Chapter 2
The dinner was a grand affair. Mrs. Mary Ann Hullehan was the ultimate hostess and she aimed to please. She'd been in the formal dining room to greet her guests as soon as they'd been guided from the parlor to the back dining room.
The first to arrive was Senator Jasper Whitlock and his wife Mrs. Jasmine Whitlock. Jasper's family had been in Texas as long as the Hullehan's. His daddy had fought in the Mexican-American war and his daddy's daddy had fought in the Texas Revolution. The tobacco plantation they owned provided more than thirty five percent of the tobacco crop in the Union and in England. They had enough money and resources to be a worthy adversary to the North if it came to it. Jasmine and Mary Ann had known each other since they were small children. They'd both been taught together by the same instructor at the local school. They'd gone off to boarding school together for two years before they'd been brought back, their parents deeming they'd 'learned enough'. It was common during those times. They'd been lucky enough to be allowed to further their education in the first place.
Carl Caine and his wife Mrs. Esmeralda Caine arrived next. They weren't native southerners. Carl had been a doctor in England when he and his wife had come to America so he could start his own practice free from governmental interference. He had a vast knowledge of medicinal practices, having been an apothecary by trade, and considered himself a visionary in forward thinking on hygiene and its relation to disease. He'd been an emissary for England while he lived there and had many years of diplomatic experience. His knowledge of the body and his way with words would come in handy in the years to come.
Lieutenant Governor Edward Clark and his wife Mrs. Martha Clark were also in attendance. Edward Clark was the second in line to governor Samuel Houston, and while Samuel was hesitant and unsure about Texas secession, Edward was anything but. He understood their cause, he'd been in the south all of his life having been born in Louisiana, raised in Georgia and having studied law in Alabama. He had his own law practice, and had been a state representative for Texas and Secretary of State before he'd become Lieutenant Governor. He was loyal to Texas and her needs, and was the popular pick to succeed Samuel if they couldn't sway him to their side. He was a particularly tall man, with hair as red as the copper penny, but he was intelligent and knew a good opportunity when he saw one. He had ambition and fortitude. He didn't want to sit in the shadows of Sam forever, and it seemed like the good Lord was on his side. His time was finally coming.
The last to arrive was Major Alexander Vennessen and his wife Mrs. Jane Vennessen. Major Alexander had fought in the Mexican-American war and was the only one among them with real battlefield experience. His wife Mrs. Jane Vennessen was a small woman. She was of French ancestry and had been a nurse when she met the Major. He owned and operated a military school down in Houston, which would offer them a steady supply of men should they need to recruit. He was a stern man. Life at war had made him callous but he had the mind of a tactician, was ruthless at combat and would serve them well.
They were already seated when Buck walked into the dining room. The men stood as he entered and he greeted them first making his way from one couple to the other, shaking hands and giving pleasantries before he sat at the head of the table, Mrs. Mary Ann sitting to his left as his wife.
"I want to thank you all for coming this evening," Buck started out, speaking to the whole table. "As you all know with this election, not going the way we needed it to go, our way of life is under siege."
There were several mumbles of agreement from both the men and women as he spoke.
"Our southern sister states; South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida have already seceded."
"And I have it on good authority that Georgia and Louisiana will be filing their secession papers before the month is out," Senator Whitlock spoke up.
"Is that right?" Major Vennessen questioned.
"The talk is all over the senate floor. I've kept my mouth closed obviously but I listen. Mark my words, they'll be next."
"Do you think we'd get more support if you did bring it up?" Buck asked, posing the question.
"The Republican party of Lincoln is the majority right now, in both the House and the Senate. If I even propose to bring it to the floor I'd have to leave my seat or they'd force me out." Senator Whitlock responded.
"You'd think there'd be more like-minded people in those circles," Mrs. Jasmine Whitlock said, speaking up for the first time. "Most if not all of those senators and representatives were elected to their positions by us or for us."
"It's truly ridiculous," Senator Whitlock said, agreeing with his wife.
"You know I spoke with a young man from South Carolina the other day," Major Vennessen started, "He said not only were the surrounding union states unsupportive of slave state expansion but upon encountering runaways, they kept them, refusing to return them back to their rightful owners."
