Secrets of the Heart Read online

  Copyright

  ISBN 978-1-61626-372-0

  Copyright © 2011 by Vickie McDonough. All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the permission of Truly Yours, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., PO Box 721, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683.

  All scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

  All of the characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental.

  Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.

  One

  Near Charleston, South Carolina

  1810

  The hairs on the back of Cooper Reed’s neck stood on end. He peered over his shoulder and reined his tired horse to a stop, straining to hear the sound he’d heard a moment ago. Nothing moved in the woods behind him. Nothing but the trees dancing in the light spring breeze. The wind swished through pine branches above, and a waxwing whistled from a nearby bush. Overhead, a hawk screeched. Cooper glanced up at the bird soaring high in the sky, without a care in the world. He heaved a sigh and pulled his gaze back to the trail. Had he finally lost the men pursuing him?

  Coop’s horse jerked its head up, ears flicked forward, and stared back the way they’d just come. The animal snorted and pranced sideways. A shiver charged down Coop’s spine. A tree limb snapped, intruding on the peaceful scene, and hoofbeats pounded toward him.

  He reined his horse around and slapped the leather against his mount’s shoulder. “He-yah!” The animal leaped forward, in spite of its exhaustion, and stretched to a gallop. Coop’s hand went instinctively to the pouch tucked into his waistband—the pouch that held his precious cargo. He had to see it safely to his father.

  “Halt, or suffer the consequences!” a shout heralded behind him.

  He hunkered over his mount’s neck, knowing that stopping most likely meant death. A shot rang out. He ducked, and the lead ball whizzed past his ear. Soon he’d be on Reed land. He had to reach home. He had to reveal the traitor among his father’s friends.

  Up ahead, Coop could see the open fields of Reed Springs. Not a soul was in sight. Perhaps he should have headed to the Madisons. They were his parents’ best friends and closest neighbors. Though he hadn’t seen them in years, he could get help there, but seeking their assistance could endanger them, and he couldn’t risk that. He urged his horse to run faster.

  Shooting a man on horseback was difficult, but once he reached the fields, he’d be a clear target, without the cover of the trees. His heartbeat kept time with his mount’s thundering hooves. He needed to get rid of his cargo. If those men caught him, they would find it, and he’d have no proof to back up his accusations.

  His mind raced for a solution, and suddenly he knew the answer. He lifted his gaze, searching the edge of the approaching tree line and found the exact spot where he, Jamie, and Michael Madison had hidden when they were hunting deer. The logs they’d piled up had grayed and partially collapsed, but the shadowy interior would be the perfect hiding place. He yanked the leather pouch from his waistband and flung it sideways, praying his pursuers didn’t notice. All the times he’d played there as a boy, he never once considered it might one day harbor a dreadful secret.

  His horse plunged out of the trees. Down the hill and up ahead, the cotton field spread far and wide. Coop’s mount flicked his ears forward, slowing his pace as they raced down the steep hill, toward the quickly approaching creek that separated the field from the woodlands.

  “C’mon, boy.” Cooper hoped the horse could keep going. Just another half mile or so, and he’d be home. Safe.

  Another shot blasted behind him. The horse squealed, staggered, and fell to his knees. Coop flew over the animal’s neck, and his head and shoulder collided with the hard ground. He rolled over and over, pain surging through his body. Finally he stilled at the edge of the creek, and water seeped into his pants. He blinked open his eyes. His horse, blood seeping from his left thigh, plummeted toward him. Coop lifted his arm as the horse rolled over him.

  ❧

  “Are you actually going to marry a man you hardly know?”

  Hannah glanced at her friend sitting next to her in the buggy. “How many times are you going to ask me that, Ruthie?”

  “Until you get some sense. This isn’t the dark ages, you know.” Ruthie Sutherland shook her head, tucked up a strand of light brown hair that had come loose, then redid the tie of her straw hat.

  “No, but parents do still arrange marriages. Sometimes.” Hannah shoved down a niggle of doubt. “Besides, Jamie has always been kind and treated me respectfully. He’s a handsome man with his black hair and blue eyes.”

