Guide Me Home (15 page)

“That's just it.” Devlin searched for words to describe what his ears—or was it his imagination?—heard. “I don't hear it, yet I do.”

Rebekah stared at him as if he'd lost his mind. And maybe he had if he was hearing, or not hearing, things that weren't there. He turned to Tolly. “There's a hum I…I think.”

A smile broke across the black man's face. Moisture glimmered in his dark eyes. Then he chuckled softly, nodding so hard he crushed his thick beard against the buttoned collar of his jacket. “You's tapped into it, boy.”

Devlin exchanged a look with Rebekah. She appeared as puzzled as he felt.

“This cave…”

Devlin jerked his attention to Tolly. The man's intense, serious gaze caused his pulse to double its tempo. Or maybe the cave itself was affecting him.

“It's a livin' thing, always changin'. While it changes, sometimes it sings. My pappy believed the cave took on a bit o' the spirit o' ever' person who entered its depths an' marveled at its wonduhs, an' those little pieces o' thousands o' spirits joined togethuh in a song.”

The warmth of his jacket surrounded him, but Devlin shivered.

“I've heard the music o' the cave fo' so many years, it's become part o' me. Don't hardly notice it anymore.” Tolly blinked fast. “But now you's hearin' it. It's a special thing, Devlin Bale, to become part o' Mammoth Cave.”

Devlin didn't feel special. Apprehension spoiled the flavor of the cinnamon on his tongue. He rose, his limbs turning clumsy. “Is it time for us to move on?”

Tolly stood, too, but Rebekah remained seated, her quizzical gaze pinned on the older man. Tolly chortled, sending a smirk in Rebekah's direction. “You gonna stay here the rest o' the day, Reb, an' wait fo' us to cross paths wit' you on the way out?”

She shoved the last bite of cake into her mouth and pushed to her feet. She swallowed, wiped the back of her hand across her mouth, and aimed a tart look at Tolly. “You aren't going to leave me behind.”

Tolly burst out laughing, destroying the odd web that had been wrapping itself around Devlin. Relieved, Devlin joined in, and even Rebekah offered a sheepish grin.

Rebekah and Tolly hefted their totes into place while Devlin slipped the satchel's strap over his shoulder. He took hold of the waywiser's handle and waited while Tolly plucked the torch from its spot. Then he fell in line behind Tolly and Rebekah.

Rebekah

R
ebekah shielded her eyes with one hand and crossed the thick grass to the pony cart waiting beneath a trio of pines where Tolly had left it that morning. Shadows fell from west to east, letting her know a whole day had passed while she followed Tolly through dark tunnels with Devlin Bale's warm breath stirring the fine hairs on the nape of her neck. Inside the cave, with no shadows to give a hint of the passing hours, time seemed to stand still. She fought a sense of confusion as she passed through fingers of waning sunlight.

Tolly strode to the mule and cupped Bitsy's hairy chin in his palm. “Hey, there, ol' girl. You ready to get outta them traces? We'll getcha to the stable an' let you loose.” He turned to Rebekah. “Leave yo' pack wit' me, Reb. I'll fill it wit' supplies befo' we meet up again tomorruh mo'nin'.”

She shrugged out of the pack and flopped it into the cart's bed. With the release of the weight, she experienced the strange sensation of floating. Gripping the edge of the cart, she waited for the feeling to pass, then removed her jacket and tossed it on top of the pack. She rubbed her shoulders and sighed.

Devlin lifted his belongings into the cart, grinning. “I wager you're relieved to shed that pack.”

“I won't wager, but I will agree.”

“Maybe tomorrow you should carry the food instead of the supplies.”

The sympathy in his eyes sent a prickle of awareness down her spine. “With the amount of food Tolly packs, I doubt it'd make much difference.”

Tolly chuckled. “Don't be complainin' none about the 'mount o' food. Not when you ate as much as eithuh o' us men today.”

Heat attacked Rebekah's face.

“And only fair of her to do so, considering her hard work.” Devlin beamed at her. “Truly, Miss Hardin, I couldn't help but notice how tirelessly you traversed the treacherous tunnels. You were an inspiration to me, keeping me moving when my legs felt too weak to continue.”

The heat flowed into her chest. She couldn't decide if he was making fun of her or complimenting her. She scuttled to the opposite side of the cart. “Following Tolly wasn't any worse than following my daddy's work mule in our tobacco field.”

