Love Connections
Chapter 10
Cole had been so intent on learning about Clay that he had almost missed one very peculiar part of the story. However as she was about to continue, it hit him.
"Hey wait a minute, what was that about me and visions?"
"I was wondering how long it would take you to realize that…"
"You mean that I really was…"
"Yup, a witch," Phoebe replied lightly, "now for a surprise…"
"Hey that's true," Piper said looking curiously at them. Are you certain that you remember that story correctly?"
"As a matter of fact, it wasn't the only lifetime that he was one…"
Cole was just as astounded as Piper was:
"Seriously?"
"Scouts honor."
"Well, I'll be… Anyhow, go on. I'm really interested in knowing how they got out of that mess… Or did they?" Cole asked suddenly.
"Hey you wouldn't want me to spoil the story would you?"
He seemed hesitant and she insisted:
"Patience, I'll get there soon enough."
"Alright but start now…" Cole said with a little smile.
****************
Piper and Paige had stayed in her room; Piper was reading for her sister in an attempt to distract the both of them. Corrine used this time to get some well-deserved rest. Paige managed to doze off here and there, but every time that Piper stopped reading, she woke up with a start. Piper was so saddened by her sister' state of mind. None of this should have happened. If only Paige's power had been a strong one. However, she could only get premonitions, and far in between at this. Too bad she didn't get one from those men, she thought. Piper was the only one on their side of the family to have inherited an active power, as she could freeze time. Phoebe and her mother, Prue, had had the same power in common, telekinesis. "If only one of us had been there," she thought again. Only now did she realize that she had stopped reading aloud, and Paige was still asleep. Unwilling to leave her however, Piper settled on the couch and prepared to spend the night with her sister.
Phoebe had still not found sleep. The confusion that she felt was one reason, and the battle that had started again in the distance was another. She even thought that in a way, it was all related. Hearing the canons was hard for her because of the bad memories, but it also reminded her of Cole and this whole mess. She was tempted to close the windows, even if it would only muffle the sounds, but the night was so hot, that it would rapidly become intolerable. Suddenly, a different sound caught her attention and she was convinced that she heard a horse neighing in the courtyard. For a moment, she was tempted to go have a look but she thought that if something important were to happen, she would know soon enough.
Clay had just returned. Now, all he could hope for was that this business would be behind them and hopefully, that Cole Fairbanks would soon only be a memory. He looked up toward Phoebe's window, longing to be with her. He knew that he would have to be patient. However, time was on his side…
The patrol that had gone after the lawyers continued up the trail for almost twenty minutes before the tracker stopped them.
The darkness had prevented him until now from noticing a change in the tracks, but he began to have doubts and dismounted to have a better look.
It didn't take long before he turned toward the sergeant.
"Sir, those tracks are much too old to be those of the fugitives. I'm afraid that they took another way; maybe they got lost…"
The sergeant looked at his tracker severely, very upset to have been led astray.
"I'm very sorry sir," the tracker continued.
"Don't be sorry, find them!"
"Yes sir."
Then, the tracker went back the way they came, soon followed by the rest of the troops. This time, given the fact that they had trampled the trail, it was much more difficult for him to assert where they had gone off of it. He started at a much slower pace, searching each side of the trail for the telltale of their change of direction…
The way through the woods was painstaking and often frustrating. Cole wondered how long it would take them before they finally found an open space, but at the same time he feared that it would make them vulnerable to patrols. He had scratches on his face from a few branches that he had not seen in time, and those were burning unpleasantly. However, at the moment, he was oblivious to all but one thing. He had to see Phoebe. He had to try. Never in his life had he felt for a woman as he felt for her and somehow, he had known that renouncing her would be like leaving a part of himself behind. The most important one… Cole had no idea how she would react, but he had to take the chance. He became distracted, probably from the fatigue, so that when his horse reared, he almost got thrown off. Soon after, he heard growling coming from the darkness and it sent a shiver down his spine. "I've got to pay attention," Cole told himself. It wouldn't do to get hurt or worse now. With a firm grip, he controlled the horse and forced it to move along. Afterward, he had to hold on tight to the horse, as the growls came and went seemingly following them in the darkness. He looked back toward Matthew and discerned that his companion was having the same difficulties and apprehensions. Finally, after a long ride, they found themselves back in a field; one that they actually recognized for the farthest reaches of the Leighton plantation. Luck was with them until now…
In coming to this place the first time, their task had been twofold. There was their official explanation, which had the advantage of being the truth. Although buying the place had never been a real priority… And of course, they worked covertly at sending slaves to freedom and what they hoped would be a better life for them. Matthew had been the only one that Cole wanted on this adventure, but the young man insisted on bringing his brother along. At the time, he had assured Cole that Nicholas could be trusted. This had proven to be a very big mistake, but Cole couldn't put the blame on the boy. Matthew had loved and trusted his brother, as Cole himself would probably have if he had a brother. He knew instinctively that Matthew must have been hurting horribly from his brother's behavior and subsequent betrayal.
