She dropped the cloth back into the water and stepped outside into the darkness, needing solitude. Covering her face with her hands, she leaned against the stony boulder near the entrance. She couldn’t be falling in love with a Union solder—not with Papa fighting on the side of the South in Virginia. What would he think?
She sank to the freezing ground, thankful a dense fog hid her from view. These feelings must be a result of working so hard to save his life. She’d heard of the bond that sometimes formed between a caregiver and patient. That must be it. She’d recover soon enough once he returned to one of those campfires flickering in the valley.
She didn’t know what else to do for him. His condition had not improved. The headache powders didn’t alleviate the pain or fever. He couldn’t die. He just couldn’t. She bowed her head and prayed for his complete recovery. She also asked for wisdom to know how to help him.
When the cold drove her back inside, he was awake.
“Did the pain wake you?”
He nodded. “I thought you were sleeping.”
“I feel restless tonight.” She sat beside him. “Would it help to talk a few minutes?”
“I’d like that, but it’s late. You’re tired.”
The concern in his eyes for her felt good. It had been a long time since someone watched over her. “I won’t be able to sleep either. How long have you been a soldier?”
With his good hand, he managed to get into a sitting position and leaned against the wall. “I mustered into the army last August. In 1862. Since I was the head of the family, my mother didn’t want me to go when the war began. Finally it seemed wrong not to go.”
“My pa was thirty-nine when the war started.” Carrie sat facing him on the ground a couple of feet away. “I thought he was too old to fight. Two Confederate soldiers came to the house in early May of ‘61. They carried muskets and wanted Papa to sign up that day. I’m not certain Papa would have chosen to fight for the South. He never believed in slavery.”
Adam raised his eyebrows.
“I can understand your surprise, especially after the way I acted when we met.” She looked away. “I’m sorry about that. Mama would have been ashamed of me.”
“It’s been hard since your pa left.”
“You have no idea.” Suddenly it felt important that he understand. “Aunt Lavinia got sick shortly after he left. I wrote to Papa about her illness but never told him how much her health had declined. I’m so worried about him. He’s now forty-one. No matter what those men said, I think he’s too old to be a soldier.”
He nodded. “We’ve got folks in their forties, too. And boys in their early teens. That’s what scares me so much about my brother. He wanted to join when I did. I had a hard time convincing him to stay behind and look after our mother and sisters.”
Carrie understood his concern for his brother. Didn’t she worry about Jay every day? “He’s so young.”
“And life can change in an instant — especially during a battle.”
They stared at each other. They’d never been this serious with one another or talked about something so important.
Suddenly afraid to share more, Carrie stood up slowly. “Do you think you can sleep now?”
He nodded, his intense gaze never leaving hers.
“Well, good night then. Send Jay in to get me if you need anything.” She tried to smile but felt herself trembling with emotion.
“I will. Good night, Carrie.”
She started to walk away.
“Carrie?”
“Yes?” She turned back to look at him.
“I’m glad I met you.” There was no teasing light in his eyes now. He meant it.
Her breath caught in her throat. “Me, too.”
The atmosphere became charged with emotion. This time she teased him to break the tension. “So I could learn some new nursing skills.”
He smiled. “Aw. Happy to know I’m good for something.”
She returned his smile. “Sleep well, Adam.”
As she got into bed, she realized the smile was still on her face.
• CHAPTER SEVEN •
Carrie endured her aunt’s complaints about Adam as best she could for the next few days. Aunt Lavinia insisted on Carrie’s help to walk to the front room. Every day she sat in a chair facing Adam. Carrie didn’t know if her aunt intended to protect her family or remind the soldier of her presence. Either way, all felt relieved when Aunt Lavinia returned to her sickbed after an hour or so.
It had to make Adam uncomfortable and concern him, but he didn’t complain. In fact, he went in and out of sleep several times a day. He was friendly with her, but didn’t talk often. Carrie’s worry for him increased as she realized his condition was worsening.