"See, it's behaviors like that that only fuel our position," Buck said with fervor.
"If my dog were to run off with some of my tobacco leaves caught in his mouth, my neighbors would send him back to me with a new leash and his tail tucked between his legs. I don't see why a runaway slave is any different. I own them both." Major Whitlock chimed in and several hums of agreement were heard around him.
"On top of that, you know there have been several Indian attacks down in Houston near my school," Major Vennessen added. "What good is the government if they can interfere with our business affairs but not intervene between us and those damn savages huh? I almost sent my boys down there to handle it."
"Samuel is overwhelmed," Lt. Governor Edward chimed in. "He's got pressure on him from the constituents to secede but he himself doesn't agree with it."
"Who gives a damn what he agrees with," Buck said. "He's here to serve us, not himself."
"I agree," Lt. Governor Edward said, raising his hands in surrender. "The south is more profitable and productive because of its slave labor, and I believe in keeping the citizens happy. Sam just can't see that right now."
"It doesn't matter if he sees it or not. His time as governor has come to an end," Buck said and he looked to Senator Whitlock then to Lt. Governor Edward before he spoke again.
"I propose, gentleman, that we send some men from each county up to Austin, the capital and vote on this. We live in these states, we live off of this land and we know what it takes to survive down here. Slavery is apart of this life. It's the natural order of things, it has been since the good Lord was born and it will be as long as we have a say in it."
"We'll need at least two to three men from each county," Senator Whitlock spoke up.
"That shouldn't be an issue," Major Vennessen responded, "A lot of the young men around here feel the same way we do. I'll put the word around amongst the boys, give them a couple days to go back home so they can represent their counties."
"Good," Buck said, nodding at the Major. "Lt. Governor Clark, make sure you're available to be in Austin when the time comes."
A smile so sinister slid over Edward's face as he heard the news. His time had come indeed.
"Yes sir."
X
When Rose got back to her bunk on The Row that night both Sam and her mama was up waitin' for her on the porch. Mama had her arm all patched up. Some small cotton squares were fashioned to her arm to stop the bleeding and she wrapped one of her old shirts around it and tied it around her neck to keep her arm still while it healed. She'd be okay.
"Rose you alright baby?" mama asked her as she walked up the steps and into the bunk. The houses on The Row were small and simple but they served their purpose. The houses were one level homes split down the middle. One side of the house was for one family and the other side was for another. Each side had doors on them that they could be closed for privacy, but most often during the days they were left open for circulation so air could come in and cool the areas down. Rose, Mama and Jake all shared the bunk they lived in. There were only two beds, so since Jake was the only boy he got his own bed and mama and Rose shared the other one.
"I'm fine mama, I'm fine."
"No she ain't look at her face," Sam said pointin' to Rose's cheek.
Mama stepped closer to her, grabbin' her face and turnin' her cheek to get a better look at her.
"Master Buck did this to you?" she asked her.
Rose jerked her face away turnin' towards the bed and grabbin' her night dress.
"It was my fault mama I disobeyed him is all."
"It's not fine and it's not right," Sam shouted, wakin' up Jake who'd been sleep in the bed across from them. "It don't matter what you did, he don't have the right to hit you."
"Hush up now boy I won't have you yellin' in my house," mama told him sternly.
But that didn't stop Sam. He was angry, he had been for some time. He hated livin' here, servin' these people. He hated how they could do whatever they wanted to them and there were no rules or laws or anybody to stop them. It seemed like every night he prayed that things would get better. That things would change but they never did. He prayed and prayed and prayed but nothing happened. It was like God couldn't hear him. He was tired of sittin' around here waitin' on somebody to help them. Maybe it was time they helped themselves.
"Somebody hit you Rose?" Jake asked as he sat up in the bed. He was still much too weak to move. Mama Augustine wasn't sure what was wrong with him but she made him drink this nasty root tea that she said could cure anything. He wasn't sure about that but he was startin' to feel better. He needed his strength back. Things were changin' around here and he needed to make plans.
