by Rita Hestand
"Yes, of course I am. I merely don't want to inconvenience my passengers, nor scare them." Wade assured him.
"Before this war is over, everyone's going to be scared." Mr. Nixon said with a arrogant smile and walked off.
Wade knew he had displeased Mr. Nixon and he knew before the war was over, he would displease many of his passengers. He'd lose business, and that bothered him. He might even get a reputation for sympathizing with the north. But what was on his mind right now was surviving the events of war, and hoping everyone was right about it being over quickly. Because he knew already that trying to balance the north and the south on his boat was near impossible.
General Martin edged his way over to his table, he wasn't in uniform, he couldn't be, but Wade was aware of which side he fought. "I'd like a private word with you later, if you don't mind."
"Of course, in the engine room at midnight, then." Wade told him.
General Martin nodded and moved on.
Both Beth and Mother Cahill watched Wade carefully and followed his lead at all times. Wade had put himself in a very dangerous position and they knew they would have to play their parts carefully if he were to survive it.
"Shall we take a stroll along the deck?" He asked his mother, winking at Beth.
He pushed his mother along and wanted to reassure her as her face was a wad of frowns and emotions.
"Wade, I'm afraid of what you are doing…"
"Don't be. I don't plan on being careless and I can see I can count on the two of you to back me up in anything I say or do from now on, right?"
"Of course dear. Of course." His mother shot him a glance of concern, but Wade spun her around to look into her face.
"Please don't fret mother, I love you very much, and these are trying times."
"Of course."
He took her back inside and looked at Beth.
After a short rest he took Beth onto the floor and waltzed with her in his arms. It was heaven being this close to her and he wanted to tell her so much, but this was not the time to speak from his heart. "You're doing beautifully."
She smiled, kissed his cheek and danced as though nothing mattered.
That night at precisely twelve, General Martin met him in the engine room.
"I thought this a place we couldn't be overheard. A little noisy, but private nonetheless. I suppose you heard the Major?"
"I did. And it gave me an idea."
"Oh?" Wade didn't like the sound of that, but he listened carefully.
"You'd be much more valuable to us, if you would consent to being a spy for the north."
Wade nearly choked. Now he was a counterspy?
"I'm not sure I follow."
"Take on these soldiers that you transport back and forth, and let us know how many, and where they are going up river. That will be a great advantage for us. If you continue to work with him, it could work in our favor. I did have other plans for this boat, but this might work out better in the long run. You are a southerner, so they won't suspect a thing."
Wade wanted this man's trust, and although his heart was not in it, he agreed after a moment's consideration. "How will I get word to you?"
"Since no one seems to know who I am or what I am, I'll be your contact. I'll be a regular passenger, playing poker, dancing with the ladies. All you have to do is get word to me, any way you can to my cabin. This way, we can see and hear what the south is planning, at least from this direction. I think this will work to both our advantages because since you hail from Texas, they'll expect you to work for the south. So continue to do so, only we want regular reports on movements of troops, or ammunitions. We want to know your cargo, and when and where it will be going. This will serve a huge advantage from this side of the war effort." General Martin said glancing around the room.
"How do I get word to you sir?" Wade asked.
"When I see something going on, I'll be eating in my room, as I'm not a well person, at least that is what you might tell other passengers. You can slip me notes on a tray of food those times. Other times we can meet here or you may have to deliver messages to me on land. I'll send instructions for those meetings. Just keep up the front that you are helping the south in every way. It will naturally be expected of you. So it won't look strange to anyone. But you must at all times let us know if you are moving anything for the south and when and where you are moving it to."
Wade nodded but then he stared at the General. "Why are you trusting me so easily? I have to ask; I am a southerner after all."
The General smiled crookedly and eyed him. "We aren't. This is your boat. And like you said it's for entertainment. If you want to keep it, you'll have to inform us regularly, or we'll confiscate it and take it over and you will no longer have the controls of it. You are a spy in the union army. If caught by the south, they'll hang you, and you know it. If caught by us, you'll lose this boat."
"So in other words, I really have no choice?"
The General scrutinized him with a frown, "This is war, sir. And as such we do what we have to do. You are a southerner; we are well aware of that. We don't trust you, so your boat will be at stake should you fail us."
Wade slowly fisted his hands, but he realized too, that if he gave this General any reason to suspect he wouldn't, he could be putting everyone in danger. He had to carry through now.
He firmed his lips. "I understand."
"I was sure you would. It isn't personal. I like you, but war is war. You must realize that from this moment on, your loyalties must change."
"I realize it sir."
"Good, then we have nothing to worry about. Your life here won't change that much, just keep us apprised of what goes and comes. And if you do your job correctly you could become a hero in the end. After all, we're all Americans…aren't we?"
Wade thought about that a moment. He had always been a patriot, and the General was right, he was an American. "Yes sir, we are!" Wade nodded.
