“I agree. That’s why I followed you to see what you were up to.”
“You’re not angry?”
“I should be.” Janet smoothed butter over her bread. “Father was very clear in his instructions. But surely you haven’t forgotten I have a job for Jack to do.”
Diamond glanced at Janet’s ear, hidden beneath her sister-in-law’s up-swept chocolate brown hair. Sarah had nursed Janet through the worst of the injury, but Diamond had tended her once, adding some antibiotic ointment to the poultice Sarah had prepared. Janet’s hearing did not appear to be damaged, but the bullet had mangled her ear, tearing part of it off altogether.
“You want him to find out who hurt you.”
Janet nodded, popping the last bit of bread into her mouth.
“And do what? Kill him?”
“Shooting his ear off will satisfy me, but I wouldn’t shed a tear if he died.” Her blue eyes chilled to ice. “He knew we were Southerners. Knew we had kin fighting for the cause and he still shot me. I’m lucky he didn’t kill me.”
“That kind of behavior is exactly why Jack should not return to the guerrillas. Not only is it dangerous, but they attack indiscriminately, hurting and killing innocent people.”
“He has my blessing to leave as soon as he completes my mission.”
“I really think he should use this opportunity to make a clean break—”
“Come,” Janet interrupted her. “Let’s take him his breakfast.”
Diamond prepared a plate with eggs and toast and led the way to the cabin where Jack was hiding out. “Good morning,” she said as she and Janet ducked inside the tiny structure. “I’ve brought someone with me today.”
Jack froze when he saw his sister.
“Did you really think you and Diamond could pull the wool over my eyes?”
Jack’s posture eased a tad. “Are you going to report me?”
“No, but you will have to leave before the weekend. Finn is coming to marry me and bringing a few of his fellow officers.”
Diamond set the plate down on the table and Jack drew up a chair and began eating. His appetite had returned, and he ate heartily, but kept a wary eye on Janet.
“I suppose congratulations are in order,” he said between bites.
Janet waved a hand. “Don’t bother. I know you don’t like Finn. But there is something I need you to take care of for me.”
“This lifestyle not to your taste?”
Janet raised her chin. “I can suffer hardship the same as you. Besides, it’s only a matter of time until we get back in our house or Finn builds on his property.”
Diamond didn’t see the Union officers moving out of the big house soon and thought it would be impossible to build in the middle of a war zone, but she left Janet’s assertion unchallenged. “Bushwhackers attacked us on the way here.”
Jack’s eyes narrowed. “What did they do?”
“Stole our horses and provisions. And when I resisted, telling them we were on their side, one man shot me.” Janet lifted her hair, exposing her ear.
Diamond gasped when she saw the slice taken out of the cartilage even though it wasn’t as bad as she had feared.
Jack leaned forward for a better look.
Janet dropped her hair, blocking his view.
“Just give me a name. They’ll regret they ever tangled with you.”
Janet smiled. “I knew I could count on you.” She pulled a piece of paper from her pocket. “I don’t know his name, but I drew this sketch.”
Diamond walked behind Jack so she, too, could see the paper. “I didn’t know you could draw.”
“All women of my class are taught how to draw,” Janet said, her tone implying if Diamond didn’t know how, she wasn’t of the same class.
“I’ve just never been very good at it,” Diamond muttered. Janet showed talent. Diamond recognized the man who had led the raid and now frequented her nightmares.
“Do you know him?” Janet asked Jack.
“No, but he shouldn’t be hard to find.” Jack folded the paper and stuck it in his shirt pocket, behind his extra pistol.
“I don’t think you should go back to the bushwhackers,” Diamond said. “Your father is right. They’re nothing more than criminals.”
“We play an integral part in the conflict,” Jack protested. “The Confederate Army has all but abandoned Missouri, but the guerrillas keep the Yankees on their toes. We attack supply lines, burn bridges and tear up railway lines.”
“Jack can do as he pleases after that man gets what’s coming to him. Don’t tell me they didn’t scare you. I’ve heard you crying out at night and they didn’t even hurt you.”
“Well, let’s not forget they tried to hang a man.”
“A Yankee sympathizer. That doesn’t count.”
Jack pushed away from the table. “No need to argue, ladies. I’ll take care of this fellow and then re-evaluate my options. Can’t say I enjoy getting shot. It was a close call, especially since I fought with regular troops, but didn’t have the same protections.”
“Regular troops?” Diamond asked. “Did you ask about Jesse?”
“He was there.”
Diamond stepped away from Jack, her mouth falling open. “Why didn’t you tell me? Is he all right? Was he injured?”
“He was fine, last I saw him.”
“And when was that?” Diamond asked through gritted teeth. She could think of no reason for Jack withholding this information from her except bad news.
Jack licked his lips.
Definitely bad news. He can’t be dead. Diamond’s heart stuttered. “Tell me!”
“We escaped together, but knew we couldn’t keep up with the rest of the men because of my injury. So we broke away and headed home.”
“Then why isn’t he here?”
“One horse drew up lame. Since Jesse was in uniform and uninjured, he took to the woods while I continued on.”
“You left him to fend for himself without a horse.” Diamond felt queasy as she remembered how she had helped him, at some risk to her and Janet if the Union troops were to find him.
“They shot me,” Jack said flatly, “and I have a target on my back. I wouldn’t have stood a chance if there were men on our trail. Jesse