The closer they got to the mansion, the more anxious Cole became. How would he get her to listen? He remembered clearly what Phoebe told him, but he still felt that he had to explain himself. If he were to die soon, he wanted her to remember him, not as the selfish lawyer that she believed him to be, but as the person that he truly was. Her disdain toward him had been the most painful part of this assignment. Cole could now see the house in the moonlight, and it was an impressive property. He didn't really know what he was hoping for. Would she consider running with him? It was a wild dream that had pushed him forward; a vague hope that maybe they could escape together. But as he looked upon the mansion, Cole wondered if Phoebe would even consider it, particularly when knowing everything about him. Doubts crept their way again inside of him and he stopped the horse abruptly.
Phoebe had given up on sleep, and at this point, she felt that she needed to get out. As quietly as she could, she went downstairs and out of the house, breathing deeply in the night air. She thought that a stroll outside might just calm her down enough to finally allow her to find sleep. She had only taken a few steps, when she felt as if someone was observing her, and she instinctively looked toward the field.
Cole couldn't believe it. There she was… He was certain that it must have been her. Nonetheless, here he stood, paralyzed by his own doubts and fears.
Phoebe could barely distinguish the rider in the moonlight, but she knew it was Cole. She didn't know how she knew, but she was convinced of this. She hesitated only a moment, and then she started toward him…
Phoebe was coming, and now Cole wasn't certain of anything anymore. He didn't want to see the rejection on her face again, for he didn't think that he could take it, given the circumstances. At this point, he almost turned the horse around, but hope still held him there.
Phoebe stopped just ten feet from him, hesitating. He dismounted slowly, never taking his eyes off of her, and for a long moment, neither one said a thing. Then, Phoebe couldn't take this anymore.
"Why are you here?"
Cole hesitated some more, as he had never been so afraid in his entire life. Not afraid of dying or of the soldiers, but afraid that he might have been wrong about her feelings for him. Seeing her now, he knew that he couldn't stand it if she rejected him again. But then he thought that he saw something in her eyes, something that he had only dared hope for.
"I came back for you…"
She took a deep breath, still unsure about the truth. However, right now, she was willing to give him a chance.
Cole took a hesitant step toward her, and then he tried to talk:
"I…"
However, Matthew's arrival distracted both of them.
"Sir, I think that I heard something in the woods."
Phoebe jumped at the sight of the young man, immediately reminded of her cousin's ordeal.
Matthew could read her thoughts plainly on her face.
"I'm Matthew, Miss Phoebe. I swear that I would never have hurt your cousin…"
Phoebe tried very hard to rationalize this, but their resemblance was uncanny and made it difficult for her.
Matthew wanted to defend himself further, but he felt that the situation was too urgent for this.
"Sir, we must hide. The soldiers…"
"You're right, of course," Cole replied sadly.
Then he turned to her:
"If you want to turn us in, I won't stop you…"
Matthew gasped at this, but he knew that there was no point saying anything.
Phoebe hesitated only an instant, and then she said:
"Come with me, I'll hide you…"
She indicated the stables and he took the reins of his horse, following her while Matthew did as well. This one couldn't believe that she was helping them; yet he was not going to protest at this point.
Once there, they took the saddles off the horses and sent them with the others in the paddock. Then she indicated that they should come with her.
Inside the stables, they saw her starting up a small ladder and followed.
They found themselves walking knee high in straw. Matthew spotted a small window and immediately went to take an observation post, leaving Phoebe and Cole alone.
An awkward silence prolonged between them, and he thought that she looked ready to bolt. But then, Phoebe turned to him.
"You had something to tell me," she said in a little voice.
"A lot actually, but I'm not sure how you will take it…"
"Is that true? What the soldiers said about you?"
"What did they say?"
"That you were helping slaves to escape and that you were a spy for the north…"
"Well, it's partly true…Matthew and I have been helping slaves yes. Does that shock you?" Cole asked, fearful of her reaction.
"A little, I must admit…"
Phoebe saw the disappointment on his face and she continued quickly.
"But I'm not angry…I… I was just surprised how wrong I was about you…"
"I…what…" Again, he found himself speechless and this time she had an amused smile on her face.
"You know, I thought that lawyers were more eloquent… Are you really a lawyer?" Phoebe asked, suddenly wondering.
Cole took a deep breath and answered.
"Yes, and until a year ago that is all I was. Probably all that you despise…Then something changed for me. For the better…"
"What happened?"
Cole hesitated again.
"Maybe now is not the best time…What with the soldiers coming this way…"
"We might not have many more occasions …"
Cole looked away for a moment then he began.
"First of all there are two things that you must know about me and maybe when you do, you won't want to hear the rest…"
"I'll listen…"
He smiled sadly then continued.
"I know what you are…"
Phoebe gasped, suddenly afraid of the implication.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't worry; your secret's safe with me. I've had the same secret all my life…"
Phoebe opened wide eyes.
"You mean you're a witch?" Then she bit her lips, realizing that she told him before he had.
Cole didn't seem to notice her embarrassment:
"Yes I am and I know that you can move objects with your mind, as I have been a witness to it…"
He let it sink in, then went on.
"Myself I have premonitions of the past and the future…And it is one of those that changed everything for me…The other thing is the one that I'm afraid you might find to be an obstacle between us… I used to live in the south. My father was a plantation owner as well, not as wealthy as your uncle but well off nevertheless."
Phoebe didn't dare interrupting now; she had to know everything.
"He made only one mistake, but one that was unforgivable by anyone around him. He fell in love with a slave…"
And suddenly, she understood.
"You mean you are?"
