Rapture's Rendezvous

by Cassie Edwards

  “Beg,” he hissed, jerking even more strongly on her hair.

  “I am begging,” she cried. “Please don't hurt me any longer.”

  His hands dropped to his side, letting Maria crumple to the floor in a heap. She continued to cry, hoping he would leave the room. But he continued to stand there and wait for her to reach composure of some degree. She sobbed another time, then pushed herself up from the floor, looking upward at the ugliness of his face and the emptiness of his eyes once again.

  Oh, how she hated him. Oh, how she loathed him. He was even more vile than she had ever imagined another human could be. She inched her way toward the closet, but once there, she knew she couldn't use the gun. She just couldn't shoot another human … being … even if this one was the lowest of all forms.

  Nathan walked to the window and stared outward, laughing shrilly. “No. I won't hurt you,” he said. “But I can't say as much for those who try to disturb my coal mine employees.” He swung around, glaring. “You see. Maria, after the fence is completed, I plan to have machine guns mounted atop blockhouses constructed of oak logs. Then if anyone should try to intervene in my business, I shall shoot to kill.” He laughed once again, moving toward her. “So you see, my pet, my plans to keep my coal mine running with my Italian . . . uh . . . friends will continue as in the past.”

  “But. . . machine . . . guns . . . ?” she gasped, inching her way from him as he continued to move toward her.

  “Machine guns. Bang . .. bang. .. .” he said, pointing a finger at her. “Shoot to kill. That's going to be my motto.”

  “You're sick,” Maria hissed, forgetting her fears of him. She now could only think of Michael and the danger he was in. How could she tell him? Or would he have already found out? Surely his men had found out the gruesome details of Nathan Hawkins's plans. There would never be a way to win. Never.

  “Not sick,” he said, kicking at the skirt of her dress. “Rich. Filthy rich. And I intend to remain so.” He rushed from the room, leaving Maria to stare blankly after him.

  Rising, she walked as though in a daze toward the window, seeing the peacefulness of the vineyard stretched out for miles and miles. The green leaves were swaying gently in the breeze and the sun's rays rippled in velvets onto the vines, so peaceful, so calm and peaceful. But that was the only thing that was peaceful in this area of southern Illinois.

  Maria lifted the window, listening. The pounding and hammerings at the coal mine had ceased. Had they completed the fence? Were they now constructing the blockhouses, readying them for their machine guns? Slamming the window shut, Maria began to pace back and forth. What could she do? She felt in a worse prison now that Nathan knew of her involvement with Michael. Then hope sprang forth. He hadn't mentioned Michael's name. Maybe he truly didn't know. Maybe he was just playing another game with her?

  Going to the bedroom door, opening it, Maria listened. She heard voices, then crept to the top of the staircase and listened even further. She tensed when she heard Nathan giving orders to his representatives.

  “… And I want it posted all over the town of Hawkinsville that all persons in the possession of firearms, equipment and munitions of war are required to surrender the same to you and that all assemblages in the streets, either by day or night, are prohibited.”

  Someone besides Nathan spoke up. “Okay. But what are we to do if anyone gives us trouble?”

  “Damn it. Shoot to kill,” Nathan responded angrily. “And tonight, I want you to make sure all of Hawkins-vilie's businesses are closed. Especially the saloons. I will have no one loitering the streets where it is possible for anyone to speak of this thing called the ‘union’ to the coal miners Then if anyone ventures out onto the streets after dark, give them a fair warning to return home, and if they don't, shoot. Don't hesitate. Shoot. I can always bring another shipful of dumb bastards over from Italy. If killing just one of them is needed to show our power over them, if this is needed to encourage them to listen to me, then damn it, do it.”

  “And Ruby and her half-wit husband? You know that he succeeded in surviving our attack the other night. You know that information can be exchanged at Ruby's by the men while they're gamblin'and whorm'.”

  “You go to Ruby. Order the house shut for the time being,” Nathan said. Then he chuckled, saying further, “And you tell Ruby to remember what happened to Clarence that one other time when he didn't succeed at coming through the attack as well as the other night. Remind her that if I can order my men to castrate a man, I can also order them to do worse to a woman.”

