I can help. I know how to shoot now. P Silas taught me. Mara looked at her son, still so young, trying so hard to be brave. I know you can, sweetheart.
But I need you to do something more important. What? If anything happens, I need you to get your brothers and sisters out. Take them through the back window into the woods. You remember the path P Silas showed you?
The one that leads to the Miller farm? Jonah's eyes widened. Ma, I'm not leaving you. You will if I tell you to. Her voice was steel.
Your job isn't to fight, Jonah. Your job is to keep them safe. That's what your father would want. That's what I need. Can you do that for me?
Jonah's jaw trembled. Then he nodded once. Yes, ma'am. Good boy. She pulled him close, kissed the top of his head.
It won't come to that, but I need to know you're ready just in case. I'm ready. God, she hoped she was telling the truth. Night fell like a curtain, sudden and complete. Marcus came inside for supper, and Mara fed him along with the children salt pork and beans and cornbread that tasted like sawdust in her mouth.
"You should get some rest, ma'am," Marcus said as the children settled into their beds. "I'll keep first watch." "I won't sleep." "Neither will I, but at least try. You look dead on your feet." Mara wanted to argue, but she was exhausted. The night before had been sleepless, and the day had been nothing but tension and dread. Her body was starting to rebel, her hands shaking, her vision blurring at the edges.
"Wake me in 4 hours," she said finally. "We'll trade off." "Yes, ma'am." She lay down on the bed, still fully clothed, the rifle within arms reach. She closed her eyes, listening to Marcus settle into the chair by the door, to the soft breathing of the children in the loft above. She didn't think she'd sleep, but exhaustion pulled her under like a tide. She woke to Marcus, shaking her shoulder, his face pale in the lamplight.
Mrs. Hawthorne, someone's out there. Mara was on her feet instantly, rifle in hand, heart slamming against her ribs. Where? Edge of the clearing, I heard horses, multiple riders.
How many? Can't tell. At least three, maybe more. Mara moved to the window, peered through the gap in the shutters. At first she saw nothing but darkness.
Then slowly shapes resolved themselves from the shadows. Men on horseback sitting just beyond the reach of the lamplight watching the cabin waiting. "Wake Jonah," Mara said quietly. "Tell him to get the children ready just in case." "Yes, ma'am." Marcus moved silently up the ladder while Mara kept watch. Her mind raced.
Three shots to signal for help. But the millers were 5 mi away. Even if they heard and came running, it would take 30 minutes at least. 30 minutes was an eternity when men with guns were at your door. One of the riders moved forward closer to the cabin. Close enough that Mara could see his face in the spill of lamplight from the window.