Chapter 12
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Bryan’s Station, Kentucky
Jacob gritted his teeth as he did his best not to limp, but pain shot through his ankle and radiated up through his leg with every step.
Dawn needed him to be strong, though, and he could not allow the first impression he made at the station to be that of a weak, incapable man.
As they neared the structure, a shout could be heard from above.
Then the tall wooden station gate swung just wide enough for them to enter.
As soon as they were through, a man shut the gate and pulled the bar down.
What was called a station by name was actually a fort with palisades and turrets at each corner.
The structure was incredibly long, with what appeared to be around twenty houses built along the length of the two longer sides.
Several men approached. The hair on the back of Jacob’s neck stood up, and he gripped Dawn’s hand tighter. He managed to pull himself taller despite the pressure it placed on his ankle. He could endure the discomfort if only he focused on the problem at hand.
The first man to reach them held a rifle and wore a black hat and waistcoat. His eyes were almost as dark as the garments, and his jaw remained set until he opened his mouth to speak. “Welcome. Did you encounter any trouble?”
“No. We traveled from Richmond, and despite word of attacks, we encountered no threats along the way.”
“Good.” The man’s gaze slipped to the gate, up to the lookouts, and then back to Jacob. “What brings you to our station during this time of unrest?”
Jacob nodded toward Mary. “This child here. She had received word that this was where her uncle was stationed. Both her parents have passed, and”—he glanced at Dawn—“while my wife and I would be more than glad to continue as her guardians, we felt it best to return her to family, if possible.”
Dawn squeezed his hand.
The man gave a curt nod, then looked at Mary. He squinted as he assessed her, likely to try to determine if she bore a resemblance to anyone he knew. “What is her uncle’s name?”
“Edmund. Edmund Fairfax.”
“Oh. I did not realize he had any family. I will take you to him, though.” He led them to a cabin near the front of the fort and knocked on the doorframe of the open door. “Edmund, it is Morgan.”
A moment later, a man wearing a Continental Army uniform appeared in the doorway. He stood a few inches taller than Jacob, and his blond brows pulled together as he surveyed his guests.
Their guide provided explanation. “Edmund, these newcomers say you are this girl’s uncle.”
“Her father was Ethan.” Out of the corner of his eye, Jacob caught the movement as Dawn rubbed her hand across the top of Mary’s back, between her little shoulder blades.
“Ethan’s girl?” Edmund’s eyes widened as he turned to take in Mary. “Come. Come in.” He stood to the side and held out an arm to invite them into his home.
“Here, I will tie your horse,” the first man offered.
They followed Edmund into one of the single-room matching homes that lined the two longer sides of the fort.
He motioned them to a small square table with two chairs.
Dawn gathered Mary into her lap as she sat.
Jacob hesitated, not wanting to leave the host standing, but Edmund pulled a chair over from the corner of the room.
Jacob settled in across from Dawn as Edmund set his chair at the side of the table.
“So…my brother…I thought that not hearing from him through the years simply meant he had been unable to get word to me here in the wilderness.”
“I am so sorry, sir. She passed away two years ago.” Dawn’s soft, gentle voice was the best one to break such news.
Edmund nodded, but he blinked, his face reddening even in the dimness of the cabin. “And this is…”
“Mary. His daughter. She is four now.”
Mary peeked up from where she had her face buried in Dawn’s chest.
The man sucked in a breath. “She looks so much like her father.”
“We received the last letter you sent saying you were here. We prayed you would still be here when we arrived, for you are all the family she has left.” Dawn’s voice caught.
“And you have been caring for her?”
“Yes. I am her stepsister. And this is my husband.” Her gaze connected with his over the table. Jacob gave her a gentle smile.
“I appreciate all you have done. I know Ethan would be grateful to know his daughter was cared for. Do you plan to stay on here?”
“Yes, for some time at least.”
“Then we should find you some lodging.” Edmund pushed from the table. “With all of the unrest, there have been several families that have left for safer locations. Actually, the cabin right down from here became available just this week.”
Jacob opened his mouth, then closed it again. His gaze darted from Edmund, to Mary, and back again. Did the man not wish to connect with his niece? Perhaps he only aimed to see to their needs first.
After they stepped back out into the afternoon sun, Edmund led them to another of the small, matching homes, four down from his.
He pushed open the door. The stagnant air inside the building, which had been closed up in the heat of summer, was stifling as Jacob accompanied him inside.
Jacob pulled a chair from the table and used it to prop open the door while Dawn followed them in with Mary.
The one-room cabin contained a table and chairs, a bed that appeared to have a trundle beneath, a fireplace for cooking, and a vanity and hutch.
Disappointment crawled into Jacob’s stomach and settled there.
The dark room was so small and uninviting.
He was not sure how he meant to provide it, but he had hoped for a better home for his family—one they could be proud of.
“I know it is not much.” Edmund seemed to read his mind. “But it bears all the essentials, and if you find yourself in need of anything, you need only to ask.”
“We certainly appreciate it.” Dawn offered a small smile. Edmund still had not mentioned taking Mary in. Was she beginning to regret the decision to come here?
Edmund nodded, then looked to Jacob. “I can show you to where Morgan tied your mount so you may get settled. I figure it will be best for Mary to stay tonight with you. With it being the first night in a new place, she may need some familiar faces to ease the transition. I can show you around and introduce you to some of the others tomorrow.”
Jacob let out a breath before he grinned.
“Thank you.” Finally, the man had made his intentions clear.
It seemed he was the kind of person who liked to get straight to the point, without extra words.
Though it might make it more difficult for him to connect with Mary, it would not hinder his ability to care for her.
And he was already taking her needs into consideration. At least, Jacob hoped that was all.
* * *
July 11, 1782
With the scent of baking biscuits filling the cabin, Dawn took a moment to step away from the hot fireplace and move into the open doorway where a breeze ruffled the edges of her hair.
She glanced down the way, but no movement could be seen at Mr. Fairfax’s cabin.
There never could be. But that did not prevent her from checking every morning, as though she could peer through the cabin walls and see that Mary was well.
In all reality, the child seemed to be adjusting to their new surroundings better than Dawn.
Mr. Fairfax was often scouting or hunting during the day and unable to keep Mary, so she was more than glad to continue spending her days with Dawn.
He had also introduced them to Mrs. Abbott, a widow with four children, who’d taken Dawn under her wing and helped her adjust to life at the fort.
While Mary quite enjoyed playing with the youngest of the children, and Dawn was thankful for their presence in her life, a sense of anticipation lingered.
As though she was still waiting for something to happen. But what?
Dawn sighed and retreated back into the cabin and to the pan warming over the fire. When she added four strips of bacon, they began to sizzle and pop. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply while her stomach rumbled in anticipation of the delicious food.
“Smells wonderful.” Jacob echoed her thoughts as his shadow filled the door.
Dawn turned and smiled at the sound of his voice. “How is Samson?”
Jacob shrugged. “He seems to be settling well. I only wish there was better grazing.”
Dawn frowned as she used a fork to flip the sizzling strips of bacon.
To keep them safe within the bounds of the fort, all of the horses were restricted to a single, over-grazed corral.
Though she understood the need for protection, it seemed inhumane.
Samson, after having brought them thus far, deserved fresh air and green pastures, neither of which could be found in the crowded fort.
Jacob came and knelt beside her, rubbing a hand over her back. “He is well,” he assured her, before leaning in and pressing a kiss to her cheek.
Dawn grinned, her insides swirling. Every touch and kiss was still so new and wonderful.
“I am scouting with Edmund again today. What will you and Mary do?”