Summer Rose

by Caroline Hartman

  “You know, Gus, you come from some mighty fine stock. Your blood runs thick with heroes and patriots.” He turned to Mac, who was studying his toes with great interest. “Not many boys have a true American hero for a mother, and a daddy who is a general. If you want some plain bread pudding, remember your Uncle Jack. I’ll teach you how to throw a knife, hold a rifle, and ride a horse. And I have a lot of stories to tell. When you’re old enough, I’ll tell you how your mother killed a bear.”

  Jack kissed the baby’s forehead and the bridge of his nose then turned and studied Mac’s nose. “I think you both have the McAllister nose.” He turned sideways and showed the boys his profile, featuring the proud hawk hook of a beak. “Be proud of it, fellows. It’s a good Scots nose.” He studied the boys’ eyes. Mac’s were pale green like his father’s. In fact, there wasn’t much about Mac that wasn’t a miniature of Daniel. Gus’ eyes matched the unusual blue-green of his mother. “I must return to Washington, but remember, boys, your Uncle Jack will be around. I’m a bit of a stuffed shirt, but I do care. You and I’ll do all the fun stuff.”

  With newfound courage, he manipulated Gus into the cradle so he lay on his stomach. Gus squawked at being put back in bed, so Jack rubbed the tiny back. The hem of his little shirt slid up, and Jack peered down at a birthmark he hadn’t noticed before.

  “By damn, Gus, you have a flying goose on your ass. Huh. I guess that’s a good thing. At least there’s no chance they’ll mix you up with your brother.”

  Daniel had seen the wild goose, too. Right after the babies were born, Ida and Becca shooed the men and babies to the guest room which they had set up as a nursery. When Ray unwrapped the first boy, he joked how the screaming, red-faced, baby with the wild mane of pale hair looked just like Daniel.

  Ray had laughed. “Has your temper, too.”

  Immense relief flooded Daniel. Tears hovered.

  Daniel had prepared himself in his mind, ready for the baby to be the spitting image of Hal, but when Ray unwrapped the second baby and Daniel spotted the goose, his knees gave out. All six foot two inches of him thumped to the floor. As his head cleared from the smelling salts, Ray chuckled and helped him sit up.

  “Now I know what having a rug pulled out from beneath me feels like,” mumbled Daniel.

  “Easy, big guy. Sit there with your knees up and your head down. Let me take care of your boys. You’d be surprised how many new fathers faint.”

  Thoughts whirled, too fast to grab hold of. Fear threatened to consume him, but it was fear for Summer Rose, not him. If she learned they were Hal’s babies, she’d be crushed. Daniel shook his head. “Ray, I’ve made a horrible mess.”

  “Give me a minute. Can’t be that bad,” said Ray, as he tapped the dark-haired baby’s back and listened to his lungs.

  Daniel, still on the floor with his head between his knees, mumbled. “Christ, Ray, you don’t know the half of it.”

  All of it, all that had happened last fall, spewed out, loosed by the reality of Hal’s birthmark. He told him how Summer Rose had been drunk after hearing he’d been hanged.

  “I found them naked in my bed, and I saw red.” As he told the story, the words came out faster and faster. “I don’t give a damn if the babies are Hal’s or mine. You can’t imagine how angry I am at myself for everything that happened. Until that night, I always prided myself on being an honorable man. But good lord, Ray, I went crazy. I raped my wife. I hurt her. I didn’t even have the excuse of being drunk. What I’m afraid of now is that this will devastate her. She doesn’t think anything happened with Hal, but she can’t remember.”

  His hands shook, and he sucked in another chestful of air. “I don’t want her hurt any more than she’s already been hurt. I swore I’d never lie to her, and now I can barely keep the lies I’ve already told her straight. What am I going to do?”

  Ray let out a long, slow whistle, then busied himself with swaddling the dark-haired twin and rechecking the fair one.

  “God Almighty, Danny,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m surprised she didn’t shoot the two of you. If I’d known, I’d have helped her. I can’t imagine what Grace might do to me if I did anything like what—” He placed the dark-haired boy in the cradle and scowled at Daniel. “You always were a hothead. When are you going to learn to control that temper?”

  His head still bent, Daniel lifted one weak hand. “Believe me, my temper is gone.”

