Unforsaken (24 page)

"How do you owe him money?

"When your father died, I honestly thought I'd be the one running the gin.” The statement held no accusation. “I'd worked there since I was twelve years old, and with Ryan away in the army, it was only natural for me to take over."

Olivia sank down beside him. “Until Ryan died and left everything to me."

Rodger nodded. “I felt cheated, Olivia."

"So you decided to take the business away from me?"

"No, I swear it. I just assumed that once you were married you'd make me a partner and let me run the business for you."

Olivia propped her elbows on her knees and braced her forehead against her open palms. “Well, that didn't happen."

"No,” he agreed. “It didn't."

Olivia hadn't forgotten those awful months after Matthew's return. She refused to cave into her misery, burying herself instead in the daunting task of running her father's business. Her determination had been so strong that she might have succeeded on her own, but Rodger had patiently shown her everything she needed to know, never once asking anything for himself.

"It never occurred to me that you might be unhappy with the arrangement,” she confessed. “You should have said something."

"You were so angry and hurt, I was afraid you would throw me out altogether.” When she didn't deny it, he added, “But that didn't give me the right to take anything from you.

"I had worked out several deals for lumber and decided to keep them for myself. A little business of my own, on the side."

"With Mr. Hannah,” she guessed. When she glanced up, he nodded. “And he got greedy."

"The man's a thief,” Rodger said, his voice bitter with contempt. “He started making all kind of threats, and I didn't doubt him for a moment. I gave him a job at the gin, put him in charge of buying cotton and let him keep half the profits."

"Until I messed that up."

They both smiled reluctantly, and Rodger said, “You certainly did."

"That's when the threats turned into actions?"

"Yes. I didn't know what to do, but I knew I had to get my hands on enough money or he would kill me."

"So you decided to take the business away from me."

"Olivia, I was desperate.” Rodger sank down on the step beside her. “The only thing that would hold him off was the prospect of me controlling the mill. I just needed to buy a little time."

"There's never enough money to buy time."

Rodger nodded, his shoulders slumping forward, and she couldn't help feeling sorry for him. He looked so defeated.

"What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know, but I hope to God he hasn't found out we're buying that cotton after all.” He paused. “Did everyone hear you?"

"I'm sure they did,” she told him. “I made no secret about being there; in fact, I was looking for you."

"Let's hope I find him before he knows what happened. I'll try to stall him. Maybe he'll believe I'm planning to double-cross you."

"And then what?” Olivia placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Rodger, this man is no threat to you now. You've told me everything, and I'll back you up against him. Tell him to leave you alone."

A mirthless laugh escaped his lips. “If only it was that simple. If I don't pay him the money he wants, he'll kill me."

"My God, Rodger, you need to tell the sheriff."

"No!” Rodger was adamant. “There's nothing I can prove against him that I haven't done myself."

"Surely you don't believe him."

Olivia shared her aunt's misgivings about Rodger. “He may not be telling me the entire truth, but he's afraid of something."

"He's brought this on himself."

"And on me, as well.” Olivia faced her aunt. “I can't take the chance that Rodger won't panic and blame everything on me or Matthew. I have to tell him what's happened. I won't risk Sarah being where there's trouble."

"Good heavens, what might happen?"

"Who knows what this man is capable of? He considers Matt an enemy now.” She slapped the reins and turned the buggy away from town, toward Matthew's farm. “Damn Rodger for being so stupid!"

Chapter Nineteen

When she arrived, there was no sign of Matt. Inside the kitchen, the stove was cold, and Olivia told herself he had to return before nightfall to tend to the animals. Already she was warring with her conscience over what to tell him when he arrived. She was ashamed that he and Sarah were in danger because of her, but he had to know.

She wouldn't lie to him, but he might refuse to let her handle the situation if he thought she was in danger, as well. Rodger would panic if Matt confronted him, and Olivia knew she could handle her cousin alone. The sheriff would have to handle Joe Hannah, even if it meant jail for Rodger.

