| |
George
George pulled his wife nearer and enjoyed having her close to his heart. The cramped space reminded him too much of being confined in crowded quarters with other enslaved people when he'd been shipped away from his family in Virginia. He missed his mama, papa, and the others. He'd always miss them, but Early and Sheba filled up those holes in his soul. One day soon he'd let his wife know how much he really loved her, but not before freedom.
He brushed his lips across her ear and whispered, "Soon..." She snuggled into his side. Her sigh made him whisper, "I love you." He closed his eyes in the already dark space and prayed for safe travels.
Much later, the sways and bumps of their travels slowed to a stop. The wagon leaned to one side and the sound of their driver's feet thumping to the ground changed the focus of George's prayers to a plea that their stop brought hope and not fear. The swish and rocking of someone unloading hay filtered into their hiding place. Another voice greeted their driver. Early shifted away from his side and a chill filled his body and soul. Would this be a safe place? Father in heaven, keep us safe.
The hinged wood barrier at the end of their hiding place cracked open. Their driver's face appeared along with his matching image. George thought he saw double for a minute in the light blinding his eyes. Their friendly faces smiled back as they each offered hands to help the trio from their cramped quarters. George steadied himself once his feet hit the ground. He stretched his arms overhead, a gesture of relief and praise to the Lord who had brought them through another step in their journey.
Their driver, still clothed in the homespun shirt and trousers he'd worn this morning, stepped away from his leather-clad twin. "After you stay the night here, my brother will lead you to the edge of Lake Erie. From there, he will get you ferried over to Canada."
Early
As night began to fade into the next morning, Early and her family followed the man down a descending path. Sea birds swirled in the air overhead. Marshy grasses swished against their clothing.
"Are you sure this is the last crossing?"
“I promise, Missus. Once you cross the lake here at Detroit, there won't be any more worries—at least not from them bounty hunters. You'll be in a different country over yonder, Canaan land—better known as Canada."
The fall chill settled onto Early’s shoulders as she pulled the ragged blanket around Sheba and herself. The worn quilt made of memories from the past supplied some warmth from the cold. The brown cloth used as its backing had provided a hiding place from pursuers along the trail. George wrapped his arm around both of them as they walked side by side. She had what she needed, protection and love from a husband, warmth from an adoring child. No more running from love, either. Her heart thumped in her chest as her eyes met his warm gaze.
He pulled her closer. "We are almost home, sweet one."
"I hope there’s a warm fire when we get there."
"Don't worry, my love. We'll be plenty warm." His whispered implication caused a roll of heat to plunge through her body.
The leather-clad man paused and faced Early. "Don’t worry, little lady. You'll get used to the cold after a while. But, for now the society's probably gonna fix you up with a cozy little shack all your own. Come spring, you'll be able to grow a good garden and maybe add a larger crop of children, too."
Garden! So she’d end up in the fields after all. They'd probably starve.
George stiffened. ”I've been trained to take care of horses. Is there anywhere I could..."
"Well, what do you know?" The man pulled his fur hat lower on his head as wind whipped across the open waters that lay in front of them. "The commander down at Ft. Malden has been looking for someone to help with his new string of horses." He bent and tugged a boat from the rushes growing along the lakeside. "Seems I heard tell of his wife needing a new domestic the other day... Might take on your woman and girl both... Old Molly's been thinking about moving in with her grandchildren for her last few years. Says her joint pain has been acting up something fierce. I'll let your driver know so he can take you that direction first thing. God must be watching real special when it comes to the two of you, eh?"
"That He is, sir. God has blessed each step we've taken."