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Kitty appeared uninterested in being placated. She pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and continued walking.
After only a few steps she spun around again, her voice more subdued, but the tears kept coming.
“And you knew about Father! Why didn’t you tell me? How long have you known? Don’t you think I have a right to know?”
Eliza threw a fleeting glance at Thomas, as if requesting some kind of help, but he could only stand, mouth agape. He’d never had much experience with females—much less crying ones—and this drama only mystified him more.
“I haven’t known for long.” Eliza moved toward her sister with an outstretched hand, as if Kitty were an injured animal. “I only learned of it after he died. He didn’t want us to get hurt and—”
“Well, we nearly did get hurt, did we not?” Kitty’s face scrunched again as she struggled to hold back a sob. “Here we are, in the middle of nowhere. Cold, hungry, aching from exhaustion and about to be drenched from head to toe!”
She wept again, this time falling to her knees. Eliza rushed to her, holding her in her arms until her crying came to a quiet end.
Eliza turned to Thomas, a caring smile gracing her rosy lips as she silently mouthed, “I’m sorry.”
Thomas came near, hoping Eliza could read the apology in his face. “’Tis my fault. I take full responsibility.”
Kitty lifted her head and wiped at her tears. The anger from moments ago evaporated more with each word. “Forgive me for such a display, Mr. Watson. ’Tis not your fault. Our father is to blame. If not for his actions we’d never be in this position. He should have stayed loyal to the Crown, like he always taught us to do!”
Eliza wiped her sister’s glistening cheeks with tender fingers. “We cannot change the past, Kitty. Father said to trust God, and that’s all we can do. That’s what we must do.”
“You are right. I suppose I’m overcome and I’m losing hold of my senses.” Kitty studied the fabric of her cloak. “I do trust in God, but ‘tis clear I must work on developing my faith.”
Clutching Kitty’s hand, Eliza’s voice appeared to heal like a physician’s balm. “God knows we all must develop more faith, Kitty. I do not think ill of you, and I’m sure Mr. Watson feels the same.”
“Most certainly.” Thomas used as much gentility in his voice as he could. “If we can but journey another few miles, we’ll have shelter and be able to rest. Do you think you can make it?”
“I believe I can.” Kitty kept her eyes down and nodded, then stood and pulled away from her sister’s embrace.
Eliza walked next to Kitty, her arm around her sister’s drooping shoulders. Soon Kitty announced she needed to be alone, and sped up, walking in front.
As they put more miles behind them, the gray sky released its torrent, and Thomas’s fears unearthed. They were soaked to the bone. The sound of the rain drummed so hard it drowned out the sound of their steps. By the time they reached their temporary haven, the girls were dripping wet and so weak they could hardly stand.
“This is it. Welcome home.” Thomas pointed into the dry, dark cave, grateful to be able to provide something to help ease their burdens. Beautiful moss decorated the house-sized rock and thick trees stood as imposing sentinels around it.
“I’ve stayed here many times in my travels to and from Sandwich. It’s as if God put it here just for us. There’s ample of room for all, plus ten more, so make yourselves comfortable.”
Thomas strode in, flipping off his sopping cloak, and placed it over another rock to drain. The two girls followed him inside, cautious, as if the cave were home to dangerous dragons.
He chuckled. “Don’t worry, no one lives here.”
“There aren’t any . . . animals?” Eliza took teeny steps forward but stood straight as if she didn’t want her apprehension obvious. The attempt was endearing.
Thomas couldn’t hide the mirth in his voice when he answered Eliza’s sweet and innocent question as he reached for the satchel she’d been carrying. “You mean, bears?”
“Bears?” Eliza jerked back, her hands at her neck.
He winked and stepped closer, removing the bag from her grasp. “Well, there is a family of bears that live here, but not to worry. They are visiting relatives in Providence and won’t be back for another week.”
Kitty smiled and giggled from her place along the wall as she took off her cloak, but Eliza still appeared nervous.
He decided to change the subject. “I put a pile of wood in here last time I traveled through, in preparation for a just such a situation.” He reached into a generous opening at the side of the cave, pulled out a substantial pile of dry wood, and built a castle-worthy fire.
Both women stood around the roaring blaze, their gowns not as wet as their cloaks had been, thank the Lord. Eliza searched the satchel of food, and gave a small bit of bread to Kitty, then held out the other piece to Thomas.
“I’m too tired to be hungry,” she said.
At that very moment her stomach growled. Thomas couldn’t help but laugh.
