Embers of Anger (Embattled Hearts Book 1)

by Anna St. Claire

  “Morning, Colonel, suh. I trust you slept well. Looks like the storm passed, but we have a mess.” Her bottom lip quivered a little, possibly from the spring chill in the air.

  He came up behind her. He wasn’t touching, but his presence was so close she could almost feel the heat from him. Her body reacted, pushing warmth to her core. She didn’t understand this. He was an irritant, trouble, and she liked him.

  She grinned, but a quiver stole through her. This man complicated life with her brother. Nolan was in danger while he was there, but still, she felt safer somehow with the colonel. It was confusing. Why? She had not felt unsafe before he arrived.

  “Miss Whitford, we will be in close quarters. I would like it very much if you would feel comfortable calling me Jackson.”

  His first name? Would that be proper? “Suh, I’m not sure we should be so familiar. You are the…conqueror.” She paused for emphasis. Why did she still needle him?

  “Ouch! Must we still be enemies? I am trying very hard to be your friend, Miss Whitford. I would like to be friends.”

  “Well, your men cannot go back on the land for the time being, but the cabins can remain theirs if they are comfortable there.” A ripple of a shiver shot down her neck, straight down to her belly. He was here with his men, and they weren’t leaving soon. “There is so much damage out here. I do not understand what else has happened.”

  “I’m waiting to hear from Marshall—er, Lieutenant Colonel Jameson—on how the men fared. The winds beat the barn and the buildings, but only some shingles and a roof or two ripped off. Men in the cabins affected moved to another one. We tried not to overcrowd those. We can fix the damage. Thank you so much for the generosity you extended towards my men.” He hesitated. “If you don’t mind, the cabins provide sound shelters for the men. We might use some of them for a sickbay.”

  “I think would make an excellent use of the empty ones. I had not thought of that.”

  “Thank you.”

  “And the horses? They are good?”

  “Yes. As far as we can tell.”

  “I haven’t seen my overseer, Jason, yet today. Have you met him? We tried to catch up with him yesterday before the storm, but Carter said he was gone. I’m not sure where he was, but hopefully, he was back just before the storm hit.”

  “Can we go back to our earlier conversation… I asked that we be friends, and for you to call me Jackson.” He waited for her answer.

  Her eyes shuttered. “Yes, I suppose we could be friends. Thank you… Jackson.”

  He leaned forward and touched her shoulder. “Thank you very much, Ella. You’ve made us feel welcome, despite your… protestations.”

  She looked at him and saw that cute dimple of his. A slight smile formed on her lips. “Suh, the only thing I could ever object to with you and your men is that you are all on the wrong side.” That and my dear brother was sick and in the safe room and you could do him harm. “Let’s see what we can rustle up for breakfast.” She wanted to move him away from the front of the house.

  Stopping at the parlor, she leaned in and didn’t see Lizzy. Good. She had hoped she and Aiden could sleep a little longer. The past day had been very challenging for all, and Lizzy seemed beyond exhausted last evening.

  “Miss Ella, breakfast is on the table.” Lizzy walked up and let them know that the grits and eggs were cooked. “Lieutenant Colonel Jameson is already at the table. Shall I get our little man up, Miss Ella?”

  “Yes.” She sighed. “I had hoped you would have gotten a little more rest. But since you are up, yes if you don’t mind. We should rouse the little bugger.” She turned to the colonel. “Let’s get breakfast.” They walked side by side towards the dining room.

  Had he really asked her to be friends earlier? The word was out before he could pull it in. He wanted more than to be friends. He wanted to see her hair fanning across his pillow. That gorgeous red hair drew him like bugs to a light. Would she never stop the antagonistic tone?

  “Ella,” He stopped her with a touch. “I wonder if we could talk later. This storm gave me some ideas and I would like to get your opinion.” His voice held just a touch of raspiness to it. He could see goose bumps had broken out on her neck, despite her unwillingness. Perhaps he had an effect on her.

  “Certainly,” she inhaled. “I’d like that very much.”

