Free Billy Green Saves the Day by Ben Guyatt Page A

you?” she asked, holding his hand close against her face.
    Foote leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be back in the morning. I’m just going to give these things to our army and find out what their plans are. You stay inside until I get back.”
    â€œI might not be here.”
    Foote was unsure for a moment, then laughed. “Sarah Foote, you should have been in the theatre.”
    â€œWhy don’t you marry again?”
    Confused by the question, Foote frowned. “Why did you ask me that?”
    â€œBecause I think your heart would soften. You need a woman to love, to make you forget, to help you move on.”
    â€œYour mother was the only woman I’ll ever love. Ever.”
    â€œBut if you met someone, you might not care as much about this war. Things could be different and better for you ... for all of us. And maybe you might like Billy.”
    Foote fought to keep his temper in check. “Some wounds never heal, Sarah. Billy and his kind don’t belong with us.”
    â€œWhy are they so different? They’re only fighting for what they believe in just like you. We’re more the same than anything.”
    â€œAmericans will always fight because we’re always right!” he shouted.
    â€œAre you listening to yourself? Do you know how arrogant that is? Some folks back home think President Madison made a mistake. A lot of Americans don’t think like you do. They hate war and always will.”
    Foote shook his head. “Those Americans are wrong and not patriots. Billy has done this to you, hasn’t he? He’s poisoned your mind so that you can’t see things clearly.”
    â€œThe only thing I see is an angry man so full of hate I don’t even know him anymore.” She turned toward the house.
    â€œOne day you’ll understand, Sarah. Until then it’s my duty to make sure you’re protected from the wrong kind of thinking.” He jerked the reins.
    The team of horses pulled away as Sarah watched, a solitary tear rolling down her cheek. “Goodbye, Father,” she whispered.
    A bead of sweat rolled down Adam Green’s nose as he struggled to heave a sack of flour over his shoulder. He carried it to a wagon where he stacked it with some others as Billy stormed into the barn and collapsed onto a bale of hay, completely breathless. “Where have you been all day?” Adam asked. “I need some help filling this order.”
    â€œThe Americans ... they’re here,” Billy gasped.
    Adam stopped working. “What?”
    Billy fanned himself with his hat. “Levi and I saw them. The Yankees have taken over the whole town.”
    Adam stared at his son, then realized Billy was telling the truth. “We’d better pack some food and hide in the woods. You get the team ready.” He started to leave the barn.
    â€œNo! I have to tell Keziah and Isaac. I just came here to warn you.” Billy poured some nearby water over his hot neck. “I knew you were going to town to make a delivery.”
    Adam reached for his musket. “Then I’ll go with you.”
    Billy took the weapon from his father. “No, I’ll do it alone. I don’t want you to get hurt. You did your part during the revolution. Now let me do mine.”
    â€œWe’re not going to argue about this. Give me the gun.”
    Billy stepped back and held the musket firmly. “Listen to me for once, please.”
    Adam inched closer. “Give me the gun, boy!”
    â€œI’m not a boy. I’m almost a man. I know what I’m doing and I’m doing it alone.” Billy backed away. “Let me prove to you I’m a man, or I swear this is the last time you’ll see me.”
    Adam smiled, sensing further debate was futile.
    â€œYou’re as stubborn as your mother ever was. If I let you do this and they catch you, this could be the last time I see you, anyway.”
    â€œMaybe, but at