Okay sorry if there are more mistakes in my posts right now. My computer desk broke and I'm reduced to either sitting on the floor or in a chair and staring down at the monitor with the keyboard in my lap. Please bare with me, and sorry this is taking so long. Holidays and travel take so much time.

Deeper Secrets chapter nine: Race Day

the rest of the week went by and hardly anyone talked to each other. The work got done as normal, but there was a sadness throughout the land. The next day was Saturday, the day of the race. Jeffery, Will, Sarah and Jerome promised to go in and watch the race for Remy. Ro decided to stay home. The small band of five headed out the night before. Remy had paid for two rooms at the hotel, one for the men with extra cots, and one for Sarah herself.

Ro, after thinking about it for several minutes, left the oldest teen in charge, saddled the Roan, the last horse in the barn, and rode off after them.

Remy spent a longer time taking care of Ace that night, massaging his legs and joint muscles. Rubbing him down and whispering encouragement to the mount. Just the way he had been taught. When most of the town was asleep, excluding the saloon goers, he left Ace along with the other four horses of Ro's and went back to the hotel. He needed a restful night, but his bones were telling him tonight would not be that.

It was dark, and she had forgotten to bring some sort of light. She trusted the Roan, knew his footing was secure. He knew his way to town, so she wasn't worried. A few more minutes passed, growing darker by the second. She had to make it before the race, had to tell him why he shouldn't...had to tell him the truth. The night sounds buzzed in and out of her ears, making her seem only slightly secure. 'Shoulda brought a jacket,' she thought rubbing her arms under the thin shirt. "Scold ya'self later, sug. Ya got t'get to Remy," she reminded herself, riding on.

After several moments, Ro turned her head, thinking she had heard soft hoof beats behind her. She didn't even know when they were upon her, but all at once one had grabbed the Roan's reins and another had a rifle pointed in her face.

"Don't move," the one with the gun commanded. There were at least fifteen of them. She wouldn't be able to out run them. Not with one having hold of her reins.

"Please don't hurt me." Her voice sounded weak, and she hated it.

"Who are you? What's your business?" another one questioned.

"Please. Meh name's Ro. Ah'm jus' tryin' to get to town." Her voice was still weak.

"Going to town? By yourself in the middle of the night? What's your full name?" the first asked.

"Gerald; hold your tongue. She is a lady." The voice and obviously the leader rode forward. He was older, late thirties, early forties. Handsome, in a way. There was a regal elegance about him that caused her not to fear him. "Here," he said shedding his large red jacket, and placing it on her shoulders. A southern. Can't be all that bad, she thought, happy to have some kind of warmth. "Now, Miss Ro, why are you all alone?"

"Ah'm trying to get to town. That's all. Ah swear." Her voice had grown stronger.

"Why not stop for the night?" It was a sensible question. "And a lady should never swear, and do you not have any protection?"

"Ah've got a pistol in my boot strapped to my ankle, and another inside my shirt." Her voice was at full strength now. "Ah'm real good with both, and Ah just need to get to town before morning."

"You can't wait the night?" the leader asked.

"No. Who are you guys?" she asked now.

"We're soldiers for the South. My name is John Normington. If you'd like, we can escort you the rest of the way."

"That's not necessary, Mr. Normington. Ah can make it muhself."

Nonsense. There's no reason we can't escort you to...Where are we going?"

"Summitville. Fine. Safety in numbers, Ah guess." So they rode out, Normington and Miss Ro in front, the rest behind. Several minutes of silence passed, half an hour to be exact, and Ro was trying to think of why these men were heading to Summitville. Finally, she found the nerve to ask. "Jus' curious, what are you fine gentlemen doing here near Summitville.

"Well, Miss Ro, one of our men, a soldier, deserted. Went awol he did. We're trying to find him so we can take him back for trial." Normington smiled, then it disappeared.

"Trial? For desertion?" She had a bad feeling about his next answer.

"Not only did he commit treason by deserting, he also shot a man."

"There is a war going on," she pointed out.

"One of his own men. When we catch him, he will be stripped of his title and rank, tried and sentenced and possibly, if all goes well, hanged."

Ro gasped at this. It couldn't be. It jus' cant' be him. Remy wouldn't hurt a fly. Or would he? How much do you really know about him? Enough to know Ah love him. But is that enough? He said his past was dangerous. Could this be what he meant?' She was lost in this battle of thoughts for a while, forgetting she wasn't alone.

