GREAT post Oreolover and good luck at camp!!!! I'm not particularly well known for aptience, but I will try!!!

Jen

I was gone for 10 days and found 8 whole pages to read! Not that I'm complaining...
Then I finally catch up, just to find out you're leaving for a week!
Come back and post soon!

A week- or how will one cope????? Have a great time and i will be praying for you.....

Okay, it's been a week. You said you'd see us Saturday or Sunday, right? Well, it's Saturday night here. "

Sorry, I can't help it. I'm a little addicted to this one.... ( )

It's Sunday mornig here!!! Don't worry okiefoster, I'm addicted to this one too!!! Oreolover, how was camp????

jen

Is camp over yet? I bet the first thing you did was head for a long soak in a bubble bath! Now the second thing you should have done was POST!!!!!

kav

it's Sunday afternoon where i am and somewhere in the world it's Sunday evening.......... or it could even be monday morning by now!!!!!!!!!!

serously though, hope camp went well

but please post

cath

Yep, over here, It's monday morning. I hope camp went well and you had a great time (not too hot) and at the risk of sounding like a nag, we really would appreciate a .

It's sunday evening here, hope camp went well.

Where are you Oreo??

Okay, it's still Sunday afternoon here. So if she's here on this continent, she still has a couple of hours left. But only 7 1/2 hours.....

Hope camp went well.

I'm back. I had to sleep for a couple of hours today since I had a Camp Hangover. It went very well. We had about 60 campers and I taught four classes a day. Only three of the days were really hot. The rest were very pleasant. Thank you for your patience.

Chapter13 – Part 1

Old Moses, the Leland’s butler, mumbled as his knees protested as he trudged the long hall way towards Mr. Myles the Third’s room. Even though that uppity Miss Anne told him that she’d see to Mr. Myles guests, he had a feeling that the young man would want to handle this personally.

Mentally, he pictured the woman who’d arrived. He wasn’t Mr. Myles usual type. While she was pretty enough, she certainly didn’t have any airs about her and her clothes betrayed the fact that she wasn’t quite in Leland’s social class. Moses chuckled. “She outta thank the God Lord for that.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Even before Bobby and D reached the other Union soldiers at Five Forks, Bobby could feel the tension in the air. He knew that Lee’s confederate forces were stretched thin. It would be crucial to Lee to protect his right flank if he was going to maintaining the integrity of the Confederate position and the safety of the capital in Richmond. Holding the position also offered Lee the possibility of slipping away to the southwest and joining up with forces under General Joseph E. Johnston in North Carolina.

“I think our men will around Lee’s right flank,” Bobby told D. “What do you think?”

“I was thinking the same thing. We’ll have to swing wide here or we’ll run smack into Lee’s men in another half mile or so.”

Bobby nodded and directed his horse off the road into the dense forest glade. He patted the caramel colored coat of his Morgan named Graceland. It still amazed him that the prison guard had actually loaned Tara the two horses which belonged to Jack and him. Now, with D seated on Jack’s, a mottled white Appaloosa named Skater after Jack’s favorite pastime, they carefully made their way around Lee’s troupes.

Not wanting to waste any time stopping to eat, each man dug into their saddle bags where Tara had packed lunches. Bobby bit into a hunk of cheese and smiled as he thought about her.

“Hey, how’d you get cheese?” D asked.

“I guess she likes me better,” he joked.

“Just wait ‘til she gets to know you.”

Bobby’s expression sobered. “I just hope she gets the chance.”

“You still worried about them? Try not to fret about her. She’s been taken care of herself a long time now. When her aunt died and left she and her pa that house, even he thought she could handle being a stop on the underground railroad all by herself. Now, what kind of daddy would send his daughter off to do something like that if he didn’t believe in her?”

“Except she had your help.”

“She did, and now she’d got Jack’s. I’ve seen her sweet talk herself out of all sorts of spots. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone who could think faster in a pickle.”

Bobby shrugged. “Guess she’s not my worry anyway. She’s got no hold on me.”