  “Whatever became of that brother of his? Wasn’t he lost at sea or something? What was his name?”

  “Cooper. That’s such a sad situation.” Even though she hadn’t seen Cooper Reed in many years, Hannah’s heart ached at the pain his disappearance had cost the Reed family. “Jamie was devastated that they couldn’t locate his brother on their trip to England.”

  “Un-huh, he sure ’nough was.” Chesny, Hannah’s former nanny and now lady’s maid, nodded. “Those brothers was closer than a flea on a hound dog.”

  “Didn’t he quit school and run off or something?”

  Hannah shook her head. “I don’t think that’s true. Something more nefarious must have happened, I’m sure of it. Coop was a good boy, just like Jamie. Oh, he was a bit more independent and feisty, but he deeply loved his family. He’d never go off and not leave word.”

  “Somethin’ bad done happened to that boy.”

  “I certainly hope not,” Hannah said. “The Reeds sent word that they had found no clue as to what happened to him. They extended their time in England but are now returning because of the wedding.”

  “At least the Reeds are wealthy. And if that other son doesn’t return, you’ll be all the richer.” Ruthie fanned her face with her hand, not looking the least bit sorry for her coldhearted words.

  “Ruthie! What a horrible thing to say.” Hannah could hardly believe some of the things that fell from her friend’s lips. “I pray every night that Cooper will be found and returned to his family unharmed.”

  “You probably wouldn’t even recognize the man if he passed you on the street. How long has he been away?”

  “More than seven years. He served aboard one of his father’s ships before finally deciding to attend college in England. He was your age—sixteen—I believe, when he left.” Hannah pressed a fold of her apron with her fingers. What could have befallen Cooper Reed? The family had not received a request for ransom, so a kidnapping had been ruled out. Had Coop lost his temper and gotten in a fight and killed? It was all such a mystery and cast a pale on her wedding plans, but she would cancel them in a moment’s notice if it meant Coop’s safe return. Please, Lord. Return him to his family. Keep Cooper safe until that day. And please comfort the Reeds and give them hope.

  “Well, at least the Reeds have this big plantation and that shipping business and exquisite house in Charleston. Oh!” Ruthie gasped and turned in the seat. “If you live in town, we can see each other every day.”

  Hannah glanced across the seat and caught her former nanny’s gaze. Chesny rolled her dark eyes and adjusted her colorful head wrap. Hannah bit back a grin and tried to act more enthusiastic than she felt. Ruthie was a dear friend, but she was several years younger and of an outgoing nature that grated on Hannah’s nerves after spending two weeks together.
She searched her mind for a truthful response. “That would be nice, but I plan to live on the plantation most of the time.”

  “Oh pooh.” Ruthie fell back against the seat, her arms crossed. “Why ever would you want to live out here? There’s nothing but dirt and—and—cotton.”

  Staring out at the fields, Hannah tried to see the plantation from her friend’s eyes. The cotton seedlings were only a half-foot tall, their green shoots waving a greeting on the warm breeze. On the other side of the buggy, abundant trees and tall grasses hugged the Ashley River that started at the Charleston Harbor and flowed miles inland. The fresh air filled her nostrils, so vastly different from the stench of Charleston on a hot day.

  Ruthie nudged her with her elbow. “Well, don’t you have anything to say?”

  “I love it out here. It’s so peaceful, and you don’t have neighbors peering out their windows at you when you’re sitting on your piazza.”

  “You’re daft. That’s all there is to it. Why your parents didn’t make you go to school in town, I’ll never know. I suppose I’ll have to satisfy myself by continuing to make these treks to Madison Gardens—or rather Reed Springs—even after you are married.”

  Hannah shrugged. “Last I heard, Lucas Reed was going to continue searching for Cooper. Jamie will be overseeing Reed Shipping, so I’m sure we’ll get to town quite often.”

