“I’ll try to prepare myself.”
When he laughed, the sound echoed around them. Caught her heart and made her wonder what she was ever going to do when he left her.
The thought was almost enough to make her start crying all over again.
20
Johnson’s Island, Ohio
Confederate States of America Officers POW Camp
THOMAS HAD JUST FINISHED EATING HIS SUPPER OF BEANS and a couple of ripe tomatoes and cucumbers from their makeshift garden when he noticed the other members of his group looking at him funny.
He dropped his spoon with a clatter. “What?” he asked, feeling suddenly self-conscious. No matter how hard he tried, he could never remember the “right” way to eat everything. It was a constant source of amusement for the other men. It seemed half of them had learned the right way to hold knives and forks by the time they’d learned to walk.
When no one jumped at the chance to point out his mistake, he began to get irritated. Why couldn’t one of them just spit it out so they could laugh at him, and then he could go back to eating? It wasn’t like they got many opportunities to eat fresh vegetables.
Just as he was about to say something about how each of them should mind their own business, he noticed their expressions looked different than usual. Especially the major’s. He looked almost pleased about something.
“What is it now, Major?” Thomas finally blurted. “How did I hold my tomato wrong? Whom have I offended? I could have sworn I’ve been doing real good tamping down my temper.”
Phillip Markham leaned back his head and laughed. “You know what? I think you have been calmer than usual. It’s been impressive.”
If his manners and behavior had been so much better, Thomas really didn’t understand why Phillip was laughing. Or why the lot of them had been eyeing him in such a funny way.
Looking from Phillip to Robert Truax to Major Kelly to Captain Monroe, he searched for answers. “Is that it? You wanted to tell me I’ve been doing better?”
The captain sat down on the bench next to him. “Settle down, Sergeant. No one is trying to make you uncomfortable.”
“Well, I am. You’d be uncomfortable, too, if four men were staring at you like your pants were unbuttoned.”
Captain Monroe’s blue eyes sparkled. “I didn’t look, but I think your trousers are securely fastened, Thomas.”
“Y’all are just staring at me for the heck of it, then?”
“No. It’s that we just discovered something new about you.”
This wasn’t good news. Thomas had taken great care to try to keep his worst traits and the worst parts of his past concealed. “What did you find out?”
“Something of note,” Major Kelly said with a grin. He was sitting across from him on the ground. His legs were stretched out before him and he was bearing the rest of his weight on his hands. “See, when Monroe and I went over to greet the newest arrivals, one of them happened to see you from a distance.”
“So?”
Sharing a smile with the captain, Major Kelly continued. “The long and short of it is that the man was in awe.”
The major had lost him. “In awe of what?”
“Of you, you idiot,” Robert said.
“What are you talking about?” he asked.
Robert slapped him on the back. “Thomas, only you would take something good and turn it on its ear. The major and captain are talking about how you’ve been holding out on us.”
Thomas stared at the captain and silently begged him to get to the point.
Thankfully, Captain Monroe did. “The gentleman we talked to happened to be a lieutenant colonel with a unit out of the Carolinas.”
“Lieutenant Colonel Isaac?”
“Uh-huh.” The captain’s eyes brightened. “Ring a bell?”
“Yes, sir.” Thomas nodded. “I met him down in Kentucky.”
Lieutenant Markham folded his arms across his chest. “He told us how you fought off no less than five Yankees by yourself to save a young lady and her daughter.”
“And that you were bleeding from numerous cuts and gashes but still spent the majority of one afternoon helping them get packed up, then took them to their nearest relative’s house,” Captain Monroe continued. “Five miles away.”
“All while bleeding and sporting any number of cuts and bruises,” the major added softly.
Thomas swallowed. He had been in a heap of pain that day, but his pain had paled compared to the things the woman had endured. “It was nothing more than any of you might have done. I can’t believe Colonel Isaac remembered me.”
