In the Morning Sun (Hearts at War Book 2)

by Lena Hart

  “Some did, like myself. But many of us didn’t make it out whole.”

  Her brows pulled together and she reached out and touched the right side of his face. James held his breath but didn’t pull away from her.

  “Did this happen to you while you were there?”

  He nodded. “A small riot had broken out. Over food or shelter, I can’t remember. But in the chaos, some of us tried to escape. But we were too weak to get far.” He stared off, thinking of that moment when he had dug into his depths, trying to find the energy to keep going. But he couldn’t leave Will and when his friend had fallen behind, he had gone back for him. By then, it had been too late. A guard had caught up to them and James had taken a bullet to his face.

  Madeline ran her fingers along his eyepatch. “Who did this to you?”

  He took her hand in his and held it tight. “A guard fired at us and a bullet went through my eye. I shouldn’t be alive but I had God and luck on my side. The next day, the war was declared over and I had a doctor who not only saved my life, but also my sanity by reminding me what I had to live for. It took a full year for me to recover from my injuries. All of them. And I knew I couldn’t return to you until I had properly healed.”

  But, by then, it had been too late. She had been lost to him.

  A tear slid down her cheek and James brushed it away.

  “Don’t cry, love. I didn’t tell you this to add to your misery. I just want you to know that we have both done things to survive. In that prison, I was trapped in yet another battlefield, except the men I was fighting were my own. I had to kill or be killed, just to survive. I’m not proud of what I’ve done, but if it meant saving my life, I would do it again.”

  Without a word, she threw her arms around him. “How are you here with me?” she murmured, her arms tightening around him. “How are you alive?”

  He instantly wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “I’m here because of you. Because I chose to keep facing the sun so I wouldn’t lose myself in the shadows.”

  She drew back from him, her expression solemn yet accepting. “Well, now you know you’re not the only one running from shadows.”

  “As long as we stand together in the light, Maddie, we can truly stop running.”

  He pulled her down for a kiss that was meant to be short, a resealing of their bond, but it quickly became passionate and in that moment, he wanted more.

  He wanted her.

  James braced himself on his arms and stared down at her, his heart racing with desire and an even greater emotion. “I love you, Maddie, and I want you badly. All of you.” His tone was rough with need. “But I need to know what it is you want.”

  Her fingers dug into his shoulders. “I want you, Jimmy. I do. I just don’t know if I could be the kind of wife you need.”

  He regarded her closely, wondering what was going on behind those luminous dark-brown eyes of hers. “What is it you think I need?”

  “You deserve someone you can take to Canada, to meet your family, and start a quiet, comfortable home with. Someone you can start a family with and forget all this…ugliness.”

  “My life with you was never about moving to Canada and living a fairytale, Maddie. It was about being able to love you the way I want and being able to protect you for the rest of my days.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. “I’ve told you how I felt, but I can’t keep trying to convince you, and I certainly don’t want us to keep on like this.”

  Her gaze fell to his chest. “I know. It’s not fair to you.”

  “Then I guess there’s only one thing left for me to do…”

  Chapter Nine

  “By the powers vested in me by the State of Nebraska and Almighty God, I now pronounce you man and wife.”

  Man and wife.

  Madeline stared at the reverend, stunned that she and James were actually married.

  “May your days be good and long upon this earth,” Reverend Linc continued. “May your nights be filled with peace and love. May you both—”

  “Hurry it along, Reverend,” James muttered.

  To Madeline’s surprise, a giggle burst from her lips. She slapped a hand over her mouth. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d giggled but the sound brought out a low chuckle from James.

  That won them a sharp glare from the reverend, but he proceeded to close his bible and gave them a curt nod. “You may now kiss your bride.”

  James turned to her, mirth and warmth dancing in his eye. He swept her into his arms and kissed her deeply. Madeline let herself get lost in his embrace, her arms wrapping tightly around him. Fate had seen to it that he was back in her life, that he still wanted her despite everything they endured, and she didn’t plan to ever let him go.

  Reverend Linc cleared his throat and Madeline pulled away, heat rising up her cheeks. James’s face was also flushed but from his hooded gaze, she knew it wasn’t from embarrassment.

  “I’ve waited a long time to do that,” James said huskily.

  “What do you mean?” Madeline stole a quick glance at the reverend. “We’ve…kissed before.”

  His lips curved in a crooked smile. “Not as Mr. and Mrs. James Blakemore, we haven’t.” He kissed her again, this time light yet lingering.

  “Not so fast,” Reverend Linc said. “I have to get your signatures on the marriage certificate, then you two can run off to consummate your union.”

  Their signatures on the certificate made it all too real and for the first time in five years, Madeline’s heart filled with giddy happiness. James took her hand and they walked out of the church. It was early in the morning, and for a moment, she wondered if he would indeed take her to her cabin and—

  “I have to head into town, love. But when I return…” He brought her hand to his lips. “You’ll become my wife in every sense of the word.”

  Heat and desire flooded her. Her thighs clenched with anticipation just as a wave of disappointment washed over her, but she quelled it. She knew his trip into town was so he could speak to the sheriff about the attack on Sherry and Eldridge and that took precedence right now.

