Thomas

Sophie was white as a ghost. Thomas looked at her in confusion. She had just caught him staring at her a moment ago and she was calm and peaceful. She looked serine and content. She looked gorgeous, he smiled inwardly remembering. But now, she looked terrified and white as a sheet.

He snapped his head searching the woods for the threat. What did she see that he didn't? Where was the threat? What was happening?

"Sophie? Sophie! Sophie what is it?" he kicked Tracker in the side and trotted to her side. He looked in the direction she was staring. Thomas knew why this location was significant to him but there is no way she would know.

She looked down at her hands that were resting on Maddox's mane. They were shaking. He thought he could hear her heart beating.

"JJJJJ Jerimiah," she stammered.

Thomas stared at her with wide eyes. How on earth did she know? He tenderly placed his hand on the small of her back.

"Sophie," he said softly close to her ear.

She snapped her head in his direction like she was just now recognizing his presence.

"This is where…" she breathed. "Jeremiah,"

Thomas nodded slowly. "How?" he asked in a whisper. How did she know?

"I can see him," her voice was trembling and her breath shaky.

Thomas wrapped his arm securely around her waist and pulled himself closer to her, offering her support. She looked like she was about to slump right off Maddox. He had no idea how it would be possible for her to see Jeremiah as she said she could, but it was obvious that she did. You can't fake the terror that was evident on her face.

"Why Thomas?" she cried softly. "Why can I see him? Why is this happening? Can you see him?" she looked at him again.

"No, I can't see him," he said softly. "Well, I can remember in my mind seeing him." He swallowed hard. "But he isn't there now."

Sophie's shaky hand reached for the lapel of his jacket. She was holding onto him for dear life. She couldn't pry her eyes away from the empty space where Jeremiah's lifeless body used to lie. He didn't know what to do or why this was happening but he knew he had to get her out of there.

Thomas looped his arm tightly around her small waist and lifted her off her saddle. He sat her in front of him, her legs hanging off the right side of his horse. She didn't object. She continued staring at the empty woods but rested her head on his chest. Thomas wrapped Maddox's reigns around his saddle and kicked Tracker's side and clicked his tongue.

"Come on Tracker go," he commanded. He led them well away from the area and up the ridge. Sophie circled her arms around his waist holding on tightly. He held onto her with one strong arm and the reins with another. He made the horses run faster than they needed to but he couldn't help it. He felt like he was running from a ghost. They couldn't get away fast enough.

When they finally climbed to the top of the ridge overlooking the valley he slowed the horses. He was breathing heavily. He lightly touched Sophie's head that was still resting on his chest. He stroked her hair and encircled her with his other arm. He held her silently and waited. Her breathing was still shaky and uneven.

Eventually she started to move. She lifted herself off his chest slowly and looked up at him.

"That was really close to the town Thomas. Why would Indians come that close just to kill one man?"

"Nothing about it is logical," he said evenly.

"Do you suspect it is someone from Jamestown?" she asked tentatively.

"I don't suspect anyone in particular," he said carefully. "But I don't think it was an Indian."

"I don't either," she said quietly. "And I am going to find out who did it."

"Tread lightly. If it was someone from Jamestown that is really dangerous waters."

She nodded slowly. She looked down at her hand that was resting on his forearm and he could see embarrassment creep across her face as it registered to her how close their two bodies were.

"Thank you for getting me out of there," she swallowed. "I think I will never go back there again."

"I would advise against it," he tried to say lightly. She breathed out a light laugh.

She clicked her tongue and pulled Maddox's reins lightly guiding him closer to her. Thomas held onto her waist and helped her back onto Maddox's back. She straightened her skirts again and brushed down her frazzled hair. She took a deep breath to steady herself.

"Do you have any idea why that happened?" he asked carefully, trying not to startle her.

She shook her head quickly.

"Has that ever happened to you before?"

"No, never." She took a deep breath again. It looked like she had more to say so he waited. He tried to soften his facial features. He was afraid to move too quickly or started her. She looked so fragile and like the smallest thing might frighten her away.

"I've," she hesitated. "I've been hearing his voice in my head," she looked down at her hands. "You know how I said sometimes I could hear what my father might say to me and it was like he was still with me?"

He nodded. He remembered that vaguely.

"Well, I started hearing Jeremiah's voice," and all at once she was speaking very quickly. "And I mean, it was so peculiar because I have never heard his voice before I would get these thoughts in my mind, and it sounded like a man's thoughts. I assumed it was Jeremiah. It told me where the false drawer was, and ledgers under the bed and that I should send his family his journal and other silly things. I really did think I was losing my mind, but I mean what was the harm in that? But then today, I heard his voice when we first started off and he told me to look in the direction of where his body was and then. And then I saw his body!" she was crying now. She covered her mouth with one hand and he reflexively reached for her other. He held it gently trying to offer some kind of comfort.

"Have I completely lost my mind?" she asked through her fingers.

"Well," he shrugged, searching his mind for the right words. "I wouldn't tell a lot of people about this but I don't think you are crazy."

She breathed a sigh of relief and put her hand on top of his. "Oh thank you." Her whole body relaxed. He thought he would probably do or say anything to see a smile on her face again. It was unnerving how much it bothered him when she was upset.

"What do you think is happening?" she asked.

"I have no idea but I assume that Jeremiah is trying to talk to you. He has some reason for reaching out to you and the fact that you saw his dead body, well, it's got to be something to do with his death. What do you think?"

"I think you are a saint for not yelling witch and burning me at the steak," she said dryly.

"Yeah, that's why I think you should not tell anyone else about this."

"I think you are right," she said. Her cheeks were finally starting to get some color and she was looking more like herself. "I think he wants me to discover who was responsible for her death."

Thomas nearly shuddered. "That is so dangerous Sophie," he warned.

"I know, I mean I can only imagine it is. I will be extremely careful. No one will suspect a woman right?"

She had a point. "Probably not," he conceded. "I will help you," he said decisively."

"It will be more dangerous for you," she said.

"I know, I will have to be more careful than you. But you have my support. Jeremiah was my best friend. I owe it to him."

She squeezed his hand tightly. "Why are you so kind to me Thomas? And don't say Jeremiah, I know it is more than that." She looked at him challengingly.

He grunted. Why did she have to keep pushing it? Why couldn't she just leave it alone?

"Why do I need to give a reason? Why can't I help and be kind? Why does there have to be more?"

"Because there is always more," she said unphased.

"Just let it be Sophie," he squeezed her hand this time. "Let me help you, let me be your friend and let it be that simple."

She looked at him unconvinced.

"What do you want me to say?" he asked desperately.

"I want you to admit that you like me."

"Well, that is easy. I like you. You are an amazing woman. I have never met anyone like you before. Does that satisfy you?" he asked exasperated.

"For now," she smirked. "For now."