Another Chance (46 page)

Sarah
glanced around. Wolf stood on tip-toes under the oak. A noose encircled his neck. The rope had been thrown over a thick branch of the tree, and two men clung to the piece that dangled down. She leaned her hip against the railing seeking support, for she feared her knees and legs would crumple from fright. "Let him go!"

The British leader laughed loudly
. "She can hardly hold the damn thing. Underwood, rush her."

The man hesitated
.

"That's an order, private
."

He walked forward, tentatively
. "Miss, you don't want to hurt anybody," he said.

"Why not?
I killed thy friend. Why should I spare thee?"

He looked shocked, then twisted his head and peeked at the corporal
. His leader gestured him on.

Sarah
shifted her weight. Her arms ached, but she kept the man in her sights. "Thou has harmed those I love, why shouldn't I repay that debt?" she challenged.

"Quaker ladies shouldn't kill
." The soldier's voice quaked as he spoke.

The distance between
Sarah and him shortened. She pulled back the hammer. "I'll fire."

He stopped and glanced back
.

"She'll never hit you," the corporal yelled
.

"At this distance, she can't miss," the private screamed back
.

"If she doesn't shoot you, I will," his leader said, his tone deadly serious
.

The soldier started to run toward
Sarah. She eased back the trigger, closed her eyes and fired. The kick knocked her back and pain pulsed through her shoulder.
A mule couldn't have hurt any worst.
Her feet slipped out from under her. She landed on her bottom, jarred her spine, and an instant later her head hit the wooden porch. Her hold relaxed on the now useless rifle, and she lost consciousness.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Sarah
sensed herself slipping away from her present century
. "No! No, I can't go. Everyone that I love and care about is here. Please don't make me leave, not now. What will happen to Wolf, to Little Turtle, to Benjamin? You sent me here. There must have been a reason,"
she beseeched whoever had transported her.

You returned for another chance.
An unknown, yet firm voice said clearly.

Another chance?
she asked.

The last time you lived this life, you refused to take a chance. When you had an opportunity to warn Wolf and Jeremiah about the river, fear of horses prevented you from
giving the information they needed. You isolated yourself from the Little Turtle and Quick Rabbit, when they needed someone to understand and help them. Many times you had opportunities to assist others, but failed to do so. Subconsciously, you asked for another chance to correct those mistakes. This time you have stepped up to each of the challenges.

If I’ve done what was needed, p
lease let me stay! I love these people and will continue to aid them if I am permitted to remain.

Inside her head she heard,
If you stay, you will lose all memory of the 21st Century.

I'll agree, if onl
y I can remain with those I love,
she answered immediately.

Are you sure?
the voice came again.

Yes!
Only hurry my love ones are in danger!

Condition two
.

I
agree to any and all conditions,
Sarah blurted out interrupting.

The voice
continued as if she had not spoken.
Wolf and anyone else that you told about your century will forget all that they heard from you.

Yes, yes
. Fine. Please stop talking and send me back!
she begged.

Relentlessly the words pressed
on,
All objects that you brought from the 21st Century will disappear.

Her mind flashed briefly to her Swiss knife then spun away
.
Nothing matters except saving those I love!

So be it!

             
* * * *

A male voice screaming in agony pierced
Sarah's consciousness. From her hard seat, she looked in the direction of the moan. The soldier lay on his side clutching his upper arm. She had obviously shot him. Even seeing the blood, she had no regrets.

Sarah
glanced to the spot where Wolf had stood. An empty noose dangled from the thick branch. During the confusion and her brief unconsciousness, he had somehow escaped the noose and managed to free his hands. She searched further.

Wolf had positioned himself so he commanded a view of the yard and was a threat to the remaining British soldiers
. Somehow, he had managed to retrieve his weapons. He stood with his bow string drawn tight and his arrow pointed at the corporal. "Throw down your muskets, raise your hands over your head, and step back three paces," he commanded.

The soldier, guarding Benjamin and Mistress Westcoat, instantly obeyed
. The ones holding the now slack rope also followed his instructions.

"Never!" shouted Big Bottom, as he started to pull his flintlock pistol from the waistband of his pants
.

Before his hand cleared his uniform, an arrow buried itself into the corporal's chest
. He staggered then toppled backwards. Instantly, Wolf notched another arrow, pointing his bow in the general direction of the three remaining British soldiers. "If any of you move, you'll receive a similar decoration.

"Are you all right,
Sarah?" Wolf called in a caring voice, sparing her a brief glance.

"Yes
." She rose to her feet, gathered her strength and hurried down the steps.

Her father and Mistress Westcoat sat still tied under the oak
. She looked toward Daniel and thought she saw him move.

Jeremiah's voice filled t
he air, and she heard him say, "Surround the English."

Sarah
briefly glanced to her left. Ten Continental soldiers led by Jeremiah rode into the yard. Quickly, they encircled the three remaining enemies.

Sarah
ran to Wolf and hugged him briefly. "Please see to Daniel. I'll check my father and Mistress Westcoat." She dashed to their side. "Is either of thee hurt?" she asked as she bent down and untied the rope.

