Oh no!

I'm glad Tara's going to help!

no i'm a southern girl myself but.........go get 'em boys (meaning myles and samuel!)
oh yah.....hurry up and coming back Oreo!!!!!!!

can i bribe u with a picture of Shiloh??

Ack! Oreo! You're supposed to keep them safe! This isn't safe!!!

Oreo? You're not making this easy on any of them, are you? Or your readers. Gulp. :hide:
kav

I'm posting an extra one tonight because I don't know if there will be any posts tomorrow. I'll try to get one in in teh morning before I go out to my daughter's Bible camp in the afternoon. She's decided to put on Christ in baptism tomorrow.

Chapter 21 – part 2

Both Myles and Samuel had instinctively stepped in front of Sue and Lucy while Levi growled. “Sue, Lucy go get the sheriff,” Myles ordered.

“Uh, uh, uh. I wouldn’t do that ladies if you don’t want to see this Yank with a hole in his gut.”

They stopped abruptly and turned back around. “What do you want?” Sue asked.
“Get moving,” the dark haired said, motioning with his gun. “All of you. And shut the dog up.”

“Levi, quiet!” she ordered, half wishing he’d keep barking. Sue’s heart pounded in her chest. Two other men were rapidly approaching, but she could tell they were friends of their captors. Her father had always told her to keep her eyes open if she was ever in a dangerous situation for any and all possibilities, and she forced her mind to focus on the area. She scanned the alley, reading the words on the backs of the doors. It appeared to be behind several shops: a millinery, a dress shop, a gunsmiths, a used furniture store and of course, the café.

Suddenly, Myles was slammed against the rear wall of the café, and the gun pressed to his temple. Immediately, the two newcomers flanked him and pinned his arms. “You know what we do to Yanks?” the red-head sneered.

Samuel lurched to defend him and Lucy screamed. In one swift motion, the dark haired man cracked the back of Samuel’s skull with the butt of the gun, and the burly man slumped to the ground in a heap. The dark headed man stepped over the body and grabbed Lucy roughly and clamped a hand on her mouth. He faced Sue, “Scream and she’ll be next.”

“Welcome to Virginia, Yank,” the red-head sneered just before delivering a blow to Myles abdomen.

The back door to the used furniture store opened, and Sue saw her chance. “Help!” she screamed. One of the newcomers backhanded her and she fell to the ground.

The furniture store clerk spun in time to see the blond now sprawled on the ground. “Hey, what are ya’all doing to those ladies?” the clerk asked, moving into the alley so he could see.

The red-head growled back, “Mind your own business, Howie.”

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

Stepping back, Tara surveyed her handiwork. On the table in the kitchen, sat mounds of biscuits. She’d located six jars of jelly in the pantry and had them sitting on the table, too. She wished she had some butter to offer, but with no cow in sight, that would be pretty hard to do. She’d also lugged water from the pump so that there were several buckets next to the sink.

While the biscuits were baking, she’d made bandages from three sheets she’d found in the house and torn into strips. She had rolled them and tucked them into a basket. She was sure they’d never need that many, but the soldiers could take the rest with them when they left. Beside them, she’d placed all the blankets she could find along with the little tins of salve and jars of medicine that she’d located. She wondered why the owners of the farm had left. They’d obviously left in a hurry, because only they’d only taken necessities like clothing and staples.
She heard singing coming from the farm yard. Going to the porch, she found some of those left behind sitting round a tree. One young man played a harmonica while another sung. Tara smiled upon hearing his clear, baritone voice, but then she listened to the words.

Just before the battle, mother,
I am thinking most of you,
While upon the field we're watching
With the enemy in view.
Comrades brave are 'round me lying,
Filled with thoughts of home and God
For well they know that on the morrow,
Some will sleep beneath the sod.

CHORUS:
Farewell, mother, you may never
Press me to your breast again,
But, oh, you'll not forget me, mother,
If I'm numbered with the slain.
Oh, I long to see you, mother,
And the loving ones at home,
But I'll never leave our banner,
Till in honor I can come.
Tell the traitors all around you
That their cruel words we know,
In every battle kill our soldiers
By the help they give the foe.
Hark! I hear the bugles sounding,
'Tis the signal for the fight,
Now, may God protect us, mother,
As He ever does the right.
Hear the "Battle-Cry of Freedom,"
How it swells upon the air,
Oh, yes, we'll rally 'round the standard,
Or we'll perish nobly there.

