“Looks like you’re right, Mrs. Wilson. All three have chicken pox.”
She bit her lip. “Is it dangerous?”
The doctor rubbed his chin. “It can be. But most times it’s not. What we need to do is get them into bath water with oats in it.”
“Oats?”
He chuckled. “Yes. I’ve learned that helps to ease the itching, which they’ll be doing plenty of soon.” He rolled up his sleeves and continued. “If we make it a cool bath, it will also help bring down the fever.”
Rosemarie took a deep breath for the first time since she had awoken that morning.
“How is Hans?” the doctor questioned over his shoulder, as he washed his hands at the sink.
“Hans died from a bullet wound a few months ago.”
Dr. Kennedy studied her as he dried his hands. “Tell me about it.”
Rosemarie stood and shook out her skirts. “Confederate soldiers came to our farm back in November. They took everything that wasn’t nailed down, and when Hans tried to stop them from taking our last horse, one of the soldiers shot him.”
The doctor shook his head. “Damn the war.”
“Yes.” She hugged her middle. “He didn’t die right away. I nursed him for a couple of days, but the infection took him.”
Mrs. Kennedy reached out and squeezed Rosemarie’s arm. “I’m so sorry, dear. How have you been managing by yourself?”
“It’s all right. We’re getting along.”
“I know you don’t want to hear this, but you should think about marrying again. I know it hasn’t been long, but you can’t take care of three children and a farm by yourself.”
The only man I would consider marrying is off to fight a war. On the other side.
“Well, at least you don’t have to worry about soldiers raiding your homestead anymore.”
“Yes. There isn’t anything left for them to take.”
The doctor stared at her for a moment. “I’m talking about the war being over.”
Rosemarie’s stomach dropped to her feet. “What do you mean?”
“Why, General Lee surrendered to General Grant just yesterday.”
All the breath left her body, as she reached behind her and sat on the edge of Chandler’s cot. “The war is over?”
“Yes, indeed. Jed at the newspaper office got a telegram late last night. The news is all over town. Now we can get back to normal living again, and stop killing all our young men.”
Daniel. He’s on his way back to Virginia. And the war is over.
She had to find him. Being on the road, he wouldn’t know about the surrender. Her heart leapt. They could be together! In the short time since he’d left, it would only take her a few hours racing with the horse to find him. Her head spun with the possibilities.
“Mrs. Kennedy.” She turned to the woman, who viewed her with furrowed brows.
“Do you think it’s possible for me to leave my children with you? Just for maybe a few hours, or possibly a day?”
“I guess that would be all right. What’s the matter, dear? You turned so pale all of a sudden.”
Rosemarie stood and licked her dry lips. “I have to find someone. A man.” She hurried on when the woman’s eyes widened. “He was helping me at the farm for the last few weeks. He’s, well, he’s from the south, and he was headed back there.”
“Oh, my.” Mrs. Kennedy breathed out.
“You said my children’s illness isn’t serious?” Her heart pounded so hard, the other two people in the room must have heard it.
“Chicken pox can be serious, but I don’t see any evidence that your three won’t do just fine, as long as things progress as I expect them to. We can do the baths, cool them down, and for the most part, just watch over them and feed them plenty of liquids.”
Rosemarie twisted her hands, and turned again to Mrs. Kennedy. “Would it be a burden to you? I really don’t want to impose.”
Apparently having recovered from Rosemarie’s announcement, the doctor’s wife smiled with a twinkle in her eye. “You go on ahead and chase down your man, Mrs. Wilson.” She chuckled. “I guess my advice to you on remarrying came a bit late.”
“I’m not so sure of that, but I need to try.”
Mrs. Kennedy made a shooing movement. “Go on. Do what you need to do. We’ll take care of these young ‘uns.”
Rosemarie snatched her bonnet from the counter and hugged the woman. “Thank you so much. If all goes well, I should be back by tomorrow at the latest.”
“Mama?” Amelia called to her from the bed.
“Yes, honey.”
“Are you going to get Mr. a’Coy?”
