The Lieutenant's Promise (7 page)

“Chicago? What good is schoolin’ gonna do him here?”

“I’ve got chores to finish, Walt. Was there something else you needed?”

“I heard tell he’d joined up with the Federal Army,” Walt answered.

Em folded her arms across her chest. “Who said that? They obviously were mistaken.”

“It’s just talk around town. Heard the same about the Kellogg boy. Said his family wants to keep Missouri in the Union.” Walt spat in the dirt. “Folks ‘round here aren’t too happy with people sidin’ against the Governor Jackson.”

“With Tom in school, we obviously can’t fight for either side, so you might as well be on your way.”

Rustling sounds came from the woods behind the house. Lord, please don’t let Tom come home now! She refused to turn and look. Rufus’s silence made her fear the worst.

Walt’s expression didn’t change when he glanced that way.

“Hello there,” Levi’s voice came from behind her.

Em breathed a sigh of relief, her entire body sagging. “Levi, Walt is looking for Tom and he’s having trouble believing he’s gone to Chicago.”

“If Tom were here, I wouldn’t have come to help out, would I, cousin?”

She offered him a small smile for staying with her story. “That’s right.” Turning to Walt, she hoped she sounded dismissive. “You’ve wasted your time stopping by. I wouldn’t want to keep you any longer.”

Walt pushed his hat back on his head, studying Levi. “Why haven’t you joined up with Price’s men, ‘cousin’?”

“It’s not my argument to take sides in. I’m just here to make sure my family doesn’t lose their farm.” Levi’s fingers pressed into Em’s arm and he tugged gently. “We need to get back to work. Feel free to water your horse before you go,” he called to Walt as they walked away.

Em took two steps to his one in order to keep up while he led her to the barn. If she didn’t know better, she’d think Levi was angry with her. It wouldn’t be the first time.

Maggie sat in the cool space of a dark corner polishing the leather harnesses and reins. “I heard voices.”

“Walt wants Tom to join the rebels,” Em explained.

“What did you tell him? I hate to think what they’d do if they found out Tom’s in the Union army.”

“I told him the usual story. He didn’t believe it.”

Maggie spoke to Levi. “What do we do?”

“We keep Tom hidden. He stayed in the woods when we heard Walt. He’ll come out when he thinks it’s safe.”

“How long can we hide him?” Em asked. She began to realize how right Levi had been about the risks they took remaining on the farm. “How long before we can feel safe in our own home again?”

He met her gaze, holding it for a long moment. “I don’t have an answer for that.”

Em felt a deep connection with him in just that look. He didn’t offer her reassurance, but she trusted that he’d do everything he could to keep them safe. His eyes moved to indicate Maggie. Em looked for an excuse for them to leave. “Levi, can you help me in the springhouse? I need to make room for the jars of tomatoes we’ll can next week.”

When they were a good distance from the farm, Levi asked, “How well do you know the Dutton boys?”

“We grew up around them, but were never what I’d call friends.”

“Is Walt likely to make trouble after seeing me here?”

“There’s no telling what those men will do,” she said. “The fact they’re siding with the rebels says enough.”

“Good point.” He opened the door to the springhouse and let Em enter.

The interior wasn’t large, but the stone-front structure was built into a small rise, which kept the temperature cool in the summer. Sometimes she’d escape there in the heat of the day for relief from the unbearable sun. She upended an empty crate and sat, waiting for Levi to explain his need for privacy.

“I’m going to say it again. I think you and your family should move north until it’s safe.”

At first, she could only flap her jaw, words failing her. “I thought we were past this. You know my opinion on leaving the farm.”

“What if the Dutton boys come back when Tom and I aren’t here?”

“Then I can honestly say you aren’t here, and they’ll leave.”

“General Lyon has cut off supplies south of Springfield. Price might order his men to raid the local farms. They could take your wagon and mule, along with the crops, your stores here.” He motioned to the wooden shelves lining the walls.

