Forever by Your Side (Willamette Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson Page 0,15
been a great help to Nancy and me. I hate that she’s afraid, however. She’s so worried someone will find her and force her to leave the state. No one really enforces those laws, but occasionally, you’ll hear of someone getting on their high horse and demanding the laws be adhered to, and then a black person is whipped and told to get out of town.”
“So she hides?”
Seth nodded. “Nancy didn’t even know for quite some time that she lived with Mrs. Weaver. She was moved into the house in a blanket box, and then Mrs. Weaver snuck food upstairs to her and did whatever was necessary to keep her secret hidden from the world. I must ask that you keep this between us. Connie’s letter prior to your arrival said you could be trusted.”
“Of course. I’ve already promised your wife I’d say nothing.” Tom frowned. “Besides, I have some secrets of my own. I hope you don’t mind, but I need to speak frankly with you about one of them.”
Seth raised a brow. “With me?”
“Yes.” Tom crossed his legs, a habit he was hard-pressed to quit. “I know about your work with the government and the situation with the Indians. I was recruited to come and continue the investigation.”
Seth looked surprised. “Well, I must say I wasn’t expecting this course of discussion.”
“I’m sure. They told me in Washington what had happened to you and that there were still so many unanswered questions. Ever since they started to suspect Connie’s folks of being involved, she’s wanted to find a way to prove them innocent.”
“So she knows too?”
“Not about you. Does your wife know?”
“Yes. She’s been knowledgeable about everything for some time.”
Tom nodded. “Then I figure once Connie and Nancy have an opportunity to talk, Connie will know about your involvement as well. Mercy and Adam Browning know they’re being watched. They know they are suspected of inciting the Indians to war and sneaking weapons and whiskey onto the reservation. Connie has convinced me they aren’t guilty, and we’ve come to prove their innocence, all while working for the Bureau of Ethnology and recording the culture of the various tribes.”
“They knew of Connie’s connection and still hired her? I find that pretty surprising. I figured they’d think her too close to the matter.”
“Yes, well, they don’t know she knows. Connie approached me last year, and in turn I put myself in a position to be approached to help the investigation. Connie has been in on it from the start, but she and I have kept her role just between the two of us. I recommended the government hire her on to work with me for the cultural recordings, noting to them that Connie was already known to the Indians and, of course, her parents. I made it clear that I could use her as an asset to gain closer access, and they accepted the idea.”
“That was brilliant. However, do you think Connie can be objective? I mean, these are her folks.”
“I realize that.” Tom uncrossed his legs and stretched them out. “But since you don’t know her like I do, I can honestly say I believe she’s able to do just that. She’s a remarkable woman and wants to see justice win out. If she finds out that her folks are involved, she’ll move heaven and earth to convince them to change their minds. And she’d probably be successful. Connie has a way about her.”
Seth smiled. “And how long have you been in love with her?”
Tom shrugged. He saw no need to hide his feelings. “About the entire time I’ve known her, but don’t tell her that. She hasn’t a clue.”
Seth laughed. “They often don’t.”
They sat in silence for several minutes before Seth spoke again. “If I can help in any way with the things I learned, I will do it. I don’t believe Mr. Singleton intends to take you to the reservation before the end of the week. That will give us a few days. Oh, and I’ll send an invitation for Major Wells to join us. He’s been instrumental in all of this.”
“I can’t do anything to make it look like I’m here for anything but cultural recordkeeping.” Tom frowned. “Speaking to Wells would be a big help, however.”
“Look, no one needs to be the wiser. The major comes by all the time to check on me. No one will think anything of it, I assure you. I think the opportunity to learn from him would outweigh the risk.”