“Too few, that’s certain, sir,” muttered James.
“Well, we’ll keep a watch on them. They may not be interested in us but there is no way to be sure of that. One cannon doesn’t imply such an engagement nor does our size or theirs. That doesn’t mean they won’t come looking for some supplies. Or, hell, some women. Keep the watch on and alert. I have been getting rumors that a big move is planned on the South so they may be gathering to go and fight in that. So, all we can do is keep alert.”
“Aye, sir.” Matthew saluted and walked out, James right behind him.
“I checked and all four of us have about a month left before we would have to sign up again and decide if we are staying in or not,” said James.
“Are ye staying in?”
“I don’t rightly know. Damn sick of the killing. Too much of it is senseless shooting of farmers and town folk who are just trying to survive and hold on to their land. A lot of the army is conscripts now. There are just too many times when I have to stop myself from just turning my horse east and riding on home. I damn sure don’t want to be in the South at this time of year.”
Matthew nodded slowly. “I feel the same. I just dinnae have to ride so far to get home. But it weighs on me what is being done in these hills.”
“Is your family in danger?”
“Nay more than anyone else. My brother Iain just sent word that he is a father to another, a brother for young Ned. He mentioned a few visitors who were sent on their way. The town is gone like so many others round here, and he doubts many of the ones who fled will come back so getting supplies is a chore and often dangerous.”
“As it is everywhere.”
“Aye, save maybe where ye come from. I doubt Maine gets many Rebs and Night Riders. As the major hinted, appears the war is headed south.”
James shook his head. “This is all going to leave a scar that’ll be a long time in healing.”
“I suspicion a lot of countries have one, but ye are right. At this moment, I just want to wash the stink of horse off, eat something, and then go to see if Abbie wants to go walking.”
“So, you and little Abbie . . .”
Hearing the amusement in the man’s voice, Matthew nudged his horse until he was a few feet ahead of James. The man hooted with laughter and Matthew fought the urge to hit him. Instead he focused on what he needed to do to get to Abbie before it got too late to go out for a walk.
*
Abbie sighed when Julia came in and sat down beside her. The woman did not even try to hide her pregnancy now and a few of the women openly snubbed her despite the ring on her finger. For a while Julia had avoided all of them but now she came around to share a meal and talk to Abbie.
“Robert said the officers are expecting trouble soon,” Julia said quietly.
“Well, I expect we will be told what to do to remain as safe as possible.”
“I hope so. The lieutenant has not said anything to you?”
“He asked if I keep my rifle close but nothing else. I asked Mrs. Beaton where she had put it and, despite her many complaints, it is now tucked in a corner in whatever room I am in.”
Julia looked at the rifle set against the wall in a corner near the window. “You can shoot that?”
“I can, and Matthew must think me competent or he would not ask me to keep it close in case we face any of this trouble no one is warning us about.”
Julia shook her head. “Men don’t like worrying women about things. Silly because, if we are warned about things, we would keep a better watch, don’t you think?”
“I do but, obviously, the officers have decided otherwise.”
“I often wonder how a man gets to be an officer.”
“I have no idea.”
“Do you ever have, well, feelings about something about to happen? Something bad or good?”
“Not really. Nothing strange. Why?”
“I am not sure, but I have a very bad feeling about what is going to happen.”
“Not sure what you can do about such feelings. Do you run? If so, how do you know which way to go? Or do you run out of the house to escape an unknown fear only to get run over by a wagon? You are probably just worried about Robert.”
Julia smiled a little. “Well, yes, I am. I am expecting his child. I have the ring and the paper but I would much rather have the man, too.”
“Of course you would.” Abigail patted Julia on the arm. “You married a soldier, dear. I suspect worry is a hazard of that.”
“Not so sure I like that,” Julia muttered.
“You left yourself little choice and I think that alone says you chose right.”
“Maybe.” Julia yawned and hastily covered her mouth. “I have to go and lie down. I am always so tired lately.”
“That is because you are carrying a child. Lots of rest is important.”
“I suppose. With all the food I eat and the rest I need, I begin to feel like a pig being readied for the slaughter.”
Abigail laughed. “That is not a pleasant thought. Go on, go have a rest.”
Watching Julia walk off, Abbie fought down her worry over the woman. Julia was a deeply sensitive woman who loved this fellow Robert. If anything happened to the young man, she hated to think of how it would devastate the girl. Julia carried his child, but she was not sure the woman had the strength to remember how important that was.
It was a worry she could not solve or plan for so Abbie decided to put it aside. She had almost finished all her flowers on the hem, hiding the majority of the spots, and idly thought on what she could do next. Then a little shadow fell over her sewing and she looked up to stare into Noah’s bright eyes, surprised to find him downstairs. None of the children came down, but Noah was obviously getting confident of his welcome, at least from her.
“Hello, Noah. What might you want?” she asked.
“Are you gonna read to us tonight?”
“I thought I would. Why? Don’t you want me to?”
“Oh yes, but I was wondering if you know how we could get a new book. You’ve done read all the others to us and we were thinking it’d be real nice to have something new.”
She frowned as he sat down next to her in the chair, gently nudging her to the side until he had the room he needed. Abbie realized she had no idea how to find a new book for the children. She then tried to think if she knew any stories so that she might just tell them one but her mind was suddenly totally empty.
“I think I will have to ask the other ladies. Hunt around a little. I have no idea where or how one could get one in this town.”
“The store?”
“I thought about that, but I saw nothing in there the few times I went in. The man has enough trouble just getting in food supplies. I doubt he thinks much of getting things like a children’s book. But I will ask.”
“Maybe your soldier friend would know?”
“Huh. Maybe he would. I will ask him, too.”
“I will tell the others you are going to go looking,” he said, hopped off the chair, and raced off to go back to the children’s room.