Bitter Honey by Caryl McAdoo

Author:Caryl McAdoo [McAdoo, Caryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798617403239
Published: 2020-03-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Claude stood, wiped his hands, and extended one toward her. “How’d you know?”

“I saw him! Out the kitchen window!”

“So you haven’t talked to him?” Instead of grabbing hold, his words literally pushed her back. Her eyes widened, full of fear.

That cute little snarl he so loved showed up. “No, I didn’t talk to him, or ask him in for tea! What are we going to do?”

“Find out what he wants I suppose.”

“More than likely, he’s here hunting runaways! Oh, Claude. What should I do? Should I hide?”

“Heavens no, woman. Now stop borrowing trouble.” He took her hand. “Come on. Let’s go see what he’s got on his mind.”

“Not me!” She jerked her hand out of his. “That’s just asking for trouble! I’m hightailing it to the woods. You whistle when the coast is clear.”

Such a worrier, but then she hadn’t known the Lord as long as he had. “Whatever, my love.”

Thirty strides in, it surprised him that Enrique Couture came himself. When he got within hailing distance, Claude waved.

“Hey, man! How’s the law treating you? What are you doing way out here?”

“I’m good. Trudy told me at church Sunday about you and Odette getting hitched today. The mis’ess couldn’t make it, but it never hurts to slap a few backs and eat some free food. I’m standing again for re-election this year, you know.”

Claude neared then extended his hand. “I heard that! Thanks for coming. You’re a bit early, but my sweetheart probably has some water on for coffee.”

“Sounds good, but I don’t mean to stay.” The man nodded. “Wanted to let you know the judge set the trial for Monday the tenth of January. Figured this was as good a time as any to make sure you’re there bright and early.”

“With bells on.”

Enrique dismounted and stepped closer. “You know a Marius Padgett?”

“Never met the man.”

“Bellows claims he works for him. Says he and Lester were hunting one of his runaway slaves name of Ginger. They’d heard you were harboring her.”

“No one here but me and Odette.”

“What about Silas?”

“He’s in California. Out there all that way hunting what the Lord dropped right in my lap. God sure is good.”

“Well, here’s the strangest part. Bellows claims that you turned Lester against him. Said you enticed Lester to hinder his lawful pursuit of a runaway slave. Says Padgett will hire him a lawyer, and he’ll be a free man in no time.”

The guard hairs on Claude’s neck rose, then a warmth engulfed him. “You tell Bellows he needs to repent and seek the Lord’s forgiveness; he’ll swing on the seventeenth.”

“Hope you’re right, but with juries these days, you can’t never tell.” The man extended his hand. “Well, I best get going. Figure I can visit half a dozen places before you put that ball-and-chain around your neck.”

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