by Rita Hestand
"She knows you are from the north?"
"Yes, she does. And because of it, the Captain knows too. He said he'd be watching me."
"Well, you are right to come to me about this. I'll have to think on how to handle it. Don't worry, we'll have to figure something out. There is no need for trouble for you women. You came here innocently wanting your loved ones. You did not get them. We owe you. Do not worry, I'll talk it over with Quirt and we'll figure something out."
"Thank you. I wanted to tell you because I didn't want things stirred up about it. It could be dangerous, especially for all of us northern women. It's not that we want trouble, but because we are from the north, it could become an issue. The more people know about it, the worse it could get."
"You are right, but don't you worry. We'll fix this."
"If it can be fixed." Jennifer worried.
Hans smiled, "It will be."
Jennifer went back to join the women and they assured her that they would stand together. If one was arrested all would be arrested.
When Quirt pulled her aside that evening, she told him everything.
His face mirrored his concern. "I figured on troubles, but not these kinds. Hans and I will work this out. I don't want you or the others to worry about this." He assured her.
"But it could get serious. He said he'd lock us up if there was any more fighting. And that he was keeping an eye on me."
"The hell he will. When I was left in charge of this command, I was told to take care of you women. I aim to do just that. One way or another. So, not to worry. But one thing I want to know, when she started verbally attacking you, how did the other women, our women, react?"
"They came to support me, that's how Sylvia got involved in the fight."
"Good, at least you stand together, that is a good thing." He smiled. "I think I need to have a talk with all our women."
Jennifer smiled, he called them "our women". She liked that.
"I shouldn't have told her I was from New York."
"It doesn't matter, and it might be better, you didn't lie. Had you lied, they could use that against you and accuse you of spying for the north. Always tell the truth, Jennifer, even when you are afraid to. I have found that the truth really does set you free."
She nodded.
Then he kissed her head.
"Sally, informed me, she wants you." She whispered, she lifted her gaze and stared. "I asked her why she didn't let you know. She said because she was still in mourning for her husband.
He pulled away to look into her eyes. "Wants me? Was that what started this?"
"I'm afraid so. That and the fact that I'm a Yankee."
"I'm afraid I'll have to have a little talk with her." Quirt told her.
"She's quite set in her way. It might be safer if you didn't."
"Why did she approach you on this?"
"She saw us—kissing."
He smiled. "Then she might as well see this," he said and took her fully into his arms and kissed her purposely with passion.
Jennifer was stunned at the intensity of the kiss. Stunned and pleased, she wrapped her arms around him and gave him another kiss eager to let him know her own feelings. Perhaps she shouldn't be so bold, her mind shouted, but her heart won that battle quickly.
As he pulled away, he smiled into her shining eyes. "I won't have you hurt or arrested, sweet lady, I care too much to ever see you hurt."
He walked her slowly back, kissing her on the tip of her nose. "Good night," He searched her face, "Now maybe you know how the wind blows.
Jennifer's heart was beating like a loud drum, as she stared into his eyes. "I think I do… Goodnight."
Chapter Seventeen
Jennifer followed Sylvia inside as they pulled their beds closer, so they could talk. A few lanterns were still lit as everyone settled down for the night. Night had become the time to talk, discuss, and let out their feelings. A bond was growing between the women here and today that was proven. They had been kept separate from the settlers this time as most were families.
Many of the ladies had formed new friendships and talked late into the night at times.
The feelings spreading from the room, gave a new birth of union between them all.
As Jennifer and Sylvia dressed for bed, they talked about the fight and Jennifer thanked her for standing up for her, and then she raised her voice, "Thank you all, for standing up for me."
There was laughter and smiles from everyone.
Sylvia had seen the kiss from the look on her face. "Not to change the subject but, Mr. Noble seems to be staking a claim on you."
"You think so?"
"You know so. He makes no secret of it." She chuckled. "So, what did the Captain say?"
"He said he'd put us in the stockade if we continued fighting. And that he was keeping an eye on me. He knows I'm from the north."
Sylvia's jaw dropped, speechless she shook her head, "Can he do that?"
"I don't know, but Quirt seems to think he'll have a say in that. He's standing up for us. He's told me repeatedly that we are his responsibility and he'll make sure we are looked after."
"Well, that's a relief."
"He wants to talk to us soon about it."
"Maybe that's a good idea. Because as the war gets closer, things are certainly going to change. Emotions are already running high. I had the feeling that there is a line between us and the soldiers and settlers."
"I can't believe you fought her for me!" Jennifer touched her hand. Her mood lightened, and her smile widened.
"We all came here together. We didn't ask to be thrown into this war. All we were thinking about was our loved ones. It doesn't matter where we came from, we are together, and we must stick together through this horrible time." Sylvia affirmed.
"Yes, I agree. This war," Jennifer slipped her gown on and turned to look at Sylvia and some of the others, "have you noticed, it's already changing people's attitudes. The homesteaders, when they first came here, accepted us, but now, there is a tension that I can't describe. We can't change that. You wouldn't think we would have to pick sides. But I hope we can stick together, because it will get worse before it gets better."
