"I think so." Buford crossed the room, still looking around. "She acts like it."

He didn't really want to sit down on one of the beds because he was still soaking wet so he just stood there.

He waited silently for the woman to return, he was extremely tired.

A few minutes later the woman returned, carrying a tray with two bowls of hot soup and two cups of coffee. "There you go gentlemen," she said, placing the tray down on a small table between the two beds, "Enjoy."

She also brought in towels and placed a few on each bed. "You may want these, you're both soaking wet... although if you need I could get you a change of clothes for the night..."

Buford shook his head. "There is no need for that, we'll dry."

"Of course, of course, you want to remain in uniform, I can understand that." The woman smiled at him warmly. "I can see that you're a really good soldier."

Devin smirked, wondering how the General would react. He held the bowl in his hands and let it warm his fingers through the porclain.

Buford just nodded. "Thank you."

The woman grinned. "If you need anything please come get me."

Then she turned and left the room, still smiling. When she left, Buford stared after her for a second, then turned back to Devin. "She is overly friendly."

"She's just trying to make us feel comfortable."

"Wel... hard to say how it makes me feel." Buford shrugged and picked up one of the cups of coffee, taking a sip. "This is real coffee Devin, not the crap the army gives us."

He watched the steaming cup and smiled, no matter how bad the days were, if every night ended like this while he was enlisted he'd be happy.

Buford smiled as well and took another sip of the coffee, enjoying it.

It was then that the boy came into the room and looked at them. "Hello," he said, "Your horses are dry and warm in the barn. I made sure they ate too."

"Thank you." He took a sip from the mug and smiled again, yes, it was real coffee.

"Jimmy!!" A voice called from downstairs, making the boy jump. "Get down here and leave the gentlemen alone."

With a slight smile, Jimmy turned and hurried from the room.

Buford watched him go and sighed. He was tired and there was a long day ahead of them in the morning as they still have to locate Lee's army.

He grinned at the receeding form of the boy, then turned to the General. He could see the man was already thinking of their next moves.

Since he was a little bit drier, Buford sat down on one of the beds and sat the coffee cup down to pick up the soup. He hadn't been expecting such kindness but wouldn't turn down real food. Eating in silence, Buford continued to think about how they would locate Lee's army.

He moved to stand in front of the fireplace. His back facing the wall, he relished in the warmth and dryness of a roof.

After he finished eating the bowl of soup, Buford took another sip of his coffee. "We should rest Devin," he said, "Long day tomorrow."

The warmth of the fire had quickly dried out most of Devin's uniform, he nodded and brought the bowl and mug to a table by the bed, sitting heavily.

"At least there isn't a tent to fall on you," Buford told him as he lay down on the bed, unused to the comfort it gave.

"That is something I appreciate very much sir." He lay back on the bed he sat on, happy to see a ceiling above his head and not canvas.

Buford smiled. "I know Devin, I know." Then he closed his eyes and was soon fast asleep.

Now everything will be fine as long as I don't fall outta the bed, Devin thought to himself before falling asleep.

((The Next Morning))

When the sun came up, Buford remained fast asleep. It had been a long day the day before and he was tired.

Devin rolled towards the window and saw that the sun was up, but he wasn't being yelled at to move so he closed his eyes again.

The woman came up to the room and sat two more cups of coffee next to the beds as well as two plates of pancakes for the soldiers breakfast. Smiling and thinking that they were still sleeping, she left the room.

Buford did not wake up.

Joshua woke up to the familiar snorts and whinnies of his gelding, and wearily blinked to see a dark muzzle over his nose and mouth.

"How did you get out?", he asked, yawning as he got up. Amadi pawed the ground, shoving him with his snout.

"Amadi, I'll take care of ya in a mo--"

Another shove.

"Cut it out!" He grabbed his halter, stading up and leading him back to the tying post. Now, to get something to eat...

Though his eyes were closed Devin had heard the woman enter. He hadn't expected anyone to enter the room, but the smell of what she had left caused him to sit up.

Not even the smell of the pancakes woke Buford up after the night he'd had the night before.

Pancakes. The smell assaulted him the moment he entered the town; he followed it to its source and knocked on the door casually.

Devin took his plate happily, looking at the General's sleeping form he wondered if he should wake the man.

When Buford woke up, his first thought was that it smelled really good but he didn't open his eyes. The bed was softer then he was used to and he'd like to just stay in that position for just a little bit longer.

----

The woman heard the knock and opened the door. "Oh hello there soldier," she said, "Would you like some breakfast?"

"Yes, thank you, Ma'am.", He smilled, tipping his Kepi.

• Forums are not to be used to post stories.
• All forum posts must be suitable for teens.
• The owner and moderators of this forum are solely responsible for the content posted within this area.
• All forum abuse must be reported to the moderators.