Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
PROVERBS 31:23
July 4, 1782
Bryan’s Station, Kentucky
Jacob gritted his teeth as he did his best not to limp, but pain shot through his ankle and radiated up through his leg with every step. Dawn needed him to be strong, though, and he could not allow the first impression he made at the station to be that of a weak, incapable man. As they neared the structure, a shout could be heard from above. Then the tall wooden station gate swung just wide enough for them to enter.
As soon as they were through, a man shut the gate and pulled the bar down. What was called a station by name was actually a fort with palisades and turrets at each corner. The structure was incredibly long, with what appeared to be around twenty houses built along the length of the two longer sides.
Several men approached. The hair on the back of Jacob’s neck stood up, and he gripped Dawn’s hand tighter. He managed to pull himself taller despite the pressure it placed on his ankle. He could endure the discomfort if only he focused on the problem at hand.
The first man to reach them held a rifle and wore a black hat and waistcoat. His eyes were almost as dark as the garments, and his jaw remained set until he opened his mouth to speak. “Welcome. Did you encounter any trouble?”
“No. We traveled from Richmond, and despite word of attacks, we encountered no threats along the way.”
“Good.” The man’s gaze slipped to the gate, up to the lookouts, and then back to Jacob. “What brings you to our station during this time of unrest?”
Jacob nodded toward Mary. “This child here. She had received word that this was where her uncle was stationed. Both her parents have passed, and”—he glanced at Dawn—“while my wife and I would be more than glad to continue as her guardians, we felt it best to return her to family, if possible.”
Dawn squeezed his hand.
The man gave a curt nod, then looked at Mary. He squinted as he assessed her, likely to try to determine if she bore a resemblance to anyone he knew. “What is her uncle’s name?”
“Edmund. Edmund Fairfax.”
“Oh. I did not realize he had any family. I will take you to him, though.” He led them to a cabin near the front of the fort and knocked on the doorframe of the open door. “Edmund, it is Morgan.”
A moment later, a man wearing a Continental Army uniform appeared in the doorway. He stood a few inches taller than Jacob, and his blond brows pulled together as he surveyed his guests.
Their guide provided explanation. “Edmund, these newcomers say you are this girl’s uncle.”
“Her father was Ethan.” Out of the corner of his eye, Jacob caught the movement as Dawn rubbed her hand across the top of Mary’s back, between her little shoulder blades.
“Ethan’s girl?” Edmund’s eyes widened as he turned to take in Mary. “Come. Come in.” He stood to the side and held out an arm to invite them into his home.
“Here, I will tie your horse,” the first man offered.
They followed Edmund into one of the single-room matching homes that lined the two longer sides of the fort. He motioned them to a small square table with two chairs. Dawn gathered Mary into her lap as she sat. Jacob hesitated, not wanting to leave the host standing, but Edmund pulled a chair over from the corner of the room. Jacob settled in across from Dawn as Edmund set his chair at the side of the table.
“So…my brother…I thought that not hearing from him through the years simply meant he had been unable to get word to me here in the wilderness.”
“I am so sorry, sir. She passed away two years ago.” Dawn’s soft, gentle voice was the best one to break such news.
Edmund nodded, but he blinked, his face reddening even in the dimness of the cabin. “And this is…”
“Mary. His daughter. She is four now.”
Mary peeked up from where she had her face buried in Dawn’s chest.
The man sucked in a breath. “She looks so much like her father.”
“We received the last letter you sent saying you were here. We prayed you would still be here when we arrived, for you are all the family she has left.” Dawn’s voice caught.
“And you have been caring for her?”
“Yes. I am her stepsister. And this is my husband.” Her gaze connected with his over the table. Jacob gave her a gentle smile.
