“For me?” he gasped. “You don’t know me.”
“No, I don’t, but I know your children. Nat, Charity, and Clay are yours, aren’t they?”
“Yeah,” he responded slowly. “How do you know them?”
“I saw them on the Gospel Train. Thor,” she said, inclining her head toward him, “was their Shepherd for a brief spell. He guided them to the station.”
“Well, I’ll be.” Big Nat released a deep breath. “When?”
“Days ago. They told us what happened. I’m sorry about your wife.”
“What?”
She glanced at him. His face was still unyielding and unreadable, but his eyes were completely different. She saw concern and grief reflected there. “The children said she passed on.”
Willow wanted to say more, but thought better of it. She faced the road again and gently patted the long mane of the horse. A moment of silence passed between them.
“What happened to her?”
“She was upset because they sold you. The overseer became angry and whipped her. The children said she died the very same night. They ran away while the elders were preparing her for burial. They met another group of runaways and joined them. By the time we found the children in the woods, they were traveling alone. Their shepherd had to double back and told them what to look out for and what to do. You should be proud of them.”
“I am. I thank you for watchin’ over my children.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I’ll get my thanks once you’re reunited with them. That’s why Thor and I are here.”
“Is he good with that pistol?” Big Nat asked. “There’s six of them and they’re armed. I suppose we could take ’em.”
“I’m not sure about that, not with those dogs. They’d set them on us for sure. We’ll have to wait until the sun sets.”
“We’ll reach the Davis place before nightfall. If I make it in, I might not make it out. I’ve heard about Davis. He don’t like his people running off. Grady Falls spoke the truth. I’m in for a beatin’ or worse.”
“Thor won’t let that happen,” she promised, “and neither will I.”
“I don’t see how you could stop it. Slaves told me he like to put on a big show. Folks come from all around to watch it. Davis won’t change his ways on account of y’all.”
After several more hours of riding, Grady announced that it was time for a break. The horses needed watering and he was hungry. Willow decided this would be the perfect opportunity to tell Thor about the Davis plantation. Maybe there was a way they could overpower Grady Falls and his men.
“How are you?” Thor cornered Willow between her horse and a tree. They were a few yards away from the others. He didn’t try to mask his concern. “Have they offended you in any way or done anything to make you feel uncomfortable?”
“I’m fine. A little sore. I’m not used to riding a horse for so long. And you?”
He shrugged and averted his eyes. “I’m managing. It looks like we’ll be at the Davis plantation before too long.”
“I wanted to talk to you about that. Big Nat says that Davis is a horrible man. He thinks he’ll be punished as soon as we get there,” she said. “We have to help him, Thor.”
“I know. I’ve been trying to think of something, but there’s too many of them,” He glanced toward the group of men sprawled underneath the oak. “If they fall asleep, we could slip off. Too bad I don’t have a mickey.”
“A mickey? What’s that? It is a weapon? Maybe we can make one.”
Tension left his face as he cracked a smile. “I wish it was that easy. It’s something people put in drinks to knock a person out. I mean, it makes a person fall asleep or pass out.”
“I know a few herbs that can do that. I’ll look around for some.”
“Don’t. If they see you walking around, one of them will get suspicious. Stick close to me until we ride again.”
“But, Thor—”
“No, it’s too dangerous. I don’t want you walking around alone. They’re looking at us. Let’s join them.”
He hung back as if he was waiting for her to pass. Willow shook her head. “You have to go first. I’ll follow you.”
A frown creased his brow, but he didn’t offer opposition. He moved briskly past the horses, and with a considerable distance separating them, Willow followed.
* * *
Anders joined Reverend Brown on the porch. The spicy scent of the older man’s corncob pipe flavored the air. The new father filled his lungs with the aroma and slowly exhaled. His appetite rarely craved the taste for tobacco, but there were occasions where he enjoyed the smell of a good pipe.
