Summer Rose

by Caroline Hartman

  “I think you can call me Daniel. Hell, the war is over. We’ll be brothers-in-law soon. Have you set a date?”

  Ed nodded. “Next Tuesday, in the chapel at West Point. Just your mother and my dad are attending. He doesn’t live far from West Point. You’re welcome, but it’s quite a trip right now with everyone mustering out. We’ll understand if you can’t attend. I’m to report to Ft. Laramie on the 15th, and I want Abbey to come with me.”

  “Good luck.” Daniel cleared his throat. “Will there be other wives where you’re posted?”

  Ed’s voice softened. “A few. Mary and Emmett Hathaway are also headed there. I’ll take good care of her, Daniel. I promise. I love her.”

  “I know. I’m just being protective.”

  They walked back to the house, talking about who was going where. Jake Hunt had requested duty in Washington. “He’s still courting Emily St. Clair.”

  Daniel told him of his own plans to study and set up a law practice in Camelann. He shrugged. “I’ve had enough fighting. Summer Rose’s valley is God’s country. I’m going to leave the Indians and the Mexicans to you younger men.”

  As they neared the house, Jack McAllister came down the long backstairs. Despite his freshly shaved face, spit-shined boots, and knife-edge creases to his trousers, Jack shifted from foot-to-foot, skittish as colt. He looked as if he needed a stiff drink.

  Ed and Jack spoke for a few minutes then Ed begged off. “I want to find Abbey. Think I’ll be able to drag her away from those twins?”

  As Ed walked away, Jack asked, “Do you have time for a smoke?”

  Daniel nodded. Jack held out a silver case and offered a cheroot to Daniel. They took a minute to light their smokes then walked along the path by the long row of English Hawthorne trees. Pale pink petals floated on the soft air. Fine gravel crunched beneath their boots.

  “Your mother sent me a gossipy, carrot-topped housemaid to help me unpack. Do you know who she is?”

  Daniel nodded and grinned. “Ah. Mimi. Did she seduce you?”

  Jack blushed, but shook his head. “I settled for a scrubbed back, though I’m hardly a priest. It was amazing, though. She spewed gossip with me barely asking a question. Her accent … what is that?”

  Daniel shook his head. “Just Philadelphia. Nerve-jarring, isn’t it?” He peered sideways at Jack. “What did Mimi tell you?”

  They continued back along the path, followed by the smoke from their cheroots. “She was a fount of information. You won’t want to hear much of it.”

  Daniel’s head jerked around. Dread, as harsh as acid, flushed into his veins.

  “There’s no way I can soften this.” Jack let out a long breath. “It appears your mother is greatly relieved that Abbey will be married and that the wedding is next week.”

  He saw Daniel’s stricken face and held up one hand. “No, no. Nothing untoward with Abbey and Ed.” Jack took a drag from his smoke. “Your mother is just relieved because she can now avoid being humiliated at a big wedding.”

  He blew a long stream of smoke and gazed into the sky. “Your mother wasn’t sick this past week, Daniel. Louie filed for a divorce. Everyone in town, or at least their servants, knows your father is seeing another woman, and he plans to marry her once the divorce is finalized. Mimi told me even his best friend, Hugh McGill, is upset with him. He went to Washington to try to talk sense into him. Harvey, also, is barely speaking to your father.

  “Your father’s involvement isn’t new, Daniel. Mimi didn’t mention her name, but she knows the woman has a reputation. According to Mimi, ‘He’s been seeing the ho’ for a couple of years. He was probably seeing her when we arrested her. At first, your mother didn’t want the divorce, but now she does. She hired an attorney, Roger McIlwraith, who I know personally. He’s excellent. To quote Mimi, who quotes your mother, ‘I will squeeze out every dime he’s ever made or hopes to make.’

  “According to Mimi, your father agreed to everything she requested. As you know, getting a divorce is next to impossible, but money has crossed many palms. All the hullabaloo hasn’t escaped your sister. Even Mimi, who appears to have a newt-sized heart, feels sorry your sister. Louie isn’t attending Abbey’s wedding. He won’t even be here tonight. ‘That poor girl has cried and cried,’ she told me.” He shook his head. “Ed’s the one who suggested to your mother that they speed up the wedding. He used the excuse of being sent to the Dakotas.” Jack took another drag of his cheroot. “The Indian Territories appear to be more desirable than her staying in Philly.”