D chuckled. “That’s what I used to say about Donna. You just keep telling yourself that.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jack heard the approaching horses before Tara. They hurried to pack up their lunch and return to the wagon. At first, Jack, hacking again because of the exertion, started to climb in the front to drive, but Tara held fast to the reigns. “If it is Rebs, our best chance is still with you sick in the back. We’d never outrun anyone on horseback and having you up here is just too suspicious.” Reluctantly, he had to agree and returned to his sick bed.

Tara pulled the rig away at a leisurely pace and adjusted the scarf around her hair. If they were looking for Tara Williams, she was certain she’d be described wearing one of her outlandish hats. That was one of the reasons she’d worn them. It made it easy to adopt a new identity later on if she’d ever needed to.

Her pulse quickened as she heard the horses barreling down on her. There had to be at least three, she thought, from the sound of the hoofbeats even though the fir trees seemed to absorb some of the noise. She pulled her wagon to the right to make room for them to pass and prayed that is exactly what they’d do.

Risking a glance back towards Jack, he nodded slightly and she could see the barrel of the Colt under the blanket. She swallowed hard and forced her face forward. “Keep your eyes on what’s in front of you. Only the guilty constantly watched their backs,” she could hear her father telling her.

With the horsemen now nearly upon her, she turned toward them in greeting. She didn’t want to look like she was hiding anything. She was right. Three Rebel soldiers pulled alongside her. “Howdy, ma’am,” the sergeant said. “Would you mind stopping for a minute so as we could ask you a few questions?”

Ack! Now I'm even more nervous!

Welcome back!

welcome back

looking forward to reading more soon

cath

Welcome back, Oreo. Great post. Anxious to read what those questions are.

aida

Well you're back with a bang -- hopefully not literally. I can't wait for more...and just so I see if my history is still up to par -- rebels are Tara's side only she's not really on their side so they're the enemy who'd want to capture Jack and any spies (like Tara) right?

kav

Yes, Kav, that is correct. Do we need to do another cheat sheet?

I just found this story and I must say I love it. But I hate to say that was a horrible cliff hanger you left us with...... But I have complete confidence in Tara.

It's amazing to think that even back then it was so hard to tell who was actually with who, even though that was tactic was used many wars before and many to come. Learning about International Politics and Relations ( especially from the World Wars on) you find out all of these depressing facts that you never know who is actually on who's side . ...

Glad you're back!
Great post!

Welcome back! I'm glad you had such a nice time. So excited to read more of your story ! I can't wait to see where you take these guys!

Em

I just found this story on Saturday and I'm already addicted. It's fantastic!

Great job! I am eagerly awaiting more.


Christine

Welcome Housemouse! Glad you like the story.

Chapter 13 – Part 2

Heart frantically pounding in her chest, Tara pulled back on the reigns and set the break on the wagon before facing the men. She swiveled in her seat and got her first good look at the three soldiers. The lieutenant wasn’t with them and she breathed a sigh of relief. “What can I do for you gentlemen?” she drawled. Jack noticed her accent had changed slightly – more country girl, less fine lady. He was impressed she’d thought to match her speech to her more common clothes.

“We’re looking for a couple of runaway prisoners and they’re being helped by a woman spy.”

Tara feigned shock. “A woman traitor?”

“Yes, ma’am. Can we ask you what y'all are doing out here?”

“I’m taking my brother home to our farm. He’s mighty sickly right now, but my grandma can fix him right up. Don’t get too close. I don’t know what kind of sickness he has,” Tara warned.

As if on cue, a coughing spasm seized Jack and the soldier directed his mount away. “He doesn’t look real good, ma’am. You’d better get on your way.”

Tara released the break. “You boys be careful, now.” As she started to pull away, a fourth horse thunderously approached. Tara wanted to bolt away, but knew if she did, she’d raise suspicions. Instead, she eased the wagon back on the road.
“Hold up there, ma’am!” the sergeant called. “Our lieutenant wants to have a word with you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elegance surrounded the woman who entered the parlor where Sue and John waited for Myles Leland, III. Sue didn’t think she’d ever seen a more lovely day dress. The pale green silk dress had an inlaid burgundy design and the pagoda sleeves were trimmed in matching fringe. The colors complimented the woman’s red hair, tied up in a hair net with a matching bow. Sue tried not to stare, but even the buttons were beautiful stones – garnets, Sue guessed.

