The Raging Hearts: The Coltrane Saga, Book 2 by Patricia Hagan Read Free Book Online Page A

hero. Miss Wright was that man’s betrothed. I killed him. The story has spread, and that’s why the good citizens were wanting to drag both of us to the ground and kill us.”
    “Whew!” He let out his breath. “Well, the best thing for both of you is to get off the streets for a while and let things cool down.”
    Travis told him where he was taking Kitty, and the officer nodded and said they should proceed immediately. As they rode away, Kitty said, “Go ahead and say that you told me so.”
    “I don’t have to. But maybe now you can understand why I say you have to leave here, Kitty. These people hate you, and right now, with feelings running so high, I don’t think they would blink an eye at hanging you if they got the chance.”
    She chewed her lower lip thoughtfully. It would not be that way later, she told herself, not after everything calmed down. People were just upset at the moment. After all, the Yankees were riding into their town, and it had to be a very emotional time. After four long, bloody years, the war was coming to a close, and the South was beaten.
    No, the time was not right but wounds would heal later. They had to. This was home.
    They reached the hospital. Travis dismounted, then gently reached for Kitty, setting her upon the ground. She looked about her, Travis’s arms still holding her. How long since she had left to go to Bentonville? Five days. It seemed like forever. Yet nothing had changed. The dogwood trees that lined the street were struggling to burst into bloom. There was silence. A few people walked along, heads bowed in desolation, footsteps plodded doggedly on.
    A scream pierced the air, and both Kitty and Travis turned their gaze to the hospital. “I must go in now,” she whispered against his chest as he pulled her closer. “They need all the help they can get.”
    He cupped her chin in his hand, raising her face upward. “Kitty, I’ll be close by should you need me, and I will try to get by and see you. I want you to promise me that you will consider going with me when I leave. You saw how these people feel about you. There is no life, no future for you here. Come with me, and we’ll make a future together. You know you have my whole heart.”
    “And you have mine,” her voice cracked. She fought to hold back the tears. She had to find words. “Please understand me, Travis. I would marry you any time you wish, but I cannot leave my father’s land.”
    “I ask only that you think about leaving with me.”
    “And I ask that you think about staying with me.”
    They embraced once more, then Kitty tore herself from his arms and ran up the path to the hospital. She did not look back.

Chapter Four
    Dr. W. A. Holt, medical officer for the way hospital in Goldsboro, had just finished amputating the right leg of a Union soldier when someone stopped to tell him that Kitty Wright had returned to the hospital. Wiping bloodied hands on his already stained apron, he moved out to the crowded hallway, maneuvering about the stretchers.
    Kitty was already kneeling beside a soldier, trying to comfort him. “Thank God you are back,” Dr. Holt greeted her, and she glanced up, then rose. He took hold of her arm and steered her on down the hallway to a corner where there were no stretchers. Compassion in his eyes, he said in a soft voice, “Kitty, I heard about your father. I know he was fighting for the North, but I also know how much he meant to you. I’m very sorry.”
    “What else did you hear, Dr. Holt?”
    He looked away momentarily, then quickly said, “I am glad you’re back, Kitty. We really have our hands full now, what with wounded coming in from both sides, and—”
    “Dr. Holt,” Kitty interrupted him without apology. “I have to know what you heard about my father’s death. Do you see this mud upon my cheek? There was a near riot when I rode into town, thanks to Nancy Warren’s inciting a mob, screaming about Nathan being killed by my ‘Yankee