“Starla?”
She focused blurry eyes on the figure.
It was Travis.
“Travis,” she said, voice barely a whisper. He stepped forward, caught her by the shoulders, and looked down into the familiar face, into those gorgeous blue eyes….
“Miss Star! How—?” He broke off, too many thoughts crowding his mind at once.
Captain Logan’s dry voice drawled behind him, “Ah, the famous Miss Anderson. We meet again.”
“So that’s where … Captain Logan,” she said through chattering teeth, still focused on Travis. Then she sneezed violently and began to shake.
She’s soaked, Travis suddenly realized. Her dark hair draped in tangled, dripping masses down her back, and under the oversized greatcoat her dress clung to her in a very distracting manner.
“Well, don’t just stand there, Mister Black. Get her something warm and dry.”
Dry. Yes, of course. “I do apologize, Miss Star. I don’t know what I was thinking,” he said, taking her by a hand like ice and leading her towards his tent. “What happened?”
She sneezed again. “Jupiter decided now would be a good time to go swimming. I just happened to be along for the ride.”
“How’d you end up on our side of…? Oh, never mind. We can talk later. Here we are,” he held open the flap to the tent and motioned her in. Thankfully, the three other junior officers he shared the tent with were all out on patrol at the moment. “I’m afraid there is rather a shortage of ladies’ clothing here, so you’ll have to make do with mine. Do you mind?”
She shook her head. Little water droplets went flying every which way, the wool coat fell unheeded to the floor, and she started to fumble with the frogging on her jacket. He dug in his bags, seeking the new change of clothes Mum had sent for Christmas. Star let out a little screech of frustration.
“Travis?”
He turned around, arms full of shirt and trousers. “Yes, Miss Star?”
“Help.”
Only one frog was undone at the top of her habit. Her fingers worked at a second, but they didn’t seem to bend properly and shook convulsively.
“I can’t … can’t get them undone.”
Something inside of him kindled, something he had not felt since he’d last saw this girl, a warm glow. In a daze, he set down the clothes and moved towards her. If this is a dream, please don’t let me wake up. Not yet. Very gently, he pushed her hands away—her arms fell limply to her sides—and with unsteady fingers undid the water swollen frogs. He could feel her shaking beneath his fingertips, but didn’t dare look into her face.
Deep in the recesses of his mind he could hear a long quiet voice start to whisper at him, Watch out, be careful, beware….
“There you go,” he said, slipping the jacket from her slim shoulders. It landed with a sodden thud. She swayed suddenly, leaning into him, forcing him to look at her. Her eyes were half closed, tendrils of wet hair straggled across her blue tinged face, cheekbones too prominent. She’s exhausted, he thought. And hasn’t been eating well from the looks. Then he blinked and fought a burst of heat from down deeper. Her blouse clung wetly to her, revealing far too much; he tore his eyes away.
“Easy there, Miss Star,” was all he said, supporting her in one arm as he motioned up a box behind her. “Sit. Before you collapse.”
She sat wordlessly, head bent under the weight of her wet hair. Travis pointedly kept his gaze away from her front. Instead, he knelt, oblivious to the puddle her dress had left on the floor. Taking first one chilled hand, then the other, he enfolded them in his own and chafed them vigorously.
“Can you move them now? Try.”
She looked half asleep, but wiggled her fingers obediently and nodded.
He scrambled to his feet. “I’ll leave you alone then,” he said unnecessarily, backing out. She paid him no mind, fingers already pushing stiffly at the buttons.
A blast of cold air hit his face. Travis welcomed it as he leaned up against a tree, trying to herd his scattered thoughts into some sort of order. Star was here. And in trouble again. He smiled briefly at that. Oh well, she was always in some sort trouble. But to have her here, in his tent of all places, when he’d never thought to see her again….
He sighed deeply. Maybe now I can say a proper goodbye.
Maybe now you can figure out why she affects you so, said a dry, logical voice.
Oh, will you shut up! he thought back angrily. We’ve argued this before.
