Beyond the Pine (20 page)

Asher

“Hey old timer,” I say low, taking in Josiah’s crooked smile as his eyes blink open slowly from his place on his worn out cot. “How’ve you been?”

“Hey kid,” he nods at me, his voice coming out slightly weaker than it had been a few days before. “I’m blessed. How are you, my boy? Come in, sit for a spell.”

“Yessir,” I nod, taking the seat beside him. “How you feeling today?”

“Old,” he smirks, making me laugh. “I’m feeling old, my boy, but I’m breathing, so that’s a blessing.”

I give him a nod, not able to come up with anything better before he looks over, finding my troubled gaze.

“What brings you over to my neck of the woods today?” he asks, a gentle smile of content on his lips. “How’s the cabin been treatin’ you?”

“It’s great,” I smile, glad he brought it up first so I wouldn’t have to. “That’s actually what I stopped by for. I had a question, thought I’d come ask you about it.”

“Oh?”

“Yessir,” I nod, leaning forward on my knees, keeping my voice low. “I uh… came across a couple… special items. Items I haven’t seen a whole lot of around here,” I continue, my lips curling up on either side as his eyes begin to sparkle with mischievous amusement. “Was just wondering where you managed to get your hands on them.”

“I’m just an old man,” he chuckles. “Only special things you’ll find in that cabin belonged to my missus.”

“Ah,” I nod, laughing lightly to myself at his sly response. “Well, I guess that’s a good thing. I’d hate for you to get into any trouble.”

“At my age, trouble’s the only thing I got left, kid,” he grins, giving me a wink. “But let’s say I had a thing or two. What difference would that make to you?”

“I don’t know,” I shrug. “Just wondering how you’d manage to get all that passed wandering eyes.”

His eyes twinkle in understanding, a low, gentle hum leaving his chest as he holds my eyes for a moment as he chooses his words.

“You plannin’ on taking a trip, boy?” he asks, his voice lower now, matching mine.

“You never know,” I shrug. “Just figured it’d be good to know, just in case someone I cared for was ever in trouble… a mutual friend, perhaps,” I hold his eyes. “I’d want to be sure I could help them.”

“You know that’s against the rules here, boy, don’t ya?”

“Well, yeah,” I start, my eyes still locked on his. “But you want something bad enough…”

I repeat his words, the same words he spoke to me in the very room in regard to Riley and his eyes soften in understanding.

“Yeah, I reckon you’d be right about that,” he nods, releasing a sigh. “Well, my memory ain’t what it used to be,” he starts, a sharp cough cutting his words short.

“You need something?” I ask as his weathered skin begins to redden.

“Hand me that, will ya?” he gestures for a handkerchief resting on a small table nearby.

With a defeated sigh, I nod, sure my plan was a dud as I reach for the cotton to hand my old friend.

I decide to wait around, say my silent goodbyes and make sure he’s alright before I leave him to rest. My mind is busy, working on another plan B when the handkerchief slips from his hand, making him release a groan of frustration as it falls between the wall and his cot.

“I’ve got it,” I say, bending over his frame to help retrieve the lost garment.

I’m handing it to him, about to return to my place in the chair beside his cot when I feel his fingers wrap tightly around my arm, holding me in place as he begins to speak, his voice low.

“There’s a gate behind the main house,” he whispers, his voice just above silence. “That’s the only way in, only way out.”

I meet his eyes, a combination between shock and gratitude at his words coursing through me as I listen, nodding silently.

“You’d best go at night, should the need ever arise,” he continues, pulling yet another nod from me. “Avoid the full moon and move quickly. They’ll be watching.”

He releases his hold on me, signaling an end to his secrets. I lean back, unsure what to say as my mind reels with his words.

“It’s gettin’ late, boy,” he admits, his voice returning to a normal level. He releases a yawn before meeting my eyes and giving me a soft, genuine smile. “I’d best get to prayin’.”