“I hope to find him. Will you be all right here with Dr. and Mrs. Kennedy?”
“Yes. Please tell Mr. a’Coy we want him to come back to take us fishing.”
Rosemarie bent and kissed Amelia on the forehead. She spent a few minutes saying goodbye to the two boys, and then left.
The main part of town was still in a celebratory state. Now she understood the townspeople’s actions earlier. The best plan would be to leave the wagon at the livery and go after Daniel on the horse. She pulled up to the stable and jumped down.
“Can you take care of my wagon for a day or so?” She spoke over her shoulder to Jedediah, the livery owner, as she unharnessed the horse. “I’ll also need to borrow a saddle from you.”
“Sure thing, Mrs. Wilson.” He walked closer and ran his thumbs up and down his suspenders. “Did ya hear about the surrender?”
“Yes I did. I’m grateful it’s all over.”
She smiled in his direction, then waited while he fastened the straps on the saddle.
“Thank you so much.” She swung up onto the horse and headed toward the main street.
Things had gotten quite a bit livelier since she’d entered town earlier. A red, white and blue banner with the words “The War Is Ended!” hung from two buildings, stretched across the street. Small flags and signs appeared in store windows. The noise and music in the saloon had grown louder, and it appeared school had been let out early because a dozen or more children ran up and down the street with barking dogs following along.
Rosemarie grinned and headed south, where she would take the road Daniel had planned to use.
Please God, don’t make him have changed his mind.
As she reached the end of town, a group of Union soldiers headed toward her. She recognized the man in front as Captain Nelson. Four soldiers rode behind him, with the last soldier riding double. As she grew closer, the sight of the second man, his head hanging down, hands tied behind his back, caught her eye, making her breath catch. The shirt and pants he wore had hung on the hook by her back door for months.
Her heart thumped as she recognized Daniel. She kicked the horse and rode up to the group. “Daniel!”
Daniel’s head snapped up and his eyes met hers.
“Captain, why is Lt. McCoy tied up?”
The captain smirked. “How is it you know my prisoner, ma’am? And by name? And rank?”
Realizing her mistake, she stiffened. Then remembered the war was over. He couldn’t do anything to her now. “You need to release him. The war is over.”
Captain Nelson stretched his lips in the imitation of a smile. “Well ma’am, it seems I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“First of all, since my men and I have been on the road for a couple of weeks, I haven’t gotten official word that the war is over. So after Lt. McCoy here spends a night in the town jail, I’ll be taking him back to Camp Morton in the morning.”
Rosemarie furrowed her brows. “But then you’ll release him?”
“Afraid not, ma’am.”
She shook her head in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
Daniel looked her square in the eye as Captain Nelson spoke.
“Well, see ma’am, Lt. McCoy will be hung for stealing Federal property. In fact”−he leaned forward−“for the horse you’re riding right now.”
Chapter Eight
Daniel’s lips tightened as Captain Nelson’s words hung in the air. Rosemarie had gone so pale he was afraid she’d pass out and tumble from the horse. Still stunned to have run into her in town, he nevertheless ate her up with his eyes.
Leaving her last night had been the hardest thing he’d ever done. Even surviving and escaping prison camp had not torn him up that way. Rosemarie was everything he ever wanted in a wife and lover. He loved her children, could be very happy working her farm, but most of all he desired her. This strong, beautiful, passionate woman was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. But it appeared that his life would soon be cut short.
“Captain, may I speak with Lt. McCoy?” Rosemarie had recovered some of her color, and now her eyes flashed in anger as she stiffened and made her request.
“Afraid not, Mrs. Wilson. We’re headed to the jail right now. My men and I are anxious to get baths, a meal, and a little fun before we return to the fort tomorrow. If you want to talk to the sheriff about seeing your lover, here, that’s up to you.”
“Shut your filthy mouth!” Daniel felt the heat rise to his face, and his fists clenched behind his back.
“I suggest you keep quiet, prisoner. You ain’t in no position to demand anything.” Captain Nelson turned and tipped his hat at Rosemarie. “Ma’am.” Then he moved his horse forward, the other men following. After a few steps, he turned. “Oh, and we’ll be taking that horse back now, as well, ma’am.”