  Jack walked a few feet away and studied the back of the big house. “I don’t know what to tell you to do, Daniel. We have no grounds on which to arrest Mrs. Mason. We have no papers on her. Any paperwork was lost or destroyed with Judge Turner’s suicide. Apparently he made sure of that before he pulled the trigger. We only have Hal’s word against hers.”

  “What about mine? Summer Rose? The soldiers?”

  “Were you involved with the commercial transaction? She’ll claim she was just caring for the child.” He let out a bitter laugh. “Pearl claimed the house was a school.” He shook his head. “You know those notebooks I collected? According to her, those notebooks were records of tuition payments. The house burned completely so we have no physical evidence, and Liza is out west.”

  Daniel ground out the butt with the heel of his boot. “Do you have any idea who really owned that house? Was my father connected with buying or selling that child? Any child? In any way?”

  “We’ve found no connection.”

  Neither spoke for a good five minutes. Finally, Jack said, “Want some advice?”

  “God knows I need it. Tell me not to drag him out to the pond and drown him. On the other hand, where’s that whore? I have no qualms about putting a bullet through her head. Why in hell didn’t we do that?”

  “I know. And if I knew where she was, I’d help you.” Jack ground out his smoke as well. “I doubt if your father was involved with the child, but you may as well try and change the tide as change his mind about Mrs. Mason. He’s giving up his political ambitions, his practice, and his family.”

  He swung around and faced Daniel. “Go to Abbey and Ed’s wedding. Step in for your father. And I suggest you plant a seed in your mother’s ear. Tell her to go to England with Amelia. Nan Charlotte, too. Get them out of the country. Make that suggestion tonight.” Jack laughed without any mirth. “Think of it as punishment for Hal. All those women on a ship for ten days will drive him mad. Then take Summer Rose home. She needs to spend quiet days with her sons and start her garden.”

  He led Daniel toward the greenhouse. They peered through the glass where Summer sat on a rattan couch beneath a large, leafy tree, holding Gus. Mac lay beside them on a sofa cushion. She’d braced one leg to keep him from rolling, allowing one slim ankle to peek from her petticoats. Her dark and silky hair had grown enough so she could sweep it back into a curled chignon. Her skin glowed with health.

  “Now isn’t that a gorgeous sight?”

  Daniel nodded, speechless. Tears threatened. Since the train, tears snuck up on him often. I almost lost them.

  She wore a pale blue-green dress of silk with wide vertical ribbons of the same colored crocheted lace between every panel of her skirt. Bands of the exquisite lace softened the hem and the low neckline, letting him admire the cleavage of her breasts, the downy petals of her petticoats.

  “Danny, forget all about the things you can’t do anything about. Those problems aren’t going away. If you ask me, I think you should take your wife home and start another baby. You’re good at that.” He flushed. “Sorry. That didn’t exactly roll off my tongue right. You know what I mean. Your twins have to be the most beautiful babies I’ve ever seen. I’m just their half uncle, but I’m so proud of them I could bust.”

  He cleared his throat. “Study the law. Buy more land.” He elbowed Daniel. “I wasn’t joking. Life’s short.”

  Daniel let out a long sigh and opened the door to the greenhou
se. Summer Rose turned to him and smiled. Beside her, Mac kicked his feet and Gus grinned, wiggling all over. Daniel’s heart thumped and he smiled back. Mac held out his arms and Daniel’s eyes filled up, which he blinked back. I am a general who bawls like a woman.

  Jack sniffed the air, rich with the scent of oranges. “And ask your mother for an orange tree. Tell her how oranges during the winter would benefit her grandsons. I’ll help haul it from the depot. Ask for a lemon tree, too.”

  CHAPTER 61

  CHARM

  Louie Charteris left without saying goodbye to his family. He left his affairs in good order, with Harvey St. Clair administering his interests. He left no notes. No one in the family ever saw him again.

