Peril lurks behind every tree and near every homestead, but the hard-fought love of a man and a woman surpasses all.
Six talented writers provide stories of romance and danger centering on Union and Confederate soldiers, spies, blockade runners, renegades, and battlefield nurses during a period of corsets, hoopskirts, and gentlemen callers.
Print ISBN: 1-60154-670-X (354 pages) Sensual
Excerpt
Excerpt from Angel of My Dreams by Susan Macatee
Kyle Dalton shielded his eyes from the sun as he scowled up at his friend. He laid the rifle he’d been cleaning on the grass beside him and rose to his feet.
“What’s it to you, Derek?”
Derek scratched at the dark whiskers of the beard he was trying to grow and smirked. “I told you Monica wasn’t the reenactor type. Once the novelty wore off, she’d get tired of it real fast and start making demands for you to either cut back or give it up altogether.”
Although Kyle hadn’t wanted to admit it, Derek was right. Monica had moved into his apartment six months before, and since the new reenacting season had started up again, she’d done nothing but complain.
Kyle glanced around at the canvas tents and fellow reenactors strolling by or cooking breakfast over a fire. Wood smoke mixed with the enticing scent of frying bacon. His mouth watered. He’d risen for roll call a half hour ago and hadn’t even had his coffee yet. The last thing he wanted to think about this weekend was Monica.
“It’s finished between us,” Kyle said. “She’s moved out, and I say good riddance.”
“Thata boy.” Derek slapped Kyle on the back. “Look around you. Lots of cute reenactor chicks ripe for the picking.”
Kyle scowled. “Most of who are here with husbands or boyfriends.”
Derek grinned. “You gotta have faith, dude. Don’t forget those civilian groups that come on their own. I’m sure there are more than a few lovely ladies looking for companionship.”
Kyle shook his head. “No way am I ready for that. I’m here to forget Monica, my hard-ass students, school administrators, and all other problems. I just want to relax and enjoy the weekend.”
“I hear you, but you need to get your butt out of those inner-city schools.”
“I’ve been thinking about that, but I wanted to get at least a few years of teaching experience under my belt.”
“You’ve done that. I’d like to see you get out before one of those bad asses puts you in the hospital for confiscating his iPod.”
Kyle shook his head.
“Start looking around for a better position now. Don’t put it off.” Derek glanced at Kyle’s rifle. “You ready to rock? We form up at noon.”
“I’ll be ready.” Kyle was certain Derek didn’t know just how ready he was to lose himself in the 1860s.
Once on the battlefield shoulder to shoulder with his fellow reenactors, Kyle fell completely into the character of the Union corporal he portrayed.
Cavalry raced across the field ahead of a solid line of Confederate soldiers. They formed up waiting for the Union troops’ advance.
Kyle focused on the battle ahead and hoped he had enough rounds so he wouldn’t take an early hit. If that did happen, he’d have to lie on the ground and wait out the battle. He planned to stay in the thick of it as long as he could.
The loud speaker, announcing the oncoming battle, drew him from his thoughts. Bugles sounded, orders were shouted, and Kyle’s company advanced on the Rebels. Cannon blasts vibrated across the field, and the Rebs took aim.
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