Yet, as beautiful as the woman was before her, Sue felt no gentleness of spirit about her. Her suspicions were confirmed when she spoke. “I’m Anne Leland.”

She did not extend her hand in greeting, but folded them neatly in her lap as she took a seat in one of the high backed chairs. Sue waited for her to indicate that they, too, should be seated. When she didn’t offer, it was John who gestured for his sister to sit next to Anne. “I’m glad Myles took my little conversation with him to heart and has sent for you to collect Lucy so soon. She is quite a handful. I’m surprised your mother has tolerated her.”

Sue’s eyes widened. “Excuse me. Did you say we’re here to collect Lucy? You’re sending her home?”

A tall man leaning on a cane, clearly resembling Anne, authoritatively stepped into the room and shot a glare to his sister. “No, we are not sending Miss Dodson home.”

“But Myles . . .” Anne started to protest, but the man silenced her with his eyes.

“Anne, if you’ll excuse us, I’d like to welcome my guests now ... properly,” he said dismissively.

Standing, Anne squared her shoulders defiantly and marched from the room. Sue suppressed a giggle. Clearly, Anne Leland was accustomed to getting her way.
Myles extended his hand. “I’m Myles Leland the Third and you must be Sue Thomas.” He took Sue’s hand and kissed the back of it. “And you are?”

“John Thomas, Sue’s brother.”

“Thank you for escorting her here.” Myles turned to the butler. “Will you have someone bring us some tea?” Facing Sue, he smiled. “I apologize for my sister’s deplorable manners. She was unaware I’d asked you to come.”

“And why did you ask me to come? Has Lucy been a problem?”

Myles grinned. “Isn’t she usually a problem?” he chuckled, but when Sue looked stricken, he sobered. “No, Miss Dodson has been a most capable nurse. As you can see, I’m almost healed.”

“Then?”

“As I wrote you, Lucy has served me so well, I wanted to repay her somehow. You have been at the center of almost every conversation and I could think of no better way than to re-unite the two of you.”

“So, you are sending her home with me?”

“No, I didn’t exactly say that.”

Ah! Tara and Jack better be alright. I was ready to sigh with relief when the soldier said the LT. wanted to talk to them. Please let it be a different one!

Em

Good to have you back, Oreo! I missed you and this story but of course you had to come back with a bang! and I can only echo Em...and to hope that you will post soon!

Trying to make up for a little lost time, so here's another post.

Cheat Sheet

North= Union= Yankees (Yanks)= Blue Coats = Gen. Grant/ Gen. Sheridan

South = Confederates= Rebels= Grey Coats = Gen. Lee



Chapter 14 – Part 1

"He looked as though he ought to have been, and was, the monarch of the world"- Description of Confederate General Robert E. Lee

Under the blanket of fir trees, Bobby and D remained hidden until they were sure the noises they heard belonged to the Union Calvary. They eased from the trees and made their way behind the troupes until they located their own regiment.

“Lt. Manning and Sergeant Gans reporting,” Bobby said crisply to Col. Thomas.

The colonel whirled his mount around and smiled at the two men. Suddenly, his expression sobered. “Captain Hudson? Miss Williams?”

“He’s ill, sir. Miss Williams is bringing him the long way. They should be here by nightfall.”

“You got a weapon, Sergeant Gans?” the colonel asked. D shook his head. Col. Thomas pulled out one of the rifles in his saddle. “Here, take mine. We’re in for some excitement today, boys. Get to your regiments. And Manning, with Hudson out, you’ll be in charge of yours. On General Sherman’s signal, we’re to attack Lee’s flanks while the infantry goes for the center.” Bobby nodded and the two men took off.

They had hardly had time to get their troupes in line before the next few minutes became a blur of action. Trumpet blared and the entire brigade raced forward with riffles blazing. In only a few hours, Lee’s right flank had been turned. With most of his men killed, captured or dispersed, he was forced to flee to the west, opening the way for the Union to take over Richmond.

Bruised and battered from the fight, Bobby climbed down from Graceland and nuzzled her neck. “You saved me more than once today, old girl,” he crooned before tethering her to tree.

