There was instant laughter from outside.
"See what I mean?" Leroy whispered at her ear.
She almost jumped when she realized how close to him she was standing. She could feel his warm breath on her cheek, smell the woodsy odor of him. Josey nodded but wasn’t sure Leroy saw her. It was simply too dark.
"Where are your ma and Rose?"
"In the house, Rose just went back inside." Josey turned toward his voice. She couldn’t see him yet, but she recognized his voice. She recognized the simple thrill it gave her too, although thrills had no place here.
As she edged into the darkness of the barn, she reached out to touch him, but he was much closer than she thought and she came up against him. He grabbed her arm.
"Leroy." She didn’t realize what a breathless whisper she let out, or the sudden awareness she felt when he pulled her closer. She could feel his chest moving in and out as he breathed. She inhaled the pure male odor of him, an erotic combination of sweat, leather, and creek water, her breathing quickened, as she tried to control her racing heart.
"There’s no time to lose. We’ve got to get out of here. But we’ll tie him up first."
She had to quit fantasizing about Leroy. Not the time nor the place, and she had no business even thinking like that. He had saved her and that’s all.
Trying to shake some sense into herself, she shuddered for a second, and then nodded. "Okay, there’s some rope over here."
"Can you reach it without being seen?"
"Yes, but hold my hand."
"Good girl." Leroy smiled, for she saw the flash of his teeth.
She moved about quietly so as not to alert the others standing not far from the door. "Sorry I had to knock him out, but we can’t afford him letting the others know." She nodded and gave him the rope.
In seconds, Leroy had tied and gagged the soldier. Then he took her hand and pulled her toward the back door. The combination of sudden danger and the thrill of being with Leroy in a life consuming adventure made her blood rush.
"Look, it’s gonna let a little light in when I open the door, so we need to hurry through and close it, understand?"
She nodded.
He squeezed her hand and looked at her, but she still couldn’t see him well through the darkness. "When I say go…head for the cornfield. Don’t look back, understand?"
"But where are you going?" She asked, afraid he might try to rescue Rose and her mother alone.
"Right behind you darlin’. Now get ready." he commanded.
"Yes…"
"One, two, three…Go!"
Without another thought, she ran like lightning for the cornfield and didn’t look behind her. She heard voices but she refused to look back. Her heart pounded in her ears from the fear of what she was doing, but she kept going until she was in the clear. Scared of being caught kept her ever mindful. She heard footfalls too, but she refused to look over her shoulder. She ran so hard and so fast, she stumbled almost head first into the soft dirt. The field was not much shelter for them, for Jacob had plowed it down. Leroy was right behind her and the sight of him almost made her pause.
He wasn’t the same man. He had filled out in muscle and brawn and his hair was longer and shaggier, a shadow covered his cheek, but he was still Leroy and she loved him so. This rugged look on him was actually more thrilling than the neat as pin Leroy she had known. If she had thought him handsome and dashing before, she thought him a rogue now.
Where had that thought come from, she mentally slapped herself. He belonged to Rose. Jerked out of her reverie, Leroy whispered near her ear, "Stay low, in fact, get down on your belly, we are going to crawl to those brambles over there. I do mean crawl, stay as low as you can. If they see us, we’ll be captured in no time."
Again she nodded, afraid to say anything until they were clear of the soldiers.
She lay down and began to scramble like him. He stopped a couple of times to push her butt out of the air. She couldn’t believe he did that, but she didn’t argue the point, just yet.
He took her hand and didn’t let go, as he pulled her into the bramble bushes not far to their right. Her foot slipped and she practically flew through the leaves and thorns. He helped her up and through them. "Keep your head down as much as you can," he instructed.
She nodded, breathless again.
"Did they see us?" She asked, wide eyed as he looked back.
"I don’t think so, but we can’t take any chances, come on," he encouraged. "We’ll get out of this mess fast."
