Jackson felt lucky to get out of the house with his head intact. She had excellent throwing ability and a horrible temper, but he couldn’t help the smile that came over him.

Mentally, he ticked off his list. The perimeter coverage had become paramount in his mind. He was pleased with his own timing. It had only taken him a day or two to get things pulled together.

Jackson thought about the hospitals and realized they still needed more help and more space. That was another problem. Slaves were turning up in epic numbers, many sick and hungry. They had no home, no way to earn an income, and no education. This new freedom of theirs was not without a cost. Providing them hospital care was going to be a tougher problem to fix.

No one seemed on the same page in this damnable war. Jackson didn’t want to waste any more energy being irritated by this problem. He needed to do something, now.

“Marshall, come here!” he bellowed. He never spoke to his best friend that way. He would be apologizing. This day was not going well, already.

* * *

Marshall slid back his chair slowly and walked into the backroom that served as the colonel’s office, a slight grin pulling his lips.

The vision of Jackson Ross ducking the vase played over in his head. “So, when do we leave? The men are packing their bedrolls, and Cook has stocked the wagon. They can be ready in a quarter to a half hour.”

“Yes, that is excellent. Yes. We will leave shortly.” Turning in his chair, Jackson faced Marshall, still rolling a nub of a pencil back and forth. “But we need to get some things set up quickly. Schools. I’d like to leave those under your guidance. Your sister is a teacher, and I am thinking that you can consult her for direction. I’ve been told we’ve got slaves and their children swarming into the area with no place to live. They need some help. Let’s organize shelter and schools for these slave children and their parents, too. Can you handle these items for me?”

“Sure. Jackson, I was thinking… you reckon there is anyone that can tutor them? I don’t recall meeting anyone wanting to teach, so far. Seems that anyone that had anything to do with educating kids abandoned this town when they heard we were coming.” Marshall paused.

“Send word and see if any schoolmasters are out there that want to try their luck here in the southern parts. General Burnsides had mentioned the school concept earlier. It’s needed. I don’t want it to get lost in this transition. Let’s check with his office and see if he has heard of anyone interested, and we’ll go from there.”

Marshall scrawled a few words on a piece of paper and stuffed it into his pocket. “I’ll follow up with this, Jackson.”

“There’s a lot that needs to be done before we can get our men settled. Sanders is loading supplies. The fences need mending. Glass panes, wood and paint will also be needed. I’m certain this perimeter camp will not be without its problems.” Jackson stood and pushed the chair under his desk, the legs scraping the unvarnished wood. “It’s almost eight hundred hours.”

“Yes, sir.” Marshall grabbed his hat and stood next to the door, waiting to leave. He could not wait to see what Miss Ella Whitford had in mind this time. Chuckling to himself, he pulled the door closed behind him.

* * *

“Time to get out to Silver Moon.” He checked his pockets but couldn’t find his notes. “I’m sorry. I left something inside I need.” Quickly, he walked back into his office. Jackson spotted his list on his desk and stuffed it into his chest pocket, then hurried back out the door.

Marshall chuckled when the door closed.

“Marshall, you have something to say?” Jackson looked up at his friend, his brows arched.

“No, sorry. Well, yes. I do have a little something. I’ve never seen a woman get under your skin in what… seems like just a few days?” He quickly added on his fingers and looked up with a grin. “Yes, in less than a week’s time, as a matter-of-fact.”

Jackson shot him an angry glare.

Marshall cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject. “Ahem. Yes. Colonel, I was just thinking about how fast Sanders and his supply wagons got loaded. I don’t think I’ve seen our men move so fast. I think we’re all ready for this assignment.

“Good. There’s much to get done when we arrive.” Jackson’s tone was terse. He mentally chastised himself for a display of temper he couldn’t seem to stop.

“I’m thinking we should get some coffee before we leave. It will be a long day. What do you think?” Marshall nodded in the direction of The Griddle, across the street.

Jackson was already on Mason. He glanced over at The Griddle, thinking of Sara’s great eggs, toast, and warm coffee. His stomach started rumbling. “That is a stellar idea.” Of course—hunger! He had forgotten breakfast. “Let’s tie up and get some grub, then we head out. I’ve got Sanders meeting us out there at ten hundred hours and if we’re not there first, we may be attending his funeral.” Visions of a fiery redhead and a shotgun caused him to choke back a laugh.

“Sergeant Sanders is one of those by-the-book people who will probably get right in her face. Before he knows it, she could have his grill on the end of her shotgun.” Marshall hooted.

