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"Whatever the reason, I'm alive to return home, and I don't want you to hate me."
Byron was silent for such a long time, Hunter thought he might have fallen asleep, but finally the Virginian spoke. "I'll always miss Melissa, and be sorry for the agonizing way she died, but I no longer hate you. But if you ever disappoint Alanna, you can expect to have to answer to me."
Thinking that was as generous as Byron was likely to get, Hunter did not take offense at his threat. "I'm a very good husband," he assured him. "Alanna will never have any complaints."
Considering his shy cousin, and a man he thought more than a little arrogant, Byron shook his head. "Lordy, what a pair you must be."
Hunter smiled to himself. "Yes, we are."
* * *
Anxious to see his son when he reached Williamsburg, Hunter's first stop was at Charity Wade's. When he found the yard overgrown with weeds and the house vacant, he panicked. Leading Marshal, he hurried next door to ask where Charity had gone, but the residents were so alarmed by the sight of an Indian on the front porch, they refused to answer the door. Frustrated, he tried another house, and then another, until he found a soul brave enough to talk with him.
"Charity moved away a couple of months ago," the old gentleman replied. "In June I think it was, but it might have been May. No, wait a minute, it was in May, early May. I remember because—"
Hunter could not help interrupting rudely. "Please, do you know where she went?"
"Over on Francis Street," the elderly man said. "Haven't been over there myself, so I can't tell you where, but I heard it was a nice house."
"Thank you." Rather than chase up and down the length of Francis Street searching for his son, Hunter next tried Randolph's home.
Mrs. Newcombe peered out the window, recognized Hunter, and opened the door. "Good afternoon, sir. Mr. O'Neil's still at his shop. Would you like to leave a message?"
"No, I'm looking for my wife. Isn't she here?"
"Oh, no, sir, she hasn't lived here in months. She and Mrs. Wade are sharing a place over on Francis Street."
"Can you tell me where?"
Mrs. Newcombe pursed her lips thoughtfully. "No, I've never been there myself. But wait a minute, Stanley must know. He's in the stable."
Again eager for more information, Hunter rode Marshal around to the rear of the house. He called out Stanley's name, and he soon appeared.
"Well, now, I'm real glad to see you. From what the Virginia Gazette printed about Braddock's campaign, we didn't know if any of you were alive."
"A few of us are. Mrs. Newcombe said you could tell me where Alanna's living."
Stanley nodded. "Sure can. It's over on Francis Street."
Hunter was fast losing his patience. "Where on Francis Street?"
"It's right toward the end, down by the Capitol. Pretty white house with blue shutters. You'll find it easy enough."
Hunter turned Marshal toward the gate, urged the horse to a gallop, made his way to Francis Street, and raced to the end. He found a white house with blue shutters and, hoping it was the right one, he tied Marshal out front and knocked on the door. When Charity answered, Hunter put his finger to his lips.
"Is Alanna here?" he whispered.
"Yes, but there's no need to whisper," she replied. "She and Christian are out in the backyard. Here, come through the house."
Hunter had rehearsed what he wanted to say the whole way home, but the instant he saw Alanna and Christian, he doubted he could utter a word, let alone a memorized speech. His son was toddling along beside Alanna, gripping her skirt for support, but walking just the same. Alanna was showing him the garden, bending and pointing as she called out the names of the vegetables they had planted. She hadn't noticed Hunter, but he had a clear view of her. After four months, her figure was as slim as when he had left her. He would have to try again to give her a child; eager to try, he broke into a wide grin.
Taking care to avoid being seen, he approached his wife and child with a hunter's stealth, until he was close enough to scoop up the little boy and swing him high into the air. Thrilled by the unexpected ride, Christian squealed in delight, while Alanna whipped around to confront him.
"Hunter!" she gasped.
Hunter shifted Christian to the crook of his right arm, and hugged Alanna with h
is left. He kissed her soundly and laughed at her dismay. "I promised to come back to you. Why are you so surprised?"