  Ray took a deep breath and wrapped up the fair-haired baby, laying him at the other end of the cradle. “They’re healthy, beautiful baby boys. And they’re big for twins. You’re lucky.”

  Daniel pulled himself up and sat on the edge of the bed. Ray moved the cradle and put the babies between them, then sat on a chair facing Daniel, looking thoughtful. He used his foot to rock the cradle.

  “I believe something rare happened here, Daniel. Very rare. I’d like to write it up for a medical journal, but I won’t, because I consider you a friend and because I respect your wife.”

  He let out a loud breath. “In my opinion, the blond twin is yours. He looks just like you, has your big bone structure. The dark one has to be Hal’s. There’s no denying that goose.” He shook his head and let loose a chuckle. “Only Hal would have a wild goose on his ass.”

  Serious again, Ray continued. “It’s not unheard of for fraternal twins to be fathered by different men. In the animal kingdom it’s common with mammals bearing multiple offspring. In humans it’s rare, but it’s been documented since about 1810.” He sighed. “My advice is to tell no one. Few people know it can happen, and who would bother putting two and two together? Who else knows about Hal’s birthmark?”

  Daniel, stunned, shook his head. “Me, Amelia, Harvey, Fanny, maybe a doctor, and half the whores in Washington …”

  Ray grinned. “I wouldn’t worry too much about the whores. The army’s breaking up, the whores will dissipate, too. You need to keep Summer Rose from seeing Hal’s ass, and Hal from seeing the baby’s bottom. Summer wouldn’t remember the goose from … would she?”

  “She has no idea what happened with Hal. I’m sure she doesn’t remember the damn goose.”

  Ray chuckled again. “God punishes in mysterious ways, Danny. You deserve a lot worse.” His face softened. “You must feel like hell.”

  He stood up and walked to the dresser, where he began to pack his bag. “I may be able to help you. You need a good nurse, one who isn’t a gossip. I know a German girl who may be perfect. It would help her, too. She’s only twelve, maybe thirteen, and has no one. Lost her parents. She’s painfully shy, hardly talks at all. She’s living with Irene Wood.”

  Ray expelled a big breath. “She’s a pretty little thing and I’m afraid she’ll end up where the other pretty little girls end up. She’s wonderful with children. Her name is Mercy Hamil. I’ll speak to Irene.” He narrowed his eyes and gave Daniel a half-smile. “I do this for your lovely wife. You, my friend, should be horsewhipped.”

  CHAPTER 55

  MERCY

  In late April, Amelia wrote:

  Dear Summer Rose,

  I hope this letter finds you safe and healthy. Rumors whisper President Johnson and General Grant have scheduled The Grand Review for the last week of May. Every one of our gallant soldiers, including Danny and Hal, will be honored by our President, the Senators, the Congressmen, by all America. Plan to stay at the 18th Street House.

  My fingers itch to hold Micah and Angus. I am so happy Hal and Danny’s sons will grow up together. Hal arrived last Monday. He steals Hank from me all the time. If I weren’t so thrilled to have my son home, I’d send him somewhere so I could have Hank to myself.

  Tell Becca that I cannot find a thing without her, and Harvey is complaining about desserts. We will have a houseful that week. Ray and Grace shall be here, as will Danny’s parents and Nan Charlotte. Tell Danny I know how he loves the Rose Room, the one that you stayed in the last time you were here in Washington. I’ll save it for him.

  By all means
, bring the boys’ nurse. Grace wrote me that Mercy is a marvel. I think Grace is a little peeved at Ray for not keeping her as their son’s nurse. I miss you.

  Love, Amelia

  Summer found Daniel in his study and showed him the letter. “Can you imagine Grace wanting Mercy?”

  “Yes, I can. Mercy’s a godsend.”

  Mercy had fit into their household as snug as four fingers and a thumb fit in a mitten. Quiet, neat little Mercy, with her golden curls and honey-colored eyes, managed the boys beautifully. Neither parent knew what they would do without her.

  “Thank Amelia for saving the Rose Room for us. You haven’t stayed there in May. The roses climb all about the upstairs porch. The scent is beautiful. The light—”

  Summer dropped a quick kiss on his mouth. “I forgot how much you love roses.”