She changed his bandage daily and applied the poultices. The bruised, torn flesh didn’t show much improvement. She went back to using plain water to wash the arm, but it didn’t change the appearance of the open wound.
If he wasn’t busy with chores, Jay sat beside her as she tended Adam. No matter how gruesome the sight appeared to her, Jay paid close attention.
Realizing both Jay and Star were fidgety, Carrie sent her brother out to replenish the firewood on Friday, December 4th. When her aunt retreated to bed after breakfast for a nap, Carrie took the opportunity to pray for Adam again as the soldier slept restlessly. Her ideas had run out, and still Adam showed no signs of improvement. In fact, he grew weaker. One of the wounds remained open. The bullets must be lodged inside the arm somewhere. Aunt Lavinia couldn’t remove them, even if she could be persuaded to help a Yankee. Jay couldn’t do it. All their close neighbors had fled. Of those who remained further up the mountain, would any possess the skill to remove a bullet?
Thoughts of the army tents surrounding Chattanooga came unbidden. The army had surgeons. But no, it was at least a two or three-mile walk to get to the closest camp. She couldn’t take Adam to them. He couldn’t walk such a distance, and they had no horse. If she brought them to the cave, their food could be stolen along with the livestock. They would starve. She couldn’t do that to her family.
Adam had been shot on November twenty-fourth. The bullets had now been in his arm ten days. They must be removed. What could she do? How could she save Adam’s life and not risk the livelihood of her family?
“Carrie!” Jay burst into the cave as she fried bacon to accompany the cornbread. “Soldiers are back on the mountain.”
Frustrated, she put her hands on her hips. Would they never be able to return to their home? “Where did you see them?”
Excitement lit his green eyes. “On the plateau. Up near Summertown. I saw soldiers waving flags at the hotel. Tents, too.”
“Summertown?” Wealthy folks used the village, located in the high altitudes about two miles from their home, as a summer resort. “I think everyone who lived there left already.”
“Yeah, I didn’t see anyone I knew. Just a passel of soldiers.”
Her heart leaped to her throat as she removed the skillet from the edge of the fire. “Just how close did you get to them?”
He shrugged. “Not real close. I hid behind bushes when I saw a bunch of tents. Star didn’t growl or anything, not even when a squirrel ran up the chestnut tree next to us. I heard them talking about fixing the road.”
“Jay Bishop, that’s too close! They were Union soldiers?” Although Adam’s eyes remained closed, something in his tense posture showed he wasn’t sleeping.
Jay nodded. “Just like Adam. I like Yankees now, Carrie. Don’t you?”
She flushed. “At least one of them. But someone stole our horse.”
“It wasn’t Adam.”
She liked Adam, too, maybe even more than Jay did. She’d been taking extra care with her appearance the past few days, pinning her braid up in a more sophisticated style that she hoped pleased the soldier. “I know. Why don’t you wake him while I take a plate into Aunt Lavinia?” She poured a glass of milk and went into the large, middle room.
>
“What’s all the excitement?” The older woman didn’t sit up when Carrie entered. “Do I need to go in there?”
“No, Aunt Lavinia, please rest.” She hesitated, not wanting to get her aunt stirred up again. “Jay saw soldiers on the plateau around the hotel in Summertown.”
“Yankees?” Her pale eyes filled with fear and loathing.
Carrie nodded reluctantly. “There are enough tall trees, jutting ledges, and boulders to hide us from their view. We’ll have to be careful not to make noise to draw their attention when we go outside. Do you want me to feed you?”
“Can’t believe they had the nerve to come back.” Aunt Lavinia rubbed her temples. “No, just leave it on the table. I’ll eat when my headache eases some.”
Carrie patted her arm before returning to the front room. Jay ate next to Adam on the floor. “Where’s Adam’s plate?”
“He ain’t that hungry.”
Carrie put her hands on her hips and gave Adam her best ‘big sister’ look. It always worked on Jay. “Not that hungry? After I went to all the trouble of baking cornbread?” He simply had to eat to maintain his strength.
