Read Online Indigo by Beverly Jenkins - Free Book Online
Authors: Beverly Jenkins
Tags: Fiction, Historical fiction, Romance, Historical, adult romance, African American, african american romance, African American women, multicultural romance, American History, multicultural fiction, American Romance, African American Fiction, Multicultural Women, African American History, Underground Railroad, Historical Multicultural Romance, HIstorical African American Romance, Beverly Jenkins
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lacking, I'm sure he'll let someone know. Until then he stays where he is. Agreed?"
The reverend and Bea shook their heads in mutual agreement.
Lovejoy sat back in angry silence. Hester knew the wealthy barber did not like having his lack of firearms skill aired, but the truth was that Whittaker had schoolchildren who could shoot better.
Reverend Adams then asked Bea about the movements of Shoe and his men. Bea's answer was disheartening. "Unfortunately, it looks as if he may be here for the winter. He's holed up over at Porter Greer's."
Everyone acknowledged that to be a distressing turn of events. Porter Greer lived about twenty-five miles south of Whittaker and made his living kidnapping runaways. He posed enough of a menace alone; in tandem with Shoe and his brigands, he would be even more of a threat to the Road's operation.
Branton Hubble remarked dryly, "It's too bad the both of them can't meet with an arranged accident."
The reverend admonished Branton with a disapproving look. Branton Hubble, and a growing percentage of abolitionists were of the opinion only a violent confrontation would push the government to outlaw the holding of men and women as slaves. Until 1840, many abolitionists, both Black and White, viewed abolitionism as a pacifistic endeavor. With the passage of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law and the resulting kidnappers spreading terror across the North, many vigilance committee members were meeting slave catchers' writs with guns drawn. Even Frederick Douglass, long a supporter of the nonviolent approach to abolition, had publicly voiced support for those who would take up arms to end slavery.
Reverend Adams said, "Branton, I ask that you not intercede with violence."
"Are you going to tell that to Greer and Shoe too, Reverend Adams?" Branton asked in return.
The two men had argued before over their differing approaches. The reverend still believed prayer more valuable than arms. Branton did not agree.
Hester sensed the rising tension in the room. "Gentlemen, can we postpone this discussion until the next time, please? We have more tangible issues to discuss now."
Both men gave imperceptible nods and the meeting's talk returned to the Daniel's betrayal. Hester asked, "Branton, could there be a traitor in the Order?"
"It is possible I suppose. For now, I suggest we not answer the Order's summons about the Black Daniel's whereabouts. If the Black Daniel decides he wants his presence revealed, he will tell us."
Everyone agreed.
It was dark outside when the meeting and the choir rehearsal came to a close. Branton Hubble walked with Hester to her buggy, which was parked beside the church. They'd always been special friends. He'd loved her Aunt Katherine from afar for most of Hester's life, yet he'd never acted upon his feelings out of respect for his wife, still in bondage in Kentucky.
"Hester, is the Black Daniel giving you any problems?"
"He did in the beginning, snarled at me the whole time. We're progressing a bit better now that's he healing."
"What type of man is he?"
"Stubborn."
Branton smiled. "Well, if you need anything, let me know."
"I will."
She picked up the reins, but Branton's voice stopped her. "Oh and Hester, be very careful if you're going to continue to move passengers. Shoe and his men seem to be particularly nasty."
"Don't worry. I doubt I'll do anything while the Black Daniel's here."
Hester slapped the reins and drove away.
Hester looked in on Galen when she returned. She'd expected him to be sleeping but was surprised to see him lying atop the cot, awake. He turned his face her way and smiled. "Good evening, Miss Wyatt."
"Good evening, Galen. I thought you'd be sleeping."
"I hoped you'd stop in to tell me about the meeting."
Hester noticed the chill in the room. "Aren't you cold in here?" She walked over to the stove and tossed in more wood.
"I've slept in colder places," he replied.
"We should move you up into the house. You will heal faster in warmer
The reverend and Bea shook their heads in mutual agreement.
Lovejoy sat back in angry silence. Hester knew the wealthy barber did not like having his lack of firearms skill aired, but the truth was that Whittaker had schoolchildren who could shoot better.
Reverend Adams then asked Bea about the movements of Shoe and his men. Bea's answer was disheartening. "Unfortunately, it looks as if he may be here for the winter. He's holed up over at Porter Greer's."
Everyone acknowledged that to be a distressing turn of events. Porter Greer lived about twenty-five miles south of Whittaker and made his living kidnapping runaways. He posed enough of a menace alone; in tandem with Shoe and his brigands, he would be even more of a threat to the Road's operation.
Branton Hubble remarked dryly, "It's too bad the both of them can't meet with an arranged accident."
The reverend admonished Branton with a disapproving look. Branton Hubble, and a growing percentage of abolitionists were of the opinion only a violent confrontation would push the government to outlaw the holding of men and women as slaves. Until 1840, many abolitionists, both Black and White, viewed abolitionism as a pacifistic endeavor. With the passage of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law and the resulting kidnappers spreading terror across the North, many vigilance committee members were meeting slave catchers' writs with guns drawn. Even Frederick Douglass, long a supporter of the nonviolent approach to abolition, had publicly voiced support for those who would take up arms to end slavery.
Reverend Adams said, "Branton, I ask that you not intercede with violence."
"Are you going to tell that to Greer and Shoe too, Reverend Adams?" Branton asked in return.
The two men had argued before over their differing approaches. The reverend still believed prayer more valuable than arms. Branton did not agree.
Hester sensed the rising tension in the room. "Gentlemen, can we postpone this discussion until the next time, please? We have more tangible issues to discuss now."
Both men gave imperceptible nods and the meeting's talk returned to the Daniel's betrayal. Hester asked, "Branton, could there be a traitor in the Order?"
"It is possible I suppose. For now, I suggest we not answer the Order's summons about the Black Daniel's whereabouts. If the Black Daniel decides he wants his presence revealed, he will tell us."
Everyone agreed.
It was dark outside when the meeting and the choir rehearsal came to a close. Branton Hubble walked with Hester to her buggy, which was parked beside the church. They'd always been special friends. He'd loved her Aunt Katherine from afar for most of Hester's life, yet he'd never acted upon his feelings out of respect for his wife, still in bondage in Kentucky.
"Hester, is the Black Daniel giving you any problems?"
"He did in the beginning, snarled at me the whole time. We're progressing a bit better now that's he healing."
"What type of man is he?"
"Stubborn."
Branton smiled. "Well, if you need anything, let me know."
"I will."
She picked up the reins, but Branton's voice stopped her. "Oh and Hester, be very careful if you're going to continue to move passengers. Shoe and his men seem to be particularly nasty."
"Don't worry. I doubt I'll do anything while the Black Daniel's here."
Hester slapped the reins and drove away.
Hester looked in on Galen when she returned. She'd expected him to be sleeping but was surprised to see him lying atop the cot, awake. He turned his face her way and smiled. "Good evening, Miss Wyatt."
"Good evening, Galen. I thought you'd be sleeping."
"I hoped you'd stop in to tell me about the meeting."
Hester noticed the chill in the room. "Aren't you cold in here?" She walked over to the stove and tossed in more wood.
"I've slept in colder places," he replied.
"We should move you up into the house. You will heal faster in warmer
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