She found Sarah and one of the Carter girls outside at the far end of the porch. Sarah was poking dandelions into a rusty tin can, and she placed the arrangement in the center of an overturned wooden crate. Olivia realized the little girl was setting the table for tea, patiently explaining the need for a proper centerpiece.

"Livvy!” she cried, dashing down the back steps. “You're just in time. Me and Peg are having a tea party."

Olivia caught the little girl in her arms and laughed when Sarah threw her arms around her tightly. “A tea party. How charming."

Taking Olivia's hand, Sarah led her up the steps and across the porch. “See. Everything's ready."

"Hello, Peg,” she said to the older girl.

Peg grinned and said, “There's not really any tea."

Mismatched cups and saucers, all cracked and chipped, were carefully arranged in two place settings, and a dented watering can served as the teapot. An overturned wooden bucket served as a makeshift chair for her doll, and Sarah smiled up at Olivia. “There's only two saucers, but I got three cups."

"You have.” The gentle reproach died on her lips and she felt her throat tighten. Forcing a smile, she said, “Everything is beautiful."

Sarah reached for the watering can and pretended to fill the cups. Peg didn't have much of an imagination and turned her cup upside down to prove to Olivia it was empty.

"Peg, I plan on visiting with Sarah for a while,” she said by way of excusing the girl. “If you have anything you need to do, I'll be happy to wait for Mr. Bowen to return."

Peg was more than a little grateful to be relieved of her duty and dashed home, saying good-bye over her shoulder. Olivia fingered the dandelions and laughed when Sarah said, “She's no fun at all."

It was nearly dark and Matt still had not returned. Olivia was growing restless. She tried to entertain Sarah as best she could, and they made supper from what she could find in the kitchen and ate picnic style on the back porch. Sarah was delighted, but Olivia grew more concerned as darkness drew near.

She was afraid to take Sarah home with her. She knew she could leave the child with Mrs. Carter, but she still had to warn Matt.

Across the pasture, Olivia could see lights burning in the windows of the Carters’ cabin, and she considered the possibility that Matt might have stopped there first. At first she considered walking over and to see for herself, but she resisted the idea. Peg would have to explain leaving Sarah with her, and he would come home right away.

The darkness and mosquitoes finally drove them inside, and Olivia lit one of the kerosene lamps. The soft light warmed the room, and she settled in the old rocking chair in the corner. Sarah climbed into her lap and denied being sleepy despite her stifled yawns.

In the quiet, Olivia's thoughts wondered. Silly thoughts about what it would be like to be a wife and mother, waiting for her husband to return home after a hard day's work.

Olivia had nearly nodded off herself when she heard hoofbeats approaching the house. Thank God, Matt was home.

She stroked Sarah's hair and listened for the sound of footsteps at the back door. Instead, she heard fierce pounding on the front door.

"Bowen! Open this damn door!"

Olivia's insides quaked at the sound of Joe Hannah's voice.

"I know you're in there! I seen the light from the end of the road."

Sarah stirred, and Olivia gently pressed her fingers against the child's mouth. “Shh, baby,” she whispered, praying he would leave.

"I'm here to make a deal with you, Bowen!” The man's voice was almost taunting. “You tell all those farmers to take what we offer them for the cotton or your lady pays the price."

It took a moment for the words to sink in, but Olivia realized Hannah had no idea she was there. All she had to do was keep quiet until he left. He began pounding on the front door again, and Sarah, startled by the racket, was fully awake.

"What's the matter?"

Olivia barely closed her palm over Sarah's mouth before she could say anything else. The little girl's eyes grew wide with fright and Olivia begged her to be quiet in a ragged whisper.

Her reassurances were shattered by the sound of breaking glass, and Sarah's frightened cry was barely muffled against Olivia's hand. They had to get out of there before Hannah barged in on them.

"This is your last chance, Bowen!” Hannah shouted, his voice much clearer through the shattered front window. “Face me now or I'll burn the place down."

Olivia had no doubt he meant to do what he said. She had to get Sarah out of there, but she couldn't allow Hannah to destroy Matthew's home. Holding the child tight, she slipped out onto the back porch and lowered Sarah to her feet.

