“What’s wrong?” Aunt Laura pulled back a little and looked at her.
“Luke and I have decided we will not suit.” Amelia told them about her interview with Luke and how she had confessed to helping Tabitha get away, but she avoided mentioning the Mockingbird, in deference to her promise to Luke.
“I’m sure your young man will reconsider his decision once he has time to cool off.” Aunt Laura patted her hand.
“He must have been shocked by your confession,” her uncle agreed. “And also embarrassed to have to set Jared free. But he’ll probably change his mind once he catches the real culprit.”
It was time to change the subject and broach the question she most wanted answered. “Did Jared’s note say when he would return?”
Aunt Laura frowned at her. “Return? I thought you understood. Jared is gone. He is probably already on his way back to Nashville.”
“His note said he wants to do his part to end the war.” Uncle Francis shook his head. “Who knows what that means?”
The words echoed through Amelia. Who indeed? Certainly not her. She didn’t know why she’d expected him to be here, anyway. Luke had told her about Jared’s promise. One of the things she admired about Jared was his integrity. He would not linger here, knowing she would be coming back before too long.
All her hopes of being reunited with him died. It was too late.
One of the slaves came in to announce dinner, but Amelia knew she could not eat a single morsel. With a mumbled excuse, she went upstairs to her bedroom. Heartbroken, she threw herself across her bed and wept bitterly into the softness of her pillow. A maid came in, but she waved her away. She was too distraught to change into her nightgown. Who cared about such mundane things when her whole world had fallen apart?
Nothing penetrated her grief until the soft sounds of a birdcall drew her head from the pillow. She glanced toward the corner of her bedroom at her mockingbird trapped in its ornate cage. She pushed herself up from the bed and wandered toward it, her bruised heart somehow lightened by the lovely sounds it was producing. Their sweetness seemed like a promise from God.
Her breath caught as an idea took form. “I know just what we need to do so we can both be free, my friend.” She moved to her dresser and picked up the mockingbird brooch Jared had given her. It was the first thing she put into her valise, followed by hastily folded clothing. Hoping she had packed enough necessities, Amelia changed into her nightgown and slipped between the covers. She would need a good night’s sleep if she was going to rise at first light.
Seventeen
The sun was beginning to push back the ebony texture of the night sky when Amelia arrived at the train station. She could barely contain her anticipation as the coachmen assisted her from the carriage. She only hoped she had guessed correctly that Jared would make the return journey by train.
The busy station had changed considerably in the months since her arrival. The civilian crowds had disappeared, replaced by young men in gray uniforms who guarded crated supplies with weary eyes. The ticket window was deserted, so she asked one of the passing soldiers where she could board the train to Nashville.
He raised an arm and pointed to a long line of boxcars. “The conductor should be able to help you.”
Amelia thanked him and turned to the train. She looked for Jared’s familiar face among the men she passed, her heart threatening to burst from her chest. She had almost reached the metal steps when a shrill whistle sounded and the cars began to move.
She gasped. The train was leaving! She had to get on board! Her future depended on it.
The train began picking up speed. Without a thought to her dignity, Amelia raised her skirts and ran forward. But it was no use. She was too late. Jared had left Knoxville without her.
❧
Jared slumped in his seat and tried to convince himself it was right to leave Knoxville. He had spent a restless night at a nearby boardinghouse, his mind plagued with grief and doubt. He was looking forward to seeing his family, of course. Missing them had been the hardest part of going to school so far away. But he was leaving a large part of his heart here.
To be more specific, he was leaving a big portion of it in Amelia’s hands. And the ironic thing was she had no idea. She would marry Captain Luke Talbot and start a family. Maybe one day, some year in the far future, he would run into her on the streets of Nashville, a brood of young children in her wake.
He shook his head to empty it of the depressing picture and looked out the window as the train pulled from the station. His eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness as the train began to gather speed. He pushed his spectacles up and looked around, noticing only a couple of other passengers sitting on nearby benches—a far cry from the dozens who had traveled north only a few short months ago.
The war was changing everything. Now the trains were needed to move troops and supplies from battlefield to battlefield, and few private parties were on board. Of course most people didn’t want to be traveling in such difficult times, either. Jared had been warned by the stationmaster that the train might not get all the way to Chattanooga, much less to Nashville. The destruction of tracks and bridges was growing more common each day, and it was becoming harder for the Confederacy to replace damaged rails and crossties.
The car lurched suddenly and Jared barely managed to keep himself on the narrow bench seat as the train halted. Three gray-uniformed soldiers ran through the car toward the engine, their rifles pointing forward. What was going on? Had the train been attacked? Jared looked outside, but he could see nothing wrong.
“Can you hear anything?” One of the men he’d seen earlier pushed himself into the aisle.
Jared shook his head. “No. Maybe it’s only livestock.”
“More likely to be destroyed tracks,” said one of the other passengers.
The man who was standing pointed his finger in the direction the soldiers had gone. “They’re coming back.” He slipped back into his seat.
