The Sun Rises (Southern Legacy Book 4) by Jerri Hines Page A

have you been doing since you are drenched in blood and I myself stabbed the spy in the gut? Could it be you are sheltering a spy at Magnolia Bluff?”
    The skin on her nape prickled as if evil breathed on her neck. Her heart lurched with fear. Breaking through the crowd of men, Buck Haynes rode up beside McCoy. His appearance had changed. His dirty hair fell down to his shoulders; his unkempt beard looked as though a bird had nested in it. Skinnier, his worn clothes hung loose about him, but his eyes…his eyes still held the same gleam of depravity.
    She met those eyes with a scornful glare. “Get off my land, Buck. You are not welcome here.”
    “Can’t, cous. I’m part of the militia now.”
    “Don’t tell me they allow deserters into our militia!”
    He chuckled and leaned back on his horse. “Tough words coming from a nigger lover—at least, that is what rumor has it.”
    Burning with humiliation, she felt her face go scarlet. How had he found out about the incident at Whitney Hall? An uneasy feeling washed over her. She supposed that it was inevitable that word would get out what she had done…more than likely twisted the facts, that she had betrayed Grace Ann and Mr. Whitney.
    “I haven’t a clue to what you are trying to insinuate. I am loyal citizen of South Carolina. Do not question my allegiance.”
    ”Mrs. Montgomery,” McCoy intervened. “Ain’t here for no other reason than finding the fugitive.”
    With the back of her hand, she wiped her brow and looked back at the sick cabin. “My man, Lonnie, was out in the fields this morning with a swing blade. It got caught on a vine and he tried to jerk the swing blade off and was successful, except it went back at him, nearly cut his arm off. I’ve been tending to him all morning.”
    “You won’t mind if we check it out.”
    “I do,” Jo declared. “I gave you my word. It should suffice. I will not be disgraced at my home when we have sacrificed much for the cause.”
    “There is no need for your stance. I assure you it is a necessity.”
    “You understand perfectly my stance and my aversion to your presence,” she retorted, riddled with disdain. “Can you tell me that you searched the Randolphs’ place or the Middletons’? I sincerely doubt it. I believe you are here only to dishonor my family. If you even dare dismount, I will write to General Beauregard personally and tell him of your treatment of the family of his beloved major. I have a letter in his own hand stating the bravery and courage my husband displayed and the ultimate sacrifice he made for God, family, and country. I gave you my answer. Now, get off this land.”
    Jo refused to move.
    Some in the unit began to withdraw. Another rode up to McCoy. “Told ya I saw signs of a boat pushed into the water. I swear he left by the Ashley.”
    McCoy started to say more, and then refrained. Instead, he turned to Buck, who was the only one who had not retreated. “Come on. We have more work to do.”
    Buck glared at Jo. “I’ll be back.”
    She made no retort, but stood there on trembling legs until the last soldier disappeared out of sight.
    ****
    Jo sat in the dark and waited. A door opened and closed. She made no movement to leave. Andrew was about to feel the brunt of her rage. Her anger flamed, fanned at Andrew, Captain McCoy…Buck!
    Oh, Heavens to Betsy ! She had lied to save a damn Yankee! Only after she had calmed down…after she had fed Madeline, hugged Percival tightly…had she comprehended the full extent of her actions.
    Disaster loomed over Magnolia Bluff. The whole of the plantation was endangered while that Yankee recovered in the sick cabin. Everything that Wade had done…the sacrifice he made would be for naught if that blasted McCoy—or worse, Buck—discovered they harbored the spy.
    “Jo, I got your note. Why are you sitting in the dark?”
    She said nothing while Andrew lit the lamp on the desk. The room glowed in the dark as the lamp’s light burned. He