He yanked me closer and hissed, "No regrets? None at all?"

"No, not even one." I delivered my answer with bristling callousness, causing him to release his grip.

He stepped back and drew in a strained breath. "Give consideration to the outcome of drawing attention to Livetta at a time when so many suspicions have been raised. Tempers are hot, and questions unanswered. If you are indeed her friend, then do not bring trouble to her door. Esther Mae will send Tessie to stay with Livetta until I can sort out a way to convince my father to let James return to Mud Run. We must tread carefully and not push too hard. If they ever filled in the gaps, we would all be found out."

The spark of flint a half dozen paces to our left tore open the night as a small ball of flame lifted to reveal w.i.l.l.y Jack's expressionless face. He laid the flame to his pipe and took two deep puffs, releasing the aroma of sweet tobacco into the air.

I did not need Colt's hand squeezing over mine to tell me this was bad, but his grip betrayed his panic. w.i.l.l.y Jack was close enough to have heard our conversation, a conversation that left nothing unrevealed.

My instinct was to remain nonchalant, even though my insides had twisted head to toe. "How long have you been standing there, w.i.l.l.y Jack?"

"Long enough." He grinned with the pipe clenched in his teeth.

"What, exactly, did you hear?" Colt said in a tone that made me think he might consider killing w.i.l.l.y Jack.

"Oh, I hear lots o' things . . . here, there, and everywhere."

Colt pulled a small pistol from inside his coat. "I could shoot you if I felt threatened. Why are you beyond West Gate's limits? That alone is cause for severe punishment."

w.i.l.l.y Jack paid him no mind and continued talking as if thinking aloud. "Yas'sah, I hear lots o' things. Most talk I keeps to myself; den thar's some talk that be so troublin', I jes' gots'ta repeat it."

Colt c.o.c.ked the pistol and pointed it toward w.i.l.l.y Jack's glistening forehead, but it did not stop him from continuing. "So when I hear somethin' that needs repeatin', I jes' go off on a walk in de dark and talk to de wind. Can't help it if de wind carries dem words to ears dat know what to do wit' it."

I noticed my heart had stopped pounding; my fear was replaced with curiosity. I touched Colt's arm, and he lowered the gun. "w.i.l.l.y Jack, what are you going on about?"

"Jes' like last night, after I cut James from de rafters," he said, puffing anxiously. "Ma.r.s.e be mighty furious dat Ma.s.sa Reynolds let Mista Colt have his say-so. But Ma.s.sa Reynolds tol' Ma.r.s.e dat was jes' fo' show, so Mista Colt didn't fuss. Ma.s.sa said he is gonna make it up to Ma.r.s.e by doin' somethin' worse. Somethin' to show de lot o' you de way o' things."

"Is that why you are here?" I said. "To give us warning?"

He looked me deep in the eyes. "Dey is comin' fo' de baby."

"My G.o.d, he wouldn't," Colt muttered in disbelief.

"Ma.s.sa Reynolds say de chile belongs to him. He say James never been no trouble till he married up with Livetta. He tol' Ma.r.s.e to sell de baby south. He say dat will break de both of 'em worse than strikin' a whip. Ma.r.s.e say when Mista Colt finds out he got de upper hand after all, it's as good as tying Mista Colt Mista Colt to the whippin' post too." to the whippin' post too."

"He cannot sell a newborn away from its mother," I said, hoping to bide time. "The child could not survive. No one will throw away money on a doomed child."

Colt's expression told me I was wrong. "Most plantations have at least one slave who has given birth within a year. As long as she can draw mother's milk, any woman can suckle a child."

"When do they plan on taking Jameson?"

w.i.l.l.y Jack stared off toward West Gate. "I best be gettin' back. I walked as far as I can go. I had my mama took from me, and no chile should be without his mama. Jes' needed to set dem words off on de breeze. No, sah, I can't help if de wind carries dem words to ears dat knows what to do wit' it." w.i.l.l.y Jack doused his pipe and hesitated. "Ain't never walkin' this way again, so don't 'spect it no more." Then like the breeze he spoke of, w.i.l.l.y Jack disappeared into the shadows.

Colt and I stood in disbelief, stunned that vicious w.i.l.l.y Jack had warned us of what Twitch had in store for Livie's child. "Do you think he is telling us the truth?"

"He has nothing to gain by lying," Colt said, running a hand through his hair. "Besides, he undoubtedly overheard our conversation. He could have us by our throats right now if his intentions were against us."

I thought about the welts and bruises marking w.i.l.l.y Jack. He was not used to having the whip put to him. Twitch had turned on him in anger and would have happily killed him had w.i.l.l.y Jack not shifted the blame to James. Perhaps being on the wrong side of a lashing had shifted his loyalty a bit, but the how how and and why why mattered not. It was mattered not. It was what what w.i.l.l.y Jack revealed that tightened a knot in my stomach. w.i.l.l.y Jack revealed that tightened a knot in my stomach.

