Stowaway in Time

by Cathy Peper

  A hint of color flared in Janet’s cheeks. “While I would be happy to live in a temporary home until we can build a more permanent structure, I’m not sure you’ll be able to find enough labor to build anything now. Most able-bodied men are off fighting the war.”

  Finn sniffed. “And most are on the wrong side.”

  “How can you stay up at the house?” Diamond asked, trying to prevent an argument. “It’s occupied.”

  “By Union officials. Naturally they gave permission for me and my fellow officer to stay there.”

  “Will they allow Janet to stay in her own house once she marries you?”

  “The house is full of men. Even if they would stand for it, it wouldn’t be appropriate. Come, Richard, let’s go settle in.” He dropped a kiss on Janet’s cheek. “I will see you at the church tomorrow, my dear.”

  “Wait. If you will be associating with Union soldiers, see if you can discover any news of my husband, Jesse. He took part in a recent skirmish and I fear the Yankees have taken him prisoner.”

  Finn turned his cool gaze her way. “I’ll see if there is any news.”

  “Thank you,” Diamond said. She felt he would keep his word even if he still appeared about as warm and toasty as an ice cube. His friend, Richard, was polite, but radiated disapproval of both her and Janet. Especially Diamond, since she was the wife of an enemy soldier. She wasn’t sorry to see the men go, but it still struck her as rude.

  “That’s it?” Diamond asked once the men left, and the women had settled back into their chairs. “You will let them stay in your house while we stay here?”

  “I don’t see what else we can do. Besides, I didn’t think it bothered you. You’ve never complained before.”

  “It doesn’t bother me, not too much, anyway. But why didn’t he find you another place to stay tonight if he thinks so poorly of these cabins?”

  “He will once we’re married. Until then, it’s not really his concern.”

  Diamond wanted to roll her eyes. She didn’t like what she had seen so far from Finn and wondered if Janet was so dazzled by his looks she couldn’t see his personality. “Are you sure this is the right thing to do? We could go back to Little Rock.”

  “And leave Father without his Union connection? He’d be furious.”

  “If you’re set on marrying a Union officer, you have a house full of them. We could introduce ourselves, show them a little Southern charm and soon have one of them eating out of your hand.”

  “Flattering, but I’m past my prime.”

  “Nonsense.”

  “I don’t think you have any idea how lucky you are—and me, as well—to have snared husbands. Men are dying at a rapid rate, creating a country full of widows.”

  “You have a point, but I don’t think Finn is your only option.”

  “I’ve wanted him since the first second I laid eyes on him.”

  “He is good looking.”

  Janet smiled. “You don’t like him. Many people don’t, but they don’t know him as I do.”

  Diamond hoped she was right. Although her opinion of Janet had nosedived after her sister-in-law nearly got a man killed, she didn’t want her stuck in a bad marriage, particularly not in the nineteenth century when it would be difficult or impossible to get a divorce. “I expected Finn to take us out to dinner tonight to celebrate.”

  “He’ll want to hobnob with the officers up at the house. He’s ambitious and you never know who might help advance your career. We will have plenty of time to celebrate tomorrow. But I have something I was saving for a special occasion.” Janet dug into her bag and retrieved a bottle of wine. She called to Sarah who was still bent over the wedding dress, putting on the final touches.

  The three women gathered around the rough-hewn table and Janet poured them each a cup of wine. “To my future,” she said and raised her cup. Diamond and Sarah clinked theirs against hers.

  “To the future,” Diamond echoed, wishing she didn’t know that for much of the South, the future would be bleak.

  * * *

  The next morning dawned warm and sultry. Janet had arranged for a carriage to drive them to the church since they had to bring their wedding clothes and a few discreet cosmetics. They set up in a small room off the sanctuary. As Sarah helped Diamond into her hoops, petticoats, and dress, Diamond longed for air conditioning. Or at least a pair of shorts. Wearing all the clothes required of a lady in the nineteenth century was nearly unbearable in the Missouri heat.

