The Unlikely Wife

by Cassandra Austin

  “Four?”

  He nodded, turning a little more serious. “There are two shifts for guard duty. I try to speak to each guard early in the shift and again toward the end, when it’s hardest to stay awake. If I showed up more often than that, they’d believe I was expecting an attack at any moment.”

  “When do you sleep?”

  “When there is no danger.” Before she could protest, he added, “I sleep light. And I don’t usually lose track of time.”

  His voice at the end had taken on a sultry timbre that reminded her instantly of what they had just shared. So much for changing the subject.

  He took her arm and started her toward the wagon again. When they could make out the figures silhouetted against the canvas sides, he stopped her. She lifted her face toward him, wishing for a good-night kiss, expecting nothing of the kind.

  He gently caressed her cheek as he had the night before and she leaned into it. “Good night,” he said close to her ear, then turned and left.

  “Good night,” she whispered, knowing he couldn’t hear.

  A shouted alarm and a volley of shots brought Rebecca awake with a gasp. She heard Alicia stifle a cry as her Aunt hissed, “What was that?”

  “I don’t know,” she said, throwing off the blanket. She heard the sound of running feet and shouted orders as she quickly threw on the uniform. She tied on her shoes without worrying about socks and rummaged quickly in the bottom of her valise.

  “Should I light a lamp?” Alicia whispered.

  “No. I found it. Stay here and stay down.”

  She dropped to the ground with the pistol in her hand as another volley of shots sounded from the north end of camp. She ran toward the sound with a few straggling soldiers.

  It was impossible to see more than shapes in the dark, milling soldiers and milling horses. She could only guess what was happening.

  “Hold your fire.”

  She recognized Clark’s voice and breathed a sigh of relief. Until that moment she wasn’t fully aware of how worried she had been for his safety.

  The order was repeated by Sergeant Whiting as a couple more shots cracked in the dark.

  “Hold your fire, soldier.” She located him as Clark moved to thrust a soldier’s rifle barrel toward the ground.

  “I coulda got one,” the soldier insisted. It was Victor Brooks.

  “They’re just a small band of young braves out to make names for themselves. They failed to steal our horses. They’ll ride back to their elders and never mention this raid. You kill one and we’ll have the whole party down on us.

  “Sergeant Send a couple men to check for any casualties.”

  Brooks wasn’t ready to be dismissed. “Weren’t we shooting to kill a minute ago?”

  Whiting’s voice boomed, “Add a ‘sir’ to that, soldier.”

  Rebecca heard a grudging, “Sir.”

  Clark’s voice was calm. “That’s right, soldier. But we managed to miss them and save the horses. I’d like to leave it that way.

  “Back to your tents, men.”

  As the solders dispersed, Rebecca made her way toward Clark. He was talking to the sergeant. “It’s less than a hour till dawn. No one’s going to get any more sleep. Tell them to light their fires for breakfast, and we’ll get under way.”

  The sergeant left to relay the order, and Clark turned toward Rebecca. “Why am I not surprised to find you here?”

  “One of those horses is mine. Besides, if it had been a full-scale attack, you could have used my help.” She raised the gun but decided he probably couldn’t see it and dropped her arm again.

  “If it had been an attack, don’t you think I’d have felt better knowing you were safe?” His voice was low and intimate and sent spirals of memory through her body.

  “If it had been,” she said, just as softly, “there wouldn’t have been any place that was safe.”

  He sighed. “That’s not something I like to think about.”

  The admission made her smile. “I’m safe now.”

  She hadn’t realized what emotions he was holding in check until she found herself wrapped in his arms. His chin rested on the top of her head as he held her close. He had been truly worried about her. The realization pleased her.

  She reveled in the warmth of his embrace for a moment then drew her head away. She wanted a kiss. She didn’t have to ask or tease to get it. His lips came down on hers with a fierce possessiveness so different from his earlier gentle kisses. Liquid fire spread through her body with amazing speed. By the time he ended the kiss, her knees were weak and the pistol felt too heavy for her arm.

