The Underground Railroad Brides Collection: 9 Couples Navigate the Road to Freedom Before the Civil War
Page 21
“Thank you, my love, thank you.” He brushed his lips on her forehead. The warmth and softness melted the rest of her resolve. How could her life change so quickly?
The ship shifted, tacking. She’d been told what the movement was when the ship changed position to catch the wind. Zach’s sea legs kept them upright. “Is it safe to say you and your decision to marry were tacking?”
“Hmm, I hadn’t thought about that, but yes, I reckon I have. My goal is still the same, to live an honorable life and be a good witness for the Lord. But now I’ll have a wonderful woman by my side.”
The clang of the captain’s bell rang out. “I’m sorry, I really need to go.”
“I’ll be here when you return.”
“Thank you, Charlotte. I love you.”
He disappeared out the door before she could reply. “I love you too,” she said to the emptiness of the room.
“Where were you?” Frank bellowed.
“Sorry, I had business with Miss Kimbrel.”
“Oh, sorry.”
They went through the traditional relieving jargon, and Frank left the helm and headed toward his bunk. He turned and faced Zach before he went down the stairs. “You’re going to marry her, aren’t ya?”
“If she’ll have me, I am.”
Frank wagged his head back and forth. “Must be true what they say about women being a bad omen on a ship.” He laughed.
“If this is bad, I’ll have her on every voyage.”
Frank waved and hopped down the stairs.
The idea of Charlotte traveling with him sounded wonderful. Caleb came up to the top of the stairs but didn’t step off them. “May I’s come closer, suh?”
“Of course, Caleb. What do you need?”
Caleb stepped up and walked over to the helm. “I’s don’t want to be ungrateful to alls ya is doin’ for me and the missus, but we don’t want to stay workin’ on the ship. Our little one, Lizzy, is too small for a ship.”
“Ah.” Zach kept his hand on the wheel and an eye on the compass.
“We’s be honored that ya wants us, but…”
“I understand. A ship is a dangerous place for a baby.”
“Thank ya, suh.” Caleb bowed and stepped back toward the stairs.
“Do you know anyone in Boston or around the area where you can find some work?” Zach asked.
Caleb turned. “No, suh, but the good Lord, He’s been watchin’ o’er us.”
“True. I’ll be praying for you.”
“Thank ya, suh. We’s appreciate ’em.”
Caleb left, and Zach started to pray. He’d grown closer to Ruth and Caleb than any of the other runaway slaves he’d helped bring to freedom.
Zach’s shift ended. Charlotte waited for him on the walkway deck to his quarters. “Hi,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting to see you. I thought you’d be asleep by now.”
Charlotte giggled. “After what you proposed a few hours ago? You have a lot to learn about women, or better yet, me.”
“I look forward to discovering every nuance that makes up the whole of you.”
“Ah, but I haven’t said yes yet.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her to the bow of the ship. Would she turn him down? No, he didn’t believe so. “Which part of what I said has you unable to sleep?”
He helped her to sit on the bow, leaning against the cabin, and sat down beside her.
“All of it. I can’t imagine marrying a man without a proper courtship. On the other hand, my decision to leave home in the manner that I did…does make me question whether or not I need to conform to the social norm.”
“If it will make you happier, I shall wait one year.”
“But”—she paused—“I do not know where to live. Where to find employment. How would we court if you were out to sea? So many questions, yet your suggestion makes sense. But where would I live when you are at sea? If I remember correctly from our conversations, you do not have a house or home. I would find it odd to live in your parents’ home, especially if you went out to sea right after we married.”
“I have land to build a house on. My father has given me a piece of his farm. My family lives outside of Salem in Danvers. It’s good farmland.”
“But I don’t know how to farm.”
“No, but my parents and brothers do. They will help you.”
Charlotte nodded.
“Charlotte, I have a good savings. I could take a leave of absence for six months and we could build the home together.”
Charlotte nodded.
“I am not a mind reader,” Zach continued. “You must speak with me in order for me to understand your thoughts.”
“You might think this is Southern of me, but what if we have Ruth and Caleb work the farm? I’m not saying as our slaves, but as our hired servants. I know you wanted to hire them to work on the ship, but…”
“What a splendid idea.” Zach smiled. “Caleb spoke with me earlier and said that he and Ruth thanked me for the offer to work on the ship but they didn’t believe it was a safe place for Lizzy.”
“That’s wonderful for me, not you, I suppose.”
“If I ate as well as I have been for the past few days I would gain too much weight. No, I think we would be better served if Ruth helped you around the house. What about children?”
“What about them?”
“How many would you like?”
“Ah, well, in high society it is not expected that you have too many children.”
“You do realize we shall not be living in high society. Being a captain, I am awarded some decorum and respect, but…”
Charlotte placed her hand on his chest. “I am not saying I want to be a member of high society. What I was trying to say in an indirect way was that I am willing to wait and see what the Lord grants us with regard to children.”
“Ah.”
“I can be direct, but I do know how to be delicate in conversation.”
“I understand, and I appreciate directness and sensibilities. Now, we must settle one more item before we retire for the evening.”
“What’s that?”
