Secrets of the Heart

by Vickie McDonough

  Another image of him and Hannah hiding out in the hayloft while Jamie, Kit, and Michael searched for them rushed through his mind. His heart lurched as he remembered Hannah’s sparkling eyes and mischievous grin the day she picked up an old, dried horse flop and lobbed it at Michael’s head.

  For a moment, Cooper wished he’d never regained his memory; then he and Hannah might have had a chance to be together. But who would have rescued his friends? He couldn’t let them suffer, not as long as it was within his power to stop it, and besides, he would never have been satisfied not knowing the truth about himself. Yet now that he knew, how could he live with the pain of reality?

  Cooper’s thoughts drifted back to when Hannah had found him in the barn. It amazed him that he hadn’t remembered her the first time he saw her. But then, she had changed—a lot. She had only been a slip of a girl about thirteen when he left. He could remember the tears in her eyes the day he rode away with his father.

  He reined Honey to a stop in front of the Madisons’ home. A tall, broad-shouldered man who looked to be in his early fifties, moseyed out the front door of the house. The man looked at him and touched the end of his hat. “Good day, stranger. Welcome to Madison Gardens.”

  “Mr. Madison?” Coop dismounted but didn’t approach Hannah’s father.

  “Yes, I’m Richard Madison. Have we met before?”

  “Yes, sir, but it’s been a long time. I’m Cooper Reed.”

  “Cooper?” The man’s mouth fell open. “Well, I’ll be a hog’s uncle. We all thought you were dead.” Richard jogged down the steps, clapped him on the shoulders, and looked him over. “What happened to you? Where have you been?” He yanked Cooper into a hug that made his sides ache. Richard stepped back and shook his head. “Your folks sure must be relieved to know you’re all right.” He looked past Cooper. “Where are they? Back at Reed Springs? Caroline had hoped your mother would stop by here first, but I suppose they were anxious to get home after being away for so long.”

  Cooper tied the horse to a hitching post. “I haven’t seen my parents since they visited me several years ago in England. I just came from Reed Springs, and they aren’t there.”

  Richard pursed his lips. “They’ll be home soon. Caroline got a letter from your mother. So. . .what happened to you? Did you know your parents have been in England, searching for you?” He chuckled and shook his head. “Won’t they get the surprise of their lives.” Then he scowled. “You’ve worried your family, son. You should have let them know you were alive and in America.”

  “I couldn’t, sir. I ran into some trouble.” Cooper shook his head. “I was abducted along with some friends back in England and forced to work on a British ship the past six months. I have to get to Charleston. There’s a British ship in the harbor that has Americans aboard who’ve been forced to work for the British. There’s a Mr. Sutherland who poses as a local businessman.”

  “Poses?” Richard stiffened at the mention of the name. “I know Arlis Sutherland. His daughter was just here. She’s a good friend of Hannah’s. Your father and I have talked about Sutherland on more than one occasion. Always thought there was something nefarious about the man.”

  “Could I borrow a horse, sir? This one I took from home is too old to make the journey to Charleston.” Cooper flicked his hand back toward Honey.

  “Of course.” Richard nodded.

  “Thanks. You suppose you or Michael could ride with me? I had a run-in with some men. They were after this.” Cooper handed Mr. Madison the document showing Arlis Sutherland had paid the three men for capturing any number of Americans and then forcing them into service on various British ships. “I figure they’re still on the lookout for me.”

  Richard Madison adjusted his spectacles, studied the document, then looked off in the distance for a moment before his gaze returned to Cooper. “That’s a good idea. I’ll send Michael along with you, and you can take Johnny, one of my workers. He’s a good shot.”

  Cooper followed Richard to the barn. His concern for Hannah clouded his reunion with his old buddy, Michael. During the hour it took to prepare the horses and stock up on food, water, and weapons, Cooper kept watching for Hannah, wishing she’d return home. He’d wanted nothing more than to charge after her, take her in his arms, and comfort her, but he had no right to do so. The deep, twisting pain knifed his insides again.

  Hannah wasn’t his to love.