“It’s more than that, Thomas. He said he’d never forget you as long as he lived,” Major Kelly said. “The colonel remembered you because that woman was his eldest son’s wife. You saved her. You saved his granddaughter too.”
The lady’s name had been Helena. She’d been a sweet thing. So scared, though. He vaguely recalled hoping she would be one of the few women who got to welcome her husband home. “Do you know what happened to her man? Is he still alive?”
Captain Monroe nodded, a big smile on his face. “He is, and after incurring a nasty wound, he got to go home. When he heard what you did, he swore he’d pray for you every night for the rest of his life.”
Thomas reckoned no one besides himself had ever prayed for him before. It made him feel good, almost like he was worth more than he’d thought. “That’s something.”
“That’s more than that, son,” Phillip Markham said. “The old man said you’ve got quite the reputation among his men.”
He was embarrassed now. “I sure hope not.”
“Thomas, you’re their hero,” Captain Monroe said.
Thomas looked at each of the men, the men he respected more than most anyone in the world. They’d all put themselves in harm’s way and had saved countless soldiers. “That happened almost a year ago. I’m not sure why you all care.”
“Because you never told us, you nitwit,” Robert said. “We had no idea you hide a heart of gold underneath all your cagey ways.”
Putting his plate down at last, Thomas cleared his throat. “I appreciate you letting me know Helena and her daughter survived. Thank you for that.”
Robert Truax blinked. “That’s it?” he asked, dismay thick in his voice. “That’s all you’re going to say?”
Thomas got to his feet. “It was one afternoon. I’m pleased they’re faring well, and will also admit to being gratified to know they remembered me. But I don’t understand why you all think it’s worth getting into such a fuss about.”
Major Kelly shook his head. “You don’t get it, do you?”
There it was again. Another reminder that he didn’t catch on to things quick enough. “Don’t get what?”
“I knew you were brave. I knew you were sent behind enemy lines, and I knew you could ride like the wind. I knew you had a bad temper, and I knew you had an excellent right fist. But this . . . well, this proves you have heart too.” Looking him up and down, Major Kelly smirked. “The truth is, I’m kind of smitten.”
“Smitten?”
“Indeed, soldier. If I were a girl, why, I’d likely be in love.” While the other men chuckled, Major Kelly winked. “You are destined for great things, Thomas Baker.”
“Because I was able to help a woman and her child?”
“No, Sergeant. It’s not because you were able. It’s because you did,” he said before walking away.
As Thomas stared at the major, Captain Monroe gripped his arm. “We’re right proud of you, son.” He smiled then. “I’m tickled that man has been telling your tale to everyone for months. You deserve all the recognition. You are a good man. One of the best.”
Thomas nodded as he felt his face flame.
Only when he was going to sleep that night did he dare allow himself to feel that euphoric bubble of worth lift inside him.
He wasn’t smart. He had no money. He didn’t have any family. But he had friends who valued him, and he al
so had done something worthwhile.
He realized then and there that even if he died in his sleep tonight, he had already become the kind of man he could be proud of. A faithful man. A Christian.
July 1867
TAYLOR HAD BEEN DREADING THE MEETING FROM THE MOMENT a boy knocked on his door at the boardinghouse and delivered his boss’s missive. But he had no choice but to send him word about what had just been reported to him.
Nothing good happened when a man didn’t follow through on his directives. With weighted feet, he’d wandered to the edge of Clearwater. Earlier, he’d threatened to tan their hides if they weren’t cleaned up and ready when he got there.
Luckily, they’d taken him seriously. They’d been a quiet trio when they walked the half mile to meet their boss.
Now the four of them were standing in the middle of a field full of overgrown prairie grass and littered with prairie dog holes.
“I knew y’all weren’t smart, but I didn’t take you for complete idiots,” Landon Marshall said once he’d gotten a good look at them all. “What were you thinking, shooting at Laurel Tracey that way?”
