Written by: Julie Dieck
Chapter 17 “A New Beginning”
Alan stood before Captain Henderson’s desk, three new stripes on each sleeve.
“So, how was your first day being a sergeant again, Branegan?” Henderson asked with a grin.
Alan hooked his thumbs in his belt with a satisfied sigh. “Ah, ye’ll never be knowin’ how good it felt, Sir. Didn’t realize how much I been missin’ it till now.”
“I know you’ll do a fine job. You’ll go a long ways before you’re done with the army.” Henderson chuckled. “You know something, I wouldn’t be surprised if you made major someday.”
A sober smile came to Alan’s lips as a face from the past came to mind. “Thank ya’, Sir. I know of someone who’d be agreein’ with ya’.” And he knew Daniel still would. He could still hear his friend’s words clear as if he were talking right there beside him: “By the time I reach lieutenant, you’ll be a major”.
The captain stood up from his desk and talked while he circled around next to the sergeant. “By the way, a messenger came into the fort this afternoon from the Tawakoni. Chief Nibaw wants to have a powwow and discuss a few things. It may take a bit, but I think we’re well on our way to finally making peace with the tribe.”
Alan’s face lit up. “I’m glad ta’ hear that, Sir.”
Henderson laid a hand on Alan’s shoulder. “I’d like for you to come along when we meet. I think you have a right to be there. After all, we wouldn’t be having this chance if you hadn’t gotten the chief to agree to think about it.”
The sergeant tried to smile modestly. “I can’t be takin’ all the credit, sir. T’was really Kathy’s doin’ that brought this all about. She finally got me seein’ that hate can be ah’ mighty dangerous thing; and revenge t’ain’t as sweet as it be made out.”
Henderson’s expression held nothing but pleased approval. “I’m glad, Branegan. I’ve been wanting to hear that for some time now.” He folded his arms as he asked, “By the way, what are you going to do about Kathy?”
Alan grinned. “I’ll be keepin’ her, Sir. I helped her then she helped me in ah’ way I can never be repayin’. Carin’ for the lass be the least I can offer. In ah’ way, I think we was kinda’ meant for each other.”
Henderson nodded in thought. “You know something.” He looked at Alan as though he had already known it all along. “I think you’re right. But if you remember your manual, sergeant; any children under 18 aren’t allowed to live on a post without at least one of the parents present. And Kathy has no parents. Don’t suppose you got any ideas?”
A slight flush came to Alan’s face. “Well, Sir, I have one idea how I can be remedyin’ that.” His mouth opened as though to say something more, but then hesitated.
“Is there something else, Sergeant?” Henderson asked, a grin twitching at his mouth.
Alan began to stutter. “Uh … well … yes, Sir.”
“Well, what is it then?”
“Sir, I was … I …”
The captain just stared, but his eyes held an amusement that made Alan’s cheeks even warmer with embarrassment.
“I was hopin’, sir. Uh … that is … I was wonderin’ if … if I could be havin’ yer permission ta’ be seein’ Miss. Linda – regularly that t’is.”
Henderson clasped his hands behind his back, pretending to scrutinize the sergeant through narrowed eyes; but he couldn’t hide the twinkle they held. “Well … I can’t think of any reasons to object at the moment. So you’d best ask her about it and see what she thinks; though I’ve an idea what she’ll say. You know something else?” A grin came to his lips. “I think all three of you were kinda’ meant for each other.” He looked over Alan’s shoulder. “Wouldn’t you say so, my dear?”
“Yes, I think so,” a feminine voice answered.
Alan spun around and the color in his cheeks deepened even further when he saw Linda and Kathy in the open doorway, both wreathed in smiles. They came in as Henderson spoke to his daughter.
“This fine soldier here wants to know if he can be seeing you regularly. Though I honestly don’t know what he’s waiting for.”
Linda smiled. “I’d like that very much.” She looked up at Alan with a smirk. “Since we’ll be seeing a lot of each other, now will you call me “Linda”?”
Alan looked at the lovely face before him. It looked lovelier than ever and he suddenly knew what he wanted. The captain was right: what was he waiting for?
He shook his head. “Not yet. There be one more thing ta’ do first. It be the way I was brought up ya’ know.” He backed up a step, facing her. He began to speak but hesitated. For some odd reason he glanced at the captain.
Henderson motioned him on. “Well, don’t look at me, boy.”
Gathering his courage from inside, Alan looked into the kind brown eyes and took a deep breath. “Miss. Linda, I have ta’ confess somethin’ ta’ ya’. A long while ago I made a promise ta’ meself that I wouldn’t let no one get close ta’ me again; but I have ta’ be sayin’ that you and the little lass here have changed me mind. Now, I’m not sayin’ I be the best man in the country, though I could lick ‘em all in a fair fight; and not that I be the richest man nether; but even so, I try ta’ be the best I can. I be a soldier and I be proud of it. So now, with all that bein’ said and out ah’ the way, I guess what I be tryin’ ta’ say is … well …” Alan forced himself down on one knee before the blushing girl. He reached out and took one of her soft hands in his, hoping she wouldn’t feel the quivering that seemed to shake his insides like an earthquake. “Miss. Linda, will ya’ … will ya’ consider marryin’ this Irish lad?”
Had Linda’s smile been any bigger, it would have reached from ear to ear. She grasped his hand in both of hers. “Oh, Alan. How could I turn down that kind of proposal? My answer’s yes! Yes!!”
The new bride-to-be suddenly found herself swooped up in her fiancé’s strong arms. Alan squeezed her tight before setting her down and a hearty laugh rang out as only the Irishman could.
“Now I can be callin’ ya’ Linda!”
After holding back through the whole scene, Kathy was nearly bursting. She threw her battered cavalry hat into the air so hard that hit the ceiling as she let out a wild, “YAAHHOOO!” Taking a running step, Kathy made a flying leap at Alan and was caught in an embracing, loving hug. Linda joined in and Alan put an arm around her as well, drawing his new little family close. For the first time in years; his life of mends and patches suddenly looked truly perfect.
From the side, Henderson watched the happy scene. He chuckled to himself. “I’ve gotta be the luckiest man in any fort. After all, it isn’t every captain who gets a sergeant, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter all at once!”
The End
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