Sabrina's Man by Gilbert Morris Read Free Book Online Page B

years old. You’re too old to be a soldier.”
    â€œWell, I got to go, Liz. That’s all there is to it.”
    The scene disturbed Waco, and he shook his head in despair. “That old man doesn’t need to leave his grandson and his wife.”
    â€œNo, it’s not right, but it’s the way it is.”
    Ten minutes later, a very young lieutenant with rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes and dressed in a new Confederate uniform appeared. He shouted out as if everyone were deaf, “I’m Lieutenant Burl Gibson. When I call your name, sing out.” He began calling out names.
    When he called out Waco Smith, Waco raised his voice: “Here, Lieutenant.”
    The officer called out several more names, and then he called, “Charles Abbott.” The lieutenant waited. “Charles Abbott, are you here?”
    There was no answer, and one of the men said with a wry smile, “He lit out last night, Lieutenant, headed for the West Coast, I guess.”
    Lieutenant Gibson turned rosy, blushing furiously. “He’ll be sorry when we catch up with him.”
    An older man, obviously seeing a younger son off, said, “You ain’t gonna catch Charlie, Lieutenant. He’s going all the way to the West Coast, sign on a clipper ship, and get down to the South Sea Islands. I wish I was going with him.”
    Gibson stared furiously at the older man, completed the roll call, and said, “You men stay where you are. The train will be here any minute.”
    He had no sooner spoken than Alice came, almost out of breath. She was holding a fairly large box. “I fixed you something to eat on the train, Waco.”
    Waco took the box and said, “Feels heavy. What you got in here?”
    â€œCake and sandwiches and pickles. Everything I could get in there.”
    â€œThanks, Alice. That’ll come in handy, I’m sure.”
    Alice looked around, her eyes falling on the older couple, and then she burst out, “I hate this war! I hate everything about it!”
    â€œI reckon we all do, Alice.”
    â€œGrant wouldn’t let this bunch in his army,” she said.
    â€œNo,” Waco said, “but Lee has to use what the South has got. This is it.”
    â€œYou know the best of the men went off in the first excitement,” Will said thoughtfully.
    â€œThat’s right. Most of them got killed. I was in that bunch. We were all excited. Thought we’d be home before Christmas. Pretty soon it’ll be the fifth Christmas.”
    They stood there talking awkwardly as none of them knew exactly what to say. Finally Waco lifted his head. “There it comes. I heard the whistle.”
    They stood waiting, and everybody watched as the old wood burner pulled onto the narrow-gauge rails. It huffed and puffed and let loose a tremendous blast of steam and the wheels made a grating noise as it came to a stop.
    Lieutenant Gibson shouted, “You men get on those flat cars!”
    Alice threw her arms around Waco and pulled his head down. Her lips were desperate, it seemed to him, and he held her close, aware of the soft contours of her figure.
    When he lifted his head, he whispered, “I’ve got to go.”
    She said, “Be careful! Oh, be careful, Waco!”
    â€œSure.” He turned around and put his hand out, but Will ignored it and put his arms around him and hugged Waco. He had to reach up, of course, as Waco was so tall. “Take care of yourself, partner,” he said huskily. “Don’t worry about this. I’ll take care of everything. You get home. You’ll be a rich man. You’ll have your wedding, and things will be good.”
    â€œThanks, Will. I know I can count on you.”
    Waco moved to one of the flat cars, noting that the riding stock was filled already. He clambered on board and sat down and heard his name called. He turned around and saw a young man with bright blue eyes and a cowlick in his red hair.