Jared could hear the soldiers now. His shoulder relaxed as he heard them laughing at something. The problem must be minor. Perhaps they would soon be on their way.
A pair of soldiers opened the door and ushered in a woman who was holding a birdcage aloft in one hand.
Jared’s eyes widened as he recognized the wheat-gold color of the woman’s hair. His heart skipped a beat. “Amelia?”
“There he is.” She pointed at him.
What was going on? He pushed himself to his feet. “What are you doing here?”
One of the soldiers clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re a lucky fellow. Miss Montgomery here stopped the train by running her carriage across the tracks. She says she couldn’t let you leave her behind in Knoxville.”
Jared could do nothing but stare at Amelia as the soldiers continued on their way through the car.
“Can you forgive me?” She set her birdcage on one of the empty benches and stepped toward him.
Forgive her? He’d forgiven her almost instantly. In fact, while he could not condone her methods, he found himself impressed at the way she’d put her own safety aside to help slaves escape. “I think you’re the bravest woman I’ve ever met.”
“I’m not brave at all. I never intended to get involved with the Underground Railroad, but how could I ignore their plight?” She glanced up at him, her wide blue eyes swimming with tears. “But I hated deceiving my family. . .and you.”
Jared cleared his throat. This was madness. He had promised Luke to have nothing to do with Amelia. Yet here they stood. He turned from her. “You should not be here.”
A soft sound of distress answered his words.
Jared spun back to Amelia. “I’m sorry, but I made a promise to Luke.”
Amelia’s hurt look changed to hope, and she shook her head. “But you don’t understand, Jared. Luke has released
you from your promise. I am here with his blessing.” She stepped closer and put a hand on his arm.
The words rolled around in his head for a moment before their meaning became clear. The love and tenderness in her expression made him feel like he was flying. The train lurched forward, and Jared quickly put an arm around Amelia to keep her from falling. Or maybe it was to keep himself from floating through the roof.
He could hardly believe it. He had lost all hope, but God had provided a way for them to be together. The sorrow that had filled him since boarding the train transformed into thankfulness, peace, and joy.
The forgotten cage behind her rocked slightly with the movement of the train, and its occupant began to chirp.
“Why did you bring the mockingbird with you?”
She glanced up at him, her face only inches from his. “I’m going to release him as soon as spring comes.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “How could I let my poor bird remain caged when my imprisoned heart has been set free?”
Jared looked down at Amelia, transfixed by the smile on her face. Heedless of the other passengers, he leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss on her lips.
Love rushed through him as she put her arms around his neck. She was a special blessing, one he did not deserve. But Jared wasn’t going to argue with God for giving him the opportunity to create a life with Amelia as his bride. On the contrary, he knew he would spend the rest of his life thanking God for removing the obstacles between them.
Jared kept his arm around her as he drew her to an empty seat. “I love you, Amelia.”
“I love you, too, Jared. I couldn’t bear the thought of a life without you.”
“It won’t be easy.” He dropped a kiss behind her right ear. “I got a letter from Pa yesterday. He’s been working with a group of state senators who opposed secession, and he wants me to join them.”
“Will you have to fight with the army?”
Jared shook his head. “I cannot take up arms against other Tennesseans. Yet I cannot fight with those who would continue the institution of slavery. Pa is working with both sides to try to find a solution that will end the fighting. He’s read some of my articles, and he thinks I may be able to sway some of those whose minds are closed.”
“Your articles?” A look of satisfaction crossed her beautiful face. “I knew it. I knew you wrote those articles in The Voice of Reason. They were so well written, and the tenor of them reminded me of the piece you wrote for your literary society.”
His cheeks reddened in a mixture of surprise and pleasure. “I’m glad you liked them.”
“How could I not when the author has held my heart for so long in his grasp?”
Another thrill passed through him at her words. The song in his heart would undoubtedly rival the most beautiful call of any mockingbird.
About the Authors
Diane Ashley, a “town girl” born and raised in Mississippi, has worked more than twenty years for the House of Representatives. She rediscovered a thirst for writing, was led to a class taught by Aaron McCarver, and became a founding member of the Bards of Faith. Visit her at www.bardsoffaith.homestead.com
Aaron McCarver is a trans-planted Mississippian who was raised in the mountains near Dunlap, Tennessee. He loves his jobs of teaching at two Christian colleges and editing for Barbour Publishing. A member of ACFW, he is coauthor with Gilbert Morris of the bestselling series, The Spirit of Appalachia.
Dedication
From Aaron: To my great-niece, Hailey Brewer. Your precious life is just beginning. May you come to share that wonderful relationship with your heavenly Father and follow His call in all you do. Always know I love you dearly.
From Diane: To the employees of the Mississippi House of Representatives, my second family. Thanks for reading my stories and for encouraging me all these years. It’s an honor to work with all of you.
A note from the Authors:
We love to hear from our readers! You may correspond with us by writing:
Diane Ashley and Aaron McCarver
Author Relations
PO Box 721
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
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