Duke closed his jaws and plodded back to a shady spot near the cabin.
Reaching the yard, Jackson caught sight of Lily and reined in his mount. He tipped his tricorn with a cocky grin. “You’re lookin’ purtier than a spring mornin’, Miss Lily.”
“Thank you.” She kept her tone polite.
In one fluid motion, he swung his leg over the saddle and came down from the horse. A tiny cloud of dust puffed out as his boots made contact with the ground. Lily couldn’t deny he was a rather good-looking young man. Months in the military had honed his formerly flabby build into one more trim and muscled. The forest-green waistcoat he wore over copper britches complemented his brown eyes, and his dark brown hair was neatly slicked back into a queue.
This was not a lad who needed mothering, like Robby. Fact was, Lily always felt in need of a mother herself whenever Jackson came close, for a chaperone. It was not a feeling she particularly appreciated, but if she had any hope of staying near the Waldon children after November, she’d do well to consider at least one of those young men as a potential suitor.
Jackson strode with assurance toward the porch. “Thought I’d come a little early, in case you needed help settin’ up.”
“How thoughtful.” Lily tilted her head with a little smile. “However, everything’s ready.”
Matthew and Luke came outside just then.
The visitor eyed them up and down and laughed. “The three of you thinkin’ on goin’ huntin’ before church?”
Suddenly remembering the musket she held, Lily smiled with chagrin.
Matt didn’t seem inclined to share their mirth as he moved up beside her. “A body never knows what kinda varmint might come ridin’ in.”
“Right.” Luke came to her other side. “Never can tell.”
Lily didn’t dare laugh. To think mere seconds ago she’d imagined needing a mother, when she had Matt and Luke around to protect her!
Undaunted, Jackson and his grin didn’t lose any luster. He raised his hands, palms open. “No worries here, boys. I’m harmless.”
“We’ll see,” Matt muttered.
Again, Lily felt like laughing. How would she ever be able to choose between her suitors with those boys making sure she was never left alone? Throughout Robby’s visit last eve, both of them stayed glued to her side, unsmiling, listening to every word that came out of the young man’s mouth.
She switched her attention to Dunlap. “Would you care to join us, Jackson? We were about to enjoy a cup of tea on the porch while we wait for the others.” Anything to keep him seated and his hands occupied.
“Be my pleasure.”
Once she had served them from the worktable, she led the way past the rows of benches and out to the porch. Matt and Luke dodged rudely past her, leaping over curious Duke, to take seats that would separate Jackson from her.
He outwitted them. As Lily took the chair at the far end, he picked up an empty chair and hefted it with one hand while juggling his tea in the other. He set it down facing her.
Matt’s eyes narrowed to slits.
Lily cut him a stern glance then turned to their visitor. “Lovely morning, is it not?”
“Aye.” He leaned forward. “Almost as lovely as yourself. Some people admire a gal who stays inside to keep her skin lily-white, but I’m kinda partial to the way that sun-kissed skin of yours makes your eyes look all the purtier.”
Matt tucked his chin with a grunt of disgust.
Lily hoped Jackson didn’t notice. “Such flattery.” She smiled and sipped her tea.
“No such thing,” he said, seemingly unfazed by the scowling boys. “I’ve long since admired you an’ all you done to keep this place goin.’”
“Well, Matt and Luke have been a tremendous help.” She glanced at her young chaperones, sitting rigid on the edge of their seats, their tea obviously forgotten.
“Mebbe. But you’re gonna make one fine settler’s wife.” His jovial smile didn’t diminish a fraction. “Oh, I plumb forgot. Y’all are invited to a cabin raisin’ at our place Saturday after next.”
“You’re adding rooms to your place?”
“No.” He cleared his throat, sidling a bit closer. “I been thinkin’ for some time now on havin’ my own place. I chose myself a real nice spot. Purt’ near flat with a couple a big maple trees to shade the porch on summer afternoons.”
“That does sound pleasant.” Lily kept her tone light, but was beginning to feel like prey. Jackson was definitely a man on the hunt. He was already building a house to bring his bride to. To bring her to.
