Daniel's Desire (7 page)

“We manage.”

“Where’s the boy what answered the door? He don’t seem big enough to do much for ya.”

Rosemarie fisted her hand in her apron, attempting to control the shaking. “He’s in the back bedroom. My two little ones are asleep in there. Please don’t disturb them.”

Captain Nelson turned to the soldier leaning against the sink, and gestured with his chin toward the back of the house. “Go see.”

Rosemarie held her breath as the soldier opened her bedroom door first, then the children’s door. Since no sound came from the bedroom, Jace and Amelia must have remained asleep. She let out the breath she held when the soldier closed the door and returned to the kitchen.

“Just as she said, captain, three kids in there. Two asleep and the bigger one sitting on the bed with them.”

“Get the kid out here.”

“No.” Rosemarie’s sharp reply caused all the soldiers to look in her direction.

The Captain regarded her with raised eyebrows. “Why not?”

“My little girl is sickly. If she awakes and her brother isn’t there, and she sees all these soldiers, she’ll be frightened.”

“There ain’t nothin’ to be scared of, ma’am.” He narrowed his eyes. “Unless you have something to hide.”

Unable to form words in her dry mouth, she merely shook her head.

“Go get the kid.”

Rosemarie’s heart beat so loudly, surely the men could hear it. She dropped her gaze to her lap as Chandler came into the room, the soldier behind him.

“Come here, boy.” Captain Nelson extended his arm.

Chandler slowly walked to him, but stood next to Rosemarie. “What?”

“You seen any Rebel soldiers around here lately?”

He shook his head.

“If ya did, ya’d tell me, wouldn’t ya?” The captain leaned his forearms on his bent knees and stared at Chandler.

“Yes, sir.”

“You know the Rebels are your enemy, ain’t that right, boy? They would slit your throat while you sleep.”

The boy’s eyes grew wide, but he remained silent.

“And you ain’t seen no strange men around?”

Chandler shook his head again.

The captain stared at Chandler for a minute, then leaned back in the chair and nodded to Rosemarie. “How you get that leg taken care of?”

“My son helped.”

“That right, boy?” The Captain again turned his attention to Chandler.

“Yes, sir.”

“You cleaned that up for your ma and wrapped it like that?”

Chandler looked at his feet, his face pale.

“Well?”

“Yes, sir.”

The Captain glared at Rosemarie. “The soldier we’re lookin’ for, who escaped from prison, was a medic.” He tilted the legs of his chair back.

Rosemarie shrugged and pulled Chandler closer to her side.

“You know if you’re hidin’ an escaped prisoner of war, you’d be in a heap of trouble. Could face treason charges.”

Bile rose to the back of her throat. “Captain, if you and your men are through with me and my family, I would appreciate you being on your way.” She winced when she shifted in her seat. “I don’t want my younger children to wake up and find you here.”

A soldier she hadn’t seen before entered the kitchen and walked up to the Captain. He didn’t seem to be much older than Chandler. Peach fuzz on his face and adolescent pimples marked him as not much more than a boy. “Nothing, sir.”

Captain Nelson addressed the young soldier, but kept his eyes on Rosemarie. “You check the barn and root cellar?”

“Yes, sir.”

The captain stood and shoved the chair under the table. “We’ll be on our way, ma’am.” He slung his rifle over his soldier and leaned toward her. “I sure hope we don’t have no reason to come back here.”

He nodded and turned to leave when a shout came from outside the house. Rosemarie’s relief was short lived. Had they found Daniel?

“Captain.” Another young soldier dashed into the kitchen, his eyes wild. “Someone just took off with my horse.”

“What the hell … ” Captain Nelson pushed the soldier aside and strode to the door, the rest of the men following.

Rosemarie cursed her sore leg and her inability to see the activity outside the house. “Chandler, go to the porch and see what’s happened.”

Chandler dashed after the soldiers, the door banging behind him.

Rosemarie attempted to rise, but fell back when the pain in her leg caused a wave of nausea to roll over her. Sweat broke out on her forehead and she slumped in the chair. Shouting and the sound of horses galloping brought her attention to the kitchen window, where several soldiers, Captain Nelson in the lead, raced past the house.