Yes, but your conclusion is beginning to look inaccurate, was the response.
He’d thought of her often during those long weeks at home, though less and less after his return to active duty. But now the feel of her slender body in his arms brought back all his memories in a rush.
“Damnation,” he said quietly, rubbing the back of his neck distractedly, pacing back and forth, back and forth.
A soft voice floated out to him. “Travis? Do you have any socks?”
“What?” he asked, sticking his head back inside the tent. The question was such a complete switch from his thoughts he wasn’t sure he had heard her correctly.
She sat on the old box, clad in his shirt and pants. He inhaled swiftly, as if Ginny had kicked him in the stomach. Sure, he had seen her dressed like that before, but it hadn’t been his clothing. Somehow that made a huge difference.
Then she lifted her legs and wiggled bare feet at him.
“Socks. My stockings are soaked through.”
The tension faded at that incredibly sensible comment. “Certainly,” he said, entering and snatching a clean pair—at least he hoped they were clean—from his bag.
“Thank you.” She sounded better, more alert. He picked up his own greatcoat and wrapped it around her shoulders. She smiled at him, a soft open smile. Again something wrenched inside him.
“Miss Star—” He stopped, not sure what he was going to say. She looked at him quizzically, eyes very wide in the dim light of the tent.
A knock on the tent pole saved him. Captain Logan ducked and entered, head scraping the canvas roof.
“How’re things going, Black?”
Travis straightened and saluted briskly, glad the captain had come when he had. Otherwise Heaven only knows what I might have said.
“At ease.” The captain handed her a mug. She took it eagerly, with an ecstatic expression.
“Coffee,” she said, breathing in the steam. “Oh, bless you, sir.” Carefully wrapping her chilled hands around the mug, she took a sip, and smiled up at Logan.
“Thought your insides might need some warming too.” She nodded vigorously and took another drink. “Besides, I thought it might thaw your tongue a bit.”
She coughed mid swallow; her face became blank, very calm and collected. “No need, sir. I wasn’t doing anything wrong.”
“Not spying?”
“Spying on whom, captain? I was on my side of the river, remember?”
“That’s not where my men found you.”
A puzzled expression, which turned quickly to disgust. “Stupid horse must’ve swum the whole dang river,” she muttered, then, louder, “That wasn’t my doing, sir. I was merely out for a ride—”
“By yourself?” Travis broke in, startled into speech. That little idiot better not have been off riding by herself, not after what happened to her last time.
She refused to look up at him, just sat there bent over her coffee, silent.
He thought it over for a minute. No, she hadn’t been by herself.
“Who was with you, Miss Star?” he asked softly. “Because you would have been on Iris had you been out alone. Unless something’s happened to her…?”
She shook her head at that, but her cheek twitched slightly.
So, I’m right, he thought. Who is she protecting? Some gallant cavalier with flowing moustaches and plumed hat? But no, that wasn’t like her, not the Star he had known. Not unless she had conquered her fears in quite a hurry. Possible, but highly unlikely. That left only a
very select few, most of who were off raiding to the north. There was only one person she would likely have stayed here with alone.
“Out with Major Lewis, were you?”
She lifted her head to glare at him. “Yes. No crime in that, last time I checked.”
Logan looked confused. “Care to explain, lieutenant?”
Travis was still staring at Star, eyes locked in a mild skirmish of wills. My, but you are a tough girl, and smart as a steel trap. I’d sure hate to be your enemy…. Oh. I am your enemy. Somehow he always seemed to forget that fact.
“Major Will Lewis is Miss Anderson’s uncle, and one of….” He paused, then grinned. “Clever girl. Very clever.”
A tiny smile appeared on her face; she relaxed a touch and reached up to push a dripping strand from her face. “Thank you, I think.”
The captain’s brows knitted together. “Will Lewis?”