“And a tornado could hit, destroying even the house and barn. We can’t run away from everything that might never happen.” She slumped, her shoulder dropping, uncaring how she looked. “I can’t keep fighting you like this. Please, can we stop? Not for the moment, but for good?”

With the light from the open door, Em saw his features soften. He squatted at her feet, reaching for her hands, rubbing his thumbs gently over the backs of her fingers.

“I’m sure you know this already, but I care about you, Em. You and your family. I can write my uncle in Iowa. He’ll help you find some land to start over, if you’d like, or just a place to stay until it’s safe.”

“Is anywhere safe?” The warmth of his hands on hers gave her the courage to speak her mind more thoroughly. “I’ve heard about the battles in Virginia, South Carolina. General Lyon already declared war on Governor Jackson and the rebels here. The division between north and south is being clearly drawn. There’s no line across which the rebels won’t cross. Have you asked your family to go north?”

He shook his head. “It’s different in the city. Well, somewhat different. The only civilians who’ve been killed up north were protesting. I have no fears about where my family lives, and their safety. I’m sure if I asked, they’d put you up for a time, if you’d prefer.”

“Do you know what they’d assume if you asked that of them? Even bringing my family with me would lead to questions.”

“You’re the family of my friend.”

Disappointment hit her with those words. She hadn’t realized how much she’d really hoped his concern meant something more. He was the most confusing man she’d ever known.

He squeezed her fingers. “Once Tom and I return to our company, we won’t be able to get word to you.”

“We’re used to acting quickly when the winds pick up or we see the clouds turn green on the horizon. If we hear guns or cannons, Maggie and I can get everyone into the basement.”

Levi held her gaze, only the sound of his breaths filling the room. He wavered in his squat, either losing his balance or leaning toward her with a purpose, then caught himself. He lifted her hands to his face, kissing her fingers before rising. “Well, where did we need to make room in here?”

~*~

August 9, 1861

By the end of the week, there was still no sign of the rebels returning north. Luckily, neither of the Dutton boys had come to the farm looking for trouble. Levi and Tom left early in the morning to scout toward the southwest.

Tom shifted his rifle to his other hand and kicked at a beetle crossing the dirt road. “I talked to Em this morning. I probably shouldn’t say anything to you, being my lieutenant, but I considered not returning to Springfield.”

“Since you know the penalty for desertion, and you’re talking about it, I’m going to assume you came to your senses.” Or his sister had convinced him how unwise it was.

“I guess I was never serious about it, but seeing Walt Dutton here made me realize the situation I put my family in.”

Halting a moment at the crack of a twig from their right, Levi waved for Tom to do the same. He held a finger to his lips and, crouching low, stepped carefully toward the sound. Ducking behind a wild rose, he waited.

A man appeared from behind a tree carrying a small trap in his hand. He walked in the opposite direction, and Levi noted the rifle strapped to his back, and a dead rabbit in his hand. He wasn’t in uniform, but something about him brought up the hairs on the back of Levi’s neck.

As the stranger disappeared into the woods, Levi motioned to Tom to follow. They stalked after the man as quietly as possible. When the underbrush began to thin, exposing them more easily to anyone looking, they stopped and listened.

After about fifteen minutes of hearing nothing, Levi moved forward, staying in the shelter of the woods. Three tents stood below the crest of a hill, and several men sat nearby. The trapper held up his kill as he neared them.

They were too far to hear voices, but Levi could see one wore the gray of the Confederate Army.

“They’ve come,” he said softly.

CHAPTER SEVEN

“Do you think they’re alone?” Tom whispered.

“We’d be able to see more tents if the others camped here, but we can safely assume there are other rebels nearby. Or on their way. We need to get word to Springfield.”

Tom nodded.

“Where are we? What’s this area called?”

“Oak Hill,” Tom answered.

