19

Joseph set another branch on the fire. He’d woken throughout the night to keep the flame alive for Hannah’s sake. The night had taken on a chill a single blanket couldn’t dispel. Even now, as dawn crept over the horizon and filtered its light through the trees, the temperature felt as though it continued to drop. Hopefully, the sun would rise warm before they needed to start their journey.

He settled back with a blanket draped over his shoulders. He’d given up trying to sleep—he’d only managed a few hours through the night. His mind ran rampant. Would Andrew be able to handle the farms on his own, especially with Rachel busy with the children and worn down by another pregnancy? Would Cyrus Acker and his friends leave well enough alone while he was away, or would he return to ashes? And what of Hannah? What would she do when she discovered her brothers’ fates? Even if Samuel had survived by God’s grace, Joseph didn’t hold the same hope for Myles.

“You don’t look very happy.” Hannah watched him.

Joseph’s frown deepened. “I’m naturally a bear in the mornings. Best to ignore me.”

“I shall do that.” A smile toyed at her lips.

He shed the blanket and reached for the packs. “We’ll eat something and then be on our way.” He heated water in the tin mug he’d brought along. Though he’d not thought to bring coffee grounds or tea, a hot drink would warm her more than the cheese and bread Rachel sent. They ate quickly and loaded the saddle and packs back onto Hunter. Joseph insisted she ride while he led the horse back to the road. They’d make better time without breaking new trail along the river.

“You didn’t know Myles very well, did you?”

Joseph glanced over his shoulder. Her thoughts had likely been on her brother all morning—the reason behind her bleak expression.

“I always sneaked over to your farm to see the horses. But he kept more to himself. Him and whatever piece of wood he whittled away at.”

That, Joseph remembered.

“He made all sorts of things. Tops and other toys for Samuel and Miriam. Spoons for Mama. He even made a comb for my hair once. Saw Rachel’s and modeled it after that.”

Silence settled for a short time, and Joseph wasn’t sure whether to feel regret or relief.

“Do you mind me talking?”

He shook his head. He liked the sound of her voice. And so far the subject was harmless enough.

“I know Mama’s language well enough, but it’s not what we spoke growing up in the valley. She gave it up for Papa. Her home, her people. Until he was gone. Everything changed after he was killed.”

Joseph stiffened. Time to redirect the conversation. “What was it like, returning to live with your mother’s people?”

“Hard, at first. I didn’t know the language well enough. And all the customs. It became better before the end, but then the fighting came too near. There was no place to go. The land around the Great Lakes had little food and new shelters needed to be built. Too many came. Other clans gathered there, as well. The British made little effort to help.”

Nothing surprising there. “The British never help. Why do you think we want them all to go home to England and leave us be?”

“All except your brother-in-law?”

“He’s not a soldier anymore.”

“And you never were one?”

Joseph tensed. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve fought. But I gather you never joined the Continental Army.”

A terseness in her words sounded warning bells in his head. “No, I did not.”

“And why is that, if this war is so important to you? Or are you simply content to let others fight your battles?”

Like her brothers. No wonder her eyes smoldered down at him.

“My battles have always been close to home.”

“Like next door.”

“I don’t mean it like that.” And yet that’s where the war had taken him. Maybe he couldn’t be held responsible for anything that had happened to her brothers. But he was far from innocent of her family’s hardships.

~*~

Hannah bit her tongue. It was wrong of her to aim her frustrations at him. He was helping her. Still an apology was too much to scrape from her throat with so much emotion brewing inside. It was hard enough to admit she owed him one.

Not much more was said. They paused only briefly at midday, and then pressed on. Most of the time Joseph walked ahead, leaving her to stare at the back of his head. And admire his strong, steady pace. If she were wise, she’d stop admiring him at all, but that was easier said than done. The other option was to ask him exactly what he planned for their marriage…but that was easier left as a thought.

Joseph muttered something under his breath and pulled Hunter to a stop.

Hannah leaned forward. “What’s wrong?”

“Move back so I can get on.” He motioned her to slide behind the saddle. “Take a look at those clouds forming over the eastern horizon.”

