Touching the Sky

by Tracie Peterson

  “Two,” Brandon said without thinking. Seeing Justin’s brow rise slightly, he shrugged. “I attended that party you were too busy for a couple weeks back.”

  “Ah yes, I remember. Why do you ask?”

  “No reason, really.” Brandon didn’t want to hear the comments when he explained that his real interest was Laura Marquardt and not her father. “I suppose I just wondered what sort of business Marquardt was in. I didn’t really have a chance to talk to him much.”

  Justin nodded. “I don’t know what all he has on his plate, but I do know he has fought long and hard for a deeper channel in the harbor. I learned that much from the general. Apparently Marquardt has a hand in engineering the improvements, although I’m certain it wouldn’t be a single-handed effort.”

  “No doubt it would require a lot of money and a great many hands to aid in the matter,” Brandon said. “But given all that I’ve heard, it would greatly help the commerce of the town.”

  “Exactly.” The major looked as if he were about to say something more, but just then a man appeared at the door.

  “Sir, beggin’ the major’s pardon, but this just came from General Russell.”

  Justin motioned the sergeant to bring the missive forward. He took the letter and read the contents quickly. “It would seem a good thing that you’re here, Brandon. General Russell wants to hear your report and see both of us in his office immediately.” He cast the letter aside and got to his feet. “I suppose we’d better head right over.”

  Brandon got to his feet while Justin began buttoning his double-breasted coat. He couldn’t help but wonder what Russell needed from them both. It would be the second time in a matter of weeks that Charles had requested his presence.

  Taking up Brandon’s report, Justin grabbed his hat and motioned to the door. “Let’s not keep the man waiting.”

  They walked in quick step to the Ironclad House and found the corporal busy instructing two privates.

  “Attention!” the corporal commanded, and all three drew themselves into the expected rigid stance.

  Brandon let Justin take the lead since he was the senior officer. In no time at all they were seated in front of an angry-looking Russell, wondering what could possibly have happened to cause such a scowling countenance.

  “Thank you for your prompt response. We have need of your services, gentlemen. As I already mentioned to Captain Reid, an ongoing investigation has brought certain former Confederates to our attention and we need to devise a way to ferret these animals out of hiding.”

  “Perhaps you could start at the beginning and explain what this investigation is about,” the major suggested.

  Russell nodded. “This involves the murders of several Union soldiers last May. We know this savage attack was conducted by former Confederates. Yesterday two men from the Twenty-eighth were found dead in a ditch south of town. We fear additional attacks are to come, and we need to capture these men before they have a chance to kill again.”

  “What do we have to go on?” Brandon asked.

  “Not a great deal, but one name keeps coming up. Malcolm Lowe.”

  It was the same man Brandon had been urged to befriend at the Marquardt party. He’d hoped to meet the man, but learned shortly after arriving that Lowe had been detained elsewhere. Now it seemed the man was once again causing problems.

  “I can’t believe that you are pushing for this wedding to take place so soon,” Laura said, looking at her mother in disbelief. “They’ve only just become engaged.”

  “Yes, but they are well suited,” her mother countered. “A wedding in September would do a great deal to lift everyone’s spirits.”

  Carissa looked at Laura and shook her head. “You’re just jealous. You fear if I marry first, no one will step forward to ask for your hand. But honestly, Laura, this is the frontier. There are far more men than women. Papa has said so on many occasions, and prior to the war you knew that to be true. I’m sure that someone will marry you.”

  Laura would have laughed at her sister’s comment had the subject not been so serious. “I am not jealous. I am concerned about your reputation and about your safety. You don’t know Malcolm all that well.”

  “I know him well enough to know that I love him,” Carissa said, kneeling at their mother’s feet. She looked up at their mother with adoration. “Just like you knew you loved Papa when you agreed to marry him.”

  Their mother nodded. “I knew my heart well.”

  “As do I.” Carissa cast a sly glance up to where Laura watched the scene.

  Laura took a seat beside Mother on the cream and green striped settee. “Mother, I merely suggest that September is too soon. Tongues will wag and questions of her innocence will be discussed. You surely don’t want people thinking Carissa needs to marry quickly.”

  “Pshaw. I discussed this with members of the Ladies’ Church Society. They were all in agreement. A wedding and reception—even a dance—would do the whole community good.”

  A look of smug satisfaction crossed Carissa’s face, but Laura wasn’t yet defeated. “So your thoughts on the matter are merely to promote a party atmosphere to raise spirits?”

  Their mother looked rather surprised at the question. “Of course not. I simply see no reason to delay the union of two people who are obviously in love. Where is your sense of romance, Laura?”

  “It probably fades with each passing year that she remains unmarried,” Carissa said in an almost, but not quite, sympathetic tone.

  “This isn’t about my situation,” Laura countered.

  “Exactly,” Carissa agreed. “This is about me. I think it is my duty to uplift those around me. The war is behind us, but not so the sorrows. My wedding will be like a declaration of hope and future joy. We will cast off the old and take up the new.”

