The Lieutenant's Promise

by Aileen Fish

  Maggie came into the barn carrying a basket of eggs. “Are you certain you should be traveling alone?”

  “I’ll be back before dark. If I’m in danger on the road, then we’re in danger here, too.”

  In the light from the lantern, Em saw Maggie’s eyes widen and instantly regretted worrying her sister. “I didn’t mean it that way, Mags. If the rebels were close by, Pete wouldn’t have told the Dutton boys to go to Fayetteville, would he?”

  “I guess you’re right. I wish I could go with you, though.”

  “I need you here. Ma needs you here. Let Queenie and Penelope out to pasture for a few hours after you milk them. See if you can convince Ma to hem that gown you made for Susie.”

  “All right. But you be careful.”

  “I will, Mags. I promise.”

  Her sister left the barn. Em turned down the wick on the lantern and led Fred outside to the wagon.

  Maggie was at that awful age where she was too old to be treated like a child, but only beginning to fully understand the responsibility of being an adult. Sixteen was such a difficult age. Some of their friends were married by that age. Maggie, like Em, hadn’t found anyone nearby who was worth the time to go out walking with, had any of them come courting.

  Maggie was sure pretty enough to catch a man, even at sixteen. Her hair had hints of gold in it, rather than Em’s brassy auburn. She almost always wore a smile, and it made her blue eyes even brighter.

  A few years ago at a barn raising, a handsome, intelligent, unmarried young man had come up from Reeds Spring with his family, but it turned out he was only passing through. At night in the bed the sisters shared, they’d whisper of their dreams to one day marry, but when the sun came up and the cows began calling to be milked, the dreams scattered like dandelion seeds in a breeze.

  Em passed a few wagons on the Wire Road traveling in the opposite direction. As the main road through the Ozarks, running parallel to the telegraph wire that had recently been strung, it normally had a fair amount of traffic. A stagecoach approached her so quickly she had to steer Fred off the road into the grass. Thankfully its wheels churned up no dust, as the road was still damp.

  She searched the woods as she traveled, but saw no sign of anyone stalking among the trees, wearing Union blue or any other color. She doubted she’d find trouble on the road, but her foot scooted back a bit on the wagon boards until her heel met the rifle. She’d never be able to shoulder it in time if the need arose, but she felt safer knowing the gun was there.

  Lieutenant Lucas was making a big deal of the possibility of the State Guard being nearby. He and Tom were the only soldiers she’d seen since Tom had volunteered. How could an entire army, small though it was reported to be, slip past the farm without being heard? If thousands of men had marched or ridden down the Wire Road at night, Rufus would have barked up a storm. The old hound might sleep through a fox raiding the hen house, but he was quick to notice people nearby.

  An army of a thousand men or more couldn’t travel without making a sound. It simply wasn’t possible.

  By midday, Em reached Springfield and continued to the northeast where the Union army was encamped. A young guard halted her when she drew near the rows and rows of white tents. There were so many of them; how many men were camped there?

  “I’m sorry miss, but you’ll have to return to the road.” He stood stiff, his rifle in his hands but not aimed her way.

  “I came to see my brother. I—I have important news from home.”

  “I can see to it your message reaches him,” he said, not stepping aside.

  “It’s rather personal. Sir, you may search my wagon, I have no weapons other than my rifle here.” She held it up. “I’ll be happy to leave it with you while I find Tom.”

  The young soldier exchanged glances with another soldier standing nearby. He turned back to Em. “All right. You may leave your wagon and rifle here. Private Taylor will escort you into camp.”

  Em set the brake and tied off the reins before climbing down. Nervousness struck her quite unexpectedly, and she wiped her palms down her skirt.

  Private Taylor walked beside her. “You shouldn’t be traveling alone, miss.”

  Did every man think all women were helpless? She gritted her teeth and bit out, “I obviously wouldn’t have come if my news wasn’t very important.”

  “Who is your brother?”

