Love Inspired Historical November 2015

by Linda Ford

  Waiting until Lee was out of sight, she stood to her full height and forced her feet to carry her across the alley. The pair gawked at her. The stench of sweat and cigar smoke made her stomach roil.

  Knees rubbery, skin hot and tight, she exuded a false calm. “Can either of you gentlemen tell me where Mr. Cavanaugh resides?”

  Lee had given her family the general area of his home, but no specifics. Now she wondered if this was the reason for his secrecy.

  The shorter man’s overgrown brows hung low over bloodshot eyes. “Why you askin’?”

  “I have business with him.” She gripped her reticule so tightly, the ribbons were beginning to cut off the blood supply to her fingers.

  They exchanged a doubtful look. “How much it worth to ya?”

  “Um…” They wanted money for information. Of course they did. Fishing out a coin, she dropped it in the first man’s hand. “How’s that?”

  Examining the payment, he gave her directions. She thanked him and hurried to her wagon, not giving herself time to think about what she was about to do. Jessica was supposed to be at the mercantile right now fulfilling their order. That would take a while, since she’d probably visit with Nicole and maybe share a pot of tea. Plenty of time for Jane to ride out to Lee’s and return home.

  The wagon was too cumbersome, however, so she left the team at the livery, taking only her fastest horse. The road took her several miles past Tom’s farm. The farther she traveled from town, the wilder the terrain. Cabins were set farther back from the lane, some obscured by untamed undergrowth. The mountainsides grew steeper, blocking the evening sun.

  Doubt was kicking in with a vengeance when she noticed the turn. A ramshackle shed stood at the entrance, just like the men had said there’d be. Hitching her horse to a tree not visible from the lane, she set off on foot.

  Every unexpected noise spooked her. If Lee happened upon her, what possible excuse could she give? This was too far from town and her own home to say she was out for an innocent jaunt through the woods. She had no plausible story and no weapon. This wasn’t her brightest idea. But she couldn’t ignore the possibility that Jessica might be involved with a criminal.

  I’ll just take a quick look around, then leave.

  Fifteen long, nerve-racking minutes later, she spied a clearing and a rusty, ancient reaper to huddle behind. The tiny cabin, while not exactly ramshackle, would benefit from a new roof and chinking between the logs. The expansive barn was in better shape.

  Jane started when Lee himself loped out of the cabin, followed by another man she didn’t recognize. Dressed as neatly as Lee, he was perhaps a decade older. They disappeared into the barn for what felt like an hour, but was probably more like ten minutes, before they emerged, arms full of what looked to be five-or ten-gallon kegs.

  Four massive dogs of unspecified origin trotted out behind them. Brindle coats, large paws, ferocious-looking teeth. Her eyes widened. Those were guard dogs, not pets.

  Her great-uncle Peter had had guard dogs, too.

  The men placed their burdens in the wagon bed, their conversation too low to make out.

  Behind her, a disturbance in the trees caught the dogs’ attention. Jane instinctively jerked, her boot heel snapping a twig. The sound reverberated in the silence. Even from this distance, she could see their ears twitching, their muscles bunching. One barked.

  Father God, I really shouldn’t be here, should I? I didn’t think this through. Just reacted. Please, please help me get out of here without getting eaten.

  The stranger put his hand on one of the guns at his waist. Lee’s burly form swung around, jaw rock hard as he scanned the woods, and she ducked out of sight. Her breath came in short puffs.

  Time to go.

  Moving as stealthily as possible, mindful of the placement of her feet, Jane attempted to put distance between her and the dogs. Her body strained to break out into a full run. Minutes later, when she heard multiple dogs barking and Lee’s booming voice, she did just that. The forest seemed endless, the trees blurring into one another, inciting panic. Was she going the right way?

  Not seeing the rock jutting out of the uneven ground, she tripped and went sprawling, a jagged branch gouging deep into her arm as she tried to stop her descent. The moan couldn’t be helped. She lay there for a moment, dizzy and queasy, staring up at the interwoven branches and clutching her arm to her chest.

