An Uncivilized Yankee

by V. V. Wedding

  “I apologize too,” Daniel added with a downcast face. “I guess sometimes we forget that all Southerners aren’t the bugaboos we make them out to be. And we are terribly grateful for what you’ve done for Tim here, and for Travis. We consider him practically family, you know.”

  Star’s face flushed at his handsome apology, regretting yet again her too swift tongue. Caro looked pointedly at her, and she bowed her head.

  “Thank you. I must beg your pardon too, for my hasty words. I’ve been rather overwrought, what with wondering what would happen should you find out who I am. I was afraid the Blacks might—”

  “Not from us, I guarantee you that,” Daniel interrupted briskly. “Isn’t that right, Em?”

  “Definitely not,” she agreed, eyes only on Tim. She looked wistfully at Star. “Might I hold him now? I know I’m not very good in emergencies, but he is my son.”

  “Of course.” Star stood up carefully, and set him down in Emma’s arms. She cradled her son close, then looked up at the young Virginian. “I saw what his arm looked like when he first came in. Dr. Hofmann would have amputated. I can’t thank you enough for saving it.”

  Star’s embarrassment deepened. “He’s not completely out of danger yet. The chance of infection is still high, though I was able to deal with most of what was already setting in. You should give him some willow tea, for fever, when he wakes again. And I’ll come over daily and check on him, you can rest assured of that.”

  Caro beamed at her. “See, lass, you needn’t be so quick to go on the attack. Not all of life is a fight, you know.”

  Star looked over at the doorway where Kitty stood like a marble statue, two spots of anger bright on her cheeks. The other girl said nothing, but turned and stalked away.

  “What about her?” Star asked in a low voice.

  Daniel gave a bark of laughter. “My daughter won’t say a word, but she’ll take a while to get over things. Has quite the jealous nature, she does, and having a pretty thing like you around, well, you know how girls can be. Don’t worry though. She’ll not be causing any problems.”

  Any problems for the Blacks at least. Starla was quite certain that Katherine Scott would cause her no end of trouble given half a chance. She highly doubted it was the mere appearance of a “pretty thing” that had caused jealousy to stir. She was no competition for Kitty’s pale beauty. More likely it was that Travis’ mystery nurse had suddenly appeared, living in his home, and treated as if she were already a member of the family. A small smile formed at that thought. Then the smile widened.

  “At least I can go back to being called Star again. I really do despise Estella.”

  Between her own healing wounds and the energy expended in Healing, Star was half asleep by the time they drove up to Black Forest. Caro lifted a hand, fluttered it at a figure sitting on the front steps in the dim October twilight.

  “Who might that be?” she asked. “It does not look like Samuel.”

  Star peered out through the growing mist. It was too tall for Sam. The man shifted position, then hurried towards them. I recognize that shape, that stride, she thought in a daze, but that’s impossible.

  “Travis,” she whispered, clutching her father’s satchel with hands gone suddenly numb.

  Travis indeed it was. He grinned over at her as he helped his mother down with a kiss and a twirl. “Hello, Mum. Hello there, Miss Star. I come home, anxious to see how you are recovering, only to discover you’re off gallivanting about the countryside.”

  “Not exactly gallivanting,” Caro responded, having finally recovered her senses, and pointed to the dark bloodstains on her dress and Star’s. His eyes widened in the fading light. “Your young nurse has been using her Talent again.”

  “Who?”

  “Timothy Scott. But don’t worry, he’s doing well now.” She hugged him tight, then released him to help Star down from the carriage. “But whatever are you doing here? And out of uniform?”

  Star barely heard her question, her mind was still reeling at the sight of him, her body tingling as his hands encircled her waist, lifting her down. He slung her satchel over one shoulder, then gallantly offered his arms to both of them.

  “Why am I here?” he repeated, laughing. “Why, solely to render the estimable Miss Anderson speechless. That’s a rare enough occurrence to have made the whole trip worthwhile.”

  Star would have made a witty reply, had her mind been functioning properly. As it was she could only glare at him.

