A year ago she would have argued, would have balked at being told what to do, but now she merely nodded. “I will.” Then her voice grew wistful. “But I don’t want to go, to leave you again.”
Travis pulled her close in a fierce, wordless embrace. Then he kissed her once more before releasing her. “‘Journeys end in lovers meeting,’ as Captain Logan might have said. Let’s get you and Dani ready to go. The wagons leave within the hour.”
Their farewells were mercifully quick. William and Constance Jones had graciously taken her aunt and cousin in until Uncle Isaac returned. Leah allowed a limp hug and aimed a kiss in the general direction of Starla’s cheek.
Eliza though … her aunt seemed more alive than she had in years. Star somehow thought she would not still be there when Isaac returned. Eliza’s embrace was quick, but heartfelt. She whispered in Star’s ear, “I’m dreadfully sorry for all those years—” She broke off, then said, “Good luck, my dear. I’m thankful things have worked out for you. You and Danica deserve much better than you’ve had.”
Then Travis was helping her up into the seat beside the driver. She clung to his hand while his brother settled Danica in the wagon bed behind them.
“Gentlemen, keep an eye on these two, will you?” Rob asked of the soldiers sharing the wagon. Starla noticed that the five men were all officers, and older, almost grandfatherly in appearance. She wondered briefly which of the brothers had arranged that. She suspected Rob. He seemed to be the more detail oriented of the two.
A one armed, grizzle bearded lieutenant gave a grin and salute. “Captain, it’ll be an honor. We’ll be the envy of all, having such lovely scenery to look at.”
To her surprise and delight, Star felt not the faintest stirring of unease at his comment.
The trip was not at all what she expected. Somehow, when Travis had said they could ride with the wounded all the way to the field hospital at City Point, she had been under the impression that they would be taking the wagons the whole way. But a slow, wet hour later, the convoy stopped not far from Armstrong’s Mill, at a rail line that hadn’t existed just a few months ago. There the orderlies began to load litter after litter of wounded onto a waiting train.
“Oh no,” she whispered. “Oh, Travis, I’m not sure I can face this. Not yet.”
Danica gave a strangled cry and began to whimper. “No, no, Star. I can’t. I can’t ride that thing.”
Starla drew herself up and put on a brave front, knowing that if she showed the slightest ounce of fear, neither one of them would get on the train. “Of course you can. If we can handle the fire, we can ride a train.”
Dani shook her head violently, face pale as snow, body trembling. “No no no! You can’t make me. Don’t make me, Star. Please?”
With each word her voice rose higher and higher. Blue coated men stopped their work to stare as Dani worked herself into a fine hysterical fit. And as weak as she was, all Star could do was offer sisterly words of comfort. In the end, it took a hefty dose of laudanum to get her sister relaxed enough to be carried aboard. Which was an odd sort of blessing. Between trying to keep Dani under control and watching over the men in their car, Star found herself too busy to give in to her own desire to scream herself senseless.
But the train ride was mercifully quick and uneventful, and their stay in the booming, bustling port of City Point was short. On All Fool’s Day, they boarded a transport ship bound for the capital, and a mere week after the events at Stonewood, arrived safely in Washington City.
Captain Black is nothing if not thorough, Star thought. Somehow he had even arranged an escort for them to Georgetown when obtaining their pass. The first thing she did on signing in was send a telegram to Gettysburg.
“Am at our hotel,” it said. “Will you come?”
She then ordered a light dinner, which Danica refused to eat, preferring to go straight to bed. Shortly after Dani’s breathing evened out, Star collapsed into the bed beside her and was asleep almost instantly.
Star sat by the window in the hotel room, chewing on her lower lip and staring blindly out over rooftops. I do hope Sam gets here soon, she thought, mentally adding up their remaining money. I know Travis said to stay here, but I don’t think he realized just how expensive the war has made things. If I must hire a driver to take us to Gettysburg, it will have to be in the next day or so.
That was one worry. The other was her sister. The fire had been traumatic enough, but the trip by rail had pushed Danica over the edge; the past two nights had been one nightmare after another. Star glanced over at the bed where Dani slept fitfully. Please, don’t let these continue, not the way mine did, she prayed. Surely, once they were safe at home with the Blacks, surely then the nightmares would stop.
Frankly, I’m surprised I haven’t had them too. She’d had no dreams at all, not since that one last summer. Which must be a good sign, she told herself. If he were still in danger, I would have had another, right?
The pealing of a nearby church bell broke into Star’s musings. First one, then another, until it seemed like every bell in the city must be ringing its heart out.
“What is going on, Star?” Though she was only a few feet away, Danica’s voice could barely be heard over the merry din.
“I’m not sure,” Star shouted back. “It’s Palm Sunday, but surely that’s not the answer, not this late in the day. I’ll go down and ask.”
“No! Don’t leave me! It can wait until we go down for supper. Please?”
Although she was dying of curiosity, Star relented.
Slowly the cacophony melted away, and as her hearing returned, Star became aware of an insistent knocking on their door. She opened it cautiously, but flung it open wide when she saw who was there. She was promptly engulfed in embracing arms; all three began to speak at once.
