The Widow of Rose Hill (The Women of Rose Hill Book 2)

by Michelle Shocklee

  Standing alone, her arms wrapped around her waist, Natalie felt helpless. Clinging to the shred of hope that Corporal Banks was wrong and that Levi was safe, she went upstairs, peeking in on Samuel’s sleeping form on her way.

  She closed the door to her room. Her bedcovers were a jumbled mess, but she didn’t tidy them. Instead, she went to the adjoining sitting room and settled on a chair. Though the sun would not rise for another hour or so, a faint lightening to the sky allowed her to make out silhouettes of furniture and small details in the shadowed room.

  She closed her eyes. Was Levi badly injured? Did Alexander have something to do with it? She’d refused to believe it last night when Levi was here, but what if she was wrong? What if her obstinacy drove Levi to do something drastic and dangerous?

  Tears sprang to her eyes. “Please keep him safe.” She sank to her knees, folded her arms on the seat of the chair, and rested her forehead on them. Her tears wet her skin.

  “Father in heaven, forgive me for my stubbornness. I’ve been a selfish woman, always insisting I know best. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to Levi. You know where he is. Please, please, Father, let him be found … alive.”

  Voices.

  Levi gradually became aware of sounds in the distance, but his head was too foggy to focus on what they were saying. Was it Banks and his men looking for him? Should he alert them to his whereabouts?

  Whoever it was continued to draw closer.

  A faint yellow light bounced off the tree branches overhead, flickering and moving as it neared. He blinked. Not sunlight. Stars still twinkled in an inky sky beyond. Ah, torchlight. They had torches to aid them in the dark.

  Thank God.

  He didn’t know how long he’d lain here, but he was so weak, he must have lost a fair amount of blood. If he didn’t receive medical attention soon, he might not make it. He’d seen enough men bleed to death on the battlefields. Joining them was not a pleasant thought.

  A pool of bright light touched the top of the fallen log. Levi took a breath to call to Banks when someone close by said something strange. He couldn’t understand the words. Had the knock on his head been worse than he thought? The man spoke again, and someone responded from a few paces away.

  Levi’s body went cold.

  They were speaking Spanish. Lopez’s men were upon him.

  His heart hammered. Fresh warmth spread across the back of his shoulder. His own fear had caused the blood flow to increase. It didn’t matter, though. The moment they found him lying there, helpless as a newborn, they’d put a bullet in his head.

  The men drew up next to the log. Levi could see the tops of their heads and the flickering flames of their torches. He knew the few branches he’d managed to cover himself with would not be enough to conceal him if they looked closely. The brass buttons on his coat, the white of his shirt. All would be revealed in the light.

  One of the men studied the fallen tree. Levi could see the whites of the man’s eyes as he waved his torch over the log.

  Levi squeezed his own eyes shut, his finger on the trigger of his revolver. He might be able to take down the one man, but what of the others? He didn’t stand a chance once they knew where he was hiding. This was not the end he wanted. He had so much life to live.

  Oh, God! Please …

  After several long moments, the men moved away. The voices faded until only the sounds of night remained.

  Many minutes passed before Levi eased his eyes open. His body trembled as if he were resting in frigid snow. No sign of torchlight remained. As his muscles sagged with relief, he wondered how the fool could have missed him.

  I am your rock, and your fortress, and your deliverer. I am your strength and your shield.

  He stared up at the dark sky for a long moment, stars blinking at him from high in the heavens. The truth of the words swept over him like a warm breeze.

  God had delivered him. He had shielded Levi and kept Lopez’s men from seeing him. It was the only explanation that made sense.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Ebenezer’s barking woke Natalie.

  Morning sunshine filtered in through the sitting room window while a light breeze teased the curtains. She’d fallen asleep with her head on the seat of the chair, praying for Levi. Her neck stiff, she rolled her shoulders before she rose and peeked out the window. The sun was barely over the horizon.

  The dog continued to bark.

