Storm Clouds Rolling In (62 page)

Carrie nodded.
“We’ll all work hard and do the best we can. We’ll leave the results to God,” she said firmly.

TWENTY-NINE

Carrie smiled at the sight of all the
quarters’ children dancing around Sarah with excitement. Pigtails flopped, and faces glowed with anticipation of what lay ahead. She herself had shared the same excitement with them years ago when she was little enough to go along for the hunt. She felt a small twinge of envy, but pushed it aside. She could go this year if she wanted to, but she had something more important to do.

“You sure you don’t want to be joinin’ us, Miss Carrie?”
“I’m sure, Sarah.”

Sarah looked at her closely.
“You look like a girl with a secret, Miss Carrie.”

Carrie laughed, wondering if the old woman would always be able to see into her heart.
She shrugged and said simply, “Secrets are meant to be kept secrets, Sarah.” Her eyes danced with laughter, but her voice was firm.

Sarah smiled.
“Get on with you then, girl. I got a hunt to lead.” She turned to the pack of children swarming around her slight figure and raised her voice. “It’s time!” Then she led the giggling swarm down the path.

Carrie watched them until they were out of sight.
The sun was just beginning to peep over the horizon. She hugged her cloak tightly to her body as wisps of steam rose from her breath. She envisioned Sarah carefully snipping herbs and pulling roots. She would point out late fruits and berries to be brought back and pickled, spiced, or dried. She closed her eyes tightly and could almost hear Sarah’s old voice, sweet and true.

“Chillun, we be finding gifts for Jesus like the Wise Men did.
They done brung the baby Jesus three gifts—gold, sweet smellin’ spices, and bitter herbs. Some of the very herbs we be finding now.”

A child clamored
, “But Miss Sarah, we ain’t be taking these gifts to Jesus. We just be takin’ them back home!”

“They be gifts just the same, child.
Gifts our friends and loved ones be lookin’ forward to all year. I reckon when we give gifts of love, it be like a gift to Jesus.”

Carrie had never really understood it
until now. She turned and strode rapidly up the path to the barn where Granite was waiting for her. She had a gift for Miss Sarah and Rose that only she could give, but she would have to hurry.

Moses looked over the group of slaves standing before him.
Carrie had put him in charge of them only two weeks ago. The number of Cromwell slaves was smaller by ten. A direct contact with Jamison had brought another conductor for the Underground Railroad. Carrie had sent them all off under the cover of night with clothing and food. The rest had not yet acted on Carrie’s offer for freedom. The amount of work done by the remaining slaves had been astounding.

Moses looked down at his list and began to call out orders.

“Jed, take three men and clean the barn next to the big house.”

“Carmen, take the women and make sure all the gardens are raked good.”

“Willy, there’s a pile of tools in the tobacco barn that need fixing.”

His voice droned on until every person present had a job to do, and they had all turned away to begin their day’s work. No one stood over them with a whip. No one yelled orders and made threats. And they knew that once they had finished their assigned work for the day—no matter how long it took—the rest of the day was theirs. Work that been performed slowly and begrudgingly before now disappeared under willing hands.

Carrie rode up just as the last person turned away.

“Everything is being done, Miss Carrie.”

Carrie nodded. “I’m quite sure it is. I didn’t come to check on you, Moses. You are doing a wonderful job. I’ve never seen Cromwell Plantation look so good!”

Moses ducked his head shyly.
“Thank you, ma’am.”

Carrie became all business again.
“I came to tell you I will be gone for the day. It may be late when I return.”

Moses frowned.
“You going on Granite?”

“Yes,” she said firmly.

“Alone?” His tone left no doubt how he felt about it.

Carrie smiled.
“I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Moses.” She understood his concern. She also was sure the only way to keep her secret was to not take anyone along. “I’ll be careful,” she promised solemnly. Moses nodded, but the concern did not leave his face. “Good heavens,” Carrie laughed. “You’re worse than my father.” She turned Granite and broke into a rapid trot, posting smoothly. She didn’t have a lot of time. She was going to have to put in a lot of miles.