  Despite all this, Abbey and Ed’s wedding was well attended. In addition to Flora and Nan Charlotte, Amelia and Harvey brought Emily, Hal, and Hank, along with his nurse, Miss Pitt, a tiny, prune of a woman. Summer Rose and Daniel also attended, with Mercy tending to both Gus and Mac. Except for the babies and their nurses, everyone drank champagne on the train to New York and West Point. They stayed the night in an elegant guesthouse which overlooked the Hudson and met Jake Hunt and Ed’s father at the chapel the next morning. Several weddings took place that day; however, Abbey and Ed were the only couple who had two generals crossing swords for them.

  Only one unsettling incident occurred. In the carriage, on the way to the inn for the wedding luncheon, Hal positioned himself next to Mercy and made quite a fuss over her. Daniel, sitting opposite him, grew angrier by the second as Hal used his glib charm on the sweet girl. He envisioned Hal seducing her. Not only did he worry about Mercy’s virtue, but also that damn goose on Gus’ bottom telling secrets he didn’t want told.

  At the inn, he pulled Hal to the opposite side of the carriage, away from any eyes. He slammed him against the door and held him still, his big hand splayed on Hal’s chest. He kept his voice low, but each word hissed crisp and clear between his teeth.

  “I consider Mercy under my protection. I’m warning you up front, Hal, if you even look at her cross-eyed you’ll be lucky if I stop at gelding you.”

  Hal sputtered. “Danny, I’d never—”

  “I’ve heard that before. Jesus Christ, Hal, keep your hands off her. I should have spoken to you upfront when you first sniffed around Summer. Consider yourself warned.”

  “I was just having some fun.”

  Daniel’s voice didn’t increase even a decibel. “I repeat. She lives under my roof. I consider her my daughter. You touch her and …” He released Hal, and straightened his own jacket. “Today is my sister’s wedding day. The war is over. We’re alive. You’re my oldest and best friend.” He swiped the hair off his forehead. “I’ve lost too many friends, Hal. I don’t want to lose you, too. But if you touch her, you may as well be dead.”

  He spun on his heel and walked into the inn, leaving Hal in stunned silence.

  After a splendid lunch along with champagne toasts, the bridal couple left for a two day honeymoon in Saratoga. Serious goodbyes were said all around. Amelia, Emily, Flora, and Nan Charlotte along with Hal, Hank, and Miss Pitt departed by rail for New York, then sailed on the Adrianna for England. Harvey accompanied them to New York. Everyone else painfully noticed that Jake Hunt did not. Emily, all blotchy-faced, left without saying goodbye to him.

  Daniel personally mustered out all his men. To give Summer plenty of time to plant her garden, he sent Wally Saxon and Henry Evers, now retired veterans, home with her. They took two covered wagons full of hundreds of seedlings as well as the runners and plants from her grandfather’s estate. Rabbit and Matilda clomped along behind them while Lewis and Clark loped in large circles around them. Wally and Henry helped her plant all the seedlings. Daniel came home in time to help them haul the enormous lemon and orange trees from the railhead. Ezra raised the roof of the greenhouse to accommodate them. The young veterans liked the valley so much they leased adjoining farms.

  “We’ve got girls back home. After we marry, we can find work here, can’t we? At least until the next harvest?”

  “You can always help out around here or at the Feed and Seed Store in town.”

  In November, Summer Rose and Daniel celebrated the first Thanksgiving. The Zimmermans visited early in the afternoon, and Jack, the Evers, and the Saxons stayed for dinner. Jack, now with Allan Pinkerton Investigators, left in the late afternoon for Chicago where an important case involving smuggling loomed. Irene Wood had taken Mercy to Gettysburg for the new official American holiday, so they had the twins to themselves. Everyone else left at twilight.

  After their visit to England and subsequent tour of the continent, Daniel’s mother and grandmother traveled to St. Andrews and stayed with Nan Charlotte’s Cousin Elsie in Scotland. Daniel knew they feared coming home to face the inevitable gossip. Amelia and Emily returned to Philadelphia in September. Rumors still rippled about Emily’s breakup with Captain Jake Hunt. No one had a clue as to why. Hal, Fanny, Hank and Miss Pitt were aboard ship somewhere in the North Atlantic. Daniel expected them home the following week. Hal wrote that he was ready to practice law and that he with Fanny and Hank would live in Philadelphia during the winter. By spring though, they planned to finish the house and live in the valley during the nice weather. Everyone planned to celebrate Christmas at Amelia and Harvey’s house in Philadelphia.