"I must find a way to protect Livie and Jameson. Let's go talk to your father."

Colt shook his head. "It's to our advantage that he doesn't know we are aware of his vindictive scheme. Though it sickens me, he is closer in moral fiber to Twitch than he is to me. If he plans to take James and Livetta's child, it is not solely to appease Twitch. I am certain it is in response to the slave disappearance. Father knows there is a threat from within, and he could be ruined if he is labeled a slave rustler who lines his pockets with ill-gotten ransom squeezed from fellow planters. He is using the child as a display of power and sending the message that he will strike out if challenged again."

"I will never forgive myself," I said with a sickened heart. "I left Livie vulnerable in the worst possible way. I would tell her to run, but childbirth has drained her strength. Without sufficient knowledge of the mountain terrain, Livie would have little chance of escape, especially with a newborn to keep content and quiet. My G.o.d, Colt, what can we do?"

"I think we should talk to Augusta."

"Have you gone mad?" I huffed in outraged amus.e.m.e.nt. "Aunt Augusta hates Livie as much as she does me. The two of us are an abomination in her eyes. After the argument we had inside, Aunt Augusta would garner great satisfaction in seeing me punished at Livie's expense. She is not going to help us."

"Well, we are not going to solve this tonight," he sighed. "But I beg you not to exacerbate the situation by going down into Mud Run. Livetta is settled in for some much-needed rest, and she will surely sense your anxiety."

"How much time do we have?"

"Probably not much time at all. I suspect they have already made some preliminary inquiries through Twitch's contacts. For the right price, any slave trader would take the child and sell him downriver. They could make it happen quite suddenly, although I hope they would have the sense to give the child a couple of weeks for healthy growth."

"Good sense is not Twitch's forte."

"True," Colt said with disconcerting frankness. "For now, allow me to take you back inside. You look exhausted. With a night's rest, our thoughts and alternatives will be clearer in the morning."

Colt bid me good night when we entered the house. His words were tired and resigned with foreboding expression, leaving me chilled as I ascended the stairs. I did not hear him make his leave by way of the front door. He may have thought it wise to smooth Aunt Augusta's ruffled feathers on my behalf. It was of no use. Aunt Augusta and I had reached a parting of the ways. I no longer planned on living in contrite obedience to her rule. She, on the other hand, commanded compliance or expulsion. I believed we both recognized the impa.s.se between us, but ever the peacekeeper, Colt would attempt to negotiate a truce. I loved him and pitied him for wanting it to be so.

I battled my way through a fitful sleep marred by night terrors. Livie crept into my dozing thoughts, the sight of her bringing me comfort, then heartbreak as the shadows of my mind transformed into the menacing image of Twitch. His vile presence in my dreams chased Livie into the darkness. I called out to her, but my voice echoed through the emptiness surrounding me. My hands trembled as I felt my way through the blank surroundings, not fearful of being alone, but terrified of not finding my way back to Livie. A distant cry heightened my urgency, but the darkness swallowed me deeper. My footsteps took me closer to the restless whimper, yet I could not locate it in the night. I spun round and round until a hand jerked me from my nightmare.

The soft flame shimmering from my bedside lamp cascaded a warm glow across my bed. Livie stood over me, one hand on my shoulder, the other cradling her son. Jameson squirmed and fussed while she swayed to comfort him. I recognized his intermittent cries as those heard in my dream. Livie must have entered my room and was watching me sleep. Dawn had not yet lifted from the shadows, so her presence startled me.

"What is it, Liv?" I said, shifting upward on my pillow. "You should be resting. I am not experienced with the ways of birthing, but Esther Mae says the lying-in period is important to your health."

"Jameson was fussin', so I walked the floor fo' a spell, then decided to walk your way."

"You look troubled."

"So much is happening," she said, easing onto the edge of my bed with the now-dozing baby. "Too much . . . too fast. Can't rightly get my thoughts straight in my head."

I was certain she was not aware of w.i.l.l.y Jack's warning. However, I understood her dismay. In barely two days' time, she had given up her dream of leaving with Marcus, her husband was severely beaten, she gave birth to her first child, and now James was s.n.a.t.c.hed away, leaving her alone and unsure of their future. Guilt coursed through me. I leaned over to kiss Jameson on the forehead, then did the same to Livie's cheek.

"I am so sorry for the heartache my naivete has brought on you, Liv. You have suffered great loss on so many levels, and I bear responsibility for the pain you are harboring in your soul."

"Don't wanna hear none o' that talk, girl," she interjected, not knowing she had yet another blow to endure. "You been good to me. You care about me with the heart of a friend, same as I do you. Don't never forget that."