Chandler hurried into the kitchen, his eyes wide. “I think Mr. McCoy got away.”

Why did she feel like she’d been deserted — again? She mentally slapped herself. What did she expect, that Daniel would stay forever and solve all her problems? Certainly not when she had no desire to tie herself to another man.

She had a farm to run, and three children to feed. She didn’t need his help or anyone else’s for that matter. Her leg would heal, and everything would return to the way it was before the blighter entered her life. Good riddance. He made her feel uncomfortable anyway, the way his eyes lit up when he looked at her. The way he made scrambled eggs for Amelia.

Well, goddammit, she could scramble eggs, too. She used her knuckle to wipe the tear from the piece of dirt that must’ve gotten into her eye. “Chandler, check the trapdoor — see if Mr. McCoy is gone.”

Rosemarie held her hand to her throat as Chandler ran to the mudroom and lifted the trap door. He climbed down, leaving the rapid beating of her heart the only sound in the room.

After a few minutes, Chandler’s head poked up from the opening. “He’s gone.”

• • •

The weak Indiana sun beat down on Daniel’s head as he raced through thick foliage, trusting this horse he’d never ridden to keep from stumbling over the forest floor. All his years in training horses came into play as he guided the animal in the direction of the Kentucky border.

He tugged on the reins when he spotted a small creek to the west of him. They both needed rest and a drink. Daniel slid from the panting animal and knelt to dunk his head into the creek. After scooping up water with his hands, his throat muscles worked as he gulped the sweet liquid running down his chin, onto his shirt. He shook his head like an animal and smoothed back his hair, tucking it behind his ears.

From the position of the setting sun, he’d been on the road for about two hours. Nothing but the sound of animals rustling through the woods and birds calling to their mates greeted him the few times he’d stopped. If the soldiers had chased after him, they’d given up a while ago. He eased his body against a large oak tree, knees bent, hands dangling between his legs.

The sound of Rosemarie’s voice denying knowledge of his whereabouts to the soldiers had raised his spirits like nothing else. But then as he listened from his spot under the trap door, it became apparent the captain didn’t believe her. Afraid for the safety of her and the children, he’d made a quick decision and stole the horse, to escape and cause a diversion.

Rosemarie.

Everything he’d ever wanted in a woman. Pretty, smart, courageous, and a little bit feisty. He shook his head, smiling as he remembered their verbal sparring. She could hold her own, but every once in a while vulnerability showed through. Someone had mistreated her. It was there in her eyes, the way she held herself. Maybe not physical pain, but she carried around the burden of hurt.

His thoughts in turmoil, Daniel got back on the horse and continued on. As he rode, pictures flashed in his mind. Rosemarie pointing the gun at him. Amelia sticking her fingers in her mouth, Chandler glowing with pride as he held up the dead rabbit. And the last — Rosemarie wincing with pain as he settled her in the kitchen chair.

What was he doing? He couldn’t just run off and leave her. She wasn’t yet capable of caring for the farm and her family, still needed his help. His mind racing, Daniel slowed the horse from a gallop to a trot to a walk to a complete stop.

Does she need me, or do I need her?

His jaw clenched. Another time and place he wouldn’t hesitate.

After staring for a few minutes at squirrels chasing each other up and down trees, and rubbing his fingers over the heavy ring in his pocket, he knew even with the fear of capture and the war raging in Virginia, where his duty lay. For now, anyway.

Daniel inhaled deeply, then tugged on the left rein to turn. A weight lifted from his shoulders as he kicked the sides of the animal and headed back.

He needed to go slow. With darkness descending, it would be dangerous retracing his steps over unknown ground.

The nighttime sounds of the woods called to him as he made his way back to Rosemarie. Perhaps he used her injury as an excuse, but he had to know, had to figure this out.

Rosemarie blew out the lamp in the kitchen, and leaning on the stick Chandler had found for her, hobbled to the bedroom. Just after nine o’clock and the three children were finally asleep.

