Liberty House Page 9

  Tommy held her hand. "You’ll find out what it is, you always did with us. If there’s anything I can do, please tell me. You know I will always be willin’ to help."

  Ellen squeezed her hand. "Will do. I pray it’s just a feeling that goes away."

  Chapter Nine

  "So, what is this meeting called for?" Owen asked. It was a Sunday afternoon, and they were all gathered at Tommy's cabin and sitting on the large front porch. The older boys were sitting with them while the girls and the little boys played in the yard on the rare sunny day. Andrew was at the sheriff's office.

  Tommy looked at Cole, and when he nodded, she spoke, her voice a whisper from screaming again like she did the night before. "Well, Cole thinks I can make more money off my paintings, maybe even find an art instructor. He thinks I should set them up in a gallery in the city."

  They all stared at her in shock, but Ellen smiled and lifted her eyebrows at Cole. "You think her art could take off?"

  Cole nodded. "I do. She’s good, but y'all know that. I think she can sell her art for so much more money and more often than she does. I know y'all don't hurt for money, but income from her paintings could really help. I’ve talked to her a little about it, but I have contacts. I could telegram them and in a couple of weeks, I could have wealthy people interested enough to come. Maybe even some newspapers too. I thought about selling the paintings in a store in Montgomery or a bigger city where that kind of thing is sold."

  Again, they all stared.

  "You know what you're doing?" Jesse smiled at how fast Cole had spoken.

  Cole nodded, "I ain’t never organized a gallery but I do know enough." He grinned, "Ownin’ a train and travelin’ helps to know the right kind of people.

  "I think it's a good idea," Maverick said. "As long as we can keep her safe."

  "I've been workin’ on that too," Cole told him.

  Owen spoke up. "I don't like it. I think it's too dangerous. What if the men try to strike you there?"

  Frank nodded. "I agree. There is too much risk, too much danger."

  Owen asked, "Why don't you just keep sellin’ them without a gallery?"

  Cole shook his head. "We could do that, but to get her name out there and to get them to sell, we need to have a gallery. If I build up security, I’m sure she’ll be safe."

  Owen shook his head, "I don't like it."

  Tommy finally spoke, "If we do it safe enough and not all the family comes for safety reasons, I want to do it." She looked at each of them and then added, "I’m done livin’ in fear. This would be the first time in years I’ve done something on my own. Please, Owen, will you help me?"

  Owen looked at her and still shook his head, "I don't think it's safe."

  Tommy frowned. "I wanna do this, and I trust Cole and Maverick to protect me, to protect us."

  "You should let her do it. It would be a great experience for her. This gallery could be a new beginning," Sawyer told him.

  Tommy glanced at Ellen and then back to Owen as he asked, "You really want this, honey?"

  "I do, more than I ever wanted anything," Tommy begged him with her eyes, her hands in tight fists.

  "Okay, I’ll help you, but we have to keep it safe and do everything by the rules," Owen told them.

  Tommy nodded and laughed. "I’m so excited. When can we go, Cole?"

  Cole smiled at her. "Well, I can contact my people, then have Izzy send me some contacts and help us secure a place. Then you paint, draw, and paint again."

  "Well, I can get the paintings done." Tommy grinned. It seemed like her dreams were coming true-if this dream could only last.

  Tommy watched Cole ride up to the ranch. She had been doing a painting of him, which showed the deep tan he was now getting. It was getting warmer for February, though they still had some cold days. She now thought more highly of him since he had helped her out so much. He was strong in his faith, which surprisingly made him more appealing. He was tough, yet kind, and there was something more about him. Something she couldn't quite place. Like she remembered him from somewhere, but she couldn't let herself into her memories.

  Cole was gentle with her and a true gentleman. Other than her brothers, Tommy had never known a man who was that nice and wasn't angry. He never raised his voice or acted as he'd hit her. But the biggest one of all was how against slavery he was, even though he'd been raised in the South. Some people from the South wanted to stay a nation but wanted slavery. Some didn't, but how did he figure out believing that way, especially being wealthy?