D dismounted beside him. “You better let the surgeon take a look at that gash,” he told Bobby.

“Those drongo butchers would take my arm for a scratch like this,” he said, examining the wound. “Better to take my chances with you wrapping it up.”

“Suit yourself, but I’m warning you, I don’t make a very good nurse.” D pulled out a roll of bandages from his saddle bag.

“I don’t need any nursing – at least not from you,” he admitted with a dimpled grin.

“Speaking of nurses, have you seen any sign of them?”

Bobby immediately knew D was referring to Jack and Tara. He’d scanned the area after the battle, too, hoping they’d arrived. “No, but there’s still a lot going on. I’ll ride round once things settle a bit. I’m sure they’re here by now.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Panic seized Tara when she turned to face the lieutenant. His face hardened at the sight of her. Drawing his sidearm, he aimed it at her. “Miss Williams, you are under arrest for treason to the Confederacy,” he said coldly.

Tara felt as if icey fingers were squeezing the breath out of her, but she kept her eyes locked on her accuser, willing Jack to remain quiet.

The other soldiers looked shocked. “She’s the traitor?” one of them asked.

“One and the same. Get her down, boys.”

Jack’s mind raced. With four of them, he knew he’d never be able to shoot them all before he or Tara would be killed. On the other hand, if they decided to take him, too, then neither he nor Tara would have a chance. He forced himself to lay still as he heard Tara struggled against them, kicking and hitting, as they hauled her from the seat. He cringed when he heard the sound of flesh against flesh and knew the lieutenant had struck her, repeatedly, yelling for her to not be so hysterical. Even though he’d known her only a short time, he knew that Tara Williams was not hysterical and guessed that calling saying so probably hurt her more than any blow had.

In the lull, he imagined they were binding her hands with rope behind her back and getting her seated on one of the horses with one of the soldiers.

“What’ll we do with him?” the sergeant asked indicating the back of the wagon.

The lieutenant leaned over an nudged Jack’s ribs with the gun. Jack merely moaned and coughed. “Leave him. We don’t need anymore sickness back at the prison. He’ll die out here without her anyway. Let’s go. There may be time to hang her before nightfall.”

“Hang a lady?” one of the men asked.

“No. Hang a spy.”

can you make up for lost time some more??

Caught up on some great posts here, but eeeekkkkkkkk!!!!! Oreolover, I konw you're reading this thread at the moment cos i can see you down there, is there any chance you have another post up your sleeve???? I won't be able to sleep with out another non-eeekkkk post!!!

*begging and pleading face* Jen

Wow! This is fantastic!
Oreolover I just love how you're writing the characters, and I love reading Sue Thomas fanfics that are set back in time.


Uh-oh!

wwwwoooooowwwwww what has happend here, what did they do to tara, i'm going to get them myslef you don't do that to tara...come on everybody operation free tara is starting now

I was so glad to see you're back, Oreo!! I was saying to myself, Oreo's back, she had a good time, she's going to post and get us in the mood again, then BAM!!!

I am sitting on the edge of my seat, holding my breath and praying that Tara will be okay!! Jack was very smart to act sicker than he really is!! He's really her only chance if the Lt. plans on hanging Tara by nightfall!!!

Can't wait for the next post!!!

Joy

They're going to hang Tara!!

Or so they think right? I mean, Jack's somehow going to get word to the Union army on time so Bobby will blast his way to her and sweep her off of her feet.... right????


Christine

Nooooo! They can't hang Tara!

Okay, why are you letting them hang Tara. I love angst as much as the next person, but a hanging.

Please, please tell me that Bobby will come to her rescue.

aida

COME BACK!!! They can't hang Tara!

Great posts Oreo, glad you're back

Chapter 14 - Part 2

Myles Leland the Third dismissed the rest of the conversation insisting that Sue see Lucy right away. “She should be back from her walk in the garden. She does that every morning,” he explained leading them back to his room in the west wing of the mansion.

Sue wanted to ask him why he wanted Lucy to stay. Obviously, he was doing fine if he could walk and allowed her time to wander in the gardens every day. Still, she knew it was not the time to press the conversation. Myles stopped in front of set of double doors. “May I go in first and tell her I have a surprise for her?” he asked, but Sue noticed he did not wait for her to answer. Apparently having ones way was generally assumed by Lelands.

