In the Morning Sun (Hearts at War Book 2)

by Lena Hart

  Gracie shook her head. Telling her ten-year old brother not to do something never made a difference. He still took it upon himself to do the complete opposite. She would just have to make sure her mother got a cut of the profits. “Well, make sure you’re back for supper. This will be our last meal together, you know.”

  At the reminder, his face fell and his slender shoulders slumped forward. “I know,” he mumbled.

  Gracie hooked her finger under his chin and lifted his face to hers. “Hey now. No one’s going to buy biscuits from such a sour-looking face. Now, give me that famous Joseph Junior smile.”

  The moment he did, she rained down kisses on his face. Her brother squirmed out of her grasp, his round face scrunched with disgust.

  “Ugh. Stop, Gracie.”

  Laughing, she rubbed the top of his coarse hair. “Go on, now. And take Tobias with you.” With one last hug from the little boy, she watched as the two boys dashed off down the dirt road. Gracie released a shaky sigh and made her way inside her home, trying hard not to think about it being the last time she would be able to call it that. Home.

  Starting tomorrow, she would make the near two-week journey to Montana and begin her new life as Mrs. Robert Whitaker. She didn’t know much about the mulatto man other than he was a mature businessman—only a few years her father’s junior—who had made his fortune during the Montana gold rush five years ago. He was also a Christian man who had reached out to the church in search of a “pure, good-hearted Christian girl” to move out west and marry. This wasn’t the way Gracie had dreamed of meeting her future husband, but that didn’t much matter now. Making sure her family was taken cared of did.

  The only positive to this all was that she wouldn’t be traveling alone. Mrs. Virginia Dobson would be escorting her and Madeline Asher to their new homes and husbands. Gracie was grateful to have the former abolitionist and widower as an escort. Mrs. Dobson had embarked on similar trips with young white ladies from the neighboring community who had become contract brides for Christian men out west, and for Gracie and Madeline, Mrs. Dobson had volunteered to see them to their destination safely.

  Gracie had read many stories of the dangers that were common in the rough terrain, but with Mrs. Dobson’s shrewdness and assertiveness, Gracie’s fears and anxiety were eased. And though Gracie hadn’t developed a close friendship with the other girl who had recently relocated to their community from Pennsylvania, it was nice to know she would have a familiar face with her when they arrived in Montana.

  “Gracie, is that you?”

  She followed her father’s baritone voice to the back bedroom, where her mother was rubbing his injured arm and shoulder. She stood by the door, surprised her father would allow her to see him like this. Since the war, where he had lost his right arm, he only allowed her mother to assist him and see him without his shirt.

  “Yes, Daddy?”

  “Go in that dresser and get me a clean shirt.”

  “Joseph,” her mother interjected, “I’ve got you a clean shirt right here.”

  “I don’t wanna wear that one. I want Gracie to get me another.”

  Her mother didn’t argue further as Gracie went to the dresser and pulled out a shirt that looked similar to the one draped across the foot of the bed.

  “Lynn, will you get my medicine?”

  Her mother glanced down at her father curiously, her hands hovering over his maimed flesh. “Don’t you want me to help—”

  “Gracie can manage. Ain’t that right, baby girl?”

  Gracie nodded, equally surprised by the request, however. Her father had never asked for her help before even though his injured arm was a regular source of pain for him. The doctors said it was all in his head, nothing more than “phantom” pain, but whenever it struck, her father would be gripped with agony because of it. Her mother was also taken aback by his unexpected request, but she simply nodded and left the room.

  “You’re not scared, are you, baby girl?”

  “Of course not, Daddy,” Gracie said, crossing the room to where he sat on the bed.

  “It’s okay to be a little scared, y’know.”