  Tommy saw in him a man who knew poverty. Which was beyond her. In most ways, she still expected him to be a normal Southern man. She knew that line of thought was wrong, but as some people say, "Once an abused orphan, always an abused orphan,” and no matter how close you get to someone, you don't trust them.

  Cole walked up on the porch and sat on the railing. "Hard at work, I see."

  She nodded and changed the canvas, making sure he didn't see the painting. "I sure am."

  "Good, we have three places that could work."

  Tommy nodded and realized she needed more colors for her next one. "Great, you want some lunch? And we can talk."

  "How can I resist food?" He smiled, opening the door for her. He got a whiff of cinnamon and spice. She had been cooking lately with so much spice. He didn’t have the heart to tell her she needed to tone it down on the spice. But he was learning to enjoy it.

  "I thought Mobile would work?" she said and started peeling oranges and got out a pineapple.

  Cole shook his head. "No, Mobile ain’t big or rich enough for what we want. Mobile’s too far for the wealthy to travel anyway."

  "You think Monroe?"

  Cole thought about it for a moment. "No, too far away.” He paused and took a couple of pecans in the bowl. "I think Washington’ll work. It's big enough.”

  Tommy went stiff and stilled her hands. Washington was where the orphanage was. "The brothers agreed to this?" She kept her voice even.

  He nodded. "They said it would be fine. It ain't that big but big enough to sell some fine artwork."

  She hadn't been to the town since she had come to live with the Starrys. She felt her throat tighten. That was where the men had shot for the first time. She was on a trip with Ellen, her sisters, and Charity when the first shooting happened. She felt the cold seeping into her bones. She had put the women in her life in danger. Though that was five years ago, it felt like yesterday. "I don't think that town will work," she stammered and rinsed her hands.

  "Why? The boys thought it would all work out." He looked confused.

  "It just won't." She turned and leaned against the counter. "Why don't we decide on another town?"

  He looked at her in confusion. "Why? This doesn't make any sense. Have you ever been to Washington?"

  She nodded, keeping her feelings hidden well, but ready to panic and run out. She felt the walls closing in.

  "Well, if you've been there, then you should have a feel for the city, and it'll all work out."

  She shook her head, "I think we should just pick another one."

  Cole stood up and walked closer to her, his arms across his chest. "Give me one good reason why."

  Tommy's face heated. "I think we just should. Or just cancel the whole deal."

  Cole's eyes widened. "What? I don't get you. This makes no sense, Tommy." He dropped his arms. "You can't give up on your dream. Why won’t you go with me on this." He told her like it didn't matter what she said. His eyes watching her every move. Watching for something deeper.

  Tommy frowned and shook her head. "I won't do it."

  Cole then turned back around and ran a hand through his hair. He said louder, "I don't understand you. You could make a man go crazy."

  Tommy flinched and shielded herself for a blow, realizing what she'd done the same instant Cole did. Their eyes met, and Tommy looked away, trying to act like she hadn't just done that. It was just a relapse or reflex.

  Cole put his arm d
own slowly, his eyes wide with pain and shock. He stammered, "You thought…you thought...I would…" he stopped and just stared at her.

  Tommy shook her head; she wouldn’t meet his eyes. “No.” She said with no confidence.

  She doubted him. She had feared him. He was a monster like his pa. He began to back away from Tommy. Shaking his head, he walked outside. The feeling of seeing her react to him like that was overwhelming. How could she think he would? Him. He needed to move. He needed to get away. His feet started, and in a daze of thoughts, fearful that he’d done something to worsen her trauma, he just couldn’t stop.

  Tommy walked to the door looking to the woods. She should have been honest with him and just told her reasons, which didn't make much sense even to her. She hoped he would be okay but thought it would be a good idea to call Maverick just in case.

  After two hours of Cole missing, Maverick and Andrew went looking for him. Maverick didn't like how this situation sounded for anyone. He just had a feeling that he'd better find Cole soon. He looked in the woods. He was looking on the south side and Andrew on the north. He had his working horse, the stallion, that could do almost anything. He was a true mountain horse--not that they had any mountains or even hills in this part of Alabama, but the horse could do it.