John tapped her shoulder. “He just called and said to come in.”

Sue pushed the heavy door aside and stepped through tentatively. She’d never been in a man’s bed chambers and blushed at the thought of how scandalized her mother would be right now. However, upon seeing Lucy, all inhibitions vanished and they rushed into one another’s arms.

“Oh, Mr. Myles, this is the best surprise ever,” Lucy said after the four of them had gone out to the veranda for lemonade. “I had no idea you were even listening when I went on and on about Sue and John and Levi. Sue, where is Levi by the way?”

“Levi! John we left him leashed to the buggy!” Sue hopped up and nearly toppled the table in the process.

John caught her with his good arm. “Easy, Sue. I’ll go see to Levi. Mr. Leland, would you mind if I brought Sue’s dog around here to the veranda? He helps Sue hear things she’d otherwise miss.”

Myles first impulse was to explain that Lelands did not border animals, but a glance at Lucy made him quickly realize that to do so would not be in his best interest. “Certainly. Then, perhaps after our lemonade, Lucy can take Levi out to meet Samuel while I have Moses show you and Sue to your rooms, John.”

“Oh, I don’t need a room,” John explained. “I’m heading home soon. My mother feels I’ve been away long enough already. I’ll return for Sue whenever you want me to.”

“Nonsense. I’ll see Miss Thomas home myself in a week or so. Would that be agreeable to you, Miss Thomas? Lucy would be an adequate chaperone for the trip.”

He faced Sue and smiled. Sue wanted to trust Myles Leland the Third, but couldn’t for some reason. “I appreciate your offer, but are you sure you’d be up to the trip?”

“I think I’ll like nothing more than to get out of this house quite soon.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wincing, Bobby gritted his teeth as D cleaned the jagged wound in his arm. It wasn’t too deep, but it was dirty. D held open the edges and continued to pour water on it despite Bobby’s protests. “I’m going to get every last bit of grit out of here, ‘cause I don’t want to have Tara fussing at me for doing a poor job.” D set down the canteen and began to wrap the wound. He glanced at Bobby’s face and saw the concerned etched there. “I’m worried ‘em, too. Shoulda been here by now.”

“I know. Maybe they ran into trouble. We shouldn’t have let them go alone.”

“Maybe they just needed to stop and let Jack rest a bit.”

“Is that what you really think?”

“No,” D admitted as he tied off the bandage. “I think we should go look for them.”

“We just captured a couple thousand prisoners and Gen. Sherman sent orders to Richmond for the city to evacuate. Somehow, I don’t think Col. Thomas is going to let us go out on a private search party right now.”

They looked up to see Col. Thomas headed there way. They both stood and saluted. “No sign of Capt. Hudson?” he asked.

“No, sir. Apparently they’ve run into trouble,” Bobby said.

Col. Thomas glanced at the setting sun. The air was beginning to chill. He’d become closer to Jack Hudson than any other officer under his command. Something about the young man had created a bond between them. “It’ll be getting dark soon. Listen, Lt. Manning, I know that you and Sergeant Gans are probably bone tired, but I’ve got an assignment for you.”

Bobby wanted to protest. If he went on an assignment, there would be no way to go and find Jack and Tara. But when he opened his mouth, Col. Thomas held up his hand and continued. “We still need those supply wagons destroyed at Painesville and Grant wants it done by April 5 at the latest. It’s the last confederate supply shipment. If you leave tonight, you should have a few days to set up the offense. Tomorrow, we march on Richmond.”

D was the first to understand what the colonel was implying. “Yes, sir. We’ll get right on that.”

“Tomorrow, you think we’ll take Richmond?” Bobby asked. “The Confederate capital is going to fall?” It’s what they’d been fighting for so long, but the worlds sounded strange. “Then, it will be over?”

Col. Thomas chuckled. “Well, that’s our hope, son. But if they get to those supplies, things could start up again. I know you’ll get both jobs done.”

loving it!!!! soooo glad yer back girl!!!!!!!!!