Phoebe moved away ever so slightly but he saw it and it pained him…
"Yes I was their son… I know that it doesn't look like it but well…And if you don't want to know the rest, I'll understand," he added, even though he had hoped that she would accept it.
Then she surprised him again.
She came to him and put a light hand on his face.
"I'm sorry, it was just the surprise. After all you said to us…"
Even the light touch of her fingers was enough to make his blood boil. He wanted nothing else but to take her in his arms and forget about everything else. However, he also wanted to make sure that there wouldn't be any lies or secrets between them. As a matter of fact, what he had told her just then, he had not told anyone else since he was a child. Not even Matthew and his brother…
"What happened then?" Phoebe encouraged him.
"When I was about four years old, my father realized that there could never be any acceptance for me in this part of the country. The white people couldn't accept me as one of them, and neither did my mother's family. She had to give me up, and he took care of me the best he could. Then he decided to sell everything and move to the north, where he started a new life with me. Even there, he made me promise never to tell anyone about my mother. You have to know that in spite of the outrage toward slavery in the north, the people there are just barely more accepting of black people than the folks around here.
I have lived most of my life in fear of being found out. I thought that anyone could see it in my face. However no one ever suspected and in the end I almost managed to forget myself. I went to law school and then prospered, as my father had wanted me to. He never knew my other secret, however. Myself I only figured out about my gift late in my teens. I'm ashamed to say that for a long time, I used it for my own benefit, using the money left to me by my father and making it profit with premonitions that I had. Throughout the years, I accumulated a considerable fortune, but I never had anyone to share it with…"
"Never?"
"No," Cole answered in a whisper…"Then last year, when I thought that nothing would ever change in my life, I had one very different vision… The news of the war was coming in regularly to Boston, but at the time I didn't think that it concerned me at all. One day that I was walking toward my office, a black man accosted me for charity and I saw, all of a sudden, I saw all the suffering of my people. The side of me that I had buried in my memory, it all came back to me. I felt their pain, their shame. I saw the way some of them were treated; worse than animals. Then I knew that I couldn't ignore this anymore. I took the black man home with me, where he told me how he had barely escaped with his life just so that he would be free. Afterward, I put all my efforts in finding others to help me save my people. And for the last six months, I have been doing just that. Matthew, here, was one of the first to join me in this quest. And at first, his brother seemed to be of the same mind, so I brought him along on this last trip. The rest you know…"
Phoebe seemed lost in thought for a moment, and then she asked.
"Why did you wanna buy our plantation? Was that all a lie too?"
"As a matter of fact, I did want to buy it. Some of the slaves are still refusing to leave the south, as they consider it their home in spite of their hardship. Most have been born here, and they are afraid to leave. I just thought that when the war was over, it might be possible to give some of them a place to live. Pieces of this land that they would truly own…"
Phoebe was overwhelmed by all of this and couldn't seem to say anything anymore.
Cole feared that he might have told her too much and he held his breath, expecting her to run away at any moment.
Phoebe turned to him, still hesitant.
"Why did you tell me all this?"
Cole sighed.
"I told you that there never was anybody in my life, and there was a reason for it… I could never share my life with someone, while keeping secrets from her…"
"You mean that you…"
"I dared hoping…Phoebe I know that the circumstances are far from ideal, but I couldn't leave here without telling you how I felt about you, and…"
He couldn't finish the sentence as she jumped in his arms and kissed him passionately to which he responded after the first moment of surprise. He couldn't believe that it was really happening. At this point he forgot all about the danger out there. However, Matthew brought him, and her, back to reality, when he called anxiously:
"Sir, there are coming…"
Cole signaled for Phoebe to stay behind, while he went beside Matthew and saw the same thing as he did…
The group of horsemen that had been following them was entering the courtyard. The sergeant sent half of his men out with orders to search everywhere. Then he took the other half with him, now decided to search the house as well.
They saw him go up to the door and hit it loudly with his fist. Inside the house, Victor was the first one to answer as he had fallen asleep in the study. He was in a daze and almost didn't understand what the soldiers were saying.
"What are you doing back here? I told you that the ones you were looking for had not been here for two days…"
The sergeant was not as polite this time.
"We followed their tracks to your door, sir…"
Victor couldn't believe this.
"That's impossible, why would they come here rather than fleeing…"
"Maybe they thought that you'd protect them?"
Victor protested vehemently.
"Never! You must believe me sergeant; we had nothing to do with those men's business. My family and I are faithful to the cause…"
The sergeant was still incredulous.
"We'll see, sir… now leave way. We will search your house and make sure that they're not here."
Victor was tempted to protest but thought better of it. Besides, he couldn't believe that those men would be in his house. It had to be a mistake…
Piper and Paige woke up at the first loud knock on the door but they just went to each other, hugging fearfully. At this hour of the night they could only assume they were somehow being invaded, particularly when they started noticing heavy steps, obviously from a number of people, coming from downstairs. A knock on their door had them jump again, but the voice reassured them slightly.
"Piper? Paige? Are you ok?" Clay was asking. "Phoebe's not in her room," he added anxiously.
Piper reacted at this and went to open the door for him.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean she's not there, I just looked as I thought that she would be scared by all this agitation. Then I came straight to you. There are men downstairs; they seem to be searching the house."
