Dillard Beach Mystery – 69

In the early hours just after dawn, Rebekah and Ezra traveled by wagon to Saybrook Harbor. They were welcomed by the Captain as they boarded The Caroline and prepared to set sail for Hyannis.

“Have you everything you need for the journey, Rebekah?”

She nodded and pointed to the large valise she carried. “Enough for both Ezra and myself, until we are safely back in Dillard.”

“With the tides and wind with us, we should be at the Hyannis dock late today. I hope that is acceptable.”

“Not as soon as I had hoped, Edward, but it will have to do.”

It had taken longer than the Captain had anticipated to arrange the return trip to Hyannis. The day following Chapman’s arrival, fur traders from nearby Indian lands had arrived at the trading post with hundreds of valuable beaver pelts, eager to trade. Chapman, seeing an opportunity, convinced Charles to let him bring the furs back to Hyannis where the best price for the pelts could be had. But negotiations with the Pequots could not be rushed and it took a day for Charles and the Pequot chief to settle on a price. Rebekah took advantage of the time to care for Emma and her new baby. Mrs. Fisk was engaged as nurse and to assist Emma in the trading post.

“You cannot manage everything, Emma. Let Mrs. Fisk organize the shop while you focus on your little one.”

“But what am I to do with my time, once you have gone, Rebekah?”

“Never fear that you will be bored, Emma. You know enough now to set up your own midwifery practice and with Mrs. Fisk at your side, word will spread. You are sure to help many women deliver healthy babes and in a few months it will be spring. You will be planting your garden and making your own tinctures and balms to sell. And I will send some of my own products for you to sell as well.”

“Will you ever come back to Saybrook?”

“I am sure I will, Emma, but when? I cannot say. First, I must deal with these false accusations and clear my name with the magistrates. I do not ever want a repeat of what happened to me here.”

“I understand, Rebekah. Do everything you must do, but whatever happens, know that you and little Ezra are welcome here at any time. You have a home in Saybrook.”

Rebekah smiled at Emma, grateful for her encouraging words. “Now we must go, first by wagon to Saybrook to meet the Captain, and then on to Hyannis.”

She reached out her hand in farewell. “Until we meet again, Emma.”

The return sail to Hyannis was uneventful. Wind and tides were with them and they made excellent time. As the sun was setting, The Caroline was safely secured to Chapman’s dock in Hyannis Harbor. Rebekah and Ezra joined the Captain at the rail and observed the workers hauling barrels and crates out of the ship’s hold and storing them all in the warehouse.

“It is getting late and it will take a few hours more for my men to unload all the cargo, Rebekah. Rather than have you wait on board, I have asked one of the men to drive you and Ezra to my home. I think it best if you stay there tonight. My cousin, Jacinda, will be there to welcome you. Give her my good wishes and tell her I have invited you and Ezra to stay the night. I hope to join you once the transfer of cargo is complete.”

Rebekah agreed. “Do not forget, Edward. I still need to speak with the local magistrate as soon as possible.”

“I understand your urgency. But you do not want to visit the magistrate without having that deed of yours in hand. Without that proof, you take the chance Simon Dillard will accuse you of witchcraft once again.”

“Then we must go to my home without delay, Edward.”

“I agree. But not tonight. Tomorrow is time enough. Go to my house and get a good night’s sleep. We will leave for Dillard at first light.”

Jacinda Henshaw was not pleased to find Rebekah, the accused witch, standing at her front door an hour later but she had little choice but to let the woman and her son in.

“We have only just returned from Saybrook, Jacinda. The Captain asked me to extend his good wishes to you on his safe return to Hyannis. He is still busy at the docks but will be home directly.”

“I expect he will want dinner when he arrives?” Jacinda asked, clearly annoyed at the prospect of re-opening the kitchen at such a late hour.

“I am not certain what Edward would expect Jacinda. But as it is getting late, he did not want us to travel to Dillard tonight and invited my son and I to spend the night here. I hope that is not a bother.”

It took a few moments for Jacinda to recover her composure. The Captain was back and expected her to receive this woman and her son into his home.

“I am sure you and the boy have already eaten,” she said, peering over her beak nose and spectacles at Rebekah.

“Actually, we are both famished,” Rebekah answered. “But do not trouble yourself on our account. We can join the Captain when he arrives.”

Jacinda nodded, knowing she had little choice but to feed the visitors. “I am sure cook can prepare something for you. Please, come through into the kitchen and I will let her know you are waiting.”

The housekeeper turned on her heel and walked down the hall towards the back of the house. Rebekah heard her call to the cook. “We need to reheat whatever is left from dinner. Captain Chapman has sent us a couple of strays to feed.”

Jacinda’s voice was full of disdain. Rather than respond in kind, Rebekah decided to ignore the woman’s tone. She determined that meeting Jacinda’s obvious displeasure with kindness and humor would be its own revenge.

An hour later Chapman finally arrived and joined them in the front parlor where Rebekah waited. Ezra had long ago fallen asleep and was curled up in a corner of the sidebench. Jacinda tried to persuade the Captain to have something to eat, but he declined.

“I stopped at the pub for a pint, Jacinda. I am good as I am.”

“I tried to keep Ezra from nodding off,” Rebekah told him, “as he wanted to see you home, but after a long day of sailing, the boy was exhausted.”

“He is a fine sailor, your boy.” Chapman said. “He looked to have enjoyed every minute of our travels together.”

Rebekah agreed. “I think what he most enjoyed is being in your company. It is a fine thing to have a good man in his life.”

“I am happy to be that man, Rebekah.” He paused, “and hope to be so for many years to come.”

“I hope so as well, Edward.”