***
The day moved like molasses in the winter. Ty chaffed at having to remain in bed while Sonja, staying distant since their talk, chopped wood outside. Chickens clucked while a rooster crowed his warning to any trespassers. At the window, a goat appeared. When he realized Ty watched him, he bumped the windowpane as if to say, "Where's my food?"
Getting up, Ty tried out his leg, managing to limp to the front door with a crust of dried bread in hand. When the goat spied him, he came running. Soon they were engaged in a game of tricks for a treat.
Drawn to the sound of wood being chopped, Ty found her hard at work. She labored without a break. Ty could see how hard she pushed herself. Slowly, he made his way to where she stacked wood. When she turned, he handed her a cup of water. "Soon, I'll be able to do that for you."
When she cut her eyes at him coupled with a dubious stare, he understood. The doubt in her expression didn't stop him from explaining further. "Helping is the least I can do after all you've done for me." His lips turned up into a crooked smile. "You saved my life. I owe you more than I'll ever be able to repay."
Sonja wiped the sweat from her brow before picking up the ax again. "You don't owe me anything, Lieutenant. I tried my best. Still, by some miracle, you survived." Her shrug spoke volumes. "It's as simple as that. Some live, some don't."
Ty understood her meaning. Reaching for her arm, he turned her and found her eyes. "That may be the case, but I pay my debts. I'll stay for as long as I can. A man pays his debts." Pausing, he recognized the irritation and pain in her face. "There now," he said as she tried to dislodge his grip. "I'm not a man to speak lightly of such a serious pledge." He held on. Her response would come.
Sonja nodded.
"I'll have a lot of work to do, but I promise, I'll do everything I can to help before I move on. Maybe I can even change your mind of me as a Rebel.
She looked down for a moment. "There's much to be done. You'll have your work cut out for you, Lieutenant. Are you up to the challenge?"
"I believe I am, Mrs. Brooks." Giving her a wry grin, Ty angled his head, tilted toward the barn. "Is there room in there where I can bunk?"
Sonja nodded.
"Well then, I'll get my things and be out of your way." With a two-fingered salute, he started back to the cottage.
"Wait." Her voice held flustered impatience. Shaking her head at him, she said, "The nights are still cold this early in the year. You can bunk by the fire in the front room if you like. I don't mind."
She started to turn back to the woodpile, but before she turned to leave, her features relaxed some. Inwardly he smiled. Perhaps he would win the day after all.
"All right, you have a deal." Rubbing the length of his thigh through the homespun trousers, he smiled. "I should be able to handle the chore by tomorrow, the next day at the latest. Leave the wood splitting for me."
She studied him coolly.
He winked. "I've had a good doctor." With a wicked grin, he turned before heading back the way he'd came. Whistling a mindless tune, Ty motioned the goat to follow. Retracing his steps to the front porch, he settled once more to rest his leg. Though strong, the leg had not healed completely. He didn't assume he'd been exaggerating about the progress he made. At the rate of healing he'd witnessed, he'd give the limb a day or two before he could get started on the work.
"All right, I'll leave the wood to you," she said after she trailed behind him to gather her garden basket. Positioning a straw bonnet over her golden curls, Sonja veered away from the house toward the path leading to the swamp.
From his perch on the porch, he examined her trim form as she walked the foot trail toward the garden. Her hair shining in the sun reminded him of spun gold. Hesitating a moment, Ty considered what he'd set into motion. Being a Rebel meant he had a duty to fulfill. Dallying with a woman wasn't part of his duty.
The widow Brooks was a fetching woman to be sure. He couldn't take his eyes off her until she disappeared into the undergrowth. She held herself in check while sharing only what she deemed necessary. The woman had secrets. Ty debated the challenge of discovering all her secrets. She would be worth the effort. After all, he'd promised to help out. Besides, a mysterious woman always proved interesting. He did find Sonja Brooks quite mysterious. With his curiosity peaked, Ty set about making plans.
He had some obstacles to overcome. One being the fact he remained the enemy. Another was the fact he had Indian blood, a half-breed. He could work with both. After all, he had a talent for waxing inventive when it came to wooing a woman. Sonja Brooks fascinated him. Oh, yes, he wanted nothing better than to get to know her on a very personal level.
He had not been completely honest with her about wanting to repay his debt. The reason for staying had been two-fold. As an officer in the Confederate Army, he had unfinished business. Discovering the real reason for the attack on his unit encompassed that business.
Though disguised as a supply detail, his mission had been to deliver much-needed weapons, mainly gunpowder to Jeb Stewart's army. They were planning to meet the Yankees in an area deemed the wildernesses. With plenty of time to consider the ambush of his detachment, Ty had concluded, spies had infiltrated their lines alerting the Yankees of their whereabouts. Ammunitions were like gold to both sides in the war. It was easy to surmise that the Yankees had taken them before setting the wagons ablaze. Confederate Gray could've been turncoats for the Union Army. Glancing back down the trail, Ty clinched his jaw tighter. What kind of cowards delivered such a message?
A red haze formed over his eyes. Retribution would be sweet. He'd enjoy taking his revenge on the ones responsible. The timing needed to be soon, he mused, but without a weapon to his name, he would have to bide his time. A fact-finding mission was in order. Ty got up and set off down the road.