Because of Rebecca by Leanne Tyler

on his head. He had to get the woman’s attention without alarming the others. There would be hell to pay if the women saw him and could describe him to the authorities.
    “You there,” a large man on a horse called, riding up and stopping near the water’s edge. “You’re wanted at the house.”
    Rory’s brows arched as the woman he’d been watching picked up a basket of clothes and started toward the main house at a brisk pace. When the man on the horse was preoccupied, Rory slowly inched his way toward a thicket of bushes and trees that ran along the path she took. He’d already scoped out the area and knew no one watched.
    He grabbed a handful of pebbles along the way and began throwing them in her direction, hoping to distract her so she’d stop. She paid little attention at first, but when he threw a stick that landed a few inches in front of her she slowed.
    “Ruth,” he called, keeping his voice low.
    The woman’s head jerked, but she moved a little slower.
    “Ruth.”
    Finally, she stopped and looked around. Her eyes grew large and worried as she scanned the area.
    “Over here.”
    She turned in his direction, acknowledgement evident in her brown eyes.
    “It’s time.” He reached out his hand to her.
    Silently, she jumped into the bushes where he waited. “Leave the basket hidden here. We haven’t got a minute to waste. You’ll be with your family soon.”
    Ruth nodded.
    He took a huge risk seizing her during the day. Normally escapes were at night. No one would be expecting it to happen in daylight. Though, when she didn’t immediately arrive at the main house as requested a search would begin.
    Adrenaline pumped through his veins as he silently led her through the wooded area, careful to avoid stepping on twigs or fallen limbs. Searing pain shot through his abdomen with each move he made. He winced and touched his side. Blood seeped through the rudimentary stitches in the flesh he’d haphazardly sewn last night and stained his shirt. He never should have agreed to one last round of cards when he’d already won the pot. A sane man would have cleared out of town. Instead, he’d followed greed and the loser pulled a knife to regain his losses.
    The wound was yet another headache he had to contend with as he tried to complete the mission. He was over a week late in meeting with his contact, but he’d been thrown in jail after a brawl. He’d sent word upon his release explaining the delay, something he rarely did, not living by traditional standards. He enjoyed living dangerously. The higher the risk, the more he enjoyed the gamble.
    When they reached the black carriage that awaited them, Rory opened the door and helped Ruth climb inside.
    “There are clothes for you to change into in the box. I’ll ride on top with my driver until you are dressed. Use the cane to rap on the roof when you’re finished, and I will join you,” he explained before closing the door behind her.
    “Did you run into trouble?” his driver asked.
    “None, thankfully.” Rory grimaced at the twitch in his side as the carriage headed toward Jackson.
    He placed a handkerchief over the blood stain and donned a full waistcoat to cover the soiled shirt. He tied his blond hair back in a queue at his neck. No one would deny he looked like a gentleman traveling with his lady friend.
    A few moments later they heard the rap of the cane and the carriage slowed to a near crawl. He opened the door, filling the inside with light before he joined her. Then he closed the door and pushed the velvet curtains all the way open.
    “My, but don’t you make a pretty picture.” He settled on the bench across from her taking note of the way the yellow dress hugged her scrawny frame, enhancing her features. “From now until I say otherwise, you are Delia, a fallen dove from New Orleans. Do you understand what I mean by ‘fallen dove’?”
    She nodded.
    “You’ll be staying with a friend of mine and her girls. She’ll protect you