"What on earth for," she asked anxiously.
Paige was now shaking all over. This was too much for her. She was still under the shock of her own tragedy and now this…
"Piper," she called fearfully.
"It's ok Paige, I'll take care of it; don't worry," Piper answered, trying to sound confident for her sister's sake.
"Wait here, I won't let them near you, I promise."
"Where are you going?"
"Just wait for us, ok?"
Paige was very worried but she agreed nonetheless and Piper closed the door behind her.
She and Clay walked cautiously toward the stairs, reaching them just as two soldiers were coming up.
"What are you doing here?"
She was somewhat reassured by the gray uniforms but still worried about their purpose.
"Mam, we are looking for two fugitives whose tracks we followed all the way here…"
"What are you talking about? There's no one else but us here…"
Then a thought struck both Clay and Piper almost at the same time.
Phoebe was gone and the fugitives had come here…
A loud call from outside the mansion had the soldiers turn away. They went back outside, thinking that maybe the fugitives had been found.
The sergeant went toward the paddock one of his men had called from. The man had gone inside the paddock, checking on the horses to find two of them with a lather of sweat that spoke of a long ride. He had then compared the markings on the horses and seen immediately that those were not the same as the others.
He told the sergeant of his finding and this one didn't lose time answering his man, instead looking intently toward the stables.
From their point of view, Cole and Matthew had realized the danger and were now trying to figure out a way to escape.
Phoebe came to them.
"There's a back door, we've got to go down… hurry…"
"Are you certain that you want to help us? It might put your family in danger…"
"I'm sure. Besides, you're in even more danger than we are… I'm certain that we can take care of ourselves, but if they find you…"
She put her fingers on his face, caressing him anxiously and he took her hand in his to kiss it passionately.
"Come on, there is no time to lose," Phoebe pursued, taking her hand away reluctantly. Then she went down the ladder as fast as she could, soon followed by the two men.
She led them toward a small door that opened on another field. They could see underbrush lying some five hundred feet away and she indicated that they should try hiding there.
Matthew started ahead but Cole still hesitated.
"Go my love; I don't want you to die."
He took a deep breath, barely believing her words and then:
"What about you?"
"I'll try to slow them down, don't worry about me. Please go…"
Cole half turned, ready to go, but then he came back toward her and took her in his arms, kissing her deeply.
"I'll be back for you, I promise," he said breathlessly.
"I'll be waiting…"
He gave her one last look, and then started running behind his friend.
Phoebe quickly went back inside, trying to regain her composure. The soldiers entered the stables just at this moment, and she went to them, apparently outraged.
"What are you doing here?"
The sergeant came toward her, unimpressed.
"I could ask you the same thing, Miss. Why are you here in the middle of the night?"
Phoebe tried to sound as confident as she could:
"If you must know sir," she started almost disdainfully, "I couldn't sleep because of the heat."
The sergeant was still very dubious.
"Do you often end up in the stables when you can't sleep, Miss?"
"I can't see what business it is of yours…"
"I make it my business when fugitives are found to have come all the way here… Ones that you're all suspected of helping in the past… We found their horses in your paddock…"
"Whatever you may think, Mister, I'm alone here, you can see this for yourself…"
"I intend to…"
He turned to his men and ordered them to search the premises.
Then, he observed her intently, but Phoebe managed to hide her worries from him.
For a moment, she hoped that they would escape but an unexpected sound coming from behind the stables startled her.
Cole and Matthew had almost reached the underbrush when a man had come out of it, gun in hand.
It didn't take them long to recognize the newcomer.
Matthew exclaimed:
"Nicholas!"
This one smiled joylessly.
"Well what an unexpected pleasure. No let me correct that, I did expect it. When the soldiers left to go after you, I very much thought that you couldn't resist coming back here… So I waited and my patience has been rewarded. Now I will deliver you to them, insuring my revenge…"
"Nicholas! You can't mean that!" Matthew uttered incredulously.
"I thought you said that you didn't have a brother anymore? Well I took it and ran with it… I don't owe you anything. You betrayed me…"
Matthew gasped. He couldn't believe how mean and heartless his brother truly was…
Cole was trying to reach down to his gun but Nicholas was faster.
"Hey don't try that… How does it feel to be on the wrong side of the gun, sir?"
Cole just sneered at the young man but said nothing.
"Turn around you two, the soldiers are waiting."
Out of options, Cole and Matthew did as they were told and started walking back toward the stables. Cole thought of something.
"You think that they will let you go? What about when the lady tells them what you've done? I'm told that this kind of indiscretion is harshly punished around here…"
"That's not gonna work. After what I told them and much more than this, after finding out that they were hiding you, no one will listen to this lying whore…"
Matthew felt rage mounting in him at the way he insulted her. Oblivious to his own safety, he turned toward his brother and charged him.
Nicholas had not anticipated the violent reaction from his usually very calm brother, and he was caught by surprise. Matthew jumped at him and he lost his balance.
Unfortunately, in the struggle, he also squeezed the trigger of the gun. The shot went wild, but it was enough to attract the attention of the soldiers to them…
**************
They heard the baby cry through the monitor and Phoebe stopped.
"Oh, oh," she exclaimed, "time for a break."