“How are the womenfolk?” Brown twisted his body to look up at Anders. “Asleep?”
“Not quite,” Anders replied, joining Brown on the step. “Olivia is tending to Eva, and Eva still can’t keep her eyes off Dorothea. The two of them are a sight to behold. I doubted if either of them would survive.”
“I know,” Brown said. “I could read it as plain as day on your face.”
“Thank you for all your help, you and the missus. Eva and I wouldn’t have fared better without you.”
“We’re here to help. That’s what neighbors are for. Now that Eva and the baby are gaining strength, I’d best tend to Willow.”
Reverend Brown stood and stretched. Anders watched his movements. The man was strong, but probably not as strong as he used to be. Looking for Willow would require a good deal of energy. He wondered if Brown could do it alone.
“As soon as Olivia’s done, we’ll be on our way.”
“To look for Willow?” Anders asked. “You shouldn’t take her along. It could get dangerous down there. It’s no place for a woman.”
Brown’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Convincing Olivia of that took some doing, but I’ll be looking for Willow on my own. Of course, you’re welcome to come along.”
Anders rose and folded his arms across his chest. He didn’t want to be disagreeable, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to take Brown up on his invitation. Childbirth left Eva weak. In the days that followed, she still hadn’t regained her strength. Leaving her alone felt wrong.
“That’s something I’ll have to think about.”
Brown bit down hard on his pipe. “I imagine it is. I’m leaving first light. If you’re meaning to join me, be ready when I pass by.”
Chapter Ten
The Davis plantation bustled with energy. Shouts announced the groups’ arrival. Thor watched in sick fascination as the antebellum South introduced itself to him. Black men, women, and children avoided his gaze. Some harbored expressions of disappointment as Grady led Big Nat toward the huge mansion. Others kept their thoughts to themselves behind stoic masks. None of them milled about, and when a balding, middle-aged white man and a petite young blonde stepped onto the porch, the slaves made themselves scarce, seemingly vanishing into thin air.
The reality of his travel through time punched Thor in the gut. Seeing slaves and actually being on a plantation brought his circumstances to the forefront of his mind. The movies didn’t do it justice. There was nothing quite like being thrown into a world where he had all the answers and the knowledge of absolute right versus horribly wrong echoed loudly in his head.
Nobody had the right to dehumanize another human being. There were other ways to make a living and other choices for preserving a certain way of life.
Words of protest lodged in his throat. He opened his mouth to cry out on Big Nat and the other slaves’ behalf, but never got the chance to voice his disapproval. The planter ignored Grady and the captured runaway to acknowledge Thor.
“Where are my manners?” Warren Eugene Davis asked, a charismatic smile on his face. He extended his hand. “Welcome to Pleasant Hill. We rarely have occasion to entertain guests. What brings you here?”
The man’s charming manner failed to impress Thor. Hoping his reaction was hidden deep inside, he extended his hand, offered a wide smile, and threw himself into his role. “Your reputation for being an astute businessman has necessitated my journey to your plantation, Mr. Davis. Thor Magnusen at your service, sir. Folks call me Thor.”
Davis grasped Thor’s hand in a strong handshake. “Pleased to meet you, Thor. Do go on about my reputation. Are you on a selling expedition? I’m not in the market for anything new, and if you’re trying to peddle that boy behind ya… Well, he’s too small for the work I have around here—”
“No!” Thor stepped in front of Willow and blocked her from Davis’s view. “I’m not here to peddle anything. Just to speak with you for a spell and discuss cotton.”
“What’s there to discuss? Cotton is a godsend and a necessity. Everybody knows that.”
“Papa!” The pert blonde tugged on his hand. Ringlets brushed against her ivory cheeks almost on queue. Her rosy lips offered Thor a demure smile while her eyes danced with wanton approval. “He’s come all this way. It would be rude to send him away.”
“This business with the runaway must be dealt with,” Davis grunted, “and I have other things to attend to.”
