by Bobbi Smith
Adrian was up and out of the orphanage early the next morning. He arrived at the bank as they were opening and immediately went in to speak with Nathaniel Talbott in his private office.
"Good morning, Adrian," Nathaniel greeted him with a smile.
"Yes, it is, my friend," he agreed. "Everything went smoothly last night, I take it."
"Indeed it did."
"Good." Adrian was pleased and relieved to know that the morphine had been transported safely out of town. "There were a few moments when I was worried, but it's good to know that all went well."
"Yes, I heard about the difficulties you had upon arriving. That was dangerous."
"And that is why I've come to see you this morning." Adrian leaned forward, deadly serious. "There's someone I don't quite trust, and I want to do a little checking into his background."
"Who?"
"The good Reverend Logan Matthews."
"Who's he?" Nathaniel had not heard of him before.
Adrian quickly told him about the minister.
"Has he done something in particular to arouse your suspicion?"
Adrian frowned. "No-not really. It's just a feeling I have that something about him isn't quite right. Can you make some inquiries for me and see what you can find out? From what I understand, he's from St. Louis."
"Of course, but it will take some time. Our communications aren't as fast or as reliable as they were."
"There's not a lot of time left, but whatever you can find out will help. As dangerous as things are getting to be, I want this to be our last job."
"I think you're smart there. It's a shame you can't stop now."
"The munitions shipment that is due to arrive in town this week, is big-really big. We'll destroy it in the warehouse. It won't help our troops directly, but it will keep the arms out of the Yankees' hands."
"Just let me know when and where, and I'll get the word out. And, if I hear anything at all about your Reverend Matthews, I'll let you know."
They shook hands and parted.
Adrian was as satisfied as he could be as he left the bank. He hoped Nathaniel could get him the information about Logan quickly, before they acted to destroy the warehouse holding the munitions. He wanted to make sure no one was going to interfere in their work.
Inside the bank, Jim had kept careful watch over the two men. He regretted that the door to his boss's office had been closed, but it was obvious that something exciting was either happening or about to happen. He and Sam had had no success last night in trying to stop whatever shipment Adrian was moving, and he wondered now what had gotten the man so excited that he'd shown up at the bank so early this morning. He hoped they found out soon.
Logan heard nothing from Jim or Sam the following day, so he realized Adrian's shipment had made it through unscathed. Frustration ate at him. Logan was a man of action. He wanted to bring down the spies and find out what had happened to Braden. Being forced to bide his time was wearing on him.
Eden had made no further mention of helping the Cause. She was with him most of the day and definitely all of the nights, so he knew there were no activities going on-right then. He could only wonder how much longer it would be before things finally started to go his way.
As confident as Logan was that he could bring Adrian down, he also he knew what his actions would do to his relationship with Eden. Nothing she believed she knew about him was true. She thought him a man of God-he was her enemy, a Yankee. She thought he'd come to help the Haven-he'd come to destroy Adrian. She professed to love him, but Logan knew that when she learned the truth her love would be put to test. He wondered if it would be strong enough to endure.
The thought drove him from the Haven.
Logan went outside to walk in the garden for a while. He had just reached the side yard when he heard a child crying. Looking around, he found Connie sitting by herself on a bench, tears streaking down her face as she clutched something in her arms. He couldn't make out what she was holding, but he knew it had to be important to her for her to be so despondent.
"Connie? Are you all right?" he asked as he went to her.
She looked up at him, teary-eyed. "No."
"Can I help you?" She sounded so pitiful that he wanted to try to make things right for her.
"It's my new doll. Mr. Adrian just gave her to me yesterday, and I broke her." She sniffed loudly as she held her doll out for him to see. Its head was missing.
"What happened to it?"
"I was just playing with her, and it fell off. I didn't hit her or drop her or anything," Connie told him miserably. She had been very careful, for she'd never had such a beautiful doll before.
"Do you still have the head?"
She nodded.
"Want me to try to fix her for you?" Logan offered.
"Could you, Reverend Logan?" Suddenly the child brightened.
"I can try."
Logan sat on the bench next to her, and she gently lay the doll's head and body in his lap. He picked them up to examine how they fit together, and it was then he discovered they were both hollow. He frowned as he stared down at the doll, and in that instant, he realized what Adrian had done. He had used the dolls to smuggle in his contraband.
"Did everybody get a new doll, Connie?" Logan asked easily.
She nodded. "All the girls did, but not the boys. The boys only got balls to play with."
"They probably wouldn't have wanted a doll anyway.
Logan knew there were few things that would have fit inside dolls this size, and probably the most needed would have been drugs, possibly morphine. It all made sense now, and it was so simple.
"Is something wrong, Reverend Logan?" Connie asked, wondering why he was just sitting there staring at her doll.
"No, Connie, everything is fine. Just fine."
"Can you fix her?"
"I think so. What's her name?" He began to work at fitting the doll's head back onto the body.
"Her name is Margaret."
"That's a pretty name. Why did you pick Margaret?"
"That was my mother's name."
Logan successfully reattached the head and handed the doll back to Connie.
