The Lieutenant's Promise

by Aileen Fish

  She sat quietly for a bit, staring down the road. When she spoke, her voice was soft. “I suppose Susie and I can pick some berries and make some jam. And perhaps we’ll can some tomatoes.”

  “Make some gooseberry tarts. Ma loves those.” Tom yawned and stretched, leaning back against the side of the wagon and lowering his cap over his eyes.

  “Those all sound like excellent activities. I hope I’m allowed to enjoy one of those tarts.” He hadn’t had jam, tarts or pies in longer than he could remember. He’d likely be working harder than normal while on the farm, but there were plenty of pleasures he’d be able to appreciate at the same time.

  ~*~

  When they reached the farm, Em jumped off the wagon, leaving the men to take care of Fred. The sun was on the horizon, and if she hurried she could feed the animals before dark.

  Cletus called out to her as she approached with a bucket of grain, and the two sows in the next pen squealed in delight. “Here you are, piggies. I’m only half an hour or so behind time. You weren’t starving, no matter how badly you try to convince me.”

  The animals snorted and snuffed in response as they gobbled their meal.

  Em returned to the barn and filled the bucket with chicken feed and scattered it in the dirt in front of the coop. Maggie was milking the cows inside the barn, and Em stopped to talk to her. “Where will we put Lieutenant Lucas? We can’t expect him to sleep on the floor in Tom and Harvey’s room.”

  “What about Jasper’s room?”

  The small room in a corner of the barn had stood empty since their hired hand left, except for some broken tools Em hoped to have repaired someday. “It’s filthy. We haven’t kept it dusted or swept. And the bedding is likely musty.”

  Maggie moved the milk pail to one side and stood, then picked up her stool and the pail. “I can wash the bedding in the morning. Doesn’t he have bedding from the army?”

  “I’d forgotten about that. I just hate to have him thinking we’re poor hosts. He’s probably used to feather beds and crisp linens, before he enlisted. We have none of that to offer.”

  “Tom said they were ordered to come here. The lieutenant isn’t a guest, not really.”

  Em swatted at a fly buzzing around her face. “I suppose not, but I wish we could offer better.” She followed Maggie to the milk can and watched her sister pour in the fresh milk.

  “Why does it matter to you what he thinks? He’s only here to do whatever it is they do.”

  “They’re scouting,” Em said. “Or something. Looking for the rebel army, same as always.”

  “Well, then he’s not expecting to be treated like a guest. So I’ll ask again, why is it so important what he thinks of us?”

  Leaning against the wall, Em untied her bonnet and took it off. “He comes from the city. He’s used to fine things. The only fine thing we have is Ma’s silver sugar and creamer.”

  “Em, you’re being silly. Unless…” Maggie spun sending the final drops of milk spraying from the pail. “You fancy him. Is that why you’re worried about what he thinks?”

  “Of course not. At times I can barely stand to be with him. He’s so bossy‑”

  “Which you never are.”

  Glaring, Em realized it was too dark for her sister to see her expression. “He thinks his way is the only way to do anything. If he had his way, I’d never leave the farm until the rebels are gone for good. How am I to get anything done with him here?”

  “The same as always. If he doesn’t want you going into town alone, he or Tom can go with you.”

  “That’s the last thing I need.” She straightened and grabbed one handle on the milk can. “Come on, let’s go in and feed everyone. Maybe after supper, Susie can read from the bible for us.”

  That was likely a far cry from the sort of entertainment the Lucas family was accustomed to. She honestly couldn’t say what exactly they might do in the evening, but they likely had servants to wash up, and plenty of lamps to see by, unlike the Gilmores.

  She’d never been ashamed of her lifestyle before. She wasn’t really feeling that now, but there was such a huge divide between the ways their families lived. He’d never consider caring for a girl like her. He might flirt while he was on the farm, so she’d need to be on her guard, but he’d never offer to return for her when his enlistment was up.

  It was a good thing her heart wasn’t involved. Heartache was the only thing that lay in that direction.