Hurry Bobby and D, Jack and Tara need you!!!

Joy

glad you're back and posting but a rescuing tara and jack post would be very good ight about now

please!!!!!

cath

oh no! Jack and Tara... anxiously awaiting more....

Jack needs to be alive to meet Sue! Is jack gonna meet Sue Oreo???

Oh what a flurry of posts!! Thank goodness they left Jack for near death...he's going to be Tara's only hope. Are they going to end up at the Lelands somehow? Are Bobby and D going to get there in time to help Jack rescue Tara? I can't wait to find out what's going to happen.

Kav

Chapter 15 – Part 1

"With this honor devolves upon you also a corresponding responsibility. As the country herein trusts you, so under God it will sustain you." ~ Abraham Lincoln used these words to confer upon Ulysses S. Grant the rank of lieutenant general--the army's highest rank

When the hoof beats died away, Jack rose from the bed of the wagon, stuck the Colt into the waistband of his pants, and swung off the side. He thanked God that the soldiers had left him with the horse. He pulled the wagon off to the side, under a grove of trees, and unhitched it. While riding bareback had never been his favorite, he was certainly capable of doing so. Before mounting up, he took a burlap sack from the wagon and filled it with a few necessities: the medicine Tara had prepared, water, what was left of the food, and a blanket. As an afterthought, he pulled one of her books from beneath the oats and dropped it in.

To his surprise, the old mare Tara had used to pull the wagon must have had some thoroughbred in her. She raced down the road with only the slightest nudging from Jack. Leave it to Tara, he thought, to even disguise her horse. The exertion of riding wracked his body in another coughing spasm. At the fork in the road, Jack realized he had to make a decision. He could head on to the unit and get Bobby and D’s help or he could follow the road back into Richmond and find Tara on his own. “Hang her by nightfall,” he remembered the lieutenant’s words clearly. The decision was simple. Tara would be killed if he went for help. He was her only chance.

Just in case Bobby came by, Jack removed the ribbon from the around the napkin holding the biscuits and tied it to a branch. He knew it was a long shot, but if God decided to bless them with a miracle, he wanted to help out all he could. Tearing a page from the book, he rolled it and stuck it in the ribbon. ”Please God,” he prayed, “let them come and find this and don’t let them hurt Tara.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Every part of Tara’s body seemed to hurt. The corporal who she shared a saddle with had place her in front of him. He kept an arm tightly around her waist, and she hated the familiarity with which he touched her, but he had been basically kind. At least, they had tied her hands in front so she could hold onto the saddle horn, but her feet dangled without stirrups making her feel each bump. The rhythm of the ride was soon lulling her and she felt her head droop forward and then snap back - wide awake. The corporal pulled her closer and whispered, “Go ahead and sleep, Miss Williams. I won’t let you fall off. Honest.” Unable to fight it any longer, she allowed her head to lean against his shoulder.

The sharp sting of a crop against her thigh made her suddenly cry out. “You’d better be using this time to prepare to meet your Maker, traitor,” the lieutentant stated, “and not sleeping your last hours away.”

She could feel the welt swelling on her leg from the strike and ached to rub it. But she feared if she let go of the horn of the saddle, she'd topple. Instead, she tried to regulate her ragged breathing.

“Sorry about that, Miss. I didn’t see it coming or I’d have woke you up,” the corporal told her. “I don’t think it’s right to hit a woman.”

“What about to hang her?” Tara whispered.

“Don’t reckon that’s right either, but I don’t have much say in the matter.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The bed chamber provided for Sue was the most plush she’d ever seen. The sleigh bed was draped in layers of rich umber and the lace trimmed sheets were crisp and freshly ironed. Sue detected the faint hint of lavender on them. Lucy must have told someone it was her favorite. Sue patted Levi’s head. Lucy had snuck him in the back way knowing Sue would be nervous in the unfamiliar place with him by her side. Lucy would have liked to share the room or the adjacent one as she had at the Thomas’, but things like a servant in guest quarters were never even considered at the Leland estate.

Lucy stayed to help Sue unpack. “It is so good to have you here,” she said for the fiftieth time. “I’ve missed having someone who would listen to me.”