She maneuvered over the bedrolls and glanced at the sky.

The horizon wore an unnatural shadow under high reaching cotton. A thunderstorm.

He swung up in front of her. “I’d rather find shelter before those clouds reach overhead.”

Hunter lurched forward into a lope, and Hannah latched onto Joseph’s coat. Ignoring the pinch of her almost healed wound and the sting of her palms, Hannah wrapped Joseph with her arms. “What is the next settlement?” They’d passed what remained of the Frankfort settlement about an hour ago.

“Last time I rode this way not much remained between here and Fort Herkimer. The German Flats used to be a large settlement, but Brant burned most of those homesteads a couple of years ago.”

Hannah loosened her hold. She’d heard about Brant’s campaign. Otetiani and his warriors had ridden with him and the British that fall. Their success hadn’t meant anything to her until now.

“You aren’t related to Brant too, I hope?”

“No.” Not directly, at least. From the bite in Joseph’s tone, she gathered he’d never speak to her again if she had any close connection to the Mohawk chief who had led most of the raids against this valley.

“Good.”

Nothing more passed between them for the next few minutes. Not that there was much space between them for anything to pass. Hannah let her head relax against his back and closed her eyes. Though she didn’t fully understand why Joseph followed her, she was grateful. Perhaps he was more like his father than she had supposed. And perhaps their marriage was not so unwanted after all. Up until yesterday she hadn’t imagined he’d ever feel anything toward her. Then he pulled her from the briers.

Perhaps one day he would learn to care for her.

Perhaps with a little encouragement, he’d learn faster.

Joseph slowed Hunter as the trees thinned and a stone wall came into view. Beyond the stones, logs formed a taller fortification. The gates were propped open, and Joseph directed Hunter through.

Hannah peered around his shoulder at the men watching their approach, and what appeared to be a church in the center of the yard. Limestone walls rose with a tower at the front of the church, and a small cannon on a swivel nestled on top.

Thunder rumbled in the distance.

“I suggest we stop here for the remainder of the day. We’ll find somewhere to stay, and then I’ll see who I can track down to ask about your brothers.” Joseph dropped to the ground then reached for her. “Though let’s suggest they volunteered for their service.” He lifted her down. “Folks will be more willing to help us if it’s assumed your brothers are Patriots.”

His perfect logic chafed her pride, but the important thing was to find Myles and Samuel. She turned back to the horse to pull her shawl from where she had stuffed it between the saddle and bedrolls. She tugged on the corner but it didn’t come.

“Let me help.” Joseph reached past her.

She gave a harder yank. “I’m fine.” A caught thread popped free and her arm flew back to slam against Joseph’s face.

“Ouch!” He shuffled back and grabbed his nose. Blood ran between his fingers.

Her jaw fell open and all words fled. Hannah grabbed the handkerchief that peeked from his coat pocket and thrust at him.

Joseph groaned as he dammed the blood with the cloth. “I’m only trying to help. Was my suggestion really so offensive?”

“I didn’t mean to hit you this time.”

“This time?” After another minute, he sniffed and started to clean the scarlet from his hands. “I find it hard to believe you do anything by accident.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but the corners of Joseph’s lips twitched. His chest shook. Hannah nudged his arm. “Are you laughing?”

“Why would I laugh at having my nose broken?” But his smile was less contained now and his eyes twinkled.

“That’s what I’m trying to understand.”

The bleeding slowed, and Joseph gingerly prodded his nose.

“Do you really think it’s broken?”

“No. You were unsuccessful this time.”

“But I wasn’t trying to—”

He laughed and glanced to the man who stood back, waiting for an opening. Joseph tied Hunter to the hitching post.

“Good day.” The slender man wore his hair lose to his shoulders and a coat too large. He eyed the show of blood at Joseph’s nose. “Are you all right, sir?”

“Fine. Just a little accident.”

“Oh.” He glanced at Hannah but only briefly. “What brings you to Fort Herkimer, Mr…?”

“Garnet. And we’re just passing through. On our way to Albany.”