“Yessir,” I nod, reaching forward, patting his shoulder, my chest clenching when he reaches for my hand and squeezes it gently.

“You take care of yourself,” he whispers, holding my eyes.

“Yessir, I will,” I nod. “You do the same.”

“I will,” he promises, reaching for his Bible as I move to stand. “Heya,” he continues and I come to a stop looking over my shoulder. “How’s Sister Riley doing? I saw her comin’ in here a little while back,” he recalls, his eyes sad with the memory. “I’ve been real worried about her.”

“She’s gonna be okay,” I promise, swallowing past the knot in my throat as his eyes begin to soften. “I’ll let her know you asked about her.”

“You do that, boy,” he says with a nod, his lips widening with a smile. “You know, I love that girl… just like she was my own kin. You tell her I said that, too, would ya, son?”

“Yessir,” I nod, watching him release a deep sigh. “I’ll see you around, old timer.”

“I reckon you will,” he sighs, tipping his head in my direction before his eyes drift shut. “Be blessed, my brother.”

***

Since the Reverend’s eyes were everywhere, I spoke to Tobias while Sara delivered the news to Riley. I wished I could have been the one to tell her myself. However, the look of relief I saw in her eyes as she made her way up the orange dirt road later that day would have to be enough for now.

As the days came and went, bringing us closer to our escape, I watched as she and Sara clung to each other, trying to steal as many moments together as they could.

My heart broke for her, knowing what she’d be leaving behind and that I may never be able to help fill that missing place within her soul, but I had to keep her safe. I had to ensure that Riley and our child would have the life, the freedom, that they deserved.

My heart ached for her, it’s true, but nothing mattered more to me than that.

Riley

As I look over my cabin, I can’t help the tinge of sadness that fills my chest.

Tonight would be my last night in the home I’d spent every day of my life.

Following tradition, I’d spend the night with the women of my family on the eve of my wedding. Since I didn’t have any blood relatives left, the Reverend had reluctantly agreed to let me spend my supposed last night as a single woman with Sara and her family instead.

What he didn’t know is after the moon had risen over the farm, Asher and I would be running away, leaving everything and everyone here behind.

I was eager to find my freedom, start my new life with Asher, but there was still a part of my heart that was breaking at the thought of never seeing this place again.

There’d been so many memories with my mother, my father, with Sara and Asher within these walls.

I have no regrets about the decision I’d made. I knew leaving was our only option, the only way we could have everything we wanted, the only way we could stay safe. However, there was a piece of me that would always remain here.

I’d always known saying goodbye to that piece of my soul wouldn’t be easy.

I’d spent the last hour packing what I’d be taking with me. Although my mother’s cabin was far from cluttered, the few things I’d packed had meant far too much to leave behind. Brushing my fingertips over my mother’s worn Bible, I slipped it in with the quilt she’d sewn herself, my father’s pocket watch, a handful of old photographs my parents had left me from before they joined the farm and my grandmother’s cross. As I take in the small collection a final time, I release a sigh, a tinge of sadness that this is all I have to take with me, all that’s left of an entire lifetime on the farm.

We’ll make new, happier memories
, I think to myself and shake the thought away as quickly as it came.

I stretched out onto my bed, staring out the window above me for the last time, counting the same stars I’d counted since I was little. I silently wondered what our lives would be like once we made it out… where we’d go, the people I’d meet. Asher and I hadn’t much time at all to discuss what would come next, but I knew I could trust him. I knew my gypsy would take me somewhere safe, somewhere we could be happy and free.

I whisper a prayer for our strength for the coming days ahead before I let my eyes slowly drift closed. My hand travels to my belly, the thought of it soon swelling with our child filling my chest with emotion.

I pray for the health of our baby, that it had Asher’s soft voice, his blue eyes with little flecks of green.

As his eyes fill my mind, I can’t stop the smile that works across my lips as I slowly begin to drift, my last thought, last prayer reserved strictly for him.