“Oh lass, ‘tis so good to see you!”
“I’m so sorry I left without an explanation.”
“Thank God, you’re safe!”
They stopped, laughed. Caro motioned for her husband to speak first.
“When your telegram arrived, we didn’t quite believe it at first. Rob had written us of….” His voice broke off, and he squeezed his daughter in law once again. “What happened?”
Star motioned them in, closing the door quietly behind them, then crossing the room to stand by Dani.
“It’s a long story. Short version—I fell sick. Jake….” She could say his name now without flinching. “Jake wrote that awful note. Obviously, he lied. Travis and Rob found us, and sent us here. By the way, this is my sister, Danica Anderson. Dani, Samuel and Caroline Black.”
Danica held out a pale hand, smiled brightly. “I am so glad to finally get to meet you! Star’s told me so much about you. Oh, and do you happen to know what all the noise was about just now? My ears are ringing yet.”
Sam and Caro became very still, shared a look.
Star stiffened. “What is it?” she asked quietly.
Caro said gently, “Lass, General Lee surrendered this afternoon. Some place west of Richmond called Apple Mattocks or Appamartex—”
“Appomattox,” Star corrected automatically. She sat down on the bed with a thump, mind refusing to accept what it had just heard.
General Lee had surrendered. She had realized long ago that the South could not win, but knowledge alone didn’t prepare her for the icy hollowness she now felt. Lee had surrendered. The war was all but over for Virginia, all the sacrifices wasted. Will’s death, General Stuart’s, the thousands of boys and men who never made it back from the field, or out of the hospital tents—they were all for naught. She wanted to scream over the folly of it all.
Tears began to seep from under her closed-tight lids. “So many dead. And for what?” she whispered.
A touch on her hand. Dani’s slim fingers wrapped around her own, squeezed in sympathy.
“Oh, a cailín, I am so sorry.”
Star forced herself to look up at Caro, whose gray eyes were dark and worried. She ga
ve Dani’s hand a quick squeeze back before squaring her shoulders and summoning a smile.
“I’m sorry, Caro. I’ll be fine. It just hit me harder than I expected.”
“I’m sure it would, lass. No apologies needed. Well now, shall we be heading home then?”
Home. Woodhaven was home. No, Star corrected herself as she gathered their few belongings together. Wherever Travis is, that is my home now. She took in a sudden deep breath as her next thought kindled a fire in the midst of her grief. The war was all but over, and Travis could come home.
They’d been at Black Forest only a few weeks. Star was coming out of the stables, heading towards the house when a movement down among the trees caught her eye: a carriage approaching.
“Oh lovely,” she muttered, recognizing the big draft horse pulling it. “Not who I was looking to share my birthday with.”
She took the back steps in one stride. “Caro! The Scotts have come for a visit.”
Caro and Danica were in the kitchen. Wiping her hands on her apron, Caro took one look at Star’s face and began to laugh. “And I can see how delighted you are that they have done so. Why don’t you go ask Ellen to prepare a little something, and I’ll bring Danica here into the sitting room.”
Star was returning down the hall when Alexander opened the front door and bowed Emma and Kitty in. Kitty stopped dead in the doorway, staring at Star.
“What are you doing back here?” she demanded. Catching sight of Dani sitting on the sofa, she pointed. “And who is that?”
“Katherine!” Emma was aghast.
“A pleasure to see you again, Kitty,” Star answered, managing somehow to keep her voice even, when what she really wanted to do was to smack the girl. “That, as you so nicely put it, is my sister, Danica. Danica, may I present Emma and Katherine Scott. The Scotts are old friends of the Blacks.”
Caro’s lips were twitching ever so slightly, as if she were holding in her mirth. “Here comes Ellen with tea and biscuits. Shall we all take a seat?”
The conversation became blandly genteel; Star very quickly became quite bored. Kitty was her usual talkative self, and seemed to give little attention to the two sisters. But when she wasn’t talking, she fixed her gaze on Danica, lips pursed with a speculative expression. Star she pointedly ignored.
After about half an hour of this treatment, Dani tugged on Star’s sleeve. “Star?” she whispered. “I’d really like to go upstairs now.”
“Headache?” Her sister’s face was paler than usual, mouth pulled tight.
A nod.
I understand, my dear. She gives me a terrible headache too.
Star interrupted the conversation by standing. “Your pardon all, but Dani’s not feeling well. I’m going to take her upstairs.
“I’m sorry to hear that, lass. Is there aught we can do for you?”
Clutching Star’s arm tight, Dani managed a smile. “No, thank you. Star will take care of me.”
As they made their way upstairs, Dani murmured, “Is she always that way?”
“Always.”
“I’m impressed with your restraint, sister dear. I would have thought you’d have taken her down a notch or two before now.”
Star shrugged. “Actually, I’ve not had to deal with her since the night Travis proposed. And since I won, I guess I can be gracious and not rub her nose in it. But if she starts in after you, I will do as I once threatened and disable her sharp little tongue.”
She opened the door for Dani, then paused. “I think we’ve been sociable enough for one day, don’t you agree? I’ll just nip downstairs and grab my sewing, and maybe a few more cookies, and I’ll be right back up. Sound good?”
