Brides of Ohio

by Jennifer A. Davids

  Adele looked out over the fields for a moment. “No, I will be all right.”

  Daniel started to climb the fence, but Katherine was hesitant, remembering how Carr had chased Jacob off his land a few weeks ago. “Do you think we should?”

  “While I was out with Simon Peter, we met up with one of Carr’s farmhands chasing after a stray cow. He said we could look if we needed to.”

  Once they were over the fence, Katherine walked on with Adele. “Our house was over that way,” Adele said, pointing to the line of trees. Katherine caught sight of a slate roof.

  The field they were walking over was lying fallow, and they lost the prints in the tall weeds and grass that had grown in it. They spread out, hoping to find them again, and Katherine thought it would be worth taking a peek at the farmhouse.

  Brush and young trees had grown up around it, and she pushed her way through until she came to a sort of clearing. The house stood before her. It was a small frame house, and as Jacob had said, the glass windows were broken out. A pump stood nearby, and she could imagine Adele pumping water from it to get Jacob or Nate something to drink. Her heart ached for her friend’s loss.

  “Father,” she whispered, “help Adele find happiness again.” Katherine had noticed how wistfully the young widow would look at her and Daniel. She knew no one could ever replace Nate in the young widow’s heart, but she believed the Lord could bless her with room for another. And then Jacob could have a pa again.

  Suddenly a familiar face appeared around the corner of the house.

  “Scioto,” Katherine exclaimed softly.

  The horse grunted as she approached, and she gathered the reins that hung broken from his bit. She led him out further into the clearing, pleased to see he seemed perfectly sound. She made certain by leading him around in a circle before bringing him to a stop. She rubbed his neck and he nuzzled her. “We’ve been worried sick about you, boy,” she murmured.

  She stiffened as she heard the click of a gun being cocked. She turned to see Charles step out of the trees.

  “And I have been just as concerned for you, sister dear,” he said as he leveled the gun at her.

  “Charles!” she gasped.

  “I’m glad to see there was no permanent damage done.” He was referring to the blow he had dealt her, and she raised a hand to her face. “It’s just too bad I didn’t knock some sense into you.”

  “What are you still doing here? Where did you get the gun?”

  “As I told you before, you will do as I say. We’re going to leave for home right now on that horse, so lead him over.”

  Katherine turned, and in one swift movement slapped Scioto on the hindquarters. The horse screamed and took off running toward the fields. “Daniel!” she yelled as Charles grabbed her and threw his hand over her mouth.

  “What’d you do a fool thing like that for?”

  “It’s a good thing she did, secesh.” Elijah Carr rushed out of the trees, a shotgun in hand. “You were planning on walking out on our deal. She still has to get Kirby over here, remember?”

  Charles scowled at the older man. “Well, you heard the man, sister dear,” he growled as he dug his gun painfully into her ribs. “Call him again.”

  Daniel saw Scioto burst out of the brush at the same moment he heard Katherine calling for him. He knew instantly something was wrong. His horse came to a stop before him. Had Scioto hurt her somehow?

  Adele and Jacob rushed up as Katherine called for him again. She sounded frightened, and Daniel drew his Colt.

  “Daniel, what is it?” Adele asked.

  “Something’s wrong,” he said. “Take Scioto and get help.”

  Without hesitation she swung herself up into the saddle, and Daniel helped Jacob climb up in front of her. As they galloped off, he jogged toward Nate’s old house, slowing as he drew close.

  He reached the clearing and saw Charles standing near the house with a gun pointed at Katherine’s head. “Katherine!”

  “Now, now, she’ll be just fine as long as you do as I say.”

  Daniel felt the muzzle of a shotgun in his ribs, and he instantly uncocked his weapon and let go of the grip so it hung from his finger.

  Elijah Carr took it and, sticking it in his belt, nudged him toward a large stump where a pen and inkpot sat. “We’re just going to conduct a little business.”

  Daniel watched as Carr walked around him and laid the sale papers on the stump. “Where did those come from? They should still be with Mr. O’Conner.”