“You go straight to camp and tell Major Clanton they’ve reached Oak Hill. I’ll gather our gear from the farm and follow behind.”

“Yes, sir. Tell my family goodbye for me, please.”

“Of course.” Levi had a momentary flash of guilt at the thought he was keeping Tom from his family, but the need to see Em one last time before they went into battle was greater than his guilt.

She was leading the cows in from the pasture when Levi reached the farm. “You’re home in time for supper,” she called out.

“I can’t stay,” he replied when he drew near.

Her face grew pale. “Where’s Tom?”

“He’s gone to Springfield. We spotted some Confederate men camped near Oak Hill. I need to pack our belongings and report to the major.”

“So close. Will you attack them there?”

“I pray they don’t move any closer before Clanton can gather the troops. I don’t know if General Lyon and his army have arrived in Springfield yet. My hope is that we can march immediately.”

Em’s eyes began to well. “I’ll go pack Tom’s gear.” She turned and hurried to the house.

~*~

Ma looked up from kneading dough when Em rushed inside the house. “You’re running like hornets are after you.”

“No. Tom and Lieutenant Lucas are returning to Springfield. I’m to collect what Tom needs for the lieutenant to take to Tom.” Em hurried into the boys’ room.

Following her, Ma asked, “Tom’s not here?”

“No, he’s gone ahead to the Union camp.” Em paused, her brother’s uniform jacket in her hands. “There’s going to be a battle soon, Ma. Close by. Maggie needs to make certain the water barrels in the cellar and springhouse are full. Billy can take some buckshot to the springhouse, and hide the rest in the cellar.”

“I know what to do, dear girl. You take Tom’s kit to your lieutenant and say your goodbyes.” Ma hugged her before walking to the bedroom door. With her hand on the doorframe, she added, “God will protect us all.”

Em wished her faith was as secure as Ma’s.

When she had Tom’s knapsack packed, she went outside to find Levi filling his canteen at the well. She took her brother’s canteen from his kit to do the same. “Here’s Tom’s knapsack.”

“Thank you.” He set it beside his own. “Please tell me you won’t take any risks.”

Her stomach was in knots, her throat so tight it was difficult to breathe. She couldn’t think of her own safety when his‑and her brother’s‑were so much more at risk. “I’ll stay close to home, but I’ll need to take milk and eggs to Harris’s in a day or two.”

“That’s too close to where we might meet Price’s men. You shouldn’t go until after we drive them away.”

“When will that be? We can’t afford to miss many sales. And the people in town will want their fresh milk and eggs.”

“They can wait. I don’t know how soon we’ll march, but I imagine it’ll not be any later than the end of the week. You’ll know. The army will travel by way of the Wire Road. If you watch, you might see us and wave.”

She felt a tear roll down her cheek. “I couldn’t. I couldn’t bear the wait to see you return.”

“Most likely we won’t be able to come back any time soon. Tom’s three months’ enlistment is almost up, but Major Clanton has said he doubts General Lyon will honor their requests to return home.” He took his kerchief out of his pocket and handed it to her.

“Thank you.” She dabbed at her eyes. “And what of you? You’ve been in the army much longer than three months.”

He nodded. “My enlistment won’t be up until next spring, but I’ll likely stay on until this secession is decided. Or I should say, until we’ve won.”

Clenching her hands together, she couldn’t bear to look at him. “I feared as much.”

“Take care of yourself, Em. And your family. Don’t let Maggie or Billy go out in the pasture alone.”

“I won’t.” When he reached for her hand, she lifted her chin and met his gaze. “Come back safely. To your camp, I mean.” Her cheeks grew warm at the implication she meant to come back to her. He’d just said he planned to reenlist next year, so he obviously didn’t feel for her what she’d begun to feel for him.

“I will. I promise.” He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss onto her fingers. Then, he bent and lifted the two packs and slung them over one shoulder, lifting his rifle with his other hand. He saluted, and without another word, turned and walked away.