  She stared at her father for a moment as the real meaning of his words began to sink in. He wasn’t asking if she was scared of him or his injured arm. He wanted to know what she felt about tomorrow and the future. This was the first time her father had asked her about it. When Mrs. Dobson had approached them about the potential arranged marriage, her father hadn’t said much about it, but given her family’s current financial situation, she knew it was an offer she couldn’t readily refuse. And as much as her parents had done and sacrificed for her, she knew it was her turn to give them something in return.

  But now, she didn’t know how to respond to her father. Did she tell him the truth or leave him with some reassurance?

  “I might be just a little scared, Daddy,” she confessed. “But I’m also excited. I’ll get to see more of the country and will have more stories to write to you and Mama about.” And I’ll know that you and Mama won’t have to worry about money for a long time.

  Her father chuckled. “You do tell some great stories.”

  “So do you,” Gracie teased. After the war, even with all his suffering, her father had told her about the many fascinating places he’d seen and the many different people he’d met along his travels. Though it had been an unfortunate cannon blast that had taken his arm, the pride in his voice from having served his country and fought for their freedom had been quite apparent.

  They both fell silent as she helped him into his shirt, careful not to jar his injured flesh. As she tugged the shirt down over his head and torso, it was hard to ignore the faded welts that marred his broad back. Even after all these years, she couldn’t forget—or forgive—her selfishness that had led to his whipping. She had brought him so much pain, and he continued to endure more. Agreeing to an arranged marriage was the least Gracie could do to ensure he wouldn’t have to worry about finding work.

  She stepped back as her father rose from the bed and began tucking the ends of the shirt into his pants. He was lean and tall and, despite his missing arm, still possessed a commanding presence. He always kept his face shaved, and even now his handsome, weary features were free of facial hair.

  “Is there anything else you need, Daddy?”

  For a moment, he stood there awkwardly staring at her. Then, to her surprise, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a tight hug. Without hesitation, Gracie folded her arms around him and returned the fierce embrace. Though she knew her father loved her, he wasn’t always so openly affectionate. She took full advantage of that moment and hugged him tighter.

  “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” The heaviness of her father’s low words pierced through her despair and Gracie realized it was he who was afraid for her. “I love you, Gracelynn Melody Shaw. And I’m gon’ miss you.”

  Those words were her undoing and for the first time in weeks, Gracie let the tears flow as she buried her face into her father’s shirt, letting herself get lost in her misery, even for just a little while.

  Her father rested his chin on the top of her head, slowly rubbing her back. “Shh, hush now. You have nothing to cry about. You gon’ see the rest of the country, remember? And you gon’ have lots of stories to send back to us. Ain’t that right?”

  Gracie nodded. The words she wanted to speak were lodged in her throat, and all she could do was cling to him.

  “You just make sure that husband of yours treats you right, Gracie. ‘Cause if he don’t,” he said gruffly, “all you have to do is write to me, and no matter what it takes, I’ll be there to come getcha. No matter what.”

  Chapter Three

  “All aboard.”

  “Come on, girls,” Mrs. Dobson called over her shoulder. “We don’t want to miss this train.”

  Gracie followed after the older woman, with Madeline close at her heel. They had just gotten their m
any bags checked in to the baggage carrier and were now rushing to the passenger car.

  This was Gracie’s first time travelling on a major railroad, and everything was so confusing. Gracie gave another silent prayer of thanks for having Mrs. Dobson on the trip with them. She would have never managed to figure her way through the mad hustle of the busy train station. And Madeline had been just as confused as she’d been. She imagined the reality of their final departure must be overwhelming for the other girl, because for her it certainly was. But Gracie was good at internalizing her stress and anxiety, and she used that skill to keep her legs moving.

  The whistle sounded, signaling the train’s imminent departure, just as they reached the steps of the car.

  “Come now, ladies,” Mrs. Dobson said sharply, wisps of her graying brown hair working their way out of her bonnet as she rushed down the train platform. “Your awaiting grooms provided handsomely to marry two lovely Christian girls and we can’t disappoint them.”

