Daniel's Desire Read Online Free PDF Page B

and got mad when Pa wouldn’t return it.”
    Daniel smiled at the bit of family gossip. What had Hans Wilson been like? Based on the man’s grave marker, he’d been forty-three when he died. Even with the haggard look from her illness, Rosemarie had to be no more than twenty-four or five.
    Chandler turned and walked backwards. “Mr. McCoy, why do you have slaves?”
    “I don’t have slaves, never did.”
    “Pa said all Rebs owned slaves and beat and starved them.”
    Daniel grabbed the boy’s shoulder before he walked into a small birch tree. “Not all Southerners have slaves. My family owned a horse ranch in Virginia for many years, and we never had even one slave.”
    “You calling my pa a liar?” Chandler’s back stiffened.
    Daniel sighed and squatted in front of the boy. “No, not a liar, but misinformed.”
    Chandler’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that mean?”
    Daniel took his cap off, ran his fingers through his hair, then settled it back on his head. “Some people in the South have slaves, mostly those who have large plantations.”
    Chandler’s brows drew together. “What’s a plantation?”
    “Like a farm. But most people in the South don’t have slaves, don’t want them, and couldn’t afford to buy one if they wanted to.” He placed his hand on the child’s shoulder and rose. “The Confederacy is not fighting for slaves, although that’s part of it. We’re fighting for states’ rights.”
    “What’s that mean?”
    “It means we don’t want the federal government, the people in Washington, telling us in Virginia how to live, what to do.”
    “You a teacher, Mr. McCoy?”
    Daniel smiled. “No.”
    Chandler shrugged. “You sure sound like one.”
    Side by side, they continued on for a while, the cold air reddening their cheeks. Chandler glanced up at Daniel. “Do you miss your pa, and your horse ranch?”
    Daniel shrugged and turned to the boy. “My pa’s dead. So’s my ma. And with me and my brother gone off to war, she had to sell the horse farm.”
    Chandler digested the information, then said, “Does that make you feel sad?”
    He smiled at the concern on the young boy’s face. “Yes. I do feel sad. But a man has to move on when things don’t go the way he wants.”
    “I have an idea,” Chandler said, his eyes lighting up. “You can stay here with us, and take care of Ma and our farm.”
    Daniel winced at the hope in the boy’s eyes. “Staying here does sound like a good idea, but we’re in the middle of a war, and I have to return to my regiment. Once your ma is feeling better, I’ll have to leave.”
    “My pa said he wouldn’t leave his family to fight a bunch of slave-loving Rebs.”
    Daniel chuckled and shook his head. “Well, your pa had a family to provide for. I don’t.”
    “We can be your family.” The words came out soft and hesitant.
    Before he could answer, Chandler held out his hand and pulled on Daniel’s cuff. Then he pointed off in the distance. “Rabbits.”
    Several rabbits stood still, only their whiskers twitching. A rabbit den must be close by. Daniel raised his index finger to his lips and shook his head.
    Chandler nodded his understanding and stood perfectly still. After studying the small animals, Daniel bent on one knee and raised the firearm, aiming for the largest one. A quick shot scattered the group of rabbits, and the largest one lay on the ground, blood seeping from its head.
    “You got ’em!” Chandler shouted, and raced to where the animal lay. He picked the body up, and held the dripping carcass out, a bright smile on his face.
    Daniel slung the rifle over his shoulder and joined him.
    “Are we gonna shoot some more?” the boy asked, hopping from foot to foot.
    “Not today. I’m a little nervous with your ma back there all alone with the two little ones.”
    “Oh, that’s right.” Chandler grinned. “We’re the men, and we have to protect them.”
    Daniel ruffled the boy’s hair. “Indeed we do. It’s our job