You Belong to My Heart by Ryan Nan

Author:Ryan, Nan [Ryan, Nan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781480467415
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2014-02-04T00:00:00+00:00

22

MARY ELLEN NOW HAD a new worry, that the Yankees might occupy Longwood. The prospect of such an occurrence filled her with dread.

Days passed, and she held her breath each time she saw a blue-jacketed man near her home. Many of the city’s mansions had been swiftly taken over by the occupying forces. Mary Ellen was terrified that they would move in and destroy her beloved home.

A full week went by, and Mary Ellen began to breathe a little easier. She told herself there was an abundance of large, comfortable houses in Memphis; maybe the hated conquerors would have no need of hers. Thank heaven. She could think of nothing worse than seeing those arrogant, blue-uniformed Yankees lounging around on the rosewood furniture in her parlor!

Mary Ellen hated the sight of them filling the city streets; hated passing by them on her way to the hospital each morning; hated the lecherous looks they cast her way.

Even when there was not a single Union sailor or soldier in sight, there were times when—for no logical reason—she felt the wispy hair at the nape of her neck rise, as if one of the Yankees had his eyes on her.

As if he were following her. Examining her. Watching her.

Abruptly she’d stop and look around anxiously, expecting to catch some blue-uniformed sailor or soldier staring insolently at her. But she’d see no one. She assumed it was her raw nerves getting the best of her. She was so edgy, she was imagining things.

Finally Mary Ellen began to relax a little. A couple of weeks went by with no Yankees setting foot on Longwood’s overgrown grounds. Apparently she was being spared. She didn’t know why, but whatever the reason she was grateful and relieved.

The despised Yankees continued to cast longing glances her way when she walked to and from the hospital, but none had really bothered her. For a host of reasons she continued to have trouble sleeping, but her sense of security had partially returned.

Still, she knew very well it was unsafe for a woman to be out alone after dark in the Union-occupied city, and she hadn’t dared tempt fate.

Until one sweltering hot June evening when she could stand the heat and the loneliness no longer. She recklessly left the safety of Longwood, wandered down to the river, and encountered the naked naval Captain.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.