  ~*~

  After supper, when Em insisted on cleaning the room where Levi would be staying, he argued that he was perfectly capable of doing it himself, and would leave it until daylight to worry about it. “I’ve wakened in mud puddles and covered with ants. A little dust won’t hurt me.”

  “No, but the spiders might.” Carrying her empty bucket, rags and a broom, Em marched out the door of the small house.

  Levi followed with the lantern, grabbing the bucket from her hand. “I’ll get the water.”

  “Suit yourself,” she said sharply, taking the lantern when he offered it.

  He drew water from the well and carried it to the small room in the barn that was to be his for the length of his assignment. Em had set the lantern on a small table in one corner. Other than the chair beside it, the only furniture was the cot and a trunk.

  Simple, yes, but it had walls, a roof and a window. It was a castle compared to what he’d become accustomed to. He took one of the rags, wetted it and scrubbed the window. “Have you thought about hiring another man?”

  “There aren’t many men around looking for work. Most have either joined up on one side of the conflict or the other, or they’ve moved away to safer territory. I doubt they’ll be back.”

  “It sad to let something like this force you to leave your home, but I think in many cases it’s the wise thing to do.”

  Em finished wiping off the table and began cleaning the top of the trunk. “It’s easier to do when you work for someone else and don’t own your home.”

  “Sometimes we have to make the harder choice, when it’s the safer one.”

  She dropped the rag, turning on him with her hands on her hips. “This is about my decision to remain on the farm, isn’t it?”

  “Not directly…” Levi rinsed the rag in the bucket. “All right, perhaps it is. I can’t get the memories out of my mind of what I witnessed in Kansas. Families were forced to leave while their homes burned, most with nothing more than the clothes they wore.”

  “I can’t believe every last one of them moved away, and not all of those who stayed were burned out.”

  “Can you take the chance which one you’ll be?” He was tired of arguing with her. “You don’t have to think about it now. While Tom and I are here we can watch for trouble.”

  “I’ve‑”

  Levi raised a hand. “I know you’ve been watching. And doing it while you worked the farm. Now you’ll have help with both.”

  She spun and yanked the blanket from the cot, taking it outside. A few minutes later she brought it back in the room and spread it on the cot. “It’s not too musty. Maggie will wash it in the morning. If the sun is shining it’ll be dry by dark.”

  “Thank you,” he said simply. He wasn’t going to argue. Her pride was like an eggshell around her, so easily shattered. Picking up the broom, he swept the floor as well as he could in the dim light.

  Em looked about the room. “That’s about the best I can make it tonight.”

  “It’s perfect, thanks. I’m grateful I won’t have to share a bed with Harvey.”

  She smiled, ducking her head. “He kicks in his sleep. And somehow manages to turn sideways across the mattress, leaving room for no one else.”

  “My middle brother was the same.”

  “How many are there of you? You’ve never talked about your family other than the mention of your sisters.”

  He leaned the broom against the wall. “I have two brothers and two sisters. Like you, I’m the eldest.”

  “And you shared
a room with your brothers?”

  “Manny and I shared the room until Mark came along. Then I got one of my own.”

  “We ran out of rooms,” she said softly, still not meeting his gaze. “Maggie, Susie and I share one still.”

  He realized what they were discussing and cleared his throat. She must think the worst of him for speaking of bedrooms, especially given they stood beside a bed. “Well, I’ll let you return to your family. Thank you for helping me freshen the room.”

  “You’re welcome.” Em walked toward the open doorway.

  “If I’m not up already, have Tom wake me when you start your chores,” he called after her.

  “Oh, don’t you worry, Queenie and Penelope will wake you long before we come to the barn.”

  He doubted that would be any worse than reveille. He was used to roosters, how much worse could a cow be?

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The next morning, after feeding the animals, Em carried the harness to Fred.

  Levi intercepted her. “Why don’t you let me do that?”

  “I was saving the hard work for you.” With a bucket load of willpower, she refrained from sticking out her tongue at him.