Occasionally, her dress would hang up on a bush, and she stepped on her hem several times tearing it in places. Leroy saw her at her worst most of the time. No wonder he preferred Rose. She mentally scolded herself for even thinking of such a thing while they escaped the Yankees.
He must have sensed her hesitation since he smiled at her and winked. "You’re doing just fine."
His gentle reassurance helped instill a little confidence.
It seemed like hours before they finally stopped at all. Her feet were hurting and he slowed down when he heard her panting.
"My God, have I been gone that long?" He asked with a sneaky grin.
"W-what do you mean?"
She asked trying to figure out what he was talking about. She was too tired and scared to put meaning to his words.
"You’ve done gone and grown up on me, that’s what I mean." He chuckled, a melodious sound.
"So everyone tells me." She tried to smile despite her blush.
"The Yanks…did they harm any of you?" He asked changing the subject quickly.
"Not physically at least, I guess. ‘Cept they punched Hank in the stomach with a gun butt for being a little too sassy. Beat George up and tied him, Jacob and Hank to a tree." Josey replied, trying to catch her breath. "They didn't harm us girls though."
His back stiffened, his jaw tightened, but his eyes still smiled. "Good for Hank…for being sassy. Is George alright?"
"Rose tended him. She got his head bandaged and his ribs wrapped."
She looked straight at him now and marveled at how much she wanted to go into his arms. This new Leroy was even more devastatingly handsome. Not only that, but he had such confidence about himself and his own ability to lead. He looked so rough, and capable. This was a worldlier Leroy and he entranced her, scared her, and thrilled her all in one.
"Rose and your mother are okay then?" He asked quietly.
Bringing Rose’s name into their conversation sobered her quickly from her fantasy. "Yes, Mama instructed us to feed them and come straight inside. She’ll be worried when I don’t." Momentary panic set in as she recalled her words.
"That’s true. Nevertheless, as soon as they leave we’ll go in and you can assure her you’re all right. I can’t risk going back right now. Besides…" He winked. "You’re safer with me… believe me."
"Am I?" Josey sighed, trying to control the erratic beat of her heart when she looked at him. "But when she asks the Captain where I am, he’ll be alerted." Only her fierce pride made her conceal her fears.
"That’s true, but maybe they’ll leave sooner then." Leroy smiled.
"You think so?" She struggled to hold her voice steady through the turmoil of emotions swamping her. She trembled slightly and he squeezed her hand in his, for reassurance she was sure. She could not let Leroy see how this little adventure had weakened her. Exciting yes, but scary too.
Still, he leaned to touch her forehead with his lips, slowly. She shivered, he was kissing her a second time, but not on the lips where she hungered. Yet, if she lifted her head, maybe…
And she did. The temptation was too great, and her heart screamed for needing him so. Wrong, yet so right too.
His lips grazed hers and he stared into her eyes, his smile gone. His expression was so sobering, so confusing to her. She blushed again and tried to move out of his reach. Yet he didn't let go of her hand.
He didn’t really kiss her, her thoughts tumbled. His lips merely slid over hers and l
eft and she felt the disappointment to her toes. He still saw her as the plain little sister. She had to get hold of her emotions. She was afraid she could not control her feelings, and of being discovered by the Yankees. But which would be worse, Leroy finding out how much she cared for him, or the Yankees finding them?
"We need to get moving." He cleared his throat and turned away from her.
Ashamed she couldn’t control herself, she mentally scolded herself for being so weak. So many times she had accused Rose of being weak with men, and now she had become the same. What must he think of her?
Rose, he was thinking of Rose. It was best he didn’t kiss her, for he was promised and a man of his word. She had to admit this was the most exhilarating adventure she’d ever had and her heart was pumping like a steam engine. Was it the adventure, or the man behind the adventure?
Josey shook sense into herself, squared her shoulders, straightened her back, and strengthened herself against his charms. Gently, she eased her hand from his. "Rose is scared right now…and rightly so."