"I promise you I will find a way to bring James back to Mud Run."

Livie snuggled Jameson into my arms. He opened his eyes and stared up at me, and then he wriggled his body with a sleepy stretch. One arm broke free of his blanket, allowing me to touch his tiny hand and raise it to my lips to kiss each finger. When I looked up to smile at Livie, her eyes were br.i.m.m.i.n.g with heavy tears.

"Look at my beautiful boy." She sniffled with a mother's pride. "He is makin' a promise bridge with you. He's givin' thanks and sayin' the goodness we shared will live in him too."

Livie slipped her arms around me as I cradled Jameson and wept on my shoulder. I nestled my head against hers and rocked; however, neither she nor I could be comforted as easily as Jameson, who blinked wearily, then drifted off to sleep.

"You must get some rest, Livie. Stay here with me until morning."

Livie wiped the tears from her cheeks and lifted Jameson from my arms. "I best be leavin' now. Don't wanna cause no more ruckus. I just felt the need to come to you. I will always be grateful to you, my friend."

"I will come to the cabin in the morning with a plate of Granny's griddle cakes."

Livie walked across the room, pausing at the door. "Don't come too early. Wait till midday or so."

I dozed off, feeling calmer and more determined to derail Uncle Mooney's revenge on James. Livie's visit reminded me of all we had overcome to this point, and I could not let it be for naught. The first glint of sunrise sparked me awake. My mind pondered ways to protect Jameson from being sold away, each hopeful thought dashed by the knowledge that Uncle Mooney's motives were not driven by sensibility or even business gain. His intent was solely to inflict heartless emotional punishment where his whip fell short. No reasoning or plea for reconsideration would be entertained. More likely, it would feed his hunger for revenge. My stomach clenched as every idea forming in my mind fell apart and left me with nothing but the promise of Twitch's vicious cackle taunting me, as it did all those years ago when he snapped the wings of his captured crows.

Hushed voices near the porch coaxed me from my bed. At this hour, only Runians would be stirring and moving toward the fields, so I went to the window to see who was in our front yard so early. There, in the soft pink glow of the new day, stood Winston helping Aunt Augusta into her carriage. I had not known Aunt Augusta was leaving for the day, but I could not deny feeling relief. Any confrontation with her would be delayed until her return. Generally when she left at an early hour, she was traveling a long distance, so I hoped the reprieve would stretch into a day or two. Esther Mae looked to be in the carriage as well, so perhaps Aunt Augusta was traveling to c.u.mberland Gap.

I dressed quickly, wanting to make the most of the day. When I entered the kitchen, I was met by Esther Mae's startled face. A pan of corn m.u.f.fins flipped from her hands when I walked in. She dropped to her knees, fumbling to pick up the m.u.f.fins scattered across the floor.

"What you doin' up already, chile? You shouldn't be fussin' about this time o' day. Go on, now," she said without taking a breath between sentences. "I will bring you breakfast on a tray. Hot and in yo' bed. That's right. No need to be fussin' about."

I had never seen Esther Mae so fl.u.s.tered. Her jabbering put me on edge. Immediately, the figure I a.s.sumed to be Esther Mae in the carriage sprung into my mind.

"Esther Mae, who was in the carriage with Aunt Augusta?"

Still on her knees, Esther Mae refused to look up at me. "n.o.body wit' Miz 'Gusta," she babbled. "Don't know nothin' about nothin'. I gots'ta clean this here mess I done made. You shouldn't be fussin' about, now, girl. Go on upstairs so Granny and me can fix you a fine-"

Panic struck me. I bolted across the room and out the pantry door. Esther Mae called after me, "Leave it be, miz! Don't go down there. It ain't no place fo' you!"

Plunging down the hill into Mud Run, I could barely keep my frenzied feet beneath me. No, no. Aunt Augusta would not do it. Not without telling me. Her heartlessness had to have limits. No, no. Aunt Augusta would not do it. Not without telling me. Her heartlessness had to have limits. I burst into Livie's cabin, and there sat Tessie in a rocker, humming softly with Jameson bundled tightly in her arms. She looked up without expression, as if expecting my arrival. I burst into Livie's cabin, and there sat Tessie in a rocker, humming softly with Jameson bundled tightly in her arms. She looked up without expression, as if expecting my arrival.

"Where's Livie?" I cried out.

Tessie shrugged. "Miz 'Gusta sent fo' her. Esther Mae say fo' me to watch over de baby."

I gasped in horror, realizing what Aunt Augusta had done. I tore back the way I had come, leaving several perplexed Runians in my wake. I was a fool to think I could lash out at Aunt Augusta and not have her squash me back under her thumb. Now she was cutting me where she knew I would bleed most.