"Let me get him then you can continue this…"
"Oh yes, don't leave us hanging there…"
"Promise…"
Chapter 10
Cole had been so intent on learning about Clay that he had almost missed one very peculiar part of the story. However as she was about to continue, it hit him.
"Hey wait a minute, what was that about me and visions?"
"I was wondering how long it would take you to realize that…"
"You mean that I really was…"
"Yup, a witch," Phoebe replied lightly, "now for a surprise…"
"Hey that's true," Piper said looking curiously at them. Are you certain that you remember that story correctly?"
"As a matter of fact, it wasn't the only lifetime that he was one…"
Cole was just as astounded as Piper was:
"Seriously?"
"Scouts honor."
"Well, I'll be… Anyhow, go on. I'm really interested in knowing how they got out of that mess… Or did they?" Cole asked suddenly.
"Hey you wouldn't want me to spoil the story would you?"
He seemed hesitant and she insisted:
"Patience, I'll get there soon enough."
"Alright but start now…" Cole said with a little smile.
****************
Piper and Paige had stayed in her room; Piper was reading for her sister in an attempt to distract the both of them. Corrine used this time to get some well-deserved rest. Paige managed to doze off here and there, but every time that Piper stopped reading, she woke up with a start. Piper was so saddened by her sister' state of mind. None of this should have happened. If only Paige's power had been a strong one. However, she could only get premonitions, and far in between at this. Too bad she didn't get one from those men, she thought. Piper was the only one on their side of the family to have inherited an active power, as she could freeze time. Phoebe and her mother, Prue, had had the same power in common, telekinesis. "If only one of us had been there," she thought again. Only now did she realize that she had stopped reading aloud, and Paige was still asleep. Unwilling to leave her however, Piper settled on the couch and prepared to spend the night with her sister.
Phoebe had still not found sleep. The confusion that she felt was one reason, and the battle that had started again in the distance was another. She even thought that in a way, it was all related. Hearing the canons was hard for her because of the bad memories, but it also reminded her of Cole and this whole mess. She was tempted to close the windows, even if it would only muffle the sounds, but the night was so hot, that it would rapidly become intolerable. Suddenly, a different sound caught her attention and she was convinced that she heard a horse neighing in the courtyard. For a moment, she was tempted to go have a look but she thought that if something important were to happen, she would know soon enough.
Clay had just returned. Now, all he could hope for was that this business would be behind them and hopefully, that Cole Fairbanks would soon only be a memory. He looked up toward Phoebe's window, longing to be with her. He knew that he would have to be patient. However, time was on his side…
The patrol that had gone after the lawyers continued up the trail for almost twenty minutes before the tracker stopped them.
The darkness had prevented him until now from noticing a change in the tracks, but he began to have doubts and dismounted to have a better look.
It didn't take long before he turned toward the sergeant.
"Sir, those tracks are much too old to be those of the fugitives. I'm afraid that they took another way; maybe they got lost…"
The sergeant looked at his tracker severely, very upset to have been led astray.
"I'm very sorry sir," the tracker continued.
"Don't be sorry, find them!"
"Yes sir."
Then, the tracker went back the way they came, soon followed by the rest of the troops. This time, given the fact that they had trampled the trail, it was much more difficult for him to assert where they had gone off of it. He started at a much slower pace, searching each side of the trail for the telltale of their change of direction…
The way through the woods was painstaking and often frustrating. Cole wondered how long it would take them before they finally found an open space, but at the same time he feared that it would make them vulnerable to patrols. He had scratches on his face from a few branches that he had not seen in time, and those were burning unpleasantly. However, at the moment, he was oblivious to all but one thing. He had to see Phoebe. He had to try. Never in his life had he felt for a woman as he felt for her and somehow, he had known that renouncing her would be like leaving a part of himself behind. The most important one… Cole had no idea how she would react, but he had to take the chance. He became distracted, probably from the fatigue, so that when his horse reared, he almost got thrown off. Soon after, he heard growling coming from the darkness and it sent a shiver down his spine. "I've got to pay attention," Cole told himself. It wouldn't do to get hurt or worse now. With a firm grip, he controlled the horse and forced it to move along. Afterward, he had to hold on tight to the horse, as the growls came and went seemingly following them in the darkness. He looked back toward Matthew and discerned that his companion was having the same difficulties and apprehensions. Finally, after a long ride, they found themselves back in a field; one that they actually recognized for the farthest reaches of the Leighton plantation. Luck was with them until now…
In coming to this place the first time, their task had been twofold. There was their official explanation, which had the advantage of being the truth. Although buying the place had never been a real priority… And of course, they worked covertly at sending slaves to freedom and what they hoped would be a better life for them. Matthew had been the only one that Cole wanted on this adventure, but the young man insisted on bringing his brother along. At the time, he had assured Cole that Nicholas could be trusted. This had proven to be a very big mistake, but Cole couldn't put the blame on the boy. Matthew had loved and trusted his brother, as Cole himself would probably have if he had a brother. He knew instinctively that Matthew must have been hurting horribly from his brother's behavior and subsequent betrayal.