  Small feet sounded behind them. Turning, Ella caught Aiden as he leaped up into her arms. “Ummph! Aiden! Control yourself, my little man! You know it’s rude to act so in front of other people. You are almost as big as I am!”

  Aiden winked. “Don’t frown, sista. I ain’t ever gonna leave you like Nol’n.”

  “Oh! You little ragamuffin! I’m just sad thinking you will grow up and one day won’t need me as much,” she rejoined, grinning.

  Jackson glanced over at Aiden. Did he wink? He didn’t think he had seen too many children his age wink. Well, no matter, the little tyke’s good mood was contagious. Ella was smiling and no longer snide. Aiden liked him and he liked Aiden.

  Bo, however, wasn’t as trusting and friendly. His sharp barking sounded at the heels of the colonel and continued down the hall.

  “Quiet, Bo! Colonel Ross is nice.” Aiden shushed his little companion, holding his tiny finger up in front of his lips. Bo seemed to understand because he quieted down. After looking up, he sniffed the colonel and followed. “Ella, where did Colonel Ross live last night?” Aiden looked up at him with his little hand on his hip.

  Ella swallowed her smile. Just when did Aiden try to become the man of the house? How did that happen? How should she handle this? Knowing he also held Nolan’s life in his hands, she didn’t want him to blurt anything out about that, either.

  Nibbling on her lower lip, she pondered how to answer his question.

  Lizzy trailed behind Ella and heard Aiden ask his question. “Mista Aiden! You know not to ask things like that! You are fixin’ to get yourself in trouble.” She tapped Aiden on the shoulder. “Well, little man, have you washed up yet for breakfast?”

  Relief moved across Ella’s face, but it was only a brief break. She would have to address Aiden’s concerns and make him understand what is going on with the Yankees. How could she have felt so comfortable a few minutes ago? Jackson was making her life a mess.

  His presence had complicated everything. Thoughts flashed to Nolan and Ol’ Indie in the room downstairs, then she remembered the fixin’ up he had had his men do for her. And he had just asked her to discuss ideas with him. She felt guilty and heaved a sigh.

  As they approached the dining room, they heard Cook moving around. Breakfast was ready. She could smell it. They walked in to find cornbread, ham, eggs, and grits set out family style for them.

  Jackson hurried over and pulled out the chair for Ella. He picked Aiden up and helped him into a chair nearby. Bo retreated to the corner of the room.

  Lizzy withdrew to the kitchen with Cook. Ella called to her, but when she came back in the room, she met Ella’s expression with a strange one of her own.

  Not wanting to question her in front of the men, Ella waited until later, but there was plenty of room at this table for everyone today.

  “Thank you for this, Miss Whitford… Ella. This looks wonderful.” He nodded towards his friend and took his first bite, but Aiden cut into his action.

  “Can I say de prayer?” He cocked his head towards his sister, a serious look on his face.

  “Yes, Aiden. Please.”

  “Thank ye, dear Lord, for this food. Bless my sister and our people, like Cook, Lizzy and Carter. And please watch over,” he glanced up at Ella before continuing. “Please look over my brudder Nolan and make sure, Lord,” Aiden regarded the colonel, and then he winked as big as he could at his sister, “that he is okay. Keep him warm and safe and please don’t let him have no sickness. Amen.”

  With that, he picked up his fork and ate.

  “That was very nice, Aiden. We appreciate this meal.” Jackson picked up his fork and kn
ife and nodded to Ella.

  “Thank you, Aiden.” Aiden’s wink stunned Ella. She wasn’t sure she understood it, but when she scanned the table, both of the colonels were staring her way, a perplexed mien on both of their faces. Uh oh. Eager to change the subject, she moved it to one everyone would show interest in. “Let’s eat. Then we can check out the damage to the house.” She nodded towards Jackson and continued, “You wanted to get my thoughts on some things. That could be a good time.”

  Silence descended upon the table as everyone ate. The sound of plates, glassware and the occasional clank of a utensil hitting a plate was all the noise heard. No one talked for several minutes.