  “Go back to the ambulance,” he whispered.

  She wanted to keep his arms around her for a few more minutes. In fact she wasn’t sure she could stand without them. “I can’t find it in the dark,” she said.

  He actually chuckled. Well, she hadn’t really expected him to believe her.

  “You make me forget things,” he said, “like time. Responsibilities. Discretion. I should let you stand here until the sun comes up.”

  He had already turned her toward the wagon, his arm possessively wrapped around her shoulders. She grinned up at him. “Lucky for me you’re too much of a gentleman to do that.”

  She took his grunted response as agreement and swallowed a laugh as she wrapped an arm around his waist.

  She wasn’t surprised that he didn’t allow it. He drew away and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. This time Rebecca didn’t try to hold back the laugh. “It’s dark,” she reminded him.

  “And I’m trying to remain a gentleman.”

  “Your reputation’s safe with me.”

  “Why am I not reassured?” They had reached the wagon and he turned to face her. “When we march today, I’m going to post extra riders on either side of the ambulance. I want you in it.” He touched a finger to her lips when she started to protest. “I need to know that’s where you are.”

  He was being sweetly sincere, but she couldn’t resist teasing him. “Is that an order?”

  “Ma’am, it would be if I thought it would do any good. How about thinking of it as a favor? And you might want to ask the driver to let you know when the fort’s in sight so you can change clothes. I don’t think I want to see your father’s reaction to your current outfit.”

  Rebecca laughed. “Not to mention the fact that Aunt Belle would be mortified.”

  He moved to pull away from her, but she caught his arm. “Is it over?” she asked.

  “What? The journey? Almost. The danger? I hope so.”

  She couldn’t put into words what she was really asking so she let him go.

  By the time the sun was directly overhead, Rebecca’s stomach was complaining. She had eaten very little at breakfast. The anticipated joy at seeing her father again had fought with her disappointment that the journey was nearly over. It would be much more difficult to spend time with Clark unless he chose to call on her.

  But surely he would.

  Unless he was too intimidated by her father.

  Rebecca gave up speculating and gazed off across the prairie. She rode in the wagon. As a favor to Clark, she thought with a smile. She had convinced her aunt that the canvas wouldn’t stop an arrow, and they were better off being able to see what was coming. With all four sides rolled up they got the full benefit of the breeze and had a sunshade as well. Aunt Belle didn’t appreciate how comfortable they really were.

  “I daresay we should be stopping for lunch soon,” Aunt Belle said.

  “Maybe not,” Rebecca responded, turning toward her companions. “If we’re close, it would make more sense to keep traveling.”

  “Close.” The word sounded like a prayer. “I can’t imagine ever doing anything but riding in this infernal wagon.”

  Rebecca cast a longing look toward her gelding that trotted behind. “I could ride up and ask the sergeant how much farther it is.”

  “You’ll do no such thing,” Aunt Belle snapped. “We are about t
o return to civilization and you need to remember proper decorum.”

  Rebecca wasn’t daunted by the sharp words. “I simply thought it would be helpful to know. We are planning to dress for civilization, aren’t we?”

  Aunt Belle seemed to be taking the suggestion seriously. Rebecca held her breath and prayed.

  But before Aunt Belle made a decision, Sergeant Whiting rode up to the wagon and turned to trot beside it. “Afternoon, ladies,” he said cordially, doffing his hat.

  “Why, good afternoon, Mr. Whiting,” Rebecca said, knowing her friendly tone would irritate her aunt. “Is everything all right?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I figure we’ll be getting into Fort Hays in about an hour and a half. The lieutenant thought you’d like to know.”

  “Thank you, Sergeant,” Rebecca said. “Please convey our deepest appreciation to the lieutenant and my personal thanks as well. Be sure to mention how much I’ve enjoyed the ride this morning.”

  The sergeant grinned in spite of her scowl.

  “An hour and a half!” Aunt Belle repeated, oblivious to the last exchange. “That’s barely enough time.

