His Civil War Bride by Christine Sterling

Author:Christine Sterling [Sterling, Christine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-03T06:00:00+00:00

“Ladies, please forgive me, but I need to take my leave.” He pulled out his watch from his pocket. “In fact, I need to get back to the camp right now. We have a group of men shipping out tomorrow and I need to make sure that everything is set for them to leave.”

Peyton looked at Mason. She could see the circles under his eyes from lack of sleep. “Don’t you ever rest?” Peyton asked him.

“Not much right now. It doesn’t help that my quarters and office are the same room. I should be able to rest in a few weeks.”

Suddenly a blond streak came running by. Mason reached out his arm to calm the boy. “I am ready to go. Have you eaten yet?”

Pup shook his head. “I guess I’ll just eat later, if you are ready to go.”

“Is this your son?” Mrs. Fuller asked.

“My Pa’s dead,” the boy said. “My Ma, too.”

Mrs. Fuller’s eyes flashed from the boy to Mason. “Are you taking care of him?”

“Just until he is twelve.”

“What happens then?” Peyton wondered.

“I get to join my brother’s unit and play the drum.”

Mrs. Harris gasped. “You mean to tell me, that you will be sending this young man to the war?”

Peyton felt ill, looking at the round face of the child in front of her. She couldn’t believe that he was eleven. He looked no more than nine. This poor boy wouldn’t stand a chance in a battle. He was just a child.

“The Army will, ma’am. Not me.” He placed his hand on Pup’s shoulder. “Let’s get going, Pup,” he said.

Peyton quickly stood. “May Pup stay and eat? I can escort him back over as soon as he is done.”

Mason thought for a moment, then nodded. “That would be acceptable.” He turned to the young boy. “I want you to get your meal and return to the stable, do you understand?”

“Yes, sir,” the boy said with a shout as he grabbed Peyton’s hand and jogged towards the table.

Peyton glanced over her shoulder. She could see Mason watching as Pup chatted happily, pulling her along. Her mother said something, and Mason nodded, leaning down to speak to her.

When Mason stood, he gave Peyton a wave before walking back towards the camp.

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