"I'm glad we finally understand each other. I trust I can expect regular reports at least once a week from you."
"Of course. But when people notice you on board all the time, what do I tell them?"
"That I’m an ailing man, who wants to spend the last of his days on board, enjoying all the luxuries this fine boat provides. That should do well, don't you think…"
Wade nodded, "Yes, I think I can pull that one off, if you play sickly, at least."
The General smiled, "I can do that easily. I do have tuberculosis."
"You're serious?"
"I am!"
"I had no idea."
The General nodded slowly. As they were getting ready to leave one at a time, the General started coughing and took out a handkerchief to cover his mouth.
"How bad is it, sir?"
"Bad enough…" he finally managed to say.
"I'll leave first…" Wade said.
"Fine…and thank you! For asking about me." The General said. "Despite the fact that you are a southerner, I feel that you still are an American. I'm glad of that, son."
Wade turned to stare at him a moment. "I'm very sorry for your health."
The General tried to smile, but it fell short. "G-day."
Wade left, but he had a strange feeling about all of this. What if something happened to the General? How would he explain that? And to whom? He'd ask about that at their next meeting.
Chapter Fourteen
A double spy could be very tricky and at some point he might have to choose what side he was on, he determined. And the sad thing was, at this point even he wasn't sure. Unlike the soldiers, his top priority was his family and his boat. In that order.
However, spying for the north would be easy enough, spying for the south now would really be tricky, especially if General Martin planned to travel with them regularly.
Something occurred to him but he tried to push to the back of his mind. It would be much too dangerous and he couldn't ask it of Beth or his mother.
But it might be the only way to
accomplish it.
He needed to talk to them alone, and he had to make sure that no one could hear them.
He was walking on deck with Beth one evening and kissing her as he whispered. "I want you to ask mother to pretend sickness so we can both gather in her quarters."
Beth looked startled, but she wrapped her arms around him and nodded, "Of course darling."
He smiled. "You’re a natural Beth."
"When…?"
"Tomorrow evening."
"It will be done…" she whispered, kissing his cheek.
Her warm breath tickled his ear and he shuddered. "Do you know what you're doing to me?"
"Yes, " She giggled.
"You’re a minx." He smiled.
"I know…" She said and her lips touched his. "I'm learning a lot these days about seducing my husband."
The kiss went on and on, and passersby smiled and some chuckled at their enthusiasm.
Beth sighed into his arms. "I never thought I'd be this happy in all my life…Even with a war going on, I'm so content to be here."
His eyes glittered into hers, "You mean that?"
"Of course I do…" She whispered.
They walked hand in hand to their room and they went to bed. He was still sleeping on the floor, but this night they both tossed and turned.
His need of her was growing day by day and he knew she felt the same. He wanted to make love to her, but he knew that if he got her pregnant, and something happened to him, he had no idea what might happen to her. He couldn't bare that. So he had to be strong for both their sakes.
"Is there any reason we can't?" She finally asked him, into the night.
"I can think of a few…" he sighed heavily. He saw the frustrations in her face and he wanted to appease her.
"Would you at least come and hold me and let me fall asleep in your arms?" she asked sweetly.
He stood up and looked down at her. She was so lovely. He could hardly bare to say no. He slid into the bed beside her and she came into his arms immediately burying her face under his chin, her arms wrapped around him.
He closed his eyes and sighed. She snuggled in his arms, and kissed his chin several times. Her arms wrapped around him, clinging to him.
"You know I want you don't you?" He asked softly.
"Yes, and I want you. And I don't understand why we can't. If you aren't going to make love to me, please, don't talk about it."
He smiled, kissing the top of her head. "I know you don't understand this. I'm not even sure I do. But…your life is in danger and so is mother's." He began to explain.
She moved away to look at him. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, they want me to spy for the north, I’m a double agent now. And they've threatened to confiscate the boat if I didn't cooperate. However, I must say the General is nicer about it, than the southern officer I spoke with. He didn't ask, he told me." Wade began. "That's why, I mustn't get you pregnant. I couldn't bear worrying over three of you."
"Oh Wade…" she cried, snuggling close to him now. "I do understand that, but…I so want to be near you all the time."
"We haven't had much of a honeymoon, have we?" He smiled as he pet her.
"As much as I want you, and I do want you, make no mistake of that. If I were to get you pregnant, I might mess things up from worrying over you. Do you see?"
"Yes…yes my darling, I see. Oh Wade…I wish this war would go away. I so wish this war would go away."
"I'm afraid that it won't. Not for a very long time…"
"But we can't go on forever…not being one…not consummating the marriage…"
"Oh Beth," he put his finger over her lips. "Don't do this. I'll find a way to manage all of this, but it's so new to me right now. It's so dangerous. We have to use our heads. You talk about losing me, I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you."
He raised up over her and saw the tears threatening to fall. "Oh please don't fret so, we'll find a way, soon."