Leroy looked at her again and frowned about something. "Your mother is with her. She’ll be all right until we can break through."
"Aren’t you worried about her?" Josey tried to sound upset.
He took her hand again—now more sweaty than before—and held it tight. "Of course I am. I was worried about all of you. Now let’s go."
For some reason, he refused to get into any tight conversation about her or Rose and this wasn’t at all like the Leroy she knew. Perhaps the responsibility of being a soldier changed him.
This man was twice as exciting! Twice as virile, twice as dangerous to her heart.
Again he pulled her through the bramble bushes and low-rise trees. They must have walked for miles and even though Josey was familiar with this country, she had no idea where she was. With every twist and turn she felt herself lost, as though she’d gone through one circle after another.
Finally, they came to a creek. He stopped again. "Take your shoes off," he instructed.
"What…why?" she asked not understanding.
"‘Cause we’re gonna wade through the creek for a mile or more and you don’t want to ruin them."
"Oh, that makes sense." She tried to laugh. "This is quite an adventure for me…you know."
She bent to untie her laces, but as he already had chucked his boots and socks, he leaned over her and undid her ties. He gently slid her feet from them and handed her the shoes. His touch was so gentle, she almost swooned.
"The water is a little cold, but you’ll get used to it easy enough."
"I’m used to it, I bath in this creek every day," she said before even thinking. He looked at her and frowned. No matter what she said, nothing sounded right.
Oh Lord! She put her hand over her mouth as he headed for the bank. How stupid she must sound to him. Here he was trying to escape the Yankees and she was telling him how she bathed in the creek. He must think she was out of her mind.
What was wrong with her? She was with the man she loved and she couldn’t carry on a decent conversation with him. Maybe it was better to let silence reign for a time.
The water was colder today and she had to pull her dress up to her knees to wade through it. Maybe this would cool me off, she thought absently. Because following behind this wonderful creature of a man was sure making her blood boil.
After a while, her teeth chattered realizing how cold it had turned. She never stayed in the water this long.
Leroy turned to check on her. "My God, honey, you’re freezing." Without a word, he scooped her into his arms and began carrying her. Her cheek brushed the stubble on his chin. "You should have said something." He looked down into her eyes. "Look Josey, you don't have to be so brave, I know this is taking a lot out of you. I won't let anything happen to you though, I promise."
"Leroy, put me down, I can walk," she protested.
"Not on your life, honey," he whispered, as his eyes met hers for an instant. She felt his warm breath on her, and her muscle tensed for a moment.
Heaven couldn’t be any better than this, her heart wanted to shout, as her protests died a happy death. Surrendering to her fate, her hands went around his neck and she laid her head on his massive shoulders. His lips grazed her hair and she held her breath, but it was only to reassure her, not make love to her. She had to stop reading things into his actions. Leroy was only being gallant. He was taking care of his betrothed’s sister.
Honestly, she was beginning to act like Rose. This was going to be her brother-in-law. She couldn’t keep throwing herself at him. At least that’s what her mind told her, while her heart spoke differently. What would he think? She had to stand strong and leave him alone. He had decided to marry Rose. But it was her heart doing all the damage. She couldn’t stop feeling.
Almost asleep by the time he got her to dry land again, he sat her on the tree stump by the creek.
She opened her eyes and met his gaze. He was bent in front of her, staring at her full force. He smiled instantly. "We’re here," he announced. "Sleepyhead."
Quickly she realized they weren’t alone any longer and straightened to look around. Young men were darting about the camp. A lot of men. Everyone seemed busy and she wondered what they could possibly be doing. A couple of young soldiers came up to Leroy and he spoke with them for a long while, then he turned back to her.
"All these men are Rebels?"
"Every one of them. We’ve been here for two weeks, honey."
She loved the way the word 'honey' rolled off his tongue so easily. He'd never given her an endearment like that, and she wondered if he was even conscious of it.
