The Pattern of Her Heart (47 page)

Jasmine fidgeted with the fine lace that edged her handkerchief as she awaited Nolan and McKinley’s arrival. Eager to hear Nolan’s report, Jasmine patted the settee cushion the moment the two men entered the room.

“Do sit down and tell me everything,” she said, giving the men her complete attention.

Nolan rubbed his hands together. “The entire process could not have gone any better. We could truly feel your prayers throughout the journey, and we knew God was in control. How else could we possibly have found lawmen in a pro-slavery state willing to assist us?”

McKinley nodded and laughed. “In fact, when Nolan and I located those lawmen, we told them they were an answer to prayer.”

“I
told
you that prayer was the solution!” Jasmine exclaimed.

“Of course we had no choice but to rely on Levi’s information that the subterfuge would occur in St. Louis,” Nolan said. “Upon our arrival, I found a lawman who, after listening to our story and reviewing the ledger listing the names of our freed slaves, agreed to help us. He recruited a number of men, and we stationed ourselves on the wharf and then waited for the boat to dock.”

“I truly believed Levi was incorrect about St. Louis,” Jasmine said. “In fact, I’m still surprised Rupert decided the incursion should occur in such a busy place. I thought he would choose some outlying town along the river.”

“I think he worried something might go amiss in a small town,” McKinley said. “Perhaps he feared passersby might overhear or actually see what was occurring or possibly even believe the slaves if they spoke out. However, the docks in St. Louis are teeming with people and activity. He brought the slaves off the boat in shackles in order to contain them for his men and also give the appearance that he was delivering slaves. Fortunately for us, he had only three men appear to claim the slaves. You should have seen his face when he spotted us.”

“Did he attempt to fabricate a lie in order to cover up his deeds?” she asked as she moved to the edge of her seat.

Nolan nodded. “He said he knew the men, but he had no idea they had plans to capture the slaves. However, his story soon crumbled. The other men were unwilling to take the blame for the part Rupert played in the scheme. We showed our proof that the slaves were ours, and because of Rupert’s deception, it was decided that the entire arrangement was null and void.”

“What does that mean?” Jasmine questioned.

“It means that Rupert gets nothing,” her husband replied. “He’s lucky he wasn’t arrested. Had we been willing to press charges, it could have gone very bad for him. But he denied everything right up until we left for home. In fact, he was still blaming the others.”

“You mean he actually denied knowledge of his own nefarious plot and pointed a finger at his fellow cohorts in crime?” Jasmine asked indignantly.

“Absolutely!” McKinley said. “I fear I completely misjudged Rupert and his intentions from the very beginning.”

“Did you not bring any charges against the men?” she inquired.

“No. I didn’t want to remain and attempt to bring legal action against them,” McKinley explained, “and the sheriff said since they had not yet committed a crime, it would be a difficult battle—especially in Missouri. The court would not look favorably upon our claim.”

Jasmine smiled at her husband. “It’s better this way. The men he so quickly accused will likely spread word of his cowardly actions throughout the region. His neighbors will have little use for a man who is unwilling to take the blame for his own deeds. I have little doubt that Rupert will be treated with disdain.”

“As well he should be,” McKinley said. “How can I possibly thank the two of you for all you have done—for the slaves and for me? I pray that one day I’ll be able to repay you.”

“I think that may soon be possible,” Nolan replied with a quirk of his eyebrow.

McKinley’s gaze was filled with puzzlement. “How so?”

“The Willows still belongs to you and Jasmine. And Cousin Levi’s telegram stated he knows someone who may be interested in purchasing the land. He said he would send the information to the land agent, depending upon the final outcome in St. Louis.”

McKinley shook his head back and forth, his eyes growing moist. “This is wonderful news.”

“You see? God has blessed us beyond our highest expectations. His grace makes it difficult to question the abiding love He has for each of his children, don’t you agree?”

“I do agree,” McKinley said. “However, during difficult times, I fear I, too, quickly forget God’s faithfulness.”

Jasmine moved close and embraced her brother. “Then in the future, I shall take full responsibility for reminding you.”