  “Pass the bis-gits, please,” asked Aiden, breaking the silence. He reached for the bowl of white fluffy rolls. Lieutenant Colonel Jameson passed them down the table, wearing a grin on his own face. When the bowl of biscuits came his way, he reached for it. He pulled out two, putting one on his plate and lowering his hand under the table with the other one.

  Bo, seeing the signal, walked over to the table, ducking under the corner furthest away. He moved to the biscuit and removed it from Aiden’s hand, and laid back down to eat his own breakfast. Bo held one paw over the biscuit and licked the top, savoring what was to come.

  Once breakfast ended Cook came in with Carter and, with Lizzy, cleared the dishes. Ella kept watching the three as they carried on as if the war had never taken place.

  Before Colonel Ross and Lieutenant Colonel Jameson had come, her life was one of helping with everything. She planned to speak with her friends and find out what was amiss. They were in this together, and no one needed to eat in the kitchen. So, what was this pretense about? She would ask Lizzy later.

  “Miss Whitford, can you accompany me on a walk around the back of the property? I think there is damage, but I’d like to have you with me as we assess it.”

  Startled, she looked up at the colonel. “Yes, I’d like that very much. The damage could be bad. I fear for all of those men and the poor animals.”

  Ella pushed back in her chair and she stood. The colonel cleared more room for her. She rested her hand on the arm he extended to her. At their touch, a familiar current shot up her arm.

  Chapter 12

  Ella wanted to pull her arm back from his, but he had clamped his hand over her arm. It was such an unfamiliar feeling… but it felt delicious. His hands were warm and comforting. She looked up at his face, searching. A smile warmed his face. He seemed guileless. She couldn’t object to that.

  They walked down the steps behind the house. What awaited them, surprised them, both. The slave cabins were largely untouched. Only the room from one hut lay in the common area. The shelter was all but decimated, but the men inside had escaped.

  The barn held, but there was damage—the wooden shutters and the barn door were gone, and hay was everywhere. The horses and cattle were still in their stalls, but the chickens were running around the yard.

  An officer walked up to Colonel Ross and saluted.

  “Yes, Smith. What do you report?”

  “Sir, there were no casualties, although six men need to go to sickbay because they were hit with flying debris. The roof from a cabin blew off and barely cleared two of their heads when they ran for shelter. No livestock was injured, as near as we can tell. There was minor damage to the barn and six cabins sustained damage.”

  “Where did you establish the sickbay?” Jackson spoke up before Ella could say anything.

  “Sir, we have cleared out a cabin and have designated that area for the sick.”

  “Thank you, Smith.” He nudged her around the fallen debris of the cabins and directed her towards the barn.

  Ella looked his way. He treated everyone with kindness and fairness, and it was obvious the Lieutenant Colonel thought so much of him. She didn’t want to pay him attention. What was it about this man that made her body betray her so? Every time there was an opportunity, she stared his way. He had a commanding presence that exuded confidence.

  If only he wasn’t on the wrong side.

  Wait, what was she thinking?

  He looked down at her and her eyes opened as big as saucers. Did he hear her thoughts?

  “Miss Whitford… Ella? I do like that name.” Not waiting for her response, he kept talking. His voice emitted almost a velvety feel to her ears. “I have something for you. You have been very gracious. We agreed to pay you something for the use of the land, food and materials we are using and expect to use. I hope this is enough.” He placed a small brown envelope in her grasp, clasping her hands in his for an extra moment.

  Ella quavered inside from the contact as she opened the envelope to find US currency. There were twenty-five dollars in that envelope. Real money. Federal currency. That was more money than she had seen in what now seemed like forever even though it was going on a year-and-a-half. That was a fortune for her. She had not expected it from him, especially when they had already been fixing up the plantation. “Err…yes.” It was all she could mutter. She was trying to process all of what he said to her.

  “Yes?”

