“It is not the shop they are watching, but you. I had hoped they would be dispensed with by the time you returned, but I do believe they are likely the ones who shot Thomas and Branch.”
“It was them. I was following those two dolts as they pursued Thomas. He made it to the river, but they shot him before I could stop them. I brained one of them with a rock and the other with an oar. I don’t think they will be able to identify me, because I had on that insufferable cloak. It was about to roast my noggin, but I’m glad I had it to cover Thomas and bring him back here.”
Branch swayed slightly, and Lucy hurried to retrieve the chair at the table for him to sit in.
“Does Mama know?” Lucy asked, looking to her father again.
“Everything. She’s so proud of you, Luce. You and Theo both, although we would have preferred he not be involved.”
“I don’t involve him intentionally. You know he sneaks up on me and sticks that little freckled nose in all manner of places it doesn’t belong.”
Her father chuckled. “That he does. It’s why we think he would be safer at the farm. At least for now. Your grandparents are agreeable to it, but we will all miss his lively presence.”
“We will, Papa, but Theo loves it at the farm. I don’t think he’ll be suffering at all to go.”
Cleta and Theo came down the stairs. Cleta carried a deep bowl of steaming water, while Theo carried two buckets of water from the well.
“Branch!” Cleta glared at him. “Why didn’t you say you were also wounded?”
“Thomas needs assistance more than I do,” Branch said, smiling at Cleta. “We need to get that message across the river soon. Your husband thinks Lucy is up to the task. I think it’s far too dangerous.”
Cleta set the bowl of water on the table and looked at Lucy. “You decide, Lucy, and we’ll stand beside you no matter your choice.”
Lucy had already decided she would take the message. What good would it do anyone in her pocket? “I’ll go. Just tell me what I need to do, and who I will meet with on the other side.”
Thomas provided the name of the contact on the New Jersey side of the river and where she would locate the man. Branch told her where to find a boat small enough for her to be able to row, and the narrowest point for her to cross.
“I hate this, Lucy. I’m fearful for you.” Branch’s voice sounded weaker as he spoke.
Lucy snatched one of the rags off the table and pressed it against his side. “I’ll be fine. Just don’t bleed to death before I return.”
Branch grinned and looked as though he might kiss her as he lifted a hand toward her waist, then he saw the blood and dropped it back to his lap.
“I’ll go with Lucy,” Theo volunteered.
“No!” every adult in the room said at the same time.
“They’re more likely to leave Lucy be if I’m with her,” Theo wisely observed. “We could say we are going to visit our grandmother, couldn’t we?”
Cleta shook her head, but Ward walked over to Theo and knelt in front of him, placing his hands on his son’s arms. “Theodore, this isn’t a game. It is serious business. You cannottell a living soul about any of this. Is that understood? Not even Miles.”
Theo met his father’s gaze. “I’ve known about Lucy being a spy for weeks, and didn’t say nothing about it.”
“Anything,” Cleta corrected out of habit. “You didn’t say anything, and you are correct. You kept that secret quite well, Son.”
Theo’s chest puffed up with pride. “I can help Lucy, Papa. I promise.”
Ward looked up at Cleta, who threw her hands in the air in a gesture of surrender. “If we never see either of our children again, Ward Carlson, I shall beat you black and blue with my favorite skillet.”
“And I’ll let you, my love,” Ward said, ruffling Theo’s hair as he stood. He kissed Cleta’s cheek, then looked at Lucy.
“Go change into a plain gown, Lucy. While you do that, your mother will fill a basket with whatever will make it look like you are taking food to your poor, sick grandmother in Cooper’s Ferry. Theo, go fetch your water warbler. If anyone happens along and you need help, you blow that whistle as loud as you can. It will bring people running. Understood?”
“Yes, sir!” Theo took off up the steps with such haste, he tripped and would have fallen if Lucy hadn’t been right behind him to catch him. She righted her brother, and they didn’t stop until they reached their rooms on the third floor.
Lucy was unfastening the pins and ties on her gown when she realized no one was keeping watch in the shop.
“Theo! Lock the shop door when you go back downstairs, and set the sign in the window that Papa puts out when we’re eating dinner,” she hollered as she yanked at a tie that felt like it was gnarled in a knot.