Sue giggled. “Then I’m afraid you’re still out of luck.”

Lucy tossed a pillow at her. “You know what I mean.”

“I’ve missed you, too.”

“Sue, did Mr. Myles say he was sending me home with you?”

“Actually, no he didn’t. He implied he wanted you to stay longer. How do you feel about that?”

“I hate it. I want to go home with you. I can’t stay here.”

“You’ve been unhappy?”

“No, not really. It’s not like I don’t care for Mr. Myles. He’s uppity and all, but he’s got a kinder side, too, like sending for you, and I’m really enjoying getting to know Samuel.”

Sue recognized the light in her friend’s eyes at the mention of each name. Had Lucy grown fond of both men? Sue patted the corner of the bed and Lucy clamored beside her. “Tell me about Samuel.”

“He’s been very sweet. He builds the fire in my place every night for me and even gets my supper. We take walks in the garden, too. He’s been a free man for a long time, but the Lelands pay better than most, so he’s been here for years. He’d like to get his own place some day so he’s saving up. He served in the war until he got hurt. He said the war was hard on him, seeing all the blood, but even more was seeing all the horses that died. He loves horses like a daddy loves his children.”

“He sounds like he might be quite taken with you. And what about Myles? Is he sweet?”

Lucy giggled. “Sweet isn’t a word I’d use to describe him. Egotistical and arrogant are the first words that come to mind. And that man is the most stubborn person I’ve ever met.”

“That’s what you always say about me.”

“Well, the two of you are cut from the same stubborn cloth only he’s that way because he thinks it’s his God-given right, and you’re that way because you want to be independent. There’s a difference.”

Sue yawned and stretched. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day.”

“I know. I’ll go so you can rest. I’ll be back in the morning.” Lucy paused at the door. “And Sue, don’t let Mr. Myles scare you. He tries to do that to people, but don’t let him bully you.”

“Thanks Luce. I won’t.”

I hope and pray that Bobby and Do find the book page and will follow Jack!!

I'm liking the corporal!! He says he doesn't have a say in the matter of hanging Tara, but I wonder if he'll change his mind when it gets right down to it???

I'm not sure about Lucy!! I think she likes Samuel's kindness and caring, but I do believe she likes the challenge of Myles!!!

Joy

I'm hoping Jack isn't blazing the trail for nothing!!! Please let Bobby and D get there in time to help. And I'm also hoping that the corporal's conscience won't let him go along with the lt. decree to hang Tara. she needs some tenderloving care and consolation from Bobby, dontch ya think? I'm just plain nervous about Lucy -- don't know which way it will go...wondering why Myles asked Sue for the week anyhow? He has something up his sleeve, I think. This is great Oreo.

kav

i love the way you're weaving all the different threads

cath

That nice post was great, but me is still about Tara!!!! Bobby had better find that clue!!!

Jen

I forgot to say that yes, Jack and Sue will be meeting later. It's just taking a while to get them to one another.

Chapter 15 – Part 2

An unexplained urgency filled Bobby like he’d never experienced before. Despite their state of near exhaustion, he and D raced on as fast as their mounts could manage in the failing light. He’d found the ribbon and page which he’d guessed was from one of Tara’s books by sheer accident. They’d paused at the fork to decide which direction to turn and a gust of wind had rattled the paper. Neither he nor D dared venture aloud what it meant, but riding now he had to consider the two possibilities. One of them, either Jack or Tara, was in trouble and the other had been able to warn them with the page and ribbon.

“You think they got Jack?” D voiced his musings aloud.

“That would be my guess. I can’t see him using a ribbon from some biscuits as a warning, can you?”

“No. So, that means Tara’s gone after him alone.”

“Imagine that.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the dark increased, the soldiers found it difficult to follow this section of the road under the denser canopy of the fir trees. Only a sliver of a moon hung low in the sky. Every time Tara thought about the rope around her neck, her breath quickened and she had to force the panic from her mind. She prayed over and over that something would happen to force them to stop for the night. If they didn’t, Jack would have a hard time catching up before the hanging. When the lieutenant’s horse nearly went down in a hole, he finally announced they’d stop for the night after all.

Tara thanked the Lord profusely.

