She had learned the hard way that with or without time travel, some actions could not be undone. Messing with the timeline could cause serious problems. People died. And disappeared. Time was a cruel master.
Thirty
Chapter 30
Diamond never expected her reunion with Jesse to take place in a dank jail cell with bars between them and Janet hovering nearby. He was still too thin, but with a rangy toughness rather than the hollow-eyed look of illness.
He looked up in surprise when the guard announced he had visitors. Diamond tried to read his expression when he saw them, but although she thought she caught a fleeting look of joy, a polite mask soon replaced it.
“Diamond,” he spoke her name softly and stepped up to the bars.
Unable to stop herself, Diamond ran the last few feet, and they clasped hands, staring into one another’s eyes.
“Sweetheart, what are you doing here? How did you even know I was here?”
Janet stepped forward. “My husband, Finn, found out where you were being held.”
Jesse dropped Diamond’s hands. “Diamond wrote to me about your betrothal, but I didn’t expect the wedding to happen so quickly.”
“Well, there was no time to waste. Finn could die at any time and I’m not getting any younger.” She lowered her voice. “And there was the Jack problem.”
“Did you see him?” Jesse asked, also speaking just above a whisper. “Is he well?”
Diamond nodded. “He should be fine. His wound was healing nicely.”
“Seems I haven’t his ability to evade capture.” Jesse’s hands tightened on the bars and his shoulders sagged.
“What can you expect when he left you without a horse?” Diamond spoke more sharply than she intended and Janet kicked her in the ankle. “Ow.”
“They will listen to everything we say,” Janet whispered.
“They already suspect me of helping a known guerrilla escape. Give them proof and my uniform might not be enough to save me from the hanging squad,” Jesse said.
Diamond twisted her hands in her skirt. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”
“I know.” Unable to speak openly in front of Janet, he winked at her, acknowledging their secret and giving her a free pass.
He was more generous than she would have been in his place. “We’re hoping we can get you paroled or exchanged,” she said.
“It’s growing more difficult as both sides resist sending men straight back to the battlefield.”
“That’s why I’m pushing for parole.”
“It would be nice to leave army life behind, but where would we go?”
“We could go back to New Madrid or even head West.”
“Father won’t be happy about parole,” Janet said. “And I wouldn’t think Jesse would want to abandon the Confederacy.”
“He wouldn’t be abandoning anything. He’d be honoring his word as a gentleman.”
Jesse raised his hands. “Hold on. You still haven’t explained why you’re here. Last I heard, the two of you were going home to Hickory Grove.”
“It’s still occupied.” Janet kept her voice even, but compressed her lips into a hard line. “We have nowhere to live so Finn rented us an apartment here in St. Louis.”
“Which means I can visit you regularly until your parole comes through,” Diamond added.
Jesse gave her a strained smile. “They won’t keep me here forever. Too many prisoners have escaped. They will transfer me somewhere more secure if I don’t get released soon.”
“I’ve set up a meeting with Bryce. He might help us.” Once again they exchanged a meaningful glance.
Janet picked up on it. “Just what is your relationship to the Pooles?”
“I’m distantly related to his wife.”
“Do you really think he’ll help you?” Janet asked. “Seems like a stretch.”
“I don’t know, but I have to try.” Diamond reached in the pocket of her gown and pulled out a wrapped parcel. “We brought you this. It’s only bread and cheese, but we guessed the food isn’t very good here. I’ll bring something else the next time I come.” Alone, she wanted to add, but couldn’t in front of Janet.
Jesse took the package. “Thank you. The food is fine, but sparse. But don’t think you have to keep visiting me. I don’t like to see you in this place.”
“I won’t be back, now that I know you are well,” Janet said. “Wouldn’t want anyone to doubt my newfound Union allegiance. And it would be best if you didn’t spend much time here either, Diamond. Finn wouldn’t like it.”
“I don’t care what Finn likes. Jesse is my husband. I will visit him.”
“You can come occasionally, but I don’t want you to make a habit of it. Janet is right. It could be dangerous.”
Didn’t he want to see her? Was he regretting their hasty marriage? Or did he think she would slip up again and allow the guards to overhear something they shouldn’t? She took a step back, her limbs weighted with dismay. Tears flickered at the back of her eyes. She had to get out of here before she broke down entirely. She wouldn’t cry for a man who was only interested in her dowry.
“Fine. I’ll return after I speak to Bryce. We had better be going now. Lots to do and all.” She was already backing away from the cell, blinking back the silly tears as she watched Janet drop a dutiful kiss on her brother’s cheek through the bars.
And then they were back out in the harsh sun, the damp smell of the prison a distant memory, the leers of the guards barely registering as the door clanged shut.
“I’m glad I won’t have to do that again,” Janet said, wiping her hands against her skirts. “Thank goodness he doesn’t expect you to come every day.”
“Thank goodness,” Diamond echoed, barely listening to her sister-in-law. Jesse showed no interest in her. Apparently her letter-writing campaign had failed. Her instinct was to stay and fight, but she no longer trusted her instincts. If she had not