“Are you going to marry me tomorrow or a year from tomorrow?”
Charlotte giggled. “Tomorrow.”
He took her in his arms and kissed her. At first it was a sweet, gentle kiss, but then it deepened. Charlotte’s heart fluttered. She was very glad she’d chosen to marry tomorrow.
They arrived in Boston by early morning. The ship was unloaded within two hours. Ruth made a light lunch for the six of them, including Bradley, as the crew left once the boat was anchored in the harbor.
Zach left to speak with the owners of the ship and give them an accounting of his various travels, as well as the financial logs and money he still carried. By two, he returned with a much smaller sailing ship, his own. The six of them—Caleb, Ruth, Lizzy, Brad, Zach, and herself—sailed to Salem Harbor and arrived by dinnertime.
He glided the ship to the dock with ease. A small group of people met them there. “Who are they?” Charlotte asked.
“My family and the pastor of our church, I hope. Otherwise we’re not getting married until tomorrow.” He winked.
“How?”
“I sent them a telegraph message and told them I was getting married and asked them to bring the pastor.”
Charlotte chuckled. “I should have known. I thought it odd you didn’t bring me into Boston. I thought we were going to marry there.”
“I hope you don’t mind. I want my family to be a part of our lives, and I wanted you to meet them before you married me. You might not want to once you meet them.” Charlotte smiled. Zach was an incredible man and an excellent planner.
A man with red hair and a chin similar to Zach’s stood at the end of the dock. “Hey there, little brother,” he called out, “you couldn’t have timed it better. We’ve only been waiting for an hour.”
“Charlotte, this is my older brother, Russell.” He tossed Russell a rope. �
��He’s the one who will inherit most of the farm. He’s a fair farmer too, but I wouldn’t say that in front of him. His head might swell.”
Russell stood prouder after securing the rope to the pilings. “You’re sure you want to marry this man? He’s not normal—living on boats. Ain’t got no roots, just rudders.”
Charlotte laughed. “I like your brother,” she said to Zach. Turning to Russell, she added, “Zach is a bit different, but then again, so am I.”
“Oh, she’ll fit right in. Hi, I’m Edith, Zach’s mom.” She extended a hand to help Charlotte step onto the dock. “Pleasure to meet the woman who finally got this man to settle down.”
“Hey now,” Zach defended. “Russ, help me with the baby.”
The crowd hushed.
Zach reached into the cabin and pulled out Lizzy. Ruth came next, and Caleb followed. “Family, this is Lizzy, Ruth, and Caleb. They’ve agreed to help me and my wife-to-be build and farm our land. They’ll also help take care of Charlotte when I’m out to sea.”
Murmurs of welcome gradually swept through the crowd, while hugging and shaking of hands went around the small circle. Charlotte looked back at Zach. She’d never seen him so happy. Well, maybe this was the second time she’d seen him this happy. No, wait, the third. The first was when he told her his insight from the Lord about changing his life course. The second was when she agreed to marry him the next day. And the third was right now, encircled by his family.
“Is the reverend here?” Zach asked.
Charlotte stiffened. It was really happening. She was going to get married.
“Right here, Captain Browne.”
Zach wrapped his arm around her waist. “Can we marry right here, right now?”
“If you wish.” The reverend smiled. “But your mother set the church up real nice.”
“Mom?”
“I couldn’t help myself. You know me and weddings. You’re the last of my children to marry. I had to send you off well.”
“Do you mind, Charlotte?” Zach asked.
“No. A church wedding sounds perfect.” Charlotte snuggled into Zach.
“Head to the church, folks,” Russell called out. He leaned toward Zach and Charlotte. “Good choice. There’s a feast, and Mom and the girls went out of their way to fancy up the church.”
“Grandfather’s cottage has been cleaned up for you and Charlotte. I’m afraid we didn’t set up quarters for your servants. They are servants, right?”
“Yes, we hired them,” Charlotte said.
“Good. Don’t fret none. We’ll find them a place to stay,” Russell added.
Within ten minutes, the boat was secured at the dock. The wagons were loaded with all the family members and the reverend. Zach and Charlotte sat with him on the way to the church. He pumped them with questions about their relationship and passed on some advice about marriage.
Before long they were married and sitting at a table, eating some of the food the ladies of the family had cooked earlier that day. Charlotte sat back and marveled at all the changes in her life. Last week at this time she had discovered the small family fleeing for their freedom. Today they were free.
She reached over and took Zach’s hand. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being the man you are. You helped me save the runaways, and you rescued me as well.”
He leaned over and kissed her. “You rescued me too.”
“I never asked, but why is the ship named Lady Grace?”
“Ah, well, the owners are from England, a husband and wife. The wife holds the English title of lady, while he is a lord, and her name is Grace. Thankfully, I don’t captain their other vessel.”
“Why? What’s the name of that one?”
“Lord Nibley.”
“Nibley?”
Zach nodded and smiled.
“Do they have other ships?” Charlotte asked.
“Not yet, but they’re looking to increase their fleet. I reckon they’ll start using their children’s names.”
“Hmm.”
“So how does it feel to be Mrs. Zachery Browne?”