  Once Diamond was presentable, Sarah took her time preparing Janet for her big day. Diamond was free to place floral decorations on the ends of the pews, check on the cake, and worry about Jesse. After taking delivery of the cake and finishing the decorations, she sat in the back row of pews and studied the wooden building’s simple interior. It was a long rectangle filled with rows of hard wooden benches, but the creamy white walls and the light flooding in from the elegantly arched windows softened the austere look. At the far end, behind the altar, hung a crucifix. Diamond had not been a regular churchgoer since childhood, but since moving in with her in-laws, she had attended every Sunday. She still didn’t have any strength of conviction, but society expected people to go to church. However, as she sat in the quiet space, the smell of incense still faint in the air, she closed her eyes and sent up a small prayer for Jesse’s safety. And for the country.

  She was still there when Finn and his friend arrived, dressed in their blue uniforms. Diamond and Richard would stand in as witnesses and the couples’ only attendants. The men brought two bottles of wine and a cask of beer to add to the limited refreshments.

  As guests from town, neighboring homes, and even the Union contingent began to file in, Diamond made her way back to the changing room.

  “You look beautiful,” she told Janet. “Finn’s here and waiting.” She might have imagined it, but Janet’s shoulders appeared to relax. Diamond supposed all brides harbored a secret fear their grooms would not appear.

  When the music began, Diamond walked down the aisle on Richard’s arm. Finn stood in front of the altar and the pastor, an older man with a white beard, stood behind it. Janet followed, walking on her own since her father couldn’t be there.

  Finn and Janet exchanged their vows, both speaking loud enough for the entire congregation to hear them. Despite her doubts about the groom, Diamond dashed a tear aside as she recalled her own wedding. At the time she had gone through the motions, weighted down with despair. But as she recalled the ceremony, she realized it had its own beauty despite being quickly thrown together. She wondered where Jesse was. Had he made it back to his regiment or was he languishing in a Union prison? She refused to consider he might be dead. She may not have loved him when she vowed to do so but intended to make up for that lack if she had the chance.

  After the ceremony, the guests gathered to eat, drink, and wish the couple good luck. At first, the townspeople were wary of the soldiers, but once the alcohol started flowing, everyone relaxed and behaved civilly. Richard appeared less uptight and even Finn seemed approachable.

  Diamond drew him into a private corner at her first opportunity. “Did you hear anything about Jesse?”

  “Sorry to confirm your fears, but the rumors were correct. Union forces captured him and he’s now in prison in St. Louis.”

  Diamond gasped, her hand going to her mouth. “What will happen to him?”

  “He will either be paroled or transferred to a prisoner of war camp.”

  “He might get parole?” Diamond asked. It was a strange concept to her, but sometimes prisoners were released if they promised not to take up arms against the Union again. Alternatively, he could be exchanged for a Union soldier held by the Confederacy. Diamond hoped he received parole, and no longer had to fight.

  “It’s possible.”

  “I need to travel to St. Louis. I have to see him.”

  “I’ve been considering moving Janet to St. Louis to wait out the rest of the war. I suppose you could come with us.
It might be nice for her to have company while I’m gone.”

  Diamond’s eyes widened. What had Finn planned to do about her before? Leave her alone in the slave quarters? Send her back to Arkansas? Or had he not even given a thought to her wellbeing? “Have you discussed this with Janet?”

  “There’s been no time.”

  “She might prefer to return to her father’s home in Little Rock.” But it was unlikely. Part of the reason for this marriage was to establish a foothold on the Union side.

  Finn’s brows drew together. “My wife will not be living in enemy territory.”

  “St. Louis here we come.”

  “Flippancy is unbecoming in a lady. If it weren’t for your dowry and distant connection to the Pooles, I would think Jesse made a dreadful misalliance.”

  “I’m not your typical Southern belle,” Diamond agreed as her hands curled into fists. She’d like nothing more than to smack the smug expression off Finn’s face. Too bad she needed his cooperation to get to St. Louis.