  Besides, they had waited this long, she could wait a few hours more.

  “Let me come with you,” Madeline said. “I’d like to visit Sherry at the hospital, if I can.”

  “What do you mean, you have no suspects?” James glared at the unconcerned sheriff. “Two people were badly beaten. Their possessions along with their damn wagon were stolen. Someone must have seen something.”

  Sheriff Ronald Johnson leaned back in his seat with an indifference in his cold eyes that made James’ teeth gnash.

  “Look, like I said, we are looking into it. There were no witnesses so our hands are pretty much tied.”

  James knew he shouldn’t be surprised. Most of his time in America had been fighting against and, at times, alongside racist men like Sheriff Johnson. And from what Reverend Linc had told him about the lack of protection for the citizens of Dunesville, it was clear speaking up for them now would just be a waste of his time.

  Yet, the alternative would be to ignore it and let the violence and terrorism continue. That, James couldn’t do. He had seen the savagery done to Madeline’s friend when he had dropped her off at the hospital and that kind of brutal, senseless attack filled James with both quivering rage and panic.

  What if that had been Maddie laying in that hospital bed?

  James wouldn’t let himself think of that. Madeline was safe and he would see to it that she remained so. He had barely wanted to leave her at the hospital alone, though he knew she had wanted him to give her some privacy with her friend.

  “One of the victims is still in the hospital. Why don’t you go try speaking with her?”

  The man shrugged his wide shoulders and James fought to keep hold of his withering patience.

  “I don’t see no point in it.”

  “Dunesville falls under your jurisdiction, sheriff,” James snapped. “I suggest you get off your
ass and do your job.”

  Sheriff Johnson shot up to his feet and came up to his face. “Or what? It’s bad enough I lost my home in Virginia on account of your damn war, I don’t need some damn one-eyed Yank telling me how to do my job. You don’t like it, you can leave my town. Along with the rest of those niggers.”

  James saw red as he clenched and unclenched his fist. As badly as he wanted to slug the son-of-a-bitch, he knew it wouldn’t be worth getting carted off to jail for.

  “In case you forgot, sheriff, you have an obligation to serve the citizens of this town. Like it or not, that includes the Negroes. If that’s going to be a problem for you, perhaps then you should leave.”

  The sheriff dropped his bulk into his seat, a smug grin on his face. “Who’s going to make me?”

  James furrowed his brows and stared down at the man with disgust. He could see he wasn’t getting anywhere with the man and it burned at his gut. No matter how many battles were fought, or how many laws passed, there would always be men like Sheriff Johnson who would use power and the illusion of supremacy to validate their existence.

  “Those cowards need to be brought to justice. If you can’t handle the job, sheriff, I can see to it that someone more qualified be put in your place.”

  Sheriff Johnson snorted. “Don’t waste my time with threats, Yank.”

  “You misunderstand me, sheriff,” James said icily. “That wasn’t a threat. That was my promise to you. Now, I suggest you do your damn job and find those bastards who are behind these attacks.”

  “I take it your meeting with the sheriff didn’t go well?”

  James grunted and Madeline took that as a yes.

  “I have one more stop I want to make before we head back. Do you mind?”

  “Of course not. Where are we going?”

  “To see a good friend of mine.”

  They travelled a short distance before they pulled up to a large, white house with black trimming. The country’s flag hung proudly out front. It draped down from the trim and hung above the front door. There was much activity going on outside, but from the men who lounged on the porch, Madeline knew where they were.

  “Is this one of the veteran homes you built?”

  James nodded, and jumped down from the wagon. He wrapped his hands around her waist and helped her down just as a young man came rushing toward them.

  “Colonel, what are you doing back?”

  “I never left, Phillip,” James said. “I also learned that Anderson’s family had not yet come to retrieve him, so I figured I’d drop in and check up on him.”

  “Major Anderson is doing better today. He’s taking his medicine and it keeps him out of trouble.”

  James pursed his lips, but he nodded. “That’s good to hear.”

  Madeline wondered what ailed his friend and what trouble could he possibly get himself into if he were ill.

  “He’s in his room, if you want to see for yourself.” Phillip grabbed the reins and led their horse and wagon away.

  James took her hand and they made their way inside the home. They entered the home and a few people called out greetings to him. It wasn’t long before they made their way into a small but sparse room. A tall man sat at the window, and he turned to them as they entered. A brief silence filled the room before a wide grin broke across the man’s face.

  “Jim, I knew you would come back for me.” The man came up to him and the two men embraced.

  “I am only here for a short visit, brother,” James said. “Just want to make sure they’re taking good care of you.”

  “Are you kidding? This is paradise compared to the hell we went through at Camp Sumter.” Suddenly, the man turned to her and his eyes widened in surprise. He swung his gaze back to James. “Is this…?”

  “Yup,” James said, looping his arm around her and pulling her close. “This is her. My Ladybug. Maddie, this is—”

  “Major William Anderson, ma’am. And it’s very nice to make your acquaintance. You’re as pretty as your picture, if you don’t mind me saying.”

