Buckeye Dreams (6 page)

“There you are, Mrs. Kirby,” she said, leaning back. “Pretty as a picture.”

He wasn’t sure which surprised him more, her presence or her accent. Who was she, and why on earth was this young Southern woman placing flowers on his mother’s grave? He was about to ask when she spoke again, still unaware of his presence.

“We still haven’t heard anything from your son, ma’am. Mary’s so worried. She wrote him almost a month ago.” She rose and brushed the dirt from the skirt of her dress. “God willing, Daniel’s all right. I’ll keep him in my prayers.”

Daniel couldn’t help but smile at her kindhearted gesture and spoke without thinking. “Thank you.”

With a shriek, she whirled around and stood face-to-face with him. Well, almost face-to-face. He hadn’t realized how petite she was earlier. Other than that, it was hard to forget such a pretty face. Granted, she wasn’t the Southern ideal of beauty with flashing blue eyes and honey-blond hair, but she did remind him of a picture of a simple English maiden in his copy of Bullfinch’s
The Age of Chivalry
. There was an appealing sweetness to her face with its pert little nose and soft lips. Auburn hair peeked out from beneath her brown, low-brimmed bonnet, and she was staring at him with a large pair of the most incredible eyes he had ever seen. They were a kaleidoscope of green, brown, and amber.

“Daniel?” she asked in surprise. She looked down, her cheeks suddenly red. “Do excuse me, Captain… .”

“Major,” he gently corrected.

She winced. “
Major
Kirby.”

He gave her a long look before suddenly remembering a portion of his aunt’s letter he had merely skimmed over, being so preoccupied with the news of his mother’s death. She had spoken very highly of a young woman who had come north with her from South Carolina. “Are you Miss Katherine Wallace?”

Her eyes remained wide as she nodded. “How did you know …?

He gave her an apologetic smile as he removed his hat. “My aunt mentioned you in her letter. I’m very sorry I frightened you.”

“That’s quite all right, Major Kirby. I’m … very glad you’re home safe. Mary’s … been so terribly worried.”

He frowned and regretted he hadn’t at least sent them a telegram before he left. “I’m afraid I received Aunt Mary’s letter right as the siege at Petersburg ended. There was very little time to do anything. Then General Lee surrendered… .”

“Of course! I … I understand perfectly, Major Kirby.” Although her voice shook, it was gentle and reassuring. “And I’m sure Mary will as well.”

Daniel looked at her curiously. She had to be one of the very few daughters of the Confederacy he had met who had not instantly hated him on sight. A Southern woman’s zeal for the cause was almost legendary. He had been spit on, snubbed, and bad-mouthed any number of times. And unlike other young ladies he’d met, Northern or Southern, she made no attempt to flirt with him. In fact, judging by the way she stumbled over her words, she seemed painfully shy.

“I hope—I hope you don’t mind, sir,” Katherine said, rousing him from his thoughts. “I thought flowers might cheer your mother’s resting place.”

He stepped forward to look at his mother’s grave. “Aunt Mary saw to the headstone,” he stated.

“Yes, they put it up just a few days ago.”

He saw the flowers Katherine had arranged were a small spray of purple violets, the sort that bloomed near Mill Creek this time of year. He turned back to see she had edged away a little to give him some privacy.

“Thank you for seeing to Ma’s grave. Violets were always her favorite.”

“There was n-no time”—she quietly stammered, her face flushing red once more—“for me to get to know her well. But she seemed like a very kindly Christian woman.” Her eyes softened. “I’m very sorry for your loss.”

Daniel knelt down and ran his fingers over his mother’s name carved in the simple granite headstone. Her gentle face filled his mind, and he closed his eyes against the sudden onset of tears. After a few minutes, he rose and, as he donned his hat, looked over at Katherine, who was dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. “Miss Wallace, you mentioned how concerned my aunt is about me, and I would like to get home right away. Would you mind riding with me? My horse is very well behaved.”

Her eyes turned to saucers, and she looked at him hesitantly. “Are you sure
you
don’t mind?”

