Northern Star

Chapter 18

Dark, moody clouds danced their turbulent ritual in an indecisive wind as the balloon whipped first in one direction, then in another. Perry clung to one corner of the basket, absorbed in her battle against motion sickness from the constant pitching. Though the sky blackened and lightning flashed all around them, she was far too sick to be afraid.

Hunter and Abram worked together in a harmony of movement that only close friends understand. They seemed to read each other's slightest signal, which was essential now, because both knew the balloon must touch ground before the full fury of the storm broke. Otherwise the trio might be cast into the Delaware Bay.

"Brace yourself!" Hunter yelled, only seconds before the basket slammed into the earth. A sudden wind caught the Star, lifting them up as if they were on a giant swing, then plowing them into the ground once more. Hunter's muscles rippled beneath his white shirt as Perry watched him work, bringing new sensations to the pit of her stomach.

Suddenly, when she should have been lost in fear, she remembered the feel of him when he'd pinned her to the floor of the loft. He'd been strong and sure in his movements with no hint of the injured soldier remaining. The memory of his muscular leg sliding across her as he'd rolled from her was as real as the storm about her now. Her face reddened, and she was thankful no one had time to notice her discomfort.

Hunter began deflating the balloon with great speed as Abram jumped out with ropes slung over his shoulder. Both men were frantically trying to bring down the now sagging bubble of air before darkness and the storm were fully upon them. Perry, not knowing how to help, stood like a stone statue propped in one comer.

A tiny light danced in the woods before her like a huge firefly. As it moved closer, a farmer materialized carrying a lantern. He waved in excitement as he ran toward the balloon.

Hunter's command was a single word-"Abram!"-but it sparked terror in Perry's heart as she watched the huge black man spring into action. He dropped the ropes and darted toward the farmer, as though the friendly stranger meant them great harm.

In one mighty bound Hunter was out of the balloon. "Climb out fast, kid!" he shouted in a tone that left no room for questions.

She stepped on a box and lifted herself carefully over the basket's edge. Motion sickness, bruises, and fear hampered her progress. Hunter's impatience startled her as he scooped her into his arms and ran away from the balloon as though she were weightless in his arms.

Perry clung tightly around his neck as he darted toward a clump of trees. His strong arms held her firmly to him. She could hear the rhythmic pounding of his heart beneath his cotton shirt and his breath against her neck.

As he reached the trees he slowed his pace. "Stay here, where it's safe," he whispered as he lowered her behind a tree. "If there's a fire, you'll be out of range."

She had a hundred questions, but she knew there was no time for answers. She could see Abram talking with the farmer in the distance and was relieved the huge man hadn't attacked, as she'd feared he might at Hunter's command.

Hunter signaled Abram, then slowly walked back to the balloon, as if there were suddenly no danger in the peaceful field.

Sitting quietly among the trees, she watched as Abram and Hunter deflated the balloon by moonlight. A small crowd of farmers gathered to watch but came no closer with their lanterns.

A chilling rain began to fall by the time Hunter and Abram were finished. Perry sat cuddling her knees to her chest under a tree. Finally, through the curtain of rain, she saw Hunter walking toward her. His clothes clung to his muscular frame, and his blond hair lay dark with rain. He knelt down beside her under the shelter of the tree.

"We got the Star packed up, but she's had some damage to the basket. Abram's gone with the farmer to get a wagon." He slung the rain from his hair. "If we don't get her out of this field before more rain falls, it will be too late. The wagon will bog down in the mud.

"The farmer said we can bed down in his barn tonight. It'll be dry, at least. We've had to sleep in worse places. These people seem real friendly." Hunter leaned nearer and added, "I'm sorry if I startled you, but we had to get away fast from the balloon. One of the biggest dangers when you're deflating a balloon is having someone with a lantern get too close. The whole thing could go up in flames."

Leaning back against the tree, he rambled as he always did when he was trying to calm her. "Professor Wise told me that once an interested spectator ran up with a lantern while he was trying to deflate. Within the blink of an eye the balloon was a huge torch. Wise was burned pretty badly, but within weeks he was going up again."

