T. Novan - Words Heard In Silence / Xena Uber

--*--

Tarant and MacFarlane had outdone themselves. The little basket cart was shining. Shannon was too, groomed to a high golden gloss. A few ribbons and the little trap would be perfect for a May Day parade.

Charlie almost matched the little rig. He had dressed carefully, with every part of his gear shining with polish, carefully brushed, or starched. He had surrendered his usual hat for the dashing slope brimmed one with the curling egret feather, which was properly fluffed. He was, indeed, the picture of a cavalry officer.

Sliding into the seat of the trap, he clucked to Shannon and together they went off to present themselves for Miss Rebecca's approval. As they trotted up to the main house, Rebecca came out onto the portico. Charlie's eyes lit up with frank appreciation. She was lovely.

"I say, Colonel Redmond, your men do wonderful work." She moved down the steps, stopping to give Shannon a good scratch on the nose. "How are you today, my lovely girl?"

Silently, Charlie stepped down and offered her a hand up into the cart. As she settled herself he spoke reverently, "You are breathtaking, my dear."

"And you, as always, sir, are as handsome as anything."

He settled himself into the cart beside her and the two set off down the driveway.

"Thank you ma'am. I do try to maintain the appropriate image - especially when I am about to enter the lion's den. I call this my Daniel costume."

"You will do just fine, Colonel. I have the utmost faith in you." Rebecca chanced a glance at him before making her next comment. "Colonel, I would like to offer you an apology."

"Miss Rebecca, I told you this morning. You have nothing to be sorry for. I am flattered that you trust me enough to turn to me in your grief."

"Yes, but I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. I took a some things out of storage yesterday and I suppose it just brought up a few less than pleasant memories."

"You did not make me uncomfortable, ma'am. You honored me with your trust. I hope that you know I will be there for you if ever you need a willing listener or a solid shoulder."

"Thank you. So few people would understand my feelings about my late husband. Not many people would take well to hearing that I did not love him and that I was not happy in my marriage." She looked to Charlie, realizing he might think her callous to speak of a soldier killed in battle in such a fashion. "I do not mean to sound harsh, but it was not a pleasant experience."

Charlie's eyes darkened. He knew well what being in an unloving family relationship could do to one's spirit. "I hope that he did not hurt you. Indifference is hard enough to bear, and you, my dear lady, are not one who deserves such pain of the soul."

"Well, he was...master of the house. I knew my place and I was not expected to want or achieve anything higher. I was the perfect show piece."

His voice was very low. "Did he hurt you?"

"That is not important any longer. Let us just say I learned my role well and how to do what was expected."

Charlie's jaw tightened as he tried to get the sudden swell of anger he felt toward the late Mr. Gaines under control. She certainly did not need his wrath; she only deserved his tenderness. Yet, the idea that this beautiful, vital and passionate woman had been used and cast aside touched the deepest wells of anger within his soul.

"So you see, Sir, occasionally I am plagued with night terrors. I just wish you had not been subjected to them."

When he could speak calmly, he tugged Shannon to a halt so that he could turn and look her in the eyes. In that moment, he was not the dashing colonel, or even the charming gentleman. He was, like her, the survivor of abuse, willing to do whatever necessary to get by.

"Miss Rebecca. I may understand more than you know. If you need to talk, if you need to cry or rail or anything else to purge your soul of this, I am here for you."

She laid her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You are very kind. I am sure that in your company all these unpleasant things shall to pass."

He lifted that trusting, gloved hand to his lips, and reverently kissed it. "Miss Rebecca, if it were in my power, I would take it all away today. Alas, I cannot. I can only offer you my understanding and my honor to protect you from it happening again."

"That is more than I have a right to hope for, Colonel." She caressed his cheek. "Simple words can not express how much..." She paused, stopping the first word that came into her mind, but allowing the next. "This, means to me."

No words came to Charlie's heart, just the honest desire to protect this woman, who was braver than he ever could be. She had stayed and endured. He had run. Before her quiet courage, he was humbled again. He looked deep into her eyes, wordlessly offering his soul and his support. Then he clucked to Shannon to move on. "Shall we go and brave the biddies? I am sure, with what you have endured, you are more than equipped to handle them."

--*--

Charlie stopped the buggy right in front of the mercantile. He climbed out; making his way around to Rebecca, he gave her his hand to assist her out. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw them. She rolled her eyes then looked to Charlie. "Cluck, cluck, cluck." She whispered, giving Charlie a wink.

He turned at the waist, to find two women watching them with their mouths practically hanging open. He turned back, wrapping Rebecca’s hand around his arm. "May I escort you?"

She tried to stifle a giggle but was not entirely successful. "My, my, Colonel, that evil streak just keeps getting longer and wider." She walked with him to the front door of the store. "But I also know you have things to do here, so please, sir, take care of your business. I assure you I will be fine."

He looked down at her. "Are you sure?"

"I am positive."

"As you wish, Ma’am. I will be back shortly."

"Take your time, Colonel. I am just going to get some supplies."

"Enjoy yourself, Miss Rebecca."

"I will, Colonel."

She watched him walk back to the buggy and climb in and she continued to watch as he drove down the street. Then she turned to find the ladies still watching her. She gave them a little wave then turned for the store.

"Why, Mrs. Gaines," Mr. Cooper walked around the counter to greet her. "It has been so long. How have you been?"

"Like everyone, Mr. Cooper, I have just been doing my best to ride out the current troubles."

"You look well, Mrs. Gaines."

"Thank you." She looked around the store, finding it stocked better than she had expected. "I have some supplies I need."

"Why of course. Have you a list? I will be happy to fill it for you."

She handed him the list she had made before Charlie had come to collect her. He unfolded it and looked over it carefully. His eyes widened and he looked back to her. "This is a rather long list Mrs. Gaines."

"Do you not have the items?"

"Yes, ma’am, I have most of this, but it is going to take a goodly sum of money."

She smiled as sweetly as possible considering the man had just insulted her. "Yes, Mr. Cooper, I realize this. I hope this might make a difference to you." She handed him the chit that Colonel Polk had given her. "As you can see, I have funds coming, I would hope that would be sufficient to reopen my account."

Mr. Cooper scratched his chin while he considered the paper. "I am not sure, Mrs. Gaines. This is not money, ma’am, and it is also drawn from the Yankee Army¼¼"

"Indeed it is, considering it is a regiment of Northern soldiers on my land and not Confederate troops."

"Ma’am¼¼"

She held up a hand. She was going to get the things she needed and maybe one or two things she did not need. And most of all she was going to get everything she needed to make Charlie dinner. "Mr. Cooper, I will tell you what, you reopen my account and if I do not come in and settle with you within ten days from the date on the chit, you may come out to Gaines Cove and pick five acres of my land that will suit you."