  She belonged to his brother.

  Sixteen

  “Simeon, please pull over. I’d like a few moments to walk by the creek.”

  The buggy slowed, then stopped. Simeon hurried down from his seat and helped Hannah to step out.

  “I won’t be long. I just need some time to walk and think. In fact, you can go on back to Reed Springs and wait for Chesny. We’re close enough to home that I can make it on my own from here.” Hannah turned and walked toward the creek, eager to be alone.

  “Miz Hannah, Chesny wouldn’t be too happy if’n I was to leave you all alone.”

  “I’ll be fine, Simeon.”

  He crossed his arms over his thin chest and leaned back against one of the buggy wheels. “You go on and take yo’ walk, but I be waitin’ right here when yo’ done.”

  Hannah blew out a frustrated breath and nodded. He was just trying to protect her, and that should make her feel good, but it didn’t. There was only one man she wanted watching over her other than her father, and that was Cooper. But it didn’t look as if that would be happening.

  Her lower lip quivered. She felt exhausted, as if every shred of hope had left her. Why did she have to be the one to find Cooper? She was content to marry Jamie and hadn’t questioned her arranged marriage until Ruthie came and started asking her about it and then Cooper came and stole her heart. She could have gone ahead and married Jamie and been happy, even though she didn’t love him. But now that she had experienced falling in love, how could she follow through with the wedding?

  She swiped her burning eyes. Pebbles crunched against her shoes, and she stopped right at the water’s edge. It lapped gently against the rocks, making a soft gurgling sound. If only she were as peaceful, but instead, a war raged inside her. Hannah picked up a rock and tossed it in, feeling a bit victorious for disturbing the quiet and creating concentric circles rippling through the water. She threw in another one.

  Would her mother listen to reason if Hannah explained about her love for Cooper? No, her mother was tenacious—like an alligator with its prey. Once she snagged onto an idea, there was no changing her mind. The idea for Hannah and Jamie to wed had long ago taken root in her mother’s plans—and those roots ran as deep as a hickory tree’s. Even if she worked up her nerve to tell her mother, Cooper had made it clear that he wouldn’t stand in the way of his brother’s marriage—no matter what it cost him.

  Fresh tears stung her eyes. She clamped her lips together, imprisoning a sob.

  Dear God, is this my fault because I’m weak? I don’t understand. Father, I don’t know what to do. She buried her face in her hands.

  Hannah heard the sudden sound of boots scuffling on the pebbles behind her. Cooper! He’d come after her. She wiped the tears from her face and spun around. She sucked in a gasp, as a shiver of panic snaked down her spine. She stood face-to-face with two of the men who’d confronted her before.

  The small man gawked at her like she was a huge steak he was ready to devour. He stepped forward, grabbing her upper arms.

  “What are you doing? Let me go!” Twisting and jerking, she fought against the strong hands that held her captive. One of her arms broke free, but the other man grabbed hold of it.

  The small, filthy man with rancid breath nestled up against her cheek, pricking her skin with his stubble. “Now you jes’ hush up, missy, and stop yer strugglin’. Me and Sam’s gonna take good care of you.”

  Sam. That name was familiar. Jerking her face away from his, she stared at the taller man and recognized his bushy moustache. “What do you want? My father will have
your head if you don’t let me go.”

  “Yer daddy don’t scare us none, little lady,” Sam growled.

  “Maybe we can get the kid to swap this little gal fer that information he’s got and get us a ransom out of ol’ man Madison to boot.” The sleazy man grinned and stroked his weak chin as if he were seeing hundreds of dollars coming his way.

  Swap her? For the kid’s information? What kid?

  These were definitely the same men who were looking for Cooper, so he must be “the kid.” Suddenly, it all made sense. They were searching for the documents he had that proved he’d been kidnapped. Somehow she had to warn him, but how could she get away from these ruffians? Simeon would help her, but if she cried out to him, her captors might shoot him. And what would they do to her? Her whole body started shaking as if she’d gotten lost in a blizzard.