Pulling out a handkerchief from her pocket, she dabbed at the corners of her eyes.

“Come on, Henry, sing a happier one for the lady,” one of the men said when he spotted her. “How about ‘When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again’?”

Before he’d sung the first note, another soldier shouted, “Here they come!”

Tara looked up half expecting to see Bobby leading the regiment back from battle. Instead, she the soldiers trickle down the road – some wounded, some weary, and some carrying dead. But there was no Jack, no D, and no Bobby in sight.


Note: The song lyrics listed above are from "Battle-Cry of Freedom" and was an actual song sung by soldiers in the Civil War.

Howie to the rescue? Never thought I'd say this, but thank goodness for Howie.

Ack! We only know that Tara's safe right now, for now.

Those lyrics were touching, Oreo. I think I'll have to listen to it sometime. And congrats to your daughter.

I love the way you worked Howie into this. Now I know everything is going to be okay in a roundabout, funny sort of way, right?

Beautiful song. It broke my heart.

And our boys are still back at the battlefield helping the last of the men, like any good commander would do for his men. Right?

Sure hope you're able to post some tomorrow. I am so hooked on this....

No D, Bobby, or Jack??? Where are they? They have GOT to be OK!

And what about Myles and his group? Get them help!!!

Jack, D, and Bobby are just behind the others right? Please?!

Em

Howie! I've been waiting for Howie.

Did I mention that I love the name of horses? Graceland and Skater - you thought of so many tiny details that makes this such a great story.

maybe bobby ,jack and D are taking up the rear. you know making sure everyone who can get back knows to go back. or maybe took a new way and were delayed.


can't wait for jack and sue to meet each other (hopefully they will get the chance)

thanks for the double post

Yeah!! Howie to the rescue. I just love him. He's adorable in his own bumbling way.
Now, what have you done with Jack, Bobby, and D??

congratulations to your daughter

thank heavens for howie, although he could make things worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!

where are the guys?

cath

This is just brilliant, Oreo. I am greatly relieved that Howie has put in an appearance. I no longer fear for Sue and Myles and company. But the soldiers coming home? I'm holding my breath until Bobby has Tara in his arms....so if I pass out while waiting, someone please revive me in time for that part.

kav

Yeah to Howie....

and where is our dear heros....

I have a little more I may get to post before I leave today. Thought some of you might want to know that Sue and Jack will meet in the next few days or at least by the end of the week.

Chapter 22 – Part 1

"My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to always be ready, no matter when it may overtake me." ~ Stonewall Jackson

While Lucy alternately fussed over the knot on Samuel’s head and the bruises covering Myles face, Sue spoke with Howie Fines. She explained how they’d come to be in the alley.

“That Mrs. Haverson is a real witch, but she makes a mean piece of pie. Her son got himself killed at Manassas so I reckon she has a bone to pick with you Yanks. No offense. Just I reckon she has a right. So none of you have eaten today? Why didn’t you say so? I just made up a pot of grits and I think I’ve still got some ham left from yesterday. My living quarters are just upstairs. Let me go get ya’all some vittles.”

As soon as he disappeared up the stairs, Myles faced the group and said softly. “I’m not sure which is worse – the thugs in the ally or Howie Fines.”

“Myles! He’s been nothing but kind,” Sue protested.

“And irritating,” he added.

Lucy patted Levi’s head .“I think he’s kind of cute in a puppy dog sort of way.”

Levi moaned.

Samuel laughed, generously rubbing Levi's side. “I agree with you, Levi, but I think we should all be thankful for the blessings.”

Howie returned carrying two pots. He deposited them on a large dining room table and hurried to grab a rag to dust it off. “Sorry. The used furniture business has been a little slow lately. I’ve got great inventory, but seems folks think eating is more important than dining.”

Myles merely shook his head. He pressed his hand to his bruised ribs as he stood. Lucy anticipated a witty rejoinder coming on from her boss and hurried to speak before he did. “Do you have any plates, Howie, and forks? I’ll run and get them.”