The closer they got to the mansion, the more anxious Cole became. How would he get her to listen? He remembered clearly what Phoebe told him, but he still felt that he had to explain himself. If he were to die soon, he wanted her to remember him, not as the selfish lawyer that she believed him to be, but as the person that he truly was. Her disdain toward him had been the most painful part of this assignment. Cole could now see the house in the moonlight, and it was an impressive property. He didn't really know what he was hoping for. Would she consider running with him? It was a wild dream that had pushed him forward; a vague hope that maybe they could escape together. But as he looked upon the mansion, Cole wondered if Phoebe would even consider it, particularly when knowing everything about him. Doubts crept their way again inside of him and he stopped the horse abruptly.
Phoebe had given up on sleep, and at this point, she felt that she needed to get out. As quietly as she could, she went downstairs and out of the house, breathing deeply in the night air. She thought that a stroll outside might just calm her down enough to finally allow her to find sleep. She had only taken a few steps, when she felt as if someone was observing her, and she instinctively looked toward the field.
Cole couldn't believe it. There she was… He was certain that it must have been her. Nonetheless, here he stood, paralyzed by his own doubts and fears.
Phoebe could barely distinguish the rider in the moonlight, but she knew it was Cole. She didn't know how she knew, but she was convinced of this. She hesitated only a moment, and then she started toward him…
Phoebe was coming, and now Cole wasn't certain of anything anymore. He didn't want to see the rejection on her face again, for he didn't think that he could take it, given the circumstances. At this point, he almost turned the horse around, but hope still held him there.
Phoebe stopped just ten feet from him, hesitating. He dismounted slowly, never taking his eyes off of her, and for a long moment, neither one said a thing. Then, Phoebe couldn't take this anymore.
"Why are you here?"
Cole hesitated some more, as he had never been so afraid in his entire life. Not afraid of dying or of the soldiers, but afraid that he might have been wrong about her feelings for him. Seeing her now, he knew that he couldn't stand it if she rejected him again. But then he thought that he saw something in her eyes, something that he had only dared hope for.
"I came back for you…"
She took a deep breath, still unsure about the truth. However, right now, she was willing to give him a chance.
Cole took a hesitant step toward her, and then he tried to talk:
"I…"
However, Matthew's arrival distracted both of them.
"Sir, I think that I heard something in the woods."
Phoebe jumped at the sight of the young man, immediately reminded of her cousin's ordeal.
Matthew could read her thoughts plainly on her face.
"I'm Matthew, Miss Phoebe. I swear that I would never have hurt your cousin…"
Phoebe tried very hard to rationalize this, but their resemblance was uncanny and made it difficult for her.
Matthew wanted to defend himself further, but he felt that the situation was too urgent for this.
"Sir, we must hide. The soldiers…"
"You're right, of course," Cole replied sadly.
Then he turned to her:
"If you want to turn us in, I won't stop you…"
Matthew gasped at this, but he knew that there was no point saying anything.
Phoebe hesitated only an instant, and then she said:
"Come with me, I'll hide you…"
She indicated the stables and he took the reins of his horse, following her while Matthew did as well. This one couldn't believe that she was helping them; yet he was not going to protest at this point.
Once there, they took the saddles off the horses and sent them with the others in the paddock. Then she indicated that they should come with her.
Inside the stables, they saw her starting up a small ladder and followed.
They found themselves walking knee high in straw. Matthew spotted a small window and immediately went to take an observation post, leaving Phoebe and Cole alone.
An awkward silence prolonged between them, and he thought that she looked ready to bolt. But then, Phoebe turned to him.
"You had something to tell me," she said in a little voice.
"A lot actually, but I'm not sure how you will take it…"
"Is that true? What the soldiers said about you?"
"What did they say?"
"That you were helping slaves to escape and that you were a spy for the north…"
"Well, it's partly true…Matthew and I have been helping slaves yes. Does that shock you?" Cole asked, fearful of her reaction.
"A little, I must admit…"
Phoebe saw the disappointment on his face and she continued quickly.
"But I'm not angry…I… I was just surprised how wrong I was about you…"
"I…what…" Again, he found himself speechless and this time she had an amused smile on her face.
"You know, I thought that lawyers were more eloquent… Are you really a lawyer?" Phoebe asked, suddenly wondering.
Cole took a deep breath and answered.
"Yes, and until a year ago that is all I was. Probably all that you despise…Then something changed for me. For the better…"
"What happened?"
Cole hesitated again.
"Maybe now is not the best time…What with the soldiers coming this way…"
"We might not have many more occasions …"
Cole looked away for a moment then he began.
"First of all there are two things that you must know about me and maybe when you do, you won't want to hear the rest…"
"I'll listen…"
He smiled sadly then continued.
"I know what you are…"
Phoebe gasped, suddenly afraid of the implication.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't worry; your secret's safe with me. I've had the same secret all my life…"
Phoebe opened wide eyes.
"You mean you're a witch?" Then she bit her lips, realizing that she told him before he had.
Cole didn't seem to notice her embarrassment:
"Yes I am and I know that you can move objects with your mind, as I have been a witness to it…"
He let it sink in, then went on.
"Myself I have premonitions of the past and the future…And it is one of those that changed everything for me…The other thing is the one that I'm afraid you might find to be an obstacle between us… I used to live in the south. My father was a plantation owner as well, not as wealthy as your uncle but well off nevertheless."
Phoebe didn't dare interrupting now; she had to know everything.
"He made only one mistake, but one that was unforgivable by anyone around him. He fell in love with a slave…"
And suddenly, she understood.
"You mean you are?"
