Rebecca took a deep breath and trudged on into territory she never imagined herself in. "Elizabeth, were you and Charlie ever lovers?"
"Would it bother you if we were?"
"Ah, well, no. Because I have no claim to Charlie." Rebecca felt tears rise in her eyes again and desperately tried to hold them back. Elizabeth’s evasion of the answer made her fear the worst. "But I certainly would not want to be a disruption to you if you were. We both know the same thing. Charlie deserves to be loved and cared for and if you are the woman to do that then I only want him to be happy."
Elizabeth saw what she had hoped to see –– a real, honest commitment to her friend's happiness. She reached out and with the fingers of her left hand, gently lifted Rebecca's face so they were looking eye to eye. Handing her a soft linen handkerchief, she spoke with gentle compassion. "No, child, I have never been, nor will I ever be, Charlie's lover. I am his friend, one who cares deeply for him. But I prefer the companionship of another."
"Thank you." She wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes. "I really think I am falling desperately in love with your friend, Elizabeth."
"Then, dear, take your time, and be sure. Charlie is a patient man - and a gentle woman."
"I will, but thank you again. You have helped me a great deal. It is very nice to have someone to talk to. Someone who truly understands."
"All it takes is being willing to see what is there, rather than what society dictates. I see this as being no different from my desire to be a physician, when society said that only men should be doctors."
Rebecca had to chuckle as she finished wiping tears from her eyes. "I hate to argue with a lady of your standing, but I think it is a little different, Doctor."
"In some ways, Rebecca, your situation is easier than mine. Charlie has been Charlie for so long he will never be anything else. If you choose to be with him, you will not have to cope with explaining why you choose the company of another woman. From all outward appearances, you will be a normal couple. You, my dear, will have to deal with choosing a Yankee, but the rest will be between just the two of you. I must handle all of society struggling with the idea of a female doctor."
"You point is well taken. You are just as amazing as Charlie is. I am very glad you have both come into my life."
"I suspect that you will have many questions along the way. I trust you and I will have more of these little chats, my dear. I look forward to them. You have no idea how much more pleasant it is to consider the condition of one's heart instead of the condition of a mutilated body."
"I do have one request of you, Elizabeth."
"Anything, my dear."
"For the time being, until I am more sure of myself and my feelings. I would ask you hold our conversations in confidence."
I would not think of violating this confidence. I am glad to see you taking my advice, taking your time and being very sure of your feelings."
"I will. The last thing I want to do is cause Charlie more pain."
Elizabeth just smiled and patted Rebecca's hand.
CHAPTER 10
Wednesday, November 23, 1864
Charlie and Richard spent the morning going over dispatches, reports, inventory lists, and the host of other paper work that was part of keeping a regiment of almost a thousand men and fifteen hundred horses fed, clothed, housed and healthy.
"Well, Richard, how do you think we are doing? What things have to be tended to most urgently? Will we be in trouble for the winter?"
"Well, we need to get the ditches finished, and we need to get the wood in place to half timber the tents. We have started getting the infirmary in real shape. Samuelson and Whitman have been busting the chops of every man assigned to do it right ‘‘the way Dr. Walker wants’".
"What about supplies? Have we taken the steps needed to keep it dry? And has anyone checked on it?"
"Yes, sir, Colonel, sir. Of course, we have, Charlie. You know me better than that."
"I am sorry, Richard. I think being down sick has gotten to me more than I expected. I feel like I am being a mother hen and my chicks have all run away."
Richard laughed at that. Charlie as a mother hen was a hard image for him to conjure up. "More like a stallion keeping his herd in line, I would say."
"So, fill me in on Project Boot."
"Mr. Cooper has a search out to find leather, and I have found about seven men in the troops with at least some leatherworking skill; including one boot maker and an assortment of men with experience in patching saddles, harnesses, leather furniture and other types of leather tools. We will get by. I also sent another scathing letter to the Quartermaster General’s office about their buying practices."
"Well, ‘‘tis what we can do for now. Have we done an inventory to figure out which men need boots most urgently?"
"I expect to get that back from the individual companies today or tomorrow."
"Fine. Well, off with you, my friend. We both have full plates today. I have to write my report to Sheridan, and then I will come out and do the rounds."
--*--
Rebecca was laughing as Sarah told her how Mrs. Williams had come into the mercantile while they were being fitted for their clothes. The cook managed to do a fairly reasonable imitation of the snooty woman that simply had Rebecca in hysterics.
"I know it is not right to feel that way, Mrs. Gaines, but she is not a very charitable woman for a minister’s wife."
"Sarah, you need not apologize to me. I have had my fill of Mrs. Williams. She was less than charitable in her attitude toward the good Colonel Redmond the other day."
"The Colonel? Why? He is a very kind gentleman."
Rebecca did not even try to hide the smile on her face, "I know." She looked down at the soft blue cloth in her hand, which was slowly taking shape into a new shirt. It made her feel good to be doing this. Charlie had given her so many new things she hoped the new shirt would be a small token of her gratitude. She was taking special care with a seam when Beulah entered the kitchen.
"Mrs. Gaines?"
"Yes?"
"There are a group of ladies from town here to see you. I have shown them to the front parlor."
"Oh Lord!" Rebecca placed her sewing in the basket and stood, straightening her dress. "I am sure they are here to see what gossip they can collect." She sighed. "Sarah, will you please prepare a tea tray for my," she paused, nearly choking on the word, "guests."
"Of course, Ma’am. It will be ready jiffy quick."
With that, Rebecca headed for the lion’s den, wishing that Daniel were home.
--*--
Charlie walked into the area that Company D had staked out as its own. The men were working away at digging ditch works around their encampment to handle run off in the event of another storm. Others had started the process of cutting corner poles to timber the tents. When the planking became available, they would construct rough cabins inside the walls of the tents, and pack straw, hay, or some other insulation between the boards and the canvas. The canvas would repel water, the boards would stabilize the structure against wind, and help keep them a little warmer than the outside. Berms around each tent served to seal the bottom edge of the tent and keep the wind out, as well as diverting water around the tent and into the drainage ditches.
The men were busy, focused on getting the job done, and only slowly did they realize that their commanding officer was with them. A ragged salute worked its way slowly through the encampment.
Charlie waved them into a small group around him, and pulled an empty barrel over to sit on. He looked around the faces surrounding him. Some he knew from old days, some were new to him, men of the original Pennsylvania muster. Some faces were welcoming, some were shuttered and neutral, and a few –– thank God only a few –– were outright hostile. His work was cut out for him.