My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, Texas by Vetsch Erica;

Author:Vetsch, Erica; [Vetsch, Erica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 4764797
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2017-08-14T04:00:00+00:00

I don’t know how you can be so cheerful. You’re living in a hallway.” Priscilla edged around the corner of the bed to sit at Fern’s tiny table. Only a thin curtain blocked off the Dunn’s living space from the rest of the officers’ quarters. “And one man still has to walk through it to get to his room. You’d think the army could at least provide adequate quarters for their officers, especially the ones with families.”

Fern laughed. “I guess the army has a different idea of what the word adequate means. We won’t be stuck here for long anyway. When Major Crane’s transfer is approved, there will be another shuffle, and we’ll have our own room again. Harry said we could either camp here in the hallway for a while, or we could use one of the Sibley tents. If this doesn’t work out, we can still opt for the tent.”

“Is Major Crane transferring?” Priscilla sipped her tea. “I hope wherever it is, Mrs. Crane is happy, because she’s clearly not happy here. She never seems to have anything nice to say. I’ve never met such a sour woman who delighted in spreading her vinegar so much.”

“Harry says she is still bitter because her brother-in-law was killed by Indians almost a year ago. Major Crane was on the patrol that found him, riddled with arrows. Somewhere northwest of here.

He was stationed over in New Mexico, and Apaches got him.”

Priscilla bit her lower lip, ashamed of herself. “I didn’t know. How horrible for them. No wonder they’re so nasty about the Indians. When we visited the Kickapoo camp, you could almost feel the hatred and fear coming off Mrs. Crane in waves. I’m surprised she went at all.”

“Harry was surprised, too. Whenever I’m around Mrs. Crane, I remind myself of her loss. Otherwise, I’m afraid I would say something … uncharitable.” Fern lowered her voice when she made that admission.

“Oh, Fern, you’re a better woman that I am. I’m afraid I would say something way beyond uncharitable. It might even be downright rude. And I don’t think I would be as cheerful as you are about existing in this cramped hallway, temporary or not. Though given the choice, I’d have opted for here over a tent, too.” She shivered. “I can’t imagine making a home in one of them.”

Fern nodded over her teacup. “I know, though I guess I could if I had to. I mean, as long as I have Harry, I can live anywhere.”

A knock sounded on the hallway wall beyond the curtain. “Missus Dunn? Miz Hutchens?”

Fern reached out and opened the curtain, the metal curtain rings clacking together. “Yes? Samson. Come in.”

He swept his hat from his head. “Ma’am, Major Ryder sent me to fetch Miss Hutchens, and he asks if you can watch the twins. Miz Dugan has started her laboring, and the major would like Miss Hutchens to he’p him with the delivery.”

“Me?” Priscilla’s cup rattled in the saucer. “I’ve never helped with a childbirth before in my life.

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