Tears flowed, spilling over her cheeks and down her neck. How could Matthias believe she had led Uncle Phineas and the others to him? Hadn’t she proven herself? What more must she do to convince him?
And to think she had entertained the fanciful thought of courtship with Matthias. What a fool she had been.
Annalise continued through the woods toward home. She swiveled her head to and fro to be sure no one had seen her. That no one had followed her. Thankfully, she saw no one, save the creatures that made the woods their home. And Annalise heard no one except the birds chirping on the humid July day.
When she reached the place where she had hidden the saddle, Annalise stopped Eclipse and dismounted. Digging through the brush to uncover the sidesaddle, she placed it on her horse then started toward home. Glancing at the sun’s position, Annalise knew she had little time before Uncle Phineas or Aunt Lavinia began to wonder where she had ventured.
Freedom did not exist in the Thorn household. Not for the slaves and certainly not for Annalise.
Annalise forced herself to now ride at a much slower pace sidesaddle than she had astride. To not do so would surely end in disaster when she was inadvertently bucked from the horse. As she rode at a sluggish speed, Annalise’s mind reverted to Matthias and his accusation. Would her dried tears be evident to Aunt Lavinia? All the more reason to hurry home and into her room to wash her face before being called to the noonday meal.
Her heart broke into a thousand pieces. How could Matthias think she would ever lead Uncle Phineas or any of his cohorts to him? How could Matthias believe that Annalise would be so daft as to not ensure that no one knew of the covert operation of which she was now a part?
“Annalise, it’s just that you may have unknowingly…” His words kept ringing in her ears.
“I only meant that such a mishap is possible given your uncle’s suspicions of you and Sheriff Bleyer’s constant observations of your comings and goings.” Annalise’s heart beat even faster at the thought. Had she done something to make the sheriff suspicious? She recounted her actions from the past days and weeks.
No. She could not think of a thing that would have made Sheriff Bleyer wary of her actions.
And then the audacity… Annalise almost said those words aloud as she recounted Matthias’s other words during their conversation: “Thank you for telling me. But it will be difficult for me to turn away a slave in need.” So Annalise had risked her life in eavesdropping, further risked her life in riding a great distance—scandalously astride, no less—and risked her life going to tell Matthias what she had overheard.
All for naught.
Annalise gritted her teeth. Had it all been in vain? It would be if Matthias decided to help the slave posing as a potential runaway in need. Why could Matthias not heed her advice? Why was the man so obstinate?
Because he has a compassionate heart.
The words impressed on her heart, but Annalise chose to ignore them. Compassionate heart or not, Matthias was downright foolish to not take seriously her words of warning.
And then to suspect her of leading Uncle Phineas and Sheriff Bleyer to the organization.
A combination of anger, irritation, and self-pity rose within Annalise. She never should have become involved in the Faith Train.
Had she even been of help?
Annalise added self-doubt to her list of emotions.
She never should have allowed her heart to be stolen by the handsome man with broad shoulders who preached the Word of God Sunday after Sunday.