“Papa, it’s been so long since we’ve had nice company.” Her breathy voice applied extra emphasis to the word nice. “We were about to sit down to supper. Surely, this young gentleman could enjoy a hot meal. It wouldn’t be neighborly to turn him away.”
The planter’s face glowed with fatherly affection. “Mr. Thor Magnusen meet my polite daughter, Leah. I suppose I could listen to her this once. Won’t you join us for supper?”
The delay gave them some time to think of a solution for Big Nat. He nodded. “I’d be much obliged. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Miss Leah. I’ll be just a moment.” He turned to speak to Willow.
“Never mind about your darky,” Leah said. She descended the staircase with the gracefulness of a prima ballerina. Her dainty gloved hand slipped around Thor’s bicep and squeezed. “Our overseer will tend to him. You can come along with us now.”
Thor’s smile froze on his face as he heard Willow’s sharp intake of breath. Her annoyance at Leah’s obvious flirtation and her fear of what was to happen to her while he dined reached out to him without the need for any words. He wanted her to accompany him for his peace of mind as well as her own, but he knew that wouldn’t happen too easily if at all. Before he could leave Willow, he had to know just what would happen to her. “Who is this overseer? I need to speak with him first.”
Leah pouted. Her fingers flexed against his arm. Neither moved Thor. He stood still as a statue, offering a benign smile and waited. Leah’s eyes narrowed with her surrender.
“Papa!” she called, never taking her eyes off Thor. “Where’s Lucas?”
“He’s around here somewhere.” Davis finally acknowledged Grady. “Have you seen your pap since you came back?”
“We passed him in the fields on the way back in,” Grady answered. “He should be here directly. What should I do about this here runaway?”
Davis opened his mouth to speak. Leah jumped in before he could say a word. “Papa, can’t that wait? We have a guest, and we must be hospitable.”
“Propriety takes precedence this evening,” Davis informed Grady. “Put him in lock up, and rest up, Grady. You’ll need your strength for later.” He faced his daughter. “Leah, leave Mr. Magnusen alone with his boy. I ’spect he has instructions that a young lady doesn’t need to hear. Come along now.”
She reluctantly released Thor’s arm and obeyed her father. “Don’t make us wait too long, Mr. Thor. You hear?”
He gave her a bland smile. “Loud and clear.”
Father and daughter disappeared inside the mansion, and Thor exhaled the breath he’d been holding. He waited until Grady escorted Big Nat off the porch to the rear of the house before speaking to Willow. The dread that reflected in her large black orbs touched his soul. He ached to hold her within the circle of his arms, reassuring her with his touch and warm words of encouragement. Once again, that was something he couldn’t do. No matter how much he wanted to. He frowned and searched his mind for another form of consolation.
“Don’t worry about me,” she whispered, her lips barely moving. “I’ll be fine.”
“I won’t stay inside long. I’ll come and get you as soon as possible,” Thor said, not surprised that she could read his thoughts. “Just remember to keep quiet and keep that hat on your head.”
“I will. You better go. That young girl means to have you for dessert.”
He shook his head. His fingers brushed against hers in a quick, light caress. “She can’t. I’m already taken.”
* * *
Supper on a Southern plantation seemed to be a grand affair. Thor couldn’t be sure if the Davises put on airs for the sake of having a guest or if every meal was presented with exorbitant flair.
Servants smartly dressed in clean uniforms of black bottoms and crisp white tops whether female or male moved briskly around the table, refilling glasses and replacing empty bowls with full ones. Two young boys, maybe twins, stood on either side of the table. They held wide fans and kept a continuous flow of air blowing in the dining room. During the course of the meal, Thor often glanced at them. Their shoulders should have drooped, and their movements should have slowed. After a couple of hours, they gracefully continued their tasks. Thor admired their ability while distressed over the necessity for it.
“It’s getting late, Papa,” Leah said, casting a sidelong glance at Thor.