The Pattern of Her Heart (46 page)

“Perhaps you should read it and find out,” Nolan said with a grin.

She waved the telegram back and forth. “Part of the enjoyment is guessing what’s in a letter or package—or, in this case, a telegram.” With an air of anticipation, she placed the telegram on the table beside her.

Nolan shook his head and then turned to leave the room.

“Wait! Where are you going?”

“Please feel free to enjoy this period of expectation. However, I have work that needs my attention. I’ll look forward to hearing what Levi has to say at supper this evening.”

“Oh, all right, I’ll open it! I wasn’t going to wait but a few minutes, anyway,” she admitted.

Nolan sat down beside her as she ripped open the telegram and began to read.

Her eyes narrowed, and the color drained from her already pale complexion. “He’s done it again!” she seethed. “He’s a lying, despicable excuse of a man.”

“Cousin Levi?”

Her husband’s shocked appearance nearly made her laugh—nearly. In fact, under normal circumstances, Nolan’s reaction would have caused her to burst into laughter. But not now—when she knew Rupert was again attempting to deceive them.

“It’s Rupert! Levi discovered Rupert has devised a convoluted plan to actually send our former slaves but then have them recaptured by men posing as bounty hunters. Likely the same group that placed them in shackles when they burned The Willows! He’ll not get away with this—I’ll see
him
in shackles first!”

“Becoming overwrought will serve no purpose, Jasmine. The first thing we must do is go to McKinley and learn whether Rupert has sent him any details about when we may expect the arrival of our former slaves. If so, we can then begin to devise our own plan.”

“I’ll fetch my coat and hat,” she said.

“I didn’t mean we need to go this very minute.”

“But of
course
we must. We don’t know when Levi received this information. By now, Rupert may have departed with the slaves.”

“As you wish. It’s true they may be on their way as we speak.”

When Jasmine settled into the buggy beside Nolan, she hoped she’d not be forced to argue with her brother about the necessity of taking immediate action. She would no longer listen to McKinley’s concerns—she cared not at all if her interference offended Rupert. If their former slaves were going to reach freedom, McKinley could no longer believe Rupert Hesston.

“Shall I go directly to his office, or do you think we should go by the house first?” Nolan inquired as they approached town.

“I don’t think he would be home at this time of day. In any event, I’d rather speak with him at his office. Poor Violet becomes overly upset whenever she thinks there are difficulties on the horizon. While she attended the antislavery meetings and was marginally involved in the movement, she never was completely devoted to the cause. And though I’ve long ago forgiven her, I’ve not forgotten her behavior when I proposed to rear Moses. You’ll recall she drove a wedge between McKinley and me with her failure to support my position.”

“Then we’ll hope that he is here,” Nolan said as he assisted her down from the buggy. “In fact, there he is coming out of the counting house.” He waved to his brother-in-law.

McKinley hastened toward them, bowing his head against the cold north wind. He rubbed his hands together as he grew closer. “To what do I owe this visit?” he asked in a tentative voice.

“Not good news, I fear,” Jasmine replied. “We must speak privately. May we go to your office?”

“Of course,” he said, leading the way. “Nothing wrong at the farm, I hope?”

“No, it concerns the transfer of the slaves,” she said. They entered the building and walked directly to McKinley’s office.

“I thought you had agreed to remain detached from the negotiations,” he said while removing his coat.

“This is not of her doing, McKinley. Jasmine has received a disturbing telegram from Cousin Levi,” Nolan defended.

“More than disturbing,” Jasmine interjected. “Rupert is planning to have the slaves recaptured. Have you received any word about arrangements for delivery of the slaves?”

“One moment, Jasmine. You say he’s made plans, and I assume you’ve received this information from Levi.”

“Yes, of course. Rupert has hired men to disguise themselves as bounty hunters,” she explained.

McKinley looked at her as though she’d taken leave of her senses. “This sounds a bit preposterous. Why would he go to such elaborate measures?”

Jasmine crossed her arms and leaned forward to look directly into her brother’s eyes. “
Because he is a cunning man
. Unless he makes a genuine attempt to deliver the slaves—an attempt that can be substantiated by disinterested individuals, he knows we won’t believe him. At least he knows
I
won’t believe him. If he can prove he’s traveled a portion of the way north—with the slaves in tow—he will maintain he’s upheld his part of the bargain and insist you uphold your bargain to sell The Willows for the reduced price.”

“I believe she’s correct, McKinley, and we truly must have more details regarding the transfer. Has Rupert forwarded additional details to you?”

“Yes. I had planned to surprise you by having them arrive shortly before Christmas—as a special gift to you. Obviously, that isn’t going to be possible now. Rupert sent me a missive outlining their travel plans, though there’s no way of determining if he was truthful.”

“Where were you to take possession?” Jasmine asked.

McKinley pulled the letter from his desk drawer and handed it to his sister. “He agreed to bring them up the Mississippi on a riverboat. They’ll disembark at St. Louis and travel by foot the short distance to Alton, Illinois. I want the exchange to take place in a free state. And I know he’s made the arrangements. I received verification only yesterday of their paid passage from the riverboat company. I doubt even Rupert would expend such a large sum if he didn’t intend to bring them.”

Jasmine nodded. “He also knows you will expect corroboration from those who would see them traveling that particular route, so he’ll surely choose someplace that is heavily populated. Obviously, he won’t wait until he crosses the border into Illinois, for he’ll want his reprehensible deed to occur in a slave state. However, I fear it’s a guessing game as to exactly where he’s decided upon.”

McKinley rubbed his forehead and glanced toward Nolan. “Any suggestions?”