  Hope sprang to her soul. Had Levi returned? Was Ebenezer even now welcoming him? She practically flew down the stairs to the front porch, her heart nearly beating out of her chest with joy. But when she raced outside, the man standing in the yard was not Levi.

  “Alexander.” A flood of mixed emotions rolled through her. Was he the friend she’d believed him to be all these months, or was he the thief Levi claimed he was? She noted he looked disheveled, a complete contrast to his normal impeccable appearance. Dust clung to his clothes, and at least one small branch stuck out from the cuff of his pants.

  “Call off your dog before he takes a piece of my leg,” he said, his voice demanding.

  “Ebenezer, come.” The dog quieted, ran up the steps, and sat at her feet.

  Once he was out of immediate danger, Alexander cast a quick glance toward the road then back to her.

  “What brings you to Rose Hill so early?” she asked, unease working its way into her gut.

  “I thought to check on my cattle, but the desire to see you was too strong.” He eyed the dog as he took a few steps forward. “I fear I must return to Mexico for a family matter. I may not be back for several months. However, I could not leave without a proper farewell. I hoped you would do me the honor of accepting my proposal before I depart.” His smile was far from genuine. “To know you will be mine when I return would bring happiness to my heart.”

  He planned to leave Texas. In a hurry. His timing, his early arrival at her home, his disheveled look all confirmed what Levi had said.

  Fear sent her heartbeat racing. She couldn’t let Alexander see the truth in her eyes. She took a step backward. “I’m afraid I’m not quite ready to accept your offer, Alexander. I wish you well on your journey.”

  Her voice trembled, as did her legs. Alexander’s gaze narrowed, and his false smile faded.

  “Let us not pretend, Natalie. I followed the Yankee here last night. I had a suspicion he or the corporal had discovered my unconventional business practices. When I saw him on the road to Rose Hill in the dark, I knew I was correct.”

  She swallowed. “So it’s true. You are a cattle thief.”

  “Yes.” He smiled. “While the stupid Americanos killed each other in the war, they left their women and animals ripe for the taking. My only problem was figuring out where to keep the cattle until we were ready to drive them north.”

  Natalie’s stomach dropped. “What about your ranch? You told me your family had a large spread.”

  His upper lip curled. “My family could never afford to purchase land in Tejas. Our own Mexican government would not give my parents a land grant, as they had given to hundreds of greedy Americans, throwing away what rightfully belongs to me and every other son of Méjico. My father and mother were forced to labor for Texans until they died, broken and poor. I have only been taking back what should have been mine in the first place.”

  The confession stunned her.

  He was not a gentleman rancher. He was a thief and a liar. What a fool she’d been to trust him.

  He chuckled. “Do not feel so bad. You are not the only widow to fall for the ruse.”

  Her surprise must have shown on her face because he laughed all the harder.

  “I have arrangements with quite a few lonely widows, all deeply in love with me and more than willing to let my cattle get fat on their grasses.” His gaze narrowed. “You, however, presented a challenge. My charms did not impress you. I truly thought to court and marry you. Owning Rose Hill and Langford Manor would benefit my business very much.”

  His face gre
w stony. “But then you agreed to let the Union Army camp on your land. The roads are even now crawling with bluecoats looking for the dead body of Colonel Maish.”

  Natalie clutched her heart. “No!”

  Alexander gave a cruel laugh. “So, you have fallen in love with him, eh? That is a shame. I shot him last night. I suspect the buzzards have found him by now.” He sighed. “We could have built an empire together, you and I. But now those plans are ruined. I will have to live out my days in Méjico with the fortune I have acquired from selling stolen Confederate cattle to the Yankees. But before I go”—his eyes raked her up and down—“I have come to take what is mine.”

  She could taste the fear in her throat. “Leave, Alexander.” She backed toward the door behind her.

  He started up the steps. “Do not flatter yourself, Natalie. What I want are the jewels I know you possess. Now that I can’t sell the herd of cattle I have grazing in your pastures, I want compensation in whatever form I can get.” He reached the top of the steps as Natalie lunged for the door.

