To Capture Her Heart (29 page)

May 19, 1654

Benjamin's plans of going to see Heather Flower that morning changed when Joseph and the horse troop rode into town. He and his father walked outside when they heard the commotion over at the meetinghouse. The men were all dismounting and Joseph already stood at the porch of the north entrance, talking to Reverend Youngs. They turned as he and Barnabas approached.

Joseph was the first to speak. “Father, Benjamin—good to see you.”

Horton bear hugs and hearty claps on the back were exchanged.

Benjamin glanced over at the men. Everyone, including Joseph, looked exhausted. “Where's Johnny?”

“No one's seen him. We talked to everyone who would have known. We checked every nook and cranny he could be hiding in.”

Reverend Youngs looked out over the small cemetery to the west of the meetinghouse. A few scattered stones dotted the field of wild grass. Fragrant bayberry and rosebushes, planted
by the ladies, surrounded the lot. He rubbed his eyes. “What about the horses? Did anyone say if they found the horses that were missing?”

“No one knew a thing.”

Barnabas folded his arms. “Do you think they were withholding something?”

“I think they were telling the truth.”

Benjamin put his hand on Joseph's shoulder and gestured toward the militia troop. “I'm going to help the boys put the horses away.”

Barnabas nodded. “Do that—and thank you. Joseph, let's go inside with John. There's much more we'd like to know.”

Benjamin led Joseph's horse to the barn kept for the militia. He hefted the saddle off the mare's back and straddled it over a stall wall. He brushed at the horse's coat as the animal cooled down. “There you go, girl. That's good.” He talked to her in soothing tones and she flicked her ears toward his voice as he brushed the grime of travel from her coat.

Lieutenant Biggs worked in the next stall over.

“Did you have the same feeling as Joseph about what everybody was saying?”

Biggs paused and rested his arms along the stall wall. “What do you mean?”

He tapped the brush against the side of the stall and dust billowed from it. “He thought they were telling the truth. They weren't hiding anything.”

“Well, yes. I didn't see any reason not to believe them. We were talking to Isaac and a few of the others—they would be honest with us about Johnny.”

“Yeah, I suppose so. It's just hard for me to believe that Johnny and all those horses just disappeared.”

“If the Dutch don't have him, the Indians probably got him and stole some horses to boot. And Joseph said your mother wants this wedding to happen and it will. So you mights as well get on with it.”

Benjamin chortled. “
Mights
as well, Biggs? Well, I don't think I have a choice there, and I'm glad I don't. It's time to settle down and get married, don't you think? I know the whole town thinks so.” The Horton chuckle erupted again and he turned back to the horse.

“Aw, I suppose.”

Benjamin got a bucket from the front of the barn. “I'll be hauling some water for the horses if anyone asks.”

“Right.”

He trudged down to Town Creek with his mind on the wedding. They hadn't even talked about where they'd live afterward. Most likely he'd ask his father if they could take over the small hall in the front until they built their own place.

Halfway down the road, just beyond a grove of walnuts, he watched a familiar figure coming toward him. “Uncle Jeremy!” He started out in a trot. “When did you get here?”

His uncle chuckled as he clapped him on the back and then wrapped him in a bear hug. “We docked less than an hour ago. Look at you, Benjamin. Let me see that muscle.”

Benjamin smiled at the familiar request. “You say that every time you see me.”

“That's because every time I see you, there is less baby fat and more of this.” He squeezed the bicep Benjamin displayed.

“I haven't had baby fat since I was five, if you'll remember.” They both turned to walk back to the village green. “I'll send Biggs to get water. I'm sure he needs something else to do.”

“Who's Biggs?”

“His family came out from Flushing. He's a lieutenant in our militia. A dedicated fellow.” He glanced behind them. “Don't you need help with your trunk, Uncle Jeremy?”

“Nay, my crew will haul it up in a bit. So bring me up to date while we walk. What's been happening?”

“You wouldn't believe it. Reverend Youngs's son—Johnny—got captured in the North Sea by the Dutch. They had him prisoner on the
King Solomon
, but he escaped.”

“That's our Johnny. Good for him.”

“Not really. Father took bond money up to New Haven and they were going to pay bail, except now they won't until Johnny surrenders back in New Amsterdam and then he's to go before the court in New Haven.”

