To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander Page A

off the buzz from the blow and swung with his left — intentionally missed — then jammed a right hook square into the man’s chin. The man’s head whipped back. He staggered, dazed and bloody, but still didn’t go down.
    Ridley flexed his hand, shaking off the sting, starting to enjoy this a little, though he knew he shouldn’t.
    The man wiped his face, blood oozing from a gash on his chin. “I’m gonna show you what we do to cheats and thieves around here.”
    “I’m not a cheat. And I’m not here to steal anything either. I told you … I’m here to see Robert Green. If you’ll just —”
    The man came at him again.
    “Grady Matthews!”
    The man skidded to a halt, his focus beyond Ridley now, enraged. Ridley, his breath coming hard, turned to glimpse who was back there, while still keeping an eye on this Grady Matthews, just in case.

Chapter

F IVE
     
    R idley blinked and wiped sweat from his forehead, surprised when his hand came away bloody, but even more surprised by the emotion tightening his throat. A slightly older looking — and unarguably livid — Robert Green strode toward them, clad in a white apron, a slight limp hindering his gait.
    “What in tarnation is goin’ on in here? Grady, you best start talkin’ or I’m goin’ to the general. And this time, he’ll send you packin’!”
    “U-uncle Bob,” the man sputtered, pointing to Ridley, who took notice of the name he used. “It’s another one from Renfroe’s camp, come to spy us out!”
    Robert Green turned dark eyes on Ridley. “Is that true, sir?”
    “No, sir,” Ridley said. “It’s not.”
    “Then what’s your business here?”
    Ridley didn’t detect even a hint of remembrance in the man’s expression. He knew he’d changed some. Lost weight, mainly, which he was working to gain back. That, along with the muscle — not easy to do with meat so scarce and expensive. “I’m actually here to speak with you, Mr. Green, about …” He hesitated, glancing at Grady. “About a private matter, sir.”
    Green studied him a minute. “Grady, go wash up. Then see Rachel about sewin’ up that chin again.”
    Grudgingly, Grady took his leave, throwing Ridley a scathing glare that said this wasn’t finished yet. Ridley returned it.
    “You said a private matter, sir,” Green continued once they were alone, his tone suspect, his expression still void of recognition.
    Even so, Ridley felt a lightness he couldn’t quite account for. Seeing this man was like seeing an old friend again. And friends weresomething he’d been running mighty low on lately. “It’s been a long time, Mr. Green.” He cleared his throat, his voice not sounding like his own. “But I still remember your coffee, sir. And the venison you shared with me that night … on the mountain,” he added softly. “Best I’d had in a while. And ever since too.”
    Green’s eyes narrowed, causing the traces of wiry gray in his bushy brows to stand out even more. “Sweet Jesus,” he finally whispered. “It can’t be.” He searched Ridley’s face, warmth moving in behind his eyes. “Lieutenant Cooper? Is that you behind all that hair and them whiskers?”
    Smiling, Green extended his hand and Ridley gripped it tight. For several heartbeats, Ridley just stared at their clasped hands, thinking how long it had been since he’d seen this man and how much had happened. And what he’d come to ask him.
    Green’s hold tightened. “Every day I prayed for you, sir, ‘til the war was done, and then after too, askin’ God to pay back the kindness you showed me. But …” He laughed, his gray-touched beard pulling taut on his chin. “I can’t believe you’s standin’ here. Right here in front of me now.” He exhaled. “God kept you safe. Yes, sir, he did. Just like I asked him to.”
    Ridley released his hand, the warmth he’d felt cooling a mite. “I appreciate your prayers, Mr. Green. But …” He exhaled a quick breath, looking to make sure they were