The Lieutenant's Promise by Aileen Fish Read Free Book Online Page A

certain Tom would appreciate your assistance, Lieutenant. We’ve had a bad infestation of worms on the tomatoes this year, so you’ll need to deal with those while you weed.”
    Levi put his hat back on. “Should you make the trip alone?”
    She sighed. “I do so several times a week during harvest. It’s perfectly safe.”
    “It was safe before they ran the governor out of Jeff City, but times are different now. You know this as well as I do. I should accompany you, at least during the time we’re staying here.”
    “It’s really not necessary.”
    “It’s part of the reason we are here. Not necessarily the safety of your family, but to keep an eye out. Delivering crops into town is the perfect excuse for observing what’s happening in the area.”
    Maggie grinned at Em and wrinkled her nose again, then hopped to her feet. “I’ll go put Harvey down for his nap now.”
    She’d better hurry off. If it weren’t for Levi being there, Em would have given her a sound scolding.
    ~*~
    Rocking side-to-side with the rumbling wagon on the rutted road, Levi couldn’t understand why Em could seem so friendly one moment, and so standoffish the next. She couldn’t object to having help on the farm. That meant she must dislike him, personally.
    That suited him. He didn’t need anyone pining after him when he went into battle. Bad enough his mother and sisters were so afraid of him being killed. Em could save her worries for her brother.
    He needed to pay attention to the reason he was in Wilson Creek. “Who’s the proprietor of the general store?”
    “Mr. and Mrs. Harris own it.”
    “Are they sympathetic with the southern states?”
    She shrugged. “They never speak of it one way or the other. How can they? They can’t afford to lose the business of any of the families.”
    “Everyone has an opinion, whether they say so or not. Watch their eyes, their mannerisms when the subject comes up. You said Mrs. Dutton discussed her sons while she was in the store.”
    “Yes, with Mrs. Harris.”
    “And how did Mrs. Harris react?”
    “I wasn’t watching her for reaction. Her voice stayed as even as if they discussed what flower bulbs to plant in the fall.”
    From the tone of her voice, Em was obviously still upset with him. She remained quiet the entire ride into town. She did give directions to the general store, and hopped down from the wagon before he could assist her.
    When she unlatched the tailgate and reached for a bushel, he crowded her aside. “Please let me. What will your neighbors think if I let you carry these?”
    Hands on her hips, she glared. “Maybe they’ll think we want to get the wagon unloaded and home before dark?”
    “In that case, you go inside and conduct your business while I unload and we’ll be finished in no time.” He didn’t look to see if she rolled her eyes, or opened her mouth to argue, but lifted the bushel and walked away.
    Em followed him inside. “I brought potatoes again, Mr. Harris.”
    “Excellent, Miss Gilmore. I’ll be right with you.”
    Pointing toward an open doorway in the back, Em showed Levi where to set the bushels. Within a few minutes, he had them all inside. He wandered about the small store while he waited. He was disappointed there were no other customers, but that would make his job too easy. When he’d circled the space, he ended up beside Em at the counter.
    Mr. Harris looked up. “Well, now, Miss Gilmore, I don’t believe I’ve met your friend.”
    “He’s my cousin—”
    “I’m her beau‑” Levi said simultaneously without thinking. He bit his tongue as soon as he heard his words.
    Em’s expression shot arrows of anger at him. She turned back to Mr. Harris. “Lieu‑Levi Lucas is my mother’s cousin from St. Louis. We…met a few years back and have been corresponding since.”
    Mr. Harris lit up. “I see. Are we to expect a wedding soon?”
    “No!” Em clenched her fists at her sides.
    “We’ve agreed to wait until Tom comes