Free Home by Morning by Kaki Warner Page A

might cause a scandal and ruin his chances of getting to Washington. The man’s evil and corrupt. He puts his own wants and ambitions above those in need.”
    â€œAs you put those in need above your own wants.” Thomas did not want Prudence Lincoln to be trapped by the white man’s laws. He did not want her to know the fear of being caged in a jail like an animal. “You will not help him,
Eho’nehevehohtse
.”
    Her chin came up.
    On the bed, Lillian quit twisting her scarf and listened intently.
    Ho.
It seemed he would have battle on two fronts. “If Chester Hogan needs help, Prudence,” he said calmly, “I will do it. I do not want you in danger. You will tell me what to do, and I will do it.”
    â€œI don’t know yet what Chester wants me to do,” she said with impatience. “When I see him during the tent meeting tonight I’ll find out.”
    â€œI will meet with him instead.”
    â€œAfter you almost choked him to death today? He’s liable to run as soon as he sees you. I need to go.”
    â€œThen you can come with me.”
    â€œMe, too,” Lillian said. “I ain’t staying here by myself.”
    Thomas looked at her. “No,
Katse’e
, you will not be by yourself. The reverend will need you to help him with the singing.”
    A grin replaced the scowl. “Fo’ true?”
    â€œFor true.”
    Prudence narrowed her eyes at him.
    He pretended not to notice. He had made his point and had no more to say.
    â€œI jist loves to sing. Wanna hear?”
    Thomas winced, imagining what noise would come out of that mouth.
    Prudence gave him a look. “Save it for the meeting, why don’t you, Lillie dear? Then it will be a grand surprise for everybody. Now put on your coat and gloves. It’s late, and we don’t want the meeting to start without us.”
    Thomas rose from the chair and straightened the knife under his coat. He wondered if he should change his clothing. He could move more quietly in his moccasins, and the war shirt didn’t pull across his shoulders the way this coat did. But after thinking it through, he decided against it. Chester Hogan had been frightened enough for one day.

Five
    P eople were already streaming into the tent when they arrived. Every day more came, and every evening more vendors’ carts crowded the street beside the meadow. The sound of happy voices blended with the smell of roasting sausages, creating a fair-like atmosphere despite the chill in the evening air. Pru hoped people were coming for the worship, not the food.
    â€œWait here,” she told Thomas and Lillie when they reached the tent’s entrance. “I’ll be right back after I speak to Brother about leaving Lillie.”
    Thomas didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on something inside the tent toward the small raised stage at the front. Turning, Pru saw Marsh speaking with the reverend.
    Drat.
She had hoped he wouldn’t attend tonight. Now it would be more difficult to leave to meet Chester. She was debating what to do when she saw a familiar face huffing and puffing across the field toward them, a bulky contraption under her arm.
    â€œBessie Prescott,” she called. “You’re just the person I was hoping to see.”
    â€œEvenin’.” Bessie waved her free hand, setting off jiggles of motion in the ample breasts swaying beneath her dress. “A glorious day for the Lord’s Word.”
    â€œIt certainly is.” Smiling, Pru brought Lillie forward to meet the elderly black woman, who served as the choir director,joyfully leading the hymns on her ancient, wheezy accordion. “Might I ask a favor?”
    â€œSho’ you can, child.” Panting for breath, Bessie shifted the accordion to her other arm. “What you need?”
    Pru introduced Lillie, explaining about her blindness, and that she needed someone to keep an eye on the girl while she ran an