“Good. Strange, and like it may not be real.”
“Oh, my dear, it is real.” Zach took her hand and stood up. She followed his lead. They said their goodbyes and were promised not to be bothered until dinnertime, when they were expected to join his parents at the main farmhouse.
The cool night air hit. Charlotte took a deep breath. “It smells of pine and oak with a slight hint of flowers. I don’t smell the saltwater, though.”
“It drifts in on occasion when the tides and air are just right. But the harbor is a ways away, as you discovered on our long trip here.” Zach paused. “I love you, Charlotte.”
“I love you too.”
He guided her to a carriage and helped her inside, then ran around to the other side. “Russell is going to take care of the horse and carriage after I get us to my grandfather’s cottage.”
She snuggled next to Zach. This was right. She had a purpose—to be the best wife and mother to Zach and their future children. She also believed she would be teaching Ruth and Caleb how to read and write, as they would be teaching her how to do the many things she’d never needed to do. She would miss her parents and maybe even her life back in Savannah, but she had made the right decision to help the slaves to the road to freedom. She didn’t know it would include a journey on a ship for herself as well.
“Zach?”
“Hmm?”
“Aren’t the sails called sheets on a ship?”
“No, the sheets are the lines attached to the corners of the sail that help us direct the wind flow into the sail. Why do you ask?” He continued to hold the reins and direct the horse.
“I was just thinking about the freedom for the runaways and how my voyage gained me love and a husband. And if the sails were sheets, as I thought they were, it was interesting that God would remind you of Peter’s vision with the sheet. But I guess that doesn’t fit, does it?”
“Not exactly.” Zach paused for a moment. “The sheets in Peter’s vision were God’s love and blessing on all the foods Peter was now allowed to eat. A freedom, if you will.”
“Sails of love,” she whispered. “We fell in love under the sails of God’s love.”
“And we’ll continue under the sails of His love.” Zach reached over and wrapped his arm around her. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” And she did. She didn’t know much more about her future, but she knew she would always be protected by God’s love…and Zach’s.
Lynn A. Coleman is an award-winning and bestselling author of Key West and other books. She began her writing and speaking career teaching how to utilize the internet. Since October 1998, when her first fiction novel sold, she has sold thirty-eight books and novellas. Lynn is also the founder of American Christian Fiction Writers Inc. and served as the group’s first president for two years and on the advisory board for two years. One of her primary reasons for starting ACFW was to help writers develop their writing skills and to encourage others to go deeper in their relationship with God. “God has given me a gift, but it is my responsibility to develop that gift.” Some of her other interests are photography, camping, cooking, and boating. Having grown up on Martha’s Vineyard, she finds water to be very exciting and soothing. She can sit and watch the waves for hours. If time permitted she would like to travel. She makes her home in Keystone Heights, Florida, where her husband of forty-three years serves as pastor of Friendship Bible Church. Together they are blessed with three children, two living and one in glory, and eight grandchildren.
The Bakery Bride
by Cecelia Dowdy
This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
—JOHN 6:5
Chapter 1
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1859
Son, when are you going to get married?”
Oh no, she had to go and m
ention that. His mother acted as if he were the only unmarried, upper-class Negro man in Philadelphia. Joseph Adams ignored her and shoved the paddle into the hot, wood-fired masonry oven. He pulled out the thick, crusty loaves of bread. Thin fingers of sweat trickled down his face. He set the paddle of hot bread onto the counter and flexed his aching arms. The pain reminded him of his late-night excursion with other free black abolitionists. He’d been unloading supplies into the church, getting ready for the next group of runaway slaves they were expecting. The yeasty scent of the bread enveloped him as he sighed and wiped his forehead with a towel. Hopefully, his headache would go away soon.
“Boy, you hear me talking to you?”
“Mother, I hear you.” Did she honestly think he could predict when he’d be getting married? His mother’s mouth pressed down while she arranged loaves of bread into large square baskets. Her bony shoulders drooped. She’d been so miserable since Father died one month ago.
Joseph focused on the rough pine walls and two empty slab tables in their bakery. Visions of sitting with his father at those tables, talking about life, filled his mind. He eyed his mother. She hadn’t been eating as well as she should be, and she’d lost a lot of weight. He was worried about her, but when he tried to get her to see the doctor, she’d get upset. He heard her crying every night. He hoped she’d soon heal from her sadness. He figured her grief was what was making her act so irrational about his future.
He pointed to the office in the back room. He briefly eyed the stacks of parchment papers and inkwell resting on top of the antique desk and focused on the painting of his late father centered on the wall. “Didn’t you tell me you had to do some bookkeeping today?” Maybe if he got her focused on something else, she’d stop asking him about holy matrimony.
She shook her head, the red kerchief on her head bouncing with the movement. “You never answered my question about marriage.”
No, he hadn’t. She’d asked that question at least ten times over the last month. His response hadn’t changed, so why bother answering? “Mother, I don’t want to talk about marriage.” He again gestured toward the office. “If you don’t want to do the bookkeeping, then why don’t you go and rest for a bit.” He figured she could sit in the chair and prop her feet up. Maybe close her eyes for a few minutes.