She shook her head, trying to change the subject but Sam spoke up for her before she could.
"Master Buck slapped her today. He slapped a little girl half his size. He oughta be hanged for that alone. Rose is barely strong enough to skin a chicken yet he's puttin' his hands on her." Sam spit out, his ire escalating the more he talked about it.
"Hey!" Mama interrupted, "You can't be sayin' things like. You know this is just the way of things around here."
"Well maybe we shouldn't be round here then," Jake spoke up from his perch in the bed. "I've been payin' attention to stuff mama. Not everybody agrees with how things are down here. There are people who see that it's wrong. There are places we could go where we wouldn't be property, but people like everybody else."
"I don't want y'all talkin' about this," mama said with finality in her voice.
"Times are changin'," Sam remarked. "You know Henry and Emmanuel over on Old man Whitlock's plantation have been talkin' to a group of us about travelin' up North. Said they know how to get there and everything."
"You could come with us mama," Jake said softly.
"I won't have this Jake, I won't."
"It's too late mama," he replied. "As soon as I get strong enough, me and Sam leavin' with the rest of 'em."
"And if they catch you then what? You know what happens to runaways? They end up dead. They'll hang you from a tree and if you're lucky they won't brand you or beat you first, or cut off your fingers or toes."
"It's better than stayin' here, gettin' beat for not workin' hard enough or for disobeyin'," Sam said, gesturing towards Rose who had got into bed.
"I won't die a slave mama," Jake stated. "I won't."
"Neither will I," Sam echoed out in agreement, and just like that, they had a plan.
X
That night as Buck and Mary Ann readied for bed, he thought about Rose again. He didn't know why she filled his thoughts, why he couldn't get his mind off of her for more than a few minutes. It didn't make any sense. He hadn't been able to shake the look she had on her face after he'd hit her out of his mind.
All through dinner he could see her in his head. Her small frame, her green eyes, her long coily hair. He couldn't escape from her.
"Buck? Buck honey?"
"Hmm?"
He turned around to see Mary Ann in her nearly see-through shift. Her brown hair falling down around her face and stopping at her shoulders. She stepped closer to him, her hands coming to rest on his chest as she gazed up at him under her lashes, attempting to be demure.
"You seemed quite distracted tonight husband," she teased, her hands slowly falling down his chest until one stopped to cup him through his pants. "Is there anything you may require of me tonight?"
His eyes rolled back as she stroked him through his trousers, his head reclining as he enjoyed the sensations.
"Do you think Carl and his wife are on board?" he queried. "They hardly spoke during dinner."
"I think dear husband," Mary Ann began as she made longer, more insistent strokes along the fabric of his pants, "That you should focus on the task at hand, business can wait until tomorrow."
She leaned forward placing her lips on Buck's. Mary Ann knew her marriage wasn't based on love or even mutual affection but she had plans to change that. She was Mrs. Mary Ann Hullehan, wife to one of the wealthiest men in the state. He had more sway with the men in the capital than her own father and she'd be damned if his attention began to wane because he wasn't satisfied.
She untucked his pants from his trousers, reaching her hand inside his drawers to graze her hand over his hardening cock. The deep groan that came from her husband fueled her in her endeavors as she wrapped her whole hand around his manhood and gave it long sensual strokes.
Buck couldn't help but reveal in the sensations, the tension in his shoulders and back releasing as his mind cleared to anything but the pleasure he felt. He could feel his cock lengthening and hardening as his wife stroked him harder. He closed his eyes in satisfaction, and in the darkness behind his eyelids he could see the green eyes of his small little Rose. He could imagine it was her hand stroking his cock, her lips kissing along his neck, though she'd have trouble reaching it without his help. He could envision wrapping his hands around her waist, hauling her small body into his as he put his lips on hers. Ravaging her mouth, plunging and taking from her what belonged to him. He could see himself leaving a trail of kisses from her mouth to her jawline. Kissing down her neck and sucking harshly as her small body laid against his large one, receiving the pleasure only he could offer her.
"Oh Buck honey," Mary Ann groaned.
