“Yes, please!” Theo said, finally finding his tongue.
Lucy gave him an indulgent look, and the two of them followed Whitley into a stall halfway down the wide aisle that held a pony. The man picked up Theo and set him on the back of the animal.
“That’s Mildred. She’s more of a pet than anything,” Whitley said, then moved beside Lucy.
She took the toothpick case from her pocket and slid it into his hand.
He quickly shoved it into his pocket, then glanced behind them. The stables remained quiet, but she could sense his unrest.
“We should be going. My grandmother is waiting near the creek for our return.” Lucy glanced at the basket full of food. “Would you care for anything?”
“I certainly would. Thank you.” Whitley carried a stool into the stall for Lucy to sit on while he leaned against the wall and ate the meat, bread, and cheese like he had been starving. He was about to bite into a peach, but Lucy took it from his hand. “They aren’t quite ripe. Leave them on a windowsill for another day or so before you eat them.”
“I’ll do that,” Whitley said, pulling out a molasses cake. He ate it slowly, as though it were a rare treat and wanted to savor every bite. When he finished, he brushed the crumbs from his face and hands with the questionably clean handkerchief, then smiled at Lucy. “That was the best food I’ve had in a while. Thank you.”
Three molasses cakes, four figs, and a summer apple were still in the basket. Lucy took her own handkerchief from her pocket, wrapped the cakes in it, and handed all the food to Whitley. “Be safe,” she whispered, then stood and motioned for Theo to climb off the pony.
“Thank you for letting me sit on your horse,” Theo said, beaming at the man.
“You’re welcome, little shaver.” Whitley stepped out of the stall and into a room full of saddles and bridles. He set the food on a workbench, then rejoined them. “I’ll walk you to the river, but we had best hurry. The ferry should have left a few minutesago. You shouldn’t have any trouble rowing across if you are up for the task.”
“We’ll be fine, sir. There were two lobsters clacking about on the bank when we arrived,” Lucy said in a hushed tone. “It might be best if you stay here.”
“Aye. It would be best not to encounter those two.” Whitley removed his hat and tipped his head to Lucy. “I would proudly serve with you any day, miss. You and the young lad are braver than you know.” He pointed to a path through the trees. “If you follow that, you’ll come out right on the bank and can avoid the road to the ferry.”
“Thank you, sir. Take care.” Lucy grabbed Theo’s hand, and they rushed along the path into the trees. The sun dipped closer and closer to the horizon, and the evening shadows were beginning to lengthen. Anxious to be home for a variety of reasons, Lucy hastened her step, and Theo was nearly running to keep up with her.
They remained quiet until they were in the boat and headed back toward the Pennsylvania side of the river.
“Lucy?” Theo asked, breaking the silence.
“Yes,” she wheezed as she rowed, feeling like each movement might rip her arms right out of their sockets.
“Weren’t you scared, especially when the Redcoats stopped us?”
“Terrified, Theo. I was terrified,” Lucy admitted, unwilling to tell Theo anything but the truth.
“But you didn’t act like it.”
She glanced over her shoulder at him. “I think Papa would say that’s being brave. It’s not about being unafraid. It’s doing what you must even when you are. You are incredibly brave, Theo, and I’m so proud of you.”
His face radiated joy. “I’m proud of you, Luce.”
Theo, wise child that he was, waited until they had reached the bank beneath the rickety wharf to throw his arms around her neck and hug her tightly from behind.
She would have tickled him or picked him up for a proper hug if she thought her arms would have functioned. They had gone numb, which was better than the splintering pain she had felt most of the way across the river.
After shaking her arms until the pain returned, she removed her shoes. The thought of carrying them in the basket where they packed food seemed repulsive, so she tossed them up the bank, then threw the basket with their waterskin to join them. Theo climbed onto her back, and she waded through the mud.
Lucy set Theo where the ground was dry before she secured the boat to a half-rotten post with the rope her brother had kept tightly held in his hand. Her stockings were hopelessly ruined, so she merely gathered her shoes while Theo lifted the basket with the waterskin, and they hurried home.
Because she feared who might be watching, she and Theo returned to the end of High Street. Street lamps had already been lit, illuminating the gathering darkness as they made their way past the market stalls, which were now all closed for the evening. Theo took off at a run when they reached their group of buildings and hastened around to the back door. Lucy stepped into the garden, hearing Theo call for their mother when he raced inside the kitchen.
Lucy could hear a smacking noise, envisioning her mother raining kisses on Theo’s cheeks, as she peeled off her ruined stockings by the well, no longer caring if anyone saw her. She washed the mud from her petticoats and feet before she squeezed as much water from the cloth as she could. Already a mess, she splashed water on her neck and face, and filled a pail to take inside the house with her.
Heedless to her muddy, messy state, Cleta set Theo down and hugged Lucy so tightly, she nearly cut off her ability to breathe. “Thank goodness you two made it back. Are you hungry?” the woman asked, appearing relieved to see them both unharmed.
“Famished, Mama,” Lucy said, kissing her cheek. “I am filthy. I’ll clean up first. May I check on our friends after I do?
