Shielding her eyes, Pleasant read the street sign through the rain. She was soaked through and the gust of wind felt as though they were traveling straight through her body. CROCUS the sign read in big letters. Not seeing any buildings in sight she dismounted Polaris and led him off the road into the surrounding woods. Removing her carpet bag she unloaded his back and tied him to a tree.

"It should be over in a few minutes," she said. Looking back to the road she watched the rain blow by like curtains in the wind. The storm's display reminded her of the ones back in Mississippi in the summer when the air got desperately hot and storms seemed to roll out of nowhere like great caravans. Rejoining Polaris she rung out her blanket and set her damp books out to dry before sitting herself at the roots of a tree. She had to smile at the memory that came back to her.

Thunder rolled over head and she curled herself up tighter. She had so desperately wanted to get away and here she was now exposed to the wild elements in an unknown place. "Why didn't he believe me?" she closed her ears as the tears started again. She wanted to forget and leave that life behind her but there was so much a part of her wanted to know. It fluttered about like a white moth in darkness at the back of her mind, keeping her awake with its tender subtle wings.

Her own coughing awoke her in the dead of night. Quickly she got to her feet and supported herself on a tree hoping that standing would make her breathing come easier. Her head was pounding and while it felt on fire her bones felt like they were made of ice. She could hardly walk for how hard she shivered. Making it to Polaris she took hold of him for warmth.

I saw death once... hide this secret and you may have my soul at your will... You should have known better than to go to some place you did not know...Ghostwell, Ghostwell, show me the face of the one I love...

She felt her body hit the ground and the random drips of ran hitting her skin from the canopy. She could see Polaris' black legs shifting in front of her as they slowly blurred and faded.

/

Mrs. Monhollen heard the familiar feet of her eldest son as he came up the stairs to her bedroom. Usually she wouldn't let him catch her in such a sorrowful state but recent events had left her heart loose to bleed.

"Afternoon, Mother," Baldwin said as he entered the room and placed a kiss on her temple. He went over to the mantelpiece and fixed his collar in the mirror above it. "I just came from the farm. Havelock expects we'll have a good harvest this year."

Brunhilde looked up at her son. She didn't know what words to say when it came to addressing his character as of late but she knew that his glee was all a façade as hers had been for many years.

"What did he say to you when you saw him last?"

Baldwin turned around and faced his mother. He had been so careful not to show his frustration that he hadn't noticed her sorrow. "Pa was sick for many days before..."

"I don't mean your father," Mrs. Monhollen said. "I mean Johann. Tell me...was he happy? How do you remember him?"

Baldwin looked down at the floor then slowly brought his head up. "He wanted to go fishing," he said. "That was why we had gone to the lake. I hadn't even wanted to go. You remember we used to keep the dingy there,"

Mrs. Monhollen nodded.

"I put him in it," he smiled. "You should have seen his face. He was happy that day, Mother; he was very happy." He lowered his head. "I shouldn't have turned my back. There was an animal in the woods and I wanted to see it. Dick and I, we thought we would be heroes if we caught a bear. He warned me that one of us should stay with Johann..."

"I know the rest," Mrs. Monhollen said. She opened her hands and looked down at the little photograph in a rounded frame. "You went after the bear and when you returned Johann was gone."

Baldwin turned away as heavy tears fell from his mother's eyes. He hated to see her cry. "I loved him, Ma," Baldwin found himself weeping. "I can't forgive myself for being so careless."

"I know," Mrs. Monhollen sniffled. "But don't blame yourself, Älskling. Johann loved you so much! His face would radiate like a brand new sun whenever you came around. He loved you unconditionally and he wouldn't blame you." She got up from her chair and embraced her son, turning him to her. "So remember that. Don't let it haunt you so badly that it changes who you are. You are your father's son and a just and loving man."

Baldwin looked into her eyes. "You speak of Pleasant Day?"

Mrs. Monhollen nodded.

Baldwin shook his head. "I did what I had to," he said receiving a surprised look from his mother. "I have a few very complicated things to sort. Once I have answers I can make amends."

Mrs. Monhollen stepped away from her son. "But what shall become of her in the mean time?" she asked aloud. "What trouble is crouching on her roadway?"

"She will be safe."