  Gracie wasn’t used to hearing the word “groom,” and for a moment, she almost turned on her new boots and hurried in the opposite direction. But that was the impulse of the silly, immature girl still in her. She was a soon-to-be-married woman now and needed to behave like one.

  With the assistance of a young porter, they climbed onto the passenger car and came face to face with a stern looking conductor.

  “Hold it right there,” he said tersely, staring at her and Madeline. Though Madeline was a few shades lighter than her, it didn’t stop the man from regarding them with equal loathing. “You Negresses need to go to the last car with your kind.”

  Gracie shouldn’t have been surprised, and yet she was. She was also very upset.

  “These girls are with me, sir,” Mrs. Dobson said briskly, waving him aside. “Please move out of our way so we can take our seats.”

  “Look, lady, I don’t want any trouble,” the burly conductor said, anger flushed brightly on his round cheeks. “Now you either take them to the next car or—”

  “Or what?” Mrs. Dobson challenged. “You will physically assault a woman of the church and two innocent Christian girls? I didn’t think so, because the fire I would rain down at your feet would not be pleasant. Now, sir, kindly move out of our way.”

  The man glared at them, frustration plain on his ruddy face. “Take them to the back,” he snapped then turned and marched down to the next car.

  Gracie followed Mrs. Dobson to their seats, passing white passengers who openly gawked at them. She tried her best to maintain a serene expression, but found it difficult to do under the intense scrutiny of the crowded car. The incident was humiliating enough without their speculation, but there was one passenger who wasn’t eyeing her like some show attraction. If anything, he looked to be fast asleep, his hat pulled over his face and his legs propped up on the seat across him.

  Gracie could understand why Mrs. Dobson chose to sit with this stranger. It was the only section in the train car that could seat the three of them together yet was still far enough in the back to keep the hostile conductor content.

  “Excuse us, sir.” When the man didn’t acknowledge them, Mrs. Dobson cleared her throat and not so subtly nudged his leg with her knee.

  The man finally pulled back his hat, and Gracie drew in a sharp breath. At the small sound, the man swung his gaze to her, and the breath she forgot to release remained lodged in her throat. She recognized the cool, penetrating gaze from yesterday. It was the same man who had been watching her from the courtyard, whose gaze she had felt before she had even seen him. His beard-covered jaw was much sharper and prominent than she anticipated.

  But it was his eyes that drew her. Standing only inches away from him, she could finally make out their color.

  Firewood.

  That’s what they reminded her of. They were the color of fresh firewood—a dark, tawny brown that held the same kind of heat. Even now, as he moved his gaze over her like a warm caress.

  “Do you mind, sir?” At Mrs. Dobson’s pointed question, the man slowly removed his legs from the seat across from him. “Thank you,” she murmured stiffly.

  The man inclined his head, but never took his eyes off Gracie. Her cheeks warmed at his assessment, and she averted her eyes as she followed Mrs. Dobson into the narrow space. To her dismay, the older woman took the seat at the window, across the man, forcing Gracie to sit beside him as Madeline came up behind her and took the seat across from him.

  Gracie tried not to make a big deal over the seating arrangement, though she tried to create as much distance as she could in the close space. The wide skirt of her new dress, however, still brushed against his long legs. Her betrothed had been generous with his money, providing an advance to her family, a donation to the church, and additional funds for her to purchase whatever supplies she would need. Mrs. Dobson had made sure the majority of that money went to new dresses and boots. Whatever had been left over, Gracie used to fill one of her trunks with books.

  “Are you comfortable enough, Miss Gracie?”

  Gracie whipped her head around and stared at the stranger. She could only imagine the stunned expression on her face. How…? Then she realized he must have been standing among the crowd the entire time she’d been on that stage with Reverend Mavis.

  “Yes,” she finally managed. “Thank you.” There was a hint of awareness in the man’s gaze that again held her captivated.