  “Relax, girl, nothin’s gonna happen to you unless that Reed kid won’t cooperate. We’re just gonna take a little ride and get all of this sorted out.” Sam motioned toward his horse with his head. “Get the rope, Jeeter.”

  Hannah clenched her eyes shut. A fear unlike any she’d ever known bore into the pit of her stomach. Her family would be distraught when she didn’t return home before dark. They would all be out looking for her.

  Jeeter let go of her, but Sam grabbed her around the waist with a grip as tight as iron shackles.

  Moments later, the bony bandit returned with a rope. “Stick out yer hands, missy. I jes want t’ be sure you don’t wander off.” He ogled her face as he wrapped the prickly rope around her wrists, and his beady eyes lingered on her lips, then his gaze roved down to her chest. He licked his lips and looked up at her with a wicked grin. Her heart stopped.

  “Maybe me and you’ll have some fun later on tonight.”

  A wave of nausea churned in Hannah’s stomach. A measure of fear she’d never known clung to her like burrs on stockings. The world started swaying. Suddenly Sam scooped her up and tossed her onto the back of one of the horses. He took the other end of the rope that bound her hands and tied it to the saddle horn. Then he turned around to the other man. “Jeeter, you fool. You touch this gal, and I’ll kill you myself.”

  “Aw, cain’t a man have a little fun?”

  “Not with this gal.”

  Hannah’s hopes rose ever so slightly. Perhaps God had sent Sam to watch out for her. Thank You, Lord, for protecting me from that vile man. Give me courage. Please, God, help me to figure out some way to escape, and protect Cooper from these men who mean to do him harm.

  A short while later, as they approached the Reeds’ house, the leader of the trio of outlaws rode toward them. Hannah could tell by his expression that he wasn’t in a pleasant mood.

  “The kid lit out of here like the barn was on fire,” he said, jerking his mount to a quick halt. “I followed him over to the Madisons’. He talked with ol’ man Madison; then he and two others rode out like they was headed toward Charleston. C’mon, we gotta try and catch up to ’em.”

  He kicked his mount hard in the sides with his heels, and the big horse bolted forward. Jeeter rode off after him, leaving a dusty cloud in his wake. Hannah grabbed the saddle horn as Sam clucked to his horse.

  That evening, they approached the outskirts of Charleston. Hoping for a chance to escape, Hannah stayed awake the whole day, waiting and watching for the perfect moment. They took back roads and trails, hugging groupings of trees that afforded cover. They rode into a part of Charleston that Hannah had never been to before.

  “You two get her out of sight. I’m riding over to update Mr. S. on what all’s happened.” Boss rode off in another direction.

  Sam and Jeeter stopped in a rank-smelling alley. Sam slid off the back of his horse, then pulled her down. He tugged her into a dirty building and shoved her into a small, dark room. Then he pulled a filthy kerchief from around his neck and gagged her.

  “You keep quiet, or I’ll let Jeeter in, you hear?”

  Hannah nodded, fighting the urge to retch from the nasty cloth in her mouth. The door shut, taking the light with it, and she stood in the dark. All alone.

  She backed up to a chair she’d noticed just before the door shut and lowered herself into it. The foul-smelling room must be used for storage. There were no windows, and she’d noticed a stack of crates along the far wall. But now, in the dark of night, she couldn’t see a thing.

  Desperate concern for Cooper buffeted her. She felt as if her prayers weren’t reaching past the ceiling. Before long, exhaustion won out over her fear and discomfort, and Hannah turned sideways in the chair, laid her head against its back, and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of a daring rescue by the man she loved.

  ❧

  The sensation of falling jolted Hannah awake. She shoved one leg forward and caught herself before she tumbled to the floor. Staring in the inky blackness, she shook her head, trying to get her sleep-laden mind to focus on her surroundings. The horrors of the evening came rushing back. What had her family done when she hadn’t returned home? Were they out searching for her even now? Was Cooper?

  Her heart ached at the very thought of him.

  She might never see him again unless she got free of this place. The nasty neckerchief that had been crammed halfway down her throat to ensure her silence bit into the corners of her mouth. She lifted her hands and tried to work it free. Her shoulder muscles cramped from her wrists being bound so tightly that she could barely move.