  “Oh yes!” Mother agreed. “It will be glorious. We will have a grand party right here. We will decorate the lawns and set up tables outdoors. We will invite everyone to attend and serve a wonderful wedding breakfast and later host a dance. It will be a grand celebration.”

  Carissa clapped her hands in delight. “Oh, I am so happy. I shall speak immediately to Malcolm and set a date.” She got to her feet and smiled at Laura. “And you and I must arrange our gowns. Since few have money for new creations, we should have no trouble in hiring a seamstress.” She kissed their mother on the cheek, then glided from the room.

  Laura looked at Mother and reached out to gently take hold of her hand. “Mother, you do realize that in a time when so many are struggling and suffering, we might be criticized for such an elaborate wedding.”

  “Let them criticize,” she answered. “A woman only marries like this once. I would do the same for you . . . and will should you find a husband.” Mother pulled her hand away and fussed with the lace on the collar of Laura’s chemisette. “I don’t want you to spoil this for Carissa. She has suffered enough from the war. We will make it up to her by giving her a wedding fit for a princess. Even your father agrees. He has already sent word to his brother in Chicago.”

  Laura knew that her uncle had safeguarded the family’s fortune through the war years, as well as provided regular stipends for support. Now that the war was over, it would only be a matter of time before all of their assets were returned to Texas.

  “There, now the lace lies properly,” her mother said with a look of satisfaction.

  “I hope you won’t regret this,” Laura said, standing. “I do only wish for the very best where Carissa is concerned.”

  “As do we all.” Her mother pulled out her fan. “Goodness, but the heat is most unbearable. Do ask Esther to bring me a cool glass of lemonade.”

  Laura nodded and headed for the arched doorway. She paused for a moment, wishing she could make her mother see reason. “It would perhaps make me feel better if Malcolm had already secured a job and was able to purchase a home for them.”

  Her mother’s face lit up. “Oh, that’s part of the best news. Your father arranged a pos
ition for Malcolm, and as a wedding gift we are buying them a small, but sufficient, house.”

  Laura felt as though she’d been slapped. She tried not to react, however. Nodding, she considered the statement for a moment. “I’m glad that Father feels he is able to do so much for them.”

  “Malcolm will become the son your father always wanted,” Mother said, smiling and working the fan with great fervor. “You will soon see, Laura. This is a wonderful thing for our family.”

  Brandon felt a sense of restlessness as another day concluded. He undressed and readied himself for bed, but all the while his mind was flooded with thoughts of what General Russell had told him.

  Charles needed an insider—someone who could seek the proof they needed to identify those responsible for the rising violence. Some Southern supporters would kill in the name of the Confederacy for as long as they could get away with it. The Twenty-eighth Regiment was particularly vulnerable because they were black—and also because they wore blue.

  Brandon thought long and hard about the general’s proposal. He had hoped to be free of the army and all that it stood for in a matter of days, but following this order would change all of that. The plan was to still muster him out as far as the public was concerned, but in truth he would delay his complete resignation until after the Lowe situation was concluded. He would continue to answer to General Russell and Major Armstrong, but for all intents and purposes he would be a civilian. Brandon wasn’t convinced that he’d made the right decision in accepting this role, but for the time it seemed the best thing to do. The army was even providing a small cottage in which he could stay and a horse to use as long as he had need.

  Picking up his Bible, Brandon settled into his bed and opened the well-read book. His father had given him this gift on the day of Brandon’s baptism. He’d been ten years old and had told his father that it was time he accepted Jesus as his Savior. He had said it so matter-of-factly that he might have been discussing the need for a haircut, but Brandon knew it was the most important decision of his life.

  Having a pastor for a father, Brandon had no memory of a life without God at the center of it. He had been taught to memorize Scripture, pray faithfully, and take compassion on the less fortunate. Brandon had also seen firsthand the blessings and woes of being a man of God. He wasn’t deluded. But what he had known were parents who were faithful to their beliefs, and that had given him a great deal of strength.

  He started to read, but soon his thoughts strayed to Laura Marquardt. He could still picture her face and its delicate lines. She was far more serious than her playful sister, but he liked that about her. She didn’t display the nonsensical theatrics that he’d witnessed in Carissa Marquardt. Perhaps that was due to her seniority in years—although they couldn’t be many—or maybe Laura was by nature more thoughtful.

  Glancing down at the open Bible, Brandon’s gaze fell to the last chapter of Proverbs. The tenth verse caught his eye. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. He thought again of Laura and read on.

  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

  He could see those verses applying to a woman such as Laura. He could sense her strength and passion for life. She displayed a streak of fearlessness but was also quite reserved and obedient. During their encounter on the street she had tried to explain herself, but she had done so with modesty and decorum. He couldn’t find fault in anything she’d said.

  Then at the party, he had watched her interact with the guests. She was congenial and sincere to everyone.

  He shook his head and glanced heavenward. “Is she your will for me?”

  His father had taught him this type of questioning as a youngster. “When you are presented with decisions and choices, as you are certain to be,” his father had said, “you should always stop and ask the Lord if this is His will for your life.”

  Brandon had heeded his father’s advice, and it had served him well to seek God’s will before his own. Of course, sometimes the answers weren’t exactly clear.

