They didn't say a word to each other on the porch but only held each other tightly for a moment. Then Hunter and Abram vanished into the darkness.
Perry stood staring into the night. Finally, when the cold had seeped into her bones, she returned to the house. She walked silently to her bedroom and curled up amid the covers and her thoughts.
The next few days passed like feather-light clouds over an endless sky. Andrew hired new servants and retired Old James and Sarah to a little house out back. They still came over every morning out of habit. Sarah planted herself in the kitchen and spent the day telling stories. James tried to make himself useful by sauntering through the house making announcements. He shuffled from room to room like a town crier, calling that dinner was served, or that the wind was changing, or other news everyone already knew. He often answered the door when folks came to see the doctor. He'd wander around announcing their ailments to everyone. Perry found his manner hilarious, but Andrew didn't share her opinion.
On December twelfth they heard that the election for governor went to Jonathan Worth by only five thousand votes. Perry knew Hunter would be coming soon.
James had just finished sweeping the porch the next evening when he stepped into the hall.' 'Rider coming,' he announced in his usual serious tone.
Perry jumped to her feet and ran to the door. Her heart was pounding in the hope of seeing Hunter again so soon. Far down the road, she watched a lone rider moving fast. The setting sun was shining in her eyes, so it took her several seconds to recognize the form drawing near. 'Wade!' She whirled around and ran into the house.
Colliding with her brother in the hall, Perry tried to slow her words enough to make sense. 'Andrew, it's Wade. I don't wish to see him.'
'All right.' Andrew didn't need to ask questions; he could read her eyes and find all the answers he needed. 'Go upstairs and I'll take care of him.'
As Perry climbed the stairs she wished shed told Andrew more about Wade and how dangerous he was, but the time had never been right to reopen all the wounds he'd inflicted.
Running to her room, she pulled her derringer from the dresser drawer and shoved it into her pocket, then moved to the top of the stairs. Here in the shadows she could see everything as she stood unnoticed.
Andrew answered the pounding politely. 'Yes, may I help you?'
Perry froze when she heard Wade's voice: 'I understand Perry McLain is visiting here. I wonder if I might have a word with her. We're old friends.' His voice sounded casual, as if he had just dropped by for a visit. 'I'm Captain Wade Williams.' He extended his hand to Andrew.
Andrew took Wade's hand, knowing the Union officer didn't remember the bearded Confederate doctor he'd once insulted. But Andrew would never forget Captain Williams and the small Union camp. Wade had only been in charge of the prisoners for a few weeks, but during that time many of the wounded had died. Andrew remembered that if it hadn't been for the bargain Abram made for supplies, many more would have perished. At the time Andrew had wondered how Captain Williams could care so little for his fellowman. Not only didn't he value the prisoners' lives, but also he cared little for his own men. The only thing all the soldiers in camp had in common was their hatred for Williams.
'Captain, I'm sorry, but my sister is not receiving guests.'
Wade's voice grew cold. 'I've ridden a long way to see her. I'm sure she can find the time.' He placed his arm on Andrew's shoulder and pushed slightly to make his point.
'I'm afraid not. Perry has no wish to see you, sir.' Andrew's voice was nervous. 'I'll have to ask you to leave.'
'You can't stop me from seeing her.' Wade's tone was sharp with rage. 'I'll tear this house apart-and you along with it.'
'No. I can't allow-' Andrew never finished his statement, for Wade's fists plowed into his face. Andrew was unprepared for the sudden violence and fell backward like a puppet whose strings suddenly had been dropped.
'I'm not in the habit of allowing anyone to stand in my way.' Wade kicked Andrew with his boot. 'Now, if you'll tell your sister I'm here, we'll avoid any more unpleasantness.'
Andrew stood, swinging blindly toward Wade. The captain showed no mercy. He pounded into the doctor with the power of a trained soldier. Blood streamed from Andrew's nose and mouth, and still Wade drove his fist into the gentle doctor. Finally, as if suddenly bored, he stepped back, allowing Andrew to crumble into a puddle of blood.
Wade moved toward the stairs without a backward glance at the damage he'd done. He was smiling at his victory and looking forward to more of such pleasure to come.
As he reached the foot of the stairs a gun being cocked cracked the silent air. Wade froze, irritated at another delay.
'Back up, Captain!' Old James's voice rang from beneath the stairs.
Wade took several steps backward as James moved to block the stairs. The old black man stood taller than he was, an old rifle in his hands pointing directly at Wade.
Shock and rage blended in Wade's face. 'You old fool. You don't want to point that antique at me. I doubt it would shoot, anyway.' Wade would have laughed off the attempt to stop him, but the gun was pointed at his middle. At this range the old man just might hit him.
'It'll shoot.' James's voice was solid, though his body shook with nerves.
'You'll hang if you shoot a white man.'
'I knows that, but I figure I don't have much time to lose, anyway. I saw what you did to Miss Perry that night, and I have to stop it from happenin' again. I may die for killin' you, but at least the likes of you won't be around pesterin' good folks like these.'
Perry pulled her gun from her pocket and moved down the stairs. 'It will be hard to tell if my bullet or James's took your life.' She stood on the steps just behind James. Her hand held the gun solidly and Wade knew her aim would be true.
He backed away. 'Perry, I only came to say I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you. If I'd known you were serious about not marrying me, I would have stepped aside. In Philadelphia I only wanted to talk. I didn't even hurt anyone at that restaurant. The guard you had only got a bump on the head. But thanks to your telling the law, I almost got thrown in jail. So it is I who should be angry.' His movements reminded Perry of a snake as he backed to the door. 'Luckily I have friends in government who owe me favors.'
Andrew moaned from the corner, drawing Perry's glance for an instant. Wade darted from the door and disappeared. She ran around James to the porch, but he was already riding away. Lifting her gun, she fired, warning him never to return. If he did, he would find them prepared.
Chapter 35
Perry dug with a vengeance at the brown weeds in the garden. Three days had passed since shed seen Wade, and still there was no word from Hunter. She'd done everything she could to stay busy. Finally, when the house was spotless, she turned her nervous energy to the overgrown garden. She cared little that spring was far away and the day cold. At least here she could be alone and think. Andrew had hired several extra men around the place, and all wore holstered guns as they worked. He'd given the order that anyone seeing Wade on the grounds was to fire one shot. Perry found herself praying that that one shot would pierce his heart and put an end to her fears.
The order and the guns should have made her feel safe and protected, but instead she was on edge, half expecting a shot to ring out at any moment. She felt like a prisoner being constantly watched.
The sun melted into the dormant earth, giving the ground a golden glow. Storm clouds huddled to the north, dressed in radiant violet hues. But she hardly noticed, for she dreaded another night without Hunter. She was like the cold earth and he was her sun. When he touched her, life had a golden glow, yet when he was gone, life seemed cold and dead.
Finally she stretched and looked over the garden wall. Two of the men Andrew hired to help out were coming slowly toward her. They were rough, hardworking lads who seemed thankful enough for a job. The country was running over with men now, compared to only months ago, when most had been away fighting. From the look of them these two were brothers. Except for one being several inches shorter than the other, they were a matched set