She nodded seeing how serious he was and how upset. "Yes…you are right. I couldn't bear it if something happened to you. I won't put any more pressure on you. I know you carry enough as it is."
"And I couldn't bear it, if something happened to you or mother either. So we've got to use our heads and somehow get through this alive."
She nodded, she snuggled close again his hands holding her tightly. "It's enough to know you want me."
"It's not nearly enough for me." He said and kissed her hard on the lips, making her feel his inner most pain. "I'm insane with wanting you. But, to be this close, to have you by my side…it means so much to me. The rest will come, I promise that."
She smiled and went to sleep and he cradled her in his arms all night, just enjoying the feel of her in his arms.
~*~
The next day the confederate soldiers arrived on time and the passengers although they weren't expecting it, accepted the fact that it was for a good cause and seemed to hail Wade as a hero for allowing them on the boat.
General Martin was on the sidelines watching it all. Wade would constantly be under scrutiny.
However, the one good thing was that he would be transporting the confederates, his guest would certainly understand and it would cause everyone less tension. Had he transported for the North it could cause too much tension.
The first run of soldiers into Kentucky went smoothly. And the Major informed him that there would be others contacting him soon.
Wade agreed.
"You know this is one of the safest ways for us to get troops up the line. Your boat will be invaluable to us." The Major tipped his hat to him.
Wade smiled and watched them march off.
That evening he talked again with the General.
"He said I'd be contacted by others."
"Good, that's very good. They trust you. This could be very good for the north. I daresay you may even end up a hero for your country before this is through."
In order to establish a sense of trust with the General Wade looked him in the eye, "I won't lie to you sir, my sympathies lie with the south, but you'll have my loyalties as long as my boat stay intact. But I am concerned about one thing."
"Go on?"
"You are a sick man, if anything happened to you while you were on this boat, with me carrying southern troops, how do I explain it all?"
The General bowed his head. "That is something I hadn't thought of. But, it is a good question. I've put my illness to the back of my mind and haven't even considered it. You are right of course. I will arrange a comrade to take my place should anything happen, as soon as it is arranged I'll give you the name and how to contact them. My superiors will know of your work for us and even though we might have to make it look as though you are being arrested, you won't be. But you could be replaced on the boat temporarily until such time as we could bring you back. You see, spies live a dangerous life, but since you've given me such a great opportunity to carry this through and inform my troops of moves, I will protect you in case of mishaps. I will see to this personally and get back with you on it."
"It would mean a lot to know that I won't be arrested if anything happens to you."
The General stared at him for a long moment. "I appreciate you saying that. Because I know you are a southerner. However, I think before this war is over we might actually become good friends and you may find you are more a patriot than you think."
"I hope so sir." Wade grinned and they shook hands.
"You haven't been married long, have you?"
"No sir, we're still newlyweds. It's a difficult time to be newlyweds."
"She's a beautiful woman."
"In more ways than one, sir. And very young too."
"I have to tell you I've always fancied southern women, they have more manners and all of them can dance."
Wade lightened up for a minute and chuckled. "You're right about that, sir."
"I want to warn you now, this isn't going to be over in a month or two…"
"No sir, I didn't think it would. I hoped it might, but I didn't believe it."
The General nodded, "Goodnight."
"Goodnight sir."
Chapter Fifteen
The next contact came in two days. Wade was shocked that it would be so soon. A Colonel came up to him as he was talking to the engineer.
"Mr. Cahill?" The Colonel waited until he had his full attention.
"Yes, how may I help you?" Wade stared blankly at the man.
"I'm glad you asked that son. I've got some special cargo and I'm told you can deliver it for me." The Colonel smiled into Wade's surprised face. "The name's Durham, Colonel Durham to you."
"What kind of cargo?" Wade squinted in the noon day sun.
"Let's talk about that somewhere private." The Colonel suggested. "Shall we?"
"All right." He directed him to the back of the boat, near the paddles. It was loud back there and no one would overhear them. "It's rather loud back here, we won't be overheard. Now, exactly what are we talking about, sir?"
The Colonel eyed him a bit suspiciously. "How come you never signed up for the cause sir."
Wade was taken aback. He's already been asked that same question by passengers and diplomats. "Is this what you've taken me away from my work for? Because if it is, I don't have the time. I would think that obvious sir, I have a boat to manage. I can't do both."
"Oh yes, well, service to your countrymen is much more important than a mere boat."
Wade turned his head a bit, "Is it? Is it really? Perhaps, but when the war is over, this is my livelihood, so it is important to me. I didn't start this war, I'm not responsible for the war."
The Colonel didn't look satisfied. "Well, I suppose I shouldn't harass you about it, as long as you supply our needs, now should I?"
"No sir. You shouldn't."
It was the way he said it, that had the Colonel looking deeper.
"We have a cannon, that I want transported to the Kentucky lines."
"I see. Cargo is easily enough disguised." Wade nodded.