“My thoughts exactly.” Jackson dismounted. “More likely, he would try to arrest her.” That thought upset him. “We’d better hurry so we can beat him there.”

He tied up Mason, and the two men walked into The Griddle.

The door to the restaurant jingled loudly as it closed behind them. Smiling, Sara picked up her pot of coffee and two cups and led the two men to their favorite table.

* * *

Ella woke up and grabbed her dress off the back of the chair. Quickly putting on her stays and her dress, she pulled her hair back into a tight chignon and splashed water on her face.

She realized she was taking shortcuts getting dressed, but she didn’t have the luxury of having her own maid to help her dress these days.

She grabbed a towel and dried her face, hands, and arms. Picking up her small looking glass from the corner of her dresser, she stared at her reflection. My hair never looks shiny anymore, she thought wistfully. He is coming here today.

Admittedly, he was very pleasant to look at, and if that was all there was to it—looking at him—that would be one thing, but he was taking over her home. Her home.

She needed to get that man off her mind. What about a diversion? Yes, that was just what she wanted so she could think about other things she needed to do, like… well, like gather eggs.

“Lizzy, are you up here?” She walked out of her room onto the landing and looked around.

“Yes, ma’am. Here ah am.” Lizzy came out of Aiden’s room carrying a pile of clothing.

“Those men are coming today. They expect to stay here. I feel like I am in a bad dream.” Ella wrapped her arms around herself, her fingers tapping fiercely on her upper arms. “What do they expect to do for food? We just have a few animals and they are not going to be given over to the Union Army. And those are my horses!” Ella tamped down her rage. She needed to stop. Her chest was heaving, and she hadn’t even brushed her teeth. How had she forgotten to brush her teeth?

“I know this ain’t what you want to hear, but I suggest that we try to get on as normal as we can. Truth is, you been trying as hard as a body can, but you could use the help they gonna give us. And besides, there ain’t much we gonna be able to do ‘bout them coming.”

“Oh, Lizzy!” Tears of frustration brimmed in her eyes, and she brushed them away. “I know you are right about us needing help, but they are Yankees. I don’t want to have them here.”

“Miss Ella, best you get yourself together. They will be here this morning.”

“I’ll try. You are right, of course. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She took a deep, calming breath. “I’m taking Aiden with me this morning to gather eggs. It’s time he learned to help milk the cow. What do you think? Bo may enjoy that, too. That is if he doesn’t tear up the poor cow’s nerves.” She shook her head and smiled.

“Yes, ma’am. It’s a good idea.” Lizzy smiled. “We are doing the laundry this morning. If I can have your dress, Miss Ella, I will see if I can get some of that dust from it.”

“Oh drat! I left it folded across the end of my bed. Lizzie, I hate to ask you, but you mind grabbing it as you go past my room?”

Lizzy nodded and left, and Ella turned her attention back to Aiden. He made her smile—he and Bo. This child with his soft brown eyes and blond hair had stolen her heart the day he was born. It was up to her to make sure that his life was safe, that he had plenty to eat, and that he got a good education. Sometimes it felt overwhelming, but she couldn’t imagine her life without him. She would do what she had to in order to keep their home. Lizzy was right. She needed to try to keep her life as normal as she could.

Aiden is almost six, she realized with a start. Has that much time gone by since Mamma died? Her eyes misted. She sure missed her mamma.

She wished Nolan had stayed home. Aiden needed a man around here. If Nolan were here, she wouldn’t have this situation with the dang Union Army.

Well, maybe she wouldn’t.

She scowled. It could actually be worse.

Nolan was a colonel in the Confederate States Army. She might not see him until this awful occupation was over and he could come home. A colonel in the Confederate army couldn’t just show up in occupied territory. She shook her head in frustration. There was just so much here to do to keep things running. I really miss my brother.

“Aiden, time to get up, my little one! Let’s go. We have chores to do,” she said gently, as she shook his shoulders. She walked over to the windows and pulled open the curtains, letting the morning sunshine stream into the room. Aiden slowly rose as golden floppy ears emerged from under his covers.

“Aiden, we talked about Bo sleeping in the bed. We agreed that he could sleep in your room if you make him sleep in his own bed. That one.” Ella nodded towards the empty pallet on the floor next to the bed.