“I knew I forgot something. Wait here. Sue, you can have that nice soft chair at the head of the table. It’s the most comfortable. The rest of you can sit where you want.”

“Looks like you’ve made a friend, Sue,” Lucy teased when Howie had left.

Myles lifted the lid to one of the pots. “Or gotten another pet.”

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

Nearly an hour after the first wounded arrived, Tara had already run out of bandages. She wasn’t sure how she’d become the nurse to nearly fifty wounded soldiers, but it had happened and she’d done her best to clean and dress their wounds. She’d even sewn a few wounds shut on soldiers that she didn’t think would make it otherwise.

“Where do you want this one, ma’am?” a corporal asked from the doorway.
Tara pressed her hands to her aching back. “There’s still room in the parlor, I think.” She tilted her head trying to stretch out the kinks in her neck and rubbed the knot forming there from bending over so many people.

A hand gently pushed hers away and a shiver coursed through her body. “Here, let me, luv.”

She whirled at the sound of Bobby’s voice and flung herself into his arms. He caught her and swung her into his arms. “You’re alive,” she breathed against his chest.

“Looks that way,” he teased gently.

Placing her hands on his chest, she pushed away slightly at stared at his face. He kept his broad hands splayed across her tiny waist. “D and Jack?”

“Those two are too ornery to kill.” Grabbing her hand, he pulled her outside onto the porch and wrapped her in his arms again.

“Where have you been? Everyone else had returned. I was worried sick.”

She felt him swallow hard and take a deep steadying breath. When he spoke, his voice was still thick with emotion. “We had to make -- arrangements for the dead. We lost a lot of men.”

“How many?”

“Think we counted 75 dead. How many wounded are here?”

“At least 50. Twenty or so of the worst in the house and probably thirty in the barn,” she answered.

“That’d make almost half the men injured and killed in this one. Crook was a fool. They attacked after we burned the wagons. It was almost like the wagons were a decoy to draw us in.”

“And how many did the Confederates lose?”

“Those blokes lost as many as we did. Our men fought hard.”

She traced her finger along his cheek still blackened with gunpowder and a smile appeared between his dimples. “I was so afraid you'd been . . . I mean, it's just hard to believe that it’s really you.”

“Maybe this will help.” Slowly, as if he was savoring the moment, his lips descended on hers. It was a gentle kiss, undemanding, born of the need to heal. It exploded into a celebration. He was alive. She was alive. They had survived. They had a tomorrow.

WWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW

yay they are back, Sue and Lucy have help and they' re all still alive!

I wonder how Sue and Jack will meet ? Love at first sight or will Jack do something to have to get Sue to start to love him

Hope you have fun today

Well, that was just a slice of wonderful! I'm so glad you didn't go off and leave us hanging any longer than that! Looking forward to more!

*sighs contently* I am now swimming in bliss after that last post!

Happily and eagerly awaiting more...


Christine

Litteraly stayed in awe with that sentence, it was so beautiful... Fuzzies were great too!

Helene

Who put Crooks in charge? What a waste.

Can't help feeling all bouncy though Things are really coming together and the team is getting closer to meeting and

SIDENOTE: Sorry for the continued silly questions. The answer was later on in the post, apparently I am just a little impatient.

Loving this, a great read AND a history lesson!

yeah for tomorrow....

Oh wow. That was terrific. I loved it.

Great post Oreo. Can't wait to see what tommorrow will bring.

Aida

Oreo, I just caught up again!! Have I told you lately how much I love this???

I hated that Lucy and Samuel had to ride in the baggage car and Levi could stay with Sue!!

Howie to the rescue!! How Howie!!! Still irritating Myles, I see!!!

Tara and her feistiness almost got her killed again!! And Bobby would have never forgiven himself if he had shot her!!!

So many men injured and lost because of one stupid, unthinking, unfeeling man!!! I know Tara was glancing down that road all day waiting for Bobby, Jack and D!! I'm so glad they all made it back safe!!!

And, at last, Bobby and Tara get to kiss without interruption!!!