  Janet came up and laid a proprietary hand on her husband’s arm. “You’re monopolizing the groom.”

  “Finn confirms the Yankees have taken Jesse. He’s in prison in St. Louis.”

  Janet bit her lip. “That’s good news, in a way. At least you know he’s alive and away from the fighting.”

  “Yes, but he’s not safe. The dreadful conditions in many of the prisons cause a high death toll.”

  “I’ve been telling Diamond not to worry. I’ve decided it would be best for you to live in St. Louis for the rest of the war. I will arrange for both of you to visit Jesse.”

  “It will be nice to live in a house again,” Janet said.

  Diamond’s mouth nearly fell open. No argument? No discussion? She would not have believed Janet could be so compliant. But she would not complain. Not when the move would allow her to see Jesse again. It seemed like at least a year, rather than just a few months, since she had seen him off at the train station. She would call upon Ari once they reached the city. Maybe Bryce could pull a few strings and get Jesse paroled. He didn’t owe her anything. To be fair, he hadn’t even had to provide her dowry, although she was grateful he hadn’t abandoned her to her fate. She had Ari to thank for his generosity.

  Bryce didn’t like her. In the twenty-first century, she’d sensed a story and pursued them unmercifully. She still wished she could have broken the story. Time travel is real! It would have made her career. But there would have been repercussions. Everyone would want the chance to fix past mistakes. What if the government seized the crystal? No one would be safe.

  She had learned the hard way that with or without time travel, some actions could not be undone. Messing with the timeline could cause serious problems. People died. And disappeared. Time was a cruel master.

  Thirty

  Chapter 30

  Diamond never expected her reunion with Jesse to take place in a dank jail cell with bars between them and Janet hovering nearby. He was still too thin, but with a rangy toughness rather than the hollow-eyed look of illness.

  He looked up in surprise when the guard announced he had visitors. Diamond tried to read his expression when he saw them, but although she thought she caught a fleeting look of joy, a polite mask soon replaced it.

  “Diamond,” he spoke her name softly and stepped up to the bars.

  Unable to stop herself, Diamond ran the last few feet, and they clasped hands, staring into one another’s eyes.

  “Sweetheart, what are you doing here? How did you even know I was here?”

  Janet stepped forward. “My husband, Finn, found out where you were being held.”

  Jesse dropped Diamond’s hands. “Diamond wrote to me about your betrothal, but I didn’t expect the wedding to happen so quickly.”

  “Well, there was no time to waste. Finn could die at any time and I’m not getting any younger.” She lowered her voice. “And there was the Jack problem.”

  “Did you see him?” Jesse asked, also speaking just above a whisper. “Is he well?”

  Diamond nodded. “He should be fine. His wound was healing nicely.”

  “Seems I haven’t his ability to evade capture.” Jesse’s hands tightened on the bars and his shoulders sagged.

  “What can you expect when he left you without a horse?” Diamond spoke more sharply than she intended and Janet kicked her in the ankle. “Ow.”

  “They will listen to everything we say,” Janet whispered.

  “They already suspect me of helping a known guerrilla escape. Give them proof and my uniform might not be enough to save me from the hanging squad,” Jesse said.

  Diamond twisted her hands in her skirt. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”

  “I know.” Unable to speak openly in front of Janet, he winked at her, acknowledging their secret and giving her a free pass.

  He was more generous than she would have been in his place. “We’re hoping we can get you paroled or exchanged,” she said.

  “It’s growing more difficult as both sides resist sending men straight back to the battlefield.”

  “That’s why I’m pushing for parole.”

  “It would be nice to leave army life behind, but where would we go?”

  “We could go back to New Madrid or even head West.”

  “Father won’t be happy about parole,” Janet said. “And I wouldn’t think Jesse would want to abandon the Confederacy.”

  “He wouldn’t be abandoning anything. He’d be honoring his word as a gentleman.”

  Jesse raised his hands. “Hold on. You still haven’t explained why you’re here. Last I heard, the two of you were going home to Hickory Grove.”