"Nay, daughter
. We are well." Benjamin kissed her cheek lightly. "And thee?" he questioned, looking closely at her.

Thoughts of Wolf and what could never be, tempered her smile, still she replied, "All is well now
. I am home to stay."

While Benjamin helped Mistress Westcoat to rise, he stared at
Sarah then glanced at Wolf before gazing again at his daughter. Questions filled his eyes.

"It didn't work
." She swallowed the tears. "He and I are too different."

Benjamin pulled her into his arms and patted her back
.

Sarah
clung to him for a few moments, seeking his strength. Her effort failed. Gathering her own courage and resolve, she said, "I must see if I can help Daniel."

Her father nodded and released her
.

Jeremiah and his men were tying the British soldiers' hands and ankles with stout rope, yet she scarcely noticed as she walked toward Wolf and the injured scout
. This would be her final goodbye. Wolf would return to his plantation, and she would stay behind.
Unable to change the situation, she pushed aside her personal problems and focused on the lad.

Wolf had cut Daniel's bonds and had placed the lad on his stomach
. Semi-conscious, the young man moaned when Wolf poured water from his leather flask over Daniel's lacerated back. While he worked, Wolf kept part of his attention on Sarah's movements.

When she had run into his arms earlier, his spirit soared, and he thanked
Kitanito wet
for keeping her safe. A moment later, she had fled his embrace to check on her father. As she pulled away, his soul screamed from loneliness. His arms and his whole being experienced a great emptiness. The idea, of never holding her again, increased the size of his wound and wrenched opened a part of himself he thought he had controlled.

A
s he watched her approach, he vowed that no matter the obstacles, they must become husband and wife. He must tell her of his love and convince her to stay with him, for without her, life possessed little meaning.

Wolf continued ministering to Daniel when
Sarah took her place on the opposite side. The lad groaned in pain.

"Hush!
Thou will be fine." She undid her apron and gently blotted the watery blood from Daniel's back. While she worked, she spoke soothing words. Perhaps Daniel heard her, for he appeared to relax under her gentle touch.

Wolf placed his hand over hers
.

She stared at him
.

He saw the love and pain reflected in her eyes
.

"I love you
." He squeezed her fingers. "Will you marry me?"

Joy entered her face, driving away the anguish visible only a moment before
. "Is thee sure?"

Nodding, Wolf leaned across the lad and kissed her lips
. "Our life will not be easy …"

"As long as we have one another," she replied
.

              * * * *

After
Jeremiah and his men had been thanked and both the British and the Continental troops had departed, and Daniel had been settled comfortably in his bed, Sarah and Wolf confronted Benjamin. Before they could speak, he said, "I know what is in thy minds." He placed his hands on Sarah's shoulders and kissed her on the forehead. "My permission is granted. My only condition is that thee and thy new family must visit me often."

She hugged him to her and felt the moisture of his tears on her cheeks
. Sarah kept hold of his arms but inched away and looked at him directly. "How could I ever forget to visit my father? I expect a couple of promises in return. When I wed Wolf, thee must be by my side."

"Of course
. Where else would I be?" he replied.

His words pleased her
. "Second, my new home must become another home for thee." Sarah took one step back and smiled between the tears that had begun to flow.

Benjamin nodded then grasped Wolf's hand
. "I expect a pledge from thee that thou will love my daughter and care for her."

Placing his other hand over Benjamin's, Wolf replied, "I will strive to be all that my
Sarah wants."

"That
is enough," Benjamin replied. He went on, "I am sure thou wishes to reach the plantation before dark so that thou can reassure thy family. To do so, thou must leave now."

After a hasty embrace
and a quick wave, they rode toward home.

* * * *

When they turned onto the road leading to the plantation, a blue jay voice sounded in the trees
. An instant later, Long Knife jumped down from a nearby tree. "Silver Wolf, Sarah, welcome back. All went well?" he asked.

"Yes," replied Wolf
. "Join us in the barn yard, and I will tell you and all our people what happened."

Long Knife nodded then sent out a bob-white call
.

Sarah
glanced at Wolf.

"The first was a warning signal, the second an all clear
."

"I have much to learn," she said
.

He leaned over and took her hand
. "We will have many years to teach each other."

"
Sarah!" Little Turtle galloped toward them. You've come home."

She spurred her horse forward
. A few seconds later they stopped, jumped down, and hugged one another.

"I wanted to come and help
…"

"Thee had to defend the plantation,"
Sarah said quickly.

He nodded
. "You're not leaving again, are you?"

She heard the concern in his voice
. "Thee wants me to stay?"

Little Turtle bobbed his head
. "You must. I need a mother, my father needs a wife, and the cat I found needs a good home."

"Cat?"
Sarah said.

"Right here
."

A gray and black tabby eased passed her leg
. Sarah bent down and petted the cat. "What's its name?"

"Puss," said Little Turtle
.

"Perfect," said
Sarah. "Puss." The cat lifted its head and purred.