  “I haven’t.” He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her long and hard. “I love you, Rosie Charteris. Love you, love you, love you.”

  General Sheridan invited them to ride on his train. “We have dozens of trains taking us. I’ll reserve seats on my train for your party.”

  Becca laced Summer Rose into her stays and helped her into a new traveling suit of navy blue with a crisp white blouse and yellow silk scarf. The jacket wasn’t an exact replica of a cavalry officer’s jacket, but it was close enough.

  Becca tutted. “It’s sinful how good you look after just having twins. The soldiers will love you in this jacket.” She helped her with the hat, which imitated a soldier’s forager cap. “Even Daniel will like this hat.”

  Summer Rose made a face in the mirror. “Don’t count on it. He dislikes hats on me.”

  The train brimmed with military brass, handsome horseflesh, and a well-stocked bar. It chugged out of the station before ten in the morning and both champagne and spirits flowed as it cleared Harper’s Ferry. A few women sat here and there, or partied along with the men, but mostly the train carried officers out to have a good time. Piano music and singing came from the car behind them. Few men kept their seats, but sloshed their drinks as they roamed the train. The war was over, they had stories to tell, and, for most of them, the most exciting four years of their lives were about to end. The next few days promised a hiatus before civilian responsibilities returned.

  Summer and Daniel sat with a fussy Gus on a pillow between them. Mercy and Becca sat in front of them, with Mac asleep also on another pillow. Summer picked up Gus and patted his back; she regretted accepting General Sheridan’s invitation. How, in all this noise, would she ever keep two babies asleep?

  Daniel winked at her and took Gus. Her heart did a flutter as it always did. She loved how Daniel took part in the babies’ care. Not many men would touch a baby, but he loved helping with their bath. Sometimes he even dressed them. She smiled, feeling fortunate. Because of Daniel and Mercy, she was healthy and strong.

  Daniel interrupted her thoughts. “I’ll walk him about and show him off. It might be quieter further along on the train. Maybe he’ll fall asleep.”

  He moved toward the rear and she waved him a kiss then leaned over the seat. Becca rested with her head against the glass while Mercy sat with one hand balancing A Tale of Two Cities, the other on Mac’s back.

  The rhythm of the train hypnotized her. So did General Rosecrans who stood in the aisle alongside her, telling an unbelievably long, boring joke about two rebels in a Presbyterian church with a parrot. Her head drooped and she drifted into a half sleep, allowing the muscles in her shoulders to relax. She awoke with a jerk when something dropped onto her lap.

  It was a note. The stationery was Daniel’s, but the script wasn’t. She knew the handwriting. Her heart stopped then raced. Frantic, her eyes darted back and forth in search of who might have delivered the note, but found no one. She tore open the envelope.

  SWEET, LOVELY CHILD, SO FRESH, SO FRAIL, AND FAIR,

  I SEE YOUR FUTURE: DARK, BLEAK, CHOKED WITH DESPAIR.

  GOOD THING NEITHER DADDY NOR MOMMY YET KNOW

  HOW YOUR FACE WILL BE SLASHED BY THEIR WICKED FOE.

  SWEET, LOVELY, SUMMER ROSE, DON’T SOUND THE ALARM;

  LAST CAR, LAST HORSE, THEY HAVE NOT YET COME TO HARM.

  COME ALONE, COME FAST, YOUR FACE FOR THEIR LIVES,

  DON’T TARRY, DON’T TALK. I HAVE SEVERAL SHARP KNIVES.

  - H.

  She sat for a long minute, trying to think straight. Her heart pounded, and hot blood surged through her veins and arteries so fast her body numbed. She forced a couple of deep breaths, tried to slow her heart. She’d lost her head when she’d thought Daniel was dead. She did not intend to repeat that behavior. She searched the car, but saw nothing untoward. Nothing except every soldier appeared flush with alcohol. Even Ray, the most serious of officers, looked bright-eyed and pink. She needed a clear head.

  She stood, bent over, and whispered to Mercy. “Stay with Mac. I’ll be right back.”

  At mid-car, she stopped Sergeant Boyle, one of her favorite young soldiers. He smelled of beer but seemed relatively sober. “Sergeant, be so kind as to sit in my seat behind Mercy.” She forced a smile. “Watch over her and the baby.”

