Erin's Rebel Read Online Free PDF

teapot and a few biscuits I saved from last night’s meal. We’ll have a bite to eat before we head down to the stream.”
    “The stream?”
    “To fetch the water for washing,” Brigid said.
    “Oh, sure.” Erin shrugged. She didn’t like the sound of that. This totally sucks! Just how far away is this stream, and how much water do we have to carry ? She watched the cook scurry to her tent.
    She eyed two tin buckets sitting upside down alongside her tent. They’d need more than that to fill the large wood laundry tub.
    Once Brigid returned and they’d eaten, she instructed Erin to bring along the buckets by the tent and produced two more. Erin followed her down to the stream, where they filled the containers before lugging them up the slope. After they poured the water into a large copper pot hanging from a cast iron rail over the fire, the Irishwoman brought out a large bar of lye soap from a wood box set beside Erin’s tent. While the water heated, soldiers arrived bearing soiled shirts.
    Erin rubbed her aching arms. She anticipated a long, hard day ahead of her and wished there was a way she could transport a modern washing machine from the twenty-first century.
    ****
    Will ducked into his tent and sifted through the folded, crumpled papers he’d found yesterday after he’d escorted Mrs. O’Connell to her tent. The pages had obviously been torn from a journal. The writer had penned a list of recent and future Confederate troop movements. He studied the small, neat handwriting looking for any clue as to the writer’s identity. They likely had a spy or traitor amongst them.
    Mrs. O’Connell had only been here two weeks. Sergeant Wagner had appointed her laundress, claiming she was a recently widowed relative who desperately needed the money. He’d noted Wagner’s comings and goings to her tent at all hours and wondered about their relationship. But he hadn’t given a thought to them being involved in espionage. The sergeant could be a trial at times—insubordinate and late for roll call. He’d been caught drinking while on picket duty. And he’d had his share of punishment.
    Wagner wasn’t much different from many of the men. They’d left their homes to defend the rights of Virginia to govern itself and not be dictated to from Washington. But camp life wasn’t an easy way to live, and the time between battle engagements could be endless. Men sought diversions any way they could.
    Will folded the papers and stuffed them into his leather haversack. He’d turn the pages in to the colonel. But without proof, did he want to cast suspicion on Mrs. O’Connell and the sergeant? He wouldn’t voice his doubts to the colonel, but he’d keep an eye on them. If they had anything to do with the papers, maybe they’d trip up, and he’d catch them.
    A loud, male voice outside drew Will from his tent.
    “I told you, woman, I want what I was promised. You won’t put me off again.”
    He glanced a few yards down the row of military tents toward the laundress’ tent. Wagner held Mrs. O’Connell’s forearms.
    “Let go!” She struggled against the sergeant’s grip.
    Will’s jaw tightened when he strode down the path to face the couple. “Is there a problem here, Sergeant?”
    Wagner released Mrs. O’Connell. “She owes me money, sir.”
    The woman glared at Wagner.
    “I’m sure you’ll get your money when Mrs. O’Connell gets paid,” Will reassured.
    “But sir—”
    “She wasn’t able to work yesterday due to her injuries. You should be a bit more understanding of your own relation.”
    Wagner dropped his gaze. “Yes, sir.”
    “Dismissed, Sergeant.”
    Wagner saluted and stalked off without looking back.
    Mrs. O’Connell hadn’t moved or spoken during the exchange. Will’s gaze drifted over her. She wore a bib apron pinned to her worn, calico workdress. Her hair was now arranged in her usual bun.
    “Are you all right, ma’am?” She seemed fragile. He longed to put his arms around her and