  “Okay. As well as done. Then what about your wife?”

  “I have ways of taking care of her,” Nathan said. “And you be sure nothing happens to her brother and father. They are of use to us. Remember that. When the time comes, we'll just take care of them all at one time. • Do you understand?”

  “Yeah. Sure.”

  Maria's hands went to her throat. She began to tremble violently, then crept back on to her bedroom, closing the door gently behind her. Was it all truly happening? How could anything such as this happen in America? She and her family had been transported to a place of war. She threw herself across the bed, sobbing. How would it all end? Oh, what could she do … ?

  A sudden determination seized her. She rose from the bed with a set jaw. She knew that she couldn't solve anything by weeping like a baby. She had to warn Michael. Only by doing so could any of them have any hope for the future. She hurried to her closet and searched beneath the hat boxes, then cringed when her fingers made contact with the cold steel of the gun. She wrapped her fingers around it and pulled it out, holding it away from her, looking at its pearl handle and the glint of the steel of its butt. It was a threatening piece of equipment to her. But she knew that she needed it. After hearing Nathan speaking with his representatives, she knew that everyone needed to be armed. Wasn't he ready to shoot them all as though they were dogs?

  Hiding the gun inside her beaded purse, Maria crept to her door and opened it, listening once again. There were no voices surfacing from the parlor. Maybe they had gone. She would just have to take that chance. Ruby's house was her destination. Ruby needed to know, as well as Michael. Maybe Ruby and Clarence could even manage to get to Michael and warn him. Maria knew that she couldn't travel to Creal Springs. She knew that it would be too risky. Nathan Hawkins's representatives were everywhere . . . like hornets . . . ready to attack.

  Tiptoeing, Maria began her descent on the staircase. She clutched at her purse, feeling its extra heaviness, wishing she had no need for a gun. But it was her only protection now. Michael's arms were no longer around her. . . her Papa and Alberto were deep inside the bowels of the earth. When they came to the surface, what would be awaiting them? Would the fence frighten them too much? Would her Papa's health weaken even more seeing that he was a prisoner for sure in this land of. . . freedom . . . ?

  “I've got to quit worrying and hurry onward,” she whispered to herself. “I must move through the Indian grass just like the Indians must haveall those years ago. I mustn't let Nathan's representatives see me. I have to get to Ruby's before they do. Maybe Clarence can figure out what to do.”

  But Maria felt coldness circling her heart when she remembered Nathan's words about Clarence and what Nathan had ordered done to Clarence all those years ago, and now what Nathan threatened to do to Ruby

  Inching her way down the hallway that would lead her past the kitchen, Maria's breath came in short gasps. She still wasn't sure about Mama Pearl. Could Mama Pearl be trusted?

  Maria stopped and listened, then swung around when she heard footsteps approaching. When she saw Mama Pearl moving toward her, Maria stood as though frozen, now not knowing which way to turn. Mama Pearl would know that she was planning to leave, because Maria held her purse tightly in her hand. And Maria hadn't been known to leave through the back door. Mama Pearl would have many questions.

  “And where ya'all headin', Sweet Baby?” Mama Pearl asked, wiping her hands on an a
pron, eyeing Maria questioningly.

  “Out,” Maria whispered. “I need . . . some . . . uh . . . fresh air.”

  “But ya'all were ahready out this mohnin',” Mama Pearl said, lifting a heavy brow. “Why on earth do ya'all needs to go out again? Ain’ ya'all a feisty thing?” Mama Pearl cackled and moved on past Maria, into the kitchen.

  “Mama Pearl,” Maria said softly, looking from side to side.

  “Yes'm?” Mama Pearl said, lifting a rolling pin, placing it onto a wad of pie dough in the center of the kitchen table.

  “Please don't tell Nathan I'm out, should he ask,” Maria blurted, flushing.

  “Lawdy be. Why's riot?”

  Maria cast her eyes downward, fidgeting with the beads of her purse. “Well, Mama Pearl, you know how busy Nathan is,” she said softly. “Why worry him about my . .. uh . .. restlessness.”

