The Fires of Faith by Mimi Milan

Author:Mimi Milan [Milan, Mimi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mimi Milan

Chapter 8

“You Johnson boys have to be two of the worst candidates for the army.”

“Aw, now don’t go saying that. We was only having a little fun.” As usual, the whine in Will’s voice immediately pinpointed him as the younger brother – even though it was only by a couple of minutes that Wayne was the older sibling. Twin brothers from the backwoods of North Carolina, it could be hard for anyone to differentiate the boys from one another if they didn’t know what to look for. For example, Wayne had a small, flat birthmark on the side of his neck about the size of a Buffalo nickel. That was the first thing Gabe noticed when they had enlisted and he did their physical checkup. Also, Will had one leg slightly shorter than the other. It probably would have been something to keep him out of the army, but Gabe had vouched for him on the promise that Wayne would take full responsibility of his younger while out on the fields. The way Gabe figured it anyhow, the war was due to be over soon. So, the boys were sure to miss out on any real action. Why not let them return to their small Carolina town as heroes? Then maybe they would finally find a lady to their liking. Rather, the women might come to fancy them!

Gabe finished wrapping Will’s hand. “You weren’t only having a little fun. You were having a lot of drink! Now didn’t I say to stay out of trouble while I’m away? I can’t be running out to the fort and the only one who should be visiting me here in town is Preacher Man. Speaking of which… Where is Eli?”

“We convinced him to let us pick up the report since Will needed a medic anyway.”

“Wayne, I’m not supposed to report to anyone except Eli. Did he give you something to indicate that I could pass the information on to you two?”

Wayne looked indignant? “Are you trying to say you can trust a Buffalo soldier better than one of your own boys?”

Gabe didn’t see the point in trying to explain that he really wasn’t “one of the boys” in the sense that the Johnson brothers were accustomed to. He only looked white. However, he was anything but with two parents born and raised Mexican. Truth be told, chances were that he was just as much or more related to someone like Eli. Again, he saw no benefit in relating such information. He squared his shoulders, determined to not get steamrolled.

“Did you bring a token or not?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Wayne reached into his pocket and pulled out a round wood chip that the boys passed along to one another to signal they were dealing on friendly terms. Gabe flipped the coin over in his hands and read Eli’s initials.

J.F.

“Alright. You both are clear,” Gabe said and explained the past Sunday’s dealings with Belmonte.

Will rubbed the back of his neck with his good hand. “I don’t know how much the lieutenant’s gonna like your report.

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