The corporal lifted her down from the saddle. The sergeant and the other corporal leered at her as if they’d just been given desert at a banquet. Leaning close to her ear, the corporal whispered, “Stay close. I won’t let them touch you.” She remained at his side while he removed the saddle from his horse and followed when he placed it near a log in the meadow. He spread the saddle blanket in the grass in front of it. “Not much of a bed, but you can use the saddle for a pillow,” he told her.

“Thank you. I appreciate your kindness.”

“Sorry, it’s not much of a last night,” he mumbled as he turned to gather some wood for a fire. Tara lowered herself onto the saddle blanket and watched the shadows of the others. The sergeant turned in her direction after removing his saddle and started towards her. Tara hurried to lay her head on the shadow. She shivered involuntarily, unsure if it was the early April wind which had pick up or the less than gentlemanly indications she’d been receiving.

A crackling of branches from behind her made her jerk upright. “Easy. It’s just me,” the corporal announced. Tara felt the tension ease from her taunt muscles. He tossed another load of wood near the small blaze he had going. “The fire should be warming things up soon.” He sat down beside the saddle blanket and leaned against the log. “So, are you really a traitor?”

“Guess that depends,” she answered honestly.

“Depends on what?”

“On what you think is right.”

The corporal snagged a piece of grass and stuck one end in his mouth. “And what do you think is right?”

“You probably already know what I think.”

“Reckon I do.”

“And you think I’m wrong?”

“Not my place to say who’s right and who’s wrong.”

Tara heard a hesitation in his voice, so she prodded him. “But?”

“But at least you did something. Lots of folks don’t do anything about what they believe. They leave it to everyone else to fight for. You’ll die knowing you did something. I hope that brings you some measure of comfort.” With that, he pulled his cap down over his eyes and was snoring softly within minutes.

Tara found it difficult to find a comfortable position with her hands tied. She could hear the other men snoring around her. Since no one was assigned to guard her, apparently they didn’t see her as a threat. She wiggled her unbound feet as a plan formulated in her mind. ”You’ll die knowing you did something.” The corporal’s words echoed in her mind. She couldn’t just lie there and pray Jack would rescue her. Jack. The man who was on his deathbed only a day ago. Could she really count on him?

Motionless, she forced her own breathing to regulate. They needed to believe that she, too, was asleep. After nearly an hour, she folded her legs beneath her and managed to stand up without making a sound. Tiptoeing to the horses, she patted the neck of the one she’d rode on all day with the corporal. “I need your help, honey,” she whispered into its soft ear while her bound hands reached for the tethered reigns.

A hand clamped down hard on her wrist and she gasped. Her eyes darted up and the face of the sergeant came into view. “Well, well, well, what do we have here?” He slipped under the tethered reigns, still holding fast to her wrists, and then yanked her closer. She could feel his hot, rancid breath against her cheek. “Having trouble sleeping, darlin’? Let ole sarge fix that for ya.”

He ran his hand along her cheek, down her neck and across her cotton bodice of her dress. Tara tried to pull away but he held her fast. “Don’t fight me, darlin’. Ain’t seen a woman in months. Even a Yankee spy is better’n nothin’.” Grabbing her shoulders, he crushed his lips against hers. Tara tasted the blood from the split in her lip the lieutenant had reopened that morning as she fought the man away.

Suddenly, his grip loosened and the sergeant dropped to the ground at her feet revealing the corporal who’d been behind him. The butt of the corporal’s gun had obviously connected with the sergeant’s head. He grabbed Tara’s arm. “I told you to stay close,” he hissed as he dragged her back to the blanket and tossed her down. He stood stiffly at the end of the blanket with his riffle ready. She wasn’t sure if it was to protect her or to keep her from escaping. She imagined both.

“Aren’t you going to go to sleep?” she finally whispered.

“Don’t rightly see how I can do that, now, can you?” He turned to face her. “Don’t try that again. I can’t let you escape. I gotta do what I think’s right as much as you.”

Tara couldn’t stop the tears anymore. Hopelessness overwhelmed her and she allowed the tears to fall onto the leather seat of the saddle.

(gulp) at least one of them is a decent enough man.

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