  “Sho’ nuff has been keepin’ his nose to the grindstone lately,” Mama Pearl said, puffing as she pushed the rolling pin back and forth. “Just did see him leave with those workin’ men o’ his a minute ago. Guess the poh soul will be workin’ till nightfall. Yes'm, Sweet Baby, I guess yo’ be right. I won't speak of any restlessness to him. Mighty sweet of ya'all to care so much.”

  Maria felt the heat of her anger inside herself, hating to pretend a liking for the man who had so recently humiliated her in such a degrading way. She forced a smile. “Yes. I do worry about him being so involved,” she said, then moved toward the door.

  “Goin’ the back way, Sweet Baby?”

  “I like to walk through the vineyard,” she replied weakly. “Reminds me of Italy.”

  “Yes'm. I understand,” Mama Pearl said, giggling softly.

  Maria rushed on out the back door, stopping to breathe a deep sigh of relief. She had gotten past Mama Pearl without any difficulty. Now she had to be sure to evade the watchful eyes of all of Nathan's representatives. She moved toward the thickness of the vineyard, then stooped, hiding as she moved quickly from one row to the other, glad to finally reach the tall Indian grasses that would lead her to Ruby's house.

  The sun beat down on her head and back, making perspiration bead her brow and her heartbeat become erratic, making her become almost lightheaded, but she continued to push her way through the thickness of the grass until she finally reached the fence. She moved slowly around it, watching all around her for any signs of movement, and when the dogs came barking and howling at her, she began to chew her lower lip, knowing that alone was reason for discovery.

  Rushing, she reached the gate and ignored the leaping dogs as she moved toward the front door, then fell inside, gasping for air. When Ruby appeared before her, Maria rose and clung to her arm, panting.

  “Ruby. Ruby, you just don't know what's happening,” she cried.

  “I think I might,” Ruby drawled, turning, beckoning with a nod of the head toward the door that led to the back rooms of the house. When Michael and several more men made an appearance, tears sprang forth from Maria's eyes. She rushed to Michael and fell into his arms. “Michael, oh, Michael. You're safe. Oh, thank God. You're safe,” she blurted clinging-to him.

  “I failed to tell you that my meeting place was so close by a while ago,” he said, holding her to him. “I guess I should have. Maria, you are panting so. What's happened?”

  She brushed tears from her face with the back of a hand and looked upward into his eyes. To her, blue most normally meant a restfulness, a peacefulness. But in Michael's eyes, there was no trace of such feelings. She could see so much more. And this made her even more frightened for his safety. She now knew him to be a man of daring.

  “Michael, I've just overheard much being said at my … uh … at Nathan's house,” she said. “It all frightens me so. You need to know. I fear that we all might be dead in the end.”

  “What did you hear, darling?” he said, glancing an already knowing look toward the men, glowering.

  “Not only is there going to be a fence around the coal mine, but machine guns mounted, as well,” she blurted. “And then no one is to be allowed to be on the streets of Hawkinsville after dark. Anyone who disobeys will be killed. And all firearms are to be surrendered to Nathan's representatives.”

  Michael's arms went limp. He moved from Maria, running his fingers through the thickness of his hair. “God. It's even worse than I ever imagined,” he grumbled. “Machine guns? He is a madman. What will be next?”

  “No one is safe, Michael,” Maria cried, going to cling to him once again.

  “Maria, you know you shouldn't have put yourself in any more danger by coming here,” he said, suddenly clutching onto her shoulders, shaking her a bit. “What if Hawkins or his men had seen you coming here?”

  “I have a gun … in … my purse.” she stammered, lifting the purse, showing him.

  Michael's face paled. “A gun? Where did you get a gun, Maria?”

  “Alberto. He gave it to me last night. He said I needed it for protection.”

  “But sometimes a gun is more harm. If you should pull it to shoot it and became too afraid to do so, it could be taken from you and used on you,” he stormed. He released Maria and began to pace the floor angrily. “This is becoming way out of hand. I never intended you to get so involved.”

  “If Nathan“

  “Yes, if Nathan hadn't forced your hand in marriage, you would be free,” Michael further stormed, throwing his hands up into the air in despair. “But he did. You are. Now what?”

