The Horse Soldier: Beginnings Series Book 10 by Jacqueline Druga Page A

…know.” Dr. Morris dropped his hands, shrugged his shoulders, and hurried to catch up to George.
    George took a deep breath , placed on his smug face, and walked into Frank’s room.
    Frank sat in bed. He looked up to George, raising his dark eyes upon George’s entrance.
    George smiled. “Hello, Frank.” He stepped closer. Something was wrong. Where was that angry Slagel expression . . . that jump from the bed and want to kill George look? George slowly stepped closer.
    “Oh my God ,” Frank gasped.
    George grinned. “That’s right.” George looked so smug.
    “You’re the President. Sir, forgive me for not getting out of this bed and saluting. I’m . . . a little without clothing, sir,” Frank spoke, staring at George.
    “What?” George said shocked. “What . . . what did you just say?”
    “I’m without clothing, sir.” Frank lifted his sheet.
    George’s body shuddered in confusion. He blinked, spun around, and saw Dr. Morris behind him. “What’s going on?”
    “Frank, we’ll be right back.” Dr. Morris spoke to Frank.
    “Yes sir,” Frank responded.
    Dr. Morris took George into the hall. “I see you talked to him.”
    “What . . .” George pointed to Frank’s room and scratched his head. “What in the world is going on?”
    “Seems someone is looking out for you. Frank’s doing well. He’s strong. A little confused. And . . . he has amnesia.”
    George gasped in laughter. “He what?” He covered his mouth. “Shit.”
    “Yep. We can’t determine how much he has lost in his memory. We wanted to give him another day before bombarding him with questions , but he definitely knows he was in the United States Army.”
    “How long will he be like this?” George whispered as he looked into Frank’s room.
    “Could be days, weeks, or forever.”
    George clenched his fist with excitement. “This is great. We wanted Frank’s training, Frank’s mind, without Frank attitude.”
    “Looks like you may have it,” Dr. Morris said.
    “Excellent. Excellent. Excellent ,” George gloated. “All right. Treat him good. Treat him with respect, but tell him nothing. Let me work on that tonight. Got it?”
    “Yes sir.”
    “Good job.” George gave a swift light punch to Dr. Morris’ arm. He chuckled when Dr. Morris rubbed the spot. “See you in the morning.” Grinning, George popped his head in Frank’s room. “Son, I’ll be back in the morning. We’ll talk.”
    Frank nodded. “Thank you , sir.”
    George snickered as he stepped back in the hall and pointed back into the room. “Did you hear that? Ha-ha!” He rubbed his hands together. “See you in the morning, Doctor.” Smiling widely, George moved with a quick pace down the hall, doing skip of excitement as he did so.

CHAPTER FIVE

September 10

Beginnings, Montana
    O.K.! Joe thought, What did I do? Joe was a smart man. The slamming of his breakfast plate by Andrea was a less than subtle way to tell him she was upset. He peered through his glasses down to his eggs that scattered across his just tossed plate.
    SLAM! SPLASH! Down went Joe’s coffee. Another slam brought Andrea seated , with her breakfast, at the table.
    Very serious, Joe folded his hands and looked at Andrea. “Something wrong?”
    Andrea spoke so high pitched as she grabbed the salt and frantically salted her eggs. “Well. If you must know.”
    “Yes.”
    “You.”
    “What did I do?” Joe asked.
    Slam! Joe groaned and watched particles of salt spill. “That’s bad luck, Andrea.”
    “So is not telling your wife everything.”
    “Excuse me.”
    “I was not sleeping last night , Joe Slagel. I heard your little conversation with Henry.”
    “So.” Joe started to eat.
    “So? You’re retiring. When were you planning on telling me this?”
    “This is what you’re upset about?” Joe asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Just wanted to know ,” Joe continued.
    “Joe Slagel! I am upset.”
    “For no reason. Andrea, I’m retiring. So what? Why are you pissed about