Dani’s grin was relieved. “Sounds wonderful. Would you grab my knitting while you’re at it?”
As Star headed for the stairs, Caro called from below, “Starla? Emma and I will be out with my roses for a bit, if you’d be wanting us.”
“Understood,” she yelled back as she hurried down the stairs and towards the sitting room.
Kitty stood in the hall waiting for her, blocking her way. There was a fierce expression on her pale face.
“Why are you really back, Estella Anderson? Why didn’t you stay in Virginia where you belong?”
“Belong? I live here, Katherine Scott. Why wouldn’t I be back?”
At the other girl’s look of confusion and dismay, Star suddenly understood. “You thought Travis and I were no longer together, didn’t you?”
“You were gone so long….” Her voice was belligerent, but uncertain.
To her own amazement, Star began to laugh softly. “Poor Kitty. A year wasted in waiting for something that’ll never be. Travis and I were married last year, right before he returned to the front.” A pause. “In fact, I believe it was the dogwood in your yard that supplied my wedding flowers.”
With a bright smile she pushed past the frozen Kitty, grabbed the two baskets of handwork, and made her way back upstairs. As she did, over her shoulder she added, “Oh, and I wouldn’t antagonize my sister overmuch—she has the temper to match her hair, and unusual Gifts of her own.”
Two years ago today, I came here for the first time, Starla mused from the front steps. It was midmorning on July 3rd, and the day promised to be clear and hot, but was still comfortable as yet. Just two years, and yet my life is so different now.
Both of our lives, she amended, glancing at her sister. Dani was ensconced in a soft chair, keeping her hands busy with her knitting and taking advantage of the morning breezes. She’d finally begun to relax into the pattern of life here. Already she’d gained weight and lost much of her waifish look, though, like Starla, she would probably never fill out into the usual definition of feminine pulchritude. Her bad dreams too were diminishing.
However, my dreams are definitely getting stranger as time goes by.
Like the one she’d had last night. It was the first one she’d had in almost a year, and was nothing like any of her previous dreams.
She was at Woodhaven, though not the Woodhaven of her memories. This one bore the harsh, ugly scars of occupation. The trees were the starkest reminder. The only trees left standing were those too large to be easily felled. Jessamine’s dogwood was not one of the fortunate ones. Only a ragged stump remained where her childhood friend once lived. Star closed her eyes against the tears that wanted to fall and remained voluntarily blind for some minutes.
When she opened them again, she noticed there was a whip slender sapling growing beside the dogwood stump. How could I have missed that?
Anything’s possible in a dream, I suppose, she answered herself.
A furtive movement caught her eye: there was a shadow crouched beside a nearby oak’s great, gnarled trunk, a shadow with a familiar shape.
“Cornia?” Star whispered.
The shadow shifted, drifted into the open.
“How do you know my name, mortal?” The dryad was young, extremely young. Her voice was a thin, reedy sound, not the deeper voice that Star remembered from so long ago. “Do I know you?”
“You did, once. Quite well, actually.”
The pale green eyes looked at her with distrust, then became distant, as if listening to something far off. When she focused once again on Star, it was with surprise.
“The oak says you are speaking the truth, and that, as my roots deepen, I will likely remember more.” She shook her head. “He also says that your mate is safe.”
Even knowing the strange things that could happen here in her dreams, even so Star felt the blood leave her face. “How can he know that?”
The tree-maid shrugged her shoulders. “I know not, but in all the years upon years that we have been friends, never has the oak been mistaken.” The listening expression reappeared on her thin brown face. “And the firs say that he is among them even now.”
Star brought her mind back to the present. Should I trust this dream? It’s so different from the others. How am I to know if it is true or not…?
&nb
sp; “Get a hold of yourself, woman,” she muttered, and turned her attention to the paddock, where Iris grazed contentedly, little Pax gamboling beside her. Pax, the goddess of peace. May you only know peace, little one, she thought wistfully.
She was thrilled with Iris’ first foal. The tiny filly had the paces and flowing lines of her dam, but her coat was as spectacularly colored as her sire’s. A perfect start to the new line of Woodhaven horses that Star was already envisioning.
Travis will be pleased with her too, whenever he finally sees her….
The war was over, but there had been no word from either of the Black brothers.
Where are you, my love? Why are you not home yet?
The last of her fears floated just beneath the surface of her content, the word “cursed” still haunting her. She shied away from that thought.
Iris lifted her head suddenly, ears pricked and swiveling, listening. Then she let out a bugling call of welcome. From the base of the hill came an answering whinny, and another. Someone was…. No, wait. That was a different horse. There were two horses approaching the house. Heart in her throat, Star got slowly to her feet, trembling as she waited for the riders to come into view.
The firs say that he is among them even now.
“Who is it, Star?” Dani asked, letting her knitting drop into her lap.
Her sister didn’t answer. Around the curve of the fir-lined drive appeared a big bay and a rangy chestnut. Starla squealed, picked up her skirts, and ran towards them. She could almost feel the chains of her curse fall from her heart as she ran.
An Uncivilized Yankee Page 38