"Miss Ro, are you alright?" Normington asked after she had been quiet too long.

"Uh,...Ah'm fine. Jus' lost in my thoughts." She had to ask. "Uh, jus' who is this guy? Summitville's small. Ah may have seen him ifen he came through this way."

"He's a tall man. Ruggedly built, broad shoulders and chest, narrow hips. Strong as an ox. Auburn hair, unique eyes. Last name's LeBeau. He's a captain in the Confederate Army. So you can see why we need to get him back. Rank does not allow murder."

"Yes." Crap. LeBeau. It is him. Ah can't let them know Ah'm going to see him. Ah've got to find him and have a talk. They were close to town now. She had to find him before the race. Had to warn him. Had to get the truth.

The next day the whole town was excited about the race. All those running were at the livery checking on their horses. Remy was no different. But instead of staying near the livery, he took Ace out and away. The others had decided to sleep in some.

Ro, Normington, and the soldiers had just made it to town when the sun come up. Making sure Normington or any of his men didn't follow her, Ro ran to the apothecary.

"Sam, do you know where Jeffery or Will is?"

'Ro, you look tired. They're staying at the hotel. You didn't come in with them last night?"

"Ah got a late start. Thanks, Sam!" she yelled over her shoulder. She ran over to the hotel, asked which rooms they were in, and went to ask them where Remy was.

"Settle down, Ro. He went to check on Ace. He's probably at the stable," Jeffery said holding her shoulders, trying to calm her down. "What's so important ya rode all night to talk to him? You ain't gonna change his mind..." But it didn't matter. She was already heading for the livery before he could finish. She reached the livery, looked in, didn't see Ace or Remy, and panicked. "Where is he?" she asked aloud.

"Who you looking for, Miss Ro?" Jakes asked, a saddle in his arms.

"The man ridin' Ace. Have ya seen him?"

"Yeah. He went dat way. Took the horse with him. Ridin' in the race, ya know."

"Thanks, Jakes." Again she raced off. 'Ah've got to find him.' And she did. Nearly running into him behind the stable, she found him with Ace. "Remy!"

"Ro?" he questioned, stunned to see her. She reached up to him, placing her hands on his arms. "What are ya doin' here, chere? Ya said you weren't comin' t'see Remy race."

"Remy, Ah had to come to tell you, but now...The town's not safe. There's..."

"Had to tell Remy what?" he asked steering her back.

"Why Ah don't want you t'race." Tears threatened to fall.

"And why's dat, chere?"

"Joseph." He gave her a blank look. "The freak accident, Remy. He died during a race. He and Ace, right after he gave him to me. They ran in the race, couldn't clear a jump...an'...an'...a limb pierced through his body. Everywhere. They couldn't show his face at the funeral. Wouldn't let me see him." The tears were pouring now. "Remy, Ah don't want that to happen to you." She looked up at him.

"It won't. I promise." He bent and placed a kiss on her soft lips. Thoughts of what Normington said kept running through her brain. She broke off the kiss.

"Remy, the town's not safe. You can't run in the race. General Normington and his men are here looking for you."

"What?!" His eyes grew big and scared.

"Remy, Ah don't know if what they said is true or not. Ah really don't care. But you have to get out of here. Take Ace an' jus' ride away. Ah'll tell them Ah seen you ridin' the other way. South. You can go North."

"Won't work, chere."

"Why not?" she cried desperately.

"They know I won't be heading south. Remy got more demons down dere than the entire Confederate Army." He looked down to her eyes, his burning fire. "I'm going to stay, win this race an' give you da money, then Remy'll think about runnin'."

"But why not now, Remy? You could get away easily..." He placed a finger to her lips.

"I could, but Remy's got reasons for staying dis time." With that he mounted Ace and started to ride away, but she grabbed his leg hanging in the stirrup.

"Remy, take this." She handed him a scarf, the only thing she had grabbed before leaving. "It was my mother's."

"Thanks, chere." He wrapped it around his neck and was off.