“But Ella... he was cold!” Aiden gave his puppy a hug and scooted out of the bed. He leaned over and began changing into the clean clothing that Lizzy had laid out for him. When his sister didn’t respond favorably, he sat back down and pulled on his black boots. “Come on, Bo. Time to work.” The little blond puppy pushed himself out from under the covers. He leaped off the bed, shook himself off and trotted over to where Aiden stood. The two of them looked up at Ella plaintively.

She grinned. These two made her laugh in the face of everything. Ella knew she couldn’t even fake being upset with her little brother. “Come on, Aiden—you and Bo. Let’s grab some grits and eggs, and head outside, hmmm?” She leaned over and gave them both a kiss on their heads. The puppy licked her hand, and she reached behind his ears and scratched them. The three made their way downstairs to the dining room.

“Who were those men yesterday?” Aiden peered up at his sister expectantly.

“I don’t remember seeing you when those gentlemen were here.” She put down the dishes she had lifted from the cabinet and looked down at her brother. “Where exactly have you and Bo been playing?”

“Well, first, you gotta promise you won’t get mad.”

“Where you have been playing on this plantation? You and I have talked about this, and you have boundaries, young man.”

“We were in the barn. Miss Kitty done had her babies. I was showing them to Bo.”

“Aiden! Dang it! Leave Miss Kitty alone. She doesn’t want Bo nosing around her babies, and I don’t want you in that barn by yourself.” Ella shuddered involuntarily. “I’ve done told you. Our Negroes are not all here with us, and it’s hard to be sure it’s safe everywhere. You must promise to stay by the house when you go outside. If you can’t find me, make sure you let Lizzy or know where you are. I want to keep you safe.” She glared at him, biting her lip to maintain her somber look. “One more time—do not go anywhere but around the porches or just around the house unless you go with someone. These are unsafe times.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m very sorry.” Aiden got up and hugged his sister around her waist, burying his head in her skirts.

Noise on the lawn got their attention, and they both ran to the window to look out. A soldier was hammering a board on their fence, fixing the broken posts.

“Tarnation! Wait here.” Pushing back from Aiden, Ella rushed from the room. Aiden and Bo followed in her wake.

As she approached the front door, knocking sounded from the other side. She was moving at a rapid speed, intending to grab the handle, but the knocking brought her to an abrupt halt.

Ella peered out the window. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she smoothed her skirts and her hair and opened the door.

“Why hello, Colonel Ross, Lieutenant Colonel Jameson. I see that you have started making yourself at home already.”

“How are you, Miss Whitford? And whom do we have here? Young man, what is your name?”

“My name is Aiden, suh.” Her little brother held his hand out to shake it. Bo lunged and barked, making it clear that the visitors weren’t welcome.

Colonel Ross shook the little hand and winked. He was such a cute little boy. “And what is the name of your puppy? He is a cute little fella, too!”

Bo wasn’t having any of it as long as Aiden was close to the stranger. He stood back, barking,

“His name’s Bo.” Aiden looked meaningfully at his pet. “It’s all right, Bo. I can tell. He’s not gonna hurt us.” Turning to the colonel, he asked, “You ain’t gonna hurt us, are you?”

He chuckled. “You do get right to the point. No, Aiden, Lieutenant Colonel Jameson and I are bringing our men here to begin setting up camp today. We plan to protect your property. There could be bad men out in the area that would hurt your family and we want to see that it doesn’t happen.”

Nodding towards the sounds of hammering, he added, “And we intend to fix up a few things, too, to make sure that we pay our keep.” He looked up at Ella and smiled.

Ella’s arms remained crossed. As if fighting any softening of her heart towards his charming manner, she pulled her arms closer. “Well, we should get this over with. Hopefully, we can come to a better agreement.” She looked pointedly towards the colonel. “I still don’t agree with your squatting here, but I’m determined to make this meeting go better than yesterday. After all, your men are already fixing our fence. I should be, well, I am grateful for that.” She punctuated her words and looked away from both men, giving her practiced response.

“Ma’am, we are not squatting.” Jackson’s expression was rigid.

She smiled tightly. “Let’s head on to the library. I believe that is the room you are most interested in, anyway.”

“But why they got interest in our library, Ella?” persisted Aiden, holding her hand. Bo followed Aiden and Ella into the library.

Ella squeezed his hand. “Manners, Aiden,” she admonished quietly. “Colonel Ross is here temporarily and temporarily will be using our library as his office. He feels we need protection. The rest of his men will be bivouacking. That is the right word, isn’t it, Colonel? It means camping on our land outside of our house while they watch over our property.” Not giving him a chance to respond, she continued, “It is my hope you mean to use the land area towards the back, Colonel. Would that be right?”

