Godsend (Hell Yeah! Heritage), page 20
“So, how many are coming and when will they get here?” Austin intended to have Jolie safely out of Nacogdoches if it was in his power to do so. “Two hundred fifty more have joined the Mexicans.”
“Damn. This isn’t looking good.” Austin worried, wiping sweat from his brow even though a frigid wind was blowing. “We can only fight two battles at a time and the plague has to have priority.”
“I agree.” Antonio drained his cup and held it out for a refill.
“Will you fight?”
“Yes, I will fight against the Fredonians. I have much to lose. I must travel home to return Ama to her tribe, but I shall return.”
Austin understood. He had much to lose too – and what he valued had nothing to do with land.
Inside the chapel, Jolie arranged linens on the floor for yet another patient. She’d just been informed a woman and her two children were being brought in.
“Jolie!”
Jolie instantly recognized the voice. Standing, she scanned the crowd with a seeking gaze. “Ama!” She ran to greet her new-found friend. “You are well!”
“I am.” They hugged. “Tsula survived also. We lost several, but the medicine you gave me and the prayers we offered staved off many deaths.”
“What are you doing here?” She glanced around. “Did you bring someone who needs help?”
“No. I am here with a friend of your husband’s. Antonio de Chireno. He is my friend also.”
Jolie didn’t question the implications; she was too glad to find out the tribe’s good fortune. “Word of our efforts reached the Padre’s ears. That’s why I am here.”
“Inola spoke of you to anyone who would listen, so I am not surprised. Even the elders know of you. Inola wants to learn more from you.”
“I’d like that,” Jolie sighed. “I’m so worried,” she confided to Ama. “Austin is here with me and we have left his farm unattended. The animals are loose and I’m afraid he’ll have no home to go back to.”
Ama listened. “I will tell Antonio.”
Jolie shook her head. “No, I’m not asking for help,” she sighed. “I’m just fretting.” Spreading her hands, she indicated all of those around her. “There is so much to do. I feel at a loss sometimes.”
“Well, I am here now. Until it is time for me to go, let me help.”
* * *
Despite Jolie’s efforts, some died. They were too far gone by the time she arrived for her efforts to have any effect. Austin hated when Jolie was blamed. The people were clinging to any hope they could find and most had pinned their hopes on her. Talk of who she was or might be, where she had come from and any powers she might possess snaked through the crowd like a slithering serpent.
Austin feared for her. People were known to turn on what they didn’t understand.
But none turned away her aid. Desperation tore away hesitation.
One week bled into two. Father Miguel held Masses to pray. The mood was somber, but no one wanted to ignore the opportunity to appeal to their God.
All the time, Austin stood nearby. Watching. Guarding. Ready to intervene if needed. When he would go to rest, Austin slept fitfully. How could he slumber peacefully when the woman he loved slept not at all? He’d begged her to stop and sleep, to allow him to care of her, but she’d refused to leave her patients, pressing on in spite of her weariness. Reserves of strength rose within her; from where, Austin didn’t know. He’d loved her before, but now that love was enhanced by awe at her strength and compassion. She’d left slavery behind, yet here she was serving others without hesitation or qualm. It was probably wrong to be selfish at times like this, but he was far more worried about Jolie than he was the people she was working so hard to save. If anything happened to her he’d have no reason to go on living.
As the hours wore on, thankfully, some of the sick seemed to improve. This blessing altered not only the atmosphere of the room but the attitude of everyone involved. Their tenuous grasp on hope changed everything.
Inside the Mission’s sanctuary, Jolie held a bowl of broth to Celeste Pierce’s mouth. “Just one more sip, Mrs. Pierce. You’re doing so much better.”
The woman complied. “Thank you, Jolie. Have you seen my husband?”
Jolie smiled, thankful that the woman was going to make it. “Yes, he’s right outside. Would you like me to fetch him for you?”
She nodded. “Yes, I am worried about my cat. I want him to go check on her.”