  He went down the steep hill they slid down in the water fights, taking it slow and steady. At the bottom, he rode along the river, passing the pond and trying to move moss out of his way. Suddenly, he heard a whimper then someone yell. It wasn't Andrew. He went toward the noise.

  Maverick then spotted Cole, muddy from head to his boots. He had his head in his hands as if his head hurt. Maverick knew it wasn't his head that hurt. He got down, let the reins fall, knowing his horse would stay, and stepped over to him. He laid a hand on Cole's shoulder and spoke softly, "Hey, Cole." Without any warning, Cole's fist met Maverick’s chin, sending pain jolting through him. He fell back on the ground. Cole got up and glared at him as he stood over Maverick. "You will never hurt her again or me. Never ever beat Izzy again, or I'll kill you. I mean it this time!" He yelled.

  Maverick knew Cole wasn't yelling at him, but who? He took a deep breath and stayed where he was. "Cole, I won't hurt you. Promise." He spoke gently but loudly.

  "You always lied, always. I hate you. I’ll never be like you, and now a friend thinks I could be like you. I never will-ever. She thinks I'm a monster like you. No, never!" Tears ran down his face as he yelled.

  Maverick realized he meant Tommy. He had to get Cole to calm down, or something bad would happen. Maverick dealt with a young man like this way too often in the past, though that young man had been much smaller than Cole. "Your friend never would think that."

  "Stop it. Just stop talkin’. Your daughter deserved better. You hear me? Better-no, she deserved the best. I love her more than you ever did. She was my baby, not yours. I loved her better. More. She's my baby." He looked away.

  Maverick tried to get up when Cole looked away, and he had almost made it to his feet when Cole jumped on him. They tumbled down the hill, and Maverick felt another blow, this time to his arm. Cole cried," Never again! I hate you, Pa. I hate you!"

  Another punch came at Maverick before he could block it.

  Maverick was used to being able to beat people in a fight, but he knew if Cole really thought he was defending his sister, he would fight to the death. So, Maverick would have to get rougher. He gathered his strength and managed to get on top of Cole, and after a struggle, finally got his hands down. He needed his rope or some help from Andrew. He whistled, hoping Andrew heard him.

  Cole's eyes flashed with anger and pain so deep it hit Maverick's own heart. He heard horses’ hooves ride up as Cole wrenched out of his hold and wound up to punch Maverick again. Maverick fought back with all his might, and they tumbled and rolled on the muddy ground, Maverick’s teeth-gritting with dirt. "Cole! Cole! Snap out of it. Your pa's dead. Dead! Izzy's safe. Your baby's safe. I promise. She's safe. Now, stop it!" Maverick told him firmly.

  Andrew rode up and dismounted. He got Cole's arms.

  Cole fought him too but couldn't get away. Not many men could get out of Andrew's hands. "Don't do this again. I hate you, Pa. You won't hit me or her again. My baby. I loved her more, my baby," he cried. The cry seemed more like a defeated cry. Hopeless. Maverick knew that cry. It never ended, never went away.

  "Maverick, what's wrong with him? He got a babe?" Andrew asked.

  "His sister. I reckon Izzy." He sat up and touched his lip where he was bleeding. "Let's take him to the office when he cools down. Don't tell anyone about this for now."

  "Why couldn't you beat him? It should have been easy enough."

  "Yeah, well. He wasn't thinkin’. He was just reactin’ to a nightmare." He sighed and looked at Andrew knowing they both knew the reason. "Jesse."

  Andrew nodded, understanding the pain of seeing a sibling being hurt and not being big enough to stop it. He had enough of his own nightmares to last a lifetime.

  Just then, Cole stopped fighting and passed out. "Well, he's out. What should we do now?"

  "I'll get the rope, and we can tie him up. I don't want him hurting himself again. Or me, for that matter." Maverick got up slowly. He was in a lot of pain. Well, it wasn't his first time. He got the rope and carefully tied up Cole and then tied him to Andrew‘s horse. "Go tell Tommy Cole is goin’ to the office for a couple of days then come when Matt or Jerry get there. I don't want them to know yet."