“Well, yes and no. A few men will have responsibilities on the front side, here, in order to properly cover the property. But men will be posted on all flanks… err… sides of your property. We’d like to take a look at the rest of the property, with your permission. Do you ride?” He tilted his head and nodded slightly, pointing their attention in the direction of their horses, which were visible from the window.

“Why, yes, I do. I suppose I could show you the land. But it’s been a while since I’ve ridden properly, I mean, well…” She hesitated. “I no longer have a riding habit. I have been using my brother’s old pants and shirt. They fit me, and that will have to serve.”

* * *

Jackson hadn’t fully decided where they would post their tents, past getting her acceptance and starting to fix the property as a goodwill gesture. He needed to see all the land. And he hated to sound tentative.

The animation in her face at the mention of riding gave him hope. She was doing her best to hide her enthusiasm. The thought of riding alongside excited him though. He didn’t plan to miss that opportunity.

“Let’s adjourn outside, Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel.” She cut into his thoughts. “That is if you have seen enough of the library. Aiden, you and Bo need to come with us, please. Stay where I can see you, love.”

The four of them had almost made it to the front door when Bo gave a piercing bark. Aiden stopped and looked at his pup. His face lit up with excitement. “Bo and me will play pirates outside, sista. We promise to stay close.” Before she could stop him, Aiden ran outside, and then hurried back to the doorway. “Don’t worry. I will shut the door.” He pushed the door shut, too hard. The vibration of the slamming door sent another large chunk of the unsecured plaster to the porch floor.

* * *

Watching the scene on the porch from the safety of overgrown shrubs and briar bushes about two hundred feet from the front door, Nolan grimaced.

What was going on here? He made it to the plantation the night before. Afraid that his appearance would frighten his sister and brother, he had waited for the light of the day. Now, there was this to contend with.

“Dang Yankees!” He recognized the Union officers. Why were they here? What was with the repairs going on? Who was paying for this? This was his land, and that was his sister.

Ella didn’t look pleased although it was hard to see much from this distance. He certainly could not hear a thing above the noise of hammering.

Aiden had shaken the colonel’s hand as if they were old friends. Stress mounted when the group went inside the house.

He felt strange. It was hot outside, being the beginning of the summer, so why was he feeling so cold? He knew he was hungry, but seeing his family was his priority.

He recalled the remnants of beef jerky stuffed in his pocket. It would do for now. As if objecting to his thoughts, his stomach rumbled so loudly he almost shushed it.

Nolan eyed the scattering of Yankee soldiers working in different areas on his property. It frustrated him. What the hell was going on? This didn’t look like it was going to end too soon. He needed to figure on another plan for the time being.

Two men were working on the porch, fixing the ceiling. They made their displeasure in repairing it a second time known.

“What happened there?” he muttered aloud to himself. Hammering from the side of the house redirected his attention. The shutters were being repaired. These men weren’t going anywhere for a while.

There would be no answers and no food right now. He would have to remain hidden until nightfall, or until the area cleared.

Nolan ducked back into the bush, not feeling well at all. Sitting quietly, he spotted the root cellar off to the side of the house. At least it would offer shelter and he could get better rested before he saw his siblings. There could be food in there, too. He just needed the right opportunity to make it there.

Confident that he was well hidden, he leaned back and drifted to sleep. A small ray of sun pushed through the brush, heating his face. More heat was something he didn’t really need at the moment. He had been cold, but now he was warm, very warm. Slowly, his eyes succumbed to the pressure to close.

* * *

“Bo, I seen something over here. Shhhh. It could be the pirates.” Moving his finger from his mouth, Aiden drew his sword, stepping forward with exaggerated moves. He clutched the small stick that was his sword tightly. The boy and his dog slowly approached the tall stand of grass and brush.

“Bo! This here is Captain Hook, his self! Looky here! He is a real pirate. Boots and all.” Using his sword Aiden nudged the grass open to get a closer look.

* * *

Nolan’s movement agitated a dog into a barking frenzy. Not sure of where he was, Nolan jerked awake and stared into the face of a wide-eyed and scared child with a barking dog. Of course, Aiden!

He might not remember him, Nolan realized with a start. Nolan sought first to quiet the dog and tried to grab him. Missing, he fell forward into the dirt. “Aiden, it’s me, Nolan… shhhh! Shhhh!” He spit dirt from his mouth. “Dang it, Aiden, can you hush up your dog?”

