CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

OLIVIA

Olivia awakened with a start. She stared at the room around her, but when she tried to sit up, the room swam.

“Stay still, sweetheart.”

Douglas.

The whole evening rushed back to her. She opened her eyes to find him sitting in a chair next to the bed. He looked haggard, eyes puffy and collar slightly askew. “Douglas.” She tried to move again and realized there was a heavy lump on her right arm. When she turned, she found Hope sleeping next to her, a handful of Olivia’s blouse in her fist.

“She would not stop crying until I let her get in the bed with you.”

Tears sprang to Olivia’s eyes. “I am so sorry.”

Douglas frowned. “For what?”

“Many things. For worrying you so.”

“This is not your fault,” he said with conviction. “You didn’t do anything to deserve this.”

She looked around the room. “Where am I?”

“Shipper’s. I did not want to move you until you healed a bit.”

“How long have I been here?”

“All night,” Douglas said. “You collapsed at the door, and Mr. Abrams carried you up here. They waited until daybreak to come for me.”

She sighed. He had been up all night, probably worried beyond sleep. Then she remembered the rest of the night. “Mrs. Johnson.”

“Henry told us what happened. Several members of the Vigilance Committee, including some lawyers, went to the house you escaped from. They caught them. They were trying to put out the fire.” Douglas gave her a grim smile. “Henry told us what you did.”

“I didn’t have many options.”

“Rest assured that was the right one.” Douglas gingerly took her hand. “Mrs. Johnson and Saunders were able to extinguish it before it burned down the entire house. When the ruins were searched for survivors, there were three more fugitives and two free Blacks locked up in other rooms.”

Olivia closed her eyes. The seven of them would have been on their way to the South. She shuddered. “Thank God.”

“Thank God, indeed, because apparently Mrs. Johnson has been running a very successful gang of slave catchers for years. They suspect she has sold at least fourteen free Blacks to the South. The police are also charging her with your kidnapping.”

Olivia remembered the shrewd look in the woman’s eyes. “I can believe it. I guess that is how she paid for all those expensive dresses.”

“Saunders was a member of the gang as well as Logan. They have gone to jail also.” Douglas rose. “You need to rest.”

She nearly sat up but immediately thought better of it. “Do you have to leave?”

“Yes. I have not slept, and it would not do your head any good if Hope and I jostled you trying to sleep here with you.” He lifted Hope off the bed after prying Olivia’s blouse from her fingers. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours to check on you.”

“I love you.”

He lifted her hand and kissed it. “I never thought I could love you more than I already did, but I do.”

She spent another two days at Shipper’s, Molly waiting on her hand and foot, before she was strong enough to go home. Douglas carefully escorted her even though her head felt much clearer. As they walked through the streets, gratefulness settled over her. The work she did was dangerous, but she was blessed to do it. To help in such a significant way. But she also knew that she did not have to do everything alone. She would accept as much help as she could get.

Which brought her to her next thought. She gripped Douglas’ arm.

Over the past two days, she had only had brief conversations with Douglas, although she had many conversations with others. The Wilsons came to visit her, keeping her abreast of what was happening with Mrs. Johnson’s and Saunders’ court cases. Mr. and Mrs. Still visited and told her that although Mr. Gull was injured, he would recover.

The police had come to talk to her about what had happened. Thankfully, they did not ask about John or any of the other fugitives they found in the building. They recorded that she, a free Black, had been kidnapped, and that was enough for them. There had been such an uproar about the kidnapping of free Blacks since the Fugitive Slave Act passed a few years ago that the city officials were on edge.

Douglas had lingered silently in the background with all these visitors.

Once they arrived home, she would no longer avoid talking about her work with the Underground Railroad and how Douglas felt about it now that she had been injured.

Milly and Hope were playing in the living room when they came through the front door. Hope looked up and, to Olivia’s delight and surprise, gave them a big smile. She scrambled toward them, still not quite strong enough to walk. Douglas bent down and scooped her up, swinging her in the air. Hope laughed and then held out her arms for Olivia.

Olivia pulled her close, the child nuzzling her face in Olivia’s neck. Tears formed in her eyes.

Another conversation she and Douglas would have to have.

Milly gave them the update of all Hope had done that morning and then went home. Douglas led Olivia, still holding Hope, to the sofa and helped her sit. Olivia smiled at him. “It is good to be home.”

“It is good to have you home.” He sat down, watching her settle Hope on her lap. “I thought I had lost you.”

Olivia lifted her gaze to him. She expected to find anger in his eyes, but it was not there. His eyes were filled with love. She took a deep breath. “I know you were very worried about me, but I cannot stop doing this work, regardless of the danger. I promise not to take any unnecessary risks, but I cannot stop.”

Douglas leaned back, surprise on his face. “I could never ask you to stop this work. God willing, I want to help you.”

She beamed at him. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”