  “If you’ll excuse us,” she said, dismissing the sergeant “Come girls, help me roll down the sides.”

  Knowing they were close enough to the fort to be safe, Rebecca convinced her aunt to let her roll the sides up again once they were dressed. As a result, they got to watch the white smear on the landscape develop into the tent city that was Fort Hays.

  Rebecca, her earlier hunger forgotten, found the view stirring.

  Aunt Belle was aghast. “This is what passes as civilization in this part of the world? Why, there’s nothing here.”

  “It’s a new fort,” Rebecca said. “We’ll be here to see it built. Look, there are several buildings under construction. We’ll be in a house before winter, I’d imagine.”

  “Before winter? Surely there’s a town nearby with a hotel.”

  There was no use trying to convince her otherwise. Her aunt would find out soon enough how habitable a large army tent could be. Rebecca had always thought they were wonderful as a girl.

  The caravan slowed to a walk in order to raise less dust as it followed the road into the collection of tents. Rebecca stood up and searched for her father. When she saw him ahead with a group of other officers she slipped off the back of the wagon and ran to greet him.

  She had barely made it past the line of troops and flung her arms around her father when she heard Clark order the troops to halt.

  After a brief hug her father disentangled himself and scowled down at her. “Becky girl, I should have known you’d find a way to get here. I can see six years with my sister has had very little effect on you.”

  Rebecca beamed. “Why thank you, Father.”

  He chuckled. “I trust she and her daughter have arrived as well, in equally good health.”

  Rebecca nodded. “They’re waiting in the ambulance.”

  The colonel’s attention shifted to something behind her, and she turned to see Clark salute.

  “First Lieutenant Clark Forrester reporting, sir.”

  Rebecca couldn’t help but grin. Clark was keeping his eyes carefully off her.

  “Welcome, Lieutenant,” her father said. “Sergeant, see to the men. The quartermaster will take charge of the supplies. Come inside, Lieutenant, and give me your full report.”

  Her father turned toward the tent then stopped, fixing his gaze once again on Rebecca. “My orderly will show you to our quarters. I’ll expect your full report at dinner.”

  “Yes, sir.” She gave him a mock salute.

  The colonel entered his tent and Clark moved to follow. As he passed, Rebecca said softly, “Told you he wouldn’t notice my hair.”

  He flicked her a glance without the slightest change in his purposeful step.

  Colonel Huntington had a two-room tent, or more accurately, two tents with a covered breezeway between. One was used as a bedroom and the other served as kitchen and dining room. The colonel’s striker had been sent for, and, after preparing a quick lunch for the ladies, he helped them hang a canvas to separate the bedroom into two and set up three new cots in the larger portion.

  “The lack of furniture is deplorable,” Aunt Belle commented when the last of the trunks had been moved in.

  “Your furniture will come with the train,” Rebecca reminded her. “Ours is probably stored somewhere.”

  Aunt Belle gave her a knowing nod. “Somewhere. But does even your father know where?”

  Rebecca laughed. “I’ll ask him. Do you want to take a walk around the camp? Get to know your new home?”

  Aunt Belle shook her head. “I’m looking forward to lying down on something that doesn’t sway. I feel quite worn-out.”

  “Alicia?”

  “I’ll go along. If you don’t mind, Mother.”

  “Yes, go. Just stay together and don’t speak to anyone.”

  Rebecca opened her mouth to protest, but decided escape was a better plan. “Have a good rest We won’t be long.”

  When she and Alicia had walked away from the tent, Rebecca asked, “Have you forgiven me for interfering with you and Brooks?”

  Alicia kept her eyes on the ground. “Of course.”

  “Truly, Alicia, I had your best—”

  “Could we not talk about it?”

  “All right. What do you want to see first?”

  Alicia looked around, considering. “The new buildings. I’ve been hearing the hammers since we got here.”