  Madeline blushed and held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Anderson.”

  “Please call me Will.” He reached out to take her hand then froze.

  Will stared intently at her outstretched hand. Madeline realized her dress sleeve had fallen away slightly, exposing a part of her wrist holster. His eyes remained fixated on that area and she began to let her arm drop.

  In a blur, Will grabbed her hand and twisted it high. Madeline cried out as his grip tightened painfully around her wrist.

  “Will, let her go!” James’ harsh command did nothing to penetrate the wild look in his friend’s eyes. Instead, he jerked her sleeves back, exposing her wrist holster fully.

  “What the hell is this?” he demanded.

  “It’s nothing,” Madeline gasped out. “It’s just for my protection.” She glanced nervously at James but he kept his sharp gaze directed at his friend, his hand inching towards the gun at his side.

  “Will, I am not going to tell you again. Let her go.”

  His friend ignored him and jerked the small handle from its holster. He pulled out the thin, sharp blade and the sound of James’ sharp inhale made Madeline’s heart lurch with panic.

  “I knew it!” Will snapped. “You came here to kill us. You’re nothing but a whore spy!”

  Will hauled her forward and her heart sank as he pointed the knife down towards her heart. Before she could react, the crack of the gun blast echoed in the small room. Will’s lean body jolted back but he remained standing. His eyes were wide as his stared down at his chest.

  Madeline jerked out of his grasp and stared in horror as blood began to spread through his white shirt at the center of his chest, turning the garment crimson.

  Shouts and chaos faded into the distance as a blur of activity surrounded Madeline. She remained frozen where she stood, watching until the light dimmed from the man’s eyes before he fell to his knees and collapsed on his side.

  Chapter Ten

  “Looks like I get the displeasure of dealing with you twice in one day, Yank.”

  James gritted his teeth at Sheriff Johnson’s condescending tone. He had barely recovered from what had just happened. He should have never brought Madeline there. He knew how unstable Will had been, how unpredictable, and yet, James had literally put her in harm’s way.

  If he were honest with himself, he would admit that he should have taken Will to a hospital for the mentally ill. Will had been a danger to everyone around him, including himself. Yet, instead of acknowledging that, James chose to treat his friend’s illness lightly.

  And now his friend, his brother-in-arms, was dead.

  James briefly shut his eye, said a prayer for Will’s soul, then opened his eye only to find a pair of shrewd eyes staring back at him. He needed to deal with the sheriff then he could go and lay his friend to rest.

  “It was self-defense.”

  The sheriff leaned back in his seat and regarded him closely. “So you’ve said.”

  “Then why am I still here? Where’s Maddie?”

  “One of my deputies is talking to the colored woman. We want to be certain we get the full story. Now tell me again, what you two were doing there.”

  James buried his annoyance and explained in short, concise sentences the entire sequence of events. His stomach tightened as he remembered the sharp blade in Will’s hand and how it had been pointed at Madeline. He couldn’t remember experiencing such fear. Not in any battle or anytime during the three months he had spent in the Confederate prison.

  He also couldn’t remember drawing his gun just as fast.

  After his recount, the sheriff finally nodded. “That’s the same story the colored woman is telling. Since there were no other witnesses, then we will classify this as self-defense.”

  “Are we free to go then?”

  “You are, but the colored woman is being charged with inciting a murder.”

  It took a moment f
or the sheriff’s words to process. When they did, it was as if the air had been knocked out of him.

  “What?”

  “According to you two, it was her weapon that triggered that poor man’s psychotic break, forcing you to come to her defense.”

  “That’s ridiculous.” James shot up to his feet and planted his hands on the sheriff’s desk. “That’s not just any woman. That’s my wife. Of course, I would come to her defense. Now, I demand you release her at once!”

  Sheriff Johnson eyes narrowed. “Your wife?”

  “Yes, damn you. And if you keep her a minute longer, I’ll see to it that you are stripped of your badge.”

  The sheriff rose to his feet and he shook his head, a slow grin stretching across his lips. “The only thing I am going to regret is not savoring this moment. Turn around. You’re under arrest.”

  James stared at him, incredulous. “The hell I am.”

  “Don’t make this difficult for yourself, Yank.”

  “But I broke no laws,” James snapped. Taking his friend’s life still gutted him but if he had to do it all again, he wouldn’t hesitate to protect Maddie.

  Hell, if he could do it all again, he would have taken his friend to the veteran’s hospital from the start. That was a regret he would have to live with forever.

  “I told you. I shot my friend, William Anderson, in self-defense.”

  The sheriff shook his head again. “I’m not talking about that. You are under arrest for the abomination you just committed. Mixing the races is against the law in this great state of Nebraska and I have a responsibility to bring all criminals to justice, as you so finely put it.” He nodded toward his deputy. “Go on. Cuff ’em.”

  James tensed as the deputy came up behind him. “This is absurd, sheriff, and you know it.”

  Sherriff Johnson turned back to him and grinned. “How’s that for doing my damn job?”

  The tornado Madeline had feared when she had arrived at Dunesville had finally come and she was wholly unprepared.