  “Tom Gilmore. Private Tom Gilmore.”

  “I don’t know him.”

  “He’s in Lieutenant Lucas’s company.”

  “Oh. This way, then.” He veered toward the left.

  How could he tell who was where? Larger tents sat in the center with concentric circles of smaller ones radiating outward. Men moved about like bees in a hive, almost all of them staring at Em as they passed near her. Her unease grew. She was likely more in danger here among all these men than on the open road.

  Private Taylor stopped at one of the tents. “Lieutenant, there’s a young lady here to see Private Gilmore.”

  Lieutenant Lucas appeared in the opening almost instantly. “Miss Gilmore? Has something happened?”

  She glanced at the private, uncomfortable with speaking in front of him.

  “Thank you private. I will see to Miss Gilmore.”

  “Yes, sir.” The young man saluted and returned they way they’d come.

  “Come in,” Lieutenant Lucas said.

  Em hesitated, but this wasn’t the time or place to worry about propriety. “Is Tom nearby?”

  “He’s tending the horses. You haven’t said what’s wrong.” He motioned her to a folding stool.

  She sat, and he took a seat across the tent. For a moment, she rubbed her fingers over a callus on her other palm. What if he thought she was foolish, making a big deal of nothing? On the other hand, she’d look even more foolish if she left without explaining her trip. “I overheard talk in Harris’s store.” She detailed what she’d heard.

  “Have the Dutton boys gone to Arkansas?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t been back to town. I simply though it might be important for you to know where Price’s army is.”

  “Yes, it’s very important. However, we’d had word they were there. We’re now watching for their return.”

  Her heart jumped. Picturing the thousands of tents she’d seen, this had the potential to be a much bigger fight that the ones in Kansas in recent years. If General Price had gathered nearly as many men, the fighting could go on for days. She’d never really thought about how many men would be involved. “Do you expect a battle here in Springfield?”

  “We don’t know where we’ll meet up with them, yet. This is why I keep asking you to stay close to home.”

  Em suddenly grew warm, but it was as much from anger as from embarrassment at being put in her place. “I thought you should know what I heard. If I’d realized you had that information already I wouldn’t have wasted my time.” She jumped to her feet.

  The lieutenant stood, too. “It’s not a waste of time. Miss Gilmore, please sit.”

  Clenching her hands, she watched a soldier walk past the tent. “I shouldn’t have come.”

  She felt, rather than saw, him step closer. She looked up to see his deep brown eyes watching her. She shivered.

  “Are you cold?”

  “A little,” she lied.

  “I can send for a blanket for your trip home.”

  “Don’t trouble anyone. It’s warmer in the sun.” And warmer with him standing within reach. Her hands longed to brush his jawline and see how rough the whiskers were there.

  “I know I spoke harshly, but I’m glad you came, Miss Gilmore.”

  “Thank you, Lieutenant.”

  “Call me Levi. Please. I feel as though we are friends. Are we friends, Miss Gilmore?”

  He said her name as if he were asking permission for something. “My friends call me Em.”

  Levi held out his arm for her to take. “You shouldn’t linger. And I should speak to the major a
bout what you heard.”

  In spite of how casually he treated her news, he was going to report it to his superior. That gave her some joy. Almost as much joy as the feel of his rough woolen sleeve brushing against her arm.

  He walked with her back to her wagon and helped her aboard. “Have a safe trip home. I won’t tell you to be careful.”

  “I will say it to you,” she retorted. “Keep yourself and my brother safe.”

  “I promise, Miss Gilmore.”

  ~*~

  Levi watched her drive away until she rounded the bend. Nothing had surprised him more than seeing Em’s familiar gown beyond the open tent flap. Excitement had filled him, followed by a cold chill as he realized something must have happened on the farm.

  He’d settled back into a kind of calm excitement as he walked to Major Clanton’s tent. To wish he’d met her at a different time of life was ridiculous. They would never have crossed paths. How much better his life would be if he could get to know her better, ask her to go on a picnic, or something.