  I can’t let him find me here. Especially now that I’ve run. He’ll know I was spying on him.

  Praying for strength, she pushed onto her knees and scrambled to her feet. The dogs sounded far away. Concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other, she almost wept with relief at the sight of her horse. She didn’t inspect the wound until they were well away.

  Her serrated skin smeared with blood, she couldn’t tell how deep the injury was.

  “Stupid move, Jane.”

  *

  Tom was about to guide his team onto the lane leading into town when he caught sight of Jane astride her horse. Hunched in the saddle, red hair flowing down her back, her countenance was alarmingly pale.

  “Clara, stay in the wagon.”

  Setting the brake, he vaulted down and hurried to intercept her. The animal had been moving at a snail’s pace and heeded Tom’s command at once.

  “Tom.” She sat up straight. Winced. “Where are you going?”

  Eyeing the wounded arm she cradled against her body, he said, “Mercantile. What happened?”

  “I fell.”

  “Your horse threw you?” Worry sharpened his voice. Head injuries were dangerous.

  “No.” Her lips went flat. “I was running and tripped.”

  He reached for her. “Come home with me. I’ll get you cleaned up.”

  She came willingly, sagging against him when her boots hit the ground. He steadied her with his hands on her waist. “Are you hurt anywhere else?” When she shook her head, he scooped her up and carried her to the wagon bed. “Clara, Miss Jane has a sore arm. We’re going to make her feel better, okay?”

  His niece remained quiet as he helped prop Jane against the side. He hoped the sight of blood on Jane’s clothing and skin didn’t scare her. Or make her sick.

  Jane braved a smile. “I was clumsy, but I’ll be fine. Your uncle is going to patch me up.”

  “Does it hurt?” Clara clasped her hands tightly in her lap.

  “Only a little.”

  An understatement, gauging from her demeanor. He tied her horse to the back and carefully turned the wagon around. At the cabin, he sent Clara to the bedroom to play with her dolls. Then he once again swept Jane into his arms.

  “You don’t have to carry me,” she murmured, a little color returning to her cheeks.

  “I don’t mind. I carried you once before, remember?”

  “I was twelve.”

  “We were playing a game with your cousins, and you didn’t see the snake hole.”

  Her uninjured arm was slung about his neck, and her fingers tangled with his hair.

  “My ankle started swelling immediately, and you insisted I shouldn’t walk on it. You took me to my aunt’s and stayed while she wrapped it. You even held my hand.” Her gaze roamed his face. “You’re good at taking care of people, you know that?”

  The gratitude shining in her eyes, her confidence in him, made him feel invincible. “Most people like to feel useful.” He shrugged off her praise.

  Navigating the stairs, he went inside and set her on the nearest dining chair, hovering a moment to make sure she was steady. “Do you feel faint?”

  “No.”

  “Tell me if you do.”

  She watched as he gathered the water bowl, clean rags and a mortar and pestle. “What’s that for?”

  “I have to make a paste that will hopefully prevent infection.” Striding to the hutch in the corner, he sifted through the lower cabinet and, retrieving a scuffed case, took out a bottle of what looked like dried herbs. “Juniper leaves. Ma always used these
for our cuts and scrapes.”

  He sniffed the contents. “Should still be good. I’ll ask around tomorrow. Maybe your aunt has a fresh supply.”

  When he’d readied the paste, she extended her arm on the tabletop. He paused before cleaning her wound. “Sorry I can’t hold your hand this time.”

  “Thank you for doing this. Jessica wouldn’t be as gentle as you.”

  He cleaned the injury with care, hating that she was experiencing discomfort. “Who was chasing you this time?”

  Jane jerked in her seat. “What do you mean?”

  He twisted open the jar lid and set it aside. “Your cousins were chasing you when you twisted your ankle. What were you running from just now?”

  Something very much like guilt passed over her face. “I…I feel a bit light-headed. Can we discuss this later?”