  He looked back at the verses and released a long breath. He needed God’s direction now more than ever. The days ahead would not be easy. He had a job to do and needed to be cautious, as the interest he had in Laura Marquardt overlapped with the duties he had to find evidence against Malcolm Lowe.

  5

  At the conclusion of Sunday services on July twenty-third, Carissa and Malcolm’s engagement was formally announced. The atmosphere immediately turned to one of revelry and joy as the congregation congratulated the happy couple. Laura tried to brush aside her feelings of unease, but her sister’s immaturity worried her. Carissa couldn’t cook or keep house, and there wouldn’t be money for servants. Unless, of course, Mother and Father stepped in to aid the situation.

  And of course, they very well might do just that. After all, they had purchased the little house on the far south side of the town. Laura tried not to be jealous. But she couldn’t deny a sense of disappointment. She always figured she’d marry first—have children first. She supposed it was a silly thought . . . and perhaps prideful, too. Maybe that’s why this was happening. Perhaps God was trying to teach her to deal with her pride.

  Stepping outside, Laura decided to wait for her family on the church lawn. It was at least a little cooler here than it had been inside. She was glad she’d chosen to wear her striped silk summer gown. The dress was lighter in weight than most she owned, and instead of being designed to wear with multiple layers of petticoats, the hem had been reinforced with stiffened muslin. This allowed Laura to limit her undergarments and still maintain a proper and fashionable silhouette.

  “You look quite lovely today, Miss Marquardt.”

  She turned to find Captain Reid resplendent in his army uniform. She smiled at his compliment. “Why, thank you, sir.” She looked around at the people who had gathered in little groups to visit. “I had no idea you were in attendance.”

  “I often share services with my men, but since I will muster out this week, I thought it would serve me well to explore my options amongst the civilians.”

  Goodness, but he’s handsome, Laura thought. She immediately felt her cheeks grow hot and hoped most sincerely that Brandon Reid was unable to read her thoughts. Unfortunately, the slight twitch at the corner of his lips did nothing to reassure her, and Laura quickly ducked her head.

  After an awkward moment of silence, Brandon spoke. “So your sister is to be married.”

  Laura forced herself to look up. Brandon towered over her five-foot-six-inch frame. She felt small and fragile beside this broad-shouldered soldier. “Ah . . . yes. I fear I do not share the same enthusiasm as my family, but I do pray for Carissa’s happiness.”

  “Why do you not share the same enthusiasm, if I might ask?”

  Carissa and Malcolm were receiving well-wishers as they exited the church. Laura caught sight of her sister’s joyful expression and felt guilty. “I shouldn’t have said that. I do apologize.”

  “Should you not have said it because it wasn’t true?”

  Laura looked back to Brandon and shook her head. “No, those are my feelings. However, I shouldn’t have spoken about them publicly. I love my sister dearly. I only want her happiness, and if this marriage will bring that . . . well . . . I’m content.”

  “But you don’t believe it will.”

  The statement was given matter-of-factly. Laura could see that Captain Reid was giving her his undivided attention, so this wasn’t simply small talk. He truly seemed to care.

  “They haven’t known each other long,” Laura admitted. “I believe marriage should be based on something more than sentiment.”

  “I quite agree. I have often cautioned my men on the dangers of such relationships. Sentiment and emotion are easily extinguished in the face of hardship and trial.”

  “Exactly,” she said, nodding. “That was my point. Carissa is so n
aïve and vulnerable. She isn’t ready to be a wife; she knows very little of how to care for a house and even less about men.”

  Brandon chuckled at this, and Laura felt a delicious shiver run down her spine. “You speak as one who knows,” he said, his voice low.

  Laura shrugged. “I’ve paid close attention to my father and his associates. My mother taught me early on that there was a wealth of information to be learned by simply watching and listening to others. I have found that to serve me well.”

  “But did your sister not receive the same training?” he asked, his brow raised ever so slightly.

  “To some extent. My mother tried to train Carissa, but she’s something of a . . . free spirit.”

  “Ah. Well perhaps during the long months of her engagement, you can help to tutor her.”

  “I’m afraid there’s not going to be a long engagement. My mother and sister believe that a wedding—particularly a wedding between a Unionist’s daughter and a former Confederate soldier—will do much to reunite the hearts and minds of the people of Corpus Christi.”

  “And how will this be?”

  She shook her head. “I cannot possibly imagine. Mother has never been one for political matters, and while I understand her weariness of the war and all that it did to family and friendships, I believe her rather ignorant of the true hearts and minds of those who lost this war. The anger felt by so many of the local families will not be abated while dancing at a wedding party.”

  “That is true enough.”

  Laura saw her father and mother coming toward them. She immediately put on a smile. “Mother, see who I found.”

  Her father extended his hand. “Captain Reid. Did you enjoy the service?”

  Brandon shook hands and smiled. “I did indeed. I find it a wonderful way to start the week.”

  “I simply despise the stuffiness of the church in the summer,” Mother said, fanning herself. She was dressed much too richly in her layers of finery. Laura had mentioned this at home in regard to the temperature, but Mother had ignored her.