Strange dreams plagued her. She was running from someone. His face was unclear, hidden by shadows, but she could hear his voice. She tried to identify it. Who was he?

Still shaking from the dream, Ella lifted her head from the sofa and looked up at the window. She wanted to see if there was any damage. A large crash sounded from outside. What was that?  Shuttered windows kept her from seeing a thing. Thunder and lightning had raged all night, and now only an eerie stillness, a quiet stillness, filled the room.

The fire was out and the room was cold. She shivered. How did we let the fire go out?  Wiping her eyes, she glanced over at Aiden and Bo, still cuddled together under the heavy quilts near the fire. Aiden’s innocent face ignited her emotional side.

She caught herself brushing back a small tear. He could not play outside since the invaders had arrived, and now water soaked the ground.

Loud drops fell on the ashes in the cold fireplace, drawing her attention. She gave her head a slight shake. Guess that answers that! No doubt the fire had been out for hours. At least the two small beings tucked under the quilts stayed warm. Nolan was in the safe room with Ol’ Indie. She worried about him but had absolute faith in the care that their cherished healer could offer.

The warnings that renegades and deserters could be out there must have caused her dreams to be so frightening. The large goosebumps on her arm were not part of her dream, though. That was from the cold room, but the dream had been scary.

She remembered the dream. The man chasing her was trying to kill her. Dark shadows hid his face. Arms came up and grabbed her. She couldn’t see anything but darkness. Ella shuddered as she opened the front door. Dreams like this foretold.

She pushed back a branch that had fallen against the front door and stepped outside on the porch. A faint breeze stirred. It was a far cry from the roaring winds of the last night. She ventured out to survey the front of the land.

The sun was up over Silver Moon, and the birds were trumpeting their survival. It was almost as if the birds were trying to tell everyone it was over and safe to come out now.

Water stood in the areas beside the house where a small creek once ran. There was no way to identify where the creek meandered. Today it looked like a glistening lake. Had the tents and bedrolls not been removed, they would have been floating. Those men were lucky to have gotten a better shelter. She hoped the cabins held. It would be a few days before the men pitched the tents again, judging from the standing water.

Large boughs from the graceful magnolias hung heavy with water. Once the water finished running off of them, perhaps their shape would resume. Some of the heavier boughs had split from the tree and sliced through the fencing.

In one area, six sections of smashed and broken fencing lay scattered on the ground. Luckily, the pasture being used by the horses and cattle was a little hillier and attached to the barn area on the other side. They still had access.

Leaves and branches littered the driveway into the plantation. The closer to the road, the worse the conditions became.

A small branch of water behind the plantation house ran into the Neuse River. The river ran to Kinston, some forty-five miles west of New Bern, and dumped into the inlet. The fingers ran into the main streams and ended in the main river.

Normally, the stream on the plantation was an innocuous little threadlike creek. It barely had movement of water. The depth wasn’t more than a foot or two. That was before the storm. The overflow from the storm would take time to recede, maybe weeks. The increase in wetland only magnified the dangers of the mosquitos and snakes that were already hazardous in the area.

Ella grabbed her arm to quell the shiver that ran up, thinking of those creatures. She looked up at the sky. While the rain had stopped, for the time being, clouds still filled the sky. There would be more rain soon. Shivering from the cool breeze, she wrapped her arms around herself.

Colonel Ross and Lieutenant Colonel Jameson had spent the night in the library. Ella wondered how they slept. She imagined them bunking on the floor, huddled under their blankets—not together. A giggle escaped.

Their fireplace was likely cold. She had offered more blankets, but they had insisted they needed none. The weather was unusually cool for the eve of a summer’s start, a product of the storm. 

She thought about Colonel Jackson Ross cleaning up and washing, and a warm feeling took root and moved up to her face, heating her cheeks. Was he awake yet?

As if in answer to her question, the door to the library opened and the colonel walked her way. She turned her attention to the nearest window and pretended to look outside.

“Morning, Colonel, suh. I trust you slept well. Looks like the storm passed, but we have a mess.” Her bottom lip quivered a little, possibly from the spring chill in the air.

He came up behind her. He wasn’t touching, but his presence was so close she could almost feel the heat from him. Her body reacted, pushing warmth to her core. She didn’t understand this. He was an irritant, trouble, and she liked him.

