Chapter 16
Herbert followed Andy, keeping a wary distance between them, but at least his rifle was aimed at the ground. Andy took that as a good sign—it meant the Union soldier trusted him, to some degree. It meant he would give Andy a chance, give Sam a chance, and that was all Andy wanted.
As they neared the cabin, they could hear Sam crying out from inside, his voice hoarse in the wilderness. “Andy! Oh God, Andy, make it stop!”
Without a glance at the soldier who followed him, Andy broke into a run. He heard Herbert right behind him.
“Andy!”
Inside the cabin, Sam thrashed from side to side. Andy skidded across the rotting floorboards to fall on his knees beside him. “Shh, it’s okay,” he murmured, taking his lover into his arms. Sam clutched at him, the fever that rose from him
