Things improved over the next several days. Janet and Diamond pooled their funds. Unsure how long the stash would have to last, they allocated most of it to food, but also bought material which they stuffed with cotton and sewed to make new mattresses. Diamond and Sarah planted seeds in the garden plot. It was late in the season, but they hoped to get a small harvest before winter. Most importantly, Janet and Diamond wrote to Finn and Jesse, bringing their men up to date on their situation.
Janet had gone to town and Diamond was out in the garden, weeding, when a horse plodded up the path. She stood, heart racing, wishing she had Janet’s gun. She fingered the knife and pepper spray she now kept in her pocket since the night the bushwhackers came. Slumped over his horse, their visitor didn’t appear very dangerous, but since he wore a heavily embroidered shirt, like those favored by the guerrillas, Diamond wanted to be cautious.
“So you are here,” the man said, dragging himself upright with difficulty. “Seems to be Yankees at the house.”
Diamond relaxed at the familiar voice. “Jack. What are you doing here?”
“Got in a bit of trouble and need some help.”
Diamond bit her lip. “You know what your father said. Janet may not want you here.”
“That’s why I waited until I saw her leave.” Jack swayed, nearly pitching off his horse. Diamond ran forward to steady him.
“Let’s get you in one of the other cabins.” She led the horse to a small structure out of sight of the main house and the cabin she and Janet lived in. Jack slid off his horse, and she helped him inside. He favored his left side where his shirt was crusted with blood. “Sit here while I get your blanket.” She perched Jack on the edge of the bed and ran out to empty his saddlebags. After spreading his bedroll over the old mattress, she allowed him to lie down. With his injury, she didn’t want him on the ground, but hoped his blanket would protect him from any insects or germs lurking in the mattress.
“Guess you want to know what happened.”
“Seems fairly obvious. You got shot while raiding someone’s farm.”
“Not this time. I was on a valid mission for the Confederate Army.”
Diamond pulled up his shirt. “Think that will make a difference with Janet?” A strip of fabric held a bloody gauze in place.
“Don’t know.” Jack gasped as she untied the bandage.
“I’m not a nurse, but I don’t see any signs of infection. When did this happen?”
“Two days ago. I need someplace to hide out and heal in case they track me this far. I’d hope to stay in the house, but I guess this will do.”
“You can’t let the Union officers see you and you’d better not show yourself to Janet either.”
Jack pulled a face. “She wouldn’t turn me in no matter what Father said.”
The image of the farmer, hanging from the tree, filled Diamond’s mind. But he had been a stranger. This was Janet’s brother. “Willing to bet your life on her loyalty?”
Jack shrugged. “Guess not.”
Yet he trusted her, a woman he barely knew. She guessed he didn’t have much choice. “I’ll get something to re-bandage your wound and grab some food. It won’t be easy. Janet will notice if I take too much. My visits will be sporadic.”
“Is that any way to treat your brother-in-law?”
“It’s the best I can offer unless we let Janet in on the secret.”
“Get Sarah to tend me.”
“She might, but I won’t risk it. Her first concern should be for herself, but her second is probably for Janet.”
Jack smirked up at her. “Bothers you, doesn’t it?”
Diamond suppressed a flash of irritation. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You don’t understand why Sarah is devoted to Janet. Goes against your abolition ideals.”
“I never said I was an abolitionist.”
“Didn’t have to. I can spot one a mile away.”
Diamond set her hands on her hips. “Do you want my help or not?”
“You can’t leave me to die. We’re family now.”
“Just watch me.” But he was right. Like it or not, the Webers were the closest thing she had to a family unless she wanted to go in search of her ancestors. And what on earth would she tell them? Hey, it’s your great-great-granddaughter come for a visit.
Leaving Jack to wonder whether she would return, Diamond hurried over to her cabin and picked up a few supplies. When she came back, she might have imagined the flicker of relief which crossed Jack’s face, but she didn’t think so. She cleaned the wound as gently as she could despite his protests. It looked to be healing well, and she caught no smell of rot, but she wasn’t an expert. She’d squeezed a bit of antibiotic ointment from her precious cache of twenty-first century things onto the new bandage which she tied into place. “I brought some applesauce, too.”
“Not hungry.”
“I’ll leave it here for you, then. But drink some water.” She raised his shoulders and held a cup to his mouth.
“Thanks.”
“I’ll be back to check on you when I can. Don’t let anyone see you.”
“Bossy. Don’t know how Jesse tolerates you.”
Diamond froze. She supposed a hefty dowry went a long way to whitewashing other faults. “My marriage is not your concern.”
“Don’t worry. One marriage is more than enough to handle. Amy will be angry with me.”
“And rightly so. Wives don’t like it when their husbands put themselves in danger.”
Jack’s gaze darted away and when he spoke, his voice was gruff. “It may have escaped your notice, but we’re at war here. No one is safe.”
Diamond’s breath caught. “Have you led trouble to our door?”
“Not likely they will come this far,” he said, but still refused to meet her gaze.
Diamond gathered her supplies and left the room. Best to be on the lookout for Union troops. There