“I’ll do it,” she said with a smile. For some, the worst was over. Unfortunately, more sick people arrived every day.
“You are an angel.” Father Miguel spoke behind her as she stood at the door, looking for Mr. Pierce. “I am truly thankful to God that he brought you to us.”
Jolie smiled weakly. “You are very welcome.” Seeing Mr. Pierce, she relayed his wife’s message. Taking a moment, she held a hand to her eyes, gazing in the distance, trying to catch a glimpse of Austin.
Jolie was drained. Also, her suspicions had been confirmed. She was with child. Fear for her baby had dampened her joy. She was thankful for the improvement she saw, but the worry of contracting the illness herself and the cost the days of toiling without sufficient rest was taking on her body – these were a high price to pay. “I am glad to have been of service. I hope we’ll be able to go home soon.”
“The people are falling in love with you,” the priest assured her. “There is no greater calling than to be willing to lay down your life for your friends.”
Jolie knew there’d been a risk to her and their child. Still, she held onto her grandmere’s words with both hands, having faith that the sickness did not seem to find a grip on her people. Of course, she could not reveal this. To her neighbors, she appeared to be white, like them. For Austin’s safety, as well as her own, she could not afford to do anything that would make them think otherwise.
“I think the worst is over,” Jolie said, turning back into the chapel. “We’re seeing fewer new illnesses and the rate of death has dropped dramatically. I’m hoping the plague is playing itself out.”
“I pray you are right, Senorita.” Father Miguel clasped her arm. “There is no doubt of one thing, God has used you in a mighty way. I’m just sorry you and Mr. McCoy were told you could not marry in the church. I felt so helpless when Father de Leon told him and even more so now that I have had a chance to get to know you.”
The priest’s confession stunned Jolie. “Austin asked Father de Leon to perform a wedding ceremony?”
“Yes, I am so sorry he said no.” Father Miguel spread his hands. “The law and the church makes no allowance for marriage between…”
“Hey! Is this you?”
Both Jolie and the priest wheeled around to find a man waving a piece of paper.
Austin, who’d just come into the sanctuary to see if he could entice Jolie to come eat some soup saw what was going on and almost went to his knees in anguish. The man held the wanted poster in his hand.
Jolie shook her head. “I’m not sure what you’re saying.”
Austin moved across the room toward them. He’d kept this information to himself, not speaking of it to Jolie at all. With the Yellow Fever epidemic raging, he’d hoped talk would die down about the missing slaves. The thought had even crossed his mind to go through town and tear down those hated wanted posters. Now, he wished he had. To see a man standing in front of her flaunting something that was going to steal her peace of mind made him furious. “Jolie!” he shouted, letting her know he was coming.
Father Miguel tried to intervene. “Sir, this is a place of healing. You need to leave.”
“No!” The man pushed closer to Jolie. “I’ve heard talk. You showed up at the home of that Tennessean’s house about the time these slaves went missing. They found one of them dead and a bear killed the trader…but they never discovered what happened to the other two.” He stared at the sketch. “This could be you.” He stared at her. “You don’t look much like a darkie, but I’ve heard tell Louisiana is full of half-breeds and mulattos.” The bewhiskered man with two teeth and a rank body odor smiled triumphantly. “A man representing Mr. Thomas Garrett is in town. I think I’m going to let him know where you are and earn myself a little reward.”
Jolie felt her world crumbling around her. She would’ve fallen backwards if Austin hadn’t reached her and placed a supporting arm around her waist.
“Take your stupid poster and get out of here! Back off and leave her alone!”
The man held up his hands. “Oh, I’m not going to touch the slave. I don’t want to get my hands dirty.”
Austin released Jolie and lunged at the man. Father Miguel stepped between them. “This is a house of God!”
With a sneer, the interloper backed out. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back. And I won’t be coming alone.”
Jolie sank to her knees, bowing her head. “It’s over. Everything’s over.” She wrapped her arms around herself, hugging tightly. There was nothing anyone could do. No law in the world would protect her and she didn’t want Austin losing his life to stand between her and a force neither could resist.