“Sorry, sir. Major Lewis is one of General Stuart’s aides—the one in charge of receiving reports from scouts and spies, no less—and a close friend. Were we to capture him, it would be a nice catch. However, Miss Anderson here is a noncombatant. Nowhere near as valuable. Also..., I assume you still work with the surgeons?”
She nodded, pulled the coat tighter about her shoulders, smile widening ever so slightly.
“I thought as much. Not only is she a noncombatant, she’s medical staff. Which means most anyone would send her right back if she were captured.”
Captain Logan blinked as if his mind had been elsewhere. “She drew them away,” he said, finally seeing what Travis was driving at. “So Major Lewis is probably back at camp, on her horse?”
“Likely going half-crazy trying to figure out where his niece is,” Travis finished, crossing his arms and looking down at the girl. No one could ever say Starla Anderson lacked a quick mind, or the grit to carry things through.
She simply shrugged. “He didn’t want me take Jupiter in the first place, but I didn’t give him a chance to argue—that brute is just too visible, and too ornery. As for where I am, I’m sure he’ll figure it out soon enough. Sooner if you’d be so kind as to send him word that I’m here.”
Logan sat down on a wooden box, rubbing his forehead wearily. “I’ve already informed headquarters. Now it’s just a matter of waiting until they decide what to do with you.” He paused. “Please tell me swimming in the Rappahannock was not an intentional part of your little ruse.”
She made a face. “No, sir. That eejit Jupiter was the one who thought jumping off the riverbank would be fun. By the way, he is being cared for, yes? He may be an idiot, but….” She let the sentence hang.
“Yes. Sergeant Rees gave him a rubdown for you.”
“Please tell him—”
A voice called from outside. “Captain Logan! Messengers from the colonel!”
“Well, Miss Anderson, I guess your visit with us is just about over,” Logan said, rising heavily to his feet and heading for the tent flap. “I’ll be back in a moment.”
As soon as the captain left the tent, her confident façade vanished. She looked up at Travis, blue eyes dark with fear.
“Miss Star?”
Her mouth trembled, but she tried to smile. “Sorry. Guess I’m not quite as brave as I’d like to be in this situation.” A pause, then in a tiny voice she asked, “You’re not mad at me, are you, Travis?”
“Mad? Why should I be? You did what was necessary. It wasn’t your fault things went awry. ‘The best laid schemes’ and all that.”
“The story of my life,” she said bitterly.
The voices outside grew louder—Captain Logan was arguing with whomever the colonel had sent. Star stiffened. Travis reached out without thinking, took her hand in a protective gesture. “Starla, don’t worry. I’m here.” I won’t let them hurt you. He had no clue how he’d go about keeping her safe, but he knew he’d try.
“Lieutenant!” The captain’s voice was more than a little annoyed.
Travis gave her hand a quick squeeze before ducking outside. “Sir?”
Headquarters had sent a rather large detail for one water logged Rebel nurse. Two majors, a sergeant, and several privates. You’d think we’d captured Jeb Stuart himself, was his angry thought.
One of the majors practically pushed Captain Logan out of the way. “We will take the spy now. You are dismissed,” he said, lips curled in a haughty expression.
Why, you arrogant little bastard. “Sir?” Travis somehow kept his tone semi respectful. “I think you must be mistaken, sir. Miss Anderson is not a spy, but a victim of unfortunate circumstances. She—”
“We will decide whether the girl is a spy or not, lieutenant,” the major interrupted, ignoring the quiet instructions of his companion.
Travis bristled immediately, pulling instinctively at the threads of Air about him to form a wall. The devil you will! You’ll do no such thing, you pile of—
A light touch on his arm. She stood behind him, her slender form almost lost in the coat that she held closed with one hand. Her face was pale, but composed.
“Don’t,” she said softly. “Please don’t get yourself in trouble because of me. Again. I’ll be fine.” She gave a little laugh. “I’ve plenty of practice dealing with uncivilized Yankees, remember?”
He released the strands reluctantly and stepped aside to let her out of the tent.
“Please excuse my attire, sirs,” Star said, tone light as she tugged the too long trousers up around her waist. “I’m afraid my usual clothes are still rather damp.”