Taylor looked at George Irwin and Foster Howell, the two men he’d persuaded to work by his side. They, like him, had been in dire need of some quick money. Unfortunately, they were more unreliable than Taylor had ever imagined. He should have known better. Not only had Irwin deserted his unit during the war, but he’d since made his living cheating at cards. He was as lazy as all get-out.
And Foster Howell? Well, he’d always had a bone to pick with anyone in authority. But now he was eager to put both Thomas Baker and Laurel Tracey in their place. For some reason, Howell was sure the woman had been the force behind Jackson’s firing him. Not that that theory made any sense. Howell had been fired before the woman showed up on the square that day and wouldn’t have known about Baker’s beating before that.
Taylor was beginning to wonder why Sweetwater’s sheriff had hired him in the first place. That man couldn’t follow instructions if they were painted on rocks and placed in front of his feet.
“They weren’t thinking,” he muttered as he glared at the two men standing sullenly by his side. “I told them to poison more cattle, not shoot at people. But when they went to make sure the cattle were dead and saw the woman and her man, they got all riled up.”
Howell spit a good amount of tobacco juice on the ground. “Seeing Laurel Tracey there was a surprise. I’ll admit that we shouldn’t have scared her so bad.”
Marshall gritted his teeth. “You shouldn’t have scared her at all.”
Howell shrugged. “Yeah, all right. But I don’t know why you care about what happened to Baker. A man like Thomas Baker is nothing but a waste of space.” Waving a stained hand in the air, he said, “He was a prisoner. A prisoner in my jail.”
Taylor rolled his eyes. “It wasn’t your jail. You only worked there . . . until you got fired.”
“Like I said, he’s nothing. I still can’t believe Sheriff Jackson got in such a tizzy. Why, if I had gotten my way, Baker would already be dead.”
“However, he is not,” Marshall said with a sneer. “Plus, didn’t you say Baker has friends who matter?”
“Yeah.” Howell looked away.
“Who are they?” Taylor asked.
“Some former captain of the Confederacy, the one who sent that telegram to the judge. Though he’s of no consequence, on account of us losing the war and all.”
Marshall tapped his foot. “The judge thought otherwise.”
“Judge Orbison is easily impressed. Don’t worry about any friends of Thomas Baker’s.”
Marshall seemed convinced. Looking a bit calmer, he eyed Taylor. “Let’s pull back for a while. A third of her cattle are dead, and thanks to these two, she no doubt now fears for her own life. And I convinced the sheriff someone is also lurking about stealing supplies. Laurel doesn’t know what’s going on. But I’m going to pressure her to accept my suit one more time. I’m hoping she realizes she has no choice but to marry me. Then I’ll get what I want.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to scare her myself?” Taylor asked. “I can do some damage to her house in the middle of the night. Maybe even scare Baker away, if today’s gunfire didn’t do the trick.”
“Like I said, hold off. I’ll send word when I’m ready for more.”
“All right.” When he’d first seen his boss’s irate expression, he’d been worried that the man was going to take out his frustration on him. Now he could spend the rest of the day in the saloon.
Just as Marshall turned away, Irwin whined, “What about my payment? You promised me ten dollars.”
Marshall turned back around and said softly, “You want to be paid for almost killing my future bride?”
“Well, yeah.” Irwin folded his arms over his thin, lanky frame and nodded toward Howell. “Orr hired me to ride with him. I did that. It weren’t my fault he got all trigger happy.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Marshall repeated slowly.
Irwin raised his eyebrows. “You heard me. Now give me my money.”
“Or?”
“Or else you’re going to regret it.”
Marshall lifted his Colt and shot Irwin between the eyes. The man died instantly and fell, his expression forever looking surprised.
Taylor stared down at the man with a sinking heart. When he lifted his head, he saw that Marshall directed a chilling stare toward him and Howell.
Taylor swallowed and tried to stop his hands from shaking like leaves.
