She ran her hand down his forearm and slipped it into his. “I have no problem with Hal, and I love Fanny. Have you two forgiven each other?”
He let out a chortle. “Has the South forgiven the North yet? We’re not quite that bad. I have forgiven him. Myself?” He shrugged. “I’m working on it.”
“You’d make a good team.”
“I know. Hal has the brains. I, on the other hand, always had the charm.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, yes.”
“Hal, in his letters, tells me we need clients. Financial opportunities, he says, are mushrooming all over the place. He mentioned Andrew Carnegie, who plans to make steel in Pittsburgh. And a fellow he knows named Rogers in Venango County in western Pennsylvania. His father was a whaler, and now he’s drilling that rock oil from the ground. He made $ 30,000 last year. As soon as Hal is home, he thinks we should make a trip out there.”
His fingers undid a button, and she smiled at him, lifting one eyebrow. “Ah! Is this the trick to staying in the moment?”
He undid another button. “Yes, but more importantly is choosing just the right moment. The boys are asleep, Mercy’s visiting Irene, you are here. I’m here.” He undid another button. “And choosing just the right someone is the most important.”
“You make it sound easy.”
“As long as I have you, it will be.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First, I must thank Sergeant Luther Calvin Furst, Co. D. 10th Pa Reg. Inf., my great-grandfather who fought in the American Civil War with the Army of the Potomac. He kept a detailed diary of his experience from 1861 to 1864. The original diary in his handwriting is in the Army War College Library in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Next, I must thank his son, Pop, my grandfather, John Kieffer Furst, for sparking my interest in Civil War history.
Once I caught the history bug, the world of books bloomed and further whetted my appetite for American Civil War knowledge. Somewhere in the vicinity of 16,000 books on the American Civil War have been published. Often when researching a point, I’d find conflicting information. Since Summer Rose is a work of fiction, I usually went with the better story. Serious historians may notice that in one incident I manipulated the timing of events during the Shenandoah Campaign to work better with the story. And although, at times, I felt as if I read all 16.000 books, I depended on the writings of a few experts. James McPherson, Bruce Cannon, U. S. Grant, and Shelby Foote were invaluable sources of historical material. I read stacks of autobiographies, biographies, and first person accounts of soldiers and generals. Harpers Weekly newspaper provided stories and details of the war as it happened. The wonderful story of General Sheridan’s bowling game came directly from Harpers Weekly as did the Winslow Homer drawing in the locket on the cover. Reading these articles and stories reminded me that when they were written, no one knew the outcome of the war.
I send thanks to my family and friends who supported and encouraged me. Sue Giordano, my daughter, and Pat Hartman, my daughter-in-law provided immeasurable help by reviewing early drafts. In addition to my children, I send huge amounts of thanks to my sister Joyce Gaw for her encouragement. She and her friends in Columbia, Maryland became my first fan club. My cousin Linda Pearson provided invaluable assistance and accompanied me to battlefields and points of interest. She and Nancy Dugan, a dear friend, who died before Summer Rose could be published, gave good common sense advice regarding fashion. Genevieve Graham of Writing Wildly Editorial Services and author of Under the Same Sky, professionally edited Summer Rose. I highly recommend her services as an editor. Her support as a friend has been invaluable.
Many kudos go to Bradley Wind and Cheryl Wilder Krass. Brad created the beautiful cover and the map. In addition to his talent, he possesses amazing patience. Cheryl, my publisher, kept me sane. She took care of all the details, and Elizabeth Wilder, her mother and a dear friend and fellow author, gave invaluable insight into a writer’s world. Anna McGarry, also known as Anna Rossi, my lovely British friend and author of Black Damask, gave much needed support when Summer Rose was little more than an idea. To many others who supported me, I send heartfelt thanks.
As a footnote to history, Elvis Presley used the melody of Aura Lea, Summer and Daniel’s wedding song, for Love Me Tender.
Summer Rose Page 34