by R. E. Miller
“I hope Lewey isn’t around,” she cautioned.
”Right. But what about Rachel? Where is she?”
“She may come through the door anytime, so don’t get any ideas.”
“Oh, no, never,” he grinned, rolling over on top of her. “I’m hoping we can go for that walk again tonight.”
They heard a noise at the door and looked up startled. Rachel stepped in and stopped dead in her tracks. “What’s going on?”
“He’s just leaving,” Ann said quickly. She pushed Phillip away. “Get out of here. Go find Lewey and have a drink or something, so we can get ready for dinner.”
After Phillip left, Rachel turned to Ann. “I was surprised to see him in bed with you.”
“Well, so was I. He never told me he was getting off duty early. He wanted to surprise me, and he did. I told him you might come through that door any moment, but I assure you nothing happened beyond kissing.”
“I’m not sure that’s how Lewey would see it. He and I came up the hall together. When I opened the door, he saw you and Phillip.”
Ann’s hand flew to her mouth. “Really?”
Rachel laughed.
“Rachel, don’t tease me like that; I’m still exhausted. I wish Phillip wouldn’t have come.”
“I’m not teasing. Lewey knew you were in Phillip’s quarters when you said, ‘it’s over there’. He knew.”
“Oh stop! He didn’t know. I think I’ve had just enough sleep to get me through the rest of the day and maybe some of the night. Phillip wants to go for another walk tonight. As much as I enjoyed it last night, I’m not sure it would be the same.”
Phillip was the first to see the girls come down the stairs. He motioned toward the steps. “There they are.”
“Let’s eat somewhere else tonight,” Lewey suggested.
“Follow me,” Phillip said as he gave his arm to Ann. “I think you’ll like this restaurant. It’s a different menu.”
During dinner, Phillip asked Lewey, “What time do you intend to leave for the lodge tomorrow?”
“At daybreak.”
Phillip nodded, hesitated and then said, “Well tonight is the dance at the Market House, and I was wondering if I could interest anyone in going?” He looked at Ann.
“I’d love to,” Ann replied. She looked at Lewey. “It’s our last night here.”
Phillip grinned. “Perhaps we can find you a country woman, Lewey.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Lewey said, not rising to the bait. “I’ve been a bachelor too long.”
“Lewey, may I accompany you and these beautiful ladies to the dance? It’ll be fun, and Rachel will have someone to dance with if you go along.”
“Yes. Lewey, you and I’ll dance the night away,” Rachel added cheerfully.
Lewey hesitated but agreed to the dance as they finished the last of their meal.
Heading toward the Market House was a stream of wagons bringing couples and hopeful singles for a night of music, dance, and fun. Lewey was surprised at the attendance as they walked into the building. “I think there are more people here tonight than last week.”
Phillip glanced at the crowd. “I see a few of my men. I’ll go commandeer a table.”
Phillip made his way through the crowd and in a few minutes returned. He led them to a table where four soldiers stood to greet them. Some were familiar faces from the previous week, and one in particular turned to Rachel asking, “Are you going to dance with me tonight?”
“I sure am!”
Before they knew it, there were drinks in front of all of them. After a few more songs, Rachel asked, “Come on, Lewey, do you want to dance?”
“No, you ask one of the young men. I can’t dance.”
Rachel was having a good time dancing with all the soldiers at their table. The evening passed quickly. At 10 o’clock, Lewey stood and put his coat on.
He announced, “Okay, ladies, it’s time to leave.”
Phillip was disappointed. “Lewey, I can escort the ladies back to the hotel.”
“I appreciate the gesture, Lieutenant, but I couldn’t stand another morning like today. I want to leave early tomorrow that means everyone must be up by seven o’clock. I’m sorry, but there will be other dances and walks.”
“Do you care if I escort Ann back to the hotel?”
“Of course not. I’m not that mean,” Lewey countered.
On the walk back, Phillip and Ann lagged behind, talking softly so as not to be overheard.
