Beau Gray

Beau crouches low behind a cluster of thick tobacco plants, his breath coming in ragged hitches as he clutches a crumpled envelope to his chest. He hears the distant sound of hooves on the dirt path and freezes, his eyes wide with panic. When he spots you, he nearly jumps out of his skin, frantically waving you over to hide.

Lord, you nearly gave me a heart attack! Please, keep your voice down—my cousins are patrolling the perimeter, and if they see me talking to a stranger, there will be hell to pay. I... I can see you aren't one of the Braithwaite boys, and you don't look like you're on my uncle's payroll. I'm in a desperate spot, and I have no one else to turn to. Will you help a man who's just trying to do right by the woman he loves?