She slipped her hand into his. “I’m so glad you made me that promise, Luke. It makes me feel a lot better. And I’m glad you don’t think that what they said is true.”
Luke smiled at her and squeezed her hand.
“Still, I’m terribly glad that Thomas Wade broke his arm. I only wish he’d broken his neck!”
Luke heard her laugh. Then he heard Corey giggle too.
He stared straight ahead and kept walking as a chill crawled down his spine.
♦ ♦ ♦
A few days later, Luke swung his ax wide and slammed it into a log, splitting it cleanly in two. Here’s something I can do that doesn’t require the cooperation of an animal, he thought grimly. He swung the ax again and again, and heard the wood chunks fly in all directions. Yet Luke barely noticed the pile of wood mounting around him. He thought only of the unplowed fields that surrounded him.
He’d tried for long, grueling days to get Henrietta to pull the plow. But the mule’s pace remained agonizingly slow. Each night, as Luke fell into bed aching and exhausted, the swollen red face of Mr. Stone filled his head. He stared into Mr. Stone’s narrow, piglike eyes and felt a black pit of despair open up in his stomach.
Tomorrow, or the next day, Mr. Stone would return. Only a few silver dollars remained to pay him. Not nearly enough money to keep the farm.
Where would they go? What would they do?
The idea of the orphan train had repulsed him. But now, as he mulled it over, Luke felt it offered some slim hope to keep his family together. On their own, he’d never be able to find a job that could earn enough money to support Leah and Corey.
But while they rode the train, they’d at least get food to eat and a place to live. The train stopped at each town and they’d have a chance of finding a family to take them in.
A family that would take all of them. He’d keep his promise to Leah and Corey. No matter what.
Luke chopped and chopped. He couldn’t bare to tell Leah and Corey that they’d soon be chased out of their home by Mr. Stone. How would he tell them about the train?
Suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves broke into his thoughts. He dropped his ax and looked up to see his neighbor, Jack Baker, riding across the open field. The Baker farm ran alongside the Fier land, but Luke rarely saw his neighbors.
It must be something important for Jack to be riding so hard, Luke thought. He felt a knot of anticipation curl in his stomach as he walked to the front porch.
Corey sat on the steps, pushing the pieces of a wooden puzzle together. A deep furrow marked his brow. Luke knelt beside his brother and guided his hand, helping him to turn the piece so it would slip into place. Corey tilted his face up and smiled.
Luke grinned back. “Can you say ’puzzle’?”
Corey’s smile slipped away as he stubbornly shook his head. Luke ruffled his black hair. “It’s all right, Corey. Someday you will talk again.”
Luke stood up as Jack reined his horse to a halt. The horse snorted and pranced.
“Hello, Jack. Something I can do for you today?” Luke greeted his neighbor.
“I’ve come to warn you, Luke. If it hasn’t struck here already.”
“Warn us about what?” Luke felt his heart pounding fast.
“A strange illness is spreading through the cattle around here. Makes the animals go crazy. The Wade brothers had to shoot six of their herd yesterday. We had to kill three of ours today.”
“We’ve had no trouble so far,” Luke replied slowly. He stepped off the porch. “Is there a way to tell if they’re sick?”
Jack dismounted. “I’ll show you what to look for.”
He led Jack around the back of the house. Luke heard the rapid patter of small feet. He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at Corey as he raced after them.
“We have so few cows now, we just let them graze back here,” Luke told Jack. “It’s not worth taking them out to pasture.”
Jack crouched down. He grabbed a cow’s head. The cow shook its head and mooed. Jack tightened his hold and held the cow’s head still. He angled its face one way and then the other.
“What are you looking for?” Luke asked as he squatted for a closer look. Corey squatted beside him, his face serious.
“When they’re sick, they have this thick green stuff dripping out of their noses. Then it turns red. That’s when they start going crazy.”
“I’ve never heard of anything like that,” Luke remarked. He thought back over the various sicknesses in the animals he’d seen his father treat.
