Charlie escorted her to the foot of the stairs, intending to let her go and then return to his own tent. Each night, he had offered to leave her and return to his own narrow camp bed. But each night, Rebecca had other ideas. Tonight was no different. As he stopped at the foot of the stairs, she said, "Turn the lamp out, Colonel."
"Miss Rebecca?"
"You shoulder needs tending."
"Miss Rebecca, Jocko can take care of it for me. I do not want to impose."
"I told you, while you are here, you sleep in a real bed, not that camp cot. Come along."
His mind told him that it would be infinitely better if he went back to his cot. The experience of waking in the middle of the night with her in his arms was terrifying. It was fire, fear and yearning. He knew that if this continued, the wanting would grow beyond his ability to handle it. But the wanting was already there. Just to hold a beautiful woman in his arms was like heaven –– a few moments when he could escape from the hell, the fear and the hopelessness of his life. Charlie turned the small wheel that lowered the wick and followed her up the stairs.
--*--
Sunday, November 6, 1864
As the first pale light of pre-dawn lit the sky, Charlie awoke. Once again, Rebecca lay safe within the circle of those long, wiry arms. Once again, Charlie’s night had been shortened by the feel of her warmth and gentle presence, and what little sleep had been possible was illuminated by dreams of what, in Charlie’s mind, could never be.
Slipping from the warmth of those arms and the down comforter that covered them both, into the chill morning air, Charlie pulled his clothes on, leaving the boots for downstairs in order to not awaken the sleeping woman. This morning, he was unsuccessful in his efforts to be quiet. Sleepy green eyes blinked opened, as he was about to slip out the door.
"Good morning, Colonel Redmond." A sly, soft smile played around the blonde’s lips.
"Good morning to you, Miss Rebecca. I am sorry. I did not mean to awaken you. Its very early, so go back to sleep, dear lady."
"Oh, I am awake now –– and not because of you. I feel more rested than I have for as long as I can remember."
"Well, then, I will leave you to your morning’s ablutions. I have to tend to my flock of lost boys out there, and we have a staff meeting this morning. But perhaps this afternoon, you would do me the honor of joining me for a ride? I would like to talk more about the request I made last night."
"Colonel Redmond, I love to ride. But as you know, I have no horse."
"I believe that one of my mounts will take you. I have used her before as a woman’s mount, and she goes sweetly under a sidesaddle. You do have a saddle, I hope, for I do not normally carry such equipment in my kit" Charlie’s self-deprecating smile was endearing.
"Yes, I still have my saddle. It is the one piece of tack that was not requisitioned for the war. But I fear I still cannot join you."
"Oh." Charlie’s voice was flat. He turned away from her to fiddle with his tie, hiding the pain that welled up in his chest at the rejection. He knew it was coming. He just did not expect it so soon. "Then I am sorry I imposed on you." The dreams and fantasies of wintering over here in this place, with this charming woman, evaporated in that instant.
Rebecca heard Charlie’s controlled withdrawal. She softened her voice, somewhat embarrassed by the situation. Rising slightly, holding the covers modestly over her body, she smiled. "Its not that I would not love to join you, Colonel Redmond. The problem is that I cannot get into my riding habit by myself, and my ladies maid ran off some time ago."
Charlie turned back to face Rebecca, a playful smile flirting around his lips. "Well, my dear lady. That can be fixed if you are willing to let an old war dog play ladies maid. I did, once upon a time, know how to do these things."
Rebecca, blushing a little, smiled again. The idea of a real ride after so many months with no mount thrilled her. "Then, sir, I will see you after lunch? And we will see if you can handle buttons as well as you handle reins."
--*--
Rebecca made the bed; unconsciously, she lovingly smoothed the pillow that Charlie used, a slight smile playing on her lips the entire time. She was truly excited about the thought of riding later in the day. She felt almost giddy with the prospect. Not only would it be wonderful to have a horse under her again, she could not imagine more charming company than the Colonel.
She tidied the room then dressed for the day. Before leaving her room, she retrieved her riding habit, placing it on the bed to be changed into when Charlie returned to the house.
She enjoyed a nice breakfast of more fruit and cheese the Colonel had provided as she considered where to start her day. Looking out the back door, she saw Jocko bringing a group of men toward the house. Smoothing her apron, she stepped out to the back porch.
"Good morning, Sergeant." Rebecca greeted him as he climbed the steps. Rebecca knew that if possible she would have to form some sort of friendship with this man. He was important to Charlie and she knew his opinion of her would go a long way in her friendship with the Colonel.
"Mornin’ Ma’am. Colonel Redmond has sent us to continue with the repairs to the property. Where would you like the men to start?"
She smiled. She was not quite sure what her answer would be. She was sure Charlie had ideas about where the men should be working. "That is entirely up to you, Sergeant."
"Well, then Ma’am I will set some of the boys off to the barns to start there. Is there anything you need here at the house?"
Her mind thought of the roof. "Sir, there is a small problem with the roof, over the kitchen."
"Then a couple of our boys will take care of that for you."
"Thank you, Sergeant."
--*--
Charlie walked back to his command tent in the dim light of false dawn. His step was light, as was his heart. He felt full of energy, even though he had slept very little that night.
There was still hope that this would be their winter quarters. There was still the chance that the little fantasy of peace and a home could be played for at least a few weeks.
Charlie entered camp quietly, slipping silently into the command tent. Jocko had been thoughtful; laid out on the bed was his normal day uniform, cleaned and ready to wear.
Charlie lit the oil lamp on the command desk and dove into the paperwork that always accompanied the movement of troops. Requisitions for supplies, for ammunition, for winter boots and blankets and medical supplies and new tents –– the lists were endless and the need for supplies never fully filled. The number of shysters who supplied the Army was appalling, and often the quality of the supplies they did receive was shoddy at best.
Charlie sighed deeply. Sometimes the best he could do for his boys, no matter how hard he begged, borrowed and called in favors from the past was not enough. The last batch of boots they had gotten in for the troopers were made of green leather –– as soon as they got wet, the boots shrank and became stiff as a plank. Well, if they could winter over here, the men could do some of their own repairs. It would not be enough, but it would help.
Completing the requisitions, Charlie turned to the daily report to Sheridan and his command officers. He was very careful in his wording, as he described to his commanding officer the site that he hoped to use as his winter camp.
Nov. 6, 1864
Outside of Culpeper, Virginia
Lieut. General Philip H. Sheridan
Department of the Shenandoah
Dear General Sheridan
As you recommended, I have been looking for a sound site for the 13th Pennsylvania to winter over. I believe I have found such a site, and am in discussion with the owners to facilitate this process.