His eyes snapped open and instead of his little Rose pressed against him it was Mary Ann. Her tall form leaned against his as his mouth was touching the skin of her neck. He could feel his cock deflating as the image of Rose dissipated from his mind.
He pulled away from Mary Ann, the confusion on her face evident as he walked away from her and towards his side of the bed, stripping down to his under clothes to prepare for bed.
"Buck honey? What's wrong?"
"I'm tired Mary Ann and I'm goin' to bed," was all he said as he blew out the candle by the bed, bathing the room in darkness and turning over, closing his eyes in sleep.
X
At first light that next morning when mama was rustling next to her getting ready to start her day, Rose got up as well. She was always a light sleeper, and though she didn't know if Mr. Buck needed her this early, she got up and out and on her way to the Big House anyway.
When she walked into the house, passing through the entry parlor and into the kitchen she was caught up in the flurry of activity. The cooks and servants were moving about getting the first meal ready so Mr. Buck and Mrs. Mary Ann could break their fast in the dining room. She stood off to the side of the kitchen out of the way of the servants and unsure as to where she was needed when Alicia, the girl she recognized from yesterday, walked into the kitchen.
"Alicia?" she called out to her and watched as she came walking over.
"Hey Rose."
"You know what I'm supposed to be doin?" she questioned.
"Me?" Alicia chuckled, pointing to herself as she asked the question. "I'm not in charge 'round here, but you could head on back to Master Buck's fittin' room to see if he needs you there first. Them stairs right behind you will take you there."
She turned behind her to see a small set of stairs tucked into the corner of the kitchen. She followed them up and came to the landing right by Mr. Buck's room, the baby's nursery and his fittin' room a couple doors down.
She heard his steps before she saw him standin' in the doorway of his bedroom. He was still in his underclothes this early in the morning. His white linen shirt hung low down past his thighs. His drawers were tucked down into his socks and his blonde hair was unruly. Long cowlicks of blonde curls hung down over his forehead not yet slicked down with pomade. He was a sight to see even in his unreadiness and Rose felt the warmth bloom in her face as a blush rose along her cheeks.
He was wary as he stood there, his eyes raking over her. He was unsettled as he recalled fantasizing about her while he touched his wife. The mere thought of it had his mind hazy again. He couldn't understand it. How this little slip of a girl, a colored one at that could distract him the way she did. He found himself thinking of her often. Even now as he looked at her, in her simple linen dress. The neck of it scooping down past her collarbones. That small peek of the visible flesh had Buck grindin' his teeth as he fought not to touch her.
He was cautious as he approached her, mindful not to startle her with his movements. He wasn't going to hurt her anymore, he knew that, he just needed to make sure she did too.
"Mornin' Rose," he greeted his voice still rough from sleep.
"Good Mornin' Mr. Buck," she replied with a small smile on her lips. "I was wonderin' if you needed me for more mendin' this mornin'?"
"Well I don't have no more shirts or pants for you to fix but I could use some of your help dressin' for the day if you don't mind?" he said, his voice still rough and hoarse from sleep. He did his best to seem harmless though his big frame made the endeavor pointless. He attempted to smile at her, the dimples in his cheeks becoming more pronounced as the gesture spread across his lips.
Had he thought deeper, past the mere thought of having Rose close to him for a longer period of time, he would have thought it strange that Sam hadn't met him in the hallway this morning as he'd done every day previous. He would have known something wasn't quite right and would have sent someone to see about the boy but the thought never crossed his mind as he watched the woman in front of him, reluctantly transfixed by her mere presence.
Rose didn't see how a girl of her small size and stature could help a big man like Mr. Buck dress but mama always told her not to question white folks no matter how strange the request so though she was puzzled she nodded her head in acquiesce.
Buck could barely admit to himself that he had ulterior motives with his request. Instead of ruminating on the thought and it's dangerous implications he instead moved forward.
He turned and walked towards his fittin' room Rose following close behind him. His waistcoat and trousers were already laid out on the table. He moved to stand on the step ladder but thought better of it when he took in Rose's already small stature standing next to him. Instead he grabbed the pants she handed him stepping into them and fastening them over his drawers. She came behind him attaching braces to the waistband of his trousers and slipping the straps over his shoulders to keep his pants held up.