  Holding her wrist, he set about applying the cream. Her pulse was rapid beneath the pads of his fingers. He got the impression she was hiding something from him. That wasn’t like her. While Jane wasn’t always forthcoming with her private thoughts, she was an honest person. Didn’t have a deceptive bone in her body.

  In the hushed stillness that had descended between them, Clara’s conversation with her homemade dolls filtered in from the bedroom. Jane stared at her lap as he wrapped her arm in gauze.

  “All done.” Sinking against the chair back, he rested his hands on his knees and studied her. “Keep that wound clean and dry. As long as infection doesn’t set in, it should heal relatively quickly.”

  With a quick nod, she pushed to her feet. “Thanks again, Tom.”

  He followed suit. “Let me take you home.”

  “No need. I can make it on my own.”

  “Jane.” He skimmed her shoulder. “Look at me.”

  When she lifted her luminous gaze, his gut instinct told him she was keeping secrets. “You asked me earlier if I trusted you. Now it’s my turn. Do you trust me?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then you know you can tell me anything.”

  The light smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose stood out against her pale skin. “I know.”

  Whatever was bothering her, she wasn’t telling. Not tonight, anyway. Frustration warred with concern. “Be careful going home. If you need to stay in and rest tomorrow, that’s fine. Clara and I will manage.”

  “That’s not necessary. I’ll be here shortly after breakfast.”

  Going to the bedroom door, she bid Clara good-night, patiently answering her questions and letting her examine the wrapping. Tom accompanied her out into the dusky evening and helped her into the saddle. She struck him as eager to escape his company. Worried he’d demand more information?

  He remained in the yard and watched her retreating form with a heavy spirit. “What exactly are you hiding, Jane O’Malley?”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Jessica was spitting mad. Vaulting out of the rocking chair, she stomped down the porch steps and met Jane in the yard.

  “Do you have any idea what time it is?”

  “Not really.” After leaving Tom’s, she’d had to hurry to the livery and retrieve the wagon before Mr. Warring closed up for the night. The climb down was awkward with one arm.

  Her twin’s ire faded the instant she caught sight of her blood-splattered dress. “What happened to you?”

  “I fell and scraped up my arm.”

  One sleek eyebrow quirked. “Were you and Tom playing tag?”

  “No.”

  “Then what?”

  “Not now, Jess. I have a splitting headache. I’m going to bed as soon as I get the horses situated.”

  Concern flared. “I’ll see to them. You go on inside and lie down. I’ll fix you some hot cocoa once I’m finished here.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I don’t mind. Truly.” She gave her a tiny nudge. “Go.”

  “Thanks, sis.”

  Inside, multiple lamps cast the living room in a cozy glow. Good thing her ma wasn’t here. Jane wouldn’t have been able to avoid a confession in the face of Alice’s persistence. She’d been so close to confiding in Tom. Only the knowledge that doing so could put him in danger had prevented her.

  Federal revenue collectors had turned their attention to this area in recent years, determined to enforce the excise tax, but that hadn’t halted the production of homemade moonshine. The sale of alcohol was a lucrative business. Not everyone was willing to give that up, even if it meant dealing in illegal activities and risking jail time.

  Those who dared snitch on neighbors or family members were dealt with harshly. Property damage was one outcome—burned barns and homes. Personal violence was another. She’d heard of at least four deaths connected to the hidden stills…innocent people who were murdered for alerting the law.

  She couldn’t put Tom’s life on the line. Or her sister’s.

  The only solution was for Jane to handle this herself. Somehow, she had to find out what Lee was up to. If he was involved in criminal activities, Jessica could be at risk.

  By the time she’d changed into her nightclothes, her arm throbbed with a deep, unremitting ache and her headache had increased to an almost unbearable point. Trying to come up with a plan would have to wait. She’d climbed beneath the covers when Jessica came to check on her.

  “The milk is heating.” Sinking onto the mattress edge, she folded her hands in her lap. “Are you going to Tom’s tomorrow?”

  “Clara needs me.”

  “That’s what I thought. Well, don’t worry about the café order. I’ll take care of it.”

