Blood of Pioneers by Michelle Isenhoff

Author:Michelle Isenhoff
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Candle Star Press

Chapter 11

“Hannah, will you bring this package to Mr. Blankford? His son was badly wounded at Antietam, and he’s going down to visit the hospital. He offered to deliver it to your father for us.”

Mama had been busy for many evenings knitting warm socks, mufflers, and mittens for her soldiers. Today she packed them all into a pasteboard box along with a dozen apples and Pa’s favorite kind of cookies. “They might grow stale,” she admitted, “but they’ll be a sight better than beans and hardtack.”

The afternoon was mild so Hannah left Rounder home, navigating the planks to town with her own bare feet.

She liked Mr. Blankford. He was a pudgy, jolly fellow, a little older than Pa, with spreading laugh lines etched into the skin around his eyes. But today, as he opened the door, he looked more thoughtful than merry.

Hannah presented her package. “Mama said to tell you thank you very, very much.”

The lines deepened and he almost smiled, but not quite. “You tell her she’s very, very welcome. I’ll do my best to put it directly into Henry’s hands.”

“What if you can’t find him?” she asked. “What if his company is gone?”

“Then I’ll find out where and rustle up someone who can get it where it needs to go. Don’t worry, young lady. Your Pa will get it.”

She turned to go, then whirled impulsively and threw her arms around the man, planting a kiss on his weathered cheek. “Give him that for me too, would you?”

He did chuckle then. “That might carry more weight coming from you, but I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you, Mr. Blankford. I hope your son is all right.”

“Me too, lass.”

She moved quickly through town and was watching Mr. Lawson’s big tomcat dart around the corner of the Wayland House when Wes flagged her down from the long front porch. “Hannah!” Beside him stood his brother, home from the war, looking strong and recovered from his injury.

“Marcus!” she exclaimed, rushing to greet him. But as she drew near, she could see he didn’t return her enthusiasm. In fact, he little resembled the carefree young man she remembered. His face looked thin, and his skin stretched over it like a tarp tightened down over a loaded wagon.

“Marcus, how good to see you! You look wonderful.”

She faltered over that last word just a bit as the warm brown eyes that once sparkled with humor glowered down at her.

When he didn’t reply, she stumbled on. “I mean, you could use a few good meals. Seth says army food isn’t fit to choke a hog. But, really, you look fantastic! When Wes told me you’d been injured I thought—” She stopped in confusion, then shrugged. “It’s just good to see you home.”

Marcus turned slightly, and Hannah’s eyes landed on an empty sleeve pinned up to his elbow. Her smile crumbled.

“Still look fantastic?” he asked bitterly.

“Oh, Marcus!” she whispered.

Wes cut in. “I told him he should be proud of it. I would be.”

Marcus gave them a cynical smile. “It’s a matter of great pride when a man can no longer work.

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