  “But in all seriousness, both your questions have the same answer. I enlisted two years ago this month. And wisely signed only two year papers. I have a two week furlough to decide whether to reenlist or not.”

  Star’s hold on his arm suddenly tightened.

  She hurried to freshen up before supper, changing out of her bloody clothes and into one of her new dresses. The dark navy calico with the soft white feathery pattern and wide sash was Caro’s favorite, and Star knew she looked well in it. She even fought her hair into a fashionable bun, where it remained confined for the moment.

  Kitty doesn’t know he’s home yet, she thought. For tonight, he’s mine alone. Oh Lord, I have no clue what I am doing. Please help me not to make a fool of myself. And let him look upon me with favor….

  Travis and his parents were talking in the brightly lit family dining room, voices loud and animated, when she finally made her way back downstairs. She hesitated on the threshold of the room, suddenly unsure of herself.

  Travis looked up at her footsteps, expecting Ellen with supper, and saw instead a slender girl he almost didn’t recognize.

  “Starla?”

  Caro noticed her hovering in the doorway. “Come in, lass. Come in.”

  Travis jumped to his feet and pulled her into the room, seating her in the chair next to him. She ducked her head as if embarrassed, a faint glow in her still thin cheeks.

  “I wasn’t sure if you wanted some private time first. I mean, I’m not family or anything.”

  “Nonsense, lass. You know you might as well be family by now,” Caro said.

  Travis just stared at the girl beside him for several moments before reaching over and squeezing her hands in welcome.

  “Hullo, Miss Star. May I say how nice you look tonight?” He held his breath, wondering if she would bolt at the compliment.

  Her cheeks flamed brighter, but she smiled at him. “Thank you. It’s all your mother’s doing.”

  He had no chance to speak with her alone the rest of the evening, and she went to bed early, still exhausted from the day’s adventure.

  She tried to apologize as he walked with her partway up the stairs. “I am sorry. I know you won’t be here very long—” A giant yawn interrupted her.

  “Don’t worry about it, Miss Star. We can talk in the morning. Now, get some rest. And that’s an order,” he added with a grin.

  She’d been taking down her hair as she stumbled from step to step in front of him. She turned then, dark hair spilling about her shoulders, and gave him a brilliant smile, a little salute.

  “Yes, sir!”

  Her smile stayed with him through his dreams that night.

  The next morning Travis was awake with the dawn as usual. Loathe to leave the warm, soft luxury of a real bed, he lay there and pondered the delightful riddle that was Starla Anderson. When he’d first seen her yesterday, she hadn’t changed at all. Exhausted and stained with blood—that was normal for her, or so it seemed. But seeing her last night in that blue dress brought the sudden remembrance that she could also be a very lovely young woman. His heart skipped a beat at the memory of a winter’s day in Fredericksburg.

  So, he thought. Do I stay or do I return?

  Stay, and Star was here, Star as he had so rarely seen her, open and unafraid, and surprisingly feminine. If he stayed, he could be with her, talk with her. Court her? That idea wasn’t as shocking as it should have been.

  Am I truly that serious about her? he wondered. He remembered his terror when he
had carried her here from the battlefield, the fear of losing her. Yes, I am that serious. But should I say anything while we’re still on opposing sides? He had no illusions that Star’s heart was not still with her rebellious home, no matter how happy as she may seem here. Even if she were willing to be courted, of which he was not quite certain yet, she would be constantly torn between him and Virginia. He didn’t want to put her in that situation again. Besides, it’s not safe for me, he thought ruefully, seeing again the unwavering Deringer.

  What would people think were he to not reenlist, and then to court a Southern girl on top of that? He frowned. No, that would not go over well at all, even with his own family, he was sure. And speaking of the Rebels, doggone it all, he wanted to see this war won. He’d given two years of his life, had almost given his life, fighting for the Union. He did not want the sacrifice to be for naught.

  So, either way, I keep my heart and mouth silent. For now.

  The smell of bacon wafting up from the kitchen ended his soul searching. Ellen’s cooking. Now there’s reason enough not to reenlist.