She took my precious Livie!

Chapter 31.

My thoughts dashed swifter than my feet as I stumbled up the hill. Livie's papers were kept in Aunt Augusta's room with the other household doc.u.ments. With her reputation and contacts, she would have no trouble selling Livie so far south, she would be impossible to find. My heart twisted with pain, realizing Livie's predawn appearance in my room was a touchstone to farewell. Her sad eyes now haunted me. Why hadn't I seen that she was protecting me from the truth?

As I crested the hill, I saw Colt's saddled horse hitched at a post next to the stables. I would attempt to catch Aunt Augusta's carriage even though I had much ground to gain. Having a horse standing ready for chase was my only stroke of fortune in this dreadful betrayal. I loosened the reins from the post and lifted my foot to the stirrup.

"What on earth are you doing, Hannah?" Colt said, stepping from the barn.

"I must reach Aunt Augusta before it is too late," I shouted, my face wet with tears.

Colt did not react to my outburst. There was no look of surprise or plea for explanation. He calmly walked over and took the reins from my hands. "Compose yourself before your shrieking brings everyone from their cabins."

I grabbed the lapels of his jacket. "You don't understand. She's taken Livie!"

"Perhaps the compromise was necessary and in your best interest," he said with rehea.r.s.ed dispa.s.sion.

"How can you say that, Colt?" I pounded my fists against his chest in frustration, then spun around to secure another horse from the barn. I walked two steps when a thought halted me and whirled me back to him.

"You knew!" I ran at him and flung my fists again.

"It's not a simple situation, Hannah." He grabbed my wrists and wrestled them behind my back. Fury raised my emotions to new heights.

"You knew what she was doing and said nothing! Why are you here so early in the morning if not to help her with her plan?"

Colt pulled me tight to him. "It was out of control, Hannah. You were putting your life in danger. Your judgment is clouded because you are thinking with your heart instead of your mind. The currents you are treading against are dangerous, and without intervention, you would soon be swept away."

"d.a.m.n you for thinking you can make decisions for me! You are nothing more than Aunt Augusta's dim-witted puppet. Have you no honor?"

"You may not believe it now," he said, trying to calm me with a tightly harnessed voice, "but it's for the best. You must trust my experience in these matters."

"I shall never trust you again. You are no different from Aunt Augusta. In fact, you are worse! Because at least she does not hide what she is. But you profess to be my friend, even a potential suitor, only to betray me in the cruelest manner. I despise you for your weakness."

"You foolish, hardheaded girl!" Colt's face bulged red with rage. I no longer recognized the icy eyes flashing at me with unleashed fury. He lifted me from the ground and tossed me up on his horse, then swung his leg up over the saddle behind me. He leaned heavily against me, his arms around my waist as he snapped the reins. The horse bolted into a full sprint.

"Colt, you are acting like a brute," I cried out. "Let me go!"

"Swallow your wretched venom," he shouted in my ear. "I have heard all I want to hear from you."

I hung on to the racing horse as it sprinted down the plantation lane. When I finally caught my breath, I implored for Colt to stop, but my words flew unheeded into the wind. We kicked up a cloud of dust along the road through town and clambered across the planks of the bridge stretching across the river. Soon after, Colt directed us on a road bending north from town. Colt's body eventually eased, suggesting his anger may have ebbed.

"Colt, please take me home."

He did not answer, but my plea was forgotten when I saw dust swirling over the next hill. "Is it them?"

When we barreled over the hill, Aunt Augusta's carriage with Winston perched at its helm rolled in the distance. Colt let out a ferocious, "H'yaa . . . h'yaa!" The horse kicked harder, and I could see Winston turn and look over his shoulder. He appeared to bend and say something toward the interior of the coach, then pulled the horses to a standstill. We did not break stride until we reached them, Colt wrestling our enraged horse to a halt as it reared up with a snort, kicking its front legs and nearly throwing us.

"What is the meaning of this, Colton?" Aunt Augusta snapped as she peered through the carriage window. Livie leaned forward into view, her eyes wide in amazement.

"Livie!" I slid from Colt's arms onto the ground and ran to the coach. Livie opened the door and fell into my arms.

"I is sorry fo' not tellin' you. I wanted to say good-bye, but they tol' me it can't be done."

"Colton, what do you mean by bringing her here?" Aunt Augusta glared from the carriage as Colt dismounted and walked toward us.

"I begged you to tell her, Augusta. Did you think she would allow it without a fight?"

I stepped between them to speak my own mind. "I don't think a more horrible person has ever walked the face of the earth. I will rejoice the day you are dead and gone, because you will be d.a.m.ned to h.e.l.l for eternity."

"Hannah," Livie said, squeezing my arm.

"Don't be afraid, Liv. I will not let her take you."