Redfield Farm: A Novel of the Underground Railroad by Judith Redline Coopey Read Free Book Online

he doesn’t get well soon, it’ll be too late to send him on. Then what’ll we do?”
    “Whatever we have to do. First, get him well. Then we’ll worry about what’s next.”
    Jesse rallied slowly, staying abed for more than two weeks. One morning, I heard a horse ride up and looked out the window to see Elias Finley dismount. I hurried to the dooryard to head him off.
    “Morning, Elias.”
    “Morning, Ann. Where’s Jesse? Haven’t seen much of him lately.”
    “Stay back, Elias. Jesse’s sick with a fever. I don’t want you to catch it.”
    “Sounds serious.”
    “It is. Cough, chills, aches. Very sick. We missed First Day Meeting the last two weeks, and we’ll miss this week, too, I’m guessing. We don’t want to pass it around.”
    Elias frowned. “No. Guess not.” Then he smiled at me. “Looks like you’ve got your hands full.”
    I returned his smile. “Yes. We sent Betsy out as soon as Jesse fell ill, so I’m the only one to do it all.”
    “You look tired.”
    “I am.”
    “Well, I just came to tell you and Jesse that I’m going to Chambersburg to stay with a friend of my Uncle James for a while. He has a fine horse farm where I can learn something about breeding. Maybe go on a few buying trips with him. Ben and I need some brood mares.”
    “Oh, Elias, that sounds fine! How long will you be?”
    “A couple of months, maybe. I’ll write to you. I should be back before Christmas.” He smiled. “I’ll miss you, Ann.”
    “Me, too. It’s a long time to be away.”
    “I know, but if I get what I hope to, it’ll be worth it.”
    His smile contained a promise—or it was just that I wanted it to? “You take care, Elias. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers.”
    “Yes, and you in mine.” He stood there, hat in hand, maybe twenty feet away, looking uncomfortable, as though there was something else he wanted to say. “I’d best be going, then.”
    “Yes. Good-bye, Elias. Godspeed. Don’t forget me.” It was a hollow plea, considering how I felt. Empty at the prospect of long days without him.
    He turned, his left foot poised in the stirrup. “I could never forget you, Ann.”
    The words sent a thrill through me. I loved Elias Finley. I always had. He was slow in his ways, but I knew deep inside that he was the man for me. Time was fleeting, but ahead lay the promise of a shared life, a home, babies, maybe even a measure of wealth. I watched him mount his horse, turn and ride out of the dooryard, his shoulders square against the sky. A trickle of joy began in my feet and spread to my face. I felt warm all over..
    Back in the house, I worked in the kitchen, giving myself leave to think about Elias. Sad that he’d be gone so long, but hopeful that his return would bring what I most longed for. I felt like a schoolgirl, all silly and breathless. It was childish, but my dreams overwhelmed me sometimes.
    “Ann!” It was Jesse.
    “Coming!” Lifting my skirts, I climbed the steep, narrow stairs.
    “What is it?”
    “He’s awake. He’s asking for water.”
    I quickly filled a glass from the pitcher and bent down to crawl into the hiding place. The black man stared as though he’d never seen me before.
    “Who you?” he asked.
    “Ann Redfield,” I replied. “Who are you?”
    “Josiah.”
    “Well, Josiah, you’ve been mighty sick. It’s good to hear you speak. Where did you come from?”
    “Virginny. Culpeper County.” He pulled himself up on one elbow and drank the glass dry. “More, please.”
    I struggled out on my knees to refill the glass.
    “Where we at?” Josiah asked, peering around under the eaves.
    “Bedford County, Pennsylvania.” He seemed relieved at that. “That far from Canada?”
    “Yes. Pretty far. But you’re out of slave territory at least.”
    “What day this be?”
    “Friday, September 29, 1854.”
    “September? I disremember September.”
    “You’ve been sick most of the month. When did you leave Culpeper County?”
    “Late July.