Love Lasts Forever by Dominiqua Douglas

and maybe others, too.
    The sudden snap of a twig jerked Thor and his charges to attention. Stark fear glittered in the three pairs of eyes that cut to Thor. His stomach clenched, and he forced himself to focus. They needed him to keep a clear head. Animal or man could have made that noise. Either way, Thor would handle it. The reverend’s place couldn’t be more than a mile away. There was no way he’d get them that close to the refuge to be led astray. Dammit! I’ll see them all the way.
    * * *
    Leaving the lantern on the porch was a grievous mistake , Willow thought. Her frantic pacing wore a path in front of the fireplace. I should have been more careful! A lantern on the porch was a clear signal to runaway slaves that the building was a safe haven for them. If Mr. Anders had been at the cabin instead of Thor, she would have been in a world of trouble.
    My distractions put those children at risk! She must not lose sight of what’s important. She had to keep her mind clear of diversions.
    “Really, Willow, it was a simple mistake!” Eva said. “No harm was done. Mind you, I still cannot understand why you didn’t invite them here. We have plenty.”
    “Mr. Anders wouldn’t have been pleased, and I couldn’t ask you—”
    “You should have asked me!” Eva clutched the arms of the rocking chair and pushed herself into a standing position. She crossed the room until she stood in front of Willow. Reaching out, she took Willow’s hands and squeezed. “You fret far too much. Anders isn’t here, and he would never have known those children were fed in this cabin. He’s not a heartless man, Willow. He’s just cautious. He wouldn’t have minded those children having a plate of greens.”
    Willow looked at their joined hands. Their friendship was special, but there were things that Eva just didn’t understand. Anders wanted no part of the Underground Railroad. Nor would he willingly participate in the abolition movement. He had told the reverend in no uncertain terms neither he nor Eva would become involved. Reverend Brown had forwarded the information along to her.
    She knew what Eva said was true. Anders had a good heart. He doted on Eva as if she hung the sun, the moon, and the stars. Nobody grieved more when their first child was stillborn. His heart was full when it came to his family, but not when it came to outsiders. For them, he was as emotionless as stone.
    Willow gave Eve a faint smile as she squeezed the other woman’s hands before releasing them. “I reckon I should have asked you, but in my heart, I know I did the right thing. I’m not sure about the other though. What if he and the children get lost before they reach the reverend? For all we know patrollers are after them.”
    “If Thor said he’ll find it, he will. Magnusen men are excellent trackers.”
    “I know that Mr. Anders is familiar with these woods, but Thor may not be.”
    “Thor?” Eve’s brows drew together to form a slight frown. Resting her hands on her distended abdomen, her head shook in disapproval. “You seem rather familiar. I didn’t want to comment on it before, but Willow, you mustn’t be fooled by his charming smile and attentive manners.”
    “And I must remember my place,” Willow added with a knowing nod. “I understand, Miss Eva.”
    “Now don’t be that way. You are my dearest friend! You know as well as I do, some liberties just aren’t allowed. At least not here in Georgia,” Eva stressed. “I wouldn’t want to see you heartbroken over something that could have been avoided. Thor is a handsome, delightful man, but he’s white and you’re not.”
    Eva’s words did not surprise Willow. Just below the surface, she harbored similar thoughts. Anders’s relative, with his warm, inviting eyes and charming behavior, tempted her in ways she never imagined.
    Willow endured a restless night because thoughts of him haunted her mind. His secret about being from the future created a bond between them. She