  “What can I do. Michael?” Maria asked softly, lowering her eyes.

  “You must return to Hawkins's house. Stay low. Don't interfere. And above all, don't antagonize him. Lord knows what he might pull with you. Force you to do.”

  Maria's face turned crimson. God. If Michael knew what Nathan had already done. But she couldn't tell. She could never tell anyone what she had been forced to do. “Then I should return to his house?” she blurted, eyes wavering as she sought out Michael as he continued to pace the room in long, angry strides.

  “Yes. I have much to figure out, Maria,” he said. “And if you just keep a low profile, surely Nathan will leave you out of this mess.” He went to her and grabbed her by the shoulders. “You must listen to me. You have to go back to him. To stay with me or your brother and father is much too dangerous at this point. If Nathan wants a war, he will have a war.”

  “What … do you mean . . . Michael?”

  “Like I said, I have that to figure out. But he's gone a bit too far this time. Machine guns? Ha. They won't even keep me from my duties.”

  Maria's gaze went to Ruby. Maria paled, now remembering Nathan's threats against Ruby. “Ruby, there is something you need to know,” she whispered. “Nathan has made threats against you. He has told his men to make sure you close this house down until this all is over, or he … he .. . will see to it . . . that you . . . are injured in a terrible . . . way. . . .”

  Ruby's hands went to her hips. “Just let him try to force me into anything,” she shouted. “My Clarence was outdone by Hawkins and his men once. They even tried a second time. But by God, no more. Clarence is bitter enough to shoot all the damn bastards who try to step on our property. And I have enough guns to pass around to my girls to complete the job. Just let him try.”

  Maria smiled awkwardly. “I just felt … I should warn you. . . .” she murmured.

  “And now that you have, darling,” Michael said thickly, “please go back to Hawkins's house. If you need to, just stay in your room.-Feign illness. That way he won't even touch you.”

  Maria's eyes lowered. “Okay, Michael. Whatever you say,” she whispered. Then her eyes shot quickly upward. “But how will I know what's happening? I don't think Nathan would even approve of my returning to see my Papa.”

  “I will get word to you. One way or the other,” Michael said, guiding her to the door. He pulled her into his arms and gave her a long, lingering kiss, then opened the door and said, “Now. Go on. Everything will be all right. You'll see. Good will pre
vail. It always does.”

  “I truly hope so, Michael,” Maria said, then moved on down the steps, and through the tall Indian grasses, feeling a heaviness of her heart that she felt might never lift. .. .

  Chapter Eighteen

  For one week now a giant searchlight and its unearthly beam had scanned the wooded area sur-rounding Nathan Hawkins's coal mine, turning night and day. Maria stood at her bedroom window, glad that daybreak had finally come, wondering when the strained silence between Michael and Nathan and his union men would be broken.

  Maria hadn't seen Michael nor her Papa and Alberto for these many nights and days, since Nathan had ordered the electric light wires be strung to his coal mine. He had decided to go all out where the protection of his mine was concerned, having then placed the searchlight halfway up the mine's tipple.

  The beams from the searchlight hadn't only penetrated the tall Indian grasses in the distance, but also the hearts of all the coal miners, having planted the seed of fear too deeply for the words-of Alberto or Michael to permeate. The beams had shown the true force with which Nathan had chosen to act.

  Everyone now knew that Nathan Hawkins meant business, that in no way would he permit the United Mine Workers of America to have any say in the operation of the mine that he had opened with his own hard-earned money those many years ago. The mine was Nathan Hawkins's. The workers .. . were .. . also his. They had been bought and paid for. None had a choice to leave or stay. No one even spoke of such things anymore.

  Sighing resolutely, Maria went to her bed and threw herself atop it. She had done as Michael had suggested. She had feigned illness. Even Mama Pearl had believed her. Maria's stomach seemed to splash continuously with chicken soup and beef broth. She burrowed her head into a pillow, wondering just how much longer she could stand it. There seemed to be so many ways of being a prisoner in America, and she had found .. . them … all.. ..