  “Good, I’m glad to hear it. What’s the hard work?”

  “Plowing the potato field, then gathering the potatoes.” She listened for a comment, but he said nothing. Instead, he walked out of the barn, letting her work in silence.

  She found him waiting beside the plow. The daylight was still weak, the sun not yet over the horizon, but the air was already thick with the humidity that would only grow worse as the day went on.

  With more patience needed than she cared to admit, Em let him hitch Fred to the plow. She picked up the stack of bushels and carried them to the field where she’d already harvested two-thirds of the crop.

  Maggie came out a short time later, followed by Tom.

  “There you are,” Levi said. “I thought I’d have to assign you to stable duty again.”

  Tom snorted. “I’m already on it, and pig pen duty. Do your worst, Lieutenant, you can’t come up with anything more harsh than my normal chores.”

  As Levi set out with the plow, each of Em’s siblings picked up a bushel and followed behind, picking up the potatoes from the freshly turned dirt. The work was slow as they brushed off as much dirt as possible before tossing the spuds in the bushels. Em’s back was used to the work, but it still began to ache after a couple of rows.

  About that time, Levi broke into song. “Well, I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee…” His rich baritone filled the air.

  Em paused, watching his face as he passed her by on another furrow. He winked, sending butterflies scurrying in her stomach. Such an interesting man!

  Maggie added her voice to the song, so Em followed suit. Pa used to sing while he worked. Hearing Levi do so seemed so familiar, yet made her realize how much she missed her Pa.

  Pa was such a loving man. He’d pick up peppermint candy for all the kids when he brought a load of vegetables into town. He’d laughed so much.

  Em lifted her bushel and set it down a few feet farther down the furrow. There was no sense wishing Pa were still around. Some things couldn’t be changed. So many chores awaited her, leaving no time for melancholy spirits.

  “I had a dream, the other night, when everything was still…” Levi turned up another row, not missing a beat in his song.

  Susie came running from the house. “I finished my lessons. I want to help.” She fell into step beside Maggie, helping fill her bushel. It became very clear she was more interested in singing than gathering potatoes, but she did keep at it.

  Em looked up in surprise to see Ma and Harvey approach. Harvey was bouncing about, stomping on his shadow. He stumbled over the freshly turned dirt, but caught himself on the edge of Maggie’s bushel without overturning it. He reached into the dirt. “I help.”

  Ma picked up a bushel, and Em walked to her, asking softly, “Should you be helping with this? You mustn’t overwork yourself.”

  “It’s such a beautiful day. Too pretty to be indoors. I will stop if I get tired.” She bent to begin on a new row. In the bright sunshine, the white threads in her fading red hair were more obvious. “Besides, it sounds as though you all are having too much fun.”

  Standing still for a moment, Em watched her family work. The last time they’d all done so was before Pa’s death, before Ma grew so big with Harvey in her belly that she couldn’t work.

  Levi was like the Pied Piper, and they were his lemmings. If it kept her family this happy, she’d willingly follow him off any cliff.

  “All around the cobbler’s house, the monkey chased the weasel…” Levi worked on, seeming oblivious to the change he’d wrought in her family.

  The field was finished in what seemed like no time at all, except that the sun was high in the sky. Ma had gone inside earlier to put together some cold fried chicken and pickled beets, and Susie carried out a pitcher of cool water for everyone.

  Levi unhitched the mule and led him to the water trough, then tied him in the shade while the others sat under a tree.

  Em fanned her bonnet in front of her face, unable to keep her eyes off Levi. He looked so…ordinary wearing plain clothes rather than his uniform. She wouldn’t have thought herself to be one of those silly girls who swooned over a uniform, but perhaps she was.

  Yet ordinary didn’t described how handsome he was. Even with his hair slicked back with sweat beneath Pa’s old straw hat, with lines of clean skin showing on his face where sweat had cleared a path, Levi was the best-looking man she knew.

  He caught her watching him and offered her a smile. “What’s next?”

  She blinked. “Next?” Had he been reading her thoughts?