Joy

Amazing post!

ahhhh sweeeeet bobby just give her one heck of a kiss

and yeah sue and jack are going to meet

a for the hero!..both of em!....

how did howie get the others out of harm again...did he just show up and send the rebs away?

so glad they are all ok

cath

Phew! I'm so glad they made it back!

Keep it coming!

Em

awww, what a way to end!

Just a snipet this morning. Sorry.

Chapter 22 – Part 2

Bobby had searched the barn and then the house and finally found Tara asleep, propped against the wall in the parlor, next to a particularly weak soldier. He checked to see if the young private was still breathing and when he realized he was not, he pulled the blanket over the man’s face. Scooping Tara into his arms, he carried her upstairs and eased her onto the only unoccupied bed in the house – hers. “Bobby?” she asked groggily.

“Well, I sure hope Jack’s not carrying you to bed,” he said gently as he pulled the blanket over her.

“Jack sounds bad tonight,” she mumbled. “Needs sleep.”

“And so do you.” He kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of Barky.”

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

A hand covered her mouth that prevented her from screaming, but her she fought the restraint with her all she had, digging her fingernails into the flesh of the man.
“Ow! Tara, it’s me,” Bobby whispered.

“Bobby! What’s going on?” she asked. “Why are you waking me up? It’s still dark out.”

“Jack wants to leave before Gen. Crook wakes up. He’s afraid he’ll try to order us to stay and we need to get back to our regiment.”

Tara pushed herself up in the bed and rubbed her eyes. Bobby pressed something into her hands. “Here. Take this haversack and fill it with as many of your dresses and . . . well, stuff that you can. Jack doesn’t want us to take the wagon. It would be too noisy. We’ll meet you in the barn.” He paused at the doorway. “And don’t light a lantern.”

The underlying urgency in his voice propelled Tara from the bed. She was glad she had washed two dresses the day before. Quickly, she changed into a fresh bright yellow dress and rolled the two clean dresses into balls and stuffed them in the sack. Getting a third dress in would be hopeless. She was able to get a fresh petticoat into the bag along with her brush and a bar of lavender scented soap. She sighed. There’d be no room for books.

Hurry guys!!!!! I think it's about time everyone meet up I think Jack needs some TLC from a certain someone he hasn't yet met...

Em

I don't like General Crook - we definitely need to leave him behind!!!

Joy

uh-oh. For some reason, I'm a little bit worried here. Why would they leave and not tell anyone? Keep them safe, Oreo. Please.

(Oh, BTW - It's not your fault.. )

Chapter 23 - Part 1

“The young bloods of the South; sons of planters, lawyers about towns, good billiard players and sportsmen, men who never did any work and never will. War suits them. They are splendid riders, first rate shots and utterly reckless. These men must all be killed or employed by us before we can hope for peace.” ~.Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, Union officer

Lucy heard the train whistle blowing, and she looked up in shock. “Myles! Our train!”

Myles was already on his feet, hobbling to the door as fast as could manage using the cumbersome cane. Clearly exasperated, he whacked the boardwalk with cane and turned to face the others. “It’s too late. We missed it. We’ll have to secure lodging and catch the train tomorrow.”

“You mean ya’all need a place to stay?” Howie asked.

“I’m afraid so,” Sue said. “Know any good hotels that’ll take us Yanks?”

“Aw, ya’all ain’t so bad. You can stay here.” He looked at Sue hopefully.

Myles limped back to the group. “We appreciate the offer, Mr. Fines, but . . .”

“But nothing,” Lucy piped up. “We’d love to stay here if it’s not too much of an inconvenience, right Samuel?”

“I reckon it’s a whole lot safer here than out there on the streets.”

Sue sighed. “It just puts our meeting back another day.”

“You need to be somewhere, Miss Sue?” Howie asked.

“We were headed to meet my father outside of Richmond.”

“Well, heck, we’re only 60 miles north of Richmond now. If we leave right away, we could be there by nightfall.”

“If we leave?” Myles asked.

“Ya’all can’t get there without a ride, can ya? Things have been pretty slow here at the store, and I’ve got a wagon. I can take you.”

Samuel laughed. “Did you say you have a wagon?” He cast a knowing glance at Myles who rolled his eyes.

