Chapter Twenty-Two

The buggy was built for two, and Cory had to practically sit on Tyler’s lap. His hand rested familiarly around her waist. She disguised any unease with a steady flow of conversation. Sterling broached the topic of Douglas.

“I heard Mr. Raymond called at Glen Knolls. Most young men wouldn’t call on two ladies alone, especially with one in mourning.”

“He called to check on Miss Adelaide.”

“Every Sunday?”

Cory rarely had to explain her actions to her father but still felt nervous every time he asked questions. “The last few calls were to visit me, but Miss Adelaide was chaperoning.”

“Isn’t he a professor at the college?”

“Not yet.”

Tyler snickered.

Cory frowned. She knew what he was thinking. Douglas wouldn’t be a professor until after he married.

Sterling looked at Tyler. “Do you know him?”

“I met him yesterday when the Reverend Davis and his family came for supper,” Tyler replied.

“Douglas was only looking for his keys,” she explained. “He thought he’d lost them, but Beth found them. Miss Adelaide invited him to join us.”

“Sounds serious. I think it’s time I ask Principal Gregory about him. See what his prospects are.”

Cory cringed. “You don’t have to do that.”

“A father has responsibilities,” he answered. “A man with daughters has to make sure a man isn’t trifling with their affections or their reputations. Adelaide is an adequate chaperone, but if he doesn’t intend to marry you, he won’t be welcomed at Glen Knolls or here. Courtship has rules, or a man would throw a woman over his shoulder and carry her off.”

Her father wasn’t talking exclusively about Douglas. Tyler hadn’t followed any rules of courtship. Wait until her mother told him about the love bite.

An awkward silence ensued until they reached the livery. Tyler helped Lou hitch up Nell. Sterling kissed Cory and shook hands with Tyler. “Stay out of trouble, young man.”

Tyler swallowed. “I intend to, sir.”

On the ride to Glen Knolls, Cory explained how her mother found his mark. “Look!” She pulled back her hair. “What were you thinking?”

“I didn’t know it would bruise.”

She was too amused by his boyish innocence to be mad. Her chuckle turned to a scream when Clyde stepped out from the woods across from the farm and grabbed Nell’s harness.

“Let go there, Clyde,” Tyler ordered. “You’re scaring the horse.”

“What are you hiding?”

“Nothing.”

Clyde circled around the buggy. “Mr. Vandal don’t want to involve federal marshals, but he will if you don’t turn over Tess and her brat.”

“How is Mr. Vandal?” Cory asked.

“Do you know there were leeches in the canal?”

Tyler groaned.

“Buck and I don’t give up.” Clyde moved aside to let them pass.

Tyler handed Cory the reins when they reached the barn and jumped down to slide open the door. He led Nell inside and closed the door before lighting a lantern. “Noah!” Tyler looked around. No reply.

“Maybe they’re in the house.”

“Noah wouldn’t leave without saying good-bye.” Tyler hung up the harness. He led Nell outside and around to the back to put her in a stall.

Cory waited for him by the side door to the lower level, and they crossed the yard together to the back door.

Adelaide was heating some water on the stove. Dirty dishes were piled in the dry sink. Her apron was wrinkled, and her normally tight bun was loose.

Cory put her basket down on the table and looked around. “What’s wrong?”

“One of the chasers came back to town and almost discovered Tess and the baby hiding in a wagon. Then he set up camp across the road to watch for them. Beth had to lead them through the woods, and it took longer.”

“We ran into Clyde out front. He’s still watching the house and road. Where are Noah and Tess?” Tyler asked.

“I put them in Hiram’s office.”

Hiram’s office was off the hallway opposite the dining room. It had been closed up since his death. Tyler and Cory found Noah seated next to Tess on a red horsehair sofa. Tess was holding their baby.

“What’s wrong?” Tyler asked.

Noah stood up. “The baby is sick.”

“He won’t suckle.” Tess covered her breast. “I don’t know what’s wrong.”

Cory studied the family. Noah was a big man with muscles honed from hard labor. His hair was cut short, a black mass of tight curls. His features were those of a black man with a smooth round forehead and high cheekbones, but his nose was not as flat on the bridge. The white race was more evident in Tess. Her skin was lighter, and her nose was narrow. Cory studied her face, looking for any similarities to Edward Vandal.

“I bet you don’t meet many slaves in Ohio,” Tess said quietly.

Cory was embarrassed for being caught staring. “I am sorry for being rude. You’re quite beautiful,” she added.

“What?” Tess hid her face.

