Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia by Jessica James Read Free Book Online Page A

gray eyes she saw in her dreams, not
Colonel Delaney’s sparking blue ones.

Chapter
5
     
    “For if destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author.
    … We must live through all time, or die of suicide.”
    – Abraham Lincoln
     
    Andrea’s visit with her cousin was a pleasant
one, though it did not last long. Anxious to get back in the saddle after only
one day, she rode well into the night to return to J.J.’s camp. It seemed she
had no sooner laid her head down before Boonie was shaking her awake. She
stared drowsily at the rose-colored sky that revealed a new day had already
begun.
    “You gonna sleep all day, boy?”
    Andrea groaned. “Darn it, Boonie, I ain’t slept
but a few hours in the last week.”
    “Tell yer problems to Jordan. He wants to see
you.”
    Andrea closed her eyes and tried to remember
what she may have done to aggravate J.J. Unable to think of anything, she sat
up. “What for?”
    “Dunno and didn’t ask. I’m a soldier, not yer
mother.”
    Andrea hurried and dusted off her pants as best
she could. Maybe he had something to tell her about Richmond. Or maybe he had
changed his mind. She quickened her limping pace toward headquarters without a
backward glance.
    * * *
     “Sinclair.” J.J. frowned with anxiety when he
saw her. “This is Captain Warren. He’s here under orders to request you for
special service detail.”
    Andrea nodded in the direction of the officer
and then turned her attention back to J.J.
    “And I have told him I cannot allow it. You are
too valuable here.”
    J.J. knew if given the opportunity, Andrea would
seize it, and he would never be able to rein her in. There would always be
another assignment, each more dangerous than the last. When Andrea looked at
him with evident surprise at his response, he took satisfaction in the fact he
had avoided lighting her volatile temper. Had he just said “no,” he would have
had a fight on his hands.
    “General Whittington is asking a favor, not
giving an order,” the captain said to Andrea. “But he did say he wants you.”
    “He is not available.” J.J. sat down at a table
and began writing a dispatch, making it appear time was of the essence. “He
will be on his way forthwith to Centreville. For me.”
    The captain
stood for a moment and then, apparently realizing any further attempts would be
futile without a direct order, turned to leave. “As you wish, sir.”
    Andrea flopped down on the cot. “What do you
suppose that was all about?”
    J.J. did not bother to answer other than to
grunt something under his breath that suggested extreme annoyance.
    “I think I’m getting old, J.J.,” Andrea groaned.
She put her hand on her head and stretched out her legs. “Everything hurts.”
    J.J. stopped writing and looked up. “Does that
mean you’re ready to stop this foolish game?”
    Andrea sat straight up. “No.”
    “I thought not. I need you take a dispatch to
General Lawson.” J.J. tried not to appear nervous as he put the finishing
touches on the communication. “He’s in Centreville. Report directly back to me
with his response.”
    Andrea stood up and grabbed for the dispatch,
but he held onto it.
    “After you deliver the message, head back
through Hopewell Gap. I’ll be in the vicinity of Monroe’s Mill. Do you
understand?”
    Andrea nodded. “Yes, sir.”
    “It’s dangerous out there, Andrea. This area is
not all behind our lines.”
    Andrea gazed at him as if he had told her
nothing more significant than that it might rain, then stood and saluted him.
“Yes, sir!”
    J.J. frowned
at her theatrics. “Come here. Give me a hug. How’s the ankle?”
    “Oh, it’s fine,” Andrea said. “And don’t worry,
I’ll be careful.”
    J.J. sighed
loudly at her futile attempt to hide her limp and the offhand way she spoke.
She made the pledge to use caution with little reflection, and knowing Andrea,
she would violate it with as little hesitation.
    “I’ll see you
at Monroe’s Mill.” He