Free The Men of Pride County: The Rebel by Rosalyn West Page A

you think you can take that man’s word? He’s betrayed the very Union we fight to protect. What makes you believe he’ll risk his life for it now?”
    “He told me he would. And I choose to believe him until he gives me reason to believe otherwise.”
    “Colonel, you’re placing your men in danger, and your daughter as well.”
    Crowley’s features darkened. “You are out of line, sir. I have the utmost respect for Banning, as do his men for him. Please do not force this issue further or I will lose mine for you.”
    Dougherty immediately snapped to stiff attention. “I beg your pardon, sir. And I wish you a good evening.” He unbent slightly. “Thank you for the meal, Juliet.”
    Juliet nodded, but her silence gave Miles no excuse to linger.
    “Papa, he’s concerned for us all,” Juliet said when they were alone. “Haven’t you wondered if he’s right to worry? You know I do.”
    “No, Jules. I can’t afford to second-guess my decisions. Banning gave me his word—and I then gave him mine that he and his men would be treated with the respect due soldiers of our United States Army. I’ll not leg-shackle them like criminals and be suspicious of their every move. Miles is just—”
    “Just what?”
    Crowley sighed. “He’s jealous of an officer who outranks him and who he fears may surpass him in my favor.”
    “And would he be right?” She posed the question casually, as if she spoke only of rank and not of other areas of competition.
    “Miles Dougherty is a fine officer. I wish I had ten more like him.”
    “And Banning?”
    “If I had ten more like him, I could bring the hostiles to their knees.”
    And so answered her question of whom he favored.
    “Be careful, Papa.”
    “You think Banning would like me dead?”
    She looked uncomfortable but that didn’t curb her observation. It never did. “I’m saying he has every reason to wish it.”
    Crowley nodded. He wasn’t a careless or a foolish man. He had to know the danger of housing the enemy under their same roof. Caution and wisdom went hand in hand.
    “And you would be right.” He bent to kiss her cheek. “Good night, my dear. Try to put your fears aside for a good night’s sleep.”
    “Don’t worry,” she said wryly. “I don’t think Major Banning has any intention of sneaking into my room to slit my throat tonight.”
    She wouldn’t admit it, even to herself.
    What she feared was his ability to slip into her dreams to do worse.

Chapter 6
    The unmistakable sound of a gunshot echoing too loudly to have come from anywhere but inside the house woke Juliet from a restless dream of ice-blue eyes and tempting kisses.
    Papa!
    She rolled from bed and snatched her Navy Colt off the floor, checking the chambers as she raced into the front room. Experience had taught her to be ready for anything, and with her heart in her throat, she greeted whatever waited pistol barrel first.
    Her father was lifting himself up off the army-blanket rug. He, too, had pistol in hand. A quick assessment revealed a broken front window and no threatening assailant.
    “Papa, are you all right? What happened?”
    The colonel studied her for a long, silent moment, then managed a chagrined smile. About that time, Miles, Noble Banning, and the colonel’s aide crowded in through thefront door, each armed and alert. Their superior’s embarrassment increased as he included them all in the explanation.
    “I feel like a green fool,” he muttered. “I was cleaning my revolver, tripped on that damned rug, and threw a shot through the window.”
    Juliet rushed to embrace him, holding tight to control her own trembling as she scolded, “Papa, how could you be so careless? You nearly scared ten years off us.”
    “I’m sorry, daughter. Gentlemen, you may return to your rooms. Please assure the men that all is well and tell them to go back to sleep.”
    As the group of officers drew relieved breaths and her own frantic fears eased, Juliet’s attention was drawn to