“Hell, no. This isn’t over.” Coming to her, he lifted her up. “You do not belong on your knees. Hold up your head, you have nothing to be ashamed of.” Glancing around the room at the people Jolie had helped, Austin felt desperate. There was no one here to stand with him. “We’ll go. We’ll just leave.” He took her by the hand, ready to guide her out and make a run for it.
“Where would we go?” Jolie demanded. “We can’t just go on the run.”
Releasing her hand, Austin stalked back and forth, tearing his hat from his head and pulling on his own hair. “Father, what can we do?”
Father Miguel beheld this man and this woman who’d faithfully served their fellow man. “We pray…and we stand up for what is right.”
Austin nodded, pulling Jolie against him. “Don’t you worry one second. I won’t let anyone harm one hair on your head.” He had no idea whether or not he could keep his promise, but he did know he’d die trying.
In the next hour, Jolie tried to ignore what was happening. She tended to her patients, conscious that Austin and the Padre had gone into the village, trying to find those who would aid him in standing up to whoever was coming for her. To her, this was a futile act. The law was not on their side and she would never wish anyone to die to save her.
When Austin came to check on her, Jolie was almost too embarrassed to look at him. “Did you know about the wanted posters?” It had taken her a while to settle down and realize Austin hadn’t acted surprised, only angry.
“Yes.” Austin answered evenly. “I saw them on my trip here.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” She bit back a cry, dashing tears from her face. “I could have…”
“What? Left me?” Austin grabbed her arms to make her look at him.
“I didn’t want it to be this way. I could have…” She shook her head in sorrow.
“Stayed away? I know you, Jolie Dumas. You would’ve come to help these people no matter the cost to yourself.”
“It’s all over now, anyway. They’ll be here soon.”
“Let them come.” Austin proclaimed. “We’re ready for them.”
“We?” Jolie didn’t understand.
“You’ve stood up for these people, now it’s their turn to stand up for you.” He led her to the double door of the sanctuary, pointing out into the yard of the mission. To Jolie’s shock, a line of armed men stood ready and waiting.
To fight for her.
Turning in Austin’s arm she nestled close. “Please, no. Don’t do this.”
Austin was stunned. “Not fight for you?”
“No, I couldn’t bear if anyone was hurt because of me.”
He didn’t have time to argue with her. A gunshot announced that they had company.
“Please, no violence unless absolutely necessary,” the Padre cautioned with raised hands.
“Don’t fire unless I tell you to,” Austin called out.
Riding through the pine forest came a gray-haired man wearing a topcoat and hat. He looked completely out of place in this backwoods wilderness. No one had to tell Jolie his name. She knew who he was. “Garrett Thomas.” This was the man who’d bought her, who’d paid an exorbitant price for her virginity. A new pain almost doubled her over. She not only wasn’t a virgin any more, she was with child. The news almost exploded from her lips, but the thought of Austin’s sorrow multiplying because of the baby was intolerable to her.
“Just stand here,” he told her. “Do not move.”
Jolie almost danced in place, every cell in her body told her to flee. She didn’t know what was worse – chains or the idea one of these men could die today. One thing she could not deny, Jolie would gladly sacrifice her life for Austin. Terror overwhelmed her. Garrett Thomas wasn’t alone. Five armed men were with him, including the one who’d stormed the mission to rail his accusation.
“Halt right where you are, Thomas Garrett! There is nothing here that belongs to you.” Austin stepped a few feet ahead of the citizens of Nacogdoches who’d deemed Jolie worthy to be defended.
“I beg to differ with you, Sir. I paid good money for this slave. Bring her to me!”
Two of the men moved forward and the settlers who stood with Austin closed ranks.
Guns were lifted, the atmosphere was tense. One of the guns was aimed right at Austin’s heart. Jolie felt as if a powder keg was about to go off.