  The day after Thanksgiving, Daniel received a letter postmarked from Chicago. When he opened it, a newspaper clipping from the Chicago Tribune fell out.

  Louis Woodward Charteris

  Louis Woodward Charteris, 54, ended his life this morning at 6:45 o’clock in the living room of his home. He had fired a 20-22 calibre pistol into the right side of his head. His body was found by his wife who immediately sent for a doctor. He is survived by his wife, Pearl Mason Charteris, and an infant daughter, Louisa Lenore, a son and daughter from a former marriage, Daniel Charteris and Abigail Charteris Kincaid. His mother, Charlotte Charteris, is traveling in Europe. No foul play is suspected.

  During the past year, Mr. Charteris had been an attorney with Hatch, Angst, Mercer, and Hoyt. He formerly lived and practiced law in Philadelphia with Charteris and St. Clair. He belonged to Trinity Presbyterian Church in Oak Park, Illinois.

  Mr. Charteris, son of William Wallace Charteris and Charlotte Woodward, was born in Philadelphia on February 17, 1811 and spent most of his life in Pennsylvania. He attended and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1833. Services will be held in Mr. Charteris’ home in Oak Park at two o’clock on Friday. The Reverend D.L. Dawson will officiate. Interment will be made at Peace Valley Cemetery in Oak Park, Illinois.

  The attached note simply said:

  Dear General Charteris,

  Your father and I were married in Indianapolis this past August. I wanted you to know that during the short time we were together, he was very happy. He delighted in your half-sister, Louisa Lenore Charteris, who was born in October. Shortly after Louisa’s birth, Louie learned he had terminal cancer which precipitated his suicide. I thought him very brave.

  I send my condolences to you, General Charteris. Your father was very proud of your accomplishments, and Louie’s most fervent wish was to make amends. I also send my congratulations on the birth of your twin sons. I hope someday your sons and my daughter will be friends.

  My Kindest Regards,

  Pearl Mason Charteris

  Oak Park, Illinois

  Daniel eased down onto the porch steps, afraid he might faint for the second time in his life. Summer Rose picked up the note and the clipping and read them, then sat beside him and placed her hand on his knee. He covered her hand with his.

  A thousand memories, some good, some not so good, flashed through his mind. Daniel thought he’d mourned his father when he’d left last spring, but all of it came rolling back in crushing waves of memories.

  A mix of emotions: sadness, helplessness, anger, regret, guilt, and mostly relief came over him. His mother, grandmother, and sister co
uld come home, and he could stop worrying about his father’s involvement in things untoward. Little chance existed that he would ever know absolutely whether or not his father knew about Pearl’s dealings with the children. Still an unending emptiness remained.

  Jack, of all people, helped him the most in accepting his father’s desertion, helped him keep his own sanity. “Your time here, Danny, is too valuable to waste being angry at someone who happgened to be your father.”

  Daniel took a deep breath. He’d survived the war; the woman he loved sat beside him; his sons napped inside their home. Could I be luckier, he asked himself? To Summer he said, “Jack and I talked about times like this.”

  “Jack?”

  He nodded and picked up her hand, rubbing it between his palms. His pale eyes stared out toward the lake for a long time. The view, the smell, the cool air touching his cheek, the squawk of the ducks, this place, Camelann, never failed to bring him peace. Among the cascade of memories, he recalled the first time he’d seen Camelann. His mind moved on to Summer Rose healing his leg, and those magic days when he’d first loved her, when his love for her was a grain of sand compared to the mountain of love today. His throat ached with emotion.

  He glanced sideways at her, his eyes crinkling. Still seated on the top step, he leaned back on one elbow and his one hand reached beneath her hair. She folded into the crook of his arm. “My father’s gone. I have a new sister, and now a relationship with a woman I abhor. No chance I’ll ever acknowledge her child as my sister or the boys’ aunt.” He cringed at the thought. “It’s one of those times where I can’t do a damn thing about anything.” He lifted her hand and his lips brushed the inside of her wrist. “The war taught me, above all else, to simply live in the moment.”

  “Easier in thought than practice.”

  “I know. Hal wants to work together. Would that bother you?”