“You prob’ly know that spot betwixt this place an’ ours, where the crick makes that half-moon bend an’ there’s that nice sandy beach? That’s where I’m gonna build.”
Duke lunged to his feet, his tail wagging, and Lily began to detect the faint rattles and creaks of approaching wagons.
Matt, too, sprang up from his chair, sloshing untouched tea onto the porch boards. “Folks are comin’. It’s about time.” Luke stood and stretched to peer toward the wagon trail.
Expecting the pair to follow the dog out to greet their new guests, as always, Lily was surprised when they both sat back down and resumed glaring at Jackson with thunderous faces.
Jackson rushed back into his topic. “Like I was sayin’, that’s where my place’ll be, betwixt my folks’ and this one.” His dark eyes sparked as he met Lily’s, as if gauging her reaction.
She knew he wanted a response. “That’s quite near your property marker, is it not? That’s a really nice spot.” Averting her gaze, she rose. “I’d better go greet the neighbors.”
He got up and followed close behind her. She sensed the young man hoped his decision to build a place of his own would be far more enticing to her than the thought of living with Robby’s family among that big brood of Randall children. She’d heard John say more than once the reason their father joined the militia was to get a little peace.
But was Jackson Dunlap the Lord’s choice for her? She’d prayed that God would redirect her affections away from John Waldon. Perhaps this was His way of allowing her to stay within easy walking distance of the children after John returned.
On the other hand, could she ever be a proper wife to Jackson Dunlap when all the while she yearned for a man who lived a mere ten-minute walk away?
Chapter 23
A cool breeze wafted by as John sat among the rows of benches at the fort, waiting for the church service to begin. He mentally reviewed his arrival the night before, when he, Nate, and the longhunters rode in and reported for duty. John had informed Captain Busse about the Indians’ change of tactics, how the war party had broken up into small raiding groups that swooped in on vulnerable cabins, then moved quickly on to others.
The commander found the news disturbing. The timing could not have been worse. Farmers needed to be on their properties to harvest their crops and preserve food for the winter. Cognizant of that need, he ordered Hap Reynolds and Virgil Stewart to leave the fort as soon as they were rested and ride through the settlements to instruct people to seek shelter at their fortifications. Armed work parties would then be sent out to take care of the harvest.
Glancing around the orderly grounds, John wondered how safe this fort was at the moment. Less than a quarter of the garrison remained here. Half of the militiamen had yet to return from Fort Augusta, and those John had roved with had not come back yet. Would this fortification, understaffed as it was, withstand a serious assault?
The bench jolted as Bob Randall dropped down beside him. “I sure appreciate you stoppin’ by my place on your way here, lettin’ my family know I was safe at the fort and not out rovin’.”
John chuckled at his bearded neighbor. “With you on guard duty last night, I couldn’t go into detail. After I fought my way through that herd of youngsters of yours and found Edith, she didn’t look too pleased to hear you were just sitting around out here.”
“You don’t say.” A frown knitted Bob’s thick brows. “I thoug
ht she’d be glad to know I wasn’t in danger.”
“Hardly. If anything, she’s jealous. She said it’s high time you came home and started helping out instead of lazing around at the fort. She feels Robby’s old enough to take your place.”
His friend gave a sheepish grin, but his eyes retained a spark. “Sounded put out, did she? Well, if them raidin’ parties ain’t left the Swatara by the time our rovers report back in, I may have to do what she wants. ’Course, with the Dunlap boys home now, I can’t see as how Robby’d want to give up the courtin’ field to them two. From what Edith wrote in her last letter, he’s set on marryin’ your Lily.”
John barely had time to assimilate that disconcerting news before the chaplain’s voice issued from the front of the sparse gathering.
“Let us open with prayer.”
Since Bob had hit a sore spot, John heard hardly a word of the chaplain’s prayer. Thoughts of Robby and those pushy Dunlap brothers nagged at him. He had no right to feel possessive, but what did any of them have to offer a gently bred and educated young lady such as Lily? If he, a man born and educated in Philadelphia, couldn’t have her, why should those young jackanapes have a chance with her? As her long-time employer, he deeply appreciated the years of unselfish labor she’d provided as Susan’s caretaker and second mother to his children. He couldn’t justify taking advantage of her sacrificial goodness that way any longer, not when she could do much better. She deserved the best. She must go to Mariah’s.
