barracks.”
Robert felt chill bumps form on his skin just from the memory of it all. “January was a difficult month on the island.”
Kern shivered dramatically. “If I close my eyes, I can remember the chill that permeated my skin. Some nights the men in my unit huddled together. We told ourselves it was for company, but it was certainly for warmth.”
They’d done that, too, though he and his comrades had been there long enough to not need reasons to share cots. They simply were glad there was someone near enough to take the edge off the constant ache.
Those memories were so clear, so piercingly real, that he had to close his eyes to forget them.
“There were a lot of men there. Over two thousand at the end of the war. I’m surprised you recognized me.”
“Everyone knew who you were.”
Robert lifted his chin. “Why is that?”
“You were with Captain Monroe.” Looking a little sheepish, Kern said, “He was a formidable figure, even though he was only a captain.”
“He was a formidable figure.” Looking at Kern intently, he added, “He still is.” No man would ever get far if he dared to say anything bad about his commanding officer.
Kern’s eyes widened. “Hey, now. No need to get riled up. I meant that as a compliment. After all, there were generals in camp with us.”
“There were.” They’d been impressive. Some had been West Point graduates. Yet even those men had treated their captain with a combination of awe and respect.
Eager to find a few minutes of solitude, he stared at his interloper coldly. “You have the advantage of me. While we might have both had the misfortune to be detained in the middle of Lake Erie, I do not know you. Furthermore, I am afraid I don’t take pleasure in remembering my time in captivity.”
Something uneasy flickered in Kern’s eyes. “No, I don’t reckon you would.”
That told Robert nothing. Losing patience with the man’s lack of information, he bit out, “Any particular reason you wanted to say hello?”
“There is.” After another brief moment, the corners of the man’s lips turned up. “Though I told you my name, I should also let you know I’m the sheriff here.” He paused, presumably waiting for Robert to give him his due.
However, Robert could find no reason to respond to the lawman. He’d done nothing wrong and was far beyond feeling impressed by men wielding authority, especially men in power with such a lazy drawl.
Therefore, he merely stared.
A flash of awareness filled Sheriff Kern’s features before he attempted to smile again. “Don’t want to trouble you, but I’d like a few minutes of your time. If I may.”
All of Robert’s defenses went on alert. The lawman knew his name and had sought him out away from Mrs. Markham’s boardinghouse. Both things gave him pause. “Is there a specific reason you’ve sought my company, Sheriff?”
“Yes.”
Impatience gnawed at him as he realized the sheriff had no intention of providing any information without Robert investing a considerable amount of time and energy. “I am at a loss for what we could possibly have to say to each other.”
“I aim to rectify that if you would kindly spare me a few moments of your time.”
Robert knew he had no choice. He was going to have to listen to this man no matter what. But still he muttered, “I don’t believe I’ve done anything here in Galveston you might find fault with.”
“Neither do I—especially since you have been here barely more than twenty-four hours.” After another weak attempt of a smile, Sheriff Kern said, “I promise, this won’t take up much of your time.”
Robert searched the man’s features. Noticed the freshly shaven cheeks, the earnest look in his eyes. His solid stance. Then, upon further examination, Robert saw a hard glint in his eyes, a faint scar marring one of his dark eyebrows.
And an air about him that warned most everyone to give him respect. This man might not have fought in the war
Robert felt chill bumps form on his skin just from the memory of it all. “January was a difficult month on the island.”
Kern shivered dramatically. “If I close my eyes, I can remember the chill that permeated my skin. Some nights the men in my unit huddled together. We told ourselves it was for company, but it was certainly for warmth.”
They’d done that, too, though he and his comrades had been there long enough to not need reasons to share cots. They simply were glad there was someone near enough to take the edge off the constant ache.
Those memories were so clear, so piercingly real, that he had to close his eyes to forget them.
“There were a lot of men there. Over two thousand at the end of the war. I’m surprised you recognized me.”
“Everyone knew who you were.”
Robert lifted his chin. “Why is that?”
“You were with Captain Monroe.” Looking a little sheepish, Kern said, “He was a formidable figure, even though he was only a captain.”
“He was a formidable figure.” Looking at Kern intently, he added, “He still is.” No man would ever get far if he dared to say anything bad about his commanding officer.
Kern’s eyes widened. “Hey, now. No need to get riled up. I meant that as a compliment. After all, there were generals in camp with us.”
“There were.” They’d been impressive. Some had been West Point graduates. Yet even those men had treated their captain with a combination of awe and respect.
Eager to find a few minutes of solitude, he stared at his interloper coldly. “You have the advantage of me. While we might have both had the misfortune to be detained in the middle of Lake Erie, I do not know you. Furthermore, I am afraid I don’t take pleasure in remembering my time in captivity.”
Something uneasy flickered in Kern’s eyes. “No, I don’t reckon you would.”
That told Robert nothing. Losing patience with the man’s lack of information, he bit out, “Any particular reason you wanted to say hello?”
“There is.” After another brief moment, the corners of the man’s lips turned up. “Though I told you my name, I should also let you know I’m the sheriff here.” He paused, presumably waiting for Robert to give him his due.
However, Robert could find no reason to respond to the lawman. He’d done nothing wrong and was far beyond feeling impressed by men wielding authority, especially men in power with such a lazy drawl.
Therefore, he merely stared.
A flash of awareness filled Sheriff Kern’s features before he attempted to smile again. “Don’t want to trouble you, but I’d like a few minutes of your time. If I may.”
All of Robert’s defenses went on alert. The lawman knew his name and had sought him out away from Mrs. Markham’s boardinghouse. Both things gave him pause. “Is there a specific reason you’ve sought my company, Sheriff?”
“Yes.”
Impatience gnawed at him as he realized the sheriff had no intention of providing any information without Robert investing a considerable amount of time and energy. “I am at a loss for what we could possibly have to say to each other.”
“I aim to rectify that if you would kindly spare me a few moments of your time.”
Robert knew he had no choice. He was going to have to listen to this man no matter what. But still he muttered, “I don’t believe I’ve done anything here in Galveston you might find fault with.”
“Neither do I—especially since you have been here barely more than twenty-four hours.” After another weak attempt of a smile, Sheriff Kern said, “I promise, this won’t take up much of your time.”
Robert searched the man’s features. Noticed the freshly shaven cheeks, the earnest look in his eyes. His solid stance. Then, upon further examination, Robert saw a hard glint in his eyes, a faint scar marring one of his dark eyebrows.
And an air about him that warned most everyone to give him respect. This man might not have fought in the war
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