“Sure did. It’s real nice, too. And I got a set of old mares to pull it. Won’t be no problem at all. I’d be happy to help Miss Sue see her pa.”

“Mr. Fines, perhaps if you direct me to the nearest livery, I could arrange for the purchase of a landau or at least a carriage.”

“Your out of luck there. Livery got burned by the Yanks and, even if it didn’t, I don’t think that anyone in this town would sell a Union officer anything.”

Lucy’s smiled broadly. “Then, it looks like we’ll be accepting your offer, Mr. Howie.”

“No mister – just Howie. I’ll go get the wagon hooked up and we can get your stuff from the station and be on our way.”

Myles was certain even Levi smirked as soon as Howie had left the room.

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

As her foot hit her last step, a guard stepped from around the corner. “Where are you headed, ma’am?” he asked.

Her hand went to her mouth. “Oh! You startled me!”

“Sorry, ma’am. Are you headed to the barn to check on the injured?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I am,” she croaked.

“Then, I’ll escort you there, ma’am. We wouldn’t want our angel of mercy stepping in a hole or something.”

“Thank you, but I’ll be fine.”

“I insist, ma’am.”

She sighed and allowed him to walk beside her. As she approached the barn, a persistent hacking emanated from within. “So much for the being quiet, Jack, ” she thought.

“Someone’s got it bad,” he commented, pushing the door open. “There you go.”

She stepped inside the large structure. “Jack? Bobby?” she whispered.

Bobby pulled her aside. “Good girl. You got everything?”

“As much everything that fits in this little sack. What’d you call it?”

“A haversack,” he answered, taking the sack form her.

“Mornin’ Tara,” Jack said as he approached. “Ready?”

“Where’s D?” she asked.

“In the meadow with the horses. Come on.” Jack lead them to a small door at the rear of the barn where he paused to make sure the way was clear.

“Why are we being so secretive? You’re not under Gen. Crook’s command,” she whispered.

“He doesn’t see it that way, luv,” Bobby breathed into her ear. Tara shivered.

“Now!” Jack said quietly. Bobby led the way with Tara following and Jack bringing up the rear. They raced through the field. Suddenly, Jack started coughing and had to stop to breathe. Bobby turned to see his best mate doubled over trying to cath his breath. “Go!” Jack hissed between coughs.

Bobby and Tara were instantly at his side. Bobby thrust the haversack into Tara’s hands. “Here, take this. I’ll get him.” He pulled Jack’s arm over his shoulder and slipped his arm around his waist. From the meadow, D saw what was happening and came to join them, taking up Jack’s other arm.

The horses whinnied softly at their approach. They lowered Jack to the ground and Tara handed him an opened canteen. “We need to get going,” he wheezed.
“Just breathe, mate. Catch your breath.”

Jack took in gulped in great lung fulls of air. “I’m okay, now. Honest. Let’s mount up.“

Even in the light of the moon, Tara could see the concern etched on Bobby’s face. “You sure you can make it?” he asked, helping Jack to his feet.
“No problem, Crash.”

Once Jack was mounted on Skater, Bobby turned to Tara who was attaching the haversack to the saddle of Blossom. He pressed a hand to the small of her back. “I hope you can ride . . . a . ..a . . . astride. We don’t have a lady’s sidesaddle.”

Tara smiled at his discomfort. “I can. Remember, I was raised by my dad.”
“Then, up you go.” He kissed her cheek, then lifted her to the saddle. “And Tara, if there’s trouble, run.”

Tara noticed that D was astride a new horse. He was so black against the night, that the two were nearly invisible. Sadly, she realized the horse’s former owner probably no longer needed it. Bobby swung into Graceland’s saddle, and Jack led them down the path on the edge of the farm.

They’d only made it a hundred yards, when a guard shouted, “Halt! Or I’ll shoot.”
Tara spun to look at the man. His rifle was leveled directly at them. “Run!” she heard Bobby shout and then she heard a whack on the butt of her horse. Blossom took off and she struggled to keep her under control. Beside her, D and Jack raced with Bobby trailing slightly behind. The guard fired and she heard a volley of shots from Bobby’s sidearm as well.