  Rebecca hoped her smile hid her disappointment. She had thought that Alicia might be willing to tell her what had happened the night she had left the wagon. Rebecca didn’t need to know everything her cousin did, and she wouldn’t care about this if she thought Alicia had put whatever it was behind her. But she didn’t. Alicia was too quiet, even for her. She seemed subdued and a little nervous.

  Rebecca tried to keep up some carefree banter as they made their way toward the construction site. The tents had been set up a few hundred yards away from the planned fort, and both women were beginning to notice the heat of the day before they arrived.

  “I miss the pants already,” Rebecca whispered to Alicia as they picked their way between stacks of lumber to find a place to view the work.

  Alicia shook her head. “All I miss is the hat.”

  “I think we should keep the hats,” Rebecca said. “We could dress them up with some ribbons and feathers, start a new fashion.”

  Alicia didn’t laugh but at least she smiled.

  “Ladies! Ladies!”

  Rebecca and Alicia turned to see a stout soldier running toward them. “Good afternoon, Corporal,” Rebecca said.

  “This is no place for you ladies,” the corporal said. “It could be dangerous.”

  “I can see that,” Rebecca said with a smile. “That’s why we’re clear over here. Tell me, is this to be one of the barracks?”

  The corporal turned to watch the workers for a moment. “Why, yes, it is.”

  “Are you in charge of the project?” Rebecca hoped she sounded suitably impressed.

  “In a manner of speaking, ma’am.”

  “Then, sir, we would so much enjoy a tour of the site.”

  The corporal turned to smile at them. “Would you, ma’am?”

  Rebecca nodded, nudging Alicia so she would do the same.

  The corporal seemed to recall himself. “But that’s out of the question, ma’am. Too dangerous. Far too dangerous. You best be going back.”

  Rebecca tried pouting but the corporal was adamant.

  “I tried,” Rebecca whispered as they made their way slowly back toward the tents.

  “You didn’t care about a tour,” Alicia said. “You just wanted to cause that poor soldier trouble.”

  “That’s unfair, Alicia. Although, I doubt if the man is in charge of anything but seeing that the other men kept working.”

  “You just don’t like to be told what to do.”

  Re
becca tried to look hurt but gave it up with a shrug. “Let’s stop by Father’s office on the way back. Maybe he’ll give us a tour.”

  Rebecca was delighted to hear Alicia laugh. “You’d like to see the look on that poor soldier’s face if you came back with the post commander.”

  Rebecca was thinking of a clever quip when she saw three armed soldiers hurry toward the headquarters tent. One approached the tent entrance as her father stepped out to meet him. Hasty orders were given and the three moved purposefully away.

  “What was that about?” Alicia asked.

  “I don’t know. The soldiers are on guard duty or they wouldn’t be armed. Listen, Alicia. I want you to go back to our quarters. I’ll go see what’s going on. Can you find your way?”

  Alicia nodded.

  Rebecca hurried forward. She didn’t know why she was so worried. Her father could have ordered the arrest of any soldier. For any number of reasons.

  But the pure fury she had seen on his face made her wonder if it was somehow personal.

  “Father?” she called hesitantly as she entered the tent.

  She was surprised to find him alone. And pacing. He turned and scowled at her.

  “Father, what’s happened?”

  He fixed her with a glare she had seen often as a child. It had never bothered her much, but today it made her blood turn cold.

  “I’ve ordered the arrest of Lieutenant Forrester,” he said.

  Chapter Nine

  Rebecca stared at her father for a full minute before she found her voice. “Arrest Clark? Why?”

  Her father’s eyes narrowed, and she realized she had used the lieutenant’s first name. It mattered little under these circumstances. “On what grounds?”

  “Dereliction of duty. Endangering his men. Deserting his post. Conduct unbecoming an officer. Anything else I can think of.”

  What was he talking about? This was not the lieutenant she knew. And loved.

  “On whose word?” she asked, hoping with enough information she could understand what had happened. And correct it.

  The colonel sighed and slumped in his chair. It creaked under his weight The oak chair and its matching desk seemed out of place in a tent.