Free The Rebel Spy by April London Page A

train with her brother. Take the next train home to Boston. I’m sure your mother is eager to have you home.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “I’ve signed the order to disband your regiment, effective immediately.” Grant went on. “My assistant is taking care of the payroll now.”
    “You’ve announced the disbandment to my men?”
    “Yes.” Grant nodded. “Right after I told them about President Lincoln’s assassination.”
    “What?” James’s heart plummeted. He bowed his head. He’d met Lincoln once just after the start of the war. “No, that can’t be.”
    “Shot in the head at the theater on Friday eve.” Grant sighed. The two men shared a moment of silence. “Several of your men have already started to make their way to the train station in Lynchburg. They are eager to depart for home.”
    “Thank you, sir.”
    Grant moved past James toward the tent flap.
    “James, when I made you responsible for the woman…” General Grant chuckled. “I didn’t mean for you to take her to bed.” The general pushed the flap aside and stopped again. “But, that Mrs. Moody, she’s got backbone. I hope when you leave her at the train station it’s on good terms.”
    ****
    Tamsyn paced in front of the fire. Her fingers twisted in front of her. Elizabeth had long since fallen asleep and lay twisted in the blankets on the bed. Davis disappeared with the rifle onto the porch after a meager supper. Knowles declined their invitation to join them for the meal and she knew the soldier paced somewhere on the property.
    Deep voices from outside stopped her in her tracks. She moved toward the door. Relief washed over her when she recognized James’s deep baritone talking to her brother. She grabbed her thick shawl from the wooden hook and opened the door.
    “Tam,” Davis sounded angry. “General Steele was just giving me some interesting news.”
    She stepped onto the porch. “What is it?” She closed the door behind her, pulled the shawl around her shoulders and crossed her arms.
    “My regiment has been disbanded.” James remained on the bottom step.
    She could feel his gaze on her even in the dark and fought the urge to close the gap between them.
    “Go on,” Davis demanded.
    “I need to get Davis on the first train out of Virginia.” James paused. “Some of my men aren’t happy with me. I’m afraid they may try to take it out on one of you.”
    She knew which men he referred to and shivered. She’d told Davis about the men at the creek in a roundabout way.
    “Davis, that’s wonderful news.” She touched his shoulder. Tension hummed in her brother’s body.
    “What about Tamsyn and Elizabeth?” Davis questioned for her. “I meant to stay until I could take them home to Tennessee.”
    “Tamsyn remains my responsibility,” James reminded them. “She must remain with me.”
    She touched her hand to her stomach in a vain attempt to control the flutters.
    She must remain with me.
    “I’m not going.” Davis growled from the rocking chair.
    “Tamsyn, may I speak with you, in private?”
    “Go inside, Davis.” She touched her brother’s arm. “It will be all right.”
    Davis grunted his displeasure but stood and hobbled into the house.
    He’s getting better on the peg.
    Tamsyn turned to find James smiling up at her. His smile made her knees wobble. “Is Davis in danger?” She descended the steps.
    He waited until she stood on the step just above him before he responded. “Honestly, I don’t know.” He pushed a loose curl away from her face. “But I’d like for him to be safely on his way to Tennessee soon.”
    She nodded. The men only made threats against her but there was no way to know what they might do to Davis or Elizabeth given the opportunity.
    “So what will I do?”
    He leaned forward and placed a light kiss on her lips. Her body trembled and he tossed her another smile. “You will return to Boston with me.”
    “What?” She took a step back.
    “My regiment has been disbanded, but I