Phillip seemed pensive as they walked. Finally, he whispered softly, “Ann, I’ve given serious thought to resigning from the Army. These past two weekends have been wonderful, more wonderful than any I’ve ever known. I have no doubt about how much I love you and how much I want to spend the rest of my life with you. The Army can’t provide the kind of life I’ve planned for us. It would be senseless for me to stay.”
“What would you do?” Ann asked.
“I don’t know exactly what I’d do, but I’m resourceful. I can do lots of things, but I need you to believe in me.”
“I believe in you, Phillip, and I love you. The time we spent together has shown me what kind of person you really are, and I have no doubt about my feelings either. But, you should understand, my father has different plans for me. Since my mother passed away and I haven’t had any formal schooling, he plans to send me to boarding school when we return to Philadelphia. He’ll probably be suspicious that I want to marry you just to get out of that.”
“Well?” Phillip asked with a smile.
“Well, what?”
“Are you trying to get out of boarding school?”
“No!” Ann stopped. “That’s not the case!”
Phillip let his grin become a chuckle. “Just checking,” he added and began walking again. “Tell me about your father.”
Ann hesitated. “He’s a businessman and owns a shipping company in Philadelphia. There’re over 50 people employed on the docks, and they receive goods from England, France, and parts of Africa. Occasionally, ships also come in from the Far East. As a matter of fact, Rachel’s fiancé, Tom, is a foreman for my father.”
“I guess I really have to make a great impression.”
“You will,” Ann said, squeezing Phillip’s arm. “I have no doubt of it.”
They walked arm in arm back to the hotel, stopping to steal an occasional kiss. Before entering, Phillip put his arms around her and searched her eyes, “I don’t want to spend my life without you, Ann. I love you that much.”
“I love you, too.” She gently laid her head against his chest. “Let’s take things one day at a time.”
“Okay!” Phillip agreed. They had one last kiss as their hands gently parted.
“I’ll see you in the morning.” Then he turned and headed toward the fort.
CHAPTER 10
Phillip arrived at eight o’clock the next morning dressed in his wool, winter uniform. Lewey stepped out of the dining room just as Phillip entered the lobby. Phillip waved and Lewey altered course. “Looks like you’re ready to go,” Phillip said.
“I am. I’ve already eaten.” He looked toward the steps. “I’ve called the girls, but I haven’t seen them yet. Will you do me a favor?” He didn’t wait for Phillip to agree. “Don’t let them linger too long over breakfast. I’m going to hitch the horses to the coach. I’ll meet you out front.”
“No, no problem,” Phillip assured him. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Lewey pulled his hat on. A knowing frown wrinkled his face. “I’ll step back inside when I’ve got the team ready.”
Phillip laughed. “I’ll go up and get them.”
“You won’t have to,” Rachel said. She and Ann were half-way down the steps. “We’re here.”
“Well, good” Lewey said and headed for the door.
“Girls,” Phillip said approaching them as they stepped off the staircase, “let’s get some breakfast. Lewey’s not going to be very patient today.”
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p; “Oh, he’ll be alright.” Ann tucked her arm under Phillip’s. “Don’t you look handsome, Lieutenant Matter! Is that a new uniform?”
“It is standard issue Army wool,” Phillip replied. “It’s warm.”
“Aren’t you riding inside with us?” Ann asked. “That uniform might be too warm in the coach.”
“I’ll be on my horse, but thanks for the invite,” Phillip replied. He kissed Ann’s cheek. “We don’t want to keep Lewey waiting.”
Ann’s disappointment showed on her face.
Rachel tucked her arm under Ann’s free arm and tugged them toward the dining room. “Let’s face it,” she said gaily, “I wouldn’t have any fun at all if your handsome Lieutenant occupied all of your time.”
“I’m sure we’d run out of intelligent things to talk about after the first hour,” Phillip said, winking at Rachel.
“Who said anything about talking?” Ann replied coyly.
