Heart of a Hero (H.O.C. #3)

Chapter 6

1882

Fort Riley Kansas

David Harmon arrived at dusk: Sweaty, dirty, hungry, tired, and missing his wife. The contingency consisted of six riders on a mission that would last until they were told it was complete. Then they’d be able to go back to Hays.

Weapons. They would be pulling a wagon full of weapons, thus extending their travel time significantly. What had started out as a ten-day long exercise had just doubled, if not tripled. He groaned inwardly at the thought of Lottie being alone all that time.

When Bradford had told David of his wife’s family, David almost punched the man. The woman would be unbearably difficult to Lottie. David was sure of it. Once Bradford knew of Lottie, he was sure his wife would refuse to stay with her, much less keep her company. David shook his head thinking of it now. At least Lottie would have Mrs. Dudley to break up the monotony for most of the time he was away.

Then there was Sergeant Titus Kirby. At the first, he and David had not been friendly with one another; especially when David wed Lottie. The Sergeant had been adamant that races shouldn’t mix and that she belonged with a Buffalo soldier like himself. David ignored it all until one day it had come down to the two of them all but fighting for the man to realize David loved Lottie more than he’d ever loved anyone. That’s when Sergeant Kirby had offered to watch after Lottie while David was away. 

David still had his doubts, as Sergeant Kirby was rather new to the Fort. The man swore he was honorable, and he must have been to rise to his rank at the young age of twenty-five. He was from a well-to-do family up North and had more money than most. His family was rare and insisted he make his own way instead of relying on their wealth. He would gain his inheritance when he turned thirty. David prayed he was right about Titus Kirby; that he would watch after Lottie. David followed that prayer with one that this mission wouldn’t be as long as initial thought. He wanted to be back at Hays to protect his wife and not have to depend on others to take up the slack in his absence.

“Harmon. Quit daydreaming about your wife and get along. We have much to do and we’re losing daylight. The supply wagon is mostly loaded. The sooner we have it ready, the faster we get back.” Greisen hollered, pulling him out of his fog of thoughts with a slight laugh. The thought briefly crossed his mind: Why hadn't they just retrieved the weapons by train? It was not his job to question; only to obey.

“Yes, Sergeant.” David tapped his horse in the side with his spurs and soon was caught up to the other riders.

*****

Fort Hays

Dark clouds were closing in rather quickly as Lottie started a fire in the hearth. She picked up her Bible and started reading to chase the gloom away, but found concentration the more difficult task. She wondered how David was doing and if he’d made it to Fort Riley. He’d been gone five days but it seemed he’d been gone much longer. She had totally missed the opportunity to stop by the wire office in Hays to see if she had any news from her Cavalryman, or mail from anyone else.

Mamie. Lottie could see her gray hair and blue eyes. She missed the woman who had become like a mother to her and Sally when they’d moved to Erie. Mamie would tell Lottie to pick her lip up off the floor, fix her hair, straighten her dress, and get on with living. She would say that David would be home sooner if Lottie were busier, and that the Lord held him close while he was away.

Lottie decided to catch up on her letters. She owed one to Mrs. Banks, another to Sally who faithfully sent letters even with two babes and one on the way. And she wanted to send Corinne Wilkinson a note as well. She hadn’t been in touch as often as she should with the lady who was really responsible for Lottie’s life being the way it was.