In just a few minutes she was passing Ike Adams’
s old home. It stood empty, but there was a feeling of relief about the old house, as if it were glad to no longer be harboring hatred and ill feelings. Carrie had requested the house be fixed up, but Moses had found no one willing to go near the place. There was too much fear that Adams would return to settle the score. After careful questioning, Carrie had discovered that Adams was living in a ramshackle cabin several miles from the plantation, making his living as a slave hunter. She shuddered to think of the treatment an escaping slave would receive from his hands.

She forced her thoughts to more pleasant subjects and pushed Granite into a steady, ground-eating canter.
Excitement bubbled within her as she firmed up her plans.

Rose had seen Carrie leave earlier but had received no more information than anyone.
Carrie had merely smiled and said she would be back later and not to worry if it was late. Rose had pressed her, but her friend’s only response had been more mysterious smiles.

Rose had plenty of other things to occupy her mind.
She was getting married in just two days and there was still so much to do. If that wasn’t enough to keep her busy, Mr. Cromwell was going to be home in a week, bringing Robert Borden. Then only another week until Christmas. Rose shook her head and busied herself with work.

The house was being transformed before her eyes.
So much had been allowed to go undone while Mrs. Cromwell had lain sick in bed, in need of quiet. Now a flurry of activity had erupted in preparation for Christmas. The
big times
were almost upon them. Every window had been washed and polished, every floor scrubbed from top to bottom. Chandeliers had been carefully taken apart and each piece cleaned until they gleamed. Every piece of silver had been polished to a brilliant luster, children holding each piece up to make sure they could see their reflection clearly before they reached for the next one. All the rugs had been rolled up, carefully taken outside, and beaten until not a speck of dust remained. Only then were they reinstalled on glowing floors. Mattresses in every room had been turned, and new ticking had been sewn on the pillows. Already the house was alive with the wonderful smells of baking and holiday preparations.

Rose stopped in her cleaning of Carrie’s room and lovingly fingered the white satin dress taking shape on Carrie’s bed.
The material had been a gift from Carrie for her wedding dress. Never did she think she would wear a dress so grand. It was almost done. A few more hours and she would be ready.

“Daydreaming again, girl?”

Rose looked up at Sam standing in the doorway and smiled. “Did you ever think you’d see me get married, Sam?”

“Shucks, girl.
I knew some man was ‘ventually goin’ to come along that would be good enough for you.” His voice was gruff.

“You do like Moses, don’t you, Sam?”
Rose knew Sam felt it was his job to protect her. He had felt that way ever since she could remember.

Sam nodded, and when he spoke, there was suspicious moisture in his eyes.
“Your daddy would be real proud of you, Miss Rose.”

Rose frowned slightly and looked down at her beautiful dress.
“I wish he could be here to see me, Sam.” She shook her head and forced the thought away. “I have so much to be thankful for. I’m not going to allow useless wishing to spoil my wedding.”

Sam nodded.
“You’re goin’ to be the most beautiful bride there ever was, Miss Rose.”

Rose walked over and gave him a big hug.
“Thank you, Sam.”

Sarah led her entourage from the woods to find the women from the quarters already waiting for them.
The children were still laughing and smiling, but the long hours in the woods had taken the dance from their steps. They went where Sarah directed them and dumped their bags on the ground.

Only then did the waiting women move forward.
Sarah smiled as she handed out the treasures. There were big handfuls of cedar moss that would be used to make yellow dye. Bandanas were filled with mounds of walnuts that would yield a deep brown color. The biggest pile of bags was saved until last. Every woman in the quarters would receive an adequate amount of elm, cherry, and red oak. When they were all combined, they produced a deep, vibrant red. Red—the color most coveted. There was just time to make a pretty red dress for the Christmas dance. Or for Rose’s wedding.

Laughter and talking filled the air as the women moved back to their cabins.
Their work was done for the day. Now they could perform their own preparations for the
big times
.

Moses looked up from his work, but didn’t stop.
Miss Carrie had asked him to build a cabin to add to those already in the quarters. She had given no reason. She had just asked him to do it. It had steadily taken shape under his hands. He would hang the door tonight and it would be done. Moses had pushed himself to have it finished because Carrie had promised him a week off with his new bride.

Sarah moved over to watch him quietly.
Moses looked up, smiled, and bent back to his work of stuffing the cracks against the winter cold.

“That be a mighty fine cabin, Moses.”