“I believe we should telegraph Levi and request his assistance. He may be able to discover more details that will aid us.” Nolan shifted to the edge of his chair. “I’ll specifically ask if he can learn the location where Rupert plans to have this spurious attack take place. If they haven’t yet departed Mississippi, we may still have a little time to develop a strategy.”

“Very little,” McKinley commented.

“Jasmine and I will go directly to the telegraph office. Why don’t you come out to the farm tomorrow and we’ll talk further. In the meantime, we can all attempt to formulate some plan of attack.”

McKinley agreed and escorted them to the street. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so trusting,” he apologized as Jasmine stepped up into the buggy. “I suppose everything you told me about him was true.”

“There is no need for an apology,” Jasmine said. “Had he been dealing with me, he would have done the same thing.”

“Yet you would have questioned him and been more cautious.”

“It matters little what I would have done. At this juncture, our energies need to be directed toward dismantling his plans.” Jasmine leaned from the buggy and kissed her brother’s cheek. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, McKinley. If we remain steadfast in our prayers, I’m going to trust that God will see us through to victory. After all, He has overcome circumstances much greater than these.”

“I suppose you’re right,” he said tentatively. “If God could deliver the Hebrew children from the pharaoh, He can certainly deliver our former slaves from Rupert Hesston.”

Jasmine turned slowly while Prissy marked the edge of her ocean blue merino dress. “Dis black velvet is gonna look mighty fine along da hemline. I should have it done afore Christmas. You can wear it for Christmas Eve church services.”

“I believe I’d enjoy that very much,” Jasmine said as she turned a few more inches.

“Jes’ can’t believe Massa Nolan having to leave on business at dis time of year. He shoulda sent Paddy or one of them other men what works for him. The chillens gonna be disappointed if he don’ make it home afore Christmas.”

“I’m trusting that he’ll return soon. If not, we’ll celebrate upon his return. The children and I can still attend services at the church. Christ’s birth is what we’re celebrating, after all, and Nolan knows we’ll be thinking of him no matter where he might be.”

“I sho’ know how that be. I spend lots of my time still thinking ’bout Toby. Sometimes I wonder if he still thinks about me.”

“I’m confident he does. And I believe the two of you will be together again,” she said as she patted Prissy’s shoulder. How she longed to tell Prissy of Nolan’s whereabouts. But if he should meet with failure and return home without Toby, Prissy would be devastated. Better to remain silent and pray for the safe return of Toby and the rest of the slaves.

“I done give up on that idea a long time ago,” Prissy said dryly.

“Mama! Mama! Come quick!” Spencer yelled as he tore through the house. “Papa’s arrived and there’s lots of people with him!”

Jasmine grabbed Prissy’s hand. “Come on! Let’s go see.”

Prissy yanked on Jasmine’s hand. “You cain’t go outside in dat dress. I ain’t finished taking up the seams an’ marking the hem.”

“This is more important, Prissy. Come along and don’t worry over the dress.”

Jasmine pulled Prissy along, hope filling her heart, as they followed Spencer out onto the porch. An irresistible joy besieged Jasmine as she gazed into the sea of dark faces. Men with their feet wrapped in rags to help ward off the cold walked alongside the wagon; others followed behind and formed a snaking procession that continued to inch its way toward the house. The women and children were piled in the wagon behind Nolan, most of them wearing the coats she’d forced Nolan and McKinley to take with them. They were a cold and bedraggled appearing lot, yet even from the porch she could see the hope that shown in their eyes.

Jasmine spotted Toby sitting directly beside Nolan atop the wagon seat as the wagon moved slowly down the driveway. She grasped Prissy by the shoulders and pulled her forward. “Look, Prissy! Look who’s in that wagon!”

Prissy’s face registered disbelief as Toby waved and called out her name. She looked at Jasmine and then back at Toby. “Am I dreaming, Miz Jasmine?”

“No, Prissy. Your husband has finally come home. Go and greet him,” she said as Nolan pulled back on the reins and the wagon came to a stop in front of the porch.

The young couple ran toward each other with sheer abandon and united in a warm embrace. The onlookers all began to applaud as Toby leaned down to kiss his wife.

“Where’s your coat? You’re going to catch your death of cold,” Nolan said as he hurried up the steps and pulled Jasmine close, rubbing her arms.

“How could I possibly be cold with such a sight before me?” she asked, her face aglow.

“And with your husband to keep you warm,” he said, pulling her close and kissing her soundly. “It is so good to be home!”

“And it is so good to have you back again. I can see you were victorious is reclaiming freedom for the slaves, but I must admit I’m anxious to hear all of what occurred during your journey.”

“McKinley is following with another wagonload of folks. Let’s wait until he arrives, and then I’ll give you all the details. But first you go back in the house while I fetch Simon and Paddy. They have the list of families who agreed to provide temporary homes when we arrived.”

Prissy turned to Jasmine. “Did everyone know ’bout this ’cept me?”

“There may have been a few others. Please don’t be angry with me. We didn’t know if our plans would succeed, and I didn’t want you to be disappointed if Toby wasn’t rescued.”

A lopsided grin curved Prissy’s lips. “You done the right thing,” she said and gave her husband another squeeze. “You best get out of that dress, Miz Jasmine, ’cause I don’ think I’m gonna be doing any more alterations this evening. I’s gonna be introducing Toby to our little Emily and showing him his new house.”

“I believe the dress can wait as long as necessary!” she assured her.

Nolan leaned down and placed a kiss on Jasmine’s cheek. “Go inside. I’ll soon be back and give you my full report. It is better than even
you
could have hoped for.”