Jeremy shook his head. “Gracious. So he's doing that, right?”

“No, they can't find him and something very strange is going on, because a herd of horses disappeared at the same time as Johnny and they say he did it.”

“What does your father have to say about all of this?”

“He sent Joseph and the horse troop to look for him and they just got back today. No one's seen him.”

“Or the horses?”

“No.”

They came up to the Indian cornfields and turned left toward the meetinghouse. Before they got far, they were spotted by Joshua and Jonathan and their friends, and the two were surrounded.

Jonathan grabbed Jeremy's hand. “Uncle Jeremy, Mama was just telling Papa that we needed to see you.”

“Heigh-ho there! You both are getting so tall. How is that?”

Joshua walked straighter. “I'm almost as tall as Caleb. Mama says next year I will be.”

“How is your mama? And Hannah?”

Benjamin answered as Joshua and Jonathan took off running to announce their uncle's arrival. “She is fine, Hannah too. And Sarah is all over the place.”

“Crawling? Has it been that long? All those boys and now two girls. Your mother must be thrilled.”

“I guess. She and Aunt Lizzie like to make them dolls.”

“Like her poppet? The one she brought from England?”

“Yes, like that one.”

They did not get much farther when Joshua and Jonathan came, pulling their mother between them.

Mary looked like she might faint, but broke away from her sons and ran to greet her brother-in-law. He gave her a quick embrace, then held her at arm's length. “I am so glad to see you well, Mary.”

“Oh, Jeremy, I was so worried about you. You have been constantly in my prayers. What took you so long?”

She looked up at him and he described for her and Benjamin the months of sitting by Grandmother Horton's side while she lingered before she went home to the Lord. Then there were affairs of the vast estate, which included the mill. He needed to hire caretakers and someone to run the mill, since he wouldn't be around.

Her eyes watered as she said how sorry she was to hear that news and told him of Winnie's death and how much she missed her dear friend. He hugged her again, telling her how sorry he was too.

Benjamin gazed ahead as they walked up to the meetinghouse. Joshua pulled the door open for them, and they were met by Barnabas, Joseph, and the reverend before they could all get through.

Barnabas and Jeremy clasped each other in a hug, pounding each other's backs. Joseph joined in, and Mary's eyes teared as she and Benjamin watched them rejoice in the homecoming.

“You've come on a good day,” she said. “I've a joint of roast venison on the spit right now.”

“You are always ready to feed an army.”

She shook her head and a curly lock fell on her forehead. She brushed it back.

Jeremy turned to Reverend Youngs and extended his hand. “Benjamin was telling me about Johnny. I'm so sorry. You've no further word?”

The reverend looked tired. “Nay, Joseph's just returned. There's nothing. Not a trace.”

“I've my own sad news, I'm afraid.” He placed his hands on his brother's shoulders and his eyes sagged. “Our mother passed, Barn. She slipped from this world early in the morning, in her sleep. She's with God and our father.”

“Why is it still so hard to hear those words, when I know she's in a better place?”

Reverend Youngs wrapped his arms about both men. “I'm so sorry. Shall we pray?”

He led the small gathering in a prayer. “If anyone feels the need to talk, my door is always open.” He shook hands and gave Mary a hug, then trudged to the meetinghouse.

Barnabas was the first to speak. “As sad as I am for Mother, I feel at a loss of words for John. He doesn't know if his son is alive or dead. Come, Jeremy, I need to sit a spell, I fear.”

Joseph went to fetch Jane, and Mary sent Joshua to find Caleb. She invited John to bring his wife, Mary, over for dinner. As they walked across the road to the house, Charles and Anna Tucker rode by in his wagon. He pulled over to inquire
of Johnny, and before Benjamin could circumvent his mother, she'd invited them to dinner as well.

Looking around the two long tables in the big kitchen, almost the whole town seemed to have come for dinner. Abigail brought Hannah and Sarah downstairs as Mary made her way around to Benjamin with Muffkin at her heels.

She leaned close. “Ben, I know this might feel a little awkward—I don't know what I was thinking. But probably 'tis best for you to get used to being around Anna.”

“I see. I thought you must have a plan.” He could never be too upset with her, so he gave her a hug and let her go to her chair, opposite his father.