“You can’t leave her here without a horse,” Daniel growled.
“Soldier, you don’t seem to understand that you have no say.” He smiled in Rosemarie’s direction. “Remove yourself from the horse, Mrs. Wilson.”
Rosemarie slid off the animal and began to unfasten the straps. “This saddle belongs to the livery,” she snapped.
“Fine. We’ll be by your place soon to pick up the saddle that was on the horse when your lover stole it.”
A surge of anger so strong raced through Daniel that he broke the piece of leather fastened around his hands. He jumped from the horse and pulled Captain Nelson from his. Taken completely by surprise, Nelson received three good punches before he recovered himself and yelled to his men. Two soldiers grabbed Daniel by his arms. Nelson rotated his neck, dusted his jacket, and pulled on the cuffs. “Hold him.”
“No!” Rosemarie screamed as the captain pulled back and slammed his fist into Daniel’s face. Blood spurted from his nose. Nelson drew back and drove his fist into Daniel’s stomach several times. When he sagged toward the ground, Nelson kicked him in the ribs.
“Get him up and drag him to the jail.”
Rosemarie ran to Daniel, but one of the soldiers grabbed her arm. “Ma’am, it’s best if you go about your business. Like Captain Nelson said, if you want to visit him in the jail later, go see the sheriff.”
With one soldier on either side of him, Daniel was dragged to the sheriff’s office and pushed through the door. Captain Nelson already stood in the center of the room, rubbing his jaw which had already started to bruise.
“This the man you been searching for?” The sheriff stood and snagged a ring of keys from the wall.
“Right. Military prisoner.” Captain Nelson glanced in Daniel’s direction, a smirk on his face. “He’ll be hung in the morning, once we get him back to Camp Morton. My men and I will be at the hotel overnight.”
The sheriff led Daniel and the soldiers down the short hallway and opened a cell door. One of the soldiers placed his palm against Daniel’s back, and shoved. He landed on his knees, next to a small cot. No one spoke as the sound of the cell door locking resonated in the air.
Rosemarie watched the two soldiers haul Daniel away. Suddenly sick to her stomach, she clutched her middle, and eased herself down onto the saddle alongside the road. Daniel was to be hung for stealing the horse.
Her heart thudded and she pushed away the hair blowing into her eyes with a cold, shaky hand. She had to do something. The first thing was to get Dr. Kennedy to take a look at Daniel in the jailhouse. After the beating Captain Nelson had given him, Daniel would need medical attention.
Leaving the saddle where it sat, Rosemarie hurried back into town. After a short visit with Jedediah, he agreed to collect the saddle she’d left behind. The next stop was the doctor’s house.
“Back already? That was quick,” Mrs. Kennedy said, her smile faltering as she took in Rosemarie’s appearance. “What’s the matter, dear? You look upset.”
“I need Dr. Kennedy to take a look at someone in the jail. He’s been beaten, and I doubt the sheriff would send for your husband because the prisoner is a military detainee.”
“Come in, let me get the doctor.”
Rosemarie followed Mrs. Kennedy down the hallway and entered the infirmary. All three children were fast asleep.
“How are they doing?”
“Just fine. The doctor and I bathed them in the oat water, and he gave them a little something to help them sleep. Only Amelia still has a fever, but it’s slight.” She patted Rosemarie’s hand. “Let me tell the doctor you’re here.”
Rosemarie sat on a chair next to Jace’s bed, where the boy peacefully slept. The rash had spread to his face and arms. Thank goodness they were in the care of the doctor. Even though chicken pox was one of the lesser evils in childhood diseases, it eased her mind to have them here when she needed to focus on Daniel.
“Now tell me about your young man.” Mrs. Kennedy bustled into the room. “The doctor will be right down.”
