My Heart Stood Still (Sisters Of Mercy Flats 2) (33 page)

The war was finally over. Giddy with the news, Anne-Marie had hugged Creed, Quincy, and every man, woman, and child in sight and then watched as grown men wept and others fell to their knees to thank God for their deliverance. Thousands of slain fathers, sons, and brothers were not here to witness the historic event. The North had won, but any sane man would concede there was no victor in this war. A nation had been split apart, its countrymen left with unspeakable loss. Perhaps the only blessing the weary soldiers carried was a sense of personal valor—a realization that when adversity comes, the most ordinary people can show that they value something more than they value their own lives.

The fighting over, the men were released from duty and told to go home. The gold would help many to begin to rebuild their lives. Soldiers would return to burned-down homes, looted farms, and fields
littered with the remains of war. For others, God willing, there would be wives and children waiting for husbands and fathers to return.

“If only the gold could have come earlier,” Anne-Marie mused.

“I am thankful no matter the timing,” the captain said. “I just thank God the fighting is over.”

The following morning, Anne-Marie watched as Quincy strapped the last of his belongings into his knapsack and hefted it onto his back.

“Are you going to ride or walk?” she teased.

“Both. I have shoes and a strong back; I’m going home.” He turned to shake Creed’s hand, his eyes filling with unshed tears. “It’s been a pleasure knowing and working with you, Creed Walker.”

Creed’s features turned somber when he clasped Quincy’s hand, his eyes confirming his deep respect for his trustworthy friend. “Our lives have been on the line many times, and you were always there for me. Thank you, Quincy.”

“If you ever get near Coleman Flats, Alabama, be sure to look me up,” Quincy said. “I’d be real honored to have you meet my family.”

“I’ll make it a point to ride that way,” Creed assured him.

Glancing at Anne-Marie, Quincy cleared his throat.

Smiling, she stepped up, hugging him tightly around the neck. “I hope the invitation goes for me as well.”

“Yes, ma’am.” That twinkle she loved sparkled in his eyes. “Especially for you.” He hugged her back, holding her firmly for a moment. “When you’re back with your sisters, you bring them to Coleman Flats, Alabama.” He shook his head, grinning. “Lord have mercy not only on me, but the town. Two others like you.”

Shaking hands one final time, Quincy turned and started through camp, saluting others as they called out to him.

Anne-Marie followed, tears wetting her cheeks when she watched him set off down the road. They had shared a lot in the past few weeks. She finally understood the passion behind those who had fought this
war. If she were asked to give her life in order that Quincy’s future sons and daughters would live in freedom, she would gladly do so. These courageous fighting men had proven that the color of one’s skin didn’t matter. It was the man who made the difference.

Then it was time for Anne-Marie and Creed to leave. Anne-Marie prepared for the final journey ahead with a heavy heart. There was a time when she would have anticipated the return home with a child’s enthusiasm. Now the realization of what lay at the end of the journey was bittersweet.

Creed checked the horses’ bridles. Even though she was impatient to be reunited with Abigail and Amelia, how would she ever be able to say goodbye to the man with whom she had shared her deepest secrets and thoughts—her very soul?

Turning, he caught her staring. For a moment their eyes met, affection mirroring in each of their depths. He finally broke the silence. “Commander Lewis has offered us an escort. I told him we wouldn’t need one.”

“No,” she murmured. She wanted their last hours together to be spent alone. Moving to her horse, she mounted before he could see dampness building in her eyes.

Creed swung into his saddle and, with a final salute to Commander Lewis, turned his horse.

Anne-Marie brought her animal in behind him, and they rode out of camp while the others stood watching.

For two days they rode side by side, speaking of nothing more serious than how pleasant the day was and how enjoyable the Baby Blue Eyes, Bird Cherry, and Coltsfoot were blooming along the ditches and ravines.

Creed pointed to a robin pulling fat worms out of the moist ground, and they laughed, savoring the shared intimate moments. Another time he spotted a cottonwood tree, and they left their horses to peel back the bark of the tree and scrape the spring sap that flowed upward. The jellylike froth was sweet and creamy. They devoured the delicacy like two small children.

Lying under the stars that evening, Anne-Marie rested in her bedroll, trying to hold back the sunrise.

“I’ll miss you,” she confessed. The fire had dwindled low. Overhead a canopy of stars saturated the sky.

“I’ll miss you too.”

“A lot?”

“More than you’ll ever know.”

Rolling to her side, she tried to memorize his features, every curve of his jaw, the bronze skin, and the eyes. Those beautiful coffee-colored eyes.

“Do you think things might have been different—if the circumstances were changed?” She longed to know that although he couldn’t speak of his feelings for her, they were as deep and troubling as hers.

He sat up, threading his hand through her hair. “Yes, things would be different.”

“You would choose me?”

His eyes softened. “I have chosen you. It would be impossible for any man to love you more than I do at this moment.” He didn’t touch her, didn’t reach out for her, but even so she was surrounded by the warmth of his arms. She studied the stars, determined to savor the moment and push aside the grief of goodbye that lay ahead.

Even as they drew nearer to Mercy Flats, nothing was mentioned about their future because there was none.