She had a heck of a time explaining to Jace and Amelia why Daniel had left and would not be back again. It tore her up to see the look of disappointment on Amelia’s little face. She cried and asked over and over why Mr. a’Coy would leave them when her mama still needed help. And she thought since Mr. a’Coy was her friend, he wouldn’t go off without saying goodbye. Chandler’s face was a mask as she explained to them about the war and Daniel’s need to return to it.

Supper had been a sad affair. Rosemarie was amazed at how quickly they’d all grown accustomed to the presence of the friendly, helpful man. She also felt the loss of something else. An uneasy, unfamiliar feeling. And she preferred not to name it. Or think much about it.

With a deep sigh, she sat on the edge of the bed and struggled out of her clothes and into her nightgown. After washing her face and cleaning her teeth with the supplies Chandler had put by her bedside, she crawled under the covers and attempted to sleep.

She lay flat on her back, her arms crossed over her middle. They’d get by. Every day her leg would continue to heal, and she would get stronger. The chickens were now cooped up again, thanks to Daniel, and the food in the root cellar would see them through the rest of the winter.

Most of all, the feelings Daniel evoked in her would end. No longer would she sense the tingling when he accidently brushed against her, or the warmth of his hands on her when he helped her from room to room. Hans had never inspired such sensations. But she must put these thoughts aside. Her children needed her.

The moonlight filtering through the window cast an eerie glow over the room. She shifted onto her side, clasping her hands together under her cheek. More than an hour passed before she felt herself drifting off.

Rosemarie’s eyelid’s popped open. What was that noise? She rolled onto her back as Daniel walked through the bedroom door. He stopped inside the door and stared at her. Slowly, he moved to her side and squatted.

Her heart thumped so loudly, he must’ve heard it. Happiness warred with fear. His return put him in jeopardy, and her heart in danger.

He studied her face, his eyes seeking an answer to a question she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. He ran his knuckles over her cheek. “I wanted to lead them away from here, so they would leave you in peace.”

“I thought you were halfway to Kentucky by now,” she whispered.

He smiled, flashing straight white teeth. “I started to but you still need help.”

“Is that the only reason you came back?” She inhaled sharply, amazed at what she’d asked.

“No.” He lowered his head, his breath fanning her face. “But I need to leave one day. You must know that.”

“I do.” The last words she murmured before he took possession of her mouth.

• • •

Daniel felt as if he’d come home. Home to the woman he wanted more than any other. He’d lied to her, and to himself, when he said he returned because she still needed help. On the ride back he realized he needed
her
. And he wanted her — in his bed and in his life. He groaned as he pulled her closer, and tilted her head to take the kiss deeper. He nudged her lips with his tongue and she opened. Her warm sweetness overwhelmed him. Soft, wet, like molten honey, he touched all the sensitive parts of her mouth.

He moved away before he took it any further. If he didn’t return to his bed in the barn right now, he never would. With the war still tugging at him, he’d no right to make her his.

Daniel gazed into her passion-filled eyes, a feeling of satisfaction washing over him. She would be his one day, of that he was sure.

“I’ll see you in the morning.” He whispered against her ear, and then tasted her sweet lips once more in a light kiss.

• • •

Early April 1865

“I can’t believe poor Hans is gone, and I wasn’t here to comfort you.” Susan McDonough clutched Rosemarie’s hand, sorrow etched on her full face. “And then injuring your leg that way.” She tsked.

“I’m doing all right.” Rosemarie attempted to pull her hand free from her neighbor, who had descended on her with her husband, Jacob, and their four children.

Never too fond of Susan, who had a curiosity beyond polite and a well-developed propensity to gossip, Rosemarie had invited them into the house against her better judgment. Daniel was working in the barn, and the minute he appeared, Susan would pounce on him like a lion.

“Here Jacob and I hoped to ask Hans to help with our barn raising.” She stopped as she reached the small table in the kitchen, surprise lighting her eyes. “Why, I’m sure you didn’t even know the Rebels burned our barn down, now did you?”

“No, I didn’t.” Good manners required she offer them at least a cup of tea, when all she wanted to do was send them on their way. “Would you care for some tea? I have sweet biscuits left from breakfast.”

Susan settled her large bottom into the kitchen chair. “Why, that would be wonderful, Rosemarie. It’s been so long since we’ve talked.”

You mean since you pried information out of me.