Seeing everybody line the streets, Ro went in search of Jeffery and the others. That's when she felt something in the front of her shirt. He had left something in the pocket. A card. "The Jack of Hearts. Wonder what this means?" she asked, then flipped it over. There was writing on the back. She read it aloud. "Prince of Thieves is me." Thinking she would never know the answer to her questions she stashed the card in her pants pocket, still enjoying the feel of his lips against hers. She wished it had been longer. All foolish thoughts aside, she went and stood with the others. Will was the first to notice. "Miss Ro? What you doin' here?"

"Ah came to watch Remy race, Will. Jus' like you all." She had tried to wipe away the remaining tears, but still felt them on her cheeks.

"Here, Miss Ro," Sarah said handing her a handkerchief. "Thanks" is what she got back followed by a sniffle.

All of the riders were lined up. It was close to starting time. John Webster watched, studying each man and horse, laying odds o who would win. Then he saw Ace, the beautiful white stallion, and Remy sitting on top. Then he spotted Ro and her slaves. "Well, howdy, Miss Ro. Haven't seen you at a race in years. What brings you out this year? Slaves aren't allowed to race you know."

"We're here to cheer on Remy. He's riding Ace."

"Is that so? Well, it's nice seeing you out and about." When he had left, Ro heard Sarah hiss "That snake" and said "Amen" to her. The race was about to start.

John Webster, while walking over to Ro, had spotted the fifteen or so army men and now headed towards them. "Good day, gentlemen. My name is Jonathan Webster. I'm the mayor. Most call my 'John'. What brings you to Summitville?"

"General John Normington. Confederate Army. We're looking for a man. Remy LeBeau. Have you seen him?"

"What you want him for?"

"He is to stand trial. We need to find him."

"He's riding in the race today. On the white horse." Webster pointed towards the row of men in line. "You have time to get him before the race starts."

"Is he close to anyone in this town?" Normington asked.

"Well, he's been stayin' out at Miss Ro's place, workin' for her."

"Miss Ro, you say? Green eyes, brown hair, white skunk."

"That's her," Webster confirmed.

"All that time, and she knew who he was," Gerald said. "Sir, she can be taken in on aiding a deserter."

"Seems like we have to by law. Mr. Webster, is there any way he could escape while on the trail?"

"No, sir, unless he would jump the barriers. He's going to be too concentrated on winning the race. He has a cause."

"Miss Ro." Normington looked to where Ro stood at the finish line with Jeffery, Will, Jerome, and Sarah. "Where's her husband?" he asked after not spotting him.

"Doesn't have one. Engaged once. Died during a race years back. Been all alone with just her and the slave."

"Fine. When the race is over we'll be waiting at the finish line for him." That plan set, Normington and his men moved to the front near the finish line, hiding themselves where they could.

The gun went off, the race had started. All twelve pairs of horse and rider broke out, full force through the town. To sent up a short prayer for Remy's protection. In no time, no rider or horse could be seen from the town. Bets were being placed. It was out of the town's people's hands now.

Remy knew Ace could break out ahead of the other horses, there was no question he'd give them Cain. But he didn't know the track. Five miles of obstacle course, he wasn't about to spend the horse now. A series of small jumps, and back to another stretch. The race wasn't going to last long, but it would be trying.

Back in town, patrons stopped in and out of the general store buying beverages and food. Some men went into the saloon for a while to wait. Ro stayed where she s was. Normington, after the riders had disappeared in a cloud of dust, had left his men and was now walking towards Ro.

"Miss Ro, it's good to see you again. Enjoying the race?"

"General Normington. Yes, Ah am," she said some what meekly. He was different.

"Are these yours?" He pointed to the four behind her.

"Yes. They are. A few of them anyway."

"You have more?"

'Why the casual talk?' "Yes, at home. My daddy left them to me. They're great workers."

"Do you have any other workers staying with you?" He emphasized 'other'.

"What do you mean, General?"

"I heard that you have a white ranch hand working for you. I believe you know what I'm talking about." She just stood there defiantly. "Miss Ro, why didn't you tell me Mr. LeBeau was staying with you?" Again silence. "Gerald, irons. Miss Ro is under arrest for aiding a prisoner. Her slaves are to be escorted back to the plantation. Leave a man there. Leave a horse for her, take the others." He smiled down to her. "We'll figure out what to do with her property later." Gerald came and placed the irons on her wrists. "We'll stay and watch the end of the race, and when Mr. LeBeau comes through, We'll have him as well."

End chapter nine. 10 (and maybe a new desk) coming soon.