"You know not where she has gone or who she shall meet!" Mrs. Monhollen said. "My son you are far too hasty," she shook her head. "For all your goodness, for all your devotion and care, your actions are too swift. You must think before you act. Before you make yourself a judge; an executioner."

Baldwin turned away from his mother and for a moment they stood in silence. "What do I do?"

"Do what is right."

"And if what I think is right is actually wrong?"

"Remember," Mrs. Monhollen said softly. "Jesus." She went over to her son and hugged him. "I have the greatest faith in you, Älskling," she said kissing him tenderly. "You will carry this town and you will mend what has been broken."

Baldwin looked into his mother's eyes and she touched his face.

"You have the softest eyes."

Baldwin smiled at his mother and kissed her hand. "I'm going to see, Auntie," he said.

"Make her happy," Mrs. Monhollen said after her son. "Dicky isn't always at his best."

"I will, Ma," Baldwin said. "I'll come by for dinner." He went out the door with his mother's words heavy on his mind. You are far too hasty.

/

Before her eyes opened the first thing Pleasant sensed was the gentle sound of music. When she opened her eyes she found herself looking up at a ceiling. Turning right she saw a window and that it was day time outside. Turning left she saw an opened bedroom door leading into a hall. She could tell that she was upstairs by the sound of the violin coming from below. Looking across the room she saw the skirt and blouse she had been wearing hanging on a dressing screen along with her hat. Her carpet bag and boots sat on and under a chair while her books sat on a dresser opposite a wash basin.

Pushing back the blankets she stepped out of the bed to find her limbs surprisingly weak. Stumbling forward she clasped onto the metal bed frame for support. Looking down at herself she saw that she was changed into her own nightgown but she didn't remember undressing. In fact she didn't remember much at all besides being in the rain with Polaris. Where was he?

Going over to the dresser she opened the drawers one by one until she found the rest of her clothes. Downstairs the pianist began to play a different tune. Pushing the drawer closed she caught her reflection in the mirror. She had never seen herself more tired in all her born days. Dipping her hands in the basin she quickly splashed water on her face. Where was she and how had she come here? She opened the drawer again and pulled out her stockings and garter belt. Thankfully they had the decency to leave her in drawers. Reaching into the chest drawer she took out her corset and the rest of her under clothes. Panicking she dropped a stocking and as she bent to pick it up she heard a gasp and spun to the door.

"You're awake," a dark haired young woman with a tea tray said. "Oh dear." She hurried over to Pleasant and helped the trembling woman to sit. "Don't excite yourself."

"Where...where am I?" Pleasant asked.

The young woman took her hand. "You're in Crocus," she said getting up and setting the tray on the nightstand. "Not too far out of New Castle. In the care of Dr. Geiger."

"Doctor?" Pleasant questioned. "How did I get here?"

"A passerby spotted your horse in the woods," the young woman said. "He brought you to us. Most everyone has a horse or ten here so when we see them in odd places we get concerned."

Pleasant looked at the woman's uniform and assumed she was a nurse. "My horse? Where is he?"

"Safe and fed in the stables," the nurse said. "We thought he would settle down after four days but he won't let anyone to near him."

"Four days?" Pleasant gasped. "I've been here for four days?"

The nurse nodded. "You were very sick," she said. "You came in and out a consciousness only long enough to eat."

Pleasant went to stand again and the nurse was quickly in front of her. "I need to go."

"You must stay here until you have recovered, Miss Day," she said. "We don't want you to end up harmed again."

"I am not harmed," Pleasant insisted.

The nurse lowered her voice. "Your flesh is in terrible condition," she said.

Pleasant relinquished the fight and sank down on the bed. "You have seen them?"

"I dressed you," the nurse said. She nodded to the tray. "You should eat. You must have come a long way to escape who did this to you."

Pleasant looked at her in shock and the nurse bowed her head.

"I'm sorry," she said. "My brother is always telling me not to read too deep into people's business."

Pleasant didn't feel much like eating and wished she couldn't smell the split pea soup. "How did you know my name?"

"It's written in your Bible," the nurse pointed. "Sorry, we had to go through your things. The books were spared."

A male voice called from downstairs and the nurse turned. "I had better go," she said putting the articles Pleasant had removed back in the drawer. "I'll have to tell the doctor that you are awake. "I'm Nurse Florence but really you can just call me Florence. If you need me just ring that bell on the nightstand."