  He was almost through his third helping of hotcakes and bacon when Starla came down. She paused, seemingly half shy at the sight of him, before slipping quietly through the doorway.

  “Good morning, Miss Star,” he greeted, waving his syrup coated fork at her. “Quite the improvement over stale cornbread and ham, yes?”

  Her face brightened at his welcome, and she seated herself beside him, allowing him to fill her plate. Eyes widening, she began to protest the amount of food he’d put there.

  “But Miss Star,” he teased, “the next strong wind might blow you away. Aren’t they feeding you here?”

  She stuck her tongue out at him. “Travis Black, I’ll have you know that I’ve probably eaten more in just this past month than I did in the whole time I was back home. Food was already getting tight….” Her voice trailed off and she stared down at her plate.

  Blast, he thought. Two minutes into a conversation with her and I’ve already put my foot in it. There was a silence for a moment or two while he tried to figure out what to say next.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t think. As usual.” He dared to take her hand in his. She looked down at their hands, took a deep breath and managed a lopsided smile for him.

  “No need to apologize. I expect you’re still an uncivilized Yankee and can’t help yourself.”

  He chuckled. “Mea culpa,” he admitted, and their conversation flowed naturally from there.

  At the end of the meal, Travis suggested a visit to the stable. Ginny had been limping slightly yesterday and complaining of leg pain, and he wanted to check on her. Star needed no urging to accompany him.

  The big mare said she felt fine today, that all she needed was a few days rest, so Travis turned her out into the paddock where Iris already grazed in contentment. He leaned up against the rail fence, watching the horses greet each other cautiously.

  “Iris looks superb.”

  Star nodded. “The rest and good food have done wonders for her.”

  For both of you, he thought, watching the girl beside him. Her hair was tied back, but unbraided, a stream of dark water that swayed as she walked along. She wore a simple light blue blouse and dark skirt. Its slim shape told him that there were no hoops, and few if any petticoats under there. He knew for a fact that she didn’t wear stays, as he had felt her ribs beneath his hands when he had lifted her down from the carriage last night. Neither surprised him; Star seemed to have definite ideas about comfort over fashion.

  The day was unusually warm for October, the sun shining brightly. He gestured towards the old oak stump that served as a mounting block.

  “Care to have a seat, ma’am?”

  She sat on the block, knees drawn up underneath the skirt, arms wrapped about her knees. He flopped down on a pile of hay beside her, arms behind his head, staring at the cloudless sky. They had been silent for some minutes, just enjoying the quiet day, when Travis caught her studying his face intently.

  “What? Am I turning green or growing antlers?”

  She laughed. “Horns would be more likely, what with your temper. I never noticed you had a scar on your forehead. Where’d you gather that one?”

  He sat up slowly, lifted a shock of hair. “This one?” he asked, voice quiet as he fingered a long gash that disappeared into the hairline.

  She nodded.

  He grew very still. “When I was eight, I was thrown into that stump you’re sitting on, while trying to stop my aunt’s husband from dragging her away.”

  “Was he like … like Jake?” She finally got the name through her lips.

  “She was dead within the fortnight.”

  She said nothing, just reached out and touched his shoulder, but he knew she understood. He didn’t mention what else he had done, how he had snuck out in the moonlight and sworn an oath on his father’s sword. I will not fail you, Starla Anderson, as I did Aunt Jo.

  Silence fell between them again, both lost in their own thoughts. Then her fine brows drew together.

  “Speaking of young boys, why won’t the Scotts let Timothy anywhere near their horses? I’m a bit confused, seeing how the boy is as horse mad as you.”

  Travis sighed. “You’re full of all sorts of cheery questions this morning, aren’t you? Tim would love to work with horses. And he’ll likely be quite good at it too, if I read him correctly. But Daniel and Emma believe he’s just a bit young yet to learn to ride.”

