The Color of Freedom by Isenhoff Michelle

Author:Isenhoff, Michelle [Isenhoff, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 2011-02-17T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Meadow waited impatiently, hidden in a box pew at the front of the church. Her feet tapped the floorboards, her fingers drummed her knees and her heart hammered out its anticipation. She had waited long years to see her father only to have her whole body rebel at waiting one hour more.

At last, a loud voice filled the church. "What are you doing here, Revere? And what's this all about? We received an urgent message to come immediately. I say, are the British already concocting some additional devilry?"

Meadow allowed only silence to meet the unfamiliar voice.

It spoke again. "There's no one here, McKenzie. It must have been a prank. Confounded kids."

Meadow's heart leaped at the mention of her father's name. She gathered her courage and made her voice sound as deep as possible. "I seek only Amos McKenzie." The words wavered in the vast room despite her brave attempt.

"I'm here. Show yourself," Amos demanded in his beloved, musical brogue.

With trembling knees, Meadow raised herself above the half-wall. Two men were silhouetted in the doorway, but Meadow had eyes only for one.

Amos stared hard at her, frowning across the room. "Do I know you?"

She laughed. "I think you do."

His eyes grew round, and the color drained from beneath his bushy, red beard.

"What's going on?" the booming voice demanded.

Meadow's eyes shifted to the tall, dark-haired man, as craggy as the New England coast. She stepped forward boldly. If anything, her journey had taught her the art of dramatics. "Wynn McKenzie, sir, and pleased to meet you. Pardon my father," she said, pulling off a cocky smirk, "I was unexpected, and he's a bit overcome."

The man exploded in a gusty belly laugh. "He's a stout one, Amos. A fine strapping lad! Would that America had ten thousand more like him.

"I'm Jonathan Woods," he said, gripping Meadow's hand. "But I see this summons had little to do with me. I'll leave you two alone to catch up. Bring the boy round for a hearty meal when you're through, Amos."

With a stomp of huge shoes, the man left the church.

Meadow pulled off her hat, twirling it anxiously in her hands. "Da?"

"Meadow!" he breathed. "How can this be?"

Instead of answering, she rushed to bury her face in his chest, engulfed in his massive arms.

"Meadow, my lass, what happened? Why are you here?" The questions rolled off Amos' tongue in a soft lilt, but Meadow could only cling to him and cry out the misery of their years apart.

"There, there, Chickadee," he crooned, stroking her hair and rocking her as if she were a small child.

Meadow breathed in the smell of him, squeezing him tightly, afraid she might wake up and find him gone.

Gradually, her sobs gave way to broken hiccups, and she smeared away the last clinging tears. "Oh, Da, I've missed you. So much has happened."

She pulled away and soaked in his beloved face. He looked old. Lines creased his ruddy skin, and he bore several scars that had not been there when they parted.

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