Cory turned her attention to the baby. He was quiet. He opened his big round eyes but didn’t seem interested in his surroundings. Cory placed her hand on his forehead. He was warm to the touch and listless, neither crying nor smiling.

“Let me see your hand, Tess.”

She held out her small hand palm up.

“I’m not going to hurt you.” Cory turned it over and saw fresh briar scratches. She pinched the loose skin on top before releasing it. The skin remained peaked before smoothing out. “Have you eaten?”

“Miss Adelaide fed us when we arrived.”

“What about before that?”

“We had some breakfast, but Adam hardly nursed. It’s been so hot in the church.”

“You’re overheated.” Cory looked at Adam. “It can be deadly.”

Tess held Adam closer.

Noah stroked his son’s head. “Can you do something?”

“He needs fluids.”

Tess choked back tears. “He won’t nurse.”

Cory cleared a table. “I’ll start by giving him a bath to cool him down.”

“Will my son be all right?” Noah asked.

Cory didn’t want to lie to them. She didn’t know. Dehydration from the heat could kill an adult in hours and less time for an infant. “You need to start drinking water, milk, anything we have,” Cory instructed Tess. “Otherwise, you won’t have any milk for Adam.”

“I’ll go milk Bessie.” Tyler hurried out the door.

“You have a cow named Bessie?” Noah asked.

His grin was familiar. Cory didn’t have time to wonder why. “He calls all the cows Bessie.” She opened the door. “I’ll fetch some water.”

Cory found Adelaide in the kitchen. “The baby is overheated, but well water will be too cold for a bath. What did you do with the hot water you were heating?”

“I used most of it to wash the dishes, but there’s some left in the pot. Is it enough?”

Cory lifted the pot. “Enough to take the chill off.”

Cory headed for the pump and filled a pitcher. In the kitchen she added the hot water from the stove and tested the temperature. She gathered up bathing supplies and entered the study. Tyler entered with a pail. “How much milk did you get?”

“About half a pail.”

“Have Tess drink as much as possible.”

Cory filled a basin with water and laid the towels on the table before she turned her attention to Adam. He wore a soiled gown made from a flour bag. She helped Tess remove it and watched as she undid a piece of string holding a triangle of burlap lined with cotton that served as a diaper.

Cory felt the diaper. “It’s dry.” She looked at the others. “That’s not good.”

“Help him,” Noah urged her.

Cory cradled Adam in her arm and lowered him into the water. She gently bathed him with a sponge.

Noah and Tess held hands as they looked on.

“Don’t forget to drink the milk, Tess.” Cory nodded toward the pail Tyler had placed on Hiram’s desk. “You’ll need to be ready when this young man becomes hungry.”

Tyler crowded behind Cory. “Is he any better?”

She continued to wet down the baby’s dry skin. Adam stared. “You’re wondering who I am, aren’t you? All these new places and strange people. You’ve had quite an adventure.” He reached for her. “You are too pretty for a boy. Look at those long lashes. Where did you get such pretty eyes?”

Adam smiled and revealed four small white teeth.

Cory looked up. “I think he’s feeling better. He’s flirting with me.” He slammed his fist in the water and splashed her. “Now, I know he’s better.”

“I can’t believe how much he’s grown.” Noah reached his finger out, and Adam grabbed it. “He can sit up and feel that grip.”

Tess finished a cup of milk and joined them. Adam reached for his mother and fussed.

Cory wrapped him in a towel and handed him to Tess. “Try nursing him now.”

Tess looked around. “Where did I put his diaper?”

“I have something better.” She left, found her basket in the kitchen, and returned with her packages. “I bought some items for the baby.” Cory unwrapped the bundle.

“You don’t even know me,” Tess said.

“I’ve heard a lot about you.” Cory placed the diapers and pins on the table.

“I certainly can use these. I’ve worn out every bit of cloth I could find to put on him.”

Cory held up the gown and cap.

Tess touched the soft fabric. “It’s beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like them.”

“That was real nice of you, Miss Beecher,” Noah said.

“My students call me Miss Beecher. You better call me Cory.”

“Miss Cory,” Tess corrected. “It’s a sign of respect.”

“Thank you, Miss Tess.”

“Oh no. I’m Tess.”

“You traveled all the way from Virginia with a baby, and you don’t deserve respect?” Cory demanded. “I could never do what you did.”

“I’ve caused a lot of trouble,” Tess said. “That’s what I’ve done. I should never have left, but Miss Regina didn’t give me a choice.”

“She’s sorry for what she did,” Tyler said. “But you can’t go back.”

“Them chasers have other plans.”

“Don’t worry about Clyde and Buck.” Tyler looked at Noah. “We can handle them.”

