To Capture Her Heart (3 page)

At Joseph's hello, the pelt was pulled back and the low incantations of the medicine man could be heard. He stepped inside.

Within moments Winnie appeared and enveloped her niece in her arms in stoic silence. “You will stay with me, my child. Winheytem prepares to enter the spirit world. I pray to the white man's God, but He calls for my husband. We must send a message to your father and mother. They will understand. They will know I hold you close to me.”

Benjamin was torn. He knew Winnie needed Heather Flower as much as she needed Winnie. But he hated to leave her. His heart had been broken by Anna Budd, but the Indian princess made him forget that. When she was ready to love again, he wanted to be there for her—the one she could turn to.

June 28, 1653

Mary, obviously with child but determined to get a first look, came out to the flagstone walkway and watched Ben and Jay—she still called them by the nicknames she'd given them when she'd first become their mother—ride up the main road. The horse they'd taken with them for Heather Flower trailed behind on a lead-rope. All three horses were descendants of her beloved Starlight, one of the Old English Great Blacks her papa had bred back in England. There'd been an embargo on the mares when they first came over the pond. Thank goodness Barnabas's brother, Jeremy, had been the shipmaster who brought their family over in
The Swallow
. Eventually he brought Starlight after the embargo was lifted.

Caleb, her firstborn—and the first white child born on eastern Long Island—had brought her the news the rescue party was on their way and joined her on the walkway as the Horton men approached. She put an arm around her thirteen-year-old, who was now taller than she was and possessed his father's
sturdy frame. Though his eyes and hair matched hers, he had the Horton smile and chuckle.

“I'm so glad they are back safely. I worry whenever they ride into Dutch territory.”

Caleb patted her hand. “They can take care of themselves now, Mama. And we are at peace with the Dutch, are we not?”

“Not according to Ben and Jay. Or Johnny Youngs. And in truth even New Haven hasn't a clue as to what goes on between Holland and England. By the time ships arrive with the latest news, our Parliament has taken a different course.” She brushed a loose curl from her forehead.

“We have a welcoming party.” Ben smiled as he pulled in Star. He swung down and Caleb took the reins from him. “Hey, thank you.” He tousled his brother's hair.

Jay dismounted and Caleb took his horse as well. “Thanks, Cabe.” He gave him a soft punch to his shoulder that brought a smile, then turned to Mary and wrapped her in a hug. “Good to see you, Mother. How are you feeling?”

His words warmed her heart. “'Tis good to see both of you. I'm feeling fine, but you know how I worry.” She smiled though tears threatened, and brushed at the lock on her forehead again. Ben gave her a hug too, and the three walked up to the house as Caleb led the horses to the barn.

“How is Heather Flower? I've been sick at heart for her. I'm sure Winnie is too. Did you take her to Montauk?” Her questions tumbled out. “Does she know about Winheytem?”

Ben ran his hand through his hair. “She's at Winnie's. She's going to stay there for the time being, though Winheytem is very sick.”

Jay took Mary's hand as he helped her in the door. “It might be actually a good thing she is there with Winnie for a while.”

“I offered for her to come here, if need be.” Ben looked at her, his brow raised.

“That would be wonderful. I would like that and Abbey would too. But I think Jay's right. Winnie needs someone there. I haven't seen her for a time because I cannot travel and Winheytem has been too sick for her to leave. I've worried so.”

Ben nodded. “He is dying, I'm afraid.”

Her clutch on Jay's hand tightened. “Oh, no. Do you think so? I knew he was very sick.” She stopped for a moment and rested a hand on her stomach. A tear crept down her cheek. “I will attend his funeral, you know. I won't let my condition stop me from going.”

Jay and Ben exchanged a look and then helped her into her rocker.

“Don't think about that yet. He might get better. Who knows? But Heather Flower is there for Winnie. She'll take care of them both.” Ben rubbed the back of his neck. “And I will check on them from time to time to see how they are doing.”

Jay looked at his brother. “Any chance you have your own reasons for wanting to do that, little brother?” His moss-green eyes held a glint.

“Mayhap. But my own reasons will go to the bottom of my list while Winheytem is sick and Heather Flower mourns.”

Mary looked from one son to the other. They were grinning so this was good-natured teasing. “Would you like to explain?” She fanned herself with her hand and Jay fetched a wooden fan from the mantel.

“It's nothing, Mother. But you know Benjamin will use any excuse to be around Heather Flower.” He looked at his brother. “Right?”

“Like I said, Winnie and Winheytem are our first concern. And Heather Flower thinks of me only as her friend.”

“You've been friends with her a long time, Ben. I think 'tis good you are there for her now.”

“Thank you. I hope I can be the kind of friend she needs.” He looked at Jay. “Should we go find Father and fill him in on our trip?”

“We should. And if I'm not mistaken, he's over at the meetinghouse with the reverend, right, Mother?”

“He is. They will both be anxious for your report.”

Mary gathered loose tendrils and fanned the back of her neck. “Before you go, what of the women that were kidnapped with Heather Flower? What has happened to them?”

Jay shook his head. “We don't know. Heather Flower says she was kept separate from them. She did find out one of the women was killed, though. I know she worries about the rest, but I don't think there's much we can do. We were so lucky to get Heather Flower back.”

Mary smiled. “It was an answer to many prayers, rather than luck, to be sure.”

Her sons nodded their agreement.

Ben offered to go to the livery to get Biggs, but they didn't get out the door before ten-year-old Joshua and five-year-old Jonathan came bounding in. They made such a noise with their greetings that the littlest Horton, two-year-old Hannah, woke from her nap and squealed when she saw her brothers.