He watched as she moved around him, walking back to the table and grabbing his waistcoat to help him into it. He noticed how calculated her movements were. How stiff she seemed as she maneuvered around him, like she was making sure she didn't accidentally do the wrong thing. He didn't like it. He wanted her to relax, to feel comfortable around him, and to not be afraid of him. It didn't make any sense.
"You didn't sleep well last night," he commented, noticing the dark circles underneath her eyes, ignoring the bruise that had darkened on her face.
She moved around to his front, her fingers moving expertly as she began buttoning up his vest.
"I slept just fine Mr. Buck."
"Rose."
She looked up at him then and he gave her a telling look.
"Be honest with me Rose, it's just us in here."
She was still quiet as she did up the buttons of his waistcoat. He shifted closer to her, his large foot coming to rest in between her stance. He couldn't help himself as his hand ghosted the curve of her waist. She was such a small thing compared to him. His neck hung down as he leaned closer to her, crowding her space as he caught her scent in the air.
"How did you sleep last night?" he questioned.
"No better than usual Mr. Buck."
"Are you not comfortable on The Row, being close with your mama and brother?"
"No sir it's not that."
"Then what is it?" he asked, his fingers lifting between them to graze the darkness beneath her eyes and Buck smiled as she didn't flinch from his touch this time.
Rose couldn't tell him the truth. She couldn't tell him that she'd been up late thinkin' about her brother and Sam runnin' off with the others from Old Man Whitlock's plantation. She couldn't tell him she feared for her brother's life and laid in bed all night fearing he was runnin' towards death's door and not away from it. She couldn't say any of that. So she lied.
"I was up late helpin' mama with her arm. Keepin' the cloths clean and makin' sure she don't sleep on it."
He'd forgotten about that. He'd been so caught up in this succession business and his confusing thoughts about Rose he'd forgotten about Frank and his enthusiastic discipline.
"Frank can get over excited sometimes," Buck explained, though it sounded weak even to his ears.
"Excitement? Is that what y'all call it?"
"Rose," Buck warned but she kept talking.
"Seems to me like mean, cruel or ugly would be better words for it?"
"Rose." Buck barked out, the depth in his voice halting Rose in her tirade, making her realize she had forgotten her place.
She stepped away from his grasp, the buttons of his waistcoat done and moved several paces away from him.
"Is that all Mr. Buck?"
"Rose," he sighed, moving closer to her, pulling her into his grasp once again despite her futile protests.
"This is the way of the world. You know that. It's just how things are."
"That don't mean it's right," she murmured, turning her head from him as he tugged her closer, his left hand cupping her face while his right spread into the hair at the nape of her neck.
"What would you have me do?" he whispered, his nose trailing up her neck.
She had trouble forming a coherent thought as she felt Mr. Buck's nose on the flesh of her neck.
He huffed loudly, his breath flowing out over her and across her skin as he attempted to get control over himself. His lips parted to speak and break the tension but he was cut off by a voice at the door.
"Buck?"
Mary Ann.
A curse slipped out under his breath as he pulled away from Rose slowly, detangling himself from her. His hand fell down her chest and grazed the side of her breast as he moved a pace away from her and took in the color that flushed her face in response. He liked the reactions he invoked from her.
"Hmmm?" he hummed out to Mary Ann, making it obvious he didn't appreciate the interruption.
"I came to get you for the morning meal," she said as she walked into the room, taking in how close her husband stood to the little colored girl. "What is this?" she sneered, the false cheer in her voice an antithesis to the feelings of skepticism that flowed through her veins.
"I was just helpin' Mr. Buck get dressed ma'am," Rose stammered.
"I don't believe I asked you a damn thing did I girl?"
"No ma'am."
"It's alright Rose why don't you go on back to The Row, I'll send for you if I need you again," Buck cut in.
"Yes Mr. Buck," she whispered, stepping to leave the room, but Mary Ann's arm shot out and grabbed her, roughly jerking her back.
"Where do you get off addressin' my husband so disrespectfully?" Mary Ann jeered.
