by Ginny Dye
******
Three days later, Robert and Carrie turned down the final road toward Oak Meadows just as the sun was sinking low toward the horizon. They would have made better time on Granite and Shandy, but they had decided to leave them in Richmond and bring a wagon so that Robert could take any heirlooms from the house before he turned it over to the new owners.
“Do you know when the buyers are going to be here?” Carrie asked.
Robert smiled, something flashing in his eyes that she couldn’t interpret. “I believe they’re already here,” he said casually.
“Before they buy it?” Carrie asked. “Isn’t that rather odd?”
“Yankees are odd,” Robert replied, chuckling lightly.
“Is it true that many of the deserted plantations are being bought up by Northerners?”
Robert nodded. “It’s true. They’re the only ones in the country with money,” he said flatly. “It’s also true that the vast majority of them served in the Union Army. It seems that while they were down here destroying our land, they also fell in love with it.”
Carrie raised her eyebrows at the note of bitterness Robert couldn’t keep out of his voice. She laid a hand on his arm. “Are you sure you want to sell Oak Meadows?” she asked quietly. “No papers have been signed. It’s not too late to change your mind.”
“I won’t change my mind,” he said firmly. “I know you heard the bitterness in my voice. Most of the time I’m okay with what is happening, but that’s because you and I are so much more fortunate than most other Southerners. We had a home to return to, and we had Abby to invest in our dreams. We are the very rare exception. I think about all the men I served with who are returning to nothing.” He stared at the horizon and scowled, falling silent.
“Robert?”
“There’s something I haven’t told you,” Robert finally said. “I planned on telling you during this trip, but I just can’t seem to find the words.”
“Straight out is usually best,” Carrie replied, laying her hand on his leg as she braced herself for what she was sure was bad news.
Robert nodded and gripped the reins so tightly the veins stood out on his hands. “Georgia is dead,” he said bluntly, shaking his head. “She died during the march from Richmond to Appomattox.”
Carrie stiffened as her eyes filled with tears, but she remained silent. After so many months with no word, she was sure something had happened to Georgia, but she had learned to accept the fact she may never know. Memories filled her mind of the slight woman who passed herself off as a man to go into battle with her brother. Carrie had moved her into her father’s house to protect her from discovery when she was wounded in battle, nursed her back to health, and taught her how to read so she would have a better chance at a future. Tears slid from her eyes as she realized Georgia would never have a future.
Robert glanced at her. “She got sick during the long winter,” he said. “I made sure she got one of the coats and a pair of gloves when you brought them down in the wagon.”
“But she had warm clothing when I sent her back to the field,” Carrie cried.
“Yes, but she had already given them away to a soldier she believed needed them more,” he answered roughly.
Carrie nodded, knowing that’s what Georgia would have done.
“I did my best to help her,” Robert said, his voice breaking. “She wouldn’t let me do much…”
“She was proud,” Carrie said softly. “And she didn’t want anyone to suspect what she really was.”
Robert nodded. “I was hoping that when spring came she would get better, but she was already so weak. The long march when we left Richmond was too much for her,” he said hoarsely. “She just lay down on the side of the road and died one night in her sleep. She didn’t have any more to give. One of my men informed me in the morning.” His voice broke again. “I couldn’t even bury her,” he said regretfully. “Grant was after us, and Lee kept us moving as fast as we could.”
Carrie squeezed his hand, knowing this was just one more of the scars he would carry with him for the rest of his life. “Thank you for telling me,” she said gently. Her voice grew firmer. “Robert, you did all you could. Alex told me how often you chose not to eat so that the men — and woman — you commanded could eat.” She bowed her head as images of Georgia’s laughing face filled her mind.
Robert stared out at the horizon. “Georgia kept the book you gave her. She read it every chance she got. She told me you convinced her reading was important, and that she didn’t want to get rusty.”
Carrie managed a smile. “She was an extraordinary person. It would have been so easy for her to simply put on women’s clothing and never go back into battle. She cared too much about the men she served with not to help, even though she was certain the South would lose.”
The wagon rattled on, both of them silent as they let their thoughts be calmed by the late afternoon coolness.
******
The sun was just slipping below the tree line when they turned into the gates of the plantation. Carrie sucked in her breath when she saw the horse pastures spreading out, surrounded by wooden fences. The fields were overgrown, wildflowers swaying in the breeze, and many of the posts and boards lay on the ground, but Carrie knew just how beautiful the pastures would be when the fences were repaired and horses were once more romping through the fields. “It’s beautiful,” she said softly as her eyes settled on the mountains rising above the valley.
Both of them remained silent as they wound their way down the rutted road lined with towering oak trees. The leaves had just begun to take on a hint of color, but the Indian summer Thomas and Moses had hoped for kept Virginia firmly in its grip. Carrie gazed up as they rolled through the tunnel formed by their mighty branches. “Oh, Robert…” She gripped his hand as they rounded the final curve and saw the sprawling house nestled at the foot of a bluff. “How can you bear to give it up?”
Robert squeezed her hand. “Oak Meadows is my past,” he said slowly, gazing around to take it all in. “You and Cromwell Plantation are my future.” He smiled. “My mother would like knowing Oak Meadows will give me the chance to start over again on my own terms.”