  Alexander grabbed her arm and dragged her away from the entry.

  “Let go of me!” She struggled, but he wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her against him. His fingers spread over her belly, kneading her in an intimate way.

  “Perhaps I will change my mind and take you with me,” he whispered in her ear. His hot breath sent chills of panic coursing through her. “I will need comfort on the long journey to Mexico.”

  Before she could scream for help, a fierce snarl brought both of their heads around. Ebenezer leaped into the air, teeth bared. The dog’s jaw clamped down on Alexander’s arm, and he cried out. Natalie broke free of his grasp and stumbled away. While Alexander pummeled the dog with his other hand, she searched the porch for something, anything, to use as a weapon.

  “Hold it right there, mister!”

  Carolina appeared in the open doorway. She held a rifle pointed at Alexander.

  “Ebenezer, come,” Natalie said. The dog released Alexander’s arm and came to her, panting but wagging his tail. Blood smeared the fur on his face, but she didn’t know if it was his own or Alexander’s. She knelt and hugged the dear animal.

  “What you want me to do with this varmint, Miz Natalie? Put a hole through him?” Carolina’s unwavering eyes were perfectly serious.

  “No.” Natalie stood and looked at Alexander, bleeding and fearful as he stared at Carolina. With only women on the plantation, Natalie couldn’t risk someone getting injured if they tried to detain the thief until Corporal Banks or Moses returned. Besides, as Alexander himself said, Union soldiers weren’t far. Surely they would find him. “Leave, Alexander. Go. And don’t ever come back.”

  Tucking his injured arm against his ribs, he gave her one last scornful look and descended the steps. Ebenezer let out a deep growl, and the man hastened his pace. He mounted his horse and raced out of the yard without a backward glance.

  As soon as he rode out of sight, Natalie released a sob of relief.

  “Good riddance,” Carolina said, lowering the weapon.

  Natalie met her gaze. “You were so brave.”

  Carolina shrugged. “Ain’t hard to be brave when someone you care ’bout in danger.”

  Tears sprang to Natalie’s eyes, and before she realized what she was doing, she rushed over and put her arms around Carolina in a fierce hug. “You saved my life.” She pulled away to find a startled Carolina. “You and Ebenezer.”

  “I guess I’m mighty glad I come on out here to see why that dog carryin’ on like he was.” She grinned. “Don’t know that I ever been hugged by a white woman.”

  Natalie sobered. “Alexander said he shot Colonel Maish last night.”

  Carolina frowned. “Best I tell Harriet so’s she can get bandages ready and hot water on.”

  The servant headed in the direction of the kitchen. Natalie sat on the step and motioned Ebenezer over. With her arm around the dog’s neck, she closed her eyes.

  “He can’t be dead, Ebenezer,” she whispered into his fur, the ache in her heart growing. “He can’t be dead.”

  A ray of sunshine poked through the branches overhead and hit Levi squarely in the face.

  He opened one eye and squinted at the brightness. Judging by the position of the sun, it was midmorning. He must have dozed off again. He whispered his thanks to God that he was still alive.

  What should he do now? One thing was certain. He had to get off this ground and back to camp somehow. Yet the thought of moving, let alone walking, caused a wave of nausea to roll through him. With the amount of blood he’d lost, he wondered if he’d be able to find his way back. His predicament bordered on impossible.

  Another of Ma’s favorite verses floated through his mind. With God all things are possible. All things. Even rescue from a bullet-shot shoulder and a murdering cattle thief.

  Breathing another prayer, he closed his eyes again, unable to fight the heavy drowsiness that hung over him. Waiting seemed the best—and only—course of action for him to take just now.

  “Colonel Maish? You out here, suh?”

  Levi woke with a start. The sun was higher in the sky.

  “Colonel Maish?”

  Was that Moses?

  “Over here.” His raspy voice didn’t carry far. “Over here,” he tried again, louder. He lifted his good arm into the air.