  Her nostrils flared as she labored to breathe through her nose. A strong odor assaulted her senses. At times she thought sure she wouldn’t get enough air and would suffocate. Hannah leaned her head back against the rough chair and closed her eyes. Relax. Panicking won’t help. Slowly, her breathing returned to a normal tempo.

  As her physical struggles lessened, the events of the past two days came rushing back like a flash flood. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut as the familiar burning sensation returned. Oh Adam. No, not Adam—he’s Cooper Reed. Stubborn Cooper, who won’t stand against his brother.

  If he loved her as much as he said, how could he refuse to put a halt to her wedding? Why did she have to fall in love with Cooper and not Jamie?

  Hannah twisted her head sideways to wipe her tears on her shoulder. Was it only this morning that her world had suddenly collapsed?

  ❧

  “You’re knocking on the door of your own home?” Michael cast a sideways glance at Cooper.

  “I haven’t been home in over seven years. It doesn’t seem right to enter without permission.” With a tight fist, Cooper pounded on the door of his family’s Charleston home again.

  Darkness had set in, and the bells of St. Michael’s church rang, heralding the nine o’clock hour. Several Negros jogged down the street in their effort to get home before curfew. The latch jiggled and then the door opened, revealing a man about Cooper’s age—a man he hadn’t seen before. He had hoped for someone who knew him.

  “May I help you, gentlemen?” The servant eyed Cooper and the other men, but his gaze latched on to Cooper. Did the man perchance notice his resemblance to his father?

  “We need to see Lucas Reed, sir. Posthaste.”

  The servant’s chin lifted. “Mr. Reed does not normally receive guests at this late hour.”

  “Well, he’ll see us. This is his—”

  Cooper elbowed Michael in the side. “Please tell him that Michael Madison, son of Richard Madison, is here to see him. I believe he will welcome the visit.”

  The servant obviously recognized the name even though he didn’t seem to know Michael on sight. He nodded and held out his hand, indicating for them to enter. They did so, and the servant closed the door. “Please wait here, gentlemen.”

  Cooper covered his mouth to hide his yawn as he watched the doorman ascend the stairs. Was his old room still the same—the bed just as comfortable? He, Michael, and Johnny had ridden all day in order to arrive before dark, but before they could retire for the night, some serious business needed to be tended to.
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  Michael leaned sideways. “Why’d you punch me? I was just going to tell him you live here.”

  “They think me dead. I want my presence to be a surprise.”

  “Well, they’re about to get one—a pleasant one, I would venture.” Michael tugged Johnny forward. “Stand in front of Coop, and let’s see how long before his father notices him.”

  Would his father even recognize him right off? He’d last seen his parents two years ago when they’d come to England to visit him, but he’d lost significant amounts of weight after being kidnapped and then injured. And they thought him dead. He could hardly hold back the grin threatening to burst out, knowing how stunned they would be to see him again. He would even be happy to see Jamie.

  That thought killed his grin. He dearly loved his brother, but he couldn’t be happy about Jamie’s marriage to Hannah. If only his brother didn’t love her and hadn’t planned to marry her most of their lives. Coop had never told Jamie that he’d always secretly cared for the spunky girl who worked so hard to keep up with the boys she associated with.

  His father exited the hallway and stopped on the upstairs landing, peering down at them. Coop scooted behind Johnny, finally allowing his smile to break forth. His father looked much the same as the last time he’d seen him, expect for having a bit more gray hair. The man was still tall and broad, in the shape of a man much younger than his actual age. It was his father’s penchant for working hard that kept him looking so well.

  “Michael.” Lucas Reed lifted his hand in greeting, then jogged down the stairs with the stuffy servant following at a more subdued pace. “So good to see you again. How are your parents faring?”

  “A pleasure to see you, too, sir, and my parents are well. They’ve been concerned about you.” Michael shook hands with Cooper’s father, then motioned toward Coop and Johnny. “We have some important business, sir. This is Johnny, one of our work hands.”