Rosemarie paced, wringing her hands. “Daniel is a confederate soldier, recently escaped from Fort Morton military prison.” She cast an uneasy glance at Mrs. Kennedy. When the woman’s expression didn’t change, she continued. “He came to our farm looking for a place to bed down for the night. I had a serious cut on my leg.” She stopped her pacing and looked the woman in the eye. “He saved my life. The cut had become infected.” After taking a deep breath, she went on. “Then, he stayed for a while, helping with the chores, teaching Chandler how to hunt, making scrambled eggs for Amelia because she hates oatmeal …”
Unable to continue, she pushed her fist into her mouth, holding back tears. The image of Daniel swinging from a rope overwhelmed her.
“What’s this about someone needing attention at the jailhouse?” Dr. Kennedy entered the room, rolling down his shirt sleeves.
“He’s a friend of Mrs. Wilson’s,” Mrs. Kennedy answered, giving Rosemarie time to compose herself.
“Can you come with me to the Sheriff’s office?” Rosemarie’s voice was thick with emotion.
“Let’s go.” The doctor picked up his bag and they left the house.
The streets of Bartlett Creek continued to display flags, banners and a general sense of celebration. Dr. Kennedy and Rosemarie remained oblivious as they hurried to the jailhouse. She couldn’t help but think how happy she would have been with the war coming to an end, if it had not been for Daniel being captured.
No longer would she need to cringe at the sound of horses riding up to her farm house, afraid one army or another would take more from her family. She could plant all the corn she wanted and not worry about losing it to military provisions. But none of it would matter if Daniel wasn’t with her.
Dr. Kennedy held the door for her as they entered.
Sheriff Jake Morris swung his feet off the desk, bringing his chair upright. He shoved a small book into his desk drawer. “What can I do for you, Doc?”
Despite the circumstances, Rosemarie smiled at the sheriff. A large man, he’d been hired by the town five years ago, when the former sheriff retired. With very little crime to deal with, Jake spent a lot of time reading penny novels, which he thought was a deep secret. The entire town knew of his private habit, but out of respect, and a genuine liking for the man, no one mentioned it to him.
“I understand you’re holding a man here who needs some medical attention.”
“You talking about
that Reb in the back?”
The doctor nodded and headed toward the cell. “Can you open the door, please, Jake?”
The sheriff threw Rosemarie a curious glance, then grabbed the keys and followed the doctor. She was right behind him.
Daniel sat on the small cot, his eyes closed, and his head resting against the wall. Both of his eyes were swollen, and dried blood crusted his split lip. Rosemarie drew in a sharp breath, which caused him to open his eyes. “I don’t want you here.”
“Daniel, please.”
“Sheriff, please escort Mrs. Wilson from the jail.”
“No, Daniel,” she cried as the sheriff took her by the arm.
Daniel winced as he stood and walked to the bars of the cell. “Rosemarie, this is no place for you. Please, do me a favor and forget me.”
She yanked her arm from the Sheriff’s hold. “No. I will not forget you, Daniel McCoy. Neither will Amelia, Jace, and Chandler. We want you back with us.”
He slowly shook his head. “I will be hanged as soon as I’m returned to Camp Morton. Captain Nelson will not budge. Please go to your children.” He turned his back and shook his head at the doctor when he attempted to look at his injuries. “Leave me be. There’s no point in medical treatment for a dead man.”
“You might be willing to give up, Daniel. But I’m not.” Rosemarie continued to speak to his back. “Don’t give up. Please.”
“Ma’am,” the sheriff said softly. “It appears my prisoner doesn’t want you here, and I have to agree that the jailhouse is no place for a lady.”
Rosemarie pulled herself up to her full height and addressed Daniel. “I’ll be back. Just as soon as I figure out what to do.”
When no answer was forthcoming, she turned toward the sheriff. “All right. I’m leaving.”
He tipped his hat and led her to the front door.
The sound of the sheriff’s door closing behind her echoed in her ears as she stood on the boardwalk. What to do now? She held herself tightly, as if to keep her entire person from unraveling like a ball of yarn. If Daniel was to be saved, she needed to get herself under control.
Wild Western Women Ride Again: Western Historical Romance Boxed Set Page 15
