Chapter 9
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
“Do not move or say a word,” Jacob cautioned her in a whisper.
“But…but…she is…” Dawn seemed to struggle with his instruction before quieting.
He could not blame her. It went against every instinct in his body to stand in place while the child remained in danger.
But the danger was lessened for her as long as the mother black bear did not see them as a threat.
He swallowed. How long would that be, though?
And how swift would her actions be should she deem that Mary or either of them were indeed a threat?
More importantly, could his flintlock pistol stop the bear should she charge?
Jacob doubted one single ball would fell the wild animal.
Especially if she was in a rage. During the War of Independence, he had heard fantastical stories about men accomplishing feats that seemed impossible for a human, even when mortally wounded.
He could only deduce that a bear would be the same. Or even worse.
Still, Mary was several yards away, and the black bears were drawing closer, especially the three cubs which romped ahead of their mother, tumbling and climbing upon one another.
“Mary,” he called in as quiet as a voice as she might hear. When she did not answer, he added a bit of urgency. “Mary.”
When her little ear turned slightly in his direction, indicating that she had heard, he gave his instruction. “Back slowly toward me.”
The smart child gave a dip of her chin without turning to look his way and edged a foot toward the sound of his voice. Better for her lighter footfalls and shorter stature to do the moving than for him. But he would be there in an instant if needed.
Jacob kept an eye on the mother bear without ever losing track of Mary’s progress, all the while conscious of his own thundering heart and Dawn’s rapid breathing.
Just in case, he carefully worked a shot from his shot bag and withdrew his pistol from its holster.
He may not have as much experience as the soldiers on the front lines, but he could load the weapon with his eyes closed.
He had to be able to. As a messenger, you never knew if the need might arise in the middle of the night or thick of fog.
It may not work, but he had to be ready to get a shot off if things went against his favor. Both then and now.
Somehow, the black bears continued with their march without noticing their movements, likely focused on the water source down the ridge. But that could change at any moment.
Mary kept her steady pace, gradually closing the gap between her and him.
Then her foot snagged on a root. In the blink of an eye, she was on her rump, and a tiny gasp escaped her.
Jacob’s eyes widened, and his attention darted to the mother black bear.
She stopped and looked toward Mary, sniffing the air.
Jacob thought his heart would beat out of his ears as he waited for her reaction.
One black paw moved closer, and Jacob’s fingers twitched, itching to grab Mary and run. But the swift movement would only exacerbate the situation.
“God, please, no. Please protect her. Please send the bear away.” Despite the quietness of her whispered pleas, Dawn’s voice behind him was laced with panic.
He could not reprimand her, though, could not tell her not to pray.
For what choice did they have? And what other comfort did she have?
Thankfully, Mary did not move a muscle after falling and simply stayed put on the ground.
After a bit more sniffing, the mother black bear lumbered off after her progeny.
As soon as the family of bears was out of sight, Jacob holstered his gun and made for Mary. Dawn beat him to her side and wrapped the child in a hug, tears spilling from her eyes. Jacob swallowed and held his ground. It seemed too private of a moment to interrupt.
When Dawn finally loosened her hold, though, Mary turned to him. “Jacob?”
He knelt. “Yes?”
Mary left Dawn’s lap and came over to wrap her arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
Jacob returned the child’s embrace but glanced at Dawn. “I did not do anything.”
“Yes, you did,” Dawn replied for the child, nodding as tears continued to slip down her cheeks. “You kept your head and kept her safe. We would not have known what to do without you.”
They sat there, Dawn looking on and Mary hugging him, with not a care in the world that they were in the middle of the forest. They were simply glad that the danger had passed. After some time, Jacob remembered what he had been doing before Dawn had begun screaming for Mary.
He eased Mary from him and quickly regained his footing. “I need to get those dishes washed. And bury our food stores so as not to attract the bears.”
Dawn came to him and placed a hand on his arm. “I can wash easier than I can dig. If you will let me help, we can accomplish both tasks at once.”
Jacob frowned as he took in her earnest face with those blue eyes that so easily melted his heart.
He did not want her to have to tend to either task, much less to risk putting her life in danger by sending her to the same river where the bear was likely taking a drink with its cubs.
But she had a point. Digging would be almost impossible for Dawn.
And he knew how much it pained her to admit that.
“Be careful. Watch for the bear and try to stay out of its sight. Remember not to move or make a sound if she does see you. And if she comes toward you or acts aggressively, use the dishes to make loud noises. I will be right here if you need me.”
Dawn nodded. “Keep Mary here with you.”
Jacob dipped his chin in a nod, but his words stuck in his throat as he realized what she said. He could have bent and kissed her right then, for the pride and joy that washed over him. He was well aware of what a great deal it meant for Dawn to entrust Mary’s care to him in the face of danger.
Perhaps his plan was working, after all. By keeping a level head when it was needed most, it seemed he had worked his way into Dawn’s trust, and hopefully, into her heart. If he could prove himself worthy, perhaps he could win her affections once more.
And yet, they had still to make it through the night.
* * *
June 30, 1782
Rocks clattered and water splashed as Jacob stepped into the shallow waters of the wide creek.
Beside him, Dawn entered the sunny creek bed with Samson in tow, the animal making a louder clatter as all four hooves came down into the rocky creek.
She turned and grinned up at Mary, who sat atop the horse as though she were a princess atop a royal steed, her back straight and tall and the hint of a smile on her face as she took in all around them.