A chill went through her at the thought of him being burned. For the first time she wished this quiet man would talk about something beside ballooning. But his low voice was soothing, and she knew they could share little more.

"Perry, you're shivering. Come over here." He opened his arms and waited. "I'd move nearer, but I have no wish to frighten you."

She slowly moved beside him. Hunter's arms gently encircled her shoulders, as though he were afraid of hurting her with his touch. Perry sensed there was no passion in his gesture, only kindness. She relaxed, lying back on his chest. A comforting feeling surrounded and warmed her.

Hunter continued talking. His low baritone voice was a melody of tranquility around Perry, even though she didn't understand all he said. "You know, Wise and Lowe are the two best balloonists in this country. But they are as opposite as day and night. Wise is tall and spidery, while Lowe is younger and a handsome devil. Old Wise can talk to anyone on any level and loves to throw caution to the wind. Lowe, on the other hand, is cold and scientific, with a sharp tongue. President Lincoln was about the only man I've seen who really enjoyed talking with him."

Hunter searched the night for Abram. She stopped shivering and relaxed as he continued talking. "Funny thing is, Wise and Lowe both have the same dream. They both want to cross the Atlantic in a balloon. Too bad they can't work together."

She wanted to talk with Hunter, to ask him questions, but there were too many barriers between them. She knew the sooner she could disappear from his life, the better it would be for him. He was engaged to another. Besides, it would aggravate the bad blood between him and his only cousin if Hunter knew the truth about her. How could she start a relationship with a man that she'd done nothing but lie to? Above all, he was an honest man; she could feel it all the way to her heart. How would he react to having been lied to?

Yet for the moment she felt wonderful as his arms held her, molding her into the curve of his body. The clean male scent of him surrounded her, intoxicating her thoughts with dreams of passion that could never be.

The sound of horses approaching drifted through the sheets of rain, swishing her dream away as easily as morning pushed night into hiding. Hunter stood and pulled her up beside him. He darted toward the wagon, with Perry only a step behind. Hunter and Abram loaded the basket onto the wagon bed, with Perry trying to help. The balloon was neatly stuffed into the basket. Hunter lifted her into the wagon bed before climbing up beside Abram.

"The barn's only a quarter of a mile away," Abram yelled above the storm as he slapped the horses into motion. "I didn't tell 'em Perry was a woman. They call themselves 'friends,' so I'm guessing they're like those Quakers we met a few years back. Thought they might ask questions if they got too good a look at our girl."

"Good idea," Hunter shouted. "They looked like nice folks, but she'll be safer with us."

Within moments the soaked threesome pulled the wagon into a large, dry barn. The farmer's wife had left a stack of towels and blankets on a barrel just inside the door. The barn was half filled with horses. The clean, fresh smell of hay came from a haystack in one corner. Perry had heard stories of Quakers and their tidiness, yet this barn surprised her. The barn was cleaner than many farmhouses shed seen.

Hunter handed her a towel and blanket. "You can sleep over there in the hay if you like. We'll see to it that no one wakes you." He looked away, as if not knowing what else to say. For a moment she thought she saw the uncertainty of a boy in this strong man.

Perry accepted the blanket. "Thanks," she whispered as she moved away, not wanting to see more. He was already going to be so hard to leave, she didn't want to fall in love with another side of him as well.

The men were already beginning to strip their wet clothes off, having forgotten her presence. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Hunter's damp back reflecting the lantern light with a golden glow. Her fingers opened and closed as she fought the urge to touch him once more.

Crawling behind the hay, she wrapped the blanket around herself. Her coat was damp and her hat drooped with rain, but rest seemed more important than drying out. As she drifted into sleep, Perry could hear the muffled sounds of Hunter and Abram talking on the other side of the hay. They were making plans for morning, but she was too tired to follow the conversation. She pulled the blanket tighter around her, wishing she could be in Hunter's arms.

Perry slept, curled in a bail, hardly moving all night. Just after dawn, Abram working with the horses awakened her. As she climbed over the hay she saw both Hunter and Abram dressed and ready to leave.