Rose looked up to Mr. Buck who's eyes had hardened as he took in the fright in her face and the way Mary Ann handled her. She was panic-stricken as she looked at Buck, unsure what to do or if he would intervene if Mary Ann chose to hurt her.
"I'm sorry ma'am, Mr. Buck told me-," but Mary Ann cut her off.
"He is your Master, you insolent ungrateful little wench and you will address him as such," and Mary Ann's arm rose to strike her but Buck grabbed it swiftly before she could swing.
"Unhand her Mary. Now."
Mary Ann turned to look at her husband and the look in his eye caused a chill to creep down her spine. He'd never acted like this with her before. Sure he'd been indifferent sometimes even aloof and detached, but that was the way of things. Especially in marriages like theirs, but the cold hard look in his eye was something she'd never seen before. Not directed at her anyways.
She took her hand off of the girl and her eyes narrowed to slits as she watched her husband take her place. His own hand covering the spot hers had been in, rubbing it affectionately. Something he'd never done for her.
Her calculating eye took in the protective stance of her husband in front of the girl, how close they were positioned next to each other and the skepticism she felt earlier developed into full blown contempt. This would not stand. She would make sure of it.
X
It was late, almost dark as her, mama and Jake got ready for bed. Jake was movin' better, she noticed. He hadn't yet made it back to the fields but she began to think it was on purpose. The whole thing made her nervous. She knew they were still plannin' to leave, to run off with Emmanuel and Henry to the North. She'd heard the talks from the other slaves; how they followed a star in the sky all the way till they hit The River Jordan, then a boat would take them as far north as it could travel until they reached The Promised Land. It was dangerous travelin' like that. She knew many didn't make it, but the stories of the ones who did motivated most.
Rose tried to turn her thoughts to somethin' else as she turned down the bed, rufflin' the sheets some when she heard a horse commotion outside their bunk.
"Who is that out there this late?" Mama wondered out loud as she moved to the door peakin out around it.
"Can you tell Rose to come on out here?"
She could hear Mr. Buck's voice as he walked up the porch steps to the door, his horse Thunder standing tall, it's dark brown coat glistening nearly black under the moonlight.
"Rose baby?" mama called out to her beckonin' her over to the door.
She could see Jake watchin' her from his bed. His eyes scrunched up as he realized Master Buck was comin' to see his sister this late at night. He didn't like it.
Rose stepped out onto the porch as mama leaned up against the doorway watchin' them.
Mr. Buck was standing next to his horse, running his hands softly along the coat as she approached him.
"Am I in trouble Mr. Buck?" Rose asked him softly.
"No no no Rose of course not I just...I needed.." and he paused lookin' up at mama who still stood on the porch watchin' them.
"I don't need a chaperone," he announced, giving mama a pointed look, obviously disapproving of her perch.
Mama gave him a calculating look, her eyes movin' over them both before she turned back towards their bunk, walkin' in and closin' the door softly behind her.
Mr. Buck stood there then, his back restin' slightly against his horse as he reached out for Rose, his arm extending towards her, his hand out, silently asking her to take it. She looked around them, down both sides of The Row and took in the quiet empty strip before she stepped towards him, grabbing his extended hand.
He pulled her close to him, her small body once again encroached in his space and he took a deep breath of her scent.
"I came to see if you were alright," he said quietly, his voice rich in the stillness of the night.
"I'm fine Mr. Buck."
"Rose, I told you to be honest with me."
"I promise Sir, I'm fine. It's the way of this world, remember?" she said, lookin' up at him.
He said nothing to that.
What could he say?
She was right.
Had that been anyone else but Mary Ann he wouldn't have intervened. He couldn't have. If people began to think he was soft on his slaves or that he favored them, word would spread that Buck Hullehan was a colored lover and his sway with the people would wane. He'd never had problems with the Klan*. He steered clear of them because he didn't always agree with their violent exploits but he knew the rules. They'd come marchin' down his road, burnin' a path to his door if they heard even a hint of kinship was bein' formed between him and his workforce.
And they'd know. They always knew. Especially with Frank out in the fields. He was one of theirs after all.
"I have business out of town," he began, "startin' at the end of the week and I want you to come with me."
