"Nonsense. You have to eat and it is wonderful to have the company. I am starting to feel like maybe everything will be all right again. I know it is going to be a long road, but the fact that we are coming together again is evidence we are ready for the healing to begin." She took the woman’s hand. "Come on now, you will love Sarah’s stew, it is the best in the county."
--*--
Rebecca watched indulgently as Constance finished a second bowl of stew. It was apparent she had not been eating properly. The blonde was sure she had been giving what food she could get to young Emily. The baby sat quite happily in Rebecca’s lap, chewing on a hardtack biscuit and trying to sip from a cup of cooled tea.
"Constance, I think in light of your condition you should stay in a private room with its own fireplace and close to Dr. Walker."
"Oh that is too much. I cannot accept more than what you can comfortably offer."
"Then do not argue with me, because I can comfortably offer this to you." She looked down at her little friend. "Besides, Colonel Redmond resides in the house as well and I think Emily will enjoy being near him."
"She certainly did take to him right away, did she not? I have never seen her act that way with a man before."
"The Colonel is a very special gentleman and Emily just knows that."
The back door opened and Charlie and Elizabeth stepped inside. Emily was quick to squeal her delight. "Papa!" She squirmed, until Rebecca put her down and she made her way over to Charlie to tug on his pants leg. "Papa. Up Papa."
The look on Elizabeth’s face was priceless. She tried not to smile as she sized up Charlie and his new little friend. "Something you forget to tell me, Charlie?"
"No," he grumbled, even while hugging Emily. "The little one just seems to have picked me as a surrogate father."
Elizabeth smiled and gave an amused nod. "I can see that."
"Papa. ‘‘Orsey Papa."
"Well see the horsy later, little one. Right now, Charlie needs a cup of coffee."
Rebecca was quick to get up and pour Charlie a cup of coffee. "Elizabeth?" She offered, holding up another cup.
"Maybe later, Rebecca, thank you. Right now I thought I would have a look at our newest patient." The doctor smiled at Constance. "Charlie, do you think you can keep Little Emily occupied while I take care of her Mama?"
Charlie looked down at the child who was quite happy chewing on the button of his tunic. "I think we can manage."
Emily did perk up a bit when her mother stood up, but relaxed back against Charlie when she was assured Mama would be right back. She picked up her biscuit from the table and offered it to Charlie. "Bite. Papa."
Charlie just sighed, completely unsure what to do next. "No, thank you. You eat that. I will have my dinner later."
"Speaking of which," Rebecca handed the baby a slice of apple. "A couple of your men brought Sarah two nice rabbits, so we are having roast rabbit for supper. Would you like to invite Colonel Polk?"
"Would Elizabeth like me to invite Colonel Polk?" Charlie had to ask past the piece of apple Emily was trying to put in his mouth.
"I think the doctor would be delighted."
"I will see to it then." Charlie looked down at the little girl, who looked back with adoring eyes. She smiled and reached up, pulled herself up and grabbed Charlie's cheeks.
"Papa good!" She squealed then kissed Charlie on the cheek.
The colonel had the grace to blush, but not enough time to react to the fact his batman had just come through the kitchen door in time to see the little brunette continuing her sloppy kiss to Charlie's cheek.
The Irishman burst out laughing. "Little young for ya', I would say, Colonel C."
Chapter 13
Wednesday, November 30, 1864
Supper was –– different. The addition of a toddler to the household caused disruptions in a number of ways. The addition of a toddler who refused to let go of the Colonel added to the excitement. Charlie found himself lightly coated with mashed squash and some undefined cooked cereal. For the meticulous Colonel, this was something of a rude awakening. Charlie had never dealt with the messy aspects of day-to-day childcare. It was a revelation. He handled it with surprising good cheer.
After supper, Charlie and Rebecca watched as Constance put the little imp to bed. They adjourned to Rebecca’s back parlor, where, after a polite cup of after dinner coffee, Charlie excused himself to go write some needed dispatches.
Once in the quiet of his office, Charlie built a small fire to disperse the chill of the evening. For long minutes, he sat in the soft light of the fire, staring at the flickering flames. He forced himself to focus on the requirements of his position. That habit ran deep, duty before all other things. Consciously, he pushed his confusion and, to be honest, his rising frustration about his relationship with Rebecca to the back of his mind. Confronted with the hostility of the citizens, their abject poverty and the wave of refugees from the war, Charlie was overwhelmed. He knew he had to do more than just find food and clothing for these people to last the winter. He had to find a way to help them start rebuilding their lives, if only on a basic level.
He lit one lamp on his desk, drawing paper before him to write his dispatch to Sheridan.
November 30, 1864
Outside of Culpeper, Virginia
Lieut. General Philip H. Sheridan
Department of the Shenandoah
Dear General Sheridan,
Appropriate steps are being taken to settle the 13th Pennsylvania into their winter quarters. As discussed, we have set up our infirmary with a surgery for Dr. Walker. She is well pleased with our arrangements.
The heavy nor’easter that moved through the region several days ago has done little lasting damage. Colonel Polk’s supply and inventory reports are attached.
Montgomery has undergone surgery. We wait anxiously to discover if the surgery was successful. His situation highlights one of the greatest challenges I face this winter, creating a coherent regiment out of the scarred remnants of two very different forces. I find that my personal history and heritage, as well as my accent, are linked to problems with this integration of forces. Some of the Pennsylvanians cannot seem to overcome the impact that my southern accent has on their faith in my leadership. It will be an interesting process.
Yet a greater challenge faces us in the coming weeks and months, one that I am sure every officer who is wintering in conquered territory is facing. The citizens of this community are beaten down, bereft of resources and lacking in the basic elements of human survival. All they had has been taken from them, either by forces moving across their lands or through lack of human resources to tend to their properties. To this is added an influx of refugees, primarily women and children escaping from the front line regions around Richmond and Petersburg.
I recognize that the influx of additional personnel brings with it the threat of an influx of agents of espionage. I have discussed security and silence with my officers as we consider ways to deal with this latest challenge.
General, we have to provide at least a modicum of support to the people here. They have no food stores; no proper winter clothing, no money or resources to repair their homes against winter cold. Some do not even have the tools or strength to gather wood for the fireplaces to warm them this winter. Nor do they have the means to till the ground or plant for the coming months. General Grant, in his stay earlier this year, said he thought Culpeper was the most devastated part of Virginia. I believe he was correct, given the abject poverty I see all around me. A thriving town of over fifteen hundred people has been reduced to perhaps a hundred or a hundred and fifty tenacious survivors. I cannot help but think we owe these people some modicum of hope.