  Mrs. Dobson deliberately cleared her throat and the corner of the man’s lips quirked into a slight smile. Something in Gracie’s belly fluttered.

  “Have you two met?”

  At Mrs. Dobson’s abrupt question, Gracie tore her gaze from the man’s and brought it to the older woman’s suspicious glare. Her face was paler than usual, most likely from their dash to board the train, but her eyes were clear and sharp.

  “Yes, ma’am,” the man said. “I had the pleasure of hearing Miss Gracie sing yesterday.”

  “During the celebration,” Gracie added, feeling the need to explain her unusual acquaintance with this stranger. She didn’t even know his name and yet felt as if they had just been caught in a secret.

  Mrs. Dobson sized him up, her lips pursed and her moss-green eyes watchful. “Well, since you were gracious enough to allow us to sit with you, it’s only proper that we formally introduce ourselves, Mister…”

  “Logan Finley, ma’am.” He held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

  Gracie was taken aback by his politeness. There was something about him that made his civility not insincere just…unexpected.

  She also picked up on his slight accent. Usually she was good at placing someone’s background based on their dialect, but she couldn’t pinpoint his. Though there was something familiar in the slow lilt of his words, she still couldn’t quite identify it.

  Mrs. Dobson took his hand and proceeded to formally introduce them. Madeline nodded to the man, yet remained quiet for the most part. While they weren’t close, Gracie knew the girl was still grieving the loss of her former fiancé.

  Gracie was also surprised by the gloved hand the man extended to her. Although there was a bite in the morning air despite the warm weather, the train car was comfortable enough that there was no need for gloves and she found his use of them odd. But as not to appear impolite, she slowly slipped her hand into his. There was strength in his grip, as well as a surprising gentleness.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Finley.”

  “Pleasure’s all mine.” The heated glint never left his copper-brown eyes. He held her hand in his for a moment longer, and she couldn’t ignore the soft tremors that coursed along her hand against the rough feel of his leather glove.

  What she was feeling toward this stranger was unusual and inappropriate. She had only just met the man. He was a stranger who was probably capable of anything, despite his good manners and obvious proper upbringing. She didn’t like to judge a person until they gave her something to judge them for, but there was s
omething about his eyes that made her think there was a more impassioned man lying dormant inside him.

  She tugged her hand from his grip and he released her. Clasping her hands on her lap, Gracie turned to stare out of the window. The gray fog and weather-worn buildings began to roll by as the train slowly pulled out of the station.

  This was it.

  She was leaving her home—and her family—for good.

  “Where are you traveling to, Mr. Finley?”

  Logan focused his attention on Mrs. Dobson’s question, and away from the silent woman sitting beside him. She was prettier than he initially realized. Where he’d stood yesterday, he hadn’t been able to see just how large and captivating her curious, mahogany eyes were. She even smelled nice, like the vanilla spice his mother would harvest in Mexico when he was a boy.

  “I’m on my way to Colorado, ma’am,” Logan replied. “For work.”

  Mrs. Dobson nodded approvingly. “Like so many young men of our city. Working is good, but don’t forget God and the church.” She pulled out a fan from her sleeve and began fanning herself rapidly. “‘And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.’ Colossians three twenty-three.”

  Logan nodded politely. Though it had been a while since he’d read the bible—or been in the presence of young Christian ladies—it hadn’t been hard remembering his Southern upbringing. His polite manners seemed to put the older woman at ease. The two young women, however, didn’t seem impressed. In fact, they both appeared lost in their thoughts.

  The train continued its jostle and roll, forcing his leg and shoulder to brush lightly against the tense girl beside him. The polite thing to do would have been to slide over and give her some space, but Logan made no attempt to move, enjoying the small contact. After all, he was a man. Not a saint.

  “I hear a slight accent, Mr. Finley, but can’t seem to place it,” the woman said thoughtfully. “Gracie here is skilled at linguistics and geography. She is one of my star pupils. Can you place his accent, dear?”