"Do you need to report to someone now?"
He smiled charmingly. "No, I’m the lieutenant here."
Josey gasped. "You’re a lieutenant now? That’s wonderful…I think…" Leroy had always been her hero, but now even more so. "Why didn’t you come home…let us know…something?" she asked, her voice going more husky. "We've all been so worried about you."
His glance slid over her. "Couldn’t chance that. Might look like we’re safe as an egg in a robin’s nest, but we aren’t. We knew that troop of Yankees was right up the road from us. And unless we keep moving, they’ll find us. But they haven’t spotted us yet. We need that edge. We’ve got to run them out of here before they get the idea they can hang around. They’re in Texas now and before we are through they are gonna know it.
"We’re here to try and capture an ammunition shipment they’re making. If they get through, Texas might suffer mightily. You see up until now they’ve always used the big ships in the Gulf, but this was a secret shipment, meant to fool us."
"Oh my…" Josey’s eyes widened in surprise. "So you’re not staying?" she asked breathlessly.
"No, we can’t. Wish that we could. However, we have our orders. Most of the men here have family within walking distance, but it’s not like they can go marching home. You understand?"
She nodded, but she didn't understand. "Have you seen your ma?"
"No, too risky. They have their ways of knowing names and the people that own property here. I’m sure they’ve been there. You could carry the message that I am fine to her, once we’re gone. If you’ve a mind. Just be sure the Yankees aren’t close when you do, or they’ll stop you. They'll want to know your business at my house."
"All right." Josey wondered why he hadn’t given that duty to Rose, but she didn’t argue. This was a small favor and one she would gladly fulfill. She liked his ma, and most of his brothers. Knowing how worried they must be, it would be no hardship, especially if the captain of the Yankees had stopped by.
A strange silence stretched between them, full of unsaid things. He kept looking at her, from head to toe the slowness with which his eyes traveled had her hitching her breath.
"I’ve been hearing cannons and guns going off nearly every day. I wondered how close they were, and then today they just galloped into the yard as if they owned the place. We were all sh
ocked, our first experience with Yankees actually. Not one I want to repeat either. You’ve should have seen Ma though, she was grand. She stood right up to that arrogant Captain. I was never prouder. Or more afraid for her."
He sent her an almost wicked smile.
"She's got grit. Josey, just remember, no matter who comes riding up, they are just men. Flesh and blood like the rest of us. Try not to be afraid. Even when they intentionally intimidate you. Don't worry, that won't hurt you, unless you let it. We don’t intend to let them stay here. The only reason they are here is this shipment, but we’ll soon put a stop to that. And if you get the chance, shoot first and ask questions later."
"I’m not sure I could kill…but if I could, might be a lot easier if they were Yankees."
He smiled at her, a warm pleasant smile that curled her toes.
"I know I shouldn't let them intimidate me, but I'm not used to dealing with such rudeness. Their captain was quite arrogant. Gave Ma such a time…Course you know Ma, she didn’t let him get the upper hand. I never seen her so brave. Hank and Jacob controlled their anger and resentment, even though I knew Jacob wanted to lay into them. Ma knew too, and she sent signals to them not to fight them. I was sure glad for a while we thought they might kill them."
"Hank has a temper. I'm surprised and proud he controlled it. When you don't have the upper hand, you have to. Your ma is quite a woman."
She glanced at him again, her eyes sliding over him this time. Obviously it had an effect as he seemed to move about more.
"What’s this war all about Leroy?" Josey sighed unhappily. Josey couldn't hold back the sadness in her voice as she spoke. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined the war would go on so long and be so brutal.
"Honey." He moved to sit beside her, and take her hand. She trembled, and he put his arm around her. She was breathless and yet humbled by her own questions..
"War is hard to describe to a woman. Women are so much a part of the peace we all want, and war is a means to the peace.
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