  "Got it."

  "Hey, Andrew, bring the wife," Maverick grinned at his brother.

  Andrew nodded and grinned too. Maverick liked to call Katrina that.

  Maverick rode towards town. He would have to go a long way in order to not be seen, but he didn't want questions from townspeople who didn't like him anyhow; the feeling was mutual.

  At the office, he laid Cole on the bed in the guest room and then went back into the kitchen to see Katrina and Andrew walk in. He knew his sheriff's office was larger than most because he and his brothers lived there most of the time. They didn't want to own a house in town.

  "Maverick, look at you. " Katrina said, "You need to get cleaned up. Sit in that chair. After I'm done, you won't even know what happened."

  "I'm afraid my bruises will tell on me again," he told her dryly.

  "Oh, ‘tis too bad. Andrew, would you set the coffee on?"

  "Sure," he got the coffee started. He also got the medicine bag out and handed it to Katrina. "Kat, this should help."

  "Thanks." She took a rag and rubbed the wound on Maverick’s head. "Sorry, this is going to hurt."

  Maverick flinched a little. "I've had worse. At least it's not a bullet wound."

  "You've got enough bullets in you to last a lifetime." They all chuckled because they knew that wasn't true. Though it could be, "So, what did you tell the brothers?" Katrina asked to take his mind off his pain as she worked.

  "Nothing much. They will find out soon enough. I sent Jerry to find Sawyer. He might know somethin’ to help us out. But above all else, I don't want Tommy knowin'." Maverick said.

  Andrew and Katrina both agreed.

  Andrew touched Katrina's arm for her to read his lips. "What do you have to eat here?"

  "Do you ever get tired of eatin'?" Katrina teased.

  "I reckon not. Most people eat more than you, hon. Hey, I'm big."

  "You just like the taste of food."

  "My mouth is movin,' I need food," Andrew repeated the old joke he and Katrina shared. He asked, "So where is Cole at the moment?"

  "In the bedroom."

  Katrina gasped, her eyebrows rose, "It was that bad?"

  "I'm afraid so."

  "Does he have any bruises or cuts?"

  "Not any really bad. I dealt with the ones that were bad. I bet his knuckles are sore."

  "From using your face as a punchin' bag," Andrew teased.

  "Funny, bro, funny," Maverick told him dryly.

  "Poor man. Have you eaten, Maverick?" Katrin
a asked.

  "Not in a while. Would you mind making soup for Cole? Have Andrew help ya."

  "Sure," Katrina told him.

  "Hey, you make him food, but you tell me I eat too much." Andrew folded his arms, pretending he was offended. "I see, you just don't like me."

  Katrina leaned up and kissed away his pouting. "Fine, believe that if you wish. But you weren't the one getting beat up by an angry cowboy."

  "I wasn't getting beat up," Maverick told her.

  "Right," Katrina told him.

  "I got punched by him too, you know," Andrew pointed to a small nick on his chin.

  "Oh, where?" Her eyes widened and then turned compassionate. "You poor blacksmith; how will you ever live?" she asked sarcastically.

  Andrew burst out laughing. "Why do you call everyone poor?"

  "What can I say? Y'all poor in money," she smiled. "But rich in spirit."

  Andrew winked at her. "And love."

  "Don't you forget it," Katrina told him firmly.

  Andrew kissed her, "Never could."

  "Okay, I'm going to see Cole before you two kids drive me crazy," Maverick got up.

  "Do that. It's safer than here," Andrew said.

  "Hey, how rude. I'm sure he was talking about you.” She eyed him, “Not me right, Maverick?"

  "I plead the fifth."

  Andrew laughed as he hugged Katrina and watched Maverick walk toward the guest bedroom.

  Chapter Ten

  Cole felt like a boulder had hit him. He put a hand on his head; it was throbbing. He opened his eyes to find he was in a room. But why? Who did this? What happened? Where was he? A familiar place... Ah, Maverick’s guest bedroom. He sat up a little.

  Just then, Maverick walked in, bruises darkening his face. He sat in the chair. "How do you feel, man?"