The girls and Phillip were finishing breakfast when Lewey entered the dining room and walked over to them. “I’ve got the coach ready. I don’t want to leave the horses outside too long.”
“We’re ready, believe it or not,” Phillip grinned. “Sure you don’t want a cup of coffee before we go?”
“No, thanks.” Lewey turned. “See you outside in a couple of minutes. I’ll stop and pay the bill at the front desk.”
Phillip noticed Rachel’s apprehensive glance as they left the hotel. “What’s the matter?”
“I’m just looking to see if those two men are around. I don’t really want them following us.”
“I’ll keep an eye out for them,” Phillip assured her. “I think they’re long gone by now.”
“Good.” Ann tucked her arm tighter into Phillip’s. “Sure you won’t tie your horse to the coach and ride inside for a while?”
“I’m sure,” Phillip grinned.
Ann sighed as she looked wistfully out the rear window. “This is the longest ride yet! I wish he would’ve just tied the horse to the coach. I’ve seen Father do that when he wanted to talk to a client.”
“It’ll be over before you know it, Ann.” Rachel’s smile was tight and thin. “Believe me, I feel the same way.”
Ann turned her attention away from the window. “I never realized what you must be going through until now. You’ve been away from Tom for weeks. How can you even bear it?”
Rachel returned her friend’s gaze. “It’ll allow us to get married. That makes it worth it.”
Ann changed seats and sat next to Rachel. She put her arms around her and hugged her. “You’re my dearest, dearest friend! You kept me from getting bored to death, and I haven’t even considered how much you must miss your family.”
“I do miss them, but we’ll be back in Philadelphia, and this will just be a memory. I do hope you and Phillip can get married and we can stay friends.”
“Why would you even think we wouldn’t?” Ann protested.
“Well,” Rachel shrugged. “Rich girls, handsome, dashing husbands…you know. You’re father will offer Phillip a job that makes him a partner in the business just to keep you handy. Phillip will probably be Tom’s boss, and you won’t have much time away from high society to hang around with us.”
“Not true!” Ann said sliding away from Rachel. “Don’t even think like that! Phillip and I would never forget you or Tom. Besides, you’re the only friends we have.”
Rachel patted Ann’s hand. “I won’t hold you to that after we get back to Philadelphia. Just promise me that I can beg you for a favor now and then if I really need it.”
“Like what?”
“Like if Tom gets in some kind of trouble on the job, you’ll talk to your father about keeping him on…”
“Stop kidding. You know my father likes Tom.”
“I hope he does,” Rachel said thoughtfully. “I really do.”
“Of course he does. Don’t think bad thoughts!”
Rachel grinned. “Fine, I won’t.”
The coach bumped over ruts in the road. Ann slid back into her seat. “You’ve really hidden your homesickness – at least, most of the time.”
“You had enough to worry about,” Rachel said. “I tried not to make you feel worse.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you think your father will want to leave this week?”
“If he invites Mary to return with us he will. Otherwise, he’ll probably wait until he deems my punishment complete.”
“Oh! I hope not.”
“Don’t worry. I’m betting he will invite Mary to spend Christmas with us. He’s probably already done that and is just waiting for us to get home so we can get on the road to Philadelphia.”
Rachel stared at Ann. “Are you being serious?”
“Yes. Didn’t you see the way they look at each other? You have to be blind not to see that Father has fallen for her.”
“But he hasn’t spent a year in mourning yet, has he?”
Ann startled and pointed out the back window. “What was that?”
“What?” Rachel twisted around and looked out. “It’s just Phillip. Why? What did you see?”
“I thought I saw someone cross the trail behind Phillip. It might have been my imagination, but I swear I saw someone.”
“Do you think it was Indians or renegades?”
“Look at Phillip!” Ann pointed. “He’s not paying attention to anything. I think he’s just trying to stay warm. Anyone could sneak up on him and bash him on the head.”
“Stop talking like that! You’re giving me the goose bumps!” Rachel turned away from the window. “Nothing has happened to us and nothing is going to!”