"Sweetie, you're going to have to get away from here.” She brushed wispy bangs away from her face and tried to sound reassuring. “You can see the Carters’ house from here, can't you? See the light in the window?"

Sarah looked in the direction Olivia was pointing and nodded.

"Good. Now you run as fast as you can and tell Mrs. Carter I said for you to wait there for your daddy."

"No! It's dark. I can't—"

"Nothing's going to hurt you. Just go the same way you go in the daytime and never take your eyes away from the lights."

"You come with me."

"No, Sarah.” Olivia spoke as firmly as she dared, not wanting to frighten her more than she already was. “I have to go back to my house and ... see about Aunt Eula. Now, you go to the Carters as fast as you can and I'll watch until you get there safe."

The child nodded reluctantly and dashed down the back steps. She only stopped once, turning to see if Olivia was still there. She watched until Sarah disappeared in the darkness and breathed a prayer for her safety.

Back inside the house, she could hear Hannah's railing and steeled herself to deal with the bastard. He might be bigger and stronger, but it would be no trick to outsmart him, as long as she kept calm.

"You hear me? Tell that lady of yours she'll pay the price."

She opened the front door and stepped outside. “Tell me yourself, Mr. Hannah. I'm listening."

For a moment he was too startled to speak, gaping up at her in disbelief. Then a slow, satisfied smile played on his lips. “Well, well. Fancy finding you here."

His nose was swollen and shapeless, and she couldn't resist saying, “Shouldn't you see a doctor? I think your nose is broken."

"I didn't come out here to discuss my health."

"Then what do you want?"

"I want what's coming to me!"

"Then why not take the cash and be on your way?” His eyes narrowed, and Olivia knew her hunch was right when he asked, “What cash?"

"The cash in the safe at the gin,” she explained. “Rodger said you refused to take it and leave town."

"He never offered me any money from the safe, only what he could scrape together.” He hesitated. “How much are you talking about?"

"I'm not sure. Last time I counted it, there was at least ten thousand."

The man nearly choked. “Rodger said you was busted!"

"Well, the money was there this morning,” she countered. “Unless Rodger gave it to you."

"Or kept it for himself."

"I wouldn't know."

"Well, why don't we just go see for ourselves?"

"So, you're willing to take the money?” she asked. “And leave town?"

He hesitated. “That depends. I don't think you've got a dime to hand over."

Olivia only shrugged. “There's only one way to find out."

The night was a warm but welcome change from the sun's burning heat. Matt shook his head, declining the bottle of whiskey that was being passed around, and knew they would be lucky if half the men remained sober through the night. He well understood the cause for celebration. The cotton harvest was nearly complete and already they had salvaged more than anyone had thought possible.

The revelry was tempered with the knowledge that there were those determined to thwart their effort. Word had spread quickly of the confrontation with Joe Hannah, and suspicions were sprouting up everywhere.

Matt and Tom had assured everyone that no more cotton would be refused, but they agreed not to take any chances. Armed guards were posted around the cotton waiting to go to the gin.

"Rider approaching!” the man stationed nearest the road called out.

Those armed with rifles rallied to stand shoulder to shoulder,

The horse was weaving as the rider struggled to stay in the saddle. The animal came to a sudden halt, and the rider tumbled to the ground. Matt groaned inwardly. Just what they needed, another drunk. Several men bent to help him to his feet, but he remained where he fell.

"Hey, Bowen!” someone shouted. “This man says he's looking for you."

Matt glanced at Tom before making his way to the small crowd gathered around the fallen man. To his surprise, Rodger Kirk lay on the ground looking up at him. “Matt, please, you've got to do something."

Someone had beaten the hell out of him. A nasty cut nearly the length of his face was bleeding and one eye was swollen completely shut.

Tom swore under his breath. “What happened, man? Who did this to you?"

Matt knew who had done it, and Rodger was damned lucky to be alive.

Rodger waved away the canteen someone held to his lips and struggled to speak. “Help me ... help me find Olivia. She should have been home hours ago."