One more sleep, Riley
, I think silently to myself.
One more sleep and you’ll get to keep him forever
.

Riley

I wake with a start.

The knocking on my door comes early, before the sun has risen over the trees. My mind filled with worry, I quickly pull myself from the bed, wrapping my dressing gown around me as I make my way to the door.

Pulling it open, it’s not at all who I expect.

“Asher?” I start in a hushed tone. “What are you doing here? If anyone sees you…”

“Nobody’s gonna see me right now, sugar,” he cuts me off, holding my gaze. “I need to talk to you. Something’s happened.”

I take in his expression, the soft, solemn look in his eyes making my heart fall all at once.

“Sara? Is she okay?”

“Sara’s fine, baby,” he whispers, shaking his head immediately. “Sara, her family, Josiah, they’re all okay.”

Relief fills my chest immediately, forcing me to release a sigh before facing him again.

“Then what is it?” I ask, searching his eyes. “What’s the matter?”

“It’s Rachel,” he says low, releasing a sigh of his own. “Tobias just found her about an hour ago. She passed away this morning.”

“Oh, no!” I gasp, my hand moving to my mouth as my eyes fill with tears. “Poor Tobias. I’m sure he’s devastated.”

Nodding once, he agrees, glancing over his shoulder before taking a step closer, rubbing my arm affectionately.

“Are you okay?” he asks quietly, his sad eyes searching mine as he reaches up and swipes away a tear. “I know she was a friend of your mothers, someone you cared for.”

“Yes, she was,” I agree, leaning into his palm for a brief moment before I reluctantly pull away, fear of being caught filling me. “But I’ll be okay. I’m just glad she’s no longer in pain.”

He nods his understanding, about to speak once more when I cut him off.

“How did you find out?” I ask, confusion marring my features.

“I couldn’t sleep, so I went to the main house,” he admits, making my eyes widen. “I wanted to make sure everything was in place. I was on my way back, moving through the woods when I saw the elders go inside, comforting the Reverend. Tobias walked out onto the porch, he was upset and I kinda put two and two together.”

I hear his words, but I’m still hung up on one detail.

“Asher,” I whisper, my voice coming out broken and low. “Asher, you could have left last night. You could be safe right now, but you stayed.”

“Of course I stayed,” he says immediately, his eyes soft, a low sigh leaving his chest as his gaze travels over me for a moment, returning to my face. “You’re
my
freedom, Riley,” he whispers. “None of it means shit without you, sugar.”

I’m about to respond to his words, but the sound of the chapel bells ringing loudly pull my attention from him, causing me to look away.

“That’ll be them beckoning us to deliver the news,” I whisper, giving him an apologetic smile. “You’d better go.”

“I guess you’re right,” he sighs, giving me the best smile he can manage before winking sweetly at me. “I’ll be seeing you soon. Just hang in there a few more hours, baby.”

I nod silently, the scarlet of my cheeks pulling a deeper smile from his lips, warming my soul as I watch him go and shut the door.

I dress into more appropriate clothes quickly, making my way to the church for the official news of Rachel’s passing.

As I predicted, the news of our loss was hard for many of the members to take, regardless of the ways we’d been taught. I sat beside Tobias, his large frame shaking with emotion and the need to take his hand, comfort him was just too great to ignore. His eyes meet mine and in them, I see emotion, sadness only a child who’s lost their mother can ever really understand and my heart breaks for him. I convey my silent condolences and his eyes soften in appreciation for a moment before the Reverend’s deep voice breaks our exchange.

“Tomorrow will proceed as planned,” he announces, his eyes falling on me and Tobias before moving back out over the pews. “It’s what Rachel would have wanted, the bright beacon of hope I think this congregation needs.”

The small room fills with words of approval and I look back to Tobias, his expression somewhere else, somewhere far away from this place.

