed.

Reena frowned. “Mayhap something small? An item you would never throw out. Something sacred?”

Mr. Radcliff looked up from where he was helping the children lay out the mattresses. “What ’bout that old Bible?”

Mrs. Radcliff nodded. “Aye. We found an old Bible. But I don’t see how that could be what you’re lookin’ for. Lots of pages missin’, some torn, others look as though they’d been scorched by fire. Can’t hardly read it, neither, but we kept it, bein’ a Bible an’ all.”

Reena’s heart leapt within her. “Have you ever looked inside?”

“Jist peeked at it once. Didn’t want any more pages to fall out.”

“May I see it, please? You have my word I’ll be careful.”

Freddy approached and scoured her with a glare. “Nay. ’Tis too fragile. We wouldn’t want to impose.”

The old man gazed at his wife. “No imposition. I'll go fetch it.” And off he hobbled up the cracked stone stairs.

Groaning. Freddy crossed arms over his chest, but she ignored him. ’Twas too important to worry about his displeasure.

The man returned, cradling a book in both hands as if it would crumble to dust at the slightest breath. A rope, tightly wrapped around it and knotted in front, held everything in place,

“Here ’tis, Miss. I do caution you t’ be gentle.”

“I will. Thank you, Mr. Radcliff.” Tied and bound. ’Twas one of the clues!

No doubt as curious as she was, Abraham grabbed the lantern and sat beside her.

Oddly, the old Bible warmed in her hand—as if it were alive somehow. The leather cover was frayed and scratched so badly even the words Holy Bible could barely be made out. In all honesty, she feared to open it, feared that it would be the last sin on her list of sins that would seal her doom forever. Freddy lowered to sit on her other side. “That has to be what you're looking for, Reena. Go ahead and open it.”

She looked at him curiously. “Why would you say such a thing?”

He shrugged. “Should have figured it out. Something old and holy and filled with living water. That's the Word of God.”

Reena remembered that Scripture well. She’d always wondered how words on the page could quench anyone's thirst. Taking a deep breath, she loosened the knot and opened the holy book. Pages crinkled and complained as if warning her not to continue. Gently, she flipped through them, carefully scanning each page. Mr. Radcliff was right. Whole chapters had been torn out, and some pages were burned on the edges.

Freddy leaned forward on his knees and stared at the floor as if not wanting to witness her blasphemy.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, she turned the page to the gospel of Matthew.

A piece of aged paper fluttered to the floor.