Sylvia took her hand, "Well, I'm from Georgia, but I don't think it matters where we are from, I think after today you could say we formed a real bond, don't you?"
"Yes, you are right, and I feel the same," Jennifer assured her. "As far as I know there are about ten from the north. I hope we can treat each other with respect. After all, we didn’t start this danged war."
"I thought we'd be home by now." Sylvia's voice lowered with emotion.
"Me too. But the way it looks, it could be a long time." Jennifer warned her.
Sylvia got her brush, it was a beautiful silver brush, and looked rather expensive. She brushed her hair every night with it, and many of the girls envied her that brush. Jennifer brushed her hair too.
"Then we'll just have to make the best of it. Of course, you have Quirt Noble, and I have my Corporal Hayes."
"You like him a lot, don’t you?" Jennifer looked at her and saw her blush.
"Jimmy is very sweet. He's been very attentive to me, and always treats me so nice. I do like him. But…" she stopped to think about her next words. "I was practically engaged before I left home for this trip."
"Really, so soon after…?"
"My husband had been killed some time ago. I grieved for a year and a half. But my parents thought I'd never come out of that grief. Michael and I were planning on having a family, early on. Suddenly I realized there would be no family. I grieved for that too. There was a young man who'd courted me before I married. He was a neighbor and he had good intentions at the time. He wanted to marry me. I'll admit, I wasn't in love with him, but to appease my folks I considered it. Now, I know I'd have never been happy with him. I had no love for him. Coming here has been good for me. I finally let go of the memories, of the past. I finally found something to live for besides my dead husband. The
Corporal has been so attentive, and when he finally kissed me, I realized I was no longer dead inside. He brought me back to life, so to speak. I don't want to ever lose my spirit for life again. Corporal Hayes is in love with me, and I think, maybe I am with him. Do you think it's wrong? "
Jennifer studied her question for a long moment, "No, I don't. I can understand what you're feeling. It's like a second chance at love, grab it, embrace it. And above all, hold onto it."
"Only thing is, he might leave before I do. He might get hurt or killed. I worry about him constantly. I'd hate to go through it again. It's the only reason I haven't told him how I feel. But I guess it doesn't matter, I'd love him just like I had my husband."
"Yes, I can understand that too. But, part of living is accepting what we are given, and trying to make the best of it. You have another chance at love, now have faith that God will keep him from harm."
"You are right of course. I think we are all going to need a lot of faith to get through this bloody war. Even though it hasn't reached us yet, it's like a drum beating in the darkness, waiting until it arrives."
"You're right, it is. The tension seems to mount each day."
"It makes you appreciate all the good times in life, doesn't it?"
"Why are you so afraid of him getting hurt?"
Sylvia moved closer as they laid down in the beds and whispered. "There's been a lot of talk about moving on to New Mexico territory. There is talk of making them all Confederate. I would think, in this country of ours, the way our ancestors fought for freedom, dictating how we feel would be the last thing anyone would want to do. But I've heard some say if they didn't sign up, they could be hung."
"New Mexico is farther away than Texas, you'd think they'd concentrate on the here and now. Besides, that raid they tried to pull could cause more trouble with the Indians. Either way it will be dangerous for them all."
"I pray for the Corporal every night." Sylvia admitted. When Jennifer smiled, she looked at her for a moment, "And how about you? Do you pray for Quirt Noble too?"
"I'll admit I've said a few prayers." Jennifer smiled at her.
"Maybe we'll both go home married…" Sylvia giggled to herself.
Jennifer tried to laugh then something occurred to her, "Maybe we won't go home at all."
"You think we're going to be killed?" Sylvia cried.
"No silly, if we marry, we might not want to go home."
"I hadn't thought of that. I wonder what it would be like to be a soldier's wife?"
"Who knows, you might find out. Personally, I think you'd be grand as a soldier's wife, entertaining people at the fort, throwing parties, and helping your man move up."
They both chuckled.
"And your Quirt, how do you feel about him?"
"He lights a lot of fires," she laughed. "A lot of the Confederates don't like him though. Mainly because he did not sign up with them. It makes them distrust him. I suppose if they didn't need him for the Indian trouble, they might hang him. That worries me… "
Sylvia held her hand over her mouth. "I didn't know that. Well, if he has our backs, then we must do the same for him."
"I'll admit I've never met anyone like him."
"Have you ever been engaged?" Sylvia asked.
"No, and I haven't been engaged either, I've often wondered what it might be like. I've never been kissed like Quirt kisses either. I mean, the usual pecks from suitors, but not really kissed. I seem to have no control over it, he kisses me, and I respond, like nature intended, I suppose."
"That good huh?" Sylvia smiled at her.
"That good!"
They chuckled, put their brushes down and laid down to sleep.