She grinned, but a quiver stole through her. This man complicated life with her brother. Nolan was in danger while he was there, but still, she felt safer somehow with the colonel. It was confusing. Why? She had not felt unsafe before he arrived.

“Miss Whitford, we will be in close quarters. I would like it very much if you would feel comfortable calling me Jackson.”

His first name? Would that be proper?  “Suh, I’m not sure we should be so familiar. You are the…conqueror.” She paused for emphasis. Why did she still needle him?

“Ouch! Must we still be enemies? I am trying very hard to be your friend, Miss Whitford. I would like to be friends.”

“Well, your men cannot go back on the land for the time being, but the cabins can remain theirs if they are comfortable there.” A ripple of a shiver shot down her neck, straight down to her belly. He was here with his men, and they weren’t leaving soon. “There is so much damage out here. I do not understand what else has happened.”

“I’m waiting to hear from Marshall—er, Lieutenant Colonel Jameson—on how the men fared. The winds beat the barn and the buildings, but only some shingles and a roof or two ripped off. Men in the cabins affected moved to another one. We tried not to overcrowd those. We can fix the damage. Thank you so much for the generosity you extended towards my men.” He hesitated. “If you don’t mind, the cabins provide sound shelters for the men. We might use some of them for a sickbay.”

“I think would make an excellent use of the empty ones. I had not thought of that.”

“Thank you.”

“And the horses? They are good?”

“Yes. As far as we can tell.”

“I haven’t seen my overseer, Jason, yet today. Have you met him? We tried to catch up with him yesterday before the storm, but Carter said he was gone. I’m not sure where he was, but hopefully, he was back just before the storm hit.”

“Can we go back to our earlier conversation… I asked that we be friends, and for you to call me Jackson.” He waited for her answer.

Her eyes shuttered. “Yes, I suppose we could be friends. Thank you… Jackson.”

He leaned forward and touched her shoulder. “Thank you very much, Ella. You’ve made us feel welcome, despite your… protestations.”

She looked at him and saw that cute dimple of his. A slight smile formed on her lips. “Suh, the only thing I could ever object to with you and your men is that you are all on the wrong side.” That and my dear brother was sick and in the safe room and you could do him harm. “Let’s see what we can rustle up for breakfast.” She wanted to move him away from the front of the house.

Stopping at the parlor, she leaned in and didn’t see Lizzy. Good. She had hoped she and Aiden could sleep a little longer. The past day had been very challenging for all, and Lizzy seemed beyond exhausted last evening.

“Miss Ella, breakfast is on the table.” Lizzy walked up and let them know that the grits and eggs were cooked. “Lieutenant Colonel Jameson is already at the table. Shall I get our little man up, Miss Ella?”

“Yes.” She sighed. “I had hoped you would have gotten a little more rest. But since you are up, yes if you don’t mind. We should rouse the little bugger.” She turned to the colonel. “Let’s get breakfast.” They walked side by side towards the dining room.

* * *

Had he really asked her to be friends earlier? The word was out before he could pull it in. He wanted more than to be friends. He wanted to see her hair fanning across his pillow. That gorgeous red hair drew him like bugs to a light. Would she never stop the antagonistic tone?

“Ella,” He stopped her with a touch. “I wonder if we could talk later. This storm gave me some ideas and I would like to get your opinion.” His voice held just a touch of raspiness to it. He could see goose bumps had broken out on her neck, despite her unwillingness. Perhaps he had an effect on her.

“Certainly,” she inhaled. “I’d like that very much.”

Small feet sounded behind them. Turning, Ella caught Aiden as he leaped up into her arms. “Ummph! Aiden! Control yourself, my little man! You know it’s rude to act so in front of other people. You are almost as big as I am!”

Aiden winked. “Don’t frown, sista. I ain’t ever gonna leave you like Nol’n.”

“Oh! You little ragamuffin! I’m just sad thinking you will grow up and one day won’t need me as much,” she rejoined, grinning.

Jackson glanced over at Aiden. Did he wink? He didn’t think he had seen too many children his age wink. Well, no matter, the little tyke’s good mood was contagious. Ella was smiling and no longer snide. Aiden liked him and he liked Aiden.

Bo, however, wasn’t as trusting and friendly. His sharp barking sounded at the heels of the colonel and continued down the hall.

“Quiet, Bo! Colonel Ross is nice.” Aiden shushed his little companion, holding his tiny finger up in front of his lips. Bo seemed to understand because he quieted down. After looking up, he sniffed the colonel and followed. “Ella, where did Colonel Ross live last night?” Aiden looked up at him with his little hand on his hip.