“But I hope to smell some bettuh than an ol' work mule.”

Tolly's dry comment earned a laugh from Devlin, and to Rebekah's relief he turned his attention to the older black man. “I have a lot of drawing to do this evening, Tolly. Can we return to the hotel now?”

“Sure thing. But I's ridin' with you'uns this trip. My feet're achin'.”

The three of them clambered into the cart and Tolly flicked the reins. Bitsy let out a braying complaint. Tolly flicked them again, harder, but the mule still refused to move.

Tolly snorted and started to rise. “Oh, all right, you fool cuss, I'll—”

Devlin hopped out, making the cart bounce. “You two ride. I'll walk.”

Tolly opened his mouth as if to argue, but Devlin put up one hand. “No, you two carried much more weight through the cave today than I did. It only makes sense that I should be the one to walk.” He picked up his satchel and slung it over his shoulder. “I would appreciate it, however, if you would deliver my waywiser to my room. I'm staying in cottage two.”

Tolly touched the brim of his battered top hat. “I surely will, Devlin. You have a good walk now. See you back at the meetin' spot tomorruh mo'nin' at seven.” This time when he flicked the reins, Bitsy lurched to action.

Rebekah let her feet dangle out the back of the cart as Tolly guided Bitsy up the road to the cave estate. How could Devlin, who hailed from the city, have the energy to walk after the miles they'd covered? More than once, city fellows had come up to the door of her family's cabin seeking permission to hunt or fish on Daddy's land. Daddy, as kind and loving as he was with Mama and his girls, always seemed distrusting and even a little disdainful of those men. She'd once overheard him tell Mama, “Can't abide a dandy. Slick haired an' big bellied with soft hands, like they never done a lick o' work.”

When she'd seen Devlin for the first time, she'd branded him a dandy in her mind. His fine suit, smug grin, and hands absent of dirt beneath the fingernails all painted the picture of a city dude. But he hadn't looked like one today in his work trousers and jacket. And he hadn't acted like one, either, keeping up pace for pace all through the cave and then choosing to hike the half mile to the hotel. Would Daddy approve of Devlin, or would he show disdain?

Tolly brought Bitsy to a stop in front of the row of cottages. He angled a look over his shoulder. “If you ain't too tired to move, would you take down Devlin's wheel-rolluh there an' set it by his door?”

Rebekah gaped at the man. “You're not going to put it inside?”

“How can I? I don't got a key to get in.”

Rebekah carefully lifted the waywiser to the ground. She touched the round glass face, chewing her lip. “This thing looks expensive. Somebody might come along and take it. I don't think we should leave it outside. Not without someone keeping guard over it.”

Tolly scowled. “I ain't stayin' here until he gets back. I gotta take care o' Bitsy an' then go see Coopuh, get fixed up with victuals for tomorruh. Gotta make up anothuh passel o' torches. Hopin' to get some sleepin' in, too, befo' tomorruh comes.”

Rebekah grabbed her jacket and stepped away from the cart. “Then I'll stay.”

He glared at her for several seconds, his lips set so tightly his mustache and beard meshed together. With his eyes still squinted, he pointed at her. “Mind all you do is guard that wheel. Don't you be goin' inside his cottage no mattuh if he ask.”

Rebekah jolted. “Tolly!”

“All I's sayin' is he's a good-lookin' fella an' he's noticed you're a fine-lookin' gal.”

Rebekah started fanning herself with the jacket.

“So you jus' mind yo'self, y'hear?”

A young couple meandered up the boardwalk, their curious gazes drifting in her direction. Rebekah scurried close to the cart and lowered her voice. “Tolly, my mama and daddy taught me right from wrong. I wouldn't ever go into a man's cottage. Not unless we were wed by a preacher in a church.”

His stern expression faded. He patted her arm. “I's sorry if I sounded harsh. But when I hired you on, I made a promise to keep watch ovuh you, keep you safe. I wouldn't be doin' my job if I di'n't warn you 'bout men an' their wicked ways.”

Rebekah's heart rolled in her chest. “Do you think Dev—Mr. Bale is wicked?”

“I think all men can be wicked when temptation snags 'em.” Tolly's dark eyes glittered. “An' you, Miss Reb Hardin, would be mighty temptin' to any fella.”

She ducked her head, embarrassed yet flattered. Mama and Daddy and Cal Adwell had all told her she was pretty, but somehow it meant more coming from somebody who didn't love her or want to court her. “Thanks, Tolly.”