“Can’t blame you, sir. This backcountry has become unfit for civilized man. Especially with a family.”

Hannah almost smiled at the sudden tic in Joseph’s jaw. He thrust his bloody handkerchief back into his pocket. “Oh, we aren’t leaving. Just looking for my wife’s brothers. Joined the army a while back and haven’t heard anything from them in a long time. You know how women get on to worrying.”

Now Hannah’s jaw tightened. As though she didn’t have cause to fear for her brothers.

The man chuckled.

Thunder rumbled.

“You know of a place we can wait out that storm coming in?” Joseph asked.

“Of course. We’ve waited out more than just bad weather in here.” He motioned over his shoulder. “Those buildings over there are the Army’s, the ones here trade supplies, but that row opposite were built for holing up in during the Indian raids. Nothing fancy, but if you’re not done with this valley then you’ll find nothing to complain about.”

“Appreciate it.” Joseph spoke with the man a few minutes more and arranged for Hunter’s care in the nearby stable before they made their way across the compound to the indicated shacks.

“Will you tell me what you found so amusing back there?” Hannah asked.

Joseph chuckled again. “You hate not knowing, don’t you?”

Not anymore than she hated that question.

“I think that was the first time you’ve apologized for hitting me.”

Hannah saw no humor in that. “I told you it was an accident.” Unlike every other time.

“As did the expression on your face.” He opened the door to one of the tiny cabins. Rudimentary, but adequate, with a small fireplace and bed.

Hannah stared at the single cot hugging one wall. Half the size of the bed they had shared in the Garnet cabin. They could both fit, but with no room to spare.

Joseph brushed by her with the saddle and dropped it in the corner with the packs.

She turned to him, the quickening of her pulse making words difficult. “Joseph.”

“Umm?” He tossed their bedrolls on the cot.

“Wh—what would you like me to do?”

“Sit tight while I see if I can find anything more substantial to eat than what I brought.”

Her stomach pinched at the thought of food. Their midday meal had been brief and already seemed forever ago.

Joseph splashed some water from the canteen on his face and cleaned the blood from his hands, before flashing her a smile. “I’ll be back.”

Hannah wished she felt more certain of that. Maybe he’d stick with her for now, but as soon as they found Myles or Samuel, what would keep him from walking away and not looking back? Hannah sank to the cot and pulled her feet up. What would it take to win that man’s affections? Fannie Reid had somehow managed it.

Fannie Reid with her chestnut curls and fair complexion. Not to mention her docile nature. The perfect wife for a man like Joseph Garnet.

~*~

“Thank you for your time, sir.” Joseph shook the officer’s hand. “I hadn’t expected you would know of them, but felt it best to ask all the same.” He glanced out the open door at the torrents of rain turning the ground into thick mud. A long, wet walk to let Hannah know they still had no clues.

“You should ask Colonel Willett. He was just given command of the Mohawk Valley. He might point you in the right direction.”

“Marinus Willett?” The man had served directly under Colonel Peter Gansevoort when it had been decided a certain British captain could remain in the valley. He’d even been present at Rachel and Andrew’s wedding.

“Aye.”

“Good to know. Where would I find him?”

“He’s made Fort Rensselaer his headquarters, so you don’t have far to go.”

Not far at all. Less than a day’s ride. “Thank you.” He had something more hopeful to tell Hannah now. Maybe she’d forgive him for speaking with the army without her. Collar pulled tight round his neck, and hat set low, Joseph plunged into the deluge. He dodged through the mud across the yard. As he passed the church, he couldn’t help but wonder about the nearby gravestones. He’d been told General Herkimer had made it back this far before he’d died.

Joseph changed course.

None of the graves belonged to the general, but a larger stone stood apart from the rest. Not a grave, but a tribute to the man he sought.

General Nicholas Herkimer 1728-1777.

Joseph straightened and raised his right hand to his head in a salute. Hannah was wrong. He hadn’t needed to leave home to fight in this war, even at the side of some of the greatest officers the American cause knew.

The slosh of footsteps warned him of someone’s approach, and he glanced over his shoulder.