December 25, 1858

J
ASMINE LOOKED
out the bedroom window and smiled. Nolan had predicted the children would enjoy a sleigh ride on Christmas morning, and now a heavy blanket of snow covered the ground. She squinted against the blinding intensity of the sun’s rays as they reflected off the pristine layer of white.

“Did you see? Did you see?” Alice Ann squealed delightedly as she ran into her parents’ bedroom. She dove onto the bed and landed on her father with a vigor that caused him to groan. “It’s snowing, Poppa, just like you promised. How soon can we go on our sleigh ride?”

He struggled to a sitting position as he lifted Alice Ann off of his chest. “Not until after breakfast, remember? I believe I hear Henrietta calling your name. You had best hurry to your room and get dressed.”

The child slipped off the bed and gave Jasmine a fleeting hug before scurrying out of the room and down the hall.

“Oh, for a portion of that youthful energy first thing in the morning,” Nolan said as he grinned at his wife. “Did we have a good snow?” He threw back the covers and stretched.

“More than I want to see,” she replied with a shiver.

He laughed. “
Any
snow is more than you want to see, my dear, but it doesn’t seem like Christmas unless there’s at least a smattering.”

“This is much more than a smattering.” She peered out the window again. “I hope it won’t ruin our Christmas celebration. I’ll be disappointed if McKinley’s family is unable to join us.”

Nolan walked to the window and looked for himself. “From the way you talked, I thought we’d had a blizzard.” He rubbed his hands together. “This is perfect. Your party will go on as planned, my dear. McKinley will have no difficulty maneuvering a sleigh through these few inches of snow.”

Jasmine took up her brush and began to style her hair in front of the mirror. “The party is not as important as having our family together. There are so few of us that it suddenly seems almost critical to me. I suppose it’s the reality of losing so many family members in such a short period of time. I had always taken family for granted, but now I realize how precious those ties become as we grow older.”

“In some respects, Rupert did you and McKinley a service,” Nolan commented.

Jasmine swung around to face her husband. “Rupert? How is that?”

“You and McKinley have drawn much closer to one another. I don’t know if that would have occurred without the problems the two of you faced and resolved during this past year.”

Jasmine nodded thoughtfully. “I suppose I hadn’t thought of it in such a manner, but you’re correct. And I’m certain such a thought would cause Rupert severe displeasure.”

He laughed. “Indeed! Cousin Levi’s last missive is testimony to that fact. Rupert continues to blame everyone but himself for his current situation. I presume he isn’t enjoying his life as an outcast from Southern society. It seems a man so incapable of keeping his word is much scorned.” He pulled his shirt on and started securing the buttons. “As I understand it, many promises were made by Rupert to his neighbors, and when those promises proved false, well, most folks wanted nothing to do with him.”

“In time his friends will forget his misdeeds, but for now he is reminded daily of his despicable behavior. To my own astonishment, I’ve begun to pray for him—and Lydia also,” Jasmine said. “Lydia is surely suffering along with her husband, and it’s hardly her fault that Rupert’s deception and conniving have put them in this fix.”

“I’m proud of you. I shall attempt to follow your example, for there’s little else that will cause a change in Rupert.” He pulled on his trousers and tucked his shirt in.

“I’m also praying for the strength to forgive him, but I’ve not yet reached that lofty goal. Sadly, I don’t think Rupert feels a need for change, but perhaps in time he will come to that realization. And, perhaps in time, I will be able to forgive him for the wrongs he committed against so many,” she said, her voice trailing off as she stared into the mirror.

Nolan stepped behind his wife and wrapped her in a warm embrace. “This has been a monumental year. . . . Much sadness, yet much happiness also,” he said, gazing at their reflections.

She smiled warmly at her husband. “Yes,
much
happiness. For we have been able to share in giving a wondrous gift to many—the gift of freedom.”

Tracie Peterson is the author of more than eighty novels, including the bestselling H
EIRS OF
M
ONTANA
and S
ONG OF
A
LASKA
series. She teaches workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.

Visit Tracie’s Web site at:
www.traciepeterson.com
.

Visit Tracie and Judy’s blog at
www.writespassage.blogspot.com
.

Judith Miller is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her novels, many of which have appeared on the CBA bestseller lists. Judy makes her home in Topeka, Kansas.

Visit Judy’s Web site at:
www.judithmccoymiller.com
.