“Nol’n? My br-brudder Nol’n? No, my brudder is fighting the damn

Yankees.” Aiden pulled his shoulders back and pushed out his chest. Stepping forward, he reached for his puppy, trying to grab Bo and hold the sword up for protection at the same time. Bo was relentless. He continued his furious bark at the now moving mound of brush.

“Please, Aiden, please get your dog to be quiet. If I wasn’t your brother, how would I know your name?” 

Aiden peered closer at him. “Uhhh… well, you don’t look like Nol’n.” He tugged hard on his beard. “B… but you do know my name. But my brudder is away at his army job.” He reached up and scratched the back of his ear.

         Deciding to chance it, Aiden stepped up to retrieve Bo. “Bo. Shhh! Bo. It’s all right. Come on, boy.” The puppy at first resisted, but Aiden’s soft words of encouragement finally pulled his attention away from Nolan. He knocked Aiden down, licking his face.

“It’s good, boy. This here’s my brudder Nol’n. ‘Cept I don’t member him looking like this.” Suddenly, Aiden grinned. “If you are my brudder, then, who is my sister?”

Nolan barely had the energy to pull his face from the dirt and look at his little brother. “Ella is our sister, and you have been a fine young master while I have been gone. I can only be home for a little while, but this has to be our secret. Aiden, can we have a secret between brothers?”

“I’m a pirate. Bo here is a pirate, too. Pirates keep secrets good, Nol’n. But why can’t Ella know, too?”

“I will tell Ella, but not today. I’m not feeling too good. Can you help me hide until tomorrow—in the cellar, over there? I can’t let those men see me, or they will take me away for good. I will explain everything to you and Ella. But can you trust me?”

Aiden put his chubby little hands on his hips, pushed out his chest, and looked into his brother’s face. “I will help you, Nol’n. But how we gonna do it?”

“Well, first… keep a look out. I need help to get to the root cellar. Are those men gone?”

“Yea, well, Colonel Ross, he and the lieutenant colonel, they left a little while ago. But the other men, they are staying in the tents out back.” Aiden stepped close to Nolan, peering closer into his face, almost nose to nose. He lifted up his brother’s beard and looked underneath. “You smell bad, Nol’n. And why you got a beard?” He wrinkled his nose and covered it with the palm of his hand to keep from smelling him.

Nolan gently touched his brother’s cheek. The little dog, Bo, sat still watching both of them. Remarkably, no one had reacted to the barking dog. The continuous hammering must have camouflaged the noise.

It worried him a little that his brother could be outside and not be noticed. He would talk to Ella about that when he finally saw her. But right now, he needed to find a place to sleep. His body was failing him. “Aiden, can you help me get to the root cellar? I am going to stay there for a while, just to rest.”

“Sure, Nol’n, but we have your bed upstairs. That might be better.”

“No. Remember, Aiden, I cannot let these men see me. Trust me for now. Please. Just help me get to the root cellar. There is a bed in there.”

Satisfied that no one could see them, the three of them quickly made their way through the tall weeds and brush. When they got close enough, they bolted to the root cellar on the side of the house.

Opening the door, Nolan climbed down the steps. He paused at the top step and gave Aiden a small hug, conscious now of how bad he smelled.

“Remember, this is our secret. I will sleep here tonight. We’ll figure out something else tomorrow. You need to stay away from the cellar, so no one will see you. All right?”

Slowly nodding his head, the little boy straightened his shoulders. Nolan could see he was trying to look like the pirate he wanted to be. It was clear that Aiden didn’t understand why Ella couldn’t be told he was home. Causing his little brother pain hurt him.

“Come on, Bo. Let’s go.” The two of them ran together to the front porch, leaving Nolan staring after them. He closed the cellar door, latching it from inside.

Reaching along the wall, Nolan felt for the lamp they kept on a small shelf near the top of the steps. Grasping it, he turned up the wick and lifted off the top. Nolan took a match from his pocket and struck it on the underside of his boot. He lit the wick and replaced the globe. The light helped. He looked around and noticed that there wasn’t much food. His sister and brother didn’t appear to be starving, but the plantation looked as sparse as this cellar.

He wasn’t going to get a full stomach here. He noticed a barrel of apples that were being stored and grabbed up a couple. This would have to do. He had hoped for something different—more.

He lifted the lid off of a crate and pulled out some old blankets for the bare cot in the corner. Sleep would be welcome. He didn’t feel too well.