So many thoughts troubled Anne-Marie. Abigail, Amelia. The pact they had made as young girls, vowing to stay together forever. How could she break this promise, even though she loved Creed Walker more than she loved her life? She found herself consumed by guilt. She had betrayed those she loved by falling in love with a man, and yet she would never speak of her love for Creed. She would stay there in Mercy Flats and grow old and crabby with Abigail and Amelia. She would never admit that she so foolishly had fallen deeply in love with a man who belonged to another woman.

When the horses topped a rise the final day, Anne-Marie’s pulse quickened when she saw the small community of Mercy Flats spread
out below her. For a moment she was swept over with homesickness. The old mission looked achingly familiar and reassuring. Her life had been simple here, so uncomplicated.

They rested their horses side by side as Anne-Marie gazed down at the tranquil setting below them. Creed had said very little the last few miles.

“There have been times when I didn’t think I’d ever see it or my sisters again,” she admitted, fighting the rising lump in her throat.

“You must consider the possibility. It is conceivable that Abigail and Amelia’s rescuers were not able to elude the Comanches.” Reaching for her hand, he squeezed it supportively.

Smiling back at him, she bit her lower lip to still its trembling. “Will you ride down with me?”

She knew she shouldn’t ask. He wasn’t hers to invite, but oh, how she needed him to ride the last mile with her.

His eyes filled with love when he gazed back at her. “It is very hard for me to let you go. If I ride the last mile with you, I may find it impossible to turn back.”

She summoned up every last ounce of courage she had. “Ride with me anyway, Creed Walker.”

Nodding, he released her hand and Anne-Marie allowed her horse to begin to pick its way down the small ravine.

Approaching riders caught her attention and she reined up. Creed pulled up beside her. “Maybe your sisters have spotted you?”

“Maybe.” Her heart skipped with the thought of uniting with Abigail and Amelia. There had been times when she believed that she would never see her sisters again. When the party drew near, she identified the intruders. Bold Eagle and two warriors.

Creed frowned. “Berry Woman must be worse.”

The small party drew up, their war ponies winded. The colorful assembly fascinated Anne-Marie. The ponies bore the same pattern and colors his warrior used for his face and body and his weapons. The newcomers made a splendid sight in the balmy spring air. Bold Eagle’s large stallion crow-hopped and he brought it under control.
Creed walked his horse toward the chief. “You bring further news of Berry Woman?”

Bold Eagle focused on Creed. “May I speak in front of the woman?”

“Speak.”

“Perhaps we should talk in private.”

“No.” Creed glanced her way. “She can hear whatever you have to say.”

The chief hung his head. “I bear bad news.”

“Berry Woman has passed.”

“Better that she had.” The man shook his head. “Berry Woman has brought shame and disgrace on Bold Eagle.”

Creed eased his horse closer. “What are you saying?”

“My sister—I don’t know how to say this, my brother—she has married Plain Weasel.”

It took a moment for the words to register. Anne-Marie blinked.

Bold Eagle lifted his head to meet Creed’s eye. “Forgive me. My sister shames me and her people. Plain Weasel has been a thorn in my side since the day he was born. He runs wild in the camp with the other young boys, always kills too many buffalo, and will fight until the death. When Berry Woman looked at him I saw her interest, but I reminded my sister she was taken. I thought she heeded my warning.”

Creed laughed. The sound was one of pure relief or disbelief. Anne-Marie wasn’t sure. “Berry Woman is well enough to marry?”

The chief nodded. “Against my wishes, but she cried and wailed and threatened to leave the camp if I did not perform the ceremony. She said that I, her brother, would ruin her life if I made her marry a man who loved another. She assures me that her love for you was faithful until… ” He glanced at Anne-Marie. “It seems my sister chooses Plain Weasel over you. Finally her…” He searched for a word.

“Nagging?” Creed supplied.

The chief nodded. “Nagging has worn me down.” His shoulders slumped. “Day and night, night and day she sobbed. She does not
eat or drink. Bold Eagle finally had enough and I married the couple this past week. Berry Woman is now Sits-Beside-Her-Husband wife.”

Anne-Marie rode closer. “But I thought she was so very sick.”

“In the head,” Bold Eagle muttered and then recovered. “She is very weak, but she will now be the weasel’s nuisance.”

The news finally registered and Anne-Marie broke into a wide grin. “Be sure and give Berry Woman and Plain Weasel my best wishes. I hope that she and her new husband will have a long, happy life together.”

It felt so good to say that about the woman who had put fire ants in Anne-Marie’s pallet. She had to be making some progress.

Bold Eagle focused on Creed. “I will make amends. Ten horses, three chickens, fifteen of our best hides.”

Creed shook his head. “I don’t need horses or chickens, my brother. Your apology is enough.” He stepped up and the two men shook hands. “Tell Berry Woman I wish her much happiness.”

Bold Eagle solemnly nodded and then turned his stallion. “I go now. My stomach is soured.”

When the party was about to ride away, Creed whistled. Glancing at Anne-Marie, he said, “Stay here. I want to talk to him alone.”

Nodding, Anne-Marie stepped her horse back to allow privacy.