Carrie looked at him sharply. “Without Abby’s help, you mean?”
Robert shrugged. “A man likes to know he can take care of his family. Abby did a tremendous thing. I will always be grateful, and she will always do well with her investment, but I have big plans.”
Carrie smiled up at him. “And I believe in you completely.”
“And that, my dearest Carrie, means everything to me,” Robert said simply.
Carrie caught movement out of the corner of her eye and turned her head just in time to see a woman emerge from the barn.
“Hello!” the woman called.
Carrie watched as a woman, clad in breeches and a blouse, hurried up to them. She was immediately drawn to the open blue eyes and wide smile.
The woman reached the wagon and smiled up at them. “Hello, Robert,” she said warmly.
Carrie had only a moment to wonder at the easy familiarity the woman used with Robert. Surely someone about to purchase land would call the owner Mr. Borden.
“You must be Carrie!” the woman said enthusiastically. “I’ve wanted to meet you for so long.”
Carrie stared at her and then turned to look at Robert questioningly. She gazed back at the woman. “And you are?” she asked politely.
The woman looked at Robert and laughed. “You still haven’t told her?”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Now Carrie was even more confused. Before she could say anything, her attention was diverted by the sound of a galloping horse. Moments later, the horse slid to a stop next to the wagon.
“Hello, Mrs. Borden,” the man said warmly.
Carrie stared at the slim figure on the towering Thoroughbred, his strong shoulders backlit by the setting sun. “Captain Jones?” She held her hand to her mouth to control her gasp.
Th
e woman chuckled. “Robert hasn’t told her.”
Robert turned to Carrie. “I wanted to keep it a surprise,” he explained.
Carrie was still trying to make sense out of the turn of events. She stared at Robert, looked back at Captain Jones, and then swung her gaze back to the woman. Her mouth moved, but no sound came out.
The woman laughed gaily and stepped forward. “I will never understand why men think it’s a good idea to stun their wives,” she said, glaring at Robert briefly before she laughed.
“You’re Captain Jones’s wife?” Carrie managed.
“Heaven forbid!” the woman exclaimed, her eyes dancing. “I am this old man’s sister. My name is Susan.”
Carrie finally found her voice. “Susan!” She now understood the instant attraction. “I’ve heard about you as well. I understand you keep the state of Vermont in a frenzy with your rather unladylike habits.”
Susan chuckled. “Now that may be the best compliment I have ever received,” she said cheerfully.
“It was most certainly meant as one,” Carrie assured her.
“I’ve heard about your exploits foiling my brother’s attempt to steal your Thoroughbred. I would love to have seen you jump him across that fence bareback — and in the moonlight!” she added, her eyes wide with admiration.
“Nobody steals my horse,” Carrie said calmly, stepping down from the wagon. “Now, would someone like to tell me what is going on here?” She looked up. “Captain Jones?”
“It’s not my story to tell, but the war is over. How about if we leave off the Captain Jones part? My name is Mark.”
Carrie smiled. “I’m thrilled to do away with the formalities,” she said brightly. “Please call me Carrie.” Then she looked up at Robert. “Out with your secret!” she demanded.
Robert chuckled and jumped down from the wagon to wrap an arm around her waist. “It seems Matthew told our Yankee Captain all about Oak Meadows when he heard Mark was interested in investing down here after the war.”
Susan jumped in. “At first Mark was interested in a cotton plantation, but it didn’t take me long to convince him we could make much more money, and have much more fun, managing a horse plantation. We own a small place in Vermont, but I’ve always dreamed of running a place like this.” She took a deep breath of the fragrant air and gazed up at the mountains. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a more beautiful place.”
“If you can close your eyes to all the destruction surrounding us,” Robert snapped, and then apologized immediately. “I’m sorry. I grew up in the Shenandoah Valley. It’s still a shock to see it like this.”
Susan nodded. “I understand, Robert,” she said gently. “This whole stupid war has been such a waste, but I realize it will take the South a very long time to recover. I can only imagine what I would feel if this was my home.”
Carrie’s liking for this non-traditional, caring woman intensified. She stepped forward and hooked an arm through Susan’s. “How about if we go for a short ride before it gets completely dark? I’m dying to see this place.” She glanced at Robert. “You can give me the complete tour tomorrow, but after three days on that wagon seat, I’m dying for a ride, and I would love to get to know Susan better.”
Robert just nodded in amusement.
“I would love to,” Susan replied immediately. She turned to her brother. “Do not talk one word of business until we return,” she ordered.
Mark chuckled. “Far be it from me to forget for even a second that we’re business partners!”
Susan appeared satisfied and strode to the barn, emerging minutes later leading a tall black mare with one gleaming star.
“Oh, Susan!” Carrie cried, reaching forward to stroke the horse’s face. “She is magnificent.”
Susan smiled. “I raised Silver Wings from a foal,” she said proudly.
“This is the horse you’re using to beat all the men in Vermont,” Carrie guessed.
Susan smiled smugly. “They believe their horses can out jump my mare. We teach them differently.”