  A rustling sound came closer. Moses’ dark face appeared over the top of the log a moment later.

  “Colonel! We’s been lookin’ for you.”

  Levi chuckled then grimaced at the pain it created. “I’ve been right here, waiting for you to find me.”

  “You hurt bad?”

  “Gunshot. In the shoulder.” He rubbed a spot on the back of his head that felt as big as a boulder. “Guess I hit my head on my way to the ground, too.”

  “We get you outta here right quick.” Moses stood, turned, and called out, “He over here! He over here! Bring that wagon up, Wash!”

  Activity sprang up around Levi. Soldiers and field hands all took a peek over the log while the wagon was brought in. Corporal Banks arrived and barked orders like a general.

  He peered over the log. “It sure is good to see you, sir.” Emotion hung heavy on each word.

  “It’s good to be seen,” Levi said.

  When they lifted him, the pain that rolled through his body sent sparks flying behind his eyes. Groaning as they put him in the back of the wagon, he tried to hang on to consciousness. He needed to tell them about Lopez.

  “We take you to Rose Hill, Colonel,” Moses’ voice told him. “It be the closest.”

  He couldn’t answer as blackness edged out the light.

  “When is the co’nel gonna wake up, Mama?”

  Natalie sat on the porch swing with Samuel on her lap, enjoying the rain-soaked breeze following a brief shower that had rolled through earlier. Supper dishes were clean and put away, and their beds were calling to them after such an eventful day.

  “I don’t know.” She tightened her arms around him. “We have to keep praying for him. The army doctor said the bump on his head is making him sleepy, but hopefully he’ll be fine in a few days.”

  She fervently hoped so. Seeing Levi bloody and unconscious when they brought him in was terrifying. Banks and Harriet set to work on him as soon as the wagon stopped, although they’d sent for the Union doctor as well. Levi now lay in a bed in the bachelor’s quarters, his head and shoulder swathed in bandages. He had yet to regain consciousness. The doctor said it could be days before he was aware of his surroundings. Moses volunteered to sit with him and tend his needs so the soldiers could carry on with their duties.

  Samuel yawned.

  “Time for bed, my love.” She stood with him in her arms. He wrapped his spindly arms and legs around her and rested his head on her shoulder.

  “I like the co’nel,” he said, sleepily.

  “I do too,” she whispered into his hair.

  With her son tucked in f
or the night, Natalie knew she should retire to her rooms, as exhausted as she felt. But she longed to see Levi. She’d only caught glimpses of him since they’d brought him in.

  She exited the house by the back door. A dim light glimmered in the open windows of the one-story building. The two soldiers who’d bunked there had moved into a tent by the slave quarter— the servants’ quarter, she corrected herself—to afford Levi some privacy to recuperate.

  Carolina’s high voice came from the open kitchen doorway, followed by Corporal Banks’ even tone. Harriet’s deep hum soon joined them. With the aroma of strong coffee drifting out the doorway, Natalie suspected they would all be up for many hours, awaiting word on Levi’s condition.

  She tiptoed across the grass that separated the bachelor’s quarters from the house and peeked through the window. Moses sat in a chair next to Levi’s bed. Although it was improper for her to be there, she continued to the door. With a soft knock, she opened it and peeked inside.

  Moses smiled. “Miz Natalie.” She noted his Bible lay in his lap, open.

  “How is he?” She kept her voice low, glancing at Levi’s pale face.

  “Still sleepin’, but he breathin’ easier, seems.”

  That was something. She stepped inside the room, feeling awkward and out of place but needing to see him for herself.

  Moses stood. “Why don’t you come sit a spell with him? I could use me a break.”

  The offer was tempting. “I don’t know that I should. It isn’t proper.”

  “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with sittin’ at a sick bed,” he said, a knowing look in his eyes, “’specially when it someone you care ’bout. Maybe you could read some o’ this here book to him.” He held up the Bible. “I be back in a bit after I has me some coffee and stretch a bit befo’ we all settle in for the night.”