As Daniel moved closer, he expected an adult to appear at the front door, and braced himself to run. All he wanted from the farmer was a drink from his well, and he’d be on his way. After walking the entire morning, he hadn’t passed even one creek to ease his thirst.
The two smaller children turned toward the door as if someone spoke to them. They immediately got up, and holding hands, entered the house. Still no adult ventured out. Did someone stand at the window, ready to shoot? Indeed, in this part of the country he was the enemy, but his dirty and worn Confederate uniform wouldn’t be recognized from a distance, so he pressed on.
Unconsciously, his hand drifted to his pocket to rub the ring. He needed to move further south before the Union soldiers found him. One escaped Rebel would be inconsequential, but since he’d been designated one of the camp medics after a Union doctor had been sent to the fields, they would come after him. He’d hated abandoning his fellow Confederates, but very few would survive, and there wasn’t much he could have done for them, except pray as they died.
Fatigue washed over him as he approached the porch. If the owner approved, Daniel could quench his thirst, then crawl into the farmer’s barn and sleep for the night. Maybe even get a bucket of water to wash his body. His clothes were still stiff from the mud in the river.
The moment he set his foot on the bottom step, the distinct sound of a gun being readied caught his attention. Within seconds, a young boy stepped out the door, the business end of the shotgun pointed straight at Daniel’s chest.
“Git off my property.” The child’s pale face resembled new snow. His ragged pants had been patched, but not washed in a while. Lines normally found on an adult’s face bracketed either side of his young mouth.
Daniel raised both hands, palms facing the boy. “Son, I only want to get a drink of water from your well. Can you ask your pa to step out?”
“Git off, I said.” The shotgun wavered, and the boy’s eyes narrowed.
Daniel backed away, keeping his hands in the air. He didn’t want the kid to accidently shoot him out of fear. “Can you tell me how far to the next town, then?”
“You a Reb?” The boy’s voice trembled.
“Yes, but I’m not here to hurt you or your family. I just want some water, and I’ll be on my way.” He slowly lowered his hands, but kept them in front of him, palms out. “Is your pa home?”
Tears sprung to the child’s eyes as he shook his head.
“Your ma?”
“Why do you wanna know?”
Daniel sighed. “I would like permission for a drink of water from your well, and maybe to sleep in your barn for the night.”
The two smaller children he’d spotted earlier came out the door, and stood behind the older boy. The little girl, with long brown curls cascading down her back, took her fingers out of her tiny rosebud mouth and spoke. “Our ma is bad sick. Chan thinks she’s gonna die.”
“Quiet down, Amelia, and go back into the house. And take Jace with you.” The boy who Daniel assumed was Chan jerked his head in the direction of the door, his face flushed.
Amelia focused her huge blue eyes on Daniel. “Can you help our ma, mister?”
“Amelia!” Chan lowered the gun, and faced his sister. “I said git back into the house.”
“Son, look at me.” Daniel spoke in a low voice, and didn’t move from his spot. The boy continued to grip the gun, but no longer pointed the thing at him.
“What?” He wiped tears on his sleeve, then raised the gun back up.
“Where’s your pa?”
Amelia spoke up again, moving to the edge of the porch. “Our pa is behind the house.”
He blew out a sigh of relief. “Can you fetch him for me?”
“Can’t.” She shook her head and stuck her fingers back into her mouth. The younger boy, not much more than a baby, came to the edge of the porch and started down the steps.
“Jace, git back here!” Chan lowered the gun again and grabbed for his brother.
Daniel directed his comments to Amelia. “Can I go around to the back of the house and speak with your pa?”
She shook her curly head again.
“Why not?”
“Pa died,” Jace lisped in a baby voice, big blue eyes riveted on him.
Daniel’s shoulders slumped, and he looked at Chan. “Is your pa dead?”
The boy gave a quick nod, and raised the gun again. “Now git off my property. We don’t want no Rebs around here. You already done took everything we had.”
A reminder he stood in enemy territory. With the pa dead, and the ma so sick she didn’t come out to investigate, these children were in a lot of trouble. The oldest boy still peered at him with narrowed eyes, even though the younger boy and little girl had advanced down the steps and now stood right in front of him, watching him with huge eyes.
