Bid For Freedom

Chapter 56

Dani paced back and forth between the house and the barn. She had been packed for weeks, waiting for the Pinkerton's reply. She ran to the door as a horse approached the house. Rasmus held out a yellow piece of paper. She took and read the short message.

FOUND HUSBAND ANDERSONVILLE STOP WONT TRADE STOP BRIBERY NECESSARY STOP

She breathed a sigh of relief. He was alive. She hastily scribbled a reply and handed it to Rasmus. "Rosa, can you get Charlotte ready for travel please? Rasmus, ride back to town, send this to the Pinkertons and purchase train tickets for me on the first one headed east."

"Yes'm."

She rushed from the house to the barn and threw a saddle on her mare. George stepped up, holding her bag. "Can I hep, Missy Dani?"

She nodded. "Yes. I've buried a coffee can with the money from the last drive under the big apple tree."

He nodded. "I knows dah place, Missy Dani."

"Good. Go dig it up. I'll need every dime I can find to buy Caleb's freedom."

"Yes'm."

He rushed off as she led the horse to the front of the house. She stepped inside to collect her daughter. "Are ya sure you don't wanna leave her here?" Rosa asked.

She shook her head. "No. If things at that place are as bad as they say, he might only get a glimpse of his daughter. I'd like him to know her, if only briefly."

Rosa fumbled in her apron, withdrawing a small wad of bills. "You might need these."

Dani shook her head. "I can't take your money."

"If it means his freedom, please use it. If you don't need it, bring it back."

Dani nodded and accepted the money.

Rosa held out a travel dress. "I've stitched pockets into the hem of the pettycoat. That way you can hid the money better. A woman traveling alone isn't a good idea."

Dani nodded. "I'll be fine."

"She ain't goin' alone. I'm goin' too," David said from the doorway.

Dani started to shake her head.

"You can't make me stay, Miss Dani. I'll run. I'll find ya. He's my pa too. Just like you're my ma. I need to see him. I ain't seen him in almost three years."

Dani closed her eyes and nodded. "Hurry and pack."

Dani disappeared into her room and changed. She met George in the parlor where she tucked the money into the ingenious pouches Rosa had sewed into the petticoat.

David stood by the fireplace, his young face stoic. "Did they say anything about Jeremy?"

Dani shook her head. "Nothin'. I'm sure they'll meet us when we get there.

George held out another wad of money for her. "Dis is from Rasmus, Luke and me."

Dani bit back a sob. "You sure?"

"Yes'm. He done the same for us."

Dani added it to her skirts. "I think I'm ready." She held out her arms for the baby and grasped David's hand.

"Be safe," Rosa sobbed as she gathered the family into her arms.

Dani smiled. "There's a chance we'll meet up with Heber."

They called their goodbyes as they rode out of the yard. Dani's heart beat in her chest, matching the stacatto rhythm of the horses' hooves.

Rasmus greeted them as they rode into town. "Missy Dani. You leave in an hour."

"Thank you, Rasmus." She slid off the horse and turned to hug him. "George gave me your money. I hope it's fine with you."

"Yes'm." He held out another yellow slip. "Dis comed for ya."

She read the words she assumed were from Heber.

TRIED EVERYTHING STOP JEREMY DECEASED STOP CALEB ILL STOP

Dani shook her head, hoping the train would be on time.

"Rasmus, take the horses back to the ranch. We'll be fine."

"Yes'm. Once y'all's on dah train."

She smiled at him.

The train car creaked and rattled as it rolled closer and closer to Caleb. She feared she wouldn't make it in time. The endless stops. The bribes to cross from the North to the South. The whistle sounded once again and she groaned.

"You okay, Miss Dani?"

She pasted on a smile. "Yes, David. I'm fine."

Charlotte slept in her lap, soothed to sleep by the endless rocking.

Steam whooshed loudly as the train pulled to a stop. What now?

The conductor approached. "Ma'am. This is your stop. Your ride awaits. That wretched prison is just over the hill."

She looked up in shock before swallowing hard and rising. David was already on his feet, gathering their baggage. "Thank you, sir."

"Best of luck to you, ma'am. Hope you find your husband."

She smiled as both hope and dread filled her.

Heber helped David from the train, throwing the bags into the back of a light carriage.

"Dani," he said.

She nodded. "Heber. How is he?"

He shook his head. "They won't let me in. He was so sick the last time I saw him. I tried to bribe a guard to sneak a package of food in to him. He took the money and proceeded to eat it in front of me."

Dani shook her head. "If he's as bad as you say, the food would have made him more sick."

A man she didn't recognize stepped forward with his hand outstretched. "Ma'am. You must be Danielle Kirkland." At her nod, he continued. "I'm Matthew Pinkerton. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

She took his hand and dropped into a low curtsy. "The pleasure is all mine. What have you found?"

"Your husband is indeed imprisoned here as your father-in-law says. He is in quite a state of starvation. His friend, Jeremy, died a month ago. Since then, Caleb's status has become quite precarious."

"He doesn't have anyone to force him to care."

Matthew nodded. "Yes. Both Heber and I have tried to bribe the guards for his freedom but we have been quite unsuccessful. They won't consider freeing him unless a massive sum is offered."

"How much?"

"Five thousand dollars."

Dani's jaw dropped. "What?"

"He's an officer. The price is higher for them."

She shook her head. "Bring me to the prison."

"Ma'am, I wouldn't suggest bringing the children."

Dani glanced at David and Charlotte before nodding. "Fine. We'll get them settled and request and audience with the prison master."

"We anticipated your arrival yesterday. As such, your meeting is scheduled for this afternoon at one."

A smile split her face. "What kind of man is he?"

Matthew narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"What kind of man is he? Worldly? Old-fashioned? What? I need to know how to dress."

Matthew grinned in understanding. "I believe, you'll want something much more, shall we say, fashionable?"

Dani nodded. "I've brought such a dress." She climbed into the carriage and cuddled Charlotte to her chest.

"Have you brought the funds?"

Dani nodded. "I have. It's not quite five thousand, but I'm hoping the man can be convinced with a sweet potato pie. He is southern, after all."