  “Mr. O’Conner had to stay with me for a while until the storm blew over.” He smiled meanly. “One of my hands managed to get ahold of these for me.” He nodded toward the papers. “Now sign.”

  Daniel looked at Katherine and then back at Carr. There was no way around it. If he didn’t do what Carr asked, either he or Charles would shoot Katherine, more than likely killing her. His heart pounded, and he knelt down, picked up the pen, and dipped it in the ink.

  He was about to sign his name when Katherine spoke. “Mr. Carr, all the land in the world won’t bring your brother back,” she said softly.

  Carr stared at her. “What do you know about my brother, secesh?”

  “I know he died a horrible death at the hands of foolish men. I’ve been praying for your nephew and your sister-in-law. And for you.”

  Something hit Daniel’s boot. Carr’s attention was diverted, and Daniel slowly looked down to see a buckeye lying at the base of the stump. He stared at it in amazement, not because it was nowhere near the season for the nuts to fall but because of the letters he saw etched in it. J. M. K. Jonah Michael Kirby. Praying that he was not imagining things, he laid the pen down and rose.

  Carr looked at him then noticed the unsigned papers. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “We’ve all been praying for you, Elijah,” he replied. “Even Adele. Even me.”

  A look of amazement fell over Carr’s face, much to Daniel’s surprise. He didn’t know the man’s face could look anything but greedy and hateful. His mother had been right. He should have been praying for the man all along.

  “Mr. Carr, I—” Katherine began. She winced as Charles roughly grabbed her arm.

  Daniel had to fight the urge not to do something stupid.

  “My sister is obviously disturbing you, sir,” he said. “So we’ll be on our way.”

  Carr’s face resumed its normal expression. “Just what makes you think you’re free to leave?”

  “It was part of the deal,” Charles snapped.

  “I don’t deal with Johnny Rebs,” Carr replied, turning his shotgun toward the pair.

  Katherine screamed as Charles shot Elijah Carr in the chest. The man fell to the ground, and Daniel dove for his gun. He pulled it from Carr’s belt, but Charles rushed up and kicked it out of his hand.

  “Your turn now, Billy Yank,” Charles sneered, aiming right at Daniel’s head.

  A shot rang out, and Charles slumped to the ground next to Carr. Daniel heard Katherine gasp as his own brother stepped from the bushes.

  Jonah looked at him. “Guess it was his turn.”

  Chapter 20

  The babble of Mill Creek filled Katherine’s ears as she sank down on a rock by the water’s edge. She breathed deeply and looked out over her peaceful surroundings, but her hands were still shaky and she still could not quite believe what had happened. Her brother was dead, and Elijah Carr had only survived long enough to die in his own bed.

  When Charles had left the Kirby farm, he had wandered onto Elijah Carr’s land and found the Stephenses’ old farmhouse. According to one of Carr’s farmhands, he’d been staying there for the past two weeks before being discovered the day of the storm. When Carr questioned him, he realized he could use him to get Daniel to sign the sale papers.

  She began to shake as the whole episode played out in her head once more. If it hadn’t been for Jonah, Daniel would be dead right now, and she would be getting dragged back to South Carolina to be forced into a
loveless marriage.

  She shook her head. Like everyone else, she still couldn’t quite believe Daniel’s older brother was alive.

  Like Charles, Jonah had been reported as being killed in action. But in reality, he’d been sent to a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp, none other than the notorious Andersonville Prison. Jonah had barely survived the harsh conditions and had been forced to watch helplessly as many of his fellow prisoners died of exposure and malnutrition.

  When he was finally released, the army had put him and many other prisoners from Ohio on the steamship Sultana. The hopelessly overcrowded riverboat trudged up the Mississippi River and was just a few miles north of Memphis, Tennessee, when it exploded. Jonah had been able to jump from the ship and swim to safety, but he became ill and had to stay in a Memphis hospital for several days before finally arriving home. He’d literally just walked up the drive when Adele had come charging up on Scioto.

  Father, Your timing is perfect. Thank You for protecting us.

