Mingo approached her alone. Tom and Matt were nowhere to be found. She supposed they had stayed behind with . . . to bring . . . to bring him home to her.
"Rebecca!" Mingo called out and he ran to her.
"It is over?" She asked and found she could barely stand. She had meant to be stronger in this moment, but she had not understood how completely destroyed she would feel.
"Sit down." He said leading her to a stump. She sat down and he knelt beside her.
"We . . .we put some people in place, Becky, it cost a small fortune, but he'll be here with you when darkness falls." He smiled at her.
"He isn't? They didn't?" She couldn't breathe.
"No! But everyone thinks he's dead. They all believe he was killed. Everywhere you go that is what everyone will believe. Only Matt, Tom, you and I know different."
"And Dan." She said her voice breaking.
"Yes, and Daniel." Mingo smiled at her, and reaching out he held her hands tightly as she sobbed.
***DB***
It was late afternoon and Rebecca had cooked up a huge pot of stew - celebrating by feeding Mingo. He had happily consumed two bowls already and was contentedly picking his way through his third.
"I think I can focus on it now. Explain it again." She said sitting beside him. He had tried to explain things to her twice already, but overwhelmed with joy all she could think was, "Alive! Alive!" and so she hadn't heard what he said.
"Well, I posed as a British officer, you'll have to thank my father for that." He began.
"I will write him a letter and send him a pie." She smiled at Mingo.
"I switched the men on the detail. Two of them were Matt and Tom, and the other two we paid off. They brought him out, into the yard, fired into the wall, and we had them bury a body that we had borrowed from a cemetery early this morning.". He did not tell her the part where no one knew if the soldiers they had bribed would cooperate or not until they fired their rifles.
"I feel so grateful, Mingo. I can't ever thank you enough! You saved us both." Her eyes filled with tears.
"No more crying now. I've seen you do that enough to last the rest of my life." He smiled at her. "Rebecca, I owe Daniel and you more than this. He's saved me a hundred times over. And none of us could allow you to be hurt so badly. Besides, this stew is thanks enough."
"A bowl of stew for the saving of my heart, that seems a bit one-sided."
"Well, you know how I feel about your stew, Rebecca." And she laughed out loud.
"I'll make you stew everyday for the rest of your life - as long as your wife doesn't mind - soon as we find you one." She grinned.
"There's time enough for that. But Rebecca, there are still some difficult days ahead." He studied her quietly, unsure if she had realized all the consequences that lay ahead.
"I understand." She said softly. "I don't . . . let's not talk about that just now. He'll be here with me tonight and the rest will take care of itself. I want only happiness for now."
"I wasn't sure if you . . . " Mingo began.
"I am not a foolish woman, Mingo." She interrupted sharply. "I understand what all this will mean."
"I didn't think you were." He said quietly, hurt.
"I'm sorry." She said. "I just . . ." Tears rolled down her face. "I just want to be happy for now; just for now."
Mingo smiled at her, "Of course. It's alright Rebecca. We solved this piece of it. You give us time and we'll figure out the rest, too." Reaching out he held onto her hand. "We'll set it right, Rebecca. You have my word."
Squeezing his fingers she said, "You are the dearest friends - all of you. You risked so much for him."
"Well, truth be told, Rebecca, mostly we did it for you." He grinned at her and stepping away, he poured himself another bowl of stew.
***DB***
The light of dawn was slow to creep into the small cave. He lay with her in his arms. He knew it was time for him to leave, but he hated to wake her. He kissed her cheek. "'Becca." He said softly.
She turned in his arms, and kissed him; and he thought of all the days he had awakened with her beside him.
"Time to go?" She whispered and he nodded. A tear escaped her eyes and holding her tighter, he kissed her.
"Listen, this is just for now, darlin'. We'll figure a way clear. Honestly, it will be harder on you than anyone. No one can know. No one. You have to lie sweetheart - even to the children. I hate that most of all. I know that Katie-Grace will . . . I'm sorry, but we can't risk it. If they believe it to be true, then they'll never have to lie." He sighed thinking of the horror of telling them and knowingly causing them pain. He wasn't sure they could do it. "You can talk to Grace though, she overheard Matt and Tom talking. She knows."
"I understand. Don't worry, Dan. I'll put it off as long as I can. But if they ask me point blank, I guess I'll have to tell them something. Maybe they won't ask." She looked at him with wide blue eyes, "I know your life is what hangs in the balance. I understand how important this is. And you are right, however painful, it would be impossible to expect them to lie. I can do what is necessary." She said. "I'd never betray you."
He took hold of her chin. "I don't worry about that. I know you. " He smiled at her. "A time may come, when you are tricked or threatened, and you might have to let go of it - for the children's sake or maybe even your own. You do what you have to, when the time comes. I would never blame you. I know you. You mind that."
She wiped her eyes and drew in a deep breath, swallowing down all her tears. "You better go. Mingo's waiting for you." She slid from his arms, and turned to dress.
He rose with a heaviness he had never felt before. They dressed in silence and he thought of about 10,000 things he ought to say to her. He stood awkwardly, buttoning his shirt and didn't even notice when he had buttoned it all wrong. She smiled at him and crossed over to him taking over buttoning, saying, "Honestly, Daniel. What would you do without me?" But then her face turned pale as she realized what she'd said.
He put his hands on her shoulders. "I dunno." He said very softly.
"It will be cold soon. I wish you had your scarf." She said holding onto his collar and trying to regain her composure.
"I'll be alright. Don't fret. Promise me, you won't fret." He said seriously and saying nothing, still holding onto his collar, she rested her forehead against his chest.
"Why don't you ask the sun not to shine, while you're at it." She grinned up at him. "Daniel, I'll do my best, but you can't expect me to not worry. Besides, I'm a widow now. I'm supposed to be sad and troubled."
"Listen, you be careful. You know how Mr. Halicheck feels about you. And you look unbelievably beautiful in black."
She laughed out loud. "Don't worry. I can manage Halicheck."
"I swear, Becky, if he gives you any trouble, I'll throttle him the second I get back."
"I was hoping you'd kiss me, the second you get back." She raised an eyebrow at him.
"That sounds like a better plan. I'll throttle him the day after I get back."
"'Course, that could put you back in prison and we'd be right back where we started. I'd hate for you to get executed twice."
"You and me both." He smiled at her. "I don't know how long it will take to clear this mess up." He said and buried his head in her shoulder.
"Well, a day would be too long for me." Lifting his chin, she smiled at him. "I love you, Daniel Boone. You figure your way out of this, and come back home to me. I'll wait until time itself ends." She kissed him and there was nothing else in the world but the two of them.
"I better go." He said at last, reaching out to brush her hair back behind her ear. "Rebecca Ann you are my heartbeat. Tá mo chroí istigh ionat. I'll come back to you the very second I can." He kissed her one last time and she walked with him to the edge of the cave. Mingo stood in the far distance.
"Matt and Tom will see you home." He told her. "Becky, I . . ." She put a hand to his lips silencing him.
"I know everything already." She told him and standing on tiptoe she gave him a brief kiss and then turned and went back into the cave.
Sighing, he lifted his rifle and strode out to meet his blood-brother.