"Me? Why?"
"Why not you?" Buck teased, pullin' her closer to him, so close that the palms of her hands came to rest on his stomach as she steadied herself. Her neck leaned back as she looked up at him, and he was reminded again of how much smaller she was than him. How much more vulnerable she was now that Mary Ann had seen them together. She wouldn't be able to protect herself and he had to be in Austin for the convention. A decision was bein' made and he needed to be there in person to make sure it went his way.
"Mr. Buck, I don't know nothin 'bout fancy business meetin's or anything like that," Rose confessed, her green eyes lookin' away from him in embarrassment. "I'm afraid I wouldn't be much help."
"You bein' there is help enough."
"When would we leave?" she questioned.
"Tomorrow. It'll take about three days to get there with the train and restin' in between. I need you to be up at the house early in the mornin' ready to leave."
"Okay Mr. Buck," she agreed.
"I'm bringin' a couple of the boys with us too. Speakin' of which, your brother Jake is he feelin' better? I could use him for this."
Rose froze then. She didn't know what to say. She knew Jake was feeling better. As much as he tried to fool everyone, her and mama included, she knew he was fine. She'd come into the bunk earlier that day and had seen him standin' up and movin' around the room before he'd noticed her there. She wasn't too sure why he was lyin' to everyone, but she could guess. She wasn't stupid. He was plannin' somethin'.
"I'm not sure Mr. Buck, but Mama Augustine keeps sayin' he just needs more rest."
It wasn't really a lie. Mama Augustine had said that.
"Alright, I can just take some of the others."
He leaned down towards her, his back hunching over with the effort and placed his lips along her ear as he spoke.
"Get some rest tonight okay, we're leaving at first light."
He couldn't help himself as his hands skirted down to her lower back, pressing her closer to him as he allowed himself to hold her. To really feel her frame as she was pressed against him.
He pulled away from her, collecting himself as he mounted his horse and turned back towards the Big House galloping away. The Lord needed to give him strength, because he knew that nothing good could come from the feelings coursin' through him.
X
It was dark, pitch black outside when Rose heard the door to their bunk creak open. She looked over at mama who was sound asleep before looking over at Jake's bed. It was empty.
She sat up as slowly as she could, toeing out of the bed, trying not to wake up mama, as she crept toward the door. She stepped over the squeaks in the floor as she pressed her ear against the door and closed her eyes, listening as hard as she could to Jake and what sounded like Sam talking outside.
"He's leavin' tomorrow this is the best chance we got."
"It's too soon Jake, we ain't even talked to Henry and 'em yet."
"I'm tellin' you we're not gon' get anotha' chance like this. They leavin' early tomorrow mornin' and he's takin' Rose and a couple others. If we leave in the dark of night right before they do, everybody will be focused on them they won't even notice we gone!"
"That only gives us a few hours to get word to Henry Jake, it's too soon."
"I don't wanna go without you Sam, but I'm leavin' here. I can't stay here not anotha' damn night."
It was silent for a minute as Rose stood there leanin' against the door, holdin' her breath in just to hear them more clearly. She was prayin' to Jesus that Sam said no and Jake got too scared to leave by himself.
Sam was indecisive. He knew how stubborn Jake was. He knew that if he said no the boy would very well go on his own and more than likely end up dead. He knew they were rushin' it trying to leave tomorrow but Jake was right. They wouldn't get another chance like this again. It was perfect. If they left within the next couple of hours, the darkness would cover them. By the time everyone woke up they'd be so focused on Master Buck and seein' him off they wouldn't notice the two of them were gone. By the time they even thought to look, they'd be long gone.
He'd have to send word to Henry and Emmanuel somehow but it could work.
"Alright. We'll go."
Klan: The Klu Klux Klan, or really the first Klan as there were three, wasn't founded until 1865 about four years after the time line mentioned in this chapter. It was formed during the Reconstruction era in response to the Republican Party's attempts to offer social and economic equality to African-Americans post civil war.
A/N: So here's Chapter 2. I hope you all enjoy this and again leave me a review and let me know what you think. I'll see ya'll next week!