  “That’s three pound cakes. Oh, and we’re supposed to make the almond cake for Mrs. Liverton’s party.”

  “I’ll get an early start tomorrow.” She lifted a shoulder. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. I invited Lee for supper tomorrow night. Do you mind?”

  Jane worked to keep her tone nonchalant. “That’s fine.”

  She must not have been convincing, because Jess’s face fell. “Tell me the truth, Jane. You don’t approve of him, do you?”

  At the sight of her twin’s uncharacteristic vulnerability, she covered her hand to stop her from worrying a stray quilt thread. “I’m worried that what happened to me might happen to you. We don’t know anything about Lee except for what he tells us. Just like with Roy.”

  “Lee doesn’t have a wife hidden away somewhere.”

  “Maybe not. But there could be other secrets. Dangerous ones.” Jane bit her lip. Had she said the wrong thing?

  Jessica laughed. “You read too much, sister of mine.”

  “Maybe you’re right.” Oh, she hoped and prayed she was wrong.

  Jess squeezed her hand, wide eyes growing unexpectedly earnest. “Lee’s a wonderful man. I’m beginning to care for him a great deal. If things keep progressing as they are now, there’s a good chance he’ll propose. You’re the person who knows me best in this world, and I want you to be happy with my choice.”

  Speechless, Jane sank into the pillows. She’d had no idea her sister’s feelings were this far gone. Deeply troubled, she strove for an even tone. “I only ask that you take your time in deciding if he’s truly the man God has chosen for you. I failed to do that with Roy, and I suffered for it.”

  She’d taken her own path instead of the Lord’s.

  “Lee’s different. He’s a faithful church member, has good standing in the community and is able to support himself.” She ticked off his attributes. “Most importantly, he makes me laugh.”

  “Church attendance doesn’t mean his relationship with God is what it needs to be.”

  Leaning over, Jess kissed her forehead. “There’s nothing to worry about, sis. Promise me you’ll give him a chance. Please.”

  “Fine.”

  “Thank you.” Her smile bright, she hooked a thumb toward the doorway. “I’ll go prepare your cocoa.”

  When she’d gone, Jane closed her eyes, a soft groan slipping out. How was she supposed to view Lee Cavanaugh as a potentia
l brother-in-law when she suspected he was a bootlegger?

  *

  “Thanks for coming tonight,” Jane told Tom. “Your presence lent the dinner respectability since Ma is out of town.”

  A plausible excuse for her invitation, especially since she couldn’t reveal the real reason…that she felt extremely uncomfortable around Lee. Having Tom there had provided the buffer she’d needed. The only truly tense moment had been when Lee questioned her about her injury. He’d appeared to accept her mumbled explanation, however.

  Lounging against the porch post, flipping the lid of his pocket watch open and closed, Tom quirked a single eyebrow. “Is that the only reason you invited me?”

  “It wasn’t romantically motivated,” she rushed to say. “Our kiss didn’t give me fanciful thoughts about you and me.” That wasn’t a lie. She’d entertained thoughts of that nature long before their embrace.

  He tilted his head slightly, attention on the moon-washed flower beds flanking the steps, leaving his forehead and straight nose in sharp relief. “I know you didn’t think that. I’m practically a brother to you.”

  Jane hugged her sore arm to her chest. Had she imagined the dissatisfaction behind that statement?

  When she remained silent, he lifted his head. “I’m assuming only Jessica is aware what occurred that day?”

  “I haven’t told anyone else. Why?”

  His mouth curled in a rueful half grin. “Because if you had, I’d have had three irate O’Malleys on my property, all with the intent to throttle me.”

  Pushing out of the rocker, she went and leaned against the opposite post a couple of feet from him. “My cousins consider you part of the family. Why would they object to you and me?”

  His eyes glittered shades of emerald and peridot green. Sliding the watch in his pocket, he folded his arms across his chest and regarded her with open scrutiny. “Because, my dear Jane, it’s their duty to protect you. They wouldn’t approve of me making advances when you and I don’t have a future together.”

  His words dug into her like flaming arrows. No future.