  Even if his time was his own, he’d have to wait until winter when her chores were fewer, and by then it would be too cold to be outdoors long. He’d planned to go to work at the bank before he enlisted, which would have left him no time to help with her chores, either. Aside from the fact he would have been hundreds of miles away.

  All this time waiting to find an enemy that was likely encamped across state lines had turned him into a daydreaming fool.

  Levi forced the grin from his face as he stopped outside Major Clanton’s tent. “Lieutenant Lucas to speak with you, sir.”

  “Enter.”

  Levi pushed aside the tent flap and walked inside the large space, stopping in front of the large oak desk. He saluted.

  “At ease. What is it you wish to speak to me about?”

  “Private Gilmore’s sister came to report hearing Price is in Fayetteville, sir.”

  “She came here? To the camp?”

  “Yes sir.”

  The major squinted at Levi. “Odd girl. Why didn’t she send a note?”

  “I can’t say, sir. They have no hands working their farm, nor any servants. The rest of her siblings are too young to come on their own.”

  “You know this family rather well. I thought you came from St. Louis.”

  “I do, sir. I…well, when Private Gilmore and I were scouting near the farm, we stopped to ask his sisters if they’d seen anyone in the area.” Levi fought the urge to tug at his collar, which was suddenly a half-inch too tight.

  The major rested his elbows on his desk and tapped his chin with one finger. “Interesting. And this sister took it upon herself to take up where you left off?”

  “She’s rather headstrong, sir.”

  “I gathered as much by her coming here.” Major Clanton stared at Levi in silence, his finger continuing to tap with a rhythm like the metronome his sisters used when practicing piano. “Where exactly is this farm?”

  “On the Wire Road, sir. Not quite to where the James River meets Wilson Creek.”

  Major Clanton unrolled his map and spread it on his desktop, anchoring it with various objects at hand. His finger traced a route too long to have stopped at the Gilmore farm.

  Levi began to hope he might be ordered to camp near the farm. Then he’d be able to keep an eye on Em‑and her family—while still performing his duties. It was a good plan. His men could scout farther south, be in a position to report when the rebels were sighted moving north. Should he suggest it?

  Stupid idea. The major didn’t take suggestions well. He insinuated it meant he didn’t know how to do his job.

  When the major rolled up the map, Levi snapped out of his wandering thoughts.

  “Thank you, Lieutenant. You will report to me if you hear anything more.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “And Lieutenant, don’t let a pretty face distract you from our mission. Even if she doesn’t work for Price, letting her divert your attention could have the same result of weakening our defenses.”

  “Yes sir. Understood, sir.” Levi saluted, snapped an about-face and left the tent.

  He strode to the temporary stables where the cavalry kept their mounts in roped-off pens, in search of Tom.

  The private was picking out the hooves of one horse. He paused when he noticed Levi approach. “Tell me you’re ordering me to other duties. Please.”

  “I’ll pretend that was a salute, since no one else is around. I came to tell you Em was here.”

  Tom dropped the horse’s hoof and ducked under the rope. “Is Ma all right?”

  “Everyone is fine. Em just overheard something in the general store. The Dutton boys have heard from Pete Small who’s with General Price.”

  “They’ve been talking about following Pete. Has she said anything about Mickey? He’s another who’s been siding with the rebels.”

  “No, and I don’t want her nosing around into anything dangerous. I have no idea what they might do to her if they thought she was spying. At the very least, they’d burn down the farm and run your family out of the state.”

  Tom’s hands fisted. “She won’t listen when I tell her anything. She just goes on with whatever she planned.”

  Chuckling, Levi said, “So I’ve noticed. Those qualities are probably what enable her to keep the farm running.”

  “She is good at that. If not for her, I couldn’t have enlisted.”