Mary was finally left to rock with Hannah on her lap, such as it was, and gave herself a moment to think about and pray for Heather Flower, Winheytem, and Winnie. Winnie's eldest daughter, Abbey, was grown and married now, but she'd become like a daughter to her and Barney when Caleb was born. Mary
taught her to read in addition to teaching English domesticity. She'd lived with them and took care of each of the babies as they were born until she married James and had a baby of her own.

James was a recent arrival from England and employed by Benjamin in his carpentry business. The Corchaug people accepted their marriage in stride, the English people not as much. But the love they had for each other soon won the hearts of the tiny hamlet.

She still came over with little Misha to help take care of the children, and they paid her for her work. Mary had been worried that Winnie needed her more as Winheytem's health began to fail. But with Heather Flower here now, Winnie would be taken care of. Thank heavens for that, because she'd need Abbey more than ever with the new little one coming soon.

Hannah grew restless.

“Sweet one, would you like to go outside and play in the orchard? Mama will sit and you can chase butterflies if you would like. Joshua and Jon are out there. They might help you pick some flowers for me. Come, let's go out and see what there is to do.”

She pushed herself up out of the rocker and with Hannah's tiny hand in hers they wandered through the back kitchen. It was late on a hot afternoon and all of the bread and sweets baked early in the morning were sold by mid-day. It meant she had a rare afternoon to herself and the children—a more frequent occurrence as her belly grew, and a welcome one.

She settled in the orchard grass and leaned against the tall corner apple tree, its limbs already laden with tiny fruit. Hannah chased after her brothers, who did not want to be caught.

Heather Flower would be good for Winnie, but would it be a good place for her? She'd lost her husband in a very violent
way. And had been kidnapped by those northern Indians. How terrifying that must have been. And terrifying for the other women—she had been there and it was horrible watching as they were dragged away. Mary's heart was sick. She twisted a stray lock of hair with her finger as she thought of that night and wondered what had happened since. Most likely they were slaves to the Narragansett tribe. But they also could be forced to marry even tortured and killed. Certainly the stories they'd heard suggested that.

She needed to talk to Barney. Perhaps a rescue was planned. And on the morrow she would need to talk to her sister, Lizzie, and Patience Terry about what they could do for Winnie and Heather Flower.

Patience was like a sister to her, and she'd almost missed finding that out. Her first friendship in Southold was with Winnie, a Corchaug native, who wisely pointed out that she was judging Patience without even knowing her. Soon the three were close like sisters, and when Lizzie Fanning and her husband Zeke came over from England, their circle of friendship was complete.

Lizzie worked as a seamstress in her own home, and Patience taught Dame school in her house during the morning hours. She taught little girls mostly, but she had a few of the younger boys, too, and taught them their alphabet, spelling, and a little arithmetic. Both Lizzie and Patience kept two afternoons a week available to meet with Mary and Winnie.

Mary had spent years striving to keep a small ladies support group together in this wild land. Lizzie, Patience, and Winnie were her mainstays. Certainly they could gather around and support Heather Flower and Winnie in their time of loss. But she couldn't just ignore that thirteen women had been dragged
from their village, one of them murdered, and perhaps none of them ever to be heard from again.

The next day, with the baking done early, Mary prepared for Lizzie's and Patience's visit. News spread about Heather Flower, and she intended to talk with her sister and friend about the situation. Winnie always liked to come into the village to meet with them but hadn't since Winheytem became ill. She'd taught them how to make the sieves and drying baskets from white oak and ash years ago, and Mary would miss having her with them on this workday.

In preparation for today, Ben had cut the trees the month before, and after quartering each one, he'd split the wood. Each slat was pounded with a mallet and then split again and again until they were thin enough for the baskets. It was Caleb's job to bind them and weight them down before soaking them in the creek.

Mary enjoyed the weaving much more than needlework, though she would never admit that to Lizzie. Her embroidery had improved over the years, but it still took every bit of her concentration for her stitches to be uniform and the underside of her piece to be neat.

She looked in on Hannah—Abbey already had her down for a nap with Misha—and then wandered out to the herb garden. She had built the raised beds with just a little help from Barney. The first flush of lemon balm, pineapple-mint, peppermint, sage, thyme, and tarragon were waving in the gentle breeze, and she plucked some of the peppermint and pineapple-mint to brew teas for her guests.

As soon as she immersed the leaves into the mugs of hot
water, the bell above the door tinkled and Patience and Lizzie arrived together. She hugged them both.

“My little sister, the kitchen looks so nice and clean.”

“Abbey helped me. It gets so hot these days 'tis better to get it done early. But we did not put away all of the ginger cakes. We need to eat if we are to work, do we not? And I've some peppermint tea. And pineapple-mint, if you'd care for some?”

Patience took off her cap, and her straight blond hair tumbled down. She took the comb from her hair, twisted her hair in a knot, and secured it. She patted the sides of her hair. “I would love some. Did Barney make the ginger cakes or did you, Mary?” Her crystal blue eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled. She was younger than Mary, but still the years had been kind.

“Barney did—I almost never make them because his are so good.” Her smile faded as they settled at the long oak table and took their refreshment before they set to work. “Jay and Ben said Winheytem is dying. I think we should talk about what we can do to help Winnie when the time comes.”

Lizzie shook her head and her silky black curls, now laced with silvery strands, danced. Her teary eyes were like violet puddles. “I hate to think Winheytem will not get well. He is such a dear man.”