“No one has,” Jack replied. “It has people around here a little spooked. But your cows seem fine.”
“Still, I’ll watch them closely. We can’t afford to lose any cows.”
As Jack turned to go, he froze, his eyes widening with fear.
Luke followed the direction of Jack’s gaze. Near the back porch, Leah fed a wolf little scraps of meat by hand.
Jack gasped and stumbled backward a few steps. “A wolf!” he called out, pointing at Leah. “Get a gun! Get the little boy back—”
“It’s all right,” Luke said calmly. He took Corey’s hand to reassure him. “Leah has a way with animals.”
Jack jerked his head up and down. “But it’s a wolf. Last winter a wolf killed some of our cattle. I … I … I must go,” he rasped.
He raced out of the yard. Less than a minute later, Luke heard a horse galloping away. The cow bawled again and snorted.
Leah wandered over and placed her hand on the cow’s forehead. Its large tongue slipped out to lick her elbow.
“What did Jack want?” Leah asked.
“He said people’s cows are getting sick,” Luke told her.
Gently Leah held the cow’s head and tilted it up. The cow didn’t balk or protest as it had when Jack held it.
“She looks healthy,” Leah announced.
Luke heard the relief in her voice. She loved animals. He knew it hurt her when they were sick. Sometimes he thought Leah could actually feel what they were feeling.
“I thought she looked all right, but I’m glad to hear you say that,” Luke replied. “You know a lot more about animals than I do.”
“She’ll be fine,” Leah said with confidence. “All our cows will be fine.”
“I hope so. We can’t afford to lose any. I know it must be hard on our neighbors to watch their cows get sick and to have to shoot them.”
“I’m glad their cows are all sick.”
“You don’t mean that,” Luke said.
“Yes, I do,” Leah said. “Those people deserve it. They act like I’m some kind of monster!”
♦ ♦ ♦
The following Saturday, Luke took Leah and Corey into Stormy Ridge for supplies. Usually the town bustled with activity on Saturday because all the area farmers came into town for their weekly supplies.
But today Luke saw only a few people walking along the wooden sidewalks. Everything seemed eerily hushed, as though the entire town had fallen into mourning.
Luke opened the door to Hammond’s General Store. The bell above the door jangled, sounding even louder than usual to Luke because the store stood empty of customers. Luke’s footsteps echoed over the hardwood floor, with Leah’s and Corey’s following close behind.
Luke saw Mr. Hammond step through the curtains that led into the storeroom.
“Good day, young Fiers. How are you all today?” Mr. Hammond asked solemnly.
“We’re fine,” Luke replied. “It seems quiet in town today.”
“It’s been quiet all week,” Mr. Hammond told him. “People are battling to save their cows from this strange sickness. But they aren’t having much luck. How many have you had to shoot?”
“We haven’t had to shoot any.”
Mr. Hammond’s eyes widened. “What are you giving them when they get sick?”
Luke shrugged. “None of our cows have gotten sick.”
Mr. Hammond narrowed his eyes in suspicion. “Why do you think that is?”
“I guess we’re just lucky.” Luke shrugged.
Mr. Hammond’s gaze darted over to Leah. “Maybe,” he quietly answered. “Or maybe it’s more than luck.”
“Leah can’t control diseases, Mr. Hammond,” Luke said firmly.
Mr. Hammond nodded. “I guess she can’t. Everyone is just a little nervous these days. What can I do for you?”
“We need some sugar and flour,” Luke told him. “And some canned goods.”
Luke reached into his pocket and pulled out the last of his money—five dollars. He placed a half dollar on the counter. “We need as much as this will buy.”
Mr. Hammond nodded. “I’ll get you a box.”
He bent down behind the counter and stiffened. “You children get out of here,” he said in a low voice.
Luke leaned over the counter. He could see that Mr. Hammond had lifted a box. “What is it, Mr. Hammond?” he asked.
“Snake,” Mr. Hammond whispered. “I’ve never seen one this big. Go find someone with a gun.”