Suddenly the shooting stopped and she slowed Blossom enough to bring the horse in a circle. She couldn’t see Bobby. “Bobby?” she cried.

Jack pulled up next to her. “He’s diverting their attention. Come on.”

Fear gripped her heart, but she had no choice but to follow. The gunfire ceased and still Jack led them down a path parallel to the well-worn dirt road. The sun began to peak over the trees, and Tara kept turning around to look for Bobby, hoping he was just behind them.

Finally, Jack led them down a ravine and back up onto the main road. “G’day mates,” Bobby called cheerfully from beneath a tree. “What took you so long?”

In poor Gen. Crook's defense, I have to say that I gave him the brash temperment. The truth is he was a young general in the Civil War as he was only in his early forties. I don't know if he was like that or not. I just needed him to be.

Gen. Crook was given a post-war rank of Lietenant Colonel and became known as one of the "greatest Indian fighters" of the West. Oddly, while he did fight with the Indians in many battles, in his later years, he actually fought for them in by speaking to congress about unfair treatment, broken treaties, etc.

Thanks for that historical sidenote, Oreo. That was a great piece of additional information.

Glad to see Bobby is safe and sound. And I think I can see where Jack and Sue are about to meet, too....

Great job! Can't wait for more!

See they're hitting it off just like on the show! I love that Howie rescued them. He's never going to let them forget it either I bet!

This is such a beautiful bit....certifiablely droolable. Thnakfully (for you) we don't have a drooling smilie or I'd give you a 5 smilie salute with them!

kav

My melting moment:



My angst-riddled moment:



My laughing with relief moment:

glad the're away from the general & heading to the regiment

cath

i loved it!......i agree...sue is the med jack needs!

that made me fall from my chair hahaha but you scared me don't ever do that again you hear

does it work being angry to you

You had me worried for a minute Oreo, glad Bobbys OK

Methinks i see a Jack and Sue meeting soon

Great post, cant wait for more

Okay, I'm breathing again!!

I think we better get Jack and Sue together!! He is in need of major nursing!!!

Thanks for the sidenote, Oreo!! You did well with General Crook because we don't like him!!!

Joy

Chapter 23 –Part 2

Much to Myles dismay, Howie insisted that Sue sit up front on the buckboard seat beside him while Myles was relegated to ride in the back with Lucy and Samuel. ”At least, I can keep an eye on them,” he thought. Lucy removed her traveling hat and tucked a renegade strand of hair back into her bun. He watched her move. Her long fingers were graceful. In fact, all of her movements were graceful, almost like a ballerina he’d courted once when she’d visited Boston from France. He found himself imagining Lucy as a ballerina. Dressed in a pale pink costume, she whirled in circles to the strains of Sleeping Beauty. Her body seemed to defy gravity in long, slow leaps. When he suddenly appeared on stage to lift her slender form into the air, he shook his head to end the fantasy.

“Mr. Myles, are you alright?” she asked. “You look a little pale.”

“I’m fine, Maria,” he said.

“Excuse me. Did you just call me Maria?”

“No, of course not, I said, ‘I’m fine, merci,’ as in ‘thank you’ in French," he said, stumbling with the words.

“Oh . . .” Lucy answered doubtfully. “You sure you don’t have a fever?” She reached across the wagon to touch his brow just as the wagon hit a bump. Losing her balance, she started to tumble. Both Myles and Samuel caught her.

“I’ve got her,” Samuel said quickly.

Myles eyed him evenly. “As do I.”

Lucy pushed herself up, regained her seat, and righted her hat. “Thank you both. That could have been nasty.”

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

She didn’t like the pallor of Jack’s face and she didn’t like the way his chest rattled every time he inhaled. Still, Tara remained silent. She had seen Bobby’s give Jack a visual one over more than once when Jack wasn’t looking and she could tell he’d heard and seen the same things. They had no more dried herbs with which to make tea, but she knew that what Jack really needed was rest – a lot of rest – and a little tender loving care. Once they were back at their regiment, a doctor could see to him and put all of their minds at ease.

The sun had climbed high in the sky and warmed the April day by the time they reached Lynchburg. Tara’s stomach growled and she placed her hand against it.
Bobby heard it and laughed. “Hungry, luv?”

