“I Just Need Food and a Place to Sleep,” He Said—Then He Saved Her Restaurant’s Busiest Night
Chapter 10
Ashford had never seen anything like it.
Dozens of armed riders entered the town after midnight.
But they didn’t find a frightened population.
They found every door locked.
Every window dark.
And the church bell ringing.
Margaret had sent word to every family.
Farmers arrived carrying muskets.
Blacksmiths brought tools.
Hunters took positions on rooftops.
Thomas organized them.
“Don’t chase anyone.”
“Protect the houses.”
“Keep the women and children inside.”
“Do not fire unless they fire first.”
Margaret stood beside him.
“You’ve done this before.”
Thomas nodded.
“Too many times.”
The attackers approached.
Richard Bell rode at the front.
He called out.
“Margaret Hale!”
She stepped forward.
“This is my town.”
Richard laughed.
“It’s not your town.”
Thomas stood beside her.
“You’ve lost.”
Richard pointed.
“Give me the papers.”
“No.”
“Then people will die.”
Margaret looked around.
The townspeople were watching.
She raised her voice.
“You came here to steal my home.”
Richard smiled.
“And what will you do?”
Margaret looked at the people who had repaired her kitchen.
The miller.
The butcher.
The blacksmith.
The farmers.
People who had helped because she had helped them.
She said,
“I’ll defend it.”
The first shot came from Richard’s side.
Chaos erupted.
Thomas pulled Margaret behind cover.
Muskets fired.
Horses panicked.
Men shouted.
But Thomas had prepared the town.
The attackers were forced into narrow streets.
They couldn’t maneuver their horses.
Farmers blocked the roads with wagons.
The blacksmith’s men cut loose chains across the road.
Within minutes, the attackers were trapped.
Richard tried to escape.
Thomas chased him toward the river.
They fought beside the docks.
Richard pulled a knife.
Thomas blocked the first strike.
The second cut his arm.
Margaret saw blood.
“Thomas!”
He ignored her.
Richard lunged again.
Thomas stepped aside.
Richard slipped on the wet boards.
His knife fell.
Thomas grabbed him.
“It’s over.”
Richard spat.
“You think the governor will save you?”
“No.”
Thomas looked toward the road.
“He already knows.”
A group of armed officials arrived.
At their front was Justice Harper.
Behind him were representatives of the governor.
Richard’s face collapsed.
Harper held up the documents.
“Richard Bell, you are under arrest.”
Richard looked toward Thomas.
“You.”
Thomas said nothing.
Richard was taken away.
The fighting ended.
Ashford had survived.
But Thomas’s wound was deep.
Margaret brought him inside.
She cleaned it herself.
“You’re bleeding everywhere.”
“I’ve had worse.”
“That doesn’t comfort me.”
He smiled.
“You were worried.”
“Of course I was.”
Thomas looked at her.
“Why?”
She stopped.
The room became quiet.
“Because…”
She looked down.
“Because I care about you.”
Thomas didn’t speak.
Margaret finally met his eyes.
“You came here asking for food and a place to sleep.”
“Yes.”
“And now you’ve risked your life for me.”
“I didn’t have to.”
“No.”
She smiled through tears.
“You didn’t.”
Thomas reached for her hand.
“I think I found what I was looking for.”
“What?”
“A place worth staying.”
Margaret squeezed his fingers.
Outside, the bells of Ashford began ringing.
But one problem remained.
The papers had exposed Richard.
They had exposed the smuggling network.
But the name at the top of the conspiracy was still hidden.
And Thomas knew exactly where to find it.
