Rapture's Rendezvous

Rushing, she reached the gate and ignored the leaping dogs as she moved toward the front door, then fell inside, gasping for air. When Ruby appeared before her, Maria rose and clung to her arm, panting.

“Ruby. Ruby, you just don't know what's happening,” she cried.

“I think I might,” Ruby drawled, turning, beckoning with a nod of the head toward the door that led to the back rooms of the house. When Michael and several more men made an appearance, tears sprang forth from Maria's eyes. She rushed to Michael and fell into his arms. “Michael, oh, Michael. You're safe. Oh, thank God. You're safe,” she blurted clinging-to him.

“I failed to tell you that my meeting place was so close by a while ago,” he said, holding her to him. “I guess I should have. Maria, you are panting so. What's happened?”

She brushed tears from her face with the back of a hand and looked upward into his eyes. To her, blue most normally meant a restfulness, a peacefulness. But in Michael's eyes, there was no trace of such feelings. She could see so much more. And this made her even more frightened for his safety. She now knew him to be a man of daring.

“Michael, I've just overheard much being said at my … uh … at Nathan's house,” she said. “It all frightens me so. You need to know. I fear that we all might be dead in the end.”

“What did you hear, darling?” he said, glancing an already knowing look toward the men, glowering.

“Not only is there going to be a fence around the coal mine, but machine guns mounted, as well,” she blurted. “And then no one is to be allowed to be on the streets of Hawkinsville after dark. Anyone who disobeys will be killed. And all firearms are to be surrendered to Nathan's representatives.”

Michael's arms went limp. He moved from Maria, running his fingers through the thickness of his hair. “God. It's even worse than I ever imagined,” he grumbled. “Machine guns? He is a madman. What will be next?”

“No one is safe, Michael,” Maria cried, going to cling to him once again.

“Maria, you know you shouldn't have put yourself in any more danger by coming here,” he said, suddenly clutching onto her shoulders, shaking her a bit. “What if Hawkins or his men had seen you coming here?”

“I have a gun … in … my purse.” she stammered, lifting the purse, showing him.

Michael's face paled. “A gun? Where did you get a gun, Maria?”

“Alberto. He gave it to me last night. He said I needed it for protection.”

“But sometimes a gun is more harm. If you should pull it to shoot it and became too afraid to do so, it could be taken from you and used on you,” he stormed. He released Maria and began to pace the floor angrily. “This is becoming way out of hand. I never intended you to get so involved.”

“If Nathan“

“Yes, if Nathan hadn't forced your hand in marriage, you would be free,” Michael further stormed, throwing his hands up into the air in despair. “But he did. You are. Now what?”

“What can I do. Michael?” Maria asked softly, lowering her eyes.

“You must return to Hawkins's house. Stay low. Don't interfere. And above all, don't antagonize him. Lord knows what he might pull with you. Force you to do.”

Maria's face turned crimson. God. If Michael knew what Nathan had already done. But she couldn't tell. She could never tell anyone what she had been forced to do. “Then I should return to his house?” she blurted, eyes wavering as she sought out Michael as he continued to pace the room in long, angry strides.

“Yes. I have much to figure out, Maria,” he said. “And if you just keep a low profile, surely Nathan will leave you out of this mess.” He went to her and grabbed her by the shoulders. “You must listen to me. You have to go back to him. To stay with me or your brother and father is much too dangerous at this point. If Nathan wants a war, he will have a war.”

“What … do you mean . . . Michael?”

“Like I said, I have that to figure out. But he's gone a bit too far this time. Machine guns? Ha. They won't even keep me from my duties.”

Maria's gaze went to Ruby. Maria paled, now remembering Nathan's threats against Ruby. “Ruby, there is something you need to know,” she whispered. “Nathan has made threats against you. He has told his men to make sure you close this house down until this all is over, or he … he .. . will see to it . . . that you . . . are injured in a terrible . . . way. . . .”

Ruby's hands went to her hips. “Just let him try to force me into anything,” she shouted. “My Clarence was outdone by Hawkins and his men once. They even tried a second time. But by God, no more. Clarence is bitter enough to shoot all the damn bastards who try to step on our property. And I have enough guns to pass around to my girls to complete the job. Just let him try.”

Maria smiled awkwardly. “I just felt … I should warn you. . . .” she murmured.

“And now that you have, darling,” Michael said thickly, “please go back to Hawkins's house. If you need to, just stay in your room.-Feign illness. That way he won't even touch you.”

Maria's eyes lowered. “Okay, Michael. Whatever you say,” she whispered. Then her eyes shot quickly upward. “But how will I know what's happening? I don't think Nathan would even approve of my returning to see my Papa.”

“I will get word to you. One way or the other,” Michael said, guiding her to the door. He pulled her into his arms and gave her a long, lingering kiss, then opened the door and said, “Now. Go on. Everything will be all right. You'll see. Good will pre

vail. It always does.”