“Trying to be a part of your world.” He slung his rifle over his shoulder. “If this is important to you, then it’s important to me too. Because you’re important to me. More important than anything.”
“Oh, Garrett.” I straightened up to look at him. “You didn’t have to do this—”
“I know,” he interrupted me. “I wanted to. I really, really wanted to. I want to be that someone for you. Because I do trust you, Libby,” he said, taking my hands. “This doesn’t excuse the way I treated you. But … I was scared. Scared of getting hurt again and, worst of all, scared of losing you.”
“You’re not going to lose me.” I squeezed his hands. “And I would never, never hurt you.”
“I know,” he said, pulling me into his arms, and finally everything felt right again. “I’m so sorry, Libby. But I mean … I’m only human,” he whispered in my ear. “And you’re Wonder Woman.”
“You’re superhuman, Garrett,” I interrupted him. “What you did was … extraordinary. With your article in all those newspapers, I mean. Saving all those battlefields? That was incredible.”
“It was the right thing to do.” He blushed. “And I knew it was important to you.”
“You’re what’s important to me,” I said, smiling. “Losing you would be a million times worse than losing any battlefield.”
“Even Gettysburg?”
I nodded.
“Okay, now you’re just trying to butter me up,” he said, and chuckled.
“There’s no part of the past I would trade for my future with you,” I said seriously.
I rose up on my tiptoes, threw my arms around his neck, and kissed him.
I could still hear cannons exploding around us. But I knew the war was over.
suggestions for further reading
Libby here! I learned a lot about the Civil War this summer, but there is SO much more cool stuff out there about this super-interesting chapter in American history. I just had to give you a few more suggestions … Have fun nerding out!
The Civil War: A Narrative, by Shelby Foote
Seriously everything you ever needed to know about the Civil War. It’s long, but don’t be intimidated—it’s super good, I promise!
Gettysburg, by Stephen W. Sears
The ultimate book about the ultimate battle.
The Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War, by Drew Gilpin Faust
A fascinating book about the terrible toll the war took on America. Not for those with weak stomachs—it can get a little grisly!
The Red Badge of Courage, by Stephen Crane
Fictional story of a young soldier struggling with his fear of battle. Total classic. A must-read. (And Beau’s favorite book!)
The Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara
Historical novel about what went down at the real battle of Little Round Top. Warning: You may develop a raging crush on Tom Chamberlain. Or maybe that’s just me. (Don’t worry, Garrett, he’s like two hundred years old!)
Civil War Cookbook, by William C. Davis
I wish we’d had more of these recipes this summer! History can be delicious—just avoid the salt pork.
So you’ve read all the books—the next step is to live it! Want to get involved in a Civil War reenactment? (Or maybe just visit one?) Everything you need to know here:
www.reenactmenthq.com
acknowledgments
I feel like a second book needs twice as many thank-yous! Amanda Lewis, you are the Wonder Woman of agents, which makes Doe Coover the Justice League of agencies. Thank you for always being on my side. A big thank-you to everyone at HMH Graphia, especially Bethany Vinhateiro, the most brilliant editor ever. Thank you for loving these books as much as I do and helping to make them so much better.
My friends—the SatV girls, the Spice Girls, the Midd Girls, Caitlin, Evie, and Becky B—you guys are my biggest cheerleaders. Pepper, I hope we always have adventures together. To all my southern friends (War Eagle/Roll Tide), I hope I got it right. Max, I write love stories for a living, and I still don’t have the words.
Mom, you are the best unofficial publicist a girl could ask for. Baby sister, without you I would have no blog material. Dad, we are like the literary version of Beyoncé and her dad, except I will never fire you.
Thanks to everyone who read Pilgrims Don’t Wear Pink—without you, this book wouldn’t exist! Thanks to all of my teachers, especially Ian Campbell and Amy Morsman. Finally, whoever digitized Godey’s Lady’s Book, you are my hero.
credits
“Before He Cheats”
by Chris Tompkins/Josh Kear © 2005, Big Loud Songs/ASCAP (admin. by Big Loud Bucks) SonyATV Crosskeys Publishing/ASCAP Mighty Under Dog MusicASCAP. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
© 2005 Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. All rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 8 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
About the Author
STEPHANIE KATE STROHM grew up in Connecticut and attended Middlebury College in Vermont, where she was voted Winter Carnival Queen. Currently she lives in New York City with a huge shoe collection and a little white dog named Lorelei Lee.
www.stephaniekatestrohm.com
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