  Ruthie smiled, contented at last. Hannah turned her attention to the tall home belonging to the Reed family as it came into view. The three-story, redbrick house rose up majestically against the bright blue sky. The wide white porch and well-manicured garden welcomed visitors. Though the structure wasn’t as ornate as the Reed’s Charleston house, it was much roomier.

  Hannah had looked forward to being mistress of the house for as long as she could remember, and her mother had prepared her since she was young. Heather Reed and Caroline Madison had cooked up the marriage between her and Jamie shortly after her birth. Jamie always enjoyed playing with her when they were young, and as she grew, she took pleasure in seeing him whenever the family visited. Their marrying had started out as a joke among their parents, but somewhere along her childhood, the idea had taken root and grown and had become something to be expected one day.

  But now that the day of her wedding was less than a month away, doubts assailed her continually. Was she making a big mistake in marrying Jamie Reed?

  Two

  Simeon, their driver, helped the women from the buggy, then led the horses toward the back of the barn where he always parked the buggy whenever they visited Reed Springs. Hannah patted her pocket, checking to be sure the treat she’d brought for Honey was still there.

  “So, what are we doing today?” Ruthie asked.

  “I thought we’d air out the upstairs bedrooms, then make sure that all the linens are clean and everything’s ready for the Reeds’ return.” Hannah waved at the west end of the house. “Let’s start there. It will be cooler now than it will be this afternoon.”

  Chesny carried the basket that held their lunch. “I’ll go on inside, Miss Hannah, and see if Maisy and Leta are he’pin’ us today.”

  Hannah nodded. “I’ll be right there as soon as I give Honey the treat I brought her.”

  Chesny chuckled and shook her head. “You and that ol’ hoss.”

  “Why do you always have to visit that horse?” Ruthie crossed her arms. “And why do you let your slave tell you what she’s going to do? You know you have to use a strict hand on them or they’ll—”

  Hannah held up her palm. “Our Negroes are not slaves; they’re employees. You know that.”

  “I may know it but I don’t have to like it. Why, it’s just plain absurd—paying those people a wage. What do they need money for?”

  “You sound like your father.”

  Ruthie hiked her chin. “So?”

  Hannah shook her head. “Nothing. Do you want to go with me to the barn and see Honey?”

  “Eww. No. I’d rather do menial labor inside than visit a smelly barn.” Ruthie swirled around and stomped away.

  Hannah sighed. She couldn’t help thinking about what Chesny sometimes murmured when visitors were particularly peevish. Fish and guests, they both stink after three days.

  Hannah smiled and walked toward the barn. Having guests visit the plantation and stay for an extended time was common, but she was always a bit relieved when they finally left and things could get back to normal. She pulled open the barn door, noting that the latch had not been fastened. “Israel, are you in there?”

  When the Reed Springs caretaker didn’t respond, she stepped inside and looked around. Dust motes floated on fingers of sunlight that poked through the cracks in the old building. Ruthie said the barn stank, but Hannah found the scent of hay and horses comforting. She’d always loved venturing out to the barn, both here and at home.

  Most times when she arrived at Reed Springs, the caretaker was present. She even brought him a treat on occasion. “Israel?”

  Honey lifted her head over the stall gate and nickered. Hannah lifted the skirt of her high-waisted day dress and crossed the hard-packed dirt floor to her destination. “Good morning, girl. How are you today?”

  Honey bobbed her head as if to say she was fine. Hannah loved the brown mare, which she’d ridden with the Reed boys and her brother when she was small. “How’s your leg today? Huh? Still bothering you?”

  The horse stretched her neck and blew against Hannah’s skirt. She giggled. “Ah, you found your treat, huh?”

  She inserted her hand into the slit in the side of her gown, fished two big carrot chunks out of the pocket she had tied around her waist, then held them out to the horse. Honey’s big lips lapped up the treat, tickling Hannah’s hand. She giggled, then noticed the horse slobber on her hand. “Ruthie would scold me for certain if she saw this.”