  She heard footsteps and turned to see Daniel stepping into the shadow of the trees. He gave her a little smile. “Thought I might find you here.” He walked over and sat down next to her on the rock, slipping his arm around her.

  She rested her head against his shoulder. “I needed a little peace and quiet. What did the sheriff say?”

  “He said Jonah only did what he had to do to defend me. When he searched Carr’s papers, he found his will. The land will go to his nephew, Ben.”

  “Does the sheriff know how to reach him?”

  Daniel nodded. “He found a number of letters from Carr’s sister-in-law and from Ben. It’ll take a while to reach them. They’re clear out in the far western part of the Dakota Territory.” He squeezed her. “What do you plan to do about your brother?”

  She sighed. “I’ll telegraph Aunt Ada. Most likely she’ll have me bury him here. She won’t want to have to tell Charleston society what happened.” She brushed a tear from her eye and felt Daniel squeeze her shoulder. “I had hoped Charles would have a chance to change his heart before he died.”

  “I’m sorry,” Daniel said.

  Katherine laid her head back on his broad shoulder, and they looked out at the soothing waters of Mill Creek.

  After a while, she raised her head. “How’s Jonah?”

  Daniel paused for a moment, and Katherine knew he, too, was finding it hard to believe his brother was alive. “Adele went with him just now to see Ma’s grave.” He sighed. “He’s not very happy with me, though.” He rose and walked up to the edge of the creek. “I’m not very happy with myself. I came very close—too close—to throwing away his inheritance. I should have trusted what the Lord was telling me.”

  Katherine joined him and took his hand in both of hers. “‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ God will forgive you, and I know Jonah will in time.”

  He smiled at her tenderly, reaching up with his free hand to stroke her face. “Thank you, Kat.”

  She looked at him curiously. “That’s the third time you’ve called me that today.”

  “It’s to remind me never to get you angry.” He pulled her into his arms. “You get as feisty as a wild bobcat.”

  “Are you sure you can love such a dangerous creature?” she teased him. She caught her breath at the look in his eyes.

  He lowered his head and kissed her until everything around her spun. “Katherine Eliza Wallace, I’ll love you until Mill Creek runs dry, and forever after that.”

  Epilogue

  Now what God hath joined together, let no man put asunder,” Reverend Warren declared. He smiled at Daniel. “You may now kiss the bride.”

  Katherine laid her hands lightly on her new husband’s chest as he tenderly kissed her.

  A soft sigh of approval rose from all those assembled in the Kirby parlor. No sooner had the reverend presented them as Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Kirby than it seemed the entire crowd moved forward as one to wish them well. With embraces and handshakes, one person after another congratulated the happy pair, and Katherine thought her arms would fall off before they were through.

  Jonah stepped forward and, nodding to her, soberly shook his brother’s hand. “I’m happy for both of you,” he said and, without so much as smiling at them, stepped away.

  Katherine looked at Daniel, and he squeezed her hand in reassurance.

  Mary stepped up and hugged her and her nephew.

  “I pray he’ll be all right,” Katherine said as they parted.

  Mary looked after Jonah with weary eyes. “He needs all the prayers he can get right now.”

  “Is he still having nightmares?” Daniel asked.

  “I’m afraid so,” she replied.

  Jonah walked into the empty dining room and was soon followed by Adele. She laid a hand on his arm, and the hard look left his face for a moment.

  “He seems a little better when she’s around, though,” Mary added.

  Adele and Jacob were staying with the Deckers, but the young widow came out to the Kirby farm nearly every day to help Mary.

  “A soothing presence,” Daniel said, looking at his new bride. He looked around the room before turning back and smiling at her, a spark in his green eyes. “Mary, Katherine, come here. I have a little surprise.”

  “Daniel Aaron Kirby, what else have you done?” Katherine asked as she lifted the full skirts of her new dress. It was made of cream-colored linen that Ruth Decker had special ordered just for Katherine. With Jonah having taken over the farm, Daniel had accepted the position as a classics professor at Ohio Wesleyan alongside Professor Harris. He’d already surprised her with their new house in Delaware and news that they would honeymoon in Maine. He also promised they would visit with his good friend General Joshua Chamberlain and his family while they were there. How could there possibly be more?