  “The next chore on our list.”

  “Oh, of course.”

  “I’ll be weeding the tomatoes, if you care to join me,” Tom said.

  “Em will be taking the potatoes into town,” Maggie offered, grinning at Em and wrinkling her nose.

  Grimacing back, Em said, “I’m certain Tom would appreciate your assistance, Lieutenant. We’ve had a bad infestation of worms on the tomatoes this year, so you’ll need to deal with those while you weed.”

  Levi put his hat back on. “Should you make the trip alone?”

  She sighed. “I do so several times a week during harvest. It’s perfectly safe.”

  “It was safe before they ran the governor out of Jeff City, but times are different now. You know this as well as I do. I should accompany you, at least during the time we’re staying here.”

  “It’s really not necessary.”

  “It’s part of the reason we are here. Not necessarily the safety of your family, but to keep an eye out. Delivering crops into town is the perfect excuse for observing what’s happening in the area.”

  Maggie grinned at Em and wrinkled her nose again, then hopped to her feet. “I’ll go put Harvey down for his nap now.”

  She’d better hurry off. If it weren’t for Levi being there, Em would have given her a sound scolding.

  ~*~

  Rocking side-to-side with the rumbling wagon on the rutted road, Levi couldn’t understand why Em could seem so friendly one moment, and so standoffish the next. She couldn’t object to having help on the farm. That meant she must dislike him, personally.

  That suited him. He didn’t need anyone pining after him when he went into battle. Bad enough his mother and sisters were so afraid of him being killed. Em could save her worries for her brother.

  He needed to pay attention to the reason he was in Wilson Creek. “Who’s the proprietor of the general store?”

  “Mr. and Mrs. Harris own it.”

  “Are they sympathetic with the southern states?”

  She shrugged. “They never speak of it one way or the other. How can they? They can’t afford to lose the business of any of the families.”

  “Everyone has an opinion, whether they say so or not. Watch their eyes, their ma
nnerisms when the subject comes up. You said Mrs. Dutton discussed her sons while she was in the store.”

  “Yes, with Mrs. Harris.”

  “And how did Mrs. Harris react?”

  “I wasn’t watching her for reaction. Her voice stayed as even as if they discussed what flower bulbs to plant in the fall.”

  From the tone of her voice, Em was obviously still upset with him. She remained quiet the entire ride into town. She did give directions to the general store, and hopped down from the wagon before he could assist her.

  When she unlatched the tailgate and reached for a bushel, he crowded her aside. “Please let me. What will your neighbors think if I let you carry these?”

  Hands on her hips, she glared. “Maybe they’ll think we want to get the wagon unloaded and home before dark?”

  “In that case, you go inside and conduct your business while I unload and we’ll be finished in no time.” He didn’t look to see if she rolled her eyes, or opened her mouth to argue, but lifted the bushel and walked away.

  Em followed him inside. “I brought potatoes again, Mr. Harris.”

  “Excellent, Miss Gilmore. I’ll be right with you.”

  Pointing toward an open doorway in the back, Em showed Levi where to set the bushels. Within a few minutes, he had them all inside. He wandered about the small store while he waited. He was disappointed there were no other customers, but that would make his job too easy. When he’d circled the space, he ended up beside Em at the counter.

  Mr. Harris looked up. “Well, now, Miss Gilmore, I don’t believe I’ve met your friend.”

  “He’s my cousin—”

  “I’m her beau‑” Levi said simultaneously without thinking. He bit his tongue as soon as he heard his words.

  Em’s expression shot arrows of anger at him. She turned back to Mr. Harris. “Lieu‑Levi Lucas is my mother’s cousin from St. Louis. We…met a few years back and have been corresponding since.”

  Mr. Harris lit up. “I see. Are we to expect a wedding soon?”

  “No!” Em clenched her fists at her sides.

  “We’ve agreed to wait until Tom comes home so he can take over the farm,” Levi said hurriedly, “ which will allow Miss Gilmore to return to St. Louis with me.”