With the chaplain’s voice droning steadily in the background, John caught himself sighing. If he never had anything else, at least there was one memory he’d always treasure. Lily’s beautiful image filled his mind as he reflected on that one astonishingly wonderful moment when he’d kissed her and she’d melted into him. Even now he recalled the sweet taste of her soft lips, the look of complete adoration in those gorgeous eyes, and his heart ached with yearning. But he knew that stolen moment of bliss was all they would ever have. His breath came out on a ragged rush of air, his shoulders sagged, and he closed his eyes.
“Oh, marvelous.” Lily stepped around Jackson. “It’s the MacBrides. I need to speak with Mr. MacBride.”
“I’ll go with you.” Dunlap followed her off the porch.
Matt and Luke fell right in behind him, not missing a step.
Before the older man reined the team to a stop, Lily intercepted the wagon. “So nice to see you all.” She included the entire family in her smiling greeting and added an extra wave for Maggie MacBride’s namesake, little Margaret Rose, whose infectious grin displayed every one of her tiny teeth. “Hop down, and my boys will help Michael unhitch the horses. You’ll be staying the whole day, will you not?”
Patrick’s wife, Agnes, handed the toddler down to Lily, her hazel eyes shining. “We sure are. I want to hear all about Philadelphia.” She tucked a strand of auburn hair her daughter had tugged free back into place beneath her lace-edged bonnet.
Moving from behind Lily as she set the wiggling tot on her feet, Jackson surprised her by helping Agnes down. Lily had never thought of him having gentlemanly tendencies, and wondered if the two years he’d spent in the militia had matured him more than she realized.
While he reached up to lift the older Maggie out of the wagon, Lily circled to the back, where Ian MacBride was helping his brunette granddaughters, Judy and Anna. Their brothers had already jumped off. Lily relinquished Margaret Rose to big sister Judy then met the elder’s gaze. “If you have a moment, I’d like a private word with you.”
He set twelve-year-old Anna on her feet and turned. “Lead the way, lass.”
Much to her dismay, Jackson chose that moment to join them. She managed a polite smile. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak to the pastor a moment.”
A frown furrowed his solid features. “If there’s somethin’ you need, I’d be happy to—”
She stilled him with a hand on his arm. “It’s kind of you to offer, Jackson, but my question is of a theological nature.”
He looked puzzled.
“About somethin’ in the Bible,” Mr. MacBride clarified.
“Oh.” Somewhat stunned, the young man backed away, then quickly recouped. “After, would you do me the honor of sittin’ with me durin’ the service?”
Lily had little choice. “Yes. Thank you for your kind invitation. Now, if you’ll excuse us…”
Knowing no one else would venture into Susan’s room, Lily invited the pastor there for their conversation and gestured toward the chair. “Please, have a seat.” She then sat on the bed across from it.
He sat down and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Did some problem arise while ye were away, lass?”
“No. Yes. Well, not exactly.” Lily felt heat rising to her cheeks under his scrutiny. “Matt asked me a question I was unable to answer, and it’s been bothering me.” She hesitated and gave careful consideration to her next words. “As you know, our family has had a number of, shall we say, trying events this summer.”
“Aye. Ye have. We’ve been keepin’ yer family in our evenin’ prayers.”
Lily smiled inwardly at the pleasant sound of r’s rolling from the Scot’s tongue. “I do thank you. We appreciate your prayers, truly we do. But in a way, my question has to do with that very subject.”
“How do ye mean, child?”
“I was telling Matthew how God answered my prayers at the time a party of Indians crossed my path only a few feet from where I was hiding. They didn’t notice my tracks, even though they crossed right over them. It was as if the Lord had blinded them momentarily.”
The elder’s face beamed as he straightened in the chair. “That’s wonderful news. It had to be the hand of the Almighty protectin’ ye.”
