Her feet twitched in her shoes, eager to carry her to an event that would change her life.
Careful not to make the floors creek, she crept down the stairs, listening for the clanking of Kitty’s utensils in the kitchen. Good, she’s still busy. The chopping continued in the back, and a bit of the anxiety she’d harbored skirted free. I’m going to make it!
She held her breath and opened the squeaky door, praying Kitty didn’t hear. She called to her sister from the partially open door, the majority of her body already out in the cold. “Kitty, I’m so sorry darling, but I’m feeling poorly. I’m heading to bed now and I’ll eat your delicious dessert in the morning.”
“Alright, Liza. I’ll be up before too long.” Kitty called from the kitchen.
Eliza dare not respond, in fear her sister might come out to continue the conversation. She closed the door and relished in her newfound freedom.
The cold chased up her nose, and slapped at her cheeks, but the rest of her remained toasty. The fresh winter air smelled of ice and freedom. She wiggled her toes in her shoes and peered up at the cloudy sky, just as lazy flakes of white swung down on the small breeze. Delirious excitement tightened around her. Thank you, Lord! Please keep me safe. I promise I won’t stay long. Help me to find the truth I’m searching for.
Eliza picked up the greatcoat that hung around her legs and dashed toward town like an energetic child running toward an unexplored meadow. The exhilaration pumping through her blood gave her added speed as she neared her destination. An expansive grin spread from her face down to her running feet.
When she reached the edge of town where the main shops and markets lined the streets, a large group had already assembled. Lanterns dotted the crowd, adding an almost festive air as a stream of rally-goers poured in from the small highway that led into the province.
Her eyes widened to take in the scene. Never had she beheld such a sight. Some people carried large poles with a familiar yellow banner. She’d seen the flag with the coiled snake many times in Boston but never so many in one place. Also, the Sons of Liberty’s red and white striped flag blew proudly from some poles, as well as the popular “Join, Or Die”.
She had seen these flags and cartoons in Boston but always brushed them aside as wicked schemes used by those who betrayed their forefathers and the great King of England. But tonight, they took on new meaning as she mixed with the expanding crowd of proud patriots. What would Father say if he saw her now? Would he be proud of her and how she tried to learn what he’d believed, and loved, and sacrificed for?
Her entire frame tingled and her breathing quickene
d as she scanned the growing assemblage. Scattered on the edges of the streets stood numerous Redcoats, all looking formidable and each carrying muskets. Instinctively, she dropped her head and pulled her coat around her neck.
After a time, the gathering became so enormous Eliza could neither make out the front nor the back of the group. Everyone talked and mingled about, awaiting the call to march to Barnstable Courthouse.
The thrill of it all seeped through her chest. How she wished Thomas were here. She wanted him to experience this with her. She knew he’d wanted more than anything to come and support the cause that he and Nathaniel loved so well, but he’d abnegated—for their safety.
She bit her lip and looked down at the muddy snow. Dear Lord, I don’t want my actions to bring harm to Thomas or his cousin’s family. Help me to stay hidden.
The crack of a musket rocked the air and every face in the crowd shot up and turned to the man standing atop a rickety platform.
Nathaniel’s voice sang loud and ripped across the freezing air.
Eliza remained motionless and almost floated off the ground.
Raising his fist in the air, Nathaniel beamed. “Fellow patriots! We stand united!”
Chapter Twenty
Thomas whacked the axe harder with every stroke, making an even larger pile than he chopped that morning. Would this chore never end? He’d noticed the temperatures dropping, but hadn’t felt it getting quite as bitter as the girls seemed to think it was. They burned more logs in one day than he burned in a month.
He hauled the wood into the house in three massive armfuls. Careful to remain aloof, he looked around the vacant room, hoping Eliza might still be sitting in her favorite chair. Alas, she was not to be seen.
The last two weeks had been a most futile exercise in abstinence. The more he kept his distance from Eliza, the greater his longing became.
But he had a duty to perform. His emotions were not welcome in the equation.
He placed two more logs on the fire and heaved an exasperated breath. He’d done his utmost, expounding to her all he knew and loved about her father. She relished it all. When she found the truth, she would embrace it, he had no doubt. It warmed him to the depths of his soul, knowing that he was doing what God intended. Thomas loved to watch the spark in her eye and the determined twist that played with her lips when she asked questions. He savored Eliza’s every move, and craved the sound of her voice. Her gentle scent found him in even the furthest, most vacant corner of his home.
What would his life be like without her? He wouldn’t acknowledge the painful answer.
Thomas peered around the room again. This time of evening Eliza always sat by the fire, mending or reading, but not tonight. Curiosity pricked him and his stomach dropped.
Where is she?
He wagged his head and rolled his shoulders, trying to shake the uneasy feeling. The house wasn’t tiny, but it was small enough. Shouldn’t he at least hear her and know where she was?
Thomas walked toward the kitchen, expecting to find both women laboring over the fire even though no talking emanated from the warm space.