They all joined hands and Barnabas led them in a prayer for Joseph and Jeremy, for the safety of Johnny and a prayer for Grandmother Horton's passing.

Everyone began to find places to sit. Reverend Youngs and his wife sat to the right of Barnabas. Jeremy found a chair next to Patience. Lizzie and Zeke sat to Mary's right. The overflow took their plates out to the front parlor. Joseph and Benjamin offered their seats to Charles and Anna and wandered out front. Everyone was somber with the discussion centering on finding Johnny and getting him home.

Benjamin's discomfort with Anna's presence wasn't lessened by sitting in the parlor, and when there was a knock at the door, he jumped to answer it. There stood Heather Flower. Never was he happier to see her. He took her hand and pulled her in. In a moment he had her in the big kitchen and piled heaps of succulent venison and mounds of mashed pumpkin and baked onions on a plate for her.

He held the plate as he encircled her waist with his free arm. “Uncle Jeremy, this seems like a good time to tell you Heather
Flower and I are getting married, and to invite all of you to our wedding on the twenty-seventh of this month.” He looked at each of the guests seated at the table, then nodded toward his father. “Father will do the officiating at the meetinghouse, and there will be, of course, a big feast here afterward.”

Jeremy stood up. “Hear, hear, Benjamin. Congratulations to you and your bride.”

Barnabas stood and went to Mary's side. With a hand on her shoulder, he bowed to Heather Flower. “We welcome you to our family. And Jeremy, if you might do us the honor of officiating, I know Benjamin would agree we would be honored.”

“Yes, Uncle Jeremy. As a ship's captain, it is only fitting and would be much appreciated.”

“I am the one honored by your request. And though we may treat marriage as a civil ceremony, I'd like to ask the reverend to close the service that day with a prayer on the union. Reverend?”

“It would be my pleasure. I only pray that Johnny is back to celebrate with us.”

Joseph stood up. “If I have anything to say about it, he will be, sir.”

Heather Flower's dark opal eyes grew large and round, her hand trembled on Benjamin's arm. “It is best to wait for him, Joseph. Do not go into that territory again.”

Benjamin's brow wrinkled. “Why? It's not your people we suspect. If it's not the Dutch, it's the tribes to the north that are causing trouble.”

Her smile warmed his heart. “You are right. I should not worry.”

May 24, 1654

Johnny Youngs was not forgotten in the ensuing days, but the townspeople accepted he might not be coming back. Heather Flower's joy at her upcoming marriage increased as Benjamin made a point to spend more of his spare time with her, as limited as it was. He had purchased a wedding present for her in Connecticut, and it had taken him two days to bring it back. His excitement was contagious.

She sewed beads onto an elaborate headpiece that would bring unity between her heritage and her new life, and she thought much about Winnie as she worked. She went into town frequently for fittings with Lizzie and Patience. Her dress was beautiful, and she found herself twirling in it and feeling much like the princess the white men said she was. Patience, Rachel, and Ruth loved combing her hair and arranging it in different styles, each one disagreeing with the other about how she should wear it for the wedding day.

Patience loved organizing the wedding. She taught her charges
in the morning and worked on the wedding plans every afternoon. Heather Flower was certain her love of planning every detail was a way to walk in her moccasins.

Joseph joined Barnabas, James, and Benjamin in the fields, working the soil and tending the tender shoots in the acres already planted. Heather Flower liked how Benjamin smelled of fresh earth when he came in, and she smiled as Mary shook her head at the mess they made and sent them back out to the barn to wash up.

She liked to think about the day they would have their own house, and she would welcome him into her arms at the end of a tiring day. They would stoke the fire if it was a cold night, or sit outside on a warm night and listen to the bullfrogs and crickets play their harmony while they enjoyed a light breeze.

Each day the happy plans folded into nights filled with dreams of the day she wed Keme. That memory made her heart squeeze and she prayed to God that this wedding would not be attacked.

The morning of her wedding dawned and she bathed at first light in the river and washed her long raven hair. She rinsed it with rosewater and dried it with the coarse linen towels Mary had given to her as a gift. The pair of eagles she loved soared high beyond the treetops. She watched them as long as she dared and finally returned to Winnie's wigwam, sat by the fire, and worked through her hair with the ivory comb Dirk had given her.