  “Young? He must be almost five! I was put on my first horse before I could walk.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me. I was riding almost before I could talk, or so it seems. But the Scotts do have a legitimate fear. See, Tim used to have another sister and a brother.” He pulled at a piece of hay, chewing on it thoughtfully for a minute. “Amanda and Joshua were twins, about three years younger than Kitty, if I remember correctly. Perfect little hellions they were too. If you think Kitty has a temper, multiply it a few times, and you’ve a good idea what the twins were like.”

  “Well, Daniel Scott had a stallion, a huge, foul mouthed, foul tempered beast that was good for one thing only—siring the fastest foals in the county. Everyone knew to stay away from Kelpie. Heck, even I kept well away from him.”

  “Kelpie?” she interrupted. “Why does that sound familiar?”

  “What? This ignorant Yankee knows something about the Folk that you don’t? Pardon me while I recover from the shock.”

  She twisted her mouth in a mock snarl and threw a handful of hay at him.

  “The Kelpie is a shapeshifter of sorts. It appears in the shape of a horse, entices unwitting victims to ride it, and then drowns them.”

  “Oh, like the Each Uisge or the Fuath?”

  He shrugged. “I suppose.” He paused and stared at the ground in front of him before continuing. “If he wasn’t truly one of the Elder Folk, he was at least aptly named, that’s for certain. I don’t think anyone knows for sure what exactly happened, except the twins must have tried to ride him, like stupid ten year olds will.” He fingered his scarred chin as an example. “They were found down by Marsh Run, both dead, and the horse running wild nearby. Miz. Emma was … um … well, she almost lost Tim. Daniel put a bullet through Kelpie’s head himself. Said he wasn’t going to sell the brute and have the tragedy repeated elsewhere. But that’s why they don’t like Tim to be around horses much.”

  Starla’s head was bowed in empathy. Then her expression shifted and she stood up, shaking out her skirt.

  “Now that I think of it, I really should go and see how Master Tim is doing. Do you think Alex could drive me over?”

  He clambered to his feet hurriedly. “If you’d like to wait until after lunch, I shall take you myself, my dear Miss Anderson.”

  She started to nod, then blanched. Her shoulders slumped. “That would be lovely, Travis. Thank you,” she said in a small voice, then walked slowly back towards the house.

  He watched her in confusion. What d
id I say? he wondered before following her.

  A week later he was still wondering what had happened there in the stable yard. The happy, open girl had vanished. It seemed that she had a constant headache now, or was too tired to spend any time with him. The one time he’d tried to talk to her about it, she’d nearly bit his head off. Kitty, on the other hand, was overjoyed to see him; she was at Black Forest from sunrise to sunset, or so it seemed, chattering and attentive to his every whim.

  “I was wondering, Miss Star, seeing how we’ve not had much of a chance to talk, if you like to go for a little ride. Maybe even a picnic? Enjoy this bit of warm weather while it lasts?”

  She looked up at him with somber eyes. Is she ailing again? he thought, worried.

  “I’m not sure I’m up for a large crowd of people, Travis.”

  “Since when do I constitute a large crowd? Just you and me.”

  Her face lit up, and sudden understanding, and joy, hit him like a swift kick. How blind can I be? he thought, calling himself all kinds of an idiot. She didn’t want to share him. A mhuirnín, how I wish I could tell you that you needn’t be jealous, but I can’t. Not yet. If anything were to happen to me … no, I will not have you hurt even more.

  Her slender hand tucked in the crook of his arm confirmed his suspicions. He smiled broadly down at her, heart rising happily at the thought of spending all afternoon with her.

  They raided the kitchen, Ellen providing enough food for his entire mess. While Star ran upstairs to change into her riding clothes, Travis went out to saddle the horses, whistling cheerfully.

  “Ready?” he asked as she reappeared on the porch.

  “Ready,” she said, allowing him to lift her up onto her saddle.

  “Ready,” Iris echoed as she pawed the ground and tossed her head. Ginny just snorted, but she seemed pleased too.

  “Oh, how lovely! A picnic! Where are we going?”

  All color drained from Star’s face at those tinkling tones. Travis felt his gut twist in several knots. Wasn’t it just like Kitty to show up when she was least wanted. But it’s not like I can just tell her to get lost….