Phoebe moved away ever so slightly but he saw it and it pained him…
"Yes I was their son… I know that it doesn't look like it but well…And if you don't want to know the rest, I'll understand," he added, even though he had hoped that she would accept it.
Then she surprised him again.
She came to him and put a light hand on his face.
"I'm sorry, it was just the surprise. After all you said to us…"
Even the light touch of her fingers was enough to make his blood boil. He wanted nothing else but to take her in his arms and forget about everything else. However, he also wanted to make sure that there wouldn't be any lies or secrets between them. As a matter of fact, what he had told her just then, he had not told anyone else since he was a child. Not even Matthew and his brother…
"What happened then?" Phoebe encouraged him.
"When I was about four years old, my father realized that there could never be any acceptance for me in this part of the country. The white people couldn't accept me as one of them, and neither did my mother's family. She had to give me up, and he took care of me the best he could. Then he decided to sell everything and move to the north, where he started a new life with me. Even there, he made me promise never to tell anyone about my mother. You have to know that in spite of the outrage toward slavery in the north, the people there are just barely more accepting of black people than the folks around here.
I have lived most of my life in fear of being found out. I thought that anyone could see it in my face. However no one ever suspected and in the end I almost managed to forget myself. I went to law school and then prospered, as my father had wanted me to. He never knew my other secret, however. Myself I only figured out about my gift late in my teens. I'm ashamed to say that for a long time, I used it for my own benefit, using the money left to me by my father and making it profit with premonitions that I had. Throughout the years, I accumulated a considerable fortune, but I never had anyone to share it with…"
"Never?"
"No," Cole answered in a whisper…"Then last year, when I thought that nothing would ever change in my life, I had one very different vision… The news of the war was coming in regularly to Boston, but at the time I didn't think that it concerned me at all. One day that I was walking toward my office, a black man accosted me for charity and I saw, all of a sudden, I saw all the suffering of my people. The side of me that I had buried in my memory, it all came back to me. I felt their pain, their shame. I saw the way some of them were treated; worse than animals. Then I knew that I couldn't ignore this anymore. I took the black man home with me, where he told me how he had barely escaped with his life just so that he would be free. Afterward, I put all my efforts in finding others to help me save my people. And for the last six months, I have been doing just that. Matthew, here, was one of the first to join me in this quest. And at first, his brother seemed to be of the same mind, so I brought him along on this last trip. The rest you know…"
Phoebe seemed lost in thought for a moment, and then she asked.
"Why did you wanna buy our plantation? Was that all a lie too?"
"As a matter of fact, I did want to buy it. Some of the slaves are still refusing to leave the south, as they consider it their home in spite of their hardship. Most have been born here, and they are afraid to leave. I just thought that when the war was over, it might be possible to give some of them a place to live. Pieces of this land that they would truly own…"
Phoebe was overwhelmed by all of this and couldn't seem to say anything anymore.
Cole feared that he might have told her too much and he held his breath, expecting her to run away at any moment.
Phoebe turned to him, still hesitant.
"Why did you tell me all this?"
Cole sighed.
"I told you that there never was anybody in my life, and there was a reason for it… I could never share my life with someone, while keeping secrets from her…"
"You mean that you…"
"I dared hoping…Phoebe I know that the circumstances are far from ideal, but I couldn't leave here without telling you how I felt about you, and…"
He couldn't finish the sentence as she jumped in his arms and kissed him passionately to which he responded after the first moment of surprise. He couldn't believe that it was really happening. At this point he forgot all about the danger out there. However, Matthew brought him, and her, back to reality, when he called anxiously:
"Sir, there are coming…"
Cole signaled for Phoebe to stay behind, while he went beside Matthew and saw the same thing as he did…
The group of horsemen that had been following them was entering the courtyard. The sergeant sent half of his men out with orders to search everywhere. Then he took the other half with him, now decided to search the house as well.
They saw him go up to the door and hit it loudly with his fist. Inside the house, Victor was the first one to answer as he had fallen asleep in the study. He was in a daze and almost didn't understand what the soldiers were saying.
"What are you doing back here? I told you that the ones you were looking for had not been here for two days…"
The sergeant was not as polite this time.
"We followed their tracks to your door, sir…"
Victor couldn't believe this.
"That's impossible, why would they come here rather than fleeing…"
"Maybe they thought that you'd protect them?"
Victor protested vehemently.
"Never! You must believe me sergeant; we had nothing to do with those men's business. My family and I are faithful to the cause…"
The sergeant was still incredulous.
"We'll see, sir… now leave way. We will search your house and make sure that they're not here."
Victor was tempted to protest but thought better of it. Besides, he couldn't believe that those men would be in his house. It had to be a mistake…
Piper and Paige woke up at the first loud knock on the door but they just went to each other, hugging fearfully. At this hour of the night they could only assume they were somehow being invaded, particularly when they started noticing heavy steps, obviously from a number of people, coming from downstairs. A knock on their door had them jump again, but the voice reassured them slightly.
"Piper? Paige? Are you ok?" Clay was asking. "Phoebe's not in her room," he added anxiously.
Piper reacted at this and went to open the door for him.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean she's not there, I just looked as I thought that she would be scared by all this agitation. Then I came straight to you. There are men downstairs; they seem to be searching the house."