Before Luke could stop her, Leah walked around the counter and knelt beside Mr. Hammond. “It’s all right, Mr. Hammond,” she whispered. “He won’t hurt you.”
She held out her arms. Frozen with fear, Luke watched as a huge green snake slithered up her arm and across her shoulders. It wrapped itself around her, its wicked black eyes watching her, its tongue darting in and out. Luke quickly pushed Corey behind him, shielding his younger brother with his body. He swallowed back a lump of terror as his gaze fixed the snake’s pointed, curled fangs.
She stood, running her hand over the snake’s head. It hissed. Leah met Luke’s gaze. “When we get home, I’ll set it free in the woods.”
She walked out from behind the counter. Corey reached up and touched the large snake’s tail. Luke shuddered. He knew Leah had a gift, but it gave him chills to see the shiny green snake draped over her shoulders like a shawl.
Mr. Hammond stood. Luke could see that he was shaking.
“I’m closing the store,” Mr. Hammond said, his voice quivering.
“But we need supplies,” Luke said.
“You’ll have to get them another day.”
Luke scraped his coins off the counter and put them in his pocket. “Come on, Leah and Corey.”
They left the store. Luke heard Mr. Hammond slam the lock into place behind them.
As they walked down the street, Luke could feel people staring at them. He saw a woman draw her curtains together as they walked past. Leah and Corey seemed unaware of the attention they were getting as the snake moved sinuously over Leah.
Luke couldn’t wait for them to get home so Leah could set the snake free.
♦ ♦ ♦
Late that night, Luke jumped up in bed. He felt confused. What had awakened him?
Then he heard it. A man’s voice yelling. Harsh, angry words.
No, more than one man. Many men. Many voices.
And along with the voice, the dull pounding of horses’ hooves. His heart thudded wildly in his chest.
The sounds grew louder.
Coming closer.
He scrambled out of bed and pulled on his shirt and overalls.
Who are they? he wondered. What do they want?
He ran to the window and looked out into the pitch-dark night. He heard the shrill cry of horses and the yells of angry men.
Then he saw them, circling the house. Closing in like rabid wolves.
His mouth suddenly dry, his temples throbbing, Luke rushed down the stairs and into the front parlor.
With shaking hands he grabbed his rifle from above the mantel. Frantically, he flung open the door.
He dashed onto the porch and peered into the black night. He saw only the retreating shadows of specters galloping down the dark road.
Breathing heavily, he stumbled down the steps and dropped to his knees. The dark clouds rolled away from the moon. The moonlight shimmered over a dark red pool of thick blood.
In its center, a cow’s head glared at Luke with accusing black eyes.
Chapter
4
Luke screamed with disgust and scrambled to his feet. The cow stared up at him with blank, unseeing eyes. Its thick grayish-red tongue hung from a gaping mouth as red blood oozed from its severed neck.
Luke started to turn away, but something caught his eye. Looking more closely, he could see a white piece of paper stuck into the cow’s mouth. A note!
He took a deep breath and reached for it. His fingers slid over the slick tongue as he worked to unroll it. Grabbing the paper, he stood and held the note up to the moonlight.
Our cows die—your cows die. Stop your sister. Or we will.
In shock, Luke stared at the note. They think Leah has something to do with the strange cattle disease? That’s impossible!
He looked at the cow’s head. A warning! They had killed his cow. Would they kill his sister?
He hurried back into the house, eager to make certain that Leah was all right. He spotted her on the front porch, her long white nightgown billowing in the breeze, her black hair freed from her braids and streaming wildly around her shoulders.
Luke stood stone still for a moment and stared at her. Her pale gown shimmered strangely in the moonlight, and her face wore an eerie expression. Corey stood beside her, his arm wrapped around her waist. Corey’s green eyes were wide with worry, his bottom lip quivering. Leah draped her arm over his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, Corey. They are gone now.” Luke heard her soothe him in the same quiet voice she used on the animals.
