Yes.” Beth faced Pierce later that morning. “I know where the deed is hidden, but why should I tell you?”
“I don’t care where it is, Beth, but your uncle does.”
Looking pretty as a rose, she turned back to the wash she was hanging. She’d put on her dress today and had washed and brushed out her hair. She was lovely and feminine to his eye. Five days away from the hard work of the cotton fields had renewed her youthful features. Lines of stress had eased from her face, and the gaunt look of starvation had faded a bit. This morning she looked rested and healthy. “What Walt wants doesn’t concern me.”
“It concerns everybody, Beth. The men and I have been talking. We’re going to end this feud one way or another so that you don’t have to live in constant fear.”
Tears welled up in her eyes and she blinked. “And so you can leave us. You’re free to do that—”
“I’m not. Not until we settle this ruckus.”
Lifting surprised eyes, she met his gaze as if she couldn’t believe he meant to help her, that he truly wanted to help.
He briefly explained the men’s conversation from the night before and their decision. He, Gray Eagle, and Preach would stay.
The more he talked, the more overwhelmed she felt. Never ever had any man, let alone three men, come to her rescue. Of course, it wasn’t just about her. Joanie and Trella were also the recipients of their kindness. But the men were offering to free her and Joanie once and for all from her uncle’s tyranny. The thought made her head spin.
“You would do that?”
He met her uncertain gaze. “I’ll tell you what I will do when you tell me where that deed is buried. From this point on, we have to anticipate any move your uncle might make.”
For a second time a voice spoke in her head. Beth, you either trust this man or let Joanie die and you live in fear the rest of your life. The thought resonated inside her. She said, “The deed is buried less than a hundred feet from Uncle Walt’s house.”
A snort escaped Pierce. “You’re not serious.”
She nodded. “There’s a deep ravine—a canyon, actually, that runs beside the main house. On the opposite bluff are all sorts of caves. Pa hid the deed in the third cave to the right when you face it from Uncle Walt’s front yard.”
“Right under his brother’s nose.”
“Like I said, Pa didn’t try to fight Uncle Walt. He outwitted him. The box is safe until someone goes to fetch it. I suppose if there is no other means to help Joanie, then I’ll do it.”
“Jump a canyon?”
“I know the situation isn’t the best, but I’ll figure it out when the time comes. Pa risked his life to hide that deed. He had to attach a good, strong rope to a hickory tree at the edge of the canyon and swing across. He said if the branch had snapped or the rope had given way that he would have fallen to his death.”
“But Walt would most likely risk the chance.”
“I believe he would. He isn’t known for good sense. He’s known for his cruelty and having his way, no matter the cost.”
“Why not tell him? Let him take the risk? He’d be sure to go after it, and if he didn’t make it, then you and Joanie would be free of him.”
“I’ve considered it in my weaker moments, and the notion sets right—but I couldn’t be part of a plan that might very well end up killing a man.” She’d worried the idea over and over in her mind, but she couldn’t lower herself to Walt’s level.
Pierce nodded his understanding. “Still…”
She stiffened. “And what if he made the jump successfully? Pa did. Then Walt would have the deed, and with it he’d buy up more land, more slaves…well, now I guess he’d hire more workers, but it would only continue what he’s started. Nothing good would come of it, and he would only put more people under his abuse. No. I can’t, Pierce. I’ll never tell him. Not ever.”
She had a valid point. And a big part of him admired her selfless attitude. She hadn’t gone seeking the deed herself. Instead, she’d sought a simple life with her sister, choosing only to escape Jornigan’s tyranny when perhaps she could have had so much more.
“Can you draw me a map of the caves?”
“Yes…but what are you going to do?”
“We’re going to play this by ear,” he admitted. “We don’t have a specific plan, but one will become apparent. Right now, we’re waiting for Walt to make his next move, which we figure will be any time.” His features tightened. “Beth, I don’t want to include you in on this, but I might have to. I won’t let you or Joanie get hurt. You’ll have to trust that whatever I say or do will be in your best interests.”
He could see the hesitancy—the war raging in her eyes. Trust a man? Was she capable of complete trust? “I…don’t know.”
“You’ll have to trust me, Beth, if we’re going to end this chase.”
“Pierce…”
He answered her objection before she voiced it. “I’m not like the other men you have known. And I promise I won’t walk away, nor will I allow anyone to lift a hand to you. I… we…will do this together, but it would make it a mite easier if you’d cooperate.”
Swiping at hot tears, she avoided his eyes until he gently tilted her face to meet his. “Will you help me?”
Nodding, she drew a deep breath and said, “I will.”
At that moment, he was taking this woman’s plight dead serious, and he should. Without thinking about it, he bent and pressed his lips to hers.
She didn’t move. She just watched him with open eyes.
He lifted his head. “What?”
“You…kissed me.”
His features softened. “So I did. You must be pretty kissable, Beth Jornigan. I haven’t kissed a woman in years.”
He lifted his hat and then strode off.