  He nodded, trying not to act put-upon, but she knew he’d obey because she was a general’s wife. She moved toward the rear of the car and was surprised when she spotted Sergeant Landon. He’d broken his foot at the Battle of Five Forks, and just this week had started walking with a cane. When they’d worked together in the warehouse, he’d told her his wife made him sign the pledge. Thank you, dear, dear Mrs. Landon. Thank you. Her guards sat behind him, pouting. Sergeant Landon probably wouldn’t allow them near the beer, which explained their sour faces. Sergeant Landon stood as she neared, and she bent forward and touched his right arm, slipping him the note with her right.

  As he opened it, she whispered. “None of these men can help. They’re beyond drunk.”

  He glanced at the note; she watched fear gather in his face, like a pebble creating expanding circles in a pond. He’d seen the other notes and knew what had been done to Nip and Tuck. She motioned with her head for him to come along with her.

  She bent and whispered to the guards. “Follow us.”

  Once inside one of the compartments in the third car, she drew the blinds. She ripped off her hat, sending pins plunking against the cushions. She stepped out of her skirt and petticoats, and tossed them across the back of the seat. The boys’ jaws dropped and she turned her back to them, speaking over her shoulder.

  “I’m sure you’ve seen pantaloons before, gentlemen. My husband is being held hostage. They have our baby. They want me.” She glanced back. “Private Saxon, I need your pants.”

  He hesitated.

  “Now, please!”

  In her mind she saw again her dogs in the burlap bag, remembered what had been done to them. Panic roared through her, freezing her hands, soaking the fabric beneath her armpits. This man will show no mercy to either Daniel or Gus. She forced the pictures away and slowed her breathing, steadied her heart. She lifted her chin and her eyes, then turned her back to Sergeant Landon, who knew exactly what to do. He reached beneath her little jacket and unlaced her corset. Ignoring them all, she shimmied out of it and slung the contraption over the back of the seat. Sergeant Landon motioned for Private Saxon to remove his pants, and when he had them off, the sergeant set about shortening the suspenders.

  They made no pretense of not watching as she removed the knife strapped to her leg, nor as she pulled the trousers over her long pantaloons or bloused both ruffled drawers and trousers over the top of her boots. Sergeant Landon helped her adjust the suspenders.

  “Summer,” he said, “Let me find Captain Case. He’ll be sober.”

  She ignored him, stuck the knife in its sheath in her right boot and pulled the revolver from the pocket of her skirt. She checked the chambers and slipped the gun into the back of her pants, then transferred spare bullets from her skirt pocket to that of her trousers.

  “The note said, ‘Come alone’. I can�
�t risk doing otherwise. You know what he can do. For the love of God. He has Gus and Daniel.”

  She pointed to Sergeant Landon. “I’ll follow you to the next to the last car. I’d like you and Private Evers to walk through to the end and reconnoiter. I noticed, when we pulled out of Harper’s Ferry, that there’s no caboose on this train. I want you to unlock all the windows and open them so that there’s a lot of noise inside that car. Use your rank, Sergeant. Make a loud comment about General Custer complaining about the smell. That’s something he would do. You’ll have to go into each stall and make sure no one is hiding beneath a horse. Be careful. We have to assume he’s not alone. When you get to the back, step out onto the platform and when you return make sure the door is unlocked. Do it nonchalantly.”

  She swallowed and took a deep breath, praying for strength. “They have Daniel back there someplace. God only knows what Hobbs might do to Gus or him. He’s insane. You know he wants to maim me, even kill us all.”

  She focused on Sergeant Landon. “Once you’re back at the front of the car, stay here and cover me with your carbine.” Her teeth set. “I’m going over the top of the car and in the back door. The hinges on that little compartment swing out so it’ll hide me. Also, keep everyone out of the last car. Do any of you have a knife?”

  Private Evers handed her a switch blade, and Sergeant Landon gave her the stiletto from his boot. It went in her left boot and the switch blade in her pocket.

  She smiled sweetly at them all. “I’m going to slice out his gizzard.” Her smile hardened until it looked as if she might use her teeth to do the deed. “I’ll dig out his heart.”