Bid For Freedom

Chapter 15

"You shouldn't have brought her down here."

Caleb nodded. "I know. I guess she overheard me talking to that man on the docks. She was convinced I'd sold Sam."

"Would you?"

Caleb shook his head. "I don't think so. Sam is more like a child than a man. I have a feeling that they only want him for their fight rings. Men don't last long there. How long would a child last?"

Caleb glanced over at Sam as he cradled Dani in his arms. The big man rocked back and forth, humming. His deep voice rumbled, almost growled as he comforted the woman.

"It'd be a quick buck."

"No. I won't sell him for that." He chuckled. "Can you imagine him wrestling cattle?"

Jeremy laughed. "He wouldn't even need a rope."

"So why are you down here? Not enough feminine attention up on deck?"

"Nah. Protecting our investment."

Caleb's eyes narrowed. "Trouble already?"

Jeremy nodded. "Yeah. I came down early this morning and a couple of the crew were trying to get him to react."

Caleb sighed. "I guess we take turns then. I could have words with the captain."

"Let's try shifts first. Then we'll 'discuss' things."

Caleb pushed away from the wall. "Dani, are you ready? You need to be in bed."

Sam clutched Dani tighter. "No hurt Missy Dani."

Caleb cocked his head to the side. "I didn't hurt her. I wouldn't hurt her."

Sam shifted so he faced the corner.

Jeremy chuckled. "Good luck getting her back."

Caleb threw his hands up in exasperation. "She needs to be in bed. She needs broth and medicine."

Jeremy leisurely climbed off his perch and stretched, much like a cat would. "Might as well get comfortable. Last time, I had to bribe him with sweets. I'm assuming you don't have any."

Caleb shook his head.

"Have a seat. I'm gonna get something to eat. Guess it's your shift now."

Caleb watched his friend saunter away. He shook his head and knelt by the slave. He placed one hand on the giant's shoulder and the other on Dani's head. It was warm but not overly so.

"She can stay for a bit but I really think she'd be better off in a bed."

"Missy Dani hurt."

"Yeah. She fell off the dock into the water. A gator grabbed her."

The big man bristled.

"I jumped in after her and finally got her loose. She cracked her head on something. That's why she's hurt."

Sam watched Caleb with guarded eyes.

"I know you don't trust me. But I won't hurt her."

He turned and took Jeremy's place on the wall. Watching the goings on below deck. The crew busily moved boxes, adjusting the load. They goaded slaves at every opportunity.

So it's not just mine.

Caleb drew his hat low on his brow and crossed his arms, seeming to be asleep. Sailors passed, several nudging another and pointing at his men.

"That's the one."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. That's the one he wants. Lookee there. He's holding a woman."

An evil grin passed over the man's craggy face. "Me thinks he'll pay for the one and we'll take the other."

Caleb shifted slightly.

"All's we gotta do is get rid of the one man. He's been here all morning."

Caleb moved his hand slightly, making sure his pistol was still in its holster. Footsteps sounded on the stairs. The men looked around then moved away.

Jeremy appeared and swung the gate open. "You're asleep already."

"You only think so. We gotta watch ourselves. A couple of sailors came by, discussing a certain slave a man wants. Said they hafta get rid of one of us."

Jeremy nodded. "One day down. Seven more to go. Stay armed." He held out a peppermint stick. "I brought you a bribing tool."

Caleb grinned. "Thanks." He slid to his feet and approached Sam. "Hey, big guy. Will you hold this peppermint stick while I take Miss Dani back to her bed?"

Sam turned and eyed the candy.

"You can eat it if you want." He held out the candy, hoping the man would take it.

Several emotions crossed Sam's face. Want. Fear. He glanced at Dani and back at the candy then up at Caleb. "Not hurt?"

Caleb nodded. "Not hurt. Never hurt, big guy."

Sam turned to face Caleb. Hope filling his eyes.

Caleb smiled at him. "That's it." He reached out a hand to caress Dani's cheek. "Come on, Dani. Wake up. Let's get you to bed."

She moaned and pressed her cheek against Sam's chest. Her eyes fluttered open as she looked at Sam then met his eyes.

"Can you get up? We need to get you back to bed, honey."

She sighed and cupped a palm against Sam's cheek. "Night, Sam."

He grinned. "G'night, Missy Dani."

Caleb steadied her as she rose. He turned to lead her from the stall but felt a tug at his pant leg.

"Massah?"

Caleb turned to look at the nearly prone figure of Sam.

"I hab pepmint?"

Caleb grinned. "Yeah. I forgot." He handed over the candy and watched Sam's face transform in wonder - much like a child at Christmas.

Sam scooted back to his corner and caressed the piece of candy before licking it. Pleasure filled the man's boyish face.

"Thanks, Sam."

"Tankoo Massah," Sam cooed around the mouthful of peppermint.

Caleb chuckled and turned his attention to Dani. He supported her much more on the way back to the cabin than he had when they'd made the short trek earlier in the day. He breathed a sigh of relief when he opened the door to their small cabin.

"Thank you," Dani breathed.

"For what?" Caleb asked.

"Being nice to Sam. For not selling him."

Caleb looked at his boots. "Dani, I don't believe in owning slaves. This whole debacle is just a means to an end."

Concern flashed across her face as she sat on the edge of the bed. "What are you gonna do with us once you reach your end."

Caleb sighed and sank into the chair. "I'm really not sure. I loathe the though of selling. I've toyed with the thought of offering freedom for a job well done." He shook his head. "I really don't know at this point."

Dani sniffed. "Freedom for all of us?"

Caleb's head shot up. His jaw worked for several minutes. "I don't know." Part of him wanted to tell her what he'd done. That he'd had them married by a priest without her knowledge or consent. And part of him wouldn't allow him to form the words. Too many things could go wrong between Texas and Montana.