“A little. No time to eat last night and none of you fine officers provided me with breakfast.”

“Let’s take a break, then,” Jack said, directing his horse of the road to an open area. The others followed.

“What’s for lunch, fellas?” Tara asked with her exaggerated Southern accent and jokingly batted her eyelashes like a true belle.

Bobby helped her down. “You’re in luck, ma’am. We’ve got a real feast planned. I snagged us some bacon, some hard bread, a little bit of Crook’s dried apples and some roasted coffee.”

“Coffee?” She didn’t think she’d had any in weeks. Her expression suddenly fell. “But we don’t have anything to make it in.”

D dug in his pack and pulled out a small coffee pot. “Not every haversack is filled with pretty dresses.”

“D, I could kiss you.”

“Just give my kiss to Bobby. It’d make Donna happy and keep me alive.”

“You heard the man,” Bobby said with a grin.

Tara kissed his cheek, and he frowned at her. Tara giggled. “What? It’s the kind of kiss I’d have given D.”

By the time they built a fire, Jack was asleep with his hat covering his eyes. Bobby hung the bacon on a stick over the fire and they listened to the grease sizzle as it fell into the flames. D used the butt of his gun to grind the beans on a large rock. He then carefully scraped the grounds in the coffee pot and poured in water from his canteen.

After the coffee came to a boil, D wrapped a handerkerchief around the handle of the enameled pot and pulled it off the fire. He placed two cups on the ground and filled them. Setting the pot down, he handed Tara and Bobby each a cup.

Tara sipped the dark brew and sighed. “D, this is heavenly. I was getting so tired, I was afraid I was going to fall right off Blossom.”

“Next time tell us if you need a break,” he warned gently. “I think Captain Jack could have used one a while ago.”

Bobby speared a piece of bacon, dropped it in a hard roll, and passed it to Tara. “He’s a little bit wonky alright, but he’s tougher than a dingo.”

Tara finished her food and stood up. “I’m going to go for a little walk.”

“Don’t go too far,” D warned.

“And be careful,” Bobby added.

Tara rolled her eyes at them and simply muttered, “Good grief.”

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

Col. Thomas couldn’t help but think about the mission he’d sent Jack, Bobby and D on. Actually, he had no way of knowing if Bobby and D had been successful in finding Jack and the missing Miss Williams. He rubbed his hand over his beard and assured himself that if anyone could have found them, it would be Lt. Manning and Sgt. Gans.

He wondered if they’d been able to blow up the supply wagons. Gen. Crook was quite a know-it-all. He only hoped that the brash young general would listen to the men he’d assured him were his best. He surveyed his regiment which was preparing for yet another advance and wished that his best officers were present. Lined up before him, they waited for last instructions and the his words of encouragement.

"Lord."he prayed, "tell me what to say to these men. Help me find the words to give them courage and strength to fight for the freedom of the oppressed. Bless the souls of these men, Lord, because only you know which ones will be with you today in paradise. Don't let them see my own fear - the fear of marching them to their deaths. Until this war, I didn't realize how high the cost of freedom really was. And, Lord, thank you for keeping my family safe."

Col. Thomas squared his shoulders and sat up tall in the saddle facing the soldiers in his command. “Alright, men, this one’s important,” he yelled in a loud clear voice. “The Confederate Army is retreating, and we need to cut them off. We’ll make our stand in Sailor’s Creek which is between here and Lynchburg. Victory is within our grasp. If we can stop the Rebs now, we can be home for Independence Day. The future of the Union is in your hands.”

the prayer really hit me, we see wars and battles from a distance now

can't wait till jack & sue meet

cath

Oreo, what are you going to do about this Myles/Lucy/Samuel thing?? It could get serious!!!

We need to get Jack and Sue together sooner than later!! Jack doesn't sound so good!!!

Evidently D has resigned himself to Bobby and Tara being together, offering the kiss Tara was going to give him to Bobby!!!

Lynchburg, are they going to run right into their regiment???

Joy

i hope jack is ok, he needs to rest,and i loved the part between tara and bobby and D.....and myles and the ballerina....it is going to get complicated.