Loving Lydia: Rescued Hearts of the Civil War ~ Book 2 by Pope Sloan Susan

Author:Pope Sloan, Susan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wild Heart Books
Published: 2023-12-04T00:00:00+00:00

Thursday, January 26, 1865

Camp Chase, Ohio

Seth took a roundabout route to the doctor’s office and slipped in without knocking, nodding to Evan and Troy as he closed the door. Evan poured coffee into three cups on his desk. Troy leaned his rifle against the far wall.

“I’d say it looks like snow clouds out there,” Seth said. “You’d best build up that fire.” He stalked to the fireplace to warm his gloveless hands. Turning to Troy, he speared the younger man with a pointed look. “You have news we need to hear?”

“I reckon you might want to hear about it before you go trying to skedaddle back to Kentucky and get yourself killed. I was cleaning up near the commander’s office and overheard him discussing his recent orders. General Grant plans to start releasing prisoners again as early as next week.”

Seth glanced at Evan. “He’s sure the Federals have all but won the war, then.”

“The Union’s locked down all but Virginia,” Evan said. “It’s just a matter of time before Richmond falls as well. The South is out of food and low on men to put on the front lines. In this weather, sickness kills as many as the enemy does, on both sides.” He leaned against his desk and crossed his arms. His posture spoke of bone-deep weariness.

Seth turned to Troy. “So, when do you expect this to affect us here?”

Troy grinned. “What you really want to ask is how soon can you get on your way to Louisville, right?”

A lift of hands, palms up, acknowledged the truth of those words. “And what about you? Will the Army let you take a furlough and head that way?”

“I have a plan. It might work, and it might not, but it’s worth a try.” Troy’s grin was beginning to irritate Seth, but he clamped his mouth shut.

Evan joined them at the fireplace, keeping his voice low. “With another doctor here and finally well enough to tend to things, I won’t be needed as much. Knowing they’ll be releasing a good number of prisoners, perhaps General Richardson can be convinced to let me go in the first wave. Troy’s going to ask to accompany us to Kentucky to be sure you”—he poked Seth in the chest—“my half-crazed patient, will stay in line and not attack anyone along the way.”

Seth ran shaky fingers across his chin. Conditions in the camp were wearing him down, especially since he knew Manny could slip away from him, again. “I’m willing to go along with you. Tell me what I need to do.”

Evan draped his arm across Seth’s shoulders. “Nothing, my friend, except be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. And don’t get into any trouble before we leave.”

“Who, me?” Seth laid a hand across his chest. “I’ve been a model of good behavior, I’ll have you know.”

Evan snorted, and Troy laughed outright, clapping Seth on the shoulder. “As much as I hate to admit it, your reputation may work to our advantage here. The commander’s been expecting you to go on a tear ever since you arrived.

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