FIVE #2
Mary followed her outside. Maggie stopped at the wagon and breathed deeply. She gripped the side for strength. The dogs stood to attention as soon as they saw them. But Mary held up her hand, signaling for them to sit back down in the shade.
Maggie gave a short laugh, showing her frustration. “He was a guarantee in the camp. With the Home Guard patrolling the area… I’m stuck. All this way for nothing.” That reminded her. “How are you going to get back either? Past them.”
Mary shrugged. “Ministry didn’t work out for me— they wouldn’t let me keep my dogs. But I’ll go deeper into the forest. Don’t worry about me. Let’s figure out how to get you where you need to be.”
“Maybe there isn’t an answer this time. Maybe I was meant to do this on my own. It’s what I prepared myself for in the first place.”
Shaking her head, Mary disagreed. “No. There are seventy miles to go and this last bit’ll be the hardest. You’ve been lucky enough so far, but you’re about to get close to real battles. And considering what you’re carrying, you need to make sure that you’re finding the right people.”
Maggie covered her eyes with her hands and sighed. There had to be a way. She just had to find it. “You should go, Mary. I’ll stay here until I figure it out.”
“Let’s go sit in the church.” Mary ignored her dismissal. Leaving no room for argument, she walked away, and Maggie reluctantly followed.
The door to the church was open, revealing a single open room with benches lined up and a pulpit in the front center. Mary shut the door. “Do you know the story of Rahab in the Bible?”
“Umm…” The name sounded familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it.
“A harlot. She hid two Israelite spies, saving them from the king in Jericho. To repay her kindness and faith in the Lord, they had her tie a red cord outside her window so that when they overtook the city, she and her household would be spared.”
The story came flashing back. “I didn’t know that you were a believer, Mary.” Maggie hoped she wouldn’t offend her.
“Didn’t say that I am or not. The reason I’m telling you this story is that what I’m about to tell you must not be shared. With anyone except—”
“That you are a member of the Red Strings?”
Mary stopped. “Ruth told you?”
Maggie blushed. “She may have mentioned the possibility. But if it makes you feel better, you aren’t the first person I’ve met from a secret society. Does John know?”
“No. I didn’t want to complicate his life. And with his brother fighting, it wouldn’t be a good idea.” She didn’t elaborate further.
“So why are you?”
Mary clasped her hands together. “Someone helped me in a time of need. I want to return the favor.” Pulling something from her skirt, she walked over to Maggie and pressed it in her hand. It was the first half of the money she’d given Ruth to pay Mary for the journey.
“Why are you giving this back? You did help me. You got me here. I still owe you more than this.”
“I was never going to keep it. Only took it to get you out of town without questioning why I was helping you.”
“But the children—surely you’ll need it for them.”
“The children will be fine. You need this now.” Mary was adamant.
Confusion knit together Maggie’s brows. “I don’t understand.”
“Hire someone to take you. Ask Tucker. If not him, then ask someone else. All you need to do is get to a Union camp, past the Home Guard, past the deserters lurking in the mountains. I wish my connections were better. But, because I’m a woman, I’m only an ‘unofficial’ member,” Mary rolled her eyes.
“The man that helped me is nowhere near here to ask who is—there wasn’t exactly a roll sheet. ”
“You did this of your own accord.” It was more of a question than a statement.
Mary nodded. “You’re the first. The children are next.”
Thinking of sweet Susannah and Quincy, Maggie had to know. “Do you love them?”
There was a faraway look in Mary’s eyes. “Barely know them. But I do know that since that first night we met them on the road, when I saw them curled up together, I felt more alive than I have in years.”
Her answer opened more questions, but Maggie didn’t want to press. Ruth had mentioned her husband’s death. Perhaps Mary had faced more tragedy.
“When you find your man, find me again. We could all use a happy ending.” She gave a timid smile.
“Thank you for everything, Mary.”
“Go back in and talk to Dr. Wait—don’t leave here alone. I know you have people you love, but it won’t help them if something happens to you. Take care of yourself.”
