Comes a Hero by Rita Hestand

Author:Rita Hestand [Hestand, Rita]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: civil war, comes a hero, hero, Romance, fort davis, indian war, pioneer women
ISBN: 9781370796755
Goodreads: 39281935
Publisher: Rita Hestand
Published: 2018-06-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The stark loneliness of the prairie led many of the soldiers bored and depressed. They had to devise their own way of enjoyment.

The men had built a theater some time ago and now even the Confederates indulged in play acting to entertain.

It was warming up now, but not hot. The sun came up early and rested in the west late. In the evenings it was very cool.

Fort Davis was famous for its mild weather. Other parts of Texas could be treacherous, from tornadoes in the spring, to drought in the summer, and ice in the winter.

Around the thirty-first of May, an old Apache Indian chief came to the fort. Chief Espejo was claiming to be over one hundred and six years old. He brought two elderly Indian women with him. The were colorfully dressed, and the chief wore all his feathers and beads. The old chief spoke fluent Spanish and when Captain McAllister got a translator they talked for some time. The old chief related about his past with the Spanish and the Comanche who controlled all the area east of the Pecos River. Chief Espejo said his people were no longer strong anymore.

Because he came peacefully, and related so many interesting stories, McAllister was pleased and prepared a great party for the old chief. Music was played by some of the soldiers, and there was dancing with the women. Fresh deer meat was cooked on a spit outside, and for once the women seemed to enjoy it.

Quirt asked Jennifer to dance and as he glided her over the floor, war was forgotten for a short while. In Quirt's arms she found comfort.

However, she didn't want to assume too much, as she still didn't know him well enough.

Lost in his arms for long lingering moments, she clutched his arm tightly, as he looked into her eyes. "Did you attend many dances back in New York."

It was small talk, but Jennifer didn't mind. "A few."

"I imagine they were in grand ballrooms though." He smiled.

"Some, yes."

"Tell me, is there someone waiting for your return back in New York? You've never said."

She stared into his eyes, "No, unless you count my father."

"Surely you had a crowd of beaus." He prompted.

"No, I didn't. As I'm sure you're aware, I was quite a tom-boy."

"That wouldn't discourage all men. Your young, beautiful, and well read."

"My mother is ill, and I have a younger brother who has been sick a lot. I took care of them mostly." She told him. "And I'm too tall, most men feel intimidated with a tall woman."

"No time, huh?"

"I have three older sisters, all of them married with children. I was the youngest."

"I'm sorry your folks are ill?"

"Yes."

"What happened?" He asked softly.

"She has a tumor, inoperable, and has had complications from it. My brother had scarlet fever as a child and had complication from that."

"I'm sorry."

"And you?"

"My parents are dead; my folks were butchered by the Comanches."

"Oh my, then why did you become a scout…of all things?"

He smiled wanly, "To find their killers.

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