"Thank you, Reverend Logan!" She beamed up at him and threw her arms around him to give him a big hug.
"You're welcome, Connie. You and Margaret have fun playing."
"We will," she told him with confidence, and she was almost dancing as she hurried back inside.
Logan watched her go, and he couldn't help smiling. Though all he'd seen in the years of the war had left him jaded, the innocence of the children still had the power to touch him.
"I thought I saw you come outside," Eden said as she came up the path toward him. "Were you here with another woman?" she teased, having passed Connie on her way inside.
"You caught me," he told her with a grin. "Her doll was broken, so I fixed it for her."
"It looks like you're not only my guardian angel but Connie's, too." Eden went to him and, knowing they were alone for a moment, she kissed him sweetly.
"My pleasure, ma'am," Logan replied.
They went back inside together, but Logan was already planning to get away later in the day so he could reveal what he'd just discovered to Sam.
"There's another munitions shipment due in tomorrow," Sam told Logan as they met that afternoon.
"Then I'll keep an extra careful watch on Forrester's comings and goings. He seems to have a fondness for arms shipments-and for drugs."
Sam shook his head, annoyed that the morphine had gotten past them, but fully understanding the South's need to smuggle it in. Their field hospitals were desperate for it.
"That was smart, very smart. The guards would never have thought to search toys meant for orphans. They won't get past us again," Sam vowed. "This next arms shipment is a big one, and it's going to be stored right there in this warehouse." He nodded toward a building nearby.
"Will there be extra guards posted?"
Sam smiled conf
idently. "If Forrester and his men decide to show up, we'll be ready and waiting for them."
Forrester and his men-
Sam's words tore at Logan. If Eden was involved with Adrian's group, she would be caught in the middle of all the action. He wanted to keep her safe. He had to find out if and when Adrian was going to try anything, and he had to make sure Eden wasn't there. His divided loyalties ate at him.
"I'll let you know what I can find out," Logan promised as he left Sam.
Much later that night, Logan lay in bed with Eden in his arms. Fear for her safety threatened to consume him. He wanted to warn her about the danger she would face if she dared try anything with the group she'd told him about, but he knew he couldn't broach the subject. He had to maintain his silence or risk revealing his true identity.
Eden seemed to sense that something was troubling him, and she lifted a hand to caress his cheek. "What's wrong? You're so quiet tonight."
"Nothing's wrong. I guess I'm just tired," he lied, savoring her nearness and wondering how long their elysian ecstasy would last. Would it be weeks, or was their time together running out? Would it end in only a matter of days?
Eden gave a throaty chuckle. "I didn't notice you were too tired a little while ago."
They had come together in a passionate rush when they'd first retired for the night and he'd shown no hint of weariness then.
"You wore me out, woman," he said, trying not to give in to the need to smile at her.
"That's too bad. I was thinking about how handsome you looked when I found you in the garden this morning, and I was jealous that you'd been with another woman."
"You were jealous?"
"Extremely."
"I'm glad," he growled, drawing her down for a deep kiss.
It was a soul-searching exchange that was poignant and breathtaking, and it ignited the fire of their desire again. Logan knew that as long as there was life in his body he wouldn't be able to get enough of Eden. He made love to her with a desperation born of fear this time, taking her quickly and powerfully. Time was running out for them-but only he knew it.
Much later, Logan awoke in the middle of the night. He lay there staring into the darkness, haunted by what he knew was to come and by the knowledge that he couldn't stop it. Eden slumbered peacefully beside him, unaware of his turmoil.
"You made it," Steve said as Adrian finally joined him at a table in the back of the tavern on Gallatin Street.
"It isn't easy to get away some nights," Adrian said as he sat down next to him and ordered a whiskey from the bargirl.
They were silent as the girl served his drink, and she left them quickly when they showed no interest in purchasing anything else from her.
"From everything I've heard, it should be arriving tomorrow."
"Do you want to make our move tomorrow night?"
"Can you be ready?"
"We're ready now," Steve assured him. "This is going to be different than taking the Bayou Belle, but we'll handle everything just fine."
"Don't be too sure of yourselves. They may be watching for us, so we'll have to be extra careful."
"I heard you were searched when you got back from your last trip."
"They didn't find a thing," Adrian said with a cold smile.
"So maybe they aren't worried about you anymore.
"I'd like to think that, but if anything, I'm afraid it made them even more suspicious."
"Well, it won't take us long once we're sure the shipment has arrived. The hardest part will be getting inside the warehouse. Once we're in, it will take only a matter of minutes."
Adrian managed a tight smile. "I hope it goes as easily as you think it will."
Steve lifted his glass in salute. "I do, too."
They shared a look as they each took a deep drink.
"I'll send word to you through Nathaniel tomorrow if everything is to go as planned."
"We'll all be waiting to hear." Steve leaned back in his chair. "I can't wait to see the warehouse go up in flames."
They smiled at each other, confident that they would succeed.