He'd saved her life in the wilds of Connecticut, and she'd thought he'd fallen in love with her. But he'd left her. She must forget him now, and be glad for a true friend like Benjamin. He was the steadfast one, always there, always wanting what was best for her.

Patience arrived and tied her hair in coils to set it with curls. “When we are done, we will go out and pick flowers from the
meadow.” She held Heather Flower at arm's length. “You are beautiful. Winnie would be so proud of you.”

“Thank you, my friend. She was always good counsel to me. She was the strong one, the beautiful one. Your words, spoken like she would have spoken on this day, mean much to me.”

They took stacks of deep baskets and picked flowers to decorate her hair and Patience's dress, and for Abigail, Rachel, and Ruth too.

Later Mary came out with Lizzie to help her dress. The whalebone stays, laced with satin blue grosgrain ribbons, defined her already regal posture, and confined her ordinarily lithe movements. But she was willing to endure for her English friends and smiled at their “ooohs” and “ahhhs.”

The embroidered blue bodice with creamy, billowing sleeves topped the full satin skirt with under-layers of pretty petticoats. Her beautiful high-top boots fit perfectly and completed her ensemble. She was a princess in every way.

Lizzie and Patience returned to the church and their final preparations. Abigail, Rachel, and Ruth joined them and untied the coils and arranged her hair in beautiful loose curls, scattering flowers through the strands. They decorated their own dresses and those of the littlest girls in the Corchaug fort with the blooms.

Patience helped her put the headdress with strings of shell beads on, lacing it through her hair.

The walk to the meetinghouse began with Heather Flower in front, flanked by Abigail, Rachel, Ruth, and Patience, with the little girls running circles around them. Benjamin would stand waiting with his family and hers, ready to welcome them, and it would be a day of feasting after their exchange of vows.

The path was alive this morning with a tempo of bird trill,
waves of breeze moving gently through the young, tall grass, and tree limbs laden with green leaves and blossoms. Rabbits bounded out of the way as the procession came through, and squirrels chattered to each other like gossiping guests.

After the first hour the little dancing girls lagged behind, but their enthusiasm still bubbled. She half listened to her friend's cheerful banter, but her thoughts were elsewhere. How many times had she and Aunt Winnie walked this path? This was her wedding day, and as a breeze brushed past her cheek, she could almost feel her aunt's embrace.

Miss Button pushed hard and Dirk reined her back. “Whoa, missy, we've got women on those horses behind us. We won't be leaving them behind.” Twelve native women came single file behind him, with Johnny following them all on a tall Dutch steed.

They'd been riding over a week, and tired as they were, they pushed on toward the Montaukett village. They approached the pond near the Indian fort and dismounted to allow the horses to drink. The women chattered with joy. They were close to home.

Dirk took his hat off and rubbed his forehead as he and Johnny searched the eastern horizon. It was strangely deserted. “I don't like the looks of this. I'll be glad to get to the village and talk to Wyandanch.”

Johnny nodded and walked to his horse. “Let's have the ladies eat and then head out. We'll be there in about one half hour.”

“
Ja
.”

The women eagerly ate the biscuits and dried berries Dirk and Johnny offered to them. After some water, they helped the women onto their mounts, then swung up to their own and rode out north around the pond. As they approached the
wigwams, a few wolf dogs came out to greet them, and as they dismounted, a young brave came out of the longhouse. His face lit up in recognition of the women who returned from their captivity at the hands of the Narragansett.

Dirk led Miss Button to the brave. “We are looking for your sachem, Wyandanch.”

“He goes to the wedding across the bay.”

“Wedding?” Dirk looked at Johnny, who shrugged his shoulders. “Across the bay? Do you mean Southold, what you call Yennicott?”

“Nuk.”

“Who is getting married?”

The young brave glanced at the women. They nodded with curious looks. “Quashawam, daughter of Wyandanch.”

Dirk's legs were unsteady, and it wasn't from the long ride. He turned to Johnny. “Heather Flower? Who would she marry?” He didn't need Johnny to answer. It would be Benjamin Horton. He'd been so determined to rescue the women, why did he think she would wait? What was he thinking? That she would fall in love with him when he was nowhere to be found?