  “I told Major Clanton what Em reported, but he didn’t give me any orders after consulting the map. We’ll have to await further news, I imagine.” One of the horses nudged Levi’s shoulder and he ran his fingers over the velvety nose, blowing into its nostrils. “This waiting is aggravating, isn’t it? Drills, marches‑”

  “At least you won’t be assigned to stable duty. These creatures stink worse than Cletus.”

  Levi laughed loud at that claim. “Nothing stinks worse than Cletus. Surely you’ve had horses before.”

  “Yes, but they spent most of their time in the pasture. Not the close quarters of these stables.”

  “It could be worse, Gilmore. These stables could have walls.”

  Still laughing, Levi returned to his tent to finish the reports he needed to turn in.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  A week later, Levi was summoned to the major’s tent. He questioned the private who’d come for him while buttoning his jacket. “Are we preparing to move south?”

  “I can’t say, sir.”

  “You can’t say, or you don’t know?”

  “I was only told to bring you to the major’s tent, sir.”

  Levi expected as much, but he was eager to hear any sort of news that would involve action.

  A surprise waited for him in the major’s tent, but he should have expected it. Em sat primly inside, wearing her simple calico gown with a lace collar, her hands folded in her lap. Levi snapped to attention in front of the major and saluted. “Lieutenant Lucas reporting as commanded, sir.”

  “At ease. I believe you’re acquainted with Miss Gilmore?”

  “I am, sir.”

  “Miss Gilmore says some of her neighbors are meeting Price’s army in Cassville.”

  “The Duttons?” he asked Em.

  She nodded.

  “Price is moving north,” Major Clanton said. “I’m going to station men at Neosho, Plymouth Junction and Cape Fair. Lucas, I’m assigning you and Private Gilmore to watch the Wire Road. I’m certain Miss Gilmore and her family will understand the need for your presence there, and their need for discretion. Young Gilmore will tell anyone who asks that he was found to be unfit to serve. You will need to come up with a reason for your being on the farm.”

  “Their hired man left some time back. I’m sure few will question them hiring a new man.” Levi glanced to see if Em was going to argue, but she kept her gaze on the major. What a pleasant change‑no dissention on her part.

  “Excellent. Pack your gear and send for Gilmore. You two will escort Miss Gilmore home.”

&
nbsp; Em waited in the major’s tent while Levi packed. After being summoned by a private, Tom appeared in time to help Levi dismantle his tent. “Are we really going back to the farm to stay?”

  “At least for the time being,” Levi said.

  “Are we to continue scouting around Wilson Creek?”

  “It’s better that we try to blend in. That way we can observe what’s being said around the town. At the same time we’ll watch for any approaching troops.”

  “Em will be glad to have the help on the farm.”

  Levi wouldn’t say it aloud, but he was glad to be able to keep an eye on Em. And her family, of course. Em was just too rash in her actions, not thinking them through before taking risks.

  Em walked with them to the wagon and climbed aboard while they stowed their gear. Tom hopped up in the back, and Levi sat on the bench beside Em, taking the reins from her.

  “I’m fully capable of driving,” she snapped.

  Levi sighed. The battle for control began already. “I’m aware of that. I’m also fully capable. Can you imagine the ridicule I’d face from the other men if I let you take the reins?”

  Tom snickered.

  Em rolled her eyes. “Who cares what they think? Maybe their sisters aren’t able to do anything outside cooking and keeping house.”

  “I’m certain that’s not true.”

  “It’s called being considerate, sis,” Tom called out. “I’d do it more often if you’d let me. Just because you’re the oldest doesn’t mean you have to take over all of Pa’s chores.”

  “I let Maggie take on some. And you did a lot when you were there.”

  “When you let me.”

  Not in the mood for listening to them bicker, Levi jumped in. “For the next week or longer, Tom and I will be able to help you do the work. And by help you I mean we can take the larger share.”

  She opened her mouth to argue, he was sure, but he continued.

  “Use the time as you wish. I’m certain there are things you have to tend to that get put aside by the daily chores. Or use the time to rest. Summer’s not half over, and then there’s fall harvest.”