Mark chuckled. “She didn’t name her Silver Wings by mistake. This lady really does seem to fly over jumps.”
Susan grinned. “I must admit, however, I’ve never tried to jump her over a solid six-foot fence bareback,” she said. “Nor have I ever jumped her with a bullet in my shoulder.”
Carrie grinned. “I’d say we have a lot of stories to exchange,” she said happily.
Mark vaulted off his chestnut gelding and handed her the reins. “Thunder has plenty of energy left. Riding him will save time.”
Carrie nodded, and allowed Robert to boost her into the saddle. She looked at Susan. “Lead the way!”
******
Four days later, Robert and Carrie drove the wagon, full to the brim with family heirlooms Carrie insisted he keep, back down the drive. He had been prepared to leave everything, but she convinced him he would want memories of his boyhood home.
“What a wonderful time,” Carrie breathed as she turned to wave goodbye to Mark and Susan again. She had spent most of her time in the saddle either riding with Robert or Susan. Robert had taken her to all his secret, special places. They had picnicked by the stream, laid under the stars in the meadows, and stood on the same bluff Robert had looked down from when Matthew saved Oak Meadows. They had wonderful meals with Mark and Susan, staying up late to talk and laugh around the fireplace that warded off the early fall chill. “It was the honeymoon we never had,” she said softly, knowing she would carry the memories with her for the rest of her life.
Robert smiled and leaned over to kiss her. “I’m thankful every day that the war is over, but this last week with you has released something in me that has taken my gratitude to a new level.”
“Because you know you’re not going to be called into battle tomorrow,” Carrie replied, remembering all the wrenching goodbyes when she couldn’t possibly know if she would ever see her husband alive again.
“Yes,” Robert murmured. “I can’t even begin to tell you what it was like to be in the midst of so much death and destruction. The memory of your face was the only thing that kept me going so many times, but I always felt guilty bringing your perfect beauty onto a battlefield.”
Carrie ached as she saw the haunted look flicker in his eyes. His nightmares were getting better, but she wondered if he would ever be completely free from the memories that assailed him when he closed his eyes. “It’s over now,” she said gently.
Robert took a deep breath and shook his head. “You’re right,” he said firmly. “Sometimes it reaches out to grab me and suck me back into the darkness, but it happens less and less,” he said with relief.
“Are you regretting selling Oak Meadows?” she asked, wondering if the loss was triggering the new wave of memories.
“No,” Robert responded immediately. “If anything, I am more convinced than ever that I’ve done the right thing. I’m ready to walk away from my past and create a brand new future with you. I love Oak Meadows, but there is a part of me that wonders if the horrible things that happened here would ever completely release me. I’ve changed so much, but I don’t want reminders of those times.” He stared off into the distance. “I will always want Clint to work with me. I couldn’t imagine bringing him or Amber to a place where I had a six-year-old boy killed.” His face clouded.
Carrie leaned against him. “We all have done things we regret,” she said tenderly. “But not enough of us change our lives so that we’ll never repeat those things. You have.” She reached up and turned his head so their eyes would meet. “I’m very proud of you.”
Robert leaned his forehead against hers. “Thank you,” he whispered.
When they reached the gates of Oak Meadows, he stopped the wagon and turned for one final long look. Then he turned his face toward Cromwell Plantation and headed home.
******
Rose sang softly as she walked to school. June had left earlier to prepare the classroom so Rose could spend more time that mo
rning with John. She frowned as she thought about the fever making him cranky — he had cried when she left that morning. Janie had promised to take care of him, but she couldn’t get his imploring eyes out of her mind. How had her own mother stood it when her little girl was moved into the big house, and she’d only been able to see her on Sundays? She would go mad if she couldn’t be with John every day.
Gazing up the road, she wondered when Carrie would return. She had received the letter about her and Robert’s trip to Oak Meadows, but it had been more than two weeks since they had left. The medical clinic was complete and people stopped by every day to find out when they would start seeing people. She knew, though, that the biggest issue was how much she missed her best friend. After four years of separation, she treasured every moment they had together. Rose knew the day would probably come when they would be apart again, but she certainly wasn’t ready for it to happen any time soon.
Rose sighed and forced her mind to focus on other things. She scolded herself for being melancholy when she had so much to be thankful for. There were now sixty children in her school, with eighty adults coming seven nights a week. The adults came in tired and dirty from their work, but very few of them missed a night. They were determined to get the education that had been withheld from them for their whole lives. She and June were switching off nights so she could spend time with John, but she knew her schedule couldn’t continue for long now that her pregnancy was advancing. She still had almost three months to go, but she had learned her lesson the hard way at the contraband camp when she had almost lost John because of exhaustion. She wouldn’t allow that to happen again.
Rose scowled when she realized her mind had once more drifted into dark thoughts. What was wrong with her?
“Miz Samuels! Miz Samuels!”
Rose was jolted out of her thoughts by a high-pitched little voice. She recognized Sarah racing down the dusty road toward her. She knelt down and caught the young girl’s hand as she drew near. “Hello, Sarah,” she said calmly, able to breathe more easily when she didn’t see trouble in Sarah’s eyes.