“What about when that ugly man looked in our window that time? You just about came out of your petticoat!” Ann laughed.
“So did you! And I wouldn’t have come out of my petticoat, I can tell you that!”
“I’m just teasing. He scared me too.”
“You don’t think it’s him, do you? Do you think he’s following us? He wouldn’t, would he?”
“Shhh!” Ann reached over and put a hand on Rachel’s arm. “I’m sorry I even mentioned it. You’re giving me the heebie-jeebies! You stop, and I’ll stop.”
Rachel looked at Ann until both girls burst into nervous giggles. “Fine, but don’t say you see spooky riders then.”
“I won’t.” Ann sat back. Then she leaned forward with a serious look on her face. “Unless they get closer.” She glanced out the window. “And closer!”
Rachel squealed.
Ann laughed.
Rachel looked for something to throw but finding nothing she shook her head. “You’re making me a nervous wreck! I’m going to change places with you if you don’t stop!”
Ann laughed merrily. “You’re so easy to spook!”
At that moment, Rachel shrank back against the seat and clutched her chest. “Oh my!”
Ann turned in fright and looked at the window. It was empty.
She turned back to Rachel, fear in her eyes. “What?”
Rachel laughed.
When they arrived at Herndon, both girls were still giggling. Lewey and Phillip looked at each other and shook their heads. Phillip rode up. “Are you girls okay?”
Both broke into peals of laughter that left them gasping for air.
“I was going to ask both of you to go for a walk with me after we settle in our rooms. I need to stretch my legs and my rear hurts from that saddle.” Phillip said, looking at Lewey. “With your permission, of course.”
“We would love to walk with you,” Ann said. “Wouldn’t we, Rachel?”
Lewey sighed. “It’s a good thing I trust you, Lieutenant. If you want to go for a walk, that’s fine with me. I’m going to take care of the horses, warm up and take a nap.”
“I’ll be ready in a few minutes,” Phillip said. He hoisted the girls’ bags from the coach. Ann took his arm as they walked to the inn. After he placed the girls’ bags inside their room, he went to his room.
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sp; Without unpacking, Ann tapped on his door. “Phillip.”
“Come in. I thought you were going to unpack first,” Phillip said as he moved toward her and placed his arms around her.
“I’ll unpack later. I couldn’t wait to be with you.” Ann placed a gentle kiss on his check.
“Is Rachel coming along on the walk?”
“Yes, she should be ready. I told her I’ll be right back, but you have to let me go first.”
“But I don’t want to let you go. I’d rather stay here with you all afternoon.”
“You know we can’t. Lewey is next door and would hear us.” Ann laughed.
Ann grabbed Phillip’s arm as they stepped into the hallway just as Rachel opened the door.
“I’m ready,” Rachel said.
The trio headed through the lobby and outside.
“The laughter I heard when I rode up to the coach, what was that all about?” Phillip asked as they wandered arm-in-arm down toward the river with Rachel trailing behind.
The cold wind stung their eyes. Rachel shivered. “I’m too cold to keep walking,” she complained. “I’m going inside and write a letter to Tom, hopefully, my last letter before I go home. See you when you get back.”
Ann watched Rachel walk away before turning to continue down the path. “Do you think she’ll be okay?”
“She’ll be fine,” Phillip replied. “All she has to do is scream, and we’ll be right there.”
Ann shivered. “How can you and Lewey take this weather exposed like you were?”
“For me, it’s love that keeps me warm,” Phillip teased. “Now, Lewey, I suspect it’s the pay.”
“You’re impossible, Lieutenant Matter!”
Phillip laughed at her. They stopped near the river, and Phillip pulled her into his embrace. He leaned down to speak above the roar of the water and looked at her curiously. “Now, about that laughing you and Rachel were doing as I rode up. What was so funny?” Behind them, Rachel rounded a bend in the path and stopped abruptly. The ugly stranger from the Cogan stood tying his horse to the railing in front of the inn. She couldn’t help the scream that broke from her throat.