Page 94 of The Heart’s Charge

Mark lacked the energy even to imagine a full orchestral arrangement now, but he might manage the simple melody of a hymn. He tapped out the rhythm with his thumb, the clink of his manacles forming the percussion section. The tempo fell more into the adagio range than the andante the march-like piece called for, but it was the best he could do.

At first he heard the melody as a trumpet call. Rich, majestic, regal. But when the chorus ended and he returned to the verse, it was Kate’s voice he heard, singing the lyrics to him in her sweet mezzo soprano.

’Tis the grandest theme thro’ the ages rung; ’Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue;

’Tis the grandest theme that the world e’er sung: Our God is able to deliver thee.

He is able to deliver thee, He is able to deliver thee;

Tho’ by sin opprest, Go to Him for rest; Our God is able to deliver thee.

Ah, Kate. A tear squeezed through the crease of Mark’s closed eyelid. “The Lord giveth,” he whispered, “and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

He drifted back into a hazy semiconscious state until something penetrated his fog.

Pounding. Muffled voices.

Mark’s eyes popped open. Were his ears playing tricks? Had he imagined—

No! There it was again. Pounding. Joined this time by scraping. Dirt shifted above him and showered his face.

“Here!” He yelled as loud as he could manage, which was a pathetic mewling cut off by a round of coughs. If only he had his bugle! Frustrated, he willed the hacking into submission, cleared his throat, and tried again. “Here! I’m here!”

Silence was his only answer.

Until . . .

“Wallace?”

Matt. Sweet Lord in heaven, it was Matt’s voice. He was here. And close.

Mark lifted his head a few inches off the ground. “Here, Captain. I’m here!”

A tear or two slid down his dirt-encrusted temples as his head fell back. Matthew Hanger was here, and nothing would stop the captain. Mark had never met a more reliable man.

Thank you, God. Thank you.

It didn’t take long for Captain Hanger to chop an air hole through the top of the debris blocking off the passage. It took longer for him, and those with him, to open it up wide enough to fit a man’s shoulders while not risking the stability of the mine shaft. Eventually, however, the captain wiggled his way through the opening and crawled down to where Mark lay.

“Brooks!” Matt called. “Hand in a canteen.”

At the sound of the name, Mark grabbed his former commander’s forearm, the chain resting on his chest clinking softly. “Jonah’s alive?”

The captain, his face streaked with dirt and sweat, nodded. “He is. Banged up enough that Josie raked him over the coals when he wouldn’t let her tend him before digging you out, but he’s all in one piece.”

Even as he gave the assurance, a brown hand with a canteen attached shoved through the hole. The captain patted Mark’s shoulder, then stepped away to fetch the water.

“Those rocks better not have squashed your head, Wallace,” Jonah said from the other side of the hole. “You’re gonna need your wits to keep up with all the kids that’ll be swarmin’ Harmony House after this.”

Mark lifted his head again and tried to wedge his elbows beneath him so he wouldn’t be flat on his back. “The boys?” He searched the captain’s face. “You got them out?”

Hanger nodded. “About an hour ago. All six survived. No serious injuries. Josephine’s tending to them, and Miss Palmer is plying them with food and water. Speaking of water . . .” He held up the canteen. “Drink up, soldier. Can’t have you passin’ out in front of your woman. I understand there’s a wedding in the works.”

The grin he flashed brought a touch of heat to Mark’s cheeks and a heap of pride to his heart. But before he could do more than nod, the captain had the canteen tipped and water flowing into Mark’s mouth.

“She’s fine, by the way. Your Katherine. Jonah got to her in time. Took out Ortega. And Preach likely has the others in custody by now as well.”

Mark coughed on his water, then shoved the canteen aside. He reared up as far as his rock blanket would allow. “What happened to Kate?” he roared.