In the Morning Sun (Hearts at War Book 2)
Page 15
“Did you set your slaves free before the war?”
Logan slowly shook his head, trying not to let the disapproval in her tone elevate his guilt. At first, having slaves had been a jarring experience for him. Referring to people as possessions and having complete control over their well-being had been completely foreign to Logan. But over time, he’d grown accustomed to it and the life he’d once known in Mexico had become a distant memory. Logan had once believed that he had a good relationship with his slaves. That illusion had quickly faded, however, when they had fled from the plantation at the start of the conflict. And he couldn’t fault them. Benevolent or not, he had still been their master with complete control over their lives. What man wouldn’t run from that?
“Well, they are free now,” Mrs. Dobson said. “And you certainly paid the price for that. Now I ask that you find it in your heart to escort two beautiful Negro girls to their future homes. Like you and every other man, they are only fulfilling their duties as daughters to marry and raise families of their own. We both know how cruel this world can be, and I could never forgive myself if something were to happen to them before they could arrive to their betrotheds.”
Logan stared at the old woman, a bit amused by her cunning. Apparently Mrs. Dobson was not above manipulation. Unbeknownst to her, however, saddling him with guilt in order to see this done was not required. He knew in his heart he could never let two young women—Negro or otherwise—make the trip through the rough, rugged terrain alone.
“You, Mrs. Virginia Dobson, are one shrewd old woman.”
Her dry lips parted in a weak smile, and she even managed a small chuckle. “Not bad for a dragon, eh?”
Chapter Five
Finding Madeline was proving to be quite a chore.
The girl hadn’t been at the hospital, and it wasn’t until Gracie had given up her search around the train station that she spotted her. The train platform was the last place Gracie expected to find Madeline, yet there she stood, satchel in hand as if she were waiting for the next train.
“Madeline? What are you doing here? I’ve been looking all over for you. Where’s the rest of our luggage?”
The other woman’s dark eyes were wide with panic. “I…uh…was told it would be transferred to our sleeping car.”
Gracie frowned and stared pointedly at the bag clutched in her hands. “Then what are you doing here?”
Madeline fumbled with her words until she finally blurted, “Gracie, please don’t tell.”
Her frown deepened. “What…? What’s going on?”
Tears welled in Madeline’s eyes. “I can’t go through with this. I won’t.”
Gracie gaped at the other woman when it dawned on her what she was doing. “Madeline, you can’t just…run off. Where do you plan to go? What about Mr. Mercer? And Mrs. Dobson?”
“I’ll figure something out, but I can’t marry that man. Not when my heart still belongs to my Jimmy.”
Gracie could only imagine what the girl was feeling having lost the man that she loved, but what Madeline was considering was ludicrous. “Madeline, I can only imagine your pain, but you’re going to have to let it go. Jimmy is gone, but I’m sure he would want you to find someone else to love again. To be happy with.”
“That is why I have to go. I know I won’t be happy marrying some stranger and I can’t give myself to a man I don’t love.”
Gracie stared searchingly at the desperate woman then blew out a frustrated breath. What was she to tell Mrs. Dobson? Worse yet, what were they to tell the girl’s fiancé when they arrived in Montana? Though Gracie sympathized with her, she didn’t like the awkward position Madeline was now placing her in.
“Why did you agree to the contract? Why did you let it get this far?”
Madeline shrugged. “Because I was confused. Mrs. Dobson made it seem as if this was the best option for me, but I realize it’s not. There are women out there organizing now, demanding women’s rights, and I mean to join them.”
Gracie had read about those organizations, and from what she gathered, many of those women were more interested in white women’s rights and were vocally against supporting the rights of blacks until their rights were recognized. As a Negro woman, Gracie couldn’t support a cause that would force her to choose when she and other black women would never truly be recognized or valued either way.
But she wouldn’t fault Madeline for going after what she believed in. Maybe she would be the voice needed in these organizations to convince these women that independence for all was what should be fought for. Women and Negros alike.
“Please, Gracie. I don’t want to be trapped in a marriage I don’t want.”
Gracie didn’t want that either, but she had not been thinking of her wants when she’d agreed to this marriage, and she wouldn’t start now.
Madeline clutched her arm. “This is my chance to truly be free. Help me.”
Moved by the girl’s final plea, Gracie sighed in acquiescence. “All right, but promise you’ll write them as soon as you’re able. Mrs. Dobson is going to be worried sick when she finds you gone.”
Madeline visibly relaxed. “I promise. Just tell her I took a train back to New York, and once I’m settled, I’ll write to her and Mr. Mercer.”
Gracie stared at the other woman. She had a feeling returning to New York wasn’t the girl’s plan, but she didn’t ask. The less she knew, the less she would have to lie. Then, to Gracie’s surprise, Madeline gave her a quick hug.
“Thank you, Gracie. I pray you find your happiness out there.”
Gracie prayed for the same thing too, because in that moment, she envied the other woman.
She waited with Madeline and it wasn’t long before the last departing train arrived. A sinking feeling settled in Gracie’s gut as she watched Madeline board and the hollowness in her grew as she watched the train pull off.