Abram spotted her first. "Mornin', Miss Perry. Help yourself to some of the breakfast the farmer's wife sent out." He motioned with his head to a small basket propped on a post in the corner.

As Perry moved close to the basket the smell of coffee engulfed her. She discovered an old black pot sitting on the ground under the breakfast basket.

She poured herself some of the rich brew before examining the breakfast. To her delight she uncovered huge sourdough biscuits, still warm from the oven. Each one had been split in half and a piece of sausage added to the middle. As she bit into one she found to her surprise that the sausage had been dipped in honey.

As Perry savored each bite she heard Hunter laugh behind her. "Those are mighty good. After no supper last night I believe it's the best breakfast I've ever had."

He turned to Abram. "Maybe I should ask the farmer's wife for the recipe. Jennifer could fix them for me after we're married."

Abram's voice was low. "I doubt if Miss Jennifer even knows where the kitchen is." Hunter didn't see the frown on Abram's face as he worked with the horses.

Hunter laughed. "You're probably right, Abram. Come to think of it, all the years I've known her I can't remember her ever cooking me anything."

Moving over to pat one horse, he added, "The farmer said these were all he could spare. If Perry can make the long ride, the two of you can be in Philadelphia by late tonight." He turned to stare at the top of her head. "If you like, you can wait here for a few days with me till the crew arrives. Then you can ride back in the wagon. I need to spread the balloon material out to dry so the threads won't rot. The last thing we need, the next time up, is to have her start to come apart at the seams."

"I can ride as long as need be," Perry answered. If she rode with Abram, she could be at Molly's late tonight. If she waited and traveled by wagon, it would be days before Abram could even return to pick them up.

"I thought you'd want to go." Hunter turned to Abram and continued. "As soon as you reach the house, let the crew know where I am. They'll be ready to start immediately, but you'll need to sleep. So I'll see you in three, maybe four days. There's no need for you to return with the wagon. Stay in town. I'll join you there."

"Sounds good to me." Abram gave one mighty nod of his head. "I'll just get Miss Perry situated, then wait for you."

"Have one of the men wait a few hours before leaving, so these horses can rest. Have him ride my horse out and lead these two back."

Hunter handed Abram the reins to one horse. "I should be anxious to get back to Philadelphia and Jennifer, but I want to stay in this peaceful countryside a few days. I've got some thinking to do." There was a sadness in his eyes. He was dealing with his own hell behind the calm manner he displayed.

Perry removed the horse's reins from Hunter's hand. He seemed fascinated by her tiny hand, as one might watch a spider dancing along his web. Though her fingers were dirty and covered with scabs of dried blood, he seemed to see beauty in her movement.

Hunter dug into his pocket. "You'll need some money," he said to her.

"No," she answered firmly. "You have helped me enough."

Realizing he'd hurt her pride, he added, "Perry, if you do need anything, please get in touch with me."

"I'll be fine. All I ask is that you tell no one you brought me here," she whispered.

"You have my word." Hunter helped her mount her horse. He looked into her face for a moment, then she turned away as always. She didn't want him to see her bruised face, and she couldn't look at his wonderful, expressive eyes without holding him once more in her arms.

Perry kicked her horse into motion. She could barely deal with her own pain, much less his. He must never see her again; he must never know of Wade and her. He would be married in a month and she would vanish from his memory soon. Perry knew his piercing gray eyes would haunt her forever. She knew that for the rest of her life he would be her standard for measuring other men.

Perry rode out of the barn, tears streaming down her face. She could hear Abram riding hard to catch her. As he maneuvered beside her, the horses began to move swiftly in unison.

Half an hour later, when Abram slowed his horse to a walk, Perry followed suit. He turned his sad face toward her but said nothing.

After a few minutes Perry's question exploded from her. "Why is he going to marry a woman like Jennifer?'' She didn't expect an answer, she was just voicing her thoughts. The question had been in her mind ever since the night she'd seen Jennifer at the hospital.