Marshall lifted his gun again. “Do you two reckon you need your payment right now too?”
“No, Mr. Marshall,” Howell bit out.
“I can wait too, sir,” Taylor said.
Looking pleased, Marshall lowered his gun. “I was hoping you would say that. Now, deal with this.”
After Marshall left, Howell groaned. “What are we gonna do with Irwin? He weighs a ton.”
This was why Taylor had been brought down from Chicago. Foster Howell was as dumb as a box of rocks. “All we have to do is put him in a shallow grave over there by the thicket of brush and the creek. I’m certainly not about to cart his body anywhere.”
“Let’s find something to start digging with then. At least Marshall got him in the face. Belly wounds make more of a mess. We have that to be thankful for.”
This is what’s wrong with Howell, Taylor thought as he looked around for a stick or something else to dig with. A man is killed in cold blood by his side and he only thinks about how easily he can get rid of the body.
As he lifted Irwin under his arms and began dragging him toward the thicket of bushes, Taylor realized he was hopelessly failing in his efforts to become a better man for Dara.
Actually, at this rate, it was unlikely she’d even recognize him when he returned. If he ever returned.
21
THEY’D MADE IT HOME. AT LONG LAST, HER HOUSE WAS IN sight. Laurel felt like both raising her arms in triumph and falling on the ground in thankful tears.
But instead of doing either, she settled for stating the obvious. “Thomas, we’re almost there. We did it!”
When he smiled at her, the lines around his eyes crinkled. “Yes, ma’am. And I must admit that no building has ever looked more welcome to me than this one does right now.”
His voice was raspy, no doubt because he was so parched. And hungry.
She was too. They were covered in sweat and grime, and the sun had burned so brightly her face was likely blistered, despite any shade from her bonnet. “The moment we get inside, I’m going to drink seven glasses of water.”
“I hope you will,” he said, his gaze turning soft. “You must be parched.”
“You know I am. We both are.” They had been walking so long. At least four hours, though she’d stopped guessing after they’d walked two or so. She’d soon learned that attempting to figure out how far they’d gone or how far they had to go did neither of them any good. All it had done was
make each footstep heavier.
“I’ll be drinking my fair share of water too,” he said after they’d gone another fifty or so steps. “However, I’m looking even more forward to taking a cool bath. I feel like I’m wearing half of your ranch on my skin.”
“I’m certain it’s only half, because I know I’m wearing the other half on mine,” she said. Fingering her dress’s fabric, she grimaced. “I think my dress is a new shade of brown.”
“I think I have a buffalo nickel somewhere. We can flip it to see who gets to bathe first.” He smiled then, letting his perfect teeth flash.
Laurel smiled back at him because they both knew he was joking. Thomas had proven to be an especially attentive companion. There was no way he would ever bathe before she did. He wouldn’t do anything before making sure she was taken care of first.
“I think I’ll let you bathe first, Sergeant,” she said. “Even more bothersome than the dirt and grime on my body is the condition of my feet.”
He looked at her in confusion. “Are they paining you?”
“I’m afraid so. I have blisters on top of blisters.”
He frowned. “But I haven’t noticed you limping.”
Somewhat proudly, she lifted her chin. “I’ve been taking care not to limp. I didn’t want to worry you.”
But instead of looking proud of her, he looked even more agitated. “You should have told me you were in pain.”
“There was nothing you could do, Thomas.” Realizing he was blaming himself all over again, she ordered softly, “Stop, now.”
“Stop what?”
“You know what. Stop taking on my burdens. I wouldn’t have mentioned it if I thought you would be upset.”
“After we get cleaned up, I’ll take a look at them.” When she was about to protest, he gave her a hard look. “And don’t go getting all delicate on me. I’ve seen bare feet before. Even yours.”
“I remember.” Could it have been just yesterday when he’d found her barefoot and screaming about the calf on the front porch? It felt like years ago.
“So you’ll let me tend to you?”
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