"What on earth for," she asked anxiously.
Paige was now shaking all over. This was too much for her. She was still under the shock of her own tragedy and now this…
"Piper," she called fearfully.
"It's ok Paige, I'll take care of it; don't worry," Piper answered, trying to sound confident for her sister's sake.
"Wait here, I won't let them near you, I promise."
"Where are you going?"
"Just wait for us, ok?"
Paige was very worried but she agreed nonetheless and Piper closed the door behind her.
She and Clay walked cautiously toward the stairs, reaching them just as two soldiers were coming up.
"What are you doing here?"
She was somewhat reassured by the gray uniforms but still worried about their purpose.
"Mam, we are looking for two fugitives whose tracks we followed all the way here…"
"What are you talking about? There's no one else but us here…"
Then a thought struck both Clay and Piper almost at the same time.
Phoebe was gone and the fugitives had come here…
A loud call from outside the mansion had the soldiers turn away. They went back outside, thinking that maybe the fugitives had been found.
The sergeant went toward the paddock one of his men had called from. The man had gone inside the paddock, checking on the horses to find two of them with a lather of sweat that spoke of a long ride. He had then compared the markings on the horses and seen immediately that those were not the same as the others.
He told the sergeant of his finding and this one didn't lose time answering his man, instead looking intently toward the stables.
From their point of view, Cole and Matthew had realized the danger and were now trying to figure out a way to escape.
Phoebe came to them.
"There's a back door, we've got to go down… hurry…"
"Are you certain that you want to help us? It might put your family in danger…"
"I'm sure. Besides, you're in even more danger than we are… I'm certain that we can take care of ourselves, but if they find you…"
She put her fingers on his face, caressing him anxiously and he took her hand in his to kiss it passionately.
"Come on, there is no time to lose," Phoebe pursued, taking her hand away reluctantly. Then she went down the ladder as fast as she could, soon followed by the two men.
She led them toward a small door that opened on another field. They could see underbrush lying some five hundred feet away and she indicated that they should try hiding there.
Matthew started ahead but Cole still hesitated.
"Go my love; I don't want you to die."
He took a deep breath, barely believing her words and then:
"What about you?"
"I'll try to slow them down, don't worry about me. Please go…"
Cole half turned, ready to go, but then he came back toward her and took her in his arms, kissing her deeply.
"I'll be back for you, I promise," he said breathlessly.
"I'll be waiting…"
He gave her one last look, and then started running behind his friend.
Phoebe quickly went back inside, trying to regain her composure. The soldiers entered the stables just at this moment, and she went to them, apparently outraged.
"What are you doing here?"
The sergeant came toward her, unimpressed.
"I could ask you the same thing, Miss. Why are you here in the middle of the night?"
Phoebe tried to sound as confident as she could:
"If you must know sir," she started almost disdainfully, "I couldn't sleep because of the heat."
The sergeant was still very dubious.
"Do you often end up in the stables when you can't sleep, Miss?"
"I can't see what business it is of yours…"
"I make it my business when fugitives are found to have come all the way here… Ones that you're all suspected of helping in the past… We found their horses in your paddock…"
"Whatever you may think, Mister, I'm alone here, you can see this for yourself…"
"I intend to…"
He turned to his men and ordered them to search the premises.
Then, he observed her intently, but Phoebe managed to hide her worries from him.
For a moment, she hoped that they would escape but an unexpected sound coming from behind the stables startled her.
Cole and Matthew had almost reached the underbrush when a man had come out of it, gun in hand.
It didn't take them long to recognize the newcomer.
Matthew exclaimed:
"Nicholas!"
This one smiled joylessly.
"Well what an unexpected pleasure. No let me correct that, I did expect it. When the soldiers left to go after you, I very much thought that you couldn't resist coming back here… So I waited and my patience has been rewarded. Now I will deliver you to them, insuring my revenge…"
"Nicholas! You can't mean that!" Matthew uttered incredulously.
"I thought you said that you didn't have a brother anymore? Well I took it and ran with it… I don't owe you anything. You betrayed me…"
Matthew gasped. He couldn't believe how mean and heartless his brother truly was…
Cole was trying to reach down to his gun but Nicholas was faster.
"Hey don't try that… How does it feel to be on the wrong side of the gun, sir?"
Cole just sneered at the young man but said nothing.
"Turn around you two, the soldiers are waiting."
Out of options, Cole and Matthew did as they were told and started walking back toward the stables. Cole thought of something.
"You think that they will let you go? What about when the lady tells them what you've done? I'm told that this kind of indiscretion is harshly punished around here…"
"That's not gonna work. After what I told them and much more than this, after finding out that they were hiding you, no one will listen to this lying whore…"
Matthew felt rage mounting in him at the way he insulted her. Oblivious to his own safety, he turned toward his brother and charged him.
Nicholas had not anticipated the violent reaction from his usually very calm brother, and he was caught by surprise. Matthew jumped at him and he lost his balance.
Unfortunately, in the struggle, he also squeezed the trigger of the gun. The shot went wild, but it was enough to attract the attention of the soldiers to them…
**************
They heard the baby cry through the monitor and Phoebe stopped.
"Oh, oh," she exclaimed, "time for a break."
"Let me get him then you can continue this…"
"Oh yes, don't leave us hanging there…"
"Promise…"