Bid For Freedom

Chapter 62

Caleb's head knocked against the window as the train car rocked back and forth. David fidgeted beside him. He opened an eye when Charlotte wailed. Dani cuddled her, singing the lilting song of a strange lullaby. Caleb smiled at her.

"Sorry we woke you."

He shook his head. "It's all right. She okay?"

Dani nodded. "Just sick of being cooped up. We'll be to the ranch by tomorrow, I think."

Caleb nodded. He watched the hills roll past.

"Everyone's gonna be real pleased to see ya, Caleb. George and Luke and Rasmus and Rosa and all the hands."

Caleb raised an eyebrow. "And Sam. I'll bet even Derek will be ecstatic to see me." Silence met his comment. He looked at Dani's stricken face. "What'd I say?"

Dani looked down at the baby in her lap. "They're both dead, Caleb."

His jaw dropped open. "What? How? When?"

Dani sighed. "Not long after you left. Derek wanted to make you pay for inheriting the ranch. Sam tried to protect me. It was mostly an accident."

"Mostly?"

"Your father walked in and reacted to what he assumed was happening. Shots were fired and Sam ..." Her voice broke.

"He shot Sam," David finished for her. "He thought Derek was protecting Dani from Sam when it was the other way around."

Caleb blinked rapidly and shook his head. "I don't know what to say."

Dani gave him a half-smile. "You don't need to say anything."

He gazed into Dani's eyes. "Did he hurt you?"

"No. Sam got there just in time."

"Thank God for Sam."

Dani nodded. "Yes."

Caleb looked at his hands for several moments before returning his gaze to the rolling hills. Mountains loomed in the distance. He smiled as the town came into view. The sun was setting before they finally got their baggage loaded onto the wagon.

"Do you want to drive out tonight or in the morning?" Dani asked.

Caleb sighed. "I'd love to go tonight but without a light, I think we'd better stay here."

Dani nodded and shifted the baby on her hip. "I'll go arrange for a room."

She started to walk away when several horsemen appeared carrying torches.

Heber called out, "Caleb. I thought you'd want to sleep in your own bed tonight. We're here to escort you home."

Caleb's breath caught in his throat as his men, the former slaves dismounted and wrapped him in their arms.

"Glad you's home, Massah Caleb."

Caleb shook his head. "You don't need to call me master. You're freemen."

"Yessuh, boss."

Caleb grinned. "I like that."

"Less git ya home."

The men gathered around the wagon, using the torches to light the way. Dani guided the team down the road, careful of the ruts.

"Just drive, Dani. I wanna be home."

"I didn't wanna hurt ya."

Caleb nodded. "I know."

All the lanterns were lit in the ranch house. He blinked his eyes when he saw twinkling lights on a Christmas tree.

"Why is there a tree? It's July."

Heber shrugged as he dunked his torch in the trough. "Figured you left at Christmas. It's just as much Christmas today because you're home. No one could get a better gift than having a son come home from the war."

Rosa stepped out on the porch and wrapped him in her arms. "My you look hungry. I've a small dinner tonight. We'll have a real feast tomorrow."

Caleb returned her hug. "You know you're one of the only reasons I'd come back."

"Pshaw, boy. You've got more reasons now than ever."

"Yes'm. I do."

"Do ya want dinner?"

"I could eat."

She led him to the kitchen and dished up some stew. Caleb savored each bite. He pushed the bowl away before he was even halfway through it.

"Why, you haven't eaten enough to keep a mouse alive."

Dani smiled. "That's more than he's eaten since we found him."

Rosa's eyes widened. "You poor boy."

Caleb took Dani's hand and led her to their room. He bolted the door and wrapped her in his arms. "This. This is what I missed."

"Get in bed, Caleb."

He raised an eyebrow. "I thought you'd never ask."

Dani swatted at his shoulder playfully. "You're horrible."

"Yes, ma'am."

He lay on the soft mattress and sighed. "This is home."