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"I'd be pleased if you called me by my first name…Henry."
She blushed,(.) "All right, Henry."
He cleared his throat, and put her hand on his. "The General has a party planned for this evening, may I escort you to it, about six thirty?"
"That would be nice." Katherine hesitated, glancing in the direction of the headquarters. "Did you speak with him?" she asked, holding the desperation from her voice, purposely.
"Yes, I did. But to no avail. He hangs tomorrow at noon."
Katherine could not hide the worry,(.) "I see…well...till this evening then." She turned and went inside her cabin.
She stood against the door and held her stomach. She couldn't let Chase Rivers die, not after all they had been through. And deep down, Katherine knew it was much more than feeling for a man about to die. She loved him, and made love to him, and now knew how close she had grown to him. She could hide it from him, but not from herself. Tears fell as she tried to distract herself by taking her hat off and lying on the bed. But as they came pouring out, she wept for the man she had come to love.
Fingering the dress one of the wives loaned her, she thought about her future. What future did she have? She had no station now; she didn't know how to make a living doing anything but cooking and cleaning. Would she become the fort washwoman? Was that her fate?
If they knew the truth would they accept her? She doubted it, and how long could she keep it secret?
Did she want to be white so bad she would take such a job?
Again she wept, for now she was lost and did not know where to turn. She had no family, no one…except Chase….
She had to see him, but how? She couldn't just march into the jail and ask. Instead she crept around the side of the building after lunch when most were either working or napping, and threw a small pebble at the open window.
Chase came to the window and saw her. He saw the tears on her face, and the worry buried deep within her.
"Little one, you should not have come. It is dangerous for you to be here, he whispered with a knowing smile.
"They are going to hang you…tomorrow at noon," She whispered coming closer.
"I know…do not worry yourself."
"Lee is planning something…I’m sure of it," She cried.
"Do not weep for me…I'm but a breed," He said lowly and almost turned away from her.
"Who will take me to Burning Tree if you die?" she said harshly trying to get him back to the window.
He came, and smiled tenderly, "Do you want to go?"
"I must…and you know it.(,)" She admitted.
He nodded. "If I am freed, I will take you. If not, Burning Tree will send someone else." He shrugged.
Her face changed suddenly, and a spark of her true feelings leapt at him from a distance. "Thank you for all you did for me…and Josh."
He nodded, this time his hand reached to stroke her cheek. She leaned into the caress, her lips brushing his fingers. "I will you my strength," she said and she was gone….
***
At exactly six-thirty, the Captain showed up in full uniform. He looked quite handsome and his smile spoke volumes. "Miss Hightower, you are lovely."
Katherine looked down at herself and smiled. "One of the ladies let me borrow the dress." She began to smile, and then noticed her skin was so dark, how could they all not know the truth?
"It's lovely," The Captain said his eyes burning into her now.
"I haven't been to a dance in some time, Captain, so if I step on your feet, please excuse me?" she said graciously.
The quarters were a large barracks that had been set up for a grand ball. Punch was being served in a huge crystal bowl, while cakes and pies were being cut. In the middle was room for a large gathering or dance floor.
