“Perfect,” he slurs. “Now I can get this job over with.”
“What job, Fred?” she asks softly.
Fred can barely keep his eyes open, and she wonders how much Dahlia will fleece him for before the night is over.
“Senator wants those pictures. The girl has ‘em,” Fred mumbles and then turns to look for Dahlia. “Flower!” he shouts.
Pictures? This girl might be more trouble than she first thought. “I did what you asked, Mr. Anderson, how about my money?” she insists.
Fred whips around to her and sneers, “Don’t you know better than to deliver before you’re paid?” Dahlia returns and Kristin jumps to her feet.
“Make sure he pays you first, Dahlia. He’s likely to forget,” Kristin snaps.
Chapter 16
Dayton smooths his jacket and settles into his seat on the train from Pennsylvania to Ohio. He was lucky enough to secure accommodations in coach class, but he will be traveling by the fastest route until Iowa.
The woman across the aisle from him smiles at the well-dressed gentleman and encourages her two children to leave him alone. Dayton glances out the train window, now to figure out what to do about Savannah Ward. Before boarding, he sent a telegram to Washington, then mailed the copy of the photo to a friend at the U.S. Marshall’s office.
“Evidence on Buren. Stop. As suspected. Stop.”
It was strange strapping on his colts before leaving Glenn’s home. He didn’t think he’d need them so soon, but he’ll do whatever it takes to keep Savannah safe. The only question is, will she stay in one place long enough for him to do his job?
“That frown can only be woman trouble,” the older man across from him says with a laugh.
“You have no idea,” Dayton snorts and glances out the window.
He’d hope to put the business of war behind him, but it would seem that God has something else in mind for him. Kentucky was a neutral state during the beginning of the war. Neither, Union nor Confederate. The truth is much deeper than that. Kentucky was a major stronghold for the Union forces, and Dayton chose to serve in a unique way. How will Savannah feel about that?
It would seem that they both have secrets. His will not stop him from dreaming, and maybe Miss Savannah Ward needs to find a new dream to hold onto.
Chapter 17
“Savannah, you must be bored to tears. Why don’t you and Eli go for an evening ride?” Felicia suggests after dinner.
“I’m quite happy with your company, Felicia,” Savannah explains.
“Afraid you’ll dirty your dress, Miss Ward,” Eli quips.
Savannah glares at him, “Sir, I’ve had worse on my dress that dirt.”
Felicia gasps as the unwanted images flood into her mind. First her son, then her husband. Her hand covers her mouth, and she fights back the tears.
“I’m so sorry, forgive my stupidity, Felicia,” Savannah says, grabbing her hand in hers.
“Forgive us both, Mother. I don’t know why, but I can’t seem to resist taunting Miss Ward,” Eli teases, trying to get his mother to smile.
“One thing I noticed about the Irwin men is their mischievous smile. Did your husband have it?” Savannah asks.
Felicia smiles, “My, yes, the boys both resemble him, but he had such charm!” She smiles a shakily and pats Savannah’s hand.
“Well, we can’t hope for every trait to be passed along,” she says with a smothered smile.
Eli jerks and then laughs, surprising both women. “I’ll give this round to you Miss Ward.” He sits down next to the fire and waits for the women to stop laughing.
Considering Eli’s current jovial mood, Savannah decides to approach them about Oliver’s bag. “As we are all together, could we perhaps talk about Oliver’s bags?” Savannah suggests.
“Yes, please.” Felicia turns to Eli who nods silently.
“Very well. As I said in my letter, Oliver was shot in Virginia,”
“What was he doing in Virginia?” Eli demands.
“I don’t know.” Savannah turns to his mother, “but I met Oliver the day he was brought in. We cared for him until he passed.” Savannah quickly glosses over the wounds, care, and pain, as to not distress Felicia any more than necessary. “He was determined to see his bag of tintypes returned to you.”
Savannah turns and looks Eli directly in the eyes, “More specifically, I am to give them to Eli and no one else.”
Eli jerks as if struck. “Why me? He knows I could care less about his hobby,” he waves his hand, dismissing Oliver’s work, and Savannah is enraged.
“He died for that “hobby” Mr. Irwin. It was much more than that to Oliver.”
“How do you know that, exactly, Miss Ward? You knew him for a few weeks, we knew him for a lifetime,” Eli snarls.
Savannah takes a breath to control her temper and looks at Felicia. Pale and trembling she seems to be on the verge of a fit, “Perhaps we could table this conversation until your mother feels better.”
“Let me set your mind at ease, Miss Ward. I don’t care what you do with Oliver’s tintypes. They are just useless tokens of the past,” Eli snaps.
A hiss of outrage erupts, “Then I will keep them and do as I see fit. I had hoped to surprise you, but that is obviously not going to happen. I’ve spoken to a publisher about having them made into a book. If you are acceptable, I would like to move forward with that, in honor of Oliver’s life work.”
“A book!” Felicia smiles and sits back. “How wonderful, don’t you think, Eli?”
“Finally, the truth comes out!” Eli leaps to his feet, “You’re hoping to make