Pleasant looked at the bell beside the bed. Just seeing the steaming bowl of soup and the delicious bread next to it made her stomach growl. Perhaps she did feel like eating. The voice from downstairs called again and Nurse Florence hurried away to answer it. Getting back in the bed, Pleasant took up the bowl of soup first. "Dear, God, you have once again delivered me," she whispered. "I don't know where I am going or why I feel I must run, but please may angels guard my way. In Jesus' name, Amen."

/

Pleasant awoke the following morning to the sweet aroma of breakfast. Feeling like she should be up she kicked off the blankets and hastily dressed herself before Nurse Florence could return with a protest. Pinning up her hair she stepped out of the bedroom and looked over the railing.

Below she saw Nurse Florence standing in the great room with a tea tray most likely meant for her, and with her was a man tying his bowtie.

"I will, Addison," Florence said to the man who Pleasant assumed was the doctor. "Don't I always obey?"

"No," the doctor said. "That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble one of these days with the wrong person. You remember Alabama? The Hollister brothers are much the same."

Florence shrugged. "I'm not afraid of people and this isn't Alabama." she said then looked up to the stairs. "Well," she smiled. "It looks like our captive is about."

The doctor turned around and Pleasant gulped at the sight of his face. The man from the train. The one with the eye-patch. Questions? Had he been watching her? Was this a trick?

"So she is," the doctor said. "Miss..." he walked around to the landing and started up the stairs. "You shouldn't be about, you need your rest."

Pleasant felt like a bird frozen on a lake as the man reached the top of the stairs and started toward her. Just as he drew close she backed into the wall beneath a gas lamp.

Dr. Geiger kept his distance. "I'm not going to hurt you," he said. "Just stay calm."

The sound of tinkling metals distracted Pleasant as Florence came up the stairs with the tea tray. "He won't hurt you, Miss Day," she said. "He's my brother, the doctor of this town."

Dr. Geiger nodded to confirm this. "You don't have to be afraid," he said softly. He signaled Florence forward and taking the tray from her he let his sister guide Pleasant back into the room.

"You must obey the doctor's orders," Florence said as Pleasant sat on the bed. "I see you've dressed yourself."

"I feel fine," Pleasant said.

"I'm sure you do, but Addison and I can't let you go until we are sure you can make it on your own. His idea." Going over to the window she opened the curtain. She helped Pleasant to sit back on the bed and arranged her pillow.

"My head is spinning," Pleasant said touching her temple.

"That's is why you shouldn't be up," Florence said. "Addison is usually right about these things though I do find it hard to listen." She sat on the side of the bed and darned a napkin onto Pleasant to protect her blouse.

Pleasant eyes fell on the broken locket around the woman's neck. It was missing one side but the one that remained softened her face at sight of the colored woman in it. "Your mother?"

Florence looked at the picture. "You figured me out?" Florence asked.

"I could always tell those who were quadroon or more," Pleasant said.

"We don't pass, if that's what you think," Florence said. "It took a hard lesson to make be proud of whom I am but I am proud. She raised Addison and me alone. Every penny she earned went into making him a doctor. Then when he made some money he sent me to school. We have another brother but his father is different than ours. We don't speak with him much. He is also a doctor."

"And...your mother?"

"Dead," Florence said. "She worked up until then you know. Addison and Freddy begged her to stop but she wanted the best for the three of us. But she died knowing that Addison had succeeded. Freddy and I know she would be proud of us also."

"I'm sorry," Pleasant said.

Florence shrugged. "We are not ashamed of our mother," she felt inclined to say. "We've been told we could pass but Addison puts mulatto on the census."

Pleasant studied the woman before her and called the doctor's face to mind. She could usually pick out those who had colored ancestry but she could not see it easily in him especially with having a colored mother.

"I'll get your tray," Florence said getting up from the bed. "And don't be afraid of my brother. He only has one good eye but he is a good doctor. He's gone to visit Mr. Michelson but will be back if you have any questions."

Pleasant nodded as Florence retrieved the tray from where Dr. Geiger had left it in the hall. As she ate her sausage and eggs she thought of Natt Fristad and wondered how her students were fairing...she wondered how everyone was fairing.