Gracie sank down on the bench behind her and watched the train as it became nothing more than a thin point in the distance—until the sun set and there was no one except her and her despair on the empty platform.
It was at the train station that Logan found Gracie sitting alone, looking more desolate than any woman should under the hanging kerosene lamp.
Night had fallen and when she hadn’t returned, fear had begun to settle in him. There were a number of things that could have befallen a lone woman wandering the city and thoughts of those possibilities had jerked him away from Mrs. Dobson’s bedside. The train station had been his first stop and he was so relieved to find Gracie in one piece, he was tempted to throttle her.
Though she appeared to be unharmed, there was something about her unnatural stillness and forlorn expression that worried him.
“Gracie? Why are you sitting out here?”
She glanced at him then blinked. “Mr. Finley, what are you doing here?” Then her eyes widened with fright. “Is Mrs. Dobson all right?”
“Yes, she’s fine. She’s resting,” he said, taking the seat beside her and removing his hat. “I came looking for you when it grew dark. What are you doing sitting here alone? Do you know what time it is?”
She blinked again then glanced around the empty platform. “Sorry if I caused any worry. I was just…” She sighed. “I was just seeing Madeline off.”
“What do you mean?”
She shook her head. “Never mind. It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with.”
He frowned, not appreciating her easy dismissal of him or his genuine concern for her. “Bother me anyway.”
In quick, albeit hesitant words, she told him about Madeline and her decision to return to New York. There was a solemnness that still lingered in her eyes, however, and he wondered if there was more she wasn’t telling him.
“Is that what has you upset?”
He didn’t miss the fear or apprehension on her face when she glanced away from him. What could bring on that kind of despair?
“Why do you believe I’m upset?”
It’s all
in your eyes, angel.
But Logan didn’t tell her that. It was the one thing she hadn’t succeeded in masking and he didn’t want her to start.
“You’ve been sort of quiet since we left New York. Is there something the matter?”
Her eyes were once again haunted and he had to restrain himself from pulling her into his arms. Without thinking, he blurted out the verse that had served as a mantra to him on many cold, dreadful nights. “I prayed to the Lord and he freed me from all my fears.”
Her eyes widened and he smiled at the astonishment he read in them. He wasn’t a very religious man, but that short prayer had accompanied him in and out of many battles.
Suddenly the sadness faded from her eyes and was replaced by a small spark. “Why, Mr. Finley, are you quoting Psalms thirty-four to me?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure. All I know is that it’s from the Bible and has seen me through some tough times.”
She glanced away from him and stared off into the distance. “I think it’s seen my father through some difficult times as well.”
Gracie fell silent for a moment before she turned back to him, a small smile gracing her full lips. “Thank you, Mr. Finley.”
He cocked a brow. “For what?”
“For reminding me of my faith and that I’m not alone. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.” At his blank stare, she laughed softly. “Psalms fifty-five, Mr. Finley.”
“Right,” he muttered.
“At any rate, I realize the burden I carry is not my own. As long as I have faith, all will be well.” She laughed again when he glanced down at the handbag on her lap, where Mrs. Dobson’s derringer undoubtedly nestled inside. “I mean real faith. As in the biblical sense.”
He returned her smile, pleased to see that she had worked out whatever it was that had brought on that forlorn look on her face.
Suddenly, she shot up from her seat and squared her shoulders as if she were readying herself for combat. “I should head back to the hospital now.”
Logan followed her up as he donned his hat. He didn’t miss the way she took a small step back, putting distance between them as she had done numerous times before. He didn’t take offense because he knew the subtle move was due to her physical awareness of him.
And he wanted to think that he wasn’t the only one who sensed this unrelenting attraction between them.
“I’ll walk with you.” At the start of her refusal, he added forcefully, “Please, I insist.”
The corner of her lips lifted as she clutched the handbag close to her. “I’m no damsel in distress, Mr. Finley. You don’t have to escort me as if I’m some helpless maiden.”
My, is she stubborn.
But Logan took it all in stride, winking as he tipped his hat. “I’m not walking you because you’re a maiden, Gracie. I’m doing so because I’m a man.”
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More Books by Lena Hart
CONTEMPORARY
Brides of Cedar Bend series
Something Old
Something New
Something Borrowed
Something Blue
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To Be Loved series
First Love
Because You Love Me
Because You Are Mine
Because This Is Forever
* * *
Standalones
My Silent New York Night
Her Seductive Dare
It’s a Dare, Baby
* * *
SUSPENSE
The Queen Quartette series
His Flower Queen
His Bedpost Queen
Queen of His Heart
His Diamond Queen
* * *
City of Sin spin-off series
B is for Bedpost
The Devil’s Bedpost
* * *
HISTORICALS
Hearts at War collection
A Sweet Surrender
Amazing Grace
In the Morning Sun
About the Author
Lena Hart is a Florida native currently living in the Harlem edge of New York City. Though she enjoys reading a variety of romance genres, she mainly writes sensual to steamy contemporary, suspense, and historical romances. When Lena is not busy writing, she’s reading, researching, or conferring with her muse. To learn more about her upcoming works, join her Reader Group.
Connect with her on…
www.LenaHartWrites.com
lena@lenahartwrites.com