“I thought so, too.” Lily paused and moistened her lips. “But then Matt made a very disturbing point. We—all of us—prayed for Susan’s healing for years. And the parents of those little boys in Palmyra who were captured most likely had prayed for their children’s safety, as well. But it would appear all those prayers were for naught.”
Clasping his big hands together, MacBride dipped his head with a solemn nod. “I can see where you and the lad might have a problem. For now, I’ll just say the Bible tells us that it rains on the just as well as the unjust. This life isna’ so much about what happens to us as it is about how we choose to respond. Then, so’s we dunna’ get too discouraged, God gifts us with a little miracle every now an’ then, like he done for you. But now that ye’ve mentioned it, I’ll study up on prayer an’ do a whole sermon on that subject next week, if ye like. Point ye toward some scriptures that’ll help.”
“That would be most appreciated.” She rose from the bed. “Life is really a lot harder than I thought when I was a little girl. I think my papa and older sister sheltered me from most of what went on.”
“That’s what we parents always want to do for our children. Ye’d be surprised how often the good Lord shelters each of His children—most of the time without us even noticin’.” He stood up. “Well, lass, if ye dunna mind, I’d like to stay here a wee moment longer an’ go over me thoughts for this mornin’.”
“Not at all.” Lily smiled. “By the by, have I ever told you how very much I appreciate you and your dear family?”
“Now and again, but it’s always good to hear.” He gave her a jovial wink.
Lily found Jackson and Robby waiting outside the bedchamber when she came out. Both stood rigid and humorless.
“Good morning, Robby.” She peered past him to the open front door. “Your family’s not with you?”
He edged a step ahead of Jackson. “No. They won’t leave till the twins stop fussin’ with their hair. Donald’ll be drivin’ ’em when they do come. Could I help you with somethin’?”
Jackson nudged him aside slightly. “I already asked her. She don’t need nothin’.”
“She might not need help, but I do.” Agnes MacBride’s voice came from the hearth, as she and Maggie p
laced their food offerings in front of the fire to keep them warm. Agnes straightened and plucked a covered bowl from the worktable. “If you wouldn’t mind, Robby, I need you to tote this down to the springhouse to keep cool till we eat.”
The lad shot Lily a wounded look, then turned to Agnes. “Glad to.”
As he followed her bidding, Lily caught a sparkle of triumph in Jackson’s dark eyes.
“And Jackson,” Maggie said, “if you plan on stayin’ here with the rest of us, you might wanna put that horse of yours away. He’s just wanderin’ around out there.”
The gleam in his eye dimmed considerably. Jaw muscles working, he gave Lily a slight bow. “Be back directly.” He pivoted on his heel and hastened outside.
Snickers sputtered into laughter as soon as the door closed behind him. Lily couldn’t help but join in with the MacBride women.
Maggie untied her apron and slipped it off. “Methinks maybe me an’ Eva Shepard better start takin’ turns stayin’ here for a while again. I’ll have Ian go home an’ fetch some of my things afore the shootin’ starts.”
“Shooting?” A chill skittered along Lily’s spine. “Have Indians been sighted?”
The older woman snorted. “Not that kind of shootin’. I’m talking about them two bucks out there. With Jackson home, I need to be here to see him an’ Robby don’t kill each other off. An’ Frank. Ian said somethin’ about him helpin’ out them Dutch folk over to the Palmyra settlement for a few days. When he comes home, there’ll be three of ’em trippin’ over each other’s feet to win your attention.”
Lily’s cheeks turned scarlet with embarrassment.
“Mayhap Frank won’t be a problem.” Agnes took Maggie’s discarded apron and hung it over Lily’s on the hook. “I heared tell Frank took a fancy to a young gal over that way. But then, I can’t imagine that lastin’ very long, with them not bein’ able to talk to each other. They don’t speak the same language.”
The old woman gave her daughter-in-law a hug. “Agnes, girl, don’t you know young folks spoonin’ don’t need to talk much? They say it all with their eyes. The eyes is what you gotta watch.”
Daughters of Harwood House Trilogy : Three Romances Tell the Saga of Sisters Sold into Indentured Service (9781630586140) Page 82