“No!” she screamed. Pushing her way through, Jolie ran into the fray. “Don’t shoot. I’ll go with you.” When she made her move, all hell broke loose. Garrett’s fury burst forth and she was met with the tip of his whip, slicing across her shoulder and ripping a tear in her clothing. She held her hands over her head, going to her knees and accepting the blows.
“No!” Austin bellowed, moving into the path of the whip, grabbing the end of it and yanking so hard, he almost pulled the old man off his horse. “You are a vile excuse for a human being! How can you take the whip to someone so much smaller than you?”
The noise of several guns cocking could be heard. Austin knew the only thing keeping him from being shot was the fact that there was a stand-off – gun to gun, man to man.
“She belongs to me!” Thomas bellowed.
“Wrong! She belongs to me!” Austin knew their definition of ownership was completely different.
“I have a duplicate bill of sale here saying that she does, Mr. McCoy. I can also identify my property by a birth mark in the palm of her hand.”
Still on her knees, blood running down her breast, Jolie closed her hand tightly. The humiliation and terror of the moment stole her ability to breathe.
“Mr. McCoy, the law is on Mr. Garrett’s side.”
Austin looked into Adolphus Simpson’s sad eyes. The Alcalde was one of the men who accompanied Garrett.
“Shall we take them, friend?” Antonio de Chireno asked, ready to fight. “Our odds are good.”
Desperation raging in his breast, Austin prayed for a solution…and when it came, he knew it was an answer to prayer. “No need to fight. I’ll buy her from you, Mr. Garrett. Name your price. I’ll give you whatever you demand, up to and including my life for hers.”
“No!” Jolie wept. “No. Don’t give him your money, don’t die for me, just let me go.”
Thomas Garrett studied the pioneer who dared to stand between him and what he’d rightfully purchased. “I’ve never been one to ignore an opportunity for profit. If you want this mulatto wench, you’ll pay me the price of all three slaves I lost.”
Garrett named a figure that boggled Austin’s mind. No matter. No price was too high. He wasn’t purchasing a slave; he was redeeming his soul. “I’ll pay the money,” he said without hesitation. The price would take everything he possessed, but he’d give it gladly.
Jolie gasped. “Austin, no!” She rose and ran to him as he started walking to his wagon.
Austin didn’t stop. He’d hid the money beneath the buckboard bed and he knew it was still there, he’d checked this morning.
“I’m not worth it!” She pulled on his arm.
“Not worth it?” Despite their audience, he faced her. “You are everything to me. What better use for this money than to buy my happiness, my love?”
He pulled away from her, leaving her crying. All around them, people watched, absorbed in the drama playing out in front of their eyes. By this time, no one had a doubt as to who Jolie was – what she was. She bowed her head to the ground, wishing to God that she could rewrite history, change her fate, whitewash her body and soul.
Garrett waited while Austin McCoy brought him a bag of coins. He passed them to a man, who painstakingly verified the count. Once he had, Garrett beheld the big man standing before him who had just traded a fortune for a slave. “I enjoyed doing business with you, Mr. McCoy. I hope you don’t regret your foolhardy decision.”
Jolie waited while the people who’d stood up for her gave her long looks, lowered their guns and returned to whatever task awaited them. She stood frozen, a former slave, while the man who’d bought and sold her rode away and Austin McCoy came to her with his hat in his hand and his heart in his eyes.
“You traded your future for me,” she whispered in a heartbroken, shaking voice.
Austin searched her face, then framed it in his large hands. “No, I insured we had a future. Together.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
After the confrontation with Garrett, Jolie didn’t really know how to act with Austin, this man who’d given his all to save her. He would live to regret what he did, she knew it was only a matter of times. All of their neighbors, all of his friends, now knew who and what she was.
As the day waned, so did the hold of the fever on the remaining people who were left in the chapel. Father Miguel came to Austin and thanked him. “The Lord has blessed Jolie’s efforts. You should return to your home soon. I know she has been worried.”