“So jus' mind yo'self an' be careful.” His stern tone returned. He snapped the reins on Bitsy's back, and the cart rattled away.

Rebekah rolled the waywiser to the wooden walkway, placed it next to the door marked with a two, then leaned against the rough log wall to wait for Devlin. Within a few minutes, hardly a wait at all, he ambled along the row of cottages from the far end, whistling as he came.

He lifted a hand in greeting. “Reb!” He trotted the final distance and stopped near her, resting his palm on the wall and planting one toe against the boardwalk. He grinned at her. “Do you mind if I call you Reb? After hearing Tolly use the name all day, it seems natural.”

Rebekah scooted a few inches away from him. “No, it's all right.” She gestured to the waywiser. “I stayed and kept watch so nobody would take it.” She hoped he understood she hadn't hung around to see him. Although Devlin Bale with blue eyes shining, perspiration moistening his curls, and a musky scent clinging to him made her stomach tremble in an odd but welcome way.

“Thank you. I appreciate it.” He shifted his pose to withdraw a key from his pocket. “I'll put it inside where it'll be safe, and then would you like to walk to the dining room with me?”

“Um…”

He grimaced. “Oh. I suppose they wouldn't welcome me the way I look.”

“I think you look just fine.”

His eyebrows shot high.

She clapped her hands to her warm cheeks. Why had she said such a thing out loud? She'd spoken the truth, but only a brazen girl would tell a man he looked fine. “I mean, I don't think they'd keep you from coming in. But…but I can't go in with you.”

He opened the door and rolled the waywiser inside, never shifting his gaze from her face. “Why not?”

“It's a workday. Staff members aren't allowed to eat with guests in the hotel dining room on workdays. We have our own room where we take our meals.”

“Oh. Well.” He blew out a breath. “I'm not keen on dining alone. Not when everyone else in the room has someone with whom to share the meal. I suppose I'll see if one of the dining room workers will deliver a sandwich to my cottage. Then I can work while I eat.” He made a face. “That is, if I can find a workspace.”

She'd never peeked into the cabins or any of the hotel rooms, but she couldn't imagine them being anything but nice, given the appearance of the rest of the property. It didn't seem as though the owners had spared any expense when building the hotel. Maybe Devlin was being particular, the way some of the other guests she'd encountered behaved. “Can't you use the table in your cottage?”

“There isn't a table. Or a desk. Only a bureau, which stands as high as my chest.”

That would be high, given his height. “Oh.”

“I suppose I could work at one of the tables in the dining room, but that would invite gawkers. I prefer to work without an audience.”

She tapped her lips, thinking. “There's a table in my cabin that's not being used for anything. Except holding a pot of flowers.” She didn't eat at it, write at it, or even sit at it. She wouldn't miss it if it were gone. “Maybe a couple of the porters could put it in your room.”

Warmth glistened in his blue eyes. “That's very kind of you, Miss Reb, but would you believe me if I told you there isn't a place in this cottage for even the smallest table? The furnishings are very nice, and the view out the back window is enough to satisfy the most critical soul, but if they brought in a table, they would have to take out the bed. And I believe I'll have need of sleep during my stay.”

He angled his head, his brows puckering. “If I'm to stay up-to-date with my project, I need to work on the map each evening. Do you suppose I could—” He shook his head, grimacing. “No, I shouldn't ask.”

Curiosity got the better of her. “Ask what?”

He rested his shoulder against the wall, folded his arms, and set his face in a pleading look that reminded her of Little Nellie hoping for a striped stick of candy from the general store. “If you have no need for the table in your cabin, and if you wouldn't consider me an intrusion, do you suppose I could set out my paper and drawing materials there and make use of it?”

Allow Devlin Bale into her cabin every evening? Temptation tugged hard. If she said yes, would he think her forward? More important, would Mama, Daddy, or Tolly disapprove? She wished one of them was nearby so she could ask.

“I'd be certain to finish at a decent time and never enter your cabin without permission.”

She stood mute, worrying her jacket in her hands. Tolly's comment about men's wickedness rolled in the back of her mind, competing with the gentle beseeching in Devlin's eyes. Blue eyes, like Daddy's. She bit her lip.

He sighed and pushed off from the wall. “Never mind. I can see you're uneasy with the idea.”

“No, it isn't that. I just think I—”