  Hannah hunted around for a piece of burlap or cloth on which to clean off her hand. She pursed her lips at not finding what she needed. Hay would have to do. She crossed over to the pile of fresh hay that Israel must have forked from the overhead loft, and her shoe smacked into something hard. She looked down. Her gaze landed on a boot—with a leg attached.

  The skin on Hannah’s face tightened, and her heartbeat galloped like a horse running a race. The boot moved, and Hannah leaped backward, tripping on her skirt. She fell flat on her backside on the hard ground, never taking her eyes off the boot.

  Suddenly, the whole pile of hay moved and a second boot slid out from under the pile. Who was under there—and how could they breathe?

  The mound of hay moved again, and a ghastly moan ascended from it. Hannah forgot her bruised backside. Rolling over onto her hands and knees, she scrambled across the filthy barn floor, her gaze searching for anything she could use as a weapon. She spied an old ax handle leaning against the wall and grabbed it, then used it to help her stand. She spun back around, holding the weapon above one shoulder.

  She struggled to swallow the burning sensation in her throat. The rapid pounding of her heart kept time with her staccato breathing. In the shadows, two black boots now protruded from under the edge of the hay, along with a man’s muddy trousers. That man had been there the whole time she was feeding Honey.

  One of the boots shifted again, and a second moan caused the hairs on the back of her neck to stand up. She glanced at the door, knowing the smart thing would be to run back to the other women, but could she be putting them in danger? Mustering her courage, Hannah crept toward the lumpy pile of hay, keeping the handle ready in case it was needed.

  Oh Lord, please help me. I don’t know if I could whack a living person, even to protect myself.

  Before she lost her nerve, she nudged one of the boots with the toe of her shoe. The stranger rewarded her with another groan and a raspy cough. Hannah took a shuddering breath and backed away. Maybe she should go find Israel.

  But curiosity overpowered her fear. With white-knuckled hands, she clutched the ax handle and used the end to flip hay off the pe
rson. The long, lean form of a dark-haired man appeared.

  She poked him in the shoulder with the handle. “Mister, are you awake?”

  When he didn’t respond, she knelt down to get a closer look. A thick trail of dried blood ran from his nose to his bloodied and bruised lips. Hannah took a deep breath and mentally steadied her trembling hands. She reached forward, lifted a wad of hay off the top half of the stranger’s face, and tossed the debris aside. To her surprise, she discovered a young man who looked to be only slightly older than herself.

  “That’s a nasty gash you’ve got over your eye,” she whispered. “You won’t be seeing out of it until that swelling goes down.” Hannah shook her head. The man needed help, not an inventory of his wounds. She stood and turned her back to the man, lifted her skirt, and quickly untied the double pocket from around her waist. The linen fabric would serve well as a bandage until she could get the stranger to the house.

  “I’m going to wrap your head wound now.” She doubted he could hear her, but maybe the tone of her voice would somehow comfort him. She brushed aside most of his dark brown hair, which was littered with pieces of grass. Then she folded the fabric, placed one pocket over the lump on his forehead, wrapped the tie around his head, and secured it.

  She sat back, ready to go get Chesny, but then decided she’d better check for broken bones before they moved the man. Wasn’t that what her father said to do when Michael had fallen from a tree and injured himself? Thankfully, her brother had only bruises and scrapes. She reached toward the stranger’s leg, pausing in a moment of uncertainty, then gently ran her hands down the length of it, checking for swelling. A breath of relief slipped from her lips at finding none.

  She ran her hand along his firm shoulder then cut a path down his forearm to his wrist. Her hand lingered a moment on his warm, calloused palm. She lifted his arm, turning it over to examine his dirty, scraped knuckles. It was a strong, tanned hand, accustomed to hard work.

  “What in the world happened to you? If you were in a fight, I certainly hope you were on the right side of the law.” She laid his hand down to his side and leaned over the stranger’s chest to check his other arm. As she reached out, he erupted in a coughing spasm and drew up his right leg. Hannah jerked her arm back, but the man’s knee rammed into her shoulder, throwing her off balance. Unable to stop her momentum, the full weight of her body landed hard across his solid chest.