“I Just Need Food and a Place to Sleep,” He Said—Then He Saved Her Restaurant’s Busiest Night
Chapter 8
The road to Boston took most of the day.
They traveled quietly.
Thomas avoided the main roads.
Margaret followed.
By sunset, they stopped at a small farm.
The farmer recognized Thomas.
“You’re still alive.”
Thomas smiled.
“Apparently.”
Margaret looked at him.
“How many people know you?”
“Enough.”
The farmer gave them food.
That night, Margaret sat beside the fire.
“You’ve been running for years.”
Thomas nodded.
“Why?”
“I trusted the wrong people.”
“And now?”
He looked at her.
“Now I trust one person.”
She felt her heart beat faster.
“Who?”
Thomas smiled faintly.
“You know.”
Neither spoke for a while.
The next morning, they reached Boston.
The city was larger and louder than Ashford.
Ships crowded the harbor.
Merchants shouted.
Carriages moved through muddy streets.
Thomas took Margaret to a modest house owned by an old friend.
There they met Samuel Grant, a former magistrate.
Samuel read the documents.
His face became grave.
“This is enough to expose the smuggling network.”
“Then take it to the governor.”
Samuel shook his head.
“It’s not that simple.”
“Why?”
“Because two men named in these papers advise him.”
Margaret’s stomach dropped.
“Then who can we trust?”
Samuel looked at Thomas.
“One man.”
“Who?”
“Justice William Harper.”
Margaret recognized the name.
Harper had a reputation for honesty.
But he lived outside Boston.
They traveled again.
By late afternoon, they arrived at his estate.
Justice Harper read the papers.
Then looked at Thomas.
“You risked your life for this.”
“I couldn’t let them continue.”
Harper nodded.
Then he looked at Margaret.
“And you?”
Margaret answered,
“My restaurant was being used without my knowledge.”
Harper smiled.
“You protected your home.”
“Yes.”
“You also fed my nephew last winter.”
Margaret blinked.
“I did?”
“He remembered.”
Margaret smiled.
Harper stood.
“I will take these documents to the governor.”
Thomas exhaled.
For the first time in years, his shoulders relaxed.
But then Harper’s servant entered.
“Sir.”
“What?”
“A rider arrived.”
“Who?”
The servant looked toward Thomas.
“He asked for Mr. Reed.”
Thomas went still.
“Where is he?”
“Waiting outside.”
Thomas moved toward the window.
A group of riders stood beyond the gate.
At least ten.
Margaret’s heart pounded.
“Can we escape?”
Thomas shook his head.
“They’ve found us.”
Harper locked the doors.
“There’s a tunnel beneath the house.”
Margaret looked at him.
“Everyone has tunnels.”
Harper almost smiled.
“Massachusetts is full of secrets.”
The group outside approached.
A voice called from the gate.
“Thomas Reed!”
Thomas looked at Margaret.
“You stay here.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“Margaret—”
“I’ve followed you this far.”
He stared.
“Then stay behind me.”
The doors burst open.
Men rushed inside.
Thomas fought.
Margaret grabbed a heavy candlestick.
The battle was brief but violent.
One attacker reached Harper.
Margaret struck him from behind.
Thomas stared at her.
“You just saved his life.”
She raised the candlestick.
“I’ve been learning.”
They escaped through the tunnel.
At the other end, Thomas turned.
“You’re becoming dangerous.”
Margaret smiled.
“Perhaps I always was.”
Thomas laughed.
For the first time, Margaret saw the man beneath the fear.
But their laughter ended when they reached the road.
A rider approached.
It was a messenger from the governor.
“The documents have been received.”
Thomas stopped.
“Is he safe?”
“Yes.”
“And Lord Wentworth?”
The messenger looked grim.
“He knows.”
Thomas turned to Margaret.
“They’ll come for you now.”
