Boss, we can’t wait much longer. Miss Liv said them raiders are on their way.”
Hudson glanced back at the young Negro man his sister had sent to warn him, then turned his attention back to the dirt road. Win Wakefield’s men were sighted on the other side of the Miller farm a few miles down the road. A raid on his station was imminent.
But Jorgine was late. “She’ll be here. Just a few more minutes.”
Shaking his head, the man rejoined the group.
The moments were dwindling down. Where was she? He walked up the road a ways, expecting to hear the sound of a wagon rounding the corner. It wasn’t like Jorgine to be late, let alone tonight. Sally was moving north tonight. It was all arranged. She wouldn’t miss this opportunity for her friend.
Unless they’d already been captured.
The clatter of wagon wheels approached at such a high rate of speed, Hudson had to jump out of the way or risk being trampled. The wagon barely stopped before Sally jumped down then ran toward him. “Mr. Hudson! Jorgine’s uncle! They’re on their way!”
Hudson glanced past her to where Big Jim helped an older lady down from the wagon. “Where’s Jorgine?”
“Back at the house.” Doubling over, Sally sucked in a short breath. “I tried to get to her, but that man put a guard at her door.” She glanced up at him. “Jorgine gave up everything to save you, Mr. Hudson. She didn’t even think twice when she gave that uncle of hers her inheritance and her home.”
Hudson’s heart exploded in his chest. “She gave up Piney Brooke?”
“Fool man. She would have given up a lot more.” Sally stood, her hands on her hips. “She loves you. She always has.”
“I love her too.” It felt good to finally say the words. The only thing better would be to tell Jorgine herself. Hudson started toward the wagon. “I’m going to get her.”
Sally pulled at his arm. “Mr. Richard aims to kill you.”
“I wouldn’t mind taking a shot at him either.” He reached for the reins then threw himself into the seat. “Jim, you remember the hiding places I showed you up at the house?”
The man nodded. “Yes, sir. I do.”
“Get everyone there. No lanterns, no talking. Quiet as a mouse until I give the all-clear.” He wrapped the reins around his hand then let go of the brake. “Take whatever food you can find. It could be a long night.”
The wagon teetered slightly as Sally joined him on the seat. “I’m going with you.”
“Jorgine didn’t do all this for you to get yourself caught.”
“She’s my friend, Mr. Hudson. The only one I’ve got.” She braced herself against the seat. “So you’d best be moving before I get out and find my way back home.”
Before he could snap the reins, the beat of a single set of hooves against the clay road jerked Hudson’s head up. As the rider came closer, her hair whipping around her like ribbons in the wind, his heart caught in his throat. “Jorgine.”
She slid down from her horse and hurried over to the wagon. “We have to hurry. Uncle Richard promised to stop the raid, but I don’t trust a word he says.”
Hudson jumped down from the wagon, and without thinking, he pulled Jorgine into his arms, his heart full of all the love he felt for this woman. She was everything he didn’t know he needed. Even with her hair in knots around her shoulders and her skirts torn, she was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. And if she’d let him, he’d spend the rest of their lives telling her so.
“How did you get away?” Sally asked as she clambered out of her seat. “That man was at your door.”
Jorgine leaned into him, nestling into his chest. “I shinnied down that dogwood tree outside my bedroom window.”
Hudson tightened his hold on her. “You could have broken your neck.”
“I know, but this is worth it.” She drew in a deep breath. “As much as I like this, we have to go. I don’t know if Win’s raiders are coming, but we can’t take a chance.”
The worry in her voice sparked him into action. Holding on to her hand, he slapped her horse’s rump then turned to the wagon. Sally was already across the road, heading in the direction of the house. “We have to make a run for it.”
Jorgine’s fingers tightened around his. “I can barely see.”
“Trust me. We don’t have far to go.” He pulled her into the forest, barely beyond a tall row of massive oaks to a small clump of brush. Letting her hand go, he pulled limbs and twigs away until he uncovered a short rope. He pulled the hinged top open then motioned for her to get in.
“What is this? It looks like a coffin.”
A man yelled in the distance. “I’ll explain later. Right now, we need to hide.”
She nodded then took his offered hand and sat down, fixing her skirts around her before lying down.
Hudson pulled the cover over them then joined her, wrapping his arms around her. “We need to be quiet for now.”
Jorgine nodded then burrowed deeper into his arms. He buried his face in her hair and breathed deep, the scent of moss and horseflesh and the clean scent of this woman curling around his heart. The sound of twigs snapping nearby caused Jorgine to lift her head. “They must be…”
Hudson bent his head and kissed her. To keep her quiet, he told himself as she wrapped her arms around his neck. When her lips went soft beneath his, he forgot all the reasons he’d kissed her save one. He loved her, more and more with each passing moment. He needed to make Jorgine his wife soon.
“There ain’t nobody out here.” A rough-hued voice broke them apart. “Iffen they were, they’re long gone by now.”
“I reckon you’re right, Dwight. Don’t like being out here in these woods anyway. Folks say Miss Lucille walks these woods at night.”
“That’s nonsense, Wib. Let’s get back. Maybe Mr. Emerson has something else he wants us to do.” Twigs snapped as the two men retreated a few seconds later.
Hudson turned over on his back, letting her go. “That was close.”
“I didn’t mind.” There was a hint of a smile in her voice.
“You didn’t?” He turned to her, though he could only see the shadow of her face.
“No, you were only trying to keep me safe.” She hesitated then continued. “Truthfully, I was too in awe of your abilities.”
“Well, I can’t take credit. I read that Indians build these kinds of caverns to pull surprise attacks.” He caught himself smiling. “I figured they might come in good use as a hiding place as well.”
“That was brilliant, Hudson, and I can see where they might come into use.” Jorgine found his hand and threaded her fingers through his. “But I was referring to the way you kept me quiet.”
Teasing little minx. His hand tightened around hers. “Sally told me what you did. We’ll find a way to get Piney Brooke back. It’s your home.”
“It wasn’t a hard choice to make. Not when I realized my heart wasn’t there.”
Hudson pushed the cover open then sat up, bringing her with him. Night encased them in a veil of moonlight. “Because you love me?”
Her eyes flew open, and he could feel heat flood her cheeks. “Where did you hear that from?”
“Sally says you’ve always loved me.” He touched his forehead to hers. “Is that true?”
Jorgine gave a tiny huff, but his fingers felt the soft smile on her face. “She could have at least let me tell you. And after I made a fool out of myself in front of you all those years ago.”
“I don’t remember it that way.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “You gave me your heart, and I treated you badly. I thought I couldn’t work with the runaways and love you at the same time.”
“You loved me then?”
“Yes.” Hudson kissed her temple. “But nothing like I love you now.”
She stilled within his arms. “You do?”
“I always have, Jorgine.” Hudson leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. “I want to marry you if you’ll have me.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck then leaned back to look at him. “I don’t have anything to offer you. Win took my dowry, and my uncle stole everything else. I’ve only got the clothes on my back.”
Hudson gathered her into his arms. “You have always been enough, my love. Just you.”
She pressed her cheek to his, her arms tightening around him. “Then yes, Hudson, I’ll marry you.”