“Can you fix my ma, mister?” Amelia asked as she reached for her little brother’s hand.
Daniel’s heart seized at the serious situation. He needed to look at their mother, but it didn’t appear Chan would let him. No doubt he had reason to mistrust Confederates.
“Chan. Is that your name?” He spoke softly to the boy who continued to swipe at his eyes. The kid seemed about to fall apart, but with a shaky arm still managed to point the gun in his direction.
The boy ignored the question, however Daniel continued. “My name is Daniel McCoy, and I know a little bit about healing. Can I at least look at your ma?”
“No Reb is gonna touch my ma.”
“Chandler, I want Mama to get better.” Amelia burst into tears and wrapped her tiny arms around Daniel’s leg.
What a dilemma. One look at his sister, and the little boy also began to wail, and grabbed his other leg.
“Chandler, please.” Daniel patted the two children on their heads, as he appealed to the boy. “Let me say hello to your ma. I won’t touch her, or do anything to upset her.” The boy hesitated, so he added, “You can keep your gun pointed at me the whole time.”
Apparently those were the magic words because the boy lowered the gun and wiped his eyes once more. “All right. But I’ll be watchin’ you.”
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About the Author
Callie Hutton, the USA Today bestselling author of The Elusive Wife writes both Western Historical and Regency romance, with “historic elements and sensory details” (The Romance Reviews). She also pens an occasional contemporary or two. Callie lives in Oklahoma with several rescue dogs and her top cheerleader husband of thirty-eight years. Her family also includes her daughter, son and daughter-in-law, and twin grandsons.
Callie loves to hear from readers. Contact her directly at [email protected] or find her online at www.calliehutton.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive information on new releases, appearances, contests and exclusive subscriber content. Visit her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.
Books by Callie Hutton
The Marriage Mart Mayhem Series
The Elusive Wife
The Duke’s Quandary
The Lady’s Disgrace
The Baron’s Betrayal
The Highlander’s Choice
The Highlander’s Accidental Marriage
Oklahoma Lovers series
A Run For Love (Jesse & Tori)
A Prescription For Love (Michael & Heidi)
A Chance To Love Again (Rachel &Rusty)
A Wife by Christmas (Ellie & Max)
Anyplace But Here (Emily & Hunter)
Single Titles
Julia: Bride of New York (American Mail-Order Brides)
An Angel in the Mail
Heirloom of the Heart
Caleb: The Surprise Brides
Daniel’s Desire
Miss Merry’s Christmas
Emma’s Journey
A Tumble Through Time
Choose Your Heart (Honky Tonk Hearts series)
A Little Bit of Love (Three Short S
tories)
Boxed sets
Wild Western Women
Wild Western Women Ride Again
Praise for books by Callie Hutton
A Wife By Christmas
“A Wife by Christmas is the reason why we read romance...the perfect story for any season.” --The Romance Reviews Top Pick
The Elusive Wife
“I loved this book and you will too. Jason is a hottie & Oliva is the kind of woman we'd all want as a friend. Read it!” --Cocktails and Books
“In my experience I’ve had a few hits but more misses with historical romance so I was really pleasantly surprised to be hooked from the start by obviously good writing.” --Book Chick City
“The historic elements and sensory details of each scene make the story come to life, and certainly helps immerse the reader in the world that Olivia and Jason share.” --The Romance Reviews
"You will not want to miss The Elusive Wife.” --My Book Addiction
". . . it was a well written plot and the characters were likeable." --Night Owl Reviews
A Run For Love
“An exciting, heart-warming Western love story!" --NY Times Best Selling Author, Georgina Gentry
“I loved this book!!! I read the BEST historical romance last night...It's called A Run For Love.: --NY Times Best Selling Author, Sharon Sala
“This is my first Callie Hutton story, but it certainly won't be my last.” --The Romance Reviews
A Prescription For Love
"There was love, romance, angst, some darkness, laughter, hope and despair." --RomCon
“I laughed out loud at some of the dialogue and situations. I think you will enjoy this story by Callie Hutton.” --Night Owl Reviews
An Angel in the Mail
“…a warm fuzzy sensuous read. I didn’t put it down until I was done.” --Sizzling Hot Reviews
Visit www.calliehutton.com for more information.
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