Adam fussed, but Tess didn’t unbutton her dress.

“Let’s give them some privacy.” Cory herded Tyler out of the room.

“You were good with him in there.” He followed her into the kitchen.

“Babies are easy to take care of,” Cory said. “It’s grown men who cause the most trouble.”

Adelaide was making coffee. “How are they doing?”

“Better.”

“Is that the truth?” Noah had followed them into the kitchen. “I won’t leave if it’s going to risk their lives.”

“Let’s see how the baby is doing after nursing,” Cory said. “Has Tess slept any?”

“She’s been too worried about Adam.”

Tyler grabbed a slice of blackberry pie left from last night’s supper. “We only saw Clyde in front. Any sign of Edward and Buck?”

“No, but Beth rang the church bell when she returned to the square,” Adelaide said. “It means all is clear.”

Cory frowned. “Why did Beth bring them? I thought the Reverend was going to do that?”

“Beth always does the traveling,” Adelaide said. “Nobody ever notices her.”

Cory felt new respect for Beth. Underneath her quiet, demure exterior was a warrior. Maybe her support of the Underground Railroad was the reason she refused Douglas’ proposal.

“There’s a lot more to her than I thought,” Cory conceded.

“I’m sorry we involved so many people,” Noah said. “I thought it would be easy to find Tess and head north. I never expected Edward and his chasers to be so relentless.”

Tyler looked outside. “No lights in the house until we can put some distance between us and Edward Vandal.”

“Us?” Noah demanded. “You’re not traveling with us.”

“I can help. I have a letter of credit from the bank, and I can vouch you’re my slaves if we’re stopped.”

“You will end up in jail if Edward finds you with us,” Noah said. “You can help us by staying out of trouble and arguing my case if I get caught with Tess and Adam.”

Noah and Tyler stared at each other.

“Do you think you’ll be able to find the next stop in the dark?” Adelaide asked. “It’s going to be cloudy tonight. Maybe you should wait.”

“Every minute we stay puts all of us in danger,” Noah said. “I’m surprised Edward has waited this long. I can’t thank you enough for the help you’ve given me and my family.”

“You should sleep some before you set out,” she advised.

Cory recognized the signs of fatigue in Adelaide. “Why don’t you rest, too?” She took her arm and led her upstairs to bed. Once Adelaide was settled, she checked on Tess and Adam. They were seated on the couch. Tess stood.

“Sit down.” Cory sat opposite her. “How is he doing?”

“He’s wide awake.” Tess yawned. “I think he wants to play.”

“Well, I’m not sleepy. I’ll wear him out while you sleep.”

Tess handed over Adam. “Send my husband in if you see him.” Tess spread a quilt on the floor. “I miss him.”

“The bed upstairs would be more comfortable, but you’d be trapped if the Cassell brothers decided to pay a visit. If there’s any trouble, the back door is right there.”

“I’ve been sleeping in the woods and in barns, Miss Cory. This is pure luxury.”

Cory found Tyler and Noah in the kitchen drinking coffee and eating pie. She watched the two men in familiar camaraderie. Did helping Noah reach freedom erase all the years they had been master and slave?

Adam screeched when he saw his father. Noah stood. “I’m sorry.” He raised his hands. “Let me take him.”

“Oh, no,” Cory protested. “Your wife wants you.”

Noah looked puzzled. “Is something wrong?”

Cory smiled. “She misses you.”

Noah bounded out the room.

“What’s that all about?” Tyler asked. “We were talking.”

“Something between a husband and wife.” She turned away. “I’m going to take care of this little guy so they can rest.”

He hurried after her. “What about me?”

“Maybe you should check on Clyde.”

“Tyler followed her to the parlor. He peered out the window. “He’s still down by the road standing guard.”

Cory recalled Clyde’s threat. “Do you think they’ll bring a marshal?”

“It’s easier for them to take Tess alone on the road and not involve any officials.”

“Can’t she make a fuss like Noah when he was arrested?”

“Edward has proof of ownership. If Tess is arrested, the marshals will escort her to the train for Edward.”

“So he wins both ways.”

“If they involve federal marshals it could attract a crowd,” Tyler explained. “Abolitionists may try a rescue like they did in Wellington. That’s why Edward hasn’t contacted them, yet.”

“I never realized how far the Fugitive Slave Law could reach. They can slap manacles on you no matter how long you’ve been free unless someone vouches for you.” Cory recalled Tyler’s words from their first meeting. “Noah is lucky to have you.”

He frowned. “That’s a funny thing to say to a slave owner.”

“Now you’re admitting you’re a slave owner?”

Tyler didn’t answer.