Then Dawn tipped her face upward, blinking at the bright sunlight.
She sighed and closed her eyes, simply soaking in the moment.
Despite the oppressive heat that had settled in come mid-June, she still relished in the feel of the sun’s warmth against her face.
For so long, she had been made to do without.
One could forget what a blessing the light could be.
That was, until they had to face the darkness.
As Jacob sloshed over to a deeper spot to refill their canteens, Dawn shook the dreary thoughts from her mind and instead watched the cold water soak the bottom of her petticoats and swirl around Samson’s dark grey legs.
Tiny fish darted in and out between the horse’s fetlocks before moving on downstream.
When Jacob walked over and offered her the canteen for a drink, her mouth twisted in amusement.
While fresh, moving water was not exactly scarce in this land, Jacob seemed to make sure that she and Mary drank more than their share, as though their supply might run out at any minute.
Of course, the landscape did change so often, the water was not always available right at the moment it was needed.
Dawn accepted the drink and then handed the canteen up to Mary. With proper nourishment, the little one already seemed to be perking up. Though still pale and thin, there was a warmth and brightness to her face that had been lacking before.
While Mary sipped the water, Dawn returned her attention to her husband’s easy smile, to the face that had so quickly become familiar to her again. “I know it will be nearly unbearable on up in the day, but the sun feels so wonderful. It reminds me of those carefree days on the bank of the pond.”
“I miss those days as well. There was no pressure. To do anything. Be anything.”
Dawn frowned. How much of that pressure had been placed upon his shoulders by her and Mary? Thin lines creased the edges of his eyes and mouth. Were they added by age or by the stresses of life over the past years? Dawn shook her head. “I never meant for any of this to fall upon you, Jacob.”
He stepped closer. “You are not a burden, Dawn. This journey is not a burden. I meant what I said. I had no plans, no direction.”
Jacob seemed earnest, but how could it be that he truly did not have a single plan for his future? And what of his mother? His siblings? “Still. We have taken you away from your family.”
Jacob raised his brows. “Dawn, you know me. Did I ever desire to be around my family rather than spend time with you?”
The air seemed to leave Dawn’s lungs, and she blinked up at him.
Sure, during those days in the meadow and alongside the pond, they had each seemed drawn to one another as a moth to a flame.
Every waking moment not dictated by their parents or other obligations, they had spent in each other’s company.
But that had been seven years ago, when they were young and carefree.
While in some ways it felt as though it was only yesterday, much had occurred in the meantime, and life was much more complicated now.
“I…I suppose not. But that was so long ago.”
“That fact has not changed, Dawn.”
Dawn swallowed. He could not mean all that he implied.
That he felt as strongly about her then as she had always hoped and still did?
It could not be. No, it was best not to allow herself to daydream about what deep affection her husband seemed to be declaring.
Perhaps the sun beating down upon them had made him delirious?
She had to change the subject. Dawn rolled her eyes and forced a laugh.
“You make it sound as though your family is insufferable.”
Jacob chuckled. “The house does get a little loud and full with the five of us. And you can always count on them to poke at you. But they always mean it in good fun.” He shrugged.
“I know Jared seemed tough, but he went through a great ordeal in the war. He was caught in an explosion and is lucky to be alive. It has hardened him.”
Dawn placed a hand on his arm. “I am sorry. Perhaps time will work to heal the wounds that remain on the inside. We will pray it is so.”
“Yes. Thank you.” Jacob took a deep breath. “Well, best to head on our way, I suppose.”
After they crossed the creek, there was a wide, level trail that traveled alongside the water for as far as the eye could see.
For the first time, it seemed, since they had entered Kentucky, it actually appeared that people had come this way before them, the earth bearing the scars of their steps.
Of course, to their right, the land drifted up and up, but for now, what a welcome respite.
Even Mary seemed to understand what a blessing it was, for she squirmed atop Samson. “Me walk?”
“Of course you can, my dear.” Dawn moved toward her with a grin. As Mary began to slide from the saddle, though, Jacob came to her aid. He whisked her into his arms and spun her around, coaxing from her fits of squealing laughter.
After several times around, Jacob stopped and seemed to take a moment to gather his own bearings.
Then he slowly settled Mary on the ground.
A broad, toothy grin split her face as her eyes attempted to focus on the trees around them.
It took only a moment before she was marching right along beside Dawn, holding the ends of the reins as if she was the one leading the massive animal.
Less than half an hour later, though, the idea of walking had lost its shine.
Head down, Mary did not utter a word of complaint.
But her feet trudged forward one slow step after another, the toes of her boots dragging in the dirt.
Jacob noticed her lackluster attitude and gave Dawn a knowing look.
Then he knelt in front of Mary. “How would you like to ride on my shoulders and see how many tree branches you can reach?”
Immediately, both Mary’s eyebrows and her spirits lifted, and her toothy grin returned. She nodded emphatically, white-blond curls bouncing. As soon as Jacob turned, she scrambled up onto his shoulders. And as he began walking, her little arm shot into the air, reaching for the branches overhead.
Dawn chuckled and shook her head, but it warmed her heart to see.
Despite all her squirming and stretching, Jacob carried her along merrily as could be.
Mary had been in need of a father figure for quite some time, and he was the perfect man for the job.
At least until they made it to Bryan’s Station, that was.
She frowned. Would Mary’s uncle step into that role as easily as Jacob had?