of the camp quickly. She was nothing but trouble. Yes, first thing in the morning Kate Monroe would be leaving.
****
Kate could not wait to get a good nights rest in a real bed. The tiny cot in her tent wasn’t very comfortable. She stripped down to her thin shirt and crawled under the covers. Oh, the feather bed felt like heaven.
Then the memory of almost being raped entered her mind. She shuddered at the thoughts of what would have happened to her if Captain Harris had not shown up when he did.
What would he do about her? She would be devastated if he sent her back home. She doubted she would be lucky enough to escape Bob Lewis a second time. As she lay trying to go to sleep all she could see was beautiful, clear, blue eyes that seemed to stare into her soul. He was a man she could fall in love with.
****
The next morning Captain David Harris received a message and a map from General Lee to organize his men and start marching toward the wilderness area of Virginia. Lee’s message said it was urgent to move swiftly to meet with General Jackson’s men to hold off the Union Army.
Captain Harris gave the order to pack up th e camp and get ready to march. The camp was a buzz of activity, as the men got ready to fight.
David went in to wake Miss Monroe . She looked so sweet and childlike as she lay sleeping. As he watched her sleep, something stirred inside him. I have to get her out of here as soon as possible. She is too much of a distraction. “Miss Monroe, wake up, we have to pack and move out.”
She sat up, pulling the covers up to her neck. She blinked several times trying to clear her head.
“We have orders from General Lee to converge with Jackson’s army an d Lee’s to strike the Yankees. I don’t have time to send an escort to take you back home. You are going to have to come with us. I need you to keep your disguise a little longer. Please get up and dress in your uniform. I told Lieutenant Emerson not to tell anyone your gender. No one in camp knows but Emerson and me.”
It was obvious she was elated with the news she would not be going home. He could see the relief in her eyes. “Don’t think for one minute you’ll be staying. As soon as I can spare the men you are going home.” David didn’t want to give her false hope. She needed to understand it was not possible to stay.
Waiting until David left the room, she bound her breasts even though it was uncomfortable and dressed in her brother’s uniform. Even the rawness where the binding had rubbed her skin couldn’t ruin her good mood. For the moment she was safe from Bob Lewis.
She ran to her tent she shared with Adam and pac ked the rest of her belongings. When she arrived back at David’s quarters, she was ready to leave.
Quick to follow David’s directions, his men were ready to leave their camp at Red Springs behind. He approached Kate. “Can you ride?”
“Yes, S ir, I’ve been on horseback a few times for my training in camp.” Not convinced, David chose the calmest horse in the pasture. It was a small, buckskin mare named Betsy. The men in his outfit had brought their own horses or mules because the South did not have the money to provide all the men with horses. A farmer, who could no longer afford to feed her, had donated Betsy.
Kate mounted her horse with a little effort. David’s voice was brisk. “Stay close to me at all times. The forests are full of Union sharp shooters hiding in the woods.”
She couldn’t think of any other place she’d rather be than by the handsome Captain’s side. He gave the signal to surge ahead, and his men marched with the excitement of getting the chance to kill some Yankees. They were ready for some action since they had been inactive for a long time.
On the long trip to the tangled Virginia forest known as the Wilderness, David didn’t speak to Kate. She had hoped to use the opportunity to learn more about him. He seemed to be deep in thought. Concerned she asked, “Are
****
Kate could not wait to get a good nights rest in a real bed. The tiny cot in her tent wasn’t very comfortable. She stripped down to her thin shirt and crawled under the covers. Oh, the feather bed felt like heaven.
Then the memory of almost being raped entered her mind. She shuddered at the thoughts of what would have happened to her if Captain Harris had not shown up when he did.
What would he do about her? She would be devastated if he sent her back home. She doubted she would be lucky enough to escape Bob Lewis a second time. As she lay trying to go to sleep all she could see was beautiful, clear, blue eyes that seemed to stare into her soul. He was a man she could fall in love with.
****
The next morning Captain David Harris received a message and a map from General Lee to organize his men and start marching toward the wilderness area of Virginia. Lee’s message said it was urgent to move swiftly to meet with General Jackson’s men to hold off the Union Army.
Captain Harris gave the order to pack up th e camp and get ready to march. The camp was a buzz of activity, as the men got ready to fight.
David went in to wake Miss Monroe . She looked so sweet and childlike as she lay sleeping. As he watched her sleep, something stirred inside him. I have to get her out of here as soon as possible. She is too much of a distraction. “Miss Monroe, wake up, we have to pack and move out.”
She sat up, pulling the covers up to her neck. She blinked several times trying to clear her head.
“We have orders from General Lee to converge with Jackson’s army an d Lee’s to strike the Yankees. I don’t have time to send an escort to take you back home. You are going to have to come with us. I need you to keep your disguise a little longer. Please get up and dress in your uniform. I told Lieutenant Emerson not to tell anyone your gender. No one in camp knows but Emerson and me.”
It was obvious she was elated with the news she would not be going home. He could see the relief in her eyes. “Don’t think for one minute you’ll be staying. As soon as I can spare the men you are going home.” David didn’t want to give her false hope. She needed to understand it was not possible to stay.
Waiting until David left the room, she bound her breasts even though it was uncomfortable and dressed in her brother’s uniform. Even the rawness where the binding had rubbed her skin couldn’t ruin her good mood. For the moment she was safe from Bob Lewis.
She ran to her tent she shared with Adam and pac ked the rest of her belongings. When she arrived back at David’s quarters, she was ready to leave.
Quick to follow David’s directions, his men were ready to leave their camp at Red Springs behind. He approached Kate. “Can you ride?”
“Yes, S ir, I’ve been on horseback a few times for my training in camp.” Not convinced, David chose the calmest horse in the pasture. It was a small, buckskin mare named Betsy. The men in his outfit had brought their own horses or mules because the South did not have the money to provide all the men with horses. A farmer, who could no longer afford to feed her, had donated Betsy.
Kate mounted her horse with a little effort. David’s voice was brisk. “Stay close to me at all times. The forests are full of Union sharp shooters hiding in the woods.”
She couldn’t think of any other place she’d rather be than by the handsome Captain’s side. He gave the signal to surge ahead, and his men marched with the excitement of getting the chance to kill some Yankees. They were ready for some action since they had been inactive for a long time.
On the long trip to the tangled Virginia forest known as the Wilderness, David didn’t speak to Kate. She had hoped to use the opportunity to learn more about him. He seemed to be deep in thought. Concerned she asked, “Are
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