A Place in His Heart (33 page)
At dawn Heather Flower awoke before anyone, as she had each morning. Joining the search party by the fire, she broke her fast with little cakes the Dutchmen called
poffertjes
and found them to her liking. She watched Dirk while he ate with gusto. Her brother, Wyancombone, could wolf his food in that way. It would be good to see him again. Soon she would be home.
Lieutenant Van Buren fastened his knapsack and musket to the back of his saddle. Moving to the front of Miss Button, he untied her feedbag and talked low as he patted her neck. The last leg of the journey would be a long one. He knew they could make Wading River in two days, but tonight they would need to find shelter somewhere in Samuel Ketcham's valley.
Excited shouts at the front gate caught his attention. He turned as Joseph and Benjamin Horton rode through to the livery. “Hallo there!”
“Good morrow to you, lieutenant.” Joseph, the elder brother, swung down from his Great Black and stuck out his hand.
“What brings you to New Amsterdam?” Dirk's brow creased as he gripped the Englishman's hand firmly.
“We've been sent to escort Wyandance's daughter.”
Something of a rock formed in his throat and he swallowed hard before answering. “I am her escort. You may accompany your men home with us. We will make Samuel Ketcham's by dark.”
Benjamin stepped forward, brushing dust from his hands, and offered to shake. “Captain Gardiner and my father, Barnabas, send their regard and a hearty thank-you, but we are instructed to bring Heather Flower from here.”
A flock of noisy red hens pecked at the dirt in hopes of a seed or kernel of corn. Dirk watched as they bobbed and then scurried in every direction as Heather Flower approached. How would she feel? She trusted him. He wanted to scoop her up onto his horse and ride fast.
Instead, he walked quickly to her. “These men are here to take you home. They tell me I am to stay here at the fort, and you will be under their jurisdiction. Is that what you would want?”
She nodded to Joseph and Benjamin. “
Aqui
, friends. Dirk, they are like brothers to me. They are the sons of Mary, friend of my cousin Winnie of Southold, Old Yennicott. It would be unkind of me to say no. But I thank you from the heart for what you have done for me. I will never forget you.”
Joseph untethered the horse they brought for her and Dirk stepped forward to brace Heather Flower's foot as she swung to the saddle. He caught her hand as she picked up the reins and gently squeezed. She graced him with her small smile that barely turned the corners of her mouth. Her dark eyes shimmered with dew as she turned away and followed the Horton brothers eastward, away from the fort.
He shielded his eyes against the bright morning sun, watching as the small rescue party rode into the distance. He rubbed his hand across his mouth. He was always so sure of himself. So
in control. But in the matter of two days he'd fallen. Ja. He'd fallen all right. He'd never loved before, but there could be no mistaking the jagged pain that started in his throat and burned down to his very heart. He wanted her to come back. No, he wanted to get on Miss Button and chase her.
Rebecca DeMarino
is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and The Southold Long Island Historical Society. Rebecca is retired from a major airline and lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Tom. This is her debut novel. Learn more at
www.rebeccademarino.com
.