That old jagged pain he'd felt when she rode off with the Horton men ripped through him again and he threw himself into the saddle. He reined Miss Button around with a nudge in her side. “I have to get there.”

Johnny followed right behind. “What do you mean you have to get there?”

“
Ja
, just that. I can't let this happen. I love Heather Flower. Do you see? I've never loved anyone before. I can't let her marry the wrong man.” He gave Miss Button one more kick and she took off at a gallop, with Johnny doing his best to keep up.

As they raced their horses toward the bay, Dirk thought it
hadn't been easy, this rescue. It might not have happened at all if Johnny hadn't escaped from the
King Solomon
and run right into his camp. Two people who couldn't dislike each other more. Until they discovered a couple of things they agreed on. Their faith and getting these women back.

They'd both grown up hearing the gospel but tried to go their own way once they were grown. There was a Bible verse about training a child in the way of the Lord. It said something about when he was older he would not depart from it, but he figured it didn't mean they might not stray in the middle.

He and Johnny had some interesting talks at night on their way up to the wilds of Connecticut. They'd solved the problems of the Dutch and the English and everyone in between. And they'd plotted how to get twelve women out of the clutches of the Narragansett. Not bad for a couple of archenemies. Well, it'd taken some prayers too.

They rode the makeshift ferry across to Shelter Island. Jack rode with them to the opposite side and waved as they pushed off on the barge over to the north fork.

When they hit the small dock east of the Southold port, Dirk and Johnny led their horses off the ferry and began their race to Southold. The two Dutch horses stretched out, competing with each other until the riders brought them in.

They continued down Town Street until Dirk saw a beautiful woman walking up the flagstone to the meetinghouse like a princess, surrounded by big and little girls bedecked with flowers. Her blue and cream gown sparkled with beadwork and her glossy black hair flowed loosely about her shoulders in curls, studded with blossoms and coiled with strands of beads. His heart lurched to his throat.

Benjamin stood on the step waiting for her, a reverend on
one side and a fellow who could only be another Horton on the other. Dirk surveyed the crowd. Obviously Heather Flower's family was present and half the Montauk village. He could see Barnabas and Joseph and what was most likely the rest of the Horton clan. They all turned as one as she walked toward them, surrounded by girls, big and little, bedecked with flowers.

But their gaze was drawn beyond her and the joy on their faces turned to utter confusion as he and Johnny approached. He watched the princess step up to Benjamin, then slowly turn to follow his stare. Her eyes fell on his, and for a moment recognition lit the fire in those beautiful, dark opal eyes right before she fainted into the arms of Benjamin.

He watched Benjamin scoop her up, as he swung his leg over Miss Button's flank and jumped down. Everything happened in a blur. He saw the reverend rush to Johnny and Benjamin's parents help Heather Flower inside. But he didn't see Joseph's fist coming directly at his jaw until it hit and sent him flailing to the ground. He started to sit up, but as he opened his eyes to Joseph standing beside him, he saw Johnny lunge across him from the other side and land a punch on Joseph. He wrapped an arm around each of their legs and heaved them to the ground.

“Hey!” was all Johnny yelled as he hit the dirt next to Dirk.

Jeremy soon separated them and Reverend Youngs held Dirk with his arms behind his back. “Let's get him inside.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Father.” Johnny stepped in front of them. “You can't treat him like this. I wouldn't be home except for Dirk.”

Joseph's eyes were wild. “What do you mean, Johnny? This man has been nothing but trouble.”

“That's not true.” He turned to Wyandanch. “Chief, he just brought home the women taken by the ones who took your
daughter. I helped him, but it was his plan. He figured it all out.” He turned back to Reverend Youngs and Dirk. “Father, you must release him and let's go inside and talk. We can tell you everything that happened.”

The reverend looked at Dirk. “Is that true? You've brought back the Montaukett women?”

“
Ja
. I did. We did.” He nodded toward Johnny.

Reverend Youngs let go of his arms. He dusted himself off and started for the meetinghouse as the reverend instructed the ladies and children to remain outside. The men trooped in and found Heather Flower surrounded by women. Benjamin and Barnabas hovered over them.

Dirk went directly to her. “Heather Flower,
hoe gaat het
? How are you? Are you all right?”