  She and Mary looked at each other in confusion as Daniel led them over to where the Johnson clan stood. It had been months since they had seen Simon Peter and his sons. Jonah had taken over what was left of the planting when he came home, and they had been busy out at their own farm.

  With a broad smile, Simon Peter took her hand in his. “How do, Mrs. Kirby?” he said. “Things been so busy you haven’t met my wife, Celia, yet.”

  “I’m so glad to meet you,” Celia said, clasping Katherine’s hands. The woman smiled at Daniel and then looked back at her. “Mrs. Kirby, I believe you already know my sister.”

  Wondering what she could mean, Katherine looked to see a young woman step out from behind Simon Peter’s tall form. “Katherine, I’m so very glad for you.”

  “Chloe!” Katherine and Mary both gasped, and they quickly embraced her.

  Katherine held her at arm’s length, her eyes swimming with tears. “Oh Chloe, I’m so sorry—”

  “Oh no, Katherine, don’t blame yourself. I never did.” The two of them embraced tightly once more.

  Katherine looked at Daniel. “How long have you known she was Celia’s sister?”

  “A while,” he admitted. “I wanted to tell you right away, but Chloe wanted to surprise you.”

  As the guests began to slowly leave, Katherine stepped out into the courtyard for some fresh air and to breathe a quick prayer of thanks. October was starting out a bit chilly, and she shivered.

  A moment later, she found herself being wrapped in something warm. Looking down, she saw her Irish Chain quilt that Mary and Adele had lovingly finished in time for her wedding day. Daniel’s strong arms soon followed, and she leaned back against his chest as they watched the sun slowly dip lower over the fields.

  With a sigh of contentment, she turned her head slightly to glance back at her husband, and he turned her in his arms and kissed her with a passion that rivaled the horizon’s fiery glow.

  “How ever did I manage it?” Katherine eventually murmured.

  “Manage what?” Daniel smiled.

  “How did I, of all people, manage to ca
pture a Yankee heart?”

  Wounded Heart

  Dedication

  After the Civil War, only men with extreme symptoms of what is now known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were sent to soldiers’ homes and asylums to recuperate. The rest worked through their war experiences as best they could with the help of family, friends, and faith, a circumstance I have tried to portray here. I wish to thank Lee Strobel for his book The Case for Faith, which was instrumental in creating Jonah Kirby. To my editor, Aaron McCarver, and dear friend Sally Bayless, this book is all the better for your input. Thank you. And many thanks to those men and women who suffered and died for our country from its birth up to its present conflicts. To those same men and women, this book is respectfully dedicated.

  Chapter 1

  Delaware, Ohio Late March, 1866

  Adele Stephens, you haven’t heard a word I’ve said in the last five minutes!”

  Adele looked up.

  Her friend, Mary O’Neal, was sitting next to her in the parlor of Mary’s nephew, Daniel Kirby, and her warm brown eyes held a look of reproach. The older woman set down her teacup and picked up a quilting square from the side table between them. “I asked what you thought of the quilt I’m working on.”

  “I am sorry, Mary,” Adele said, taking the square from her. She held it up, but as her mind wandered again, she looked right through the pretty green- and brown-print squares. Suddenly the fabric disappeared, and she looked up in surprise.

  Mary had taken it out of her hand and was now looking at her with genuine concern.

  “What’s the matter? I’ve never seen you so distracted,” Mary said.

  “Oh Mary, she barely touched her dinner.” Katherine, Daniel’s wife, sat on the other side of Adele. She grasped Adele’s hand and squeezed it, her gentle face worried. “You aren’t taking ill, are you?”

  The young widow smiled at her. She had grown to love the lilt of Katherine’s Southern accent. It was a perfect match to her warm and kind personality. “Nein,” she replied in her native German. “I am sorry. I have many things on my mind.”