Dawn found Logan already up and dressed. He had gotten little sleep that night and could see no reason to linger in bed. This promised to be a long day-a very long day. Eden was still asleep, so he took his Bible into the small kitchen and opened it to check on his gun. It was loaded and ready. His expression was serious as he closed the Bible. He sat there staring down at it for a time, his thoughts racing to the dangerous hours ahead. Somehow, some way he had to keep Eden safe. He knew what he had to do that night, and he prayed that everything would turn out all right.
"Good morning," Eden said from the doorway, smiling softly at him. She'd just awakened and had come to find him. He sat with his Bible closed before him on the table, looking thoughtful. "Were you praying? You look so serious."
"As a matter of fact, I was," Logan answered honestly.
"That's a nice way to start off your day."
He got up and went to kiss her, wanting to distract her from his Bible. "I can think of another way that's nice."
"Oh?" Eden asked archly.
"Want me to show you or tell you?"
"You could do both, just like I do with the children when we play `show and tell,'" she told him, laughing in delight as he swept her up in his arms and carried her back to bed. "Speaking of the children-we do have to get to the Haven sometime this morning, you know."
He didn't bother to respond as he started to "show" her how to start her morning with a smile. He wondered, as he made her his own, if he'd ever get the chance to love her this way again.
Eden truly believed she'd found her heaven in his arms.
They made it to the Haven on time just barely.
The day passed quickly. It was early afternoon when Logan left the Haven on the pretext of paying a visit to Reverend Miget. He did actually stop to see the minister for a while, just in case anyone checked on him; then he headed to an apothecary. He was about to enter the store when he saw Paul and Mark coming up the street.
"Where are you two heading?" Logan asked. It was a rare occurrence when the children were sent on errands without an adult accompanying them.
"Mr. Adrian needed us to go to the bank for him and then to the store to get some flour," Paul told him.
"Want some company?"
"Sure," Mark spoke up, always glad to have time with the minister. He had come to greatly admire Reverend Logan. He was certain the man had saved his life by finding him a safe place to live at the Haven.
"What do you have to do at the bank?" Logan asked casually. "Anything I can help you with?"
"Just give this note to a Mr. Talbott," Paul answered.
"Well, I tell you what. Why don't I deliver that for you while you two get some candy at the store?"
They smiled at his conspiracy, but knew they shouldn't. "Mr. Adrian only gave us enough money for the flour."
"Here." Logan took a few coins from his pocket and handed them to the boys. "Just don't tell him I was spoiling you. I'll get in trouble."
"Thanks!" Mark was delighted. He hadn't had candy in ages.
"Here." Paul handed over the missive without a thought.
"Wait for me a minute. I have to get something here at the apothecary and then I'll be ready to go with you."
The two boys waited on the sidewalk while he went inside. He returned a short time later.
"All right, we can go now. Do you two want to run on ahead to the store, and I'll meet you there after I drop this off at the bank?"
"Sure."
"Was Mr. Talbott supposed to get the note?"
"That's right."
The boys darted off full of excitement. Logan watched them go, feeling a different kind of excitement as he stared down at the envelope he held in his hand. He couldn't be sure right then, but he had a feeling that his luck had just changed for the better. When the boys were out of sight, Logan moved into a quiet alleyway and carefully opened the envelope. He made sur
e that it didn't tear so he'd be able to seal it again without Talbott discovering that it had already been opened.
"Midnight tonight."
That was all the message said. Logan smiled and returned the piece of paper to the envelope. Walking on to the bank, he found that Talbott was not at his desk. He delivered the missive to Jim to be passed along to the other man.
"Thanks, Reverend Matthews. I'll make sure Mr. Talbott gets this."
"I appreciate your help," Logan said as they shook hands. Then in a quiet voice for Jim only to hear, he advised him, "It's midnight tonight."
"Tell everyone at the Haven hello for us," Jim responded easily.
"I will."
Logan went on to meet the boys at the store, and they started back to the Haven together after Paul and Mark had eaten all their candy.
As they came up the walk, Logan happened to look up and saw Eden watching them from a second-floor window. She was so beautiful and innocent in so many ways. He paused to smile up at her. The smile cost him dearly, for he knew that within a matter of hours their lives were going to be changed forever. He was going to do everything in his power to keep her safe and out of trouble. He only hoped that when she finally learned the truth about him, she could understand his motives in deceiving her. He was tense as he followed the boys indoors, for he knew that, after today, nothing would ever be the same.
Eden had been passing by the window when she'd seen Logan outside with Paul and Mark. She had paused to watch them together, thinking how blessed they all were that the reverend had come into their lives. Logan was everything she'd ever dreamed of in a husband. He was honorable and kind, gentle, yet fiercely protective when he had to be. She couldn't imagine anyone more perfect for her than Logan.
When he had stopped to smile up at her, Eden's heartbeat had quickened and she remembered how wonderful their lovemaking had been that morning. She didn't know what the future held for them, but she was looking forward to spending the rest of her life loving him.
Adrian had been watching, too, anticipating the boys' return. When he saw them coming back up the front walk with Reverend Logan, he grew instantly suspicious. It wasn't until later, though, that he managed to get Paul alone.