  “Yes…um…I.” She stopped and smiled up at him. “I like it very much when you call me Ella.” She looked down again at the envelope before she placed it in her pocket. “This is totally unexpected. I mean, I recall you told me you would pay me something. We never discussed it further. I never considered it and certainly I didn’t expect it. But it will help me very much.” Her throat clogged with emotion.

  She gazed up at him, locking his eyes with hers, and said, “Thank you, Colonel.” A tear moved from the corner of her eye, creating a lone stream down her cheek. She wanted to brush it away but fought against calling attention to it.

  Please, call me Jackson.” His tongue suddenly thickened, causing him to stammer. “Well… I uh, I like it when you call me Jackson.” He stumbled over the words. This wasn’t going like he had rehearsed. It was embarrassing.

  She was the first woman in years that he had any interest in and his damn tongue had to tie itself up in a knot. It made for a difficult speech. Without realizing it, Jackson placed his hand over her hand. Shock waves shot through him. He had never felt this way around a woman before; the only feeling he recognized was the sudden tightness growing in his trousers. He would very soon face humiliation.

  “Yes, well, it is the least we can do for your generous support.” He cleared his throat and tried to move forward, bringing her attention to what was around them. “The horses and cattle seemed to have fared well.”

  Except for the animals, they were alone in the barn. His hand was still touching her hand—holding it—as they walked into the barn. How many people had seen that?

  Where is Marshall? I will probably hear of this. What is it about this small mite of a woman that has me so befuddled?

  Jackson pondered for a moment as his eyes continued to search for his friend. He stopped when he noticed she was watching him.

  “Jackson,” she said tentatively, as if testing the strangeness of saying his name aloud, “I should head back into the house. I want to grab my egg basket and come back out. I’m thinking the chickens may have put out a bumper crop over the last night. Unless fear makes them react the complete opposite.” She nibbled her lip wearing a look of hesitation.

  “Wait. Let me escort you back.” He fought the urge to kiss her, wanting his moment to become theirs, but knowing that would not happen. Jackson released her hand and pressed the small of her back, directing her back to the house. “After you, Ella.”

  They took their time heading back. Both were quiet.

  Ella gathered the eggs and the extra milk she could sell. She was surprised she had these many eggs left over with the addition of these new tenants. Twenty-six eggs. Maybe she could make it to The Griddle without breaking them. It was a source of income she could count on, and she needed the money, even with the money from the colonel. She wouldn’t allow herself to count on money from Jackson—Colonel Ross.

  It was stil
l hard to call him Jackson, but it felt nice.

  Sara counted on Ella’s contribution—not that she was the only one bringing eggs. Goodness, Sara could never run the restaurant on her small offerings. She laughed out loud at the thought. It had been almost a week since the hurricane, and that was a few days too long since her last visit. She needed to see her friend.

  So much had happened. Should she tell Sara about Nolan? Her brother and Sara needed to see each other, but how could that happen? Just thinking about this made her head hurt. Nolan was feeling better, and he needed to leave—soon.

  Ol’ Indie and Carter planned to get him out, and she would rather not know how that happened. They knew the swamps and the river better than anyone she knew.

  The soldiers reassembled their cook wagons and tents on the lawns. As if the storm had never happened, they continued their daily maneuvers. It was truly something to watch. She didn’t understand much of what they were doing unless they were shooting. But she noticed there were fewer and fewer birds on the plantation. The guns probably scared them.

  Chapter 13

  Two weeks had passed since the hurricane. She had checked every day on Nolan. He was getting better. Soon he would need to leave. She knew that. Nolan was well enough to express his anger over Jackson’s presence, and he was doing just that every time she saw him. It was tiring.

  Ella had a difficult time explaining their presence to her brother. She didn’t fully understand it herself. It was as if they appeared one day and said they were staying. Well, that is what they did. Ella almost defended their stay, and even to her thinking, that was too far. However, there were benefits. She caught herself smiling at the thought.

  She could not argue that she felt safer. Stories she heard in town about desperate men seen on the fringes of the countryside frightened her. Jackson immediately sent a squad out to find them. His job was to keep the town calm and safe.