The Reverend excuses us and comes down to speak with the other members, many of them making their way to him and Tobias to offer words of comfort. I stay put, knowing there’s nothing I can do to help him, but also knowing any move I make away from him right now would only bring unwanted attention.

As Asher makes his way over, he bends to face him, his eyes serious as he whispers his words of comfort.

“Tobias, I’m so sorry for your loss,” he says low, giving his shoulder a brotherly pat. “I owe you a debt of gratitude I may never be able to repay,” he continues, his eyes shifting toward me. “I just wanted to thank you for that, let you know I’ll be thinking about you.”

“Thank you,” he nods, holding back his emotion as Asher moves to stand, but Tobias stops him. “I’ll meet you in the stables.”

“Tobias, you don’t have to… your mother…”

“Just meet me there, Asher.”

Asher

As I slide the stable door open, I’m surprised to find him there already, waiting on the small bench I’d taken Riley on just a few weeks before.

My groin stirs at the memory, but I swallow it down.

Just a little while longer
, I think to myself.
Just a few more hours and you’ll never have to be without her again.

He looks up from his spot, my near silent entrance startling him before he quickly settles, standing to shake my hand.

“Thanks for coming,” he says low, pulling a nod from me.

“Of course,” I reply, releasing a sigh. “Tobias, I meant what I said before. You’ve done more than enough. Riley and I? We can manage on our own. You don’t have to do this.”

“Yes, I do,” he shakes his head, his voice weak with emotion but strong with determination. “This morning, when I found her,” he starts, pausing to swallow the lump in his throat before continuing. “She’d been drinking tea when it happened. I’d been asleep on the sofa and the cup fell onto the floor, the sound of breaking glass was what woke me.”

I take in his eyes, eyes glassy with tears as he recalls him mother’s last moments of breath, last moments of life.

“After everything happened, once I knew she was gone, I began cleaning up around her, making sure she was settled,” he continues. “I don’t know why, it just felt like the right thing to do,” he shrugs. “I was picking up the loose herbs that had spilled from her tea and I saw something I recognized.”

“What was it?”

“Oleander,” he whispers, holding my eyes. “She’s had them in her garden for years, Asher. Do you know what happens if you ingest oleander?” he asks, not waiting for a reply. “You go into cardiac arrest.”

Holy shit. Riley had been right.

“Are you sure? Are you sure that’s what it was, Tobias?”

“I spent my entire childhood playing in that garden, asking my mother questions about the flowers she spent so many days out there tending to,” he sighs. “The oleander had always been my favorite and I can’t tell you how many times she told me not to go near them. After a while, I just stopped going into the garden altogether,” he sighs, shaking his head as he gives me a small smile. “Guess I should’ve paid attention.”

“Tobias, don’t do that,” I argue, gripping his shoulders and forcing him to face me. “This isn’t your fault. There’s no way you could have known…”

My voice trails off, not wanting to say the words we both know hold so much truth. A moment later, he says them for me.

“I couldn’t have known my father was slowly killing my mother,” he whispers, eyes filled with tears. “Poisoning her with the very thing that brought her so much joy, so much escape from their hollowed union?”

For a long moment, I say nothing, knowing there’s nothing I can say to help him right now.

Clearing his throat, he brings his eyes back to mine and squares his shoulders.

“When the moon is up,” he starts, prompting me to shake my head once more.

“You don’t have to do this,” I repeat. “If we’re noticed, I can handle the Reverend…”

“No,” he cuts me off. “My father killed his wife,
my mother
, for knowing a secret about him. For trying to put an end to him hurting those wom...” he trails off, stopping himself before swallowing hard passed his disgust before. “My mother found out about things, atrocious things he’s been doing to members of this congregation and all she did was confront him, try and help him reclaim his light, do right by his flock. If he finds out Riley’s running away with you on the eve of our wedding? Blatantly disobeying his will for the entire congregation to see?” he shakes his head. “You get her to safety, Asher. You get her the hell out of this place and never look back. I’ll take care of my father.”