The other major had the grace to look discomfited. “Pray don’t fret yourself over it, ma’am. We quite understand the situation. I’m afraid Major Sorenson here,” he said, sending an irritated look towards his supercilious partner, “can be rather over zealous at times. You’ve no cause to be worried.”
The knots in Travis’ stomach eased slightly at those words, and more so when the sergeant who stepped forward to escort her was courteous and helpful, but his body remained on guard.
Star glanced back at him. “Thank you. For everything.”
“Always my pleasure, Miss Anderson.”
He watched them leave, mind spinning madly. If you mistreat her, so help me….
“Come with me a minute, kid.”
“Yes, sir,” Travis said, trying to bury his fears. She’ll be fine, he told himself as he fell into step beside his captain. They walked across camp. Logan said nothing for a few moments.
“You never told me that you were with Will Lewis during your time with the Rebs.”
“Is that important? I know I mentioned Major Lewis when I told you about Miss Anderson, and how General Stuart allowed me to remain.”
Logan nodded. “You mentioned a Major Lewis, but not his full name.”
What difference does that make?
The captain went on, seemingly unmindful of Travis’ silence. “We were friends at the academy, me and Will. Jeb Stuart was there too. ‘Beauty’ we called him then, ‘cause he wasn’t. We all ended up out west together, first in Texas, then fighting the Cheyenne. But Jeb got shot, and Will went home on bereavement leave, and I got transferred to Colorado Territory. That was the last time I saw either of them. And now we’re trying to kill each other. Crazy world, ain’t it? So, what is there between you and Miss Anderson?”
Logan’s sudden change in subject caught Travis horribly off guard, as his captain had no doubt intended.
“Sir?”
“It’s obvious you have feelings for her. So what exactly are they?”
“I don’t rightly know, sir.” That is certainly the truth, he thought. “After spending every waking hour for almost two months making sure she didn’t get in trouble, it’s become a bit of a habit to watch out for her best interests. The poor girl’s been through hell, and still manages to keep her wits and a sense of humor about her. I respect and admire that.” He hesitated before adding, “She was a good friend.”
“An honest answer,” Logan replied. “Some unsolicited
advice for you—make sure she stays just a good friend.”
Travis hid his annoyance. You know, sir, sometimes you’re worse than Rob. I’m a big boy, and figured that out on my own, thank you very much.
Though it’s not likely to be a problem as I’ll probably never see her… Oh, blast. He looked off towards headquarters, running a hand through his hair. Well, Miss Star, I certainly hope you do come back before they send you home again, he thought with a wry laugh. Otherwise you’ve disappeared from my life once more, along with my only change of clothes and my coat.
The next morning was the same routine as usual. Reveille at 6 A.M., followed by roll call. Care for the horses, then breakfast followed by drills and more drills. But Travis was having a very difficult time focusing on the drill he was supposed to be leading. He hadn’t slept well either, was awake long before the bugle had sounded.
So when he saw Captain Logan motioning him out of formation, he was more than a little nervous. What was he supposed to say? ‘Begging the captain’s pardon, sir, but I can’t focus because I’m worried about a Rebel girl.’ No, that wouldn’t be the thing to say at all, especially not after the captain’s comments yesterday. And why are you so worried anyway? he asked himself. General Stoneman was a fair man. But if they decide she’s a spy….
He dismounted, led Ginny towards the captain, and let out a silent sigh of relief when he saw Star standing there too.
“Well, Mister Black, it seems you are to play nursemaid once more.”
Wonderful choice of words, captain, Travis thought with dismay, watching Star’s face flame red and her jaw thrust out.
“Sir?”
“Our esteemed commanders have sent Miss Anderson back to us until her uncle can come to collect her. I believe their words were, ‘Finders keepers.’”
Star laughed cynically. “I think they were frightened of what an angry Healer might do to them were I not returned promptly.”
An Uncivilized Yankee Page 14