He looked a little ashamed. “Bacon smells good, too.”
“That’s more like it.” She put several slices of bacon on a plate next to a generous wedge of cornbread and brought it to him. “Do you feel like sitting up?”
He closed his eyes as if to muster his strength. “Jay, old boy, think you can give me a hand?”
Jay hunkered over and put an arm around Adam’s shoulders. He eased the grown man into a sitting position with gentleness beyond his years.
“Thanks, Jay.” He reached for the plate. “Did I ever say thank you for all the wonderful meals?” He smiled at Carrie.
Her heart melted. He really was a good man. “At least a dozen times. Now, eat everything on your plate.”
He chuckled and winked at Jay. “Yes, Ma’am.” Still grinning, he asked, “Have you ever considered joining the army?”
She frowned, surprised by the question. “Why would you ask such a thing?”
“Because I think you’d make a fine officer.” He started to chuckle again, but winced when laughter jarred the wounded arm.
“Are you all right? Is it worse?” Instantly she fell on her knees at his side, eyes intent on his face.
He quickly masked his pain with a forced smile. “Jay, can you check on the chickens? I want to speak privately to your sister.”
The boy carried his empty plate to one of the barrel lids Carrie used as a table top before heading to the back of the cave.
Adam put down his plate to hold her hand with his good hand. “Carrie, I’m not getting better. I don’t want to die in front of your brother. Can you get to the soldiers up on the mountain? Go to the Union camp. Tell them that I’m with the Ninety-Ninth Ohio. They’ll come for me.”
Tears sprang to her eyes. He couldn’t die. “No, you’re not going to die on us, Adam Hendricks! We’ve lost too much already.”
He squeezed her hand tighter. “Would losing me be such a great loss?”
She couldn’t meet that intense gaze and certainly couldn’t speak of her private feelings when she didn’t know how he felt. “Of course. I wouldn’t want to see anyone die.”
He looked down at their clasped hands. “Of course not. You’re a compassionate person.” He released her and ate a piece of bacon.
She slowly crossed the room to get her food. Tears continued to fall silently. She bowed her head and prayed silently. “Lord, please show me the way. And don’t let Adam die. Please don’t let Adam die.”
Jay came back into the room. “Was that enough time?”
Adam met her gaze across the room. “Yes, thank you, Jay.”
“Why are you crying, Carrie?” Her little brother placed a gentle hand on her arm.
She closed her eyes to ask silently for strength. Then she looked at Jay. “Because I have a difficult task ahead of me. Will you help?”
• CHAPTER EIGHT •
“I’ll do anything. Please don’t cry.”
The trust in Jay’s expression as he looked at his sister warmed Adam’s soul. She had done a good job raising him.
“I know you will.” She put her hands on Jay’s shoulders and looked at him intently. “Adam needs a doctor. Since his army is camped further up the mountain, I’ll go and let them know he’s here.”
“To our hideout?” His few freckles stood out on a suddenly pale face.
A determined light in her eyes, she gave him a brief hug. “That’s where I need your help. If we work together, we can carry some of our food back to our cabin. The soldiers have already been there. I doubt they’ll search it again.”
“But what about the rest of it? And our cows and chickens? If the soldiers go back into the cave, they’ll find them. Cows make too much noise to hide them. And what if the rooster crows? Then we won’t have any milk or eggs or butter.”
Carrie patted his arm distractedly. “I don’t know what they’ll do.”
“And what will Aunt Lavinia say?”
Glancing toward the bedroom with a sigh, she shrugged. “If more Union soldiers are coming here, I should warn her first.” She began to walk in that direction.
“Wait!” Adam couldn’t jeopardize their safety. He knew all about livestock disappearing when rations ran low. If soldiers knew where an excess of food could be found, they were likely to try to buy it or even take it. Why hadn’t he considered that possibility? His brain must be befuddled with pain. After all this family had done for him, he wouldn’t put them in that position. “Take me to your cabin instead.”
She looked at him speculatively. “Can you make it that far?”