“I will,” Maggie promised and followed Mary out. Mary whistled for the dogs. They quickly ran over to their master. Bob wagged his tail and pressed his nose in Maggie’s hand. Somehow, he knew they were parting.
“Come on, boy. We’ll see her again.”
Mary’s confidence in her success made Maggie like her even more. With one final scratch for Bob, they left, leaving Maggie behind.
She sighed, watching her friend walk away. How many times now had she been forced to watch those that she cared about go into an unknown future?
Making her way back to the parsonage, she knocked on the door. It took a while for the reverend to answer. Cringing, she realized how much of an effort it was for him. She should’ve waited for Tucker to return.
“Miss Ackerman?” He sounded surprised. “Where’s Mrs. Burson?”
“She had to leave. May I speak with you again?”
Nodding, he stepped aside, allowing her to enter.
Once they were seated again, Maggie plunged in.
“I have a suggestion, and if you’d let me, I’d like to explain without being interrupted.
Earlier, you had your own reasons for saying no.
But I need you to understand that I cannot wait, and I can’t turn back.
There’s no option other than to move forward.
I have some money, not Confederate dollars, to make the trip happen.
If I were to offer to pay Tucker to come along, and his wife, would you be willing to come too?
All I need is for you to get me at least inside the first Union camp.
If you, Tucker, or Mrs. Jones want to turn around after that, you’re welcome to.
I’ll give the full amount either way. What do you think? ”
Reverend Adams paused for a moment. Then he clasped his hands together. “If the Joneses are genuinely willing… Yes, I will go.”
Maggie exhaled, letting go of the breath she had been holding. Now, she must speak to Tucker.
She didn’t have to wait long. Tucker returned within a half-hour. He seemed surprised to see her. “Apologies, I didn’t realize you still had a guest.”
“Tucker, will you join us? Miss Ackerman has something she would like to ask you.”
At the reverend’s invitation, Tucker sat but seemed nervous. He was very still, waiting for Maggie to speak.
“Mr. Jones, earlier, you may have heard that the reason for our visit to Reverend Adams is that I am seeking a way to safely travel north to Virginia. Petersburg or Richmond, specifically. My companion was unable to make the last leg of the journey with me. Certain societal restraints prevent me from traveling alone with the reverend. He said that you are married. Yes?” Tucker nodded and she continued.
“I’d like to propose a business deal with you.
If you and your wife were willing to accompany us, I’d pay you every penny that I have. ”
To prove her point, she withdrew the wad of money from her pocket and laid it on the small table in between them.
“All you need to do is come with us as far as Richmond and then accompany Reverend Adams back here. The money is yours to do with as you please.” Finished with her speech, she waited for him to respond, her pulse rapid from nervousness.
Say yes, please say yes.
Reverend Adams cleared his throat and leaned towards Tucker. “If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to, Tucker. The choice is solely yours. Neither Miss Ackerman nor I will think any less of you if you say no.”
Tucker’s eyes lifted from the money to his face. “I need to speak to my wife, sir, before I commit to anything.”
“Yes, of course. Talk with her. Take all the time that you need. Miss Ackerman and I can wait.”
Tucker shifted his gaze to Maggie as if waiting for her to confirm. She smiled and nodded. Within a flash, he was gone, out the door.
Reverend Adams was very good at small talk, and she learned as they waited.
She half expected him to immediately inquire about her salvation after Tucker left.
Thankfully, he spent most of the time talking about the weather, the mountains, and his late wife’s funny jokes.
He never once questioned Maggie about herself and instead left gaps in the conversation that would have easily allowed her to contribute, should she want to.
When Tucker returned, he was exuberant. “Cynthia said yes. We’ll go with you.”
“Oh, thank you!” Maggie cried and rose. “When can we leave?” She asked, looking back and forth between the reverend and Tucker.
Adams chuckled. “As it’s Monday, I can leave as early as tomorrow. I’ll ask Robert Williams to take over until we return. He’s always chomping at the bit to lead the service. Tucker, how early can Mrs. Jones be ready?”
Tucker grinned. “She was already packing when I left her.”