Abram smiled, as if he knew she would ask. "They've known each other most of their lives. Seems everyone knows about Jennifer except Hunter. Nobody's got the nerve to tell him. She's all sweet around him." He hesitated, as if debating how much to tell Perry. "I've seen her other side many times over the years. Talk is, she's had several lovers during the war. Her maid told me Jennifer loves to brag about them. Says she laughs about spending Hunter's money after they're married."

Abram shook his head. "I never talk about folks, but somehow I felt you should know how it is between Hunter and Jennifer. I feel like you need to know the truth, not just what Hunter sees or what Jennifer plans. Honest, Miss Perry, I don't know what to do to stop the wedding, short of kidnapping him. But I feel all the way to my bones that their marriage will be wrong."

Perry's mahogany eyes were brimming with tears. "You've got to think of something. Hunter needs someone who'll love him. He needs a love that lasts a lifetime, like John Williams has with Mary."

Abram understood her better than she did herself. He had watched the caring and love she bore for Hunter grow each time she looked at him. Somehow the key to the solution to his problem lay with Perry, and he aimed to unlock the secret.

After a brief silence Abram asked, "Did you tell Hunter anything other than that you were a girl?"

Perry shook her head. "It's better that I didn't. I don't know if I could live if Wade and Hunter fought over me and something happened to Hunter.''

"You plan on disappearing so Wade will never find you?" Abram added sadly.

"Yes. I've got no one really to care about me, anyway. My grandfather called me by my mother's name most of the time I was with him. My brother will have enough problems getting started again if he ever comes back from the war. I think Molly will welcome me. We're about as different as two women can be, but we're both alone, and that might just make it work." Perry paused. "Abram, you must promise to tell no one where I am."

Abram raised his hand, palm forward, in the air. "As before, you have my word. But I plan on keeping an eye on you, just in case you need me."

Perry attempted a smile, and Abram thought that even through the bruises she still looked very much a lady to him. In unspoken agreement they increased their pace.

Hours passed endlessly, as did the miles. She was too tired to do more than grip the reins as they rode into Philadelphia. Just after entering town, Abram stopped at the back of a massive home and asked her to wait for him. He disappeared into a side door, half hidden in the garden. Men must have been waiting, for within seconds after Abram returned to Perry a crew of men burst from the house and hurried toward the stables. "That back entrance leads upstairs. The left door is mine, the right Hunter's, if you ever need to find us fast."

"I'll be fine." Perry tried to assure herself and him. She looked up at the darkened windows of the two rooms. Somehow it was comforting to know where Hunter lived.

Abram mounted without another word and signaled for her to follow. He led until they were near the hospital, then Perry pointed the way. No one paid any notice to a black man and ragged boy moving along the darkened streets. She remembered the direction to Molly's house well as she encouraged her horse.

Within a few minutes they were at the side entrance of Molly's garden. Perry allowed the tiredness she felt to show in her posture only a moment as she climbed down from her horse.

Abram held the mounts as she moved into Molly's back gate. "I'll wait here for ten minutes to make sure everything is fine. If your friend is home, there is no need to come tell me. If not, I'll help you find somewhere to sleep."

Perry whispered back, "I see her light, Abram. Thanks for all you've done. I know you're exhausted. Go on, I'll be fine from here." She touched Abram lightly on the arm, wishing there was some way she could repay him.

Walking silently up the blackened path, she prayed with each step that Molly would welcome her, for there was nowhere else for her to turn.

She rapped lightly on the kitchen door. A frightened voice yelled, "Go away, I say, or you'll be dead!"

Perry realized her unexpected night visit must have frightened Molly. She shouted, "Molly, Molly, it's me, Perry!"

Only moments passed before Perry heard the bolt being pulled back. The door swung wide as light poured out onto the path. Molly stood before Perry with her arms wide and tears flooding her face. "Come in, my little lady!" she shouted.

Hearing the familiar welcome in Molly's words, Perry stepped through the doorway and into the warm kitchen. Both women were within inches of each other when they stopped, frozen. A blast from a rifle sounded in the silent night. Molly's arms encircled Perry as both women fell to the floor.