~~***~~
The next morning Quirt came into their barracks. He glanced about him, as some were just making their beds, others finishing dressing, then he stood on a table and cleared his throat. "Ladies, I need to talk to you. As you all know, war is coming, and going home is not feasible right now. But I oversee you ladies, have been from the start and I intend to look after your interests no matter what. My men, the men that were here when you first came, feel the same. If you are in trouble of any kind, let me know at once. Now, granted you all come from different backgrounds, and different areas of the United States. That is something we need to discuss. Here, you are women, not spies, not soldiers, but women. You'll be treated as such, and I and my men will see to it. Among yourselves I want you all to consider yourselves a small army of women, that have no geological place. You all came for the same purpose, let that purpose guide your feelings for one another. Stay together, stand together, fight together because there will be enough enemies to go around."
The women all chuckled aloud.
"The settlers and even the soldiers might see you differently, especially as time goes on. As long as you stay together united in cause, you will be stronger. If there is trouble, seek me out, or Hans. We'll take care of it. And for your information, I and my men, stand with you, always."
He stepped down.
Victoria came to stand in front of him, and smiled, "Thank you Mr. Noble, I think we all needed to hear that."
"My pleasure." He smiled at her.
Chapter Eighteen
Quirt learned by word of mouth that the Confederates were going to use the fort as a supply depot for the New Mexico invasion of southern troops. At least the El Paso road would stay open. It was important to the New Mexico invasion. The plan was to make New Mexico territory a confederate army and on to California.
The women knowing, they were stuck there, began gardening and making the barracks nicer. The women made curtains, traded recipes, and decided they would start a quilting party on Friday nights.
Many meetings of officials were held in the mess hall and trading improved for a while.
Still there was no peace for the Mescalero Apache, Comanche nor Kiowa. Raids were intermittent. The Confederate officers were angry with Quirt most of the time as he failed to secure any more treaties from the Indians. It was impossible to secure a treaty when the white leaders could not be trusted. He told them that repeatedly and only made them madder.
Routines by the soldiers gave the women places to work like the fort's store and the hospital.
One evening as some of the soldiers entertained, Hans related the ghost story of Alice Walpole. A soldier played his harmonica as Hans went on with his story. The women gathered around to hear it.
"She was said to be the wife of a southern soldier, and she longed for her home. She was told of a place by Limpia Creek that white roses bloomed. So, one day she set out to find the roses. She walked forever around the creek. And she was never seen again. It was suspicioned she'd been carried off by Indians, but never proven. However, some claimed to have seen her walking in a blue cape toward the officer's quarters late in the evening. She never spoke, but the smell of white roses permeated the air. And white roses were found in many rooms here at the fort for some time after her disappearance."
"Is that a true story?" Victoria asked.
"Many claim it is. Troops were sent to find her, and never did. So that's why it's not wise to wander too far off."
The women sat amazed by the story.
That evening Quirt asked Jennifer to walk with him. Jennifer was dressed in a white blouse and brown leather vest with a matching brown skirt. Her hair was down, and it made her look younger. Quirt was wearing dark pants and white shirt with a leather vest. He had a black hat on, and he looked every inch the man he was.
Jennifer was amazed at how easily they got along. She almost knew his thoughts.
They often took a walk close to the Limpia Creek in the evenings. Officers often called upon the women to walk with them. But Quirt sought privacy with Jennifer, so they walked further out.
"Something troubling you?" Jennifer asked.
"No… not at all." He stopped by a big cottonwood and she leaned against it to watch him. She could almost feel the tension in him. She wished she could go into h
is arms right then and comfort him, but she'd been quite bold with him already and she didn’t want to scare him away.
"I got a letter from my father," she told him.
"What did he have to say?"
"He's dismayed that I am still here. Wants to know when I'll return, if I can bring Johnny's body home. I've already told him I couldn't. That it might have to happen some time later. My mother has taken a turn for the worse."
"I'm sorry. I wish I could figure a way for you all to get home, but it's not possible right now." Quirt came close now to stare into her eyes.
"I know." She whispered.
"There's more to it than that," he sighed and turned away.
"Oh, what do you mean?" She asked, waiting.
"I'm not sure I want you to go." He said and whirled about to look at her. "That's not right either. I know I don't want you to go."
She smiled shyly, "I've been waiting for you to say that." Her admission brought a quick smile to his lips.
He stared intently now, "You mean that?"
"I'm growing to love this country….and the people in it. I mean, I know I should go home, but my life isn't there any longer. And more importantly, you aren't there."
"I'm not good with words, Jenny. But …"
"Perhaps it's too soon to think of such things."
"Do you believe that?"
She moved her head against the tree, "No… "
"I wish I knew how you really felt—"
She reached the distance and went into his arms, hugging him to her, and touching her lips boldly to his. "Perhaps this will speak for me!"
The kiss was hot and filled with desires unspoken. Their hearts thudded in unison, his lips branding hers as his own. He smelled the sweetness of her, felt the tripping of her heart, heard the inaudible moan that escaped her, and he crushed her to him.
When they finally pulled apart, breathlessly, they stared into each other's eyes. He smiled at her now, "I'm glad we're of the same mind."
She felt her heart swell with pride, "I think we have been all along."