Read Online Path of Freedom by Jennifer Hudson Taylor - Free Book Online
Authors: Jennifer Hudson Taylor
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his in a sure handshake. That's when Bruce noticed that a “W” had been branded into the skin rippling over a muscular upper arm. He followed Bruce's gaze and grinned.
“A gift from my mastah, Mr. Wheaton. He brands all his property.”
Bruce swallowed the rising lump in his throat and nodded. “I've seen similar things before, but remember, thee belongs to no one but God.”
“That's why I'm determined to have my baby in freedom,” Marta said, a fierce light shining in her eyes. She reached out and touched Flora's arm. “An’ this sweet lady's going to help me.”
“Indeed, I'll do my best,” Flora said, meeting Bruce's gaze. “If it would be all right with everyone, I'd like to go into the house and examine Marta and ask her a few questions. It appears she's much farther along in her pregnancy than I'd anticipated.”
“Of course,” Pastor John said, nodding. “The guest chamber is on the west side of the house. It's a bit smaller than the master chamber, so if that won't suit thy purpose, feel free to use mine.”
“No, the guest chamber should be fine.” Flora glanced up at her mother. “Would thee please accompany me?”
“I'll come as well,” Irene offered.
“Very well, I'll no doubt need thy help on this mission.” Flora glanced at Bruce. “It's good to see thee again.” Without giving him a chance to respond, she looped her arm through Marta's and they traipsed off toward the house.
Unexpected pleasure filled Bruce as he rubbed his chin. The woman confounded him. Was she sincere or would she turn on him the moment they pulled out of the presence of Pastor John and her parents? As soon as the question arose, a brief memory of her gentle refusal of his brother's offer of a buggy ride filled Bruce with satisfaction. Flora Saferight was the only female who had never fallen for Silas's charms. Her affections wouldn't be easily won. The thought sent a jolt of realization reeling through his system. His father had suggested he view this trip as a chance to gain her trust, but if he was honest with himself, he hoped for much more.
“Uh, Bruce?” Pastor John cleared his throat.
Still staring after the ladies, Bruce scratched his sideburn, knowing his face burned with embarrassment. What must her father be thinking of his besotted behavior? He'd have to be less obvious if he wanted to carry out this mission with success and earn their respect.
“I was just wondering if we'll be able to make it before she goes into labor,” Bruce said, speaking his other thoughts aloud, hoping to distract the others from suspecting his interest in Flora.
“Yes, that was a concern of mine as well. I'm eager to hear Flora's thoughts on the matter, which is another reason I'm glad she'll be going with thee,” John said, walking into the barn. “I wanted to show thee the special wagon we've built specifically for this kind of mission.”
He led them to a green wagon with a canvas covering. The spoked wheels were tall and sturdy for uneven ground and long travel. Upon first glance, the wagon appeared like any other. John walked toward the back. He bent and slipped his hand underneath. The sound of a lock sliding back caught Bruce's attention as he leaned forward to get a better look. A door popped open, revealing a false bottom under the wagon frame. Grinning, Bruce squatted on his haunches and peered inside a dark compartment, long and wide enough to carry two people lying down beside each other. The conditions would no doubt be cramped, but Bruce knew it would be worth it if the method led them safely to freedom.
“Very clever. I've heard of such wagons, but I've never seen one,” Bruce said.
“This one is used often for the Ohio and Indiana missions. It was built like the one Levi Coffin used about thirty years ago—with a few minor improvements.”
“Such as?” Bruce raised an eyebrow as he stood, glancing from Will Saferight to Pastor John and then to Jim.
“I've drilled a few holes from the
“A gift from my mastah, Mr. Wheaton. He brands all his property.”
Bruce swallowed the rising lump in his throat and nodded. “I've seen similar things before, but remember, thee belongs to no one but God.”
“That's why I'm determined to have my baby in freedom,” Marta said, a fierce light shining in her eyes. She reached out and touched Flora's arm. “An’ this sweet lady's going to help me.”
“Indeed, I'll do my best,” Flora said, meeting Bruce's gaze. “If it would be all right with everyone, I'd like to go into the house and examine Marta and ask her a few questions. It appears she's much farther along in her pregnancy than I'd anticipated.”
“Of course,” Pastor John said, nodding. “The guest chamber is on the west side of the house. It's a bit smaller than the master chamber, so if that won't suit thy purpose, feel free to use mine.”
“No, the guest chamber should be fine.” Flora glanced up at her mother. “Would thee please accompany me?”
“I'll come as well,” Irene offered.
“Very well, I'll no doubt need thy help on this mission.” Flora glanced at Bruce. “It's good to see thee again.” Without giving him a chance to respond, she looped her arm through Marta's and they traipsed off toward the house.
Unexpected pleasure filled Bruce as he rubbed his chin. The woman confounded him. Was she sincere or would she turn on him the moment they pulled out of the presence of Pastor John and her parents? As soon as the question arose, a brief memory of her gentle refusal of his brother's offer of a buggy ride filled Bruce with satisfaction. Flora Saferight was the only female who had never fallen for Silas's charms. Her affections wouldn't be easily won. The thought sent a jolt of realization reeling through his system. His father had suggested he view this trip as a chance to gain her trust, but if he was honest with himself, he hoped for much more.
“Uh, Bruce?” Pastor John cleared his throat.
Still staring after the ladies, Bruce scratched his sideburn, knowing his face burned with embarrassment. What must her father be thinking of his besotted behavior? He'd have to be less obvious if he wanted to carry out this mission with success and earn their respect.
“I was just wondering if we'll be able to make it before she goes into labor,” Bruce said, speaking his other thoughts aloud, hoping to distract the others from suspecting his interest in Flora.
“Yes, that was a concern of mine as well. I'm eager to hear Flora's thoughts on the matter, which is another reason I'm glad she'll be going with thee,” John said, walking into the barn. “I wanted to show thee the special wagon we've built specifically for this kind of mission.”
He led them to a green wagon with a canvas covering. The spoked wheels were tall and sturdy for uneven ground and long travel. Upon first glance, the wagon appeared like any other. John walked toward the back. He bent and slipped his hand underneath. The sound of a lock sliding back caught Bruce's attention as he leaned forward to get a better look. A door popped open, revealing a false bottom under the wagon frame. Grinning, Bruce squatted on his haunches and peered inside a dark compartment, long and wide enough to carry two people lying down beside each other. The conditions would no doubt be cramped, but Bruce knew it would be worth it if the method led them safely to freedom.
“Very clever. I've heard of such wagons, but I've never seen one,” Bruce said.
“This one is used often for the Ohio and Indiana missions. It was built like the one Levi Coffin used about thirty years ago—with a few minor improvements.”
“Such as?” Bruce raised an eyebrow as he stood, glancing from Will Saferight to Pastor John and then to Jim.
“I've drilled a few holes from the
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