“What are you doing out here?” Hannah clutched the shawl under her chin, but the rain appeared to have already penetrated it.

He removed his hat—no longer caring for the water pouring down on them—and motioned with it to the memorial. “I served under General Herkimer once. He’d gathered the local militias on his way to break the British’s siege at Fort Schuyler—you probably know it better as Fort Stanwix.”

She nodded. “What happened?”

Joseph’s hand sagged to his side.

Hannah stepped closer. “You never made it that far, did you?” She said it as though she already knew the answer—knew what had happened. Perhaps she did.

“No. We made it about halfway when we were ambushed.”

“By the British?” She sniffed and swatted at the drops of rain dripping from the tip of her nose. “Or by Loyalists?”

“Everyone was there.” But mostly the Tories and Iroquois.

“You’re talking about Oriskany, aren’t you?” Her large eyes moved to look at the nearby graves. She didn’t even know that her father had one.

And he couldn’t tell her.

“Please, Joseph, I want to know what happened that day.”

He let the air out of his burning lungs and filled them afresh before summoning his voice. As much as he didn’t want to, he would return one last time. For her. “There were over eight hundred of us. It had rained a little that morning.” He glanced heavenward. “Though not as torrential as this. Finally, the sun came out.” But it had still been hard to breathe with the heavy humidity. “We had less than ten miles to go before we reached the fort.” And faced the British. He’d felt a strange sort of anticipation as they’d started the last leg of their journey.

“Pa and I marched together along with others from the area. I remember watching the men in front of us file down into the ravine. I’d wished that they’d hurry.” He closed his eyes, and the memories sharpened. The thick foliage surrounding them. The first shots cracking the stillness of the woods. “Then they started to fall. Some by arrow. Some by ball. Some by tomahawk.”

Like Pa.

“That’s how it began?”

Joseph glanced to her and nodded. When he spoke again, his voice rasped on the back of his throat. “General Herkimer took a ball to his knee right away. But that didn’t stop him. Propped up against a tree, he shouted for us to attack, to keep fighting, to protect ourselves. We tried to keep together and took shelter in the trees. With a partner you had time to reload before the enemy could get close enough to raise your scalp. I was with Pa for the first while, but somehow we got separated. I found Daniel Reid with his arm already opened by a tomahawk. I tried to hold everyone back long enough for him to get the bleeding staunched.”

Joseph’s head spun even now at the memory of blood. Everywhere. Daniel had just regained his feet when Joseph saw Pa again. In time to witness the fatal blow of a tomahawk.

Even the memory almost made Joseph lose his footing. And his mind.

After a while there had been no time to load the muskets. Sabers and knives became their best defense. Joseph had only his long hunting knife left when he came face to face with Henry Cunningham—a face he knew too well. Someone to hold responsible for the insanity surrounding him. Someone who wanted to kill Joseph as much as he had wanted to kill them.

Their grapple had been brief. Joseph had survived. And then, when the Tories had finally withdrawn, he’d spent the next half hour retching into the bushes.

“Joseph?”

Hannah’s voice broke through the blackness swallowing him, but he couldn’t look at her. Couldn’t draw his gaze away from the stone darkened with moisture. When he’d gone back to the ravine a few days later to find Andrew Wyndham’s scarlet coat, most of the corpses had remained. Including Henry Cunningham’s. Joseph had done his best to scrape a shallow grave for the man who had been his neighbor. The man whose young daughter had always fascinated him with her flashing eyes and obsession with Pa’s horses.

“Joseph?”

Where had he left off his tale? He couldn’t let her guess how greatly he’d been affected. “We lost almost half our men. Most of us headed home. Herkimer was taken back down river this far and died within a few days.”

Hannah braced his arm. “Are you all right?”

All right? Joseph looked at his hands. They trembled. No. He was far from all right. Especially as he turned to the woman who stood beside him. She searched his face with such innocence, and something more. He wasn’t sure what, but for some reason he feared it—feared to know what she hid behind those lovely eyes.

He pulled away. A faulty step back. Was he more afraid of her secrets…or the ones he kept from himself? Like what he was beginning to feel for this woman.