“Yes, they are gone,” Luke assured them. He walked up to the porch. “If they come back, I’ll be ready for them,” he promised, brandishing his shotgun.
“What’s that, a note?” Leah asked.
“It’s nothing—” Luke shoved the note into his pocket. But Leah quickly snatched the paper away from him. Her jaw tightened as she read it.
“How could they think I would do something like that?” she cried. She balled up the paper and tossed it on the ground.
She turned to face Luke, her eyes dark with rage. “How could they think I have some evil power? I hate them! I hate them all!”
♦ ♦ ♦
Two days later, as Luke slowly trudged behind the stubborn mule and the heavy plow, he spotted Mr. Stone. The grim-faced man plodded across the fields toward him.
Luke drew the mule to a halt and wiped the sweat off his brow with his bandanna.
Mr. Stone stopped beside Luke and swept his hat from his head. “Luke, you’ve had your warnings. Can you make a payment on your land today or not?”
Luke swallowed hard. “I have five dollars. Until the crops come in, that’s all I have.”
Mr. Stone cleared his throat and looked down at the ground. “Well, I suppose I can take it as a show of faith.”
Luke reached into his pocket and withdrew the silver coins. He slowly dropped them into Mr. Stone’s hand. He felt a heavy weight pressing on his chest. He didn’t know what he’d do without any money. He forced himself not to think of that now.
He watched Mr. Stone’s fingers curl around the coins and shove them in his coat pocket, and swallowed back up a lump of anger.
“Are all your animals still healthy?” Mr. Stone asked.
“Yes,” Luke replied.
“The Wade brothers haven’t been so lucky,” Mr. Stone told him. “People are wondering why they are losing so many cattle and you aren’t losing any.”
“I know,” Luke snapped, irritated with the reminder. “They paid us a visit. They threatened to hurt Leah.”
“I don’t know if anyone will be able to stop them from carrying out their threat if any more of their cattle die,” Mr. Stone calmly remarked.
“She’s not killing their cattle,” Luke insisted. “She has not caused any of this. Everyone in town just wants somebody to blame for their bad luck.”
Mr. Stone settled his hat on his head. “I believe you, Luke. Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone e
lse will.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Luke fell into bed exhausted. Every muscle in his body ached. He didn’t even bother to remove his clothes.
Still, he could not sleep. Each time he closed his eyes, a bloodied cow’s head floated before him. Then it would slowly fade away … and turn into Leah’s head.
Why do they suspect Leah so much? he wondered. She’s kind and gentle with animals. Animals trust her. They obey her. Where is the harm in that?
A sudden noise made him sit up straight. He heard the dull thunder of hooves pounding the ground.
Luke threw off the covers and scrambled out of bed. His heart thudded in his chest. He stumbled to the window and peered outside.
His breath caught in his chest as he spotted them.
Riders circled in the front yard. Luke tried to quickly count how many. Five … ten … a dozen or more.
Dark, ominous shadows moving through the night.
What did they want? Had they finally come to make good on their threats?
To hurt Leah?
He heard the wooden floor creak behind him and spun around.
He saw Corey and Leah standing in the shadows. They stared up at him with terrified expressions.
“They’re back, aren’t they?” Leah asked in a quaking whisper.
Luke gave her a jerky nod. “Yes.”
Together, they all peered out the window. The horses had stopped milling around. The riders stood in a long row.
“More animals had to be killed today!” one of the men yelled.
“We know your sister is the cause,” Thomas Wade called out, his arm hanging in a sling like a white flag. “Send her out to us and we won’t harm you or your little brother.”
Leah moved in closer to Luke. He could feel her violent trembling as she hugged her arms around his waist. Corey’s eyes grew wide with fear. He grasped Luke’s hand tightly.
“We’re sorry your animals are dying. But it has nothing to do with Leah,” Luke shouted. “Go away and leave us alone!”
“It has everything to do with her!” Earl Wade yelled. “We know about the wolf and the snake. We know our animals die while yours don’t!”