  “It’s still occupied.” Janet kept her voice even, but compressed her lips into a hard line. “We have nowhere to live so Finn rented us an apartment here in St. Louis.”

  “Which means I can visit you regularly until your parole comes through,” Diamond added.

  Jesse gave her a strained smile. “They won’t keep me here forever. Too many prisoners have escaped. They will transfer me somewhere more secure if I don’t get released soon.”

  “I’ve set up a meeting with Bryce. He might help us.” Once again they exchanged a meaningful glance.

  Janet picked up on it. “Just what is your relationship to the Pooles?”

  “I’m distantly related to his wife.”

  “Do you really think he’ll help you?” Janet asked. “Seems like a stretch.”

  “I don’t know, but I have to try.” Diamond reached in the pocket of her gown and pulled out a wrapped parcel. “We brought you this. It’s only bread and cheese, but we guessed the food isn’t very good here. I’ll bring something else the next time I come.” Alone, she wanted to add, but couldn’t in front of Janet.

  Jesse took the package. “Thank you. The food is fine, but sparse. But don’t think you have to keep visiting me. I don’t like to see you in this place.”

  “I won’t be back, now that I know you are well,” Janet said. “Wouldn’t want anyone to doubt my newfound Union allegiance. And it would be best if you didn’t spend much time here either, Diamond. Finn wouldn’t like it.”

  “I don’t care what Finn likes. Jesse is my husband. I will visit him.”

  “You can come occasionally, but I don’t want you to make a habit of it. Janet is right. It could be dangerous.”

  Didn’t he want to see her? Was he regretting their hasty marriage? Or did he think she would slip up again and allow the guards to overhear something they shouldn’t? She took a step back, her limbs weighted with dismay. Tears flickered at the back of her eyes. She had to get out of here before she broke down entirely. She wouldn’t cry for a man who was only interested in her dowry.

  “Fine. I’ll return after I speak to Bryce. We had better be going now. Lots to do and all.” She was already backing away from the cell, blinking back the silly tears as she watched Janet drop a dutiful kiss on her brother’s cheek through the bars.

  And
then they were back out in the harsh sun, the damp smell of the prison a distant memory, the leers of the guards barely registering as the door clanged shut.

  “I’m glad I won’t have to do that again,” Janet said, wiping her hands against her skirts. “Thank goodness he doesn’t expect you to come every day.”

  “Thank goodness,” Diamond echoed, barely listening to her sister-in-law. Jesse showed no interest in her. Apparently her letter-writing campaign had failed. Her instinct was to stay and fight, but she no longer trusted her instincts. If she had not blindly pursued Bryce and Ari, she would not be in this pickle.

  Would it be best to just let Jesse go?

  * * *

  Diamond sent Ari a note asking if she could visit. Two days later she sat in the elegant parlor at the Poole home, a cup of tea and a plate of cookies at her elbow.

  “How is your marriage working out?” Ari asked.

  “Fine, I guess. Jesse has been away most of the time.”

  “And now the Yanks have taken him prisoner?”

  “Yes. I was hoping Bryce could use his influence to get him paroled. Or exchanged. I would prefer parole, but I don’t want him sent to a prisoner of war camp. We both know how dreadful they can be.”

  “Bryce has friends in high places but has no authority with the military. Still, he will join us later and you can ask him then. I thought we would get reacquainted first.”

  Diamond shifted position. “I’m sorry for the way I pursued you in the twenty-first century. I have a good instinct as a reporter and knew Bryce was hiding something but didn’t consider the damage I might cause by exposing him.”

  “I get it. Your job was to uncover the truth.”

  “Uncovering the truth is important. I haven’t changed my mind about that, but I no longer believe it’s worth any cost. Perhaps I never really did. Was covering the war in Afghanistan worth my dad’s life? Not to me.” The warm weight of Ari’s sympathetic gaze eased some of her tension. While it still seemed strange for Ari to be an old woman, the years had only added to her serenity.