“Yes.” He answered as firmly as possible, but honestly didn’t know the answer. If he collapsed along the way, it would be better than exposing their hidden shelter. His wounds would likely prove fatal anyway. His death would be difficult for this little family. If things had been different, maybe he could have courted the beautiful Carrie with her mixture of feisty gentleness, but it was best not to dwell on what could never be.
Jay tugged on his sister’s sleeve as she stared at Adam contemplatively. “Carrie, did you hear? We can take him to the cabin instead.”
Her sad gaze finally shifted to her brother. “I heard him, Jay. I don’t believe he can walk that far.”
Still wearing his army trousers and Mr. Bishop's old nightshirt, Adam pushed back the blankets and pushed himself up to his knees with his good hand. The wounded arm hung limp at his side. He suspected the bullet had broken a bone. “Of course I can. I’ll be fine if I lean on someone.”
“See, Carrie? I’m strong. I’ll help.”
She seemed even more burdened to be given the alternative as different emotions registered on her face. Adam could almost feel the indecision, fear, and helplessness from across the room. “Let me speak with Aunt Lavinia.”
When she left the room, Jay came over to him.
“Jay, if you could help me over to that chair, I’ll put my old brogans on. I’ll need those shoes on the cold mountain trail.”
Jay helped him rise to his feet. The boy seemed to understand Adam’s need to gather his strength before shuffling to the high-backed chair five feet away. “It’s right nippy. I’ll take an armload of wood up to the cabin before we go. The cabin’s freezing.”
After Adam sank into the chair, Jay retrieved the rest of the soldier’s clothing from the bottom of a barrel. He helped Adam slip on his blouse, coat, and shoes. “I’d best be on my way so I can hurry back. I’ll take Star with me.”
“Be careful out there.”
He watched the boy head out with all the wood he could hold in his arms and another loaded sack of kindling over his shoulder.
Adam touched his throbbing arm. The wet bandage, now hidden under his coat, could mean an infection or his wound had started bleeding again. Despite nourishing meals, he’d felt himself weakening the past few days. Carrie had done all she
could do for him.
God had certainly watched over him in guiding him to such a caring family. Of course, their aunt hadn’t shown much compassion, but could he really blame her? With no doctor to tend her, the consumption must be growing worse. This chilly cave dwelling couldn’t be very healthy for her. Through the course of the war, this family had been shot at and gone into hiding through fear of losing their possessions. The man of the home had left to fight for the Southern cause many miles from here. They’d lost at least one horse and a generous supply of hay. Who knew what else they’d endured?
And now, a Union soldier would likely die in their hiding place. How could he add to their troubles by allowing the United States Army to discover the entrance to their cave? Carrie grew sweeter and more compassionate every day. Even though the decision tore her up inside, she would go to the army camp and bring back a surgeon for him. She’d put her family at risk. He loved her for it but couldn’t allow it.
He loved her? Where had that thought come from? She could order him around like the best sergeant taking him through the drills and then in the next moment gently bind his wound.
He groaned aloud as the sure knowledge came. His love for her didn’t change anything. If he thought he could live … but, no, the pain and swelling in his arm convinced him otherwise. He didn’t need a surgeon to realize it. He’d seen too much during his time in the army.
No, he’d find the strength to walk to the cabin or die in the attempt. This family wouldn’t have to sacrifice any more for him after he made what could be his last journey.
An hour later, Carrie gritted her teeth as Adam slumped further, leaning even more of his weight on her. His eyes had been closed for the last ten minutes, but his legs continued forward as if he were on a long march. Gray clouds blocked the sun. A biting wind blew her cloak open. Adam’s arm around her shoulder felt as if it weighed at least a hundred pounds.
Wisps of blond hair had escaped from the single braid that had been securely pinned to the crown of her head that morning. Relief filled her as the cabin came into sight at last. The normal ten-minute walk had stretched to over thirty minutes. Jay had scampered ahead to build up the fire, leaving her supporting most of Adam’s weight.
A Stranger On My Land - A Civil War Romance Page 5