* * *

Ella swallowed her smile. Just when did Aiden try to become the man of the house? How did that happen? How should she handle this? Knowing he also held Nolan’s life in his hands, she didn’t want him to blurt anything out about that, either.

Nibbling on her lower lip, she pondered how to answer his question.

Lizzy trailed behind Ella and heard Aiden ask his question. “Mista Aiden! You know not to ask things like that! You are fixin’ to get yourself in trouble.” She tapped Aiden on the shoulder. “Well, little man, have you washed up yet for breakfast?”

Relief moved across Ella’s face, but it was only a brief break. She would have to address Aiden’s concerns and make him understand what is going on with the Yankees. How could she have felt so comfortable a few minutes ago? Jackson was making her life a mess.

His presence had complicated everything. Thoughts flashed to Nolan and Ol’ Indie in the room downstairs, then she remembered the fixin’ up he had had his men do for her. And he had just asked her to discuss ideas with him. She felt guilty and heaved a sigh.

As they approached the dining room, they heard Cook moving around. Breakfast was ready. She could smell it. They walked in to find cornbread, ham, eggs, and grits set out family style for them.

Jackson hurried over and pulled out the chair for Ella. He picked Aiden up and helped him into a chair nearby. Bo retreated to the corner of the room.

Lizzy withdrew to the kitchen with Cook. Ella called to her, but when she came back in the room, she met Ella’s expression with a strange one of her own.

Not wanting to question her in front of the men, Ella waited until later, but there was plenty of room at this table for everyone today.

“Thank you for this, Miss Whitford… Ella. This looks wonderful.” He nodded towards his friend and took his first bite, but Aiden cut into his action.

“Can I say de prayer?” He cocked his head towards his sister, a serious look on his face.

“Yes, Aiden. Please.”

“Thank ye, dear Lord, for this food. Bless my sister and our people, like Cook, Lizzy and Carter. And please watch over,” he glanced up at Ella before continuing. “Please look over my brudder Nolan and make sure, Lord,” Aiden regarded the colonel, and then he winked as big as he could at his sister, “that he is okay. Keep him warm and safe and please don’t let him have no sickness. Amen.”

With that, he picked up his fork and ate.

“That was very nice, Aiden. We appreciate this meal.” Jackson picked up his fork and knife and nodded to Ella.

“Thank you, Aiden.” Aiden’s wink stunned Ella. She wasn’t sure she understood it, but when she scanned the table, both of the colonels were staring her way, a perplexed mien on both of their faces. Uh oh. Eager to change the subject, she moved it to one everyone would show interest in. “Let’s eat. Then we can check out the damage to the house.” She nodded towards Jackson and continued, “You wanted to get my thoughts on some things. That could be a good time.”

Silence descended upon the table as everyone ate. The sound of plates, glassware and the occasional clank of a utensil hitting a plate was all the noise heard. No one talked for several minutes.

“Pass the bis-gits, please,” asked Aiden, breaking the silence. He reached for the bowl of white fluffy rolls. Lieutenant Colonel Jameson passed them down the table, wearing a grin on his own face. When the bowl of biscuits came his way, he reached for it. He pulled out two, putting one on his plate and lowering his hand under the table with the other one.

Bo, seeing the signal, walked over to the table, ducking under the corner furthest away. He moved to the biscuit and removed it from Aiden’s hand, and laid back down to eat his own breakfast. Bo held one paw over the biscuit and licked the top, savoring what was to come.

Once breakfast ended Cook came in with Carter and, with Lizzy, cleared the dishes. Ella kept watching the three as they carried on as if the war had never taken place.

Before Colonel Ross and Lieutenant Colonel Jameson had come, her life was one of helping with everything. She planned to speak with her friends and find out what was amiss. They were in this together, and no one needed to eat in the kitchen. So, what was this pretense about? She would ask Lizzy later.

“Miss Whitford, can you accompany me on a walk around the back of the property? I think there is damage, but I’d like to have you with me as we assess it.”

Startled, she looked up at the colonel. “Yes, I’d like that very much. The damage could be bad. I fear for all of those men and the poor animals.”

Ella pushed back in her chair and she stood. The colonel cleared more room for her. She rested her hand on the arm he extended to her. At their touch, a familiar current shot up her arm.