He smiled broadly, hoping to set her more at ease. “Of course not.” Gently taking her by the elbow, he guided her over to the fence where Scioto stood.

Seeing him, her shyness ebbed a little. She quickly walked through the gate with a smile and stroked his neck. “What a beautiful animal! What’s his name?”

“Scioto.”

“That’s the name of the river Mill Creek flows into, isn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I haven’t seen the Scioto yet,” she explained. “Mary and I came through Cincinnati, and I did see the Ohio River. I must say I agree with President Jefferson. It is the most beautiful river on earth.”

He blinked and looked at her with raised eyebrows. “You’ve read
Notes on the State of Virginia?
”

She blushed twice as hard as before, obviously embarrassed. “I’m afraid I’ve been looking through your books, Major Kirby. I hoped you wouldn’t mind… .”

“No, not at all.”

This young woman was one surprise after another. She smiled demurely, and as he helped her into the saddle, he found himself looking forward to getting to know Katherine Wallace.

H
ow awful for Mrs. Lincoln!”

Katherine patted Mary’s hand. They were sitting at the dining room table, she and Daniel on either side of the older woman. It seemed a shame to spoil his homecoming, but they both knew the report of the president’s assassination would not wait.

Her friend paled so terribly at the news that Katherine suggested Mary go lie down, but she gently declined and turned toward her nephew. “Who could have done such a thing?”

“John Wilkes Booth,” Daniel said quietly.

“I still can’t believe it,” Mary murmured. “Poor, poor Mrs. Lincoln. How did it happen? Have they captured him?”

“The president was at the theater last night,” he replied. “Booth came up behind him… . It was a head wound.” As Daniel spoke, Katherine blanched and put a hand to her mouth. Mary did likewise.

“Booth’s on the run”—his voice turned low and his face darkened—“but the army will get him.”

“What will happen now?” Katherine asked. “Will this make the war last even longer?”

Daniel’s grave face softened as he looked at her.

“Yes.” Mary turned toward her nephew. “Will you be called back into service?”

“No,” he replied reassuringly. “I’ve been discharged from the army.” He looked at both of them for a moment before continuing. “I feel the war is as good as over. General Lee started something that cannot be easily stopped. And people in the South look up to him. If he sets the example, many will follow.”

Katherine nodded while Mary embraced her nephew. While the news of the president’s death had shocked her, she was very glad to have Daniel home. A great deal of worry had lifted from Mary’s face when they had walked in earlier, to Katherine’s great relief. As they reminisced, she quietly rose and set about emptying the young major’s saddlebags.

He was without a doubt the handsomest, kindest man Katherine had ever met. She had been frightfully nervous sitting so close to him on the ride home, as she had very little experience with handsome young men. Apart from Thomas, of course. It had been so much easier with him; their relationship had existed chiefly through correspondence. She’d been to numerous balls, of course, but her shy ways and odd coloring meant she had been little more than wall decor, much to her aunt’s and father’s displeasure.

Words had failed her as she rode home with Daniel. Happily he asked her questions about the farm and Mary, and he was so kind and polite her nervousness eased a little. She told him about what they had been doing over the past month, including how Mary had sprained her ankle. But she had not said anything about Elijah Carr’s desire to buy the farm. She’d felt that bit of information was best left for Mary to explain.

Katherine glanced over at the young major. She had to admit to being quite surprised that a Union soldier could have such a generous attitude toward Southerners. His voice had been full of respect as he had spoken of General Lee, and he seemed genuinely concerned for the welfare of the South, judging by what he had said to her in town. Even now he was telling Mary the concern he felt over people’s desires to punish the South for the war.

She gathered a few things in her arms and carried them to the kitchen. As she set everything down on the worktable, the last thing left in her hand was the coffee Deckers sold. The sight of it was a forceful reminder of the town’s attitude toward her.
Daniel is kind, but the South got what it deserved
. The thought caused her to bite her lip, hard, and she set down the coffee to finger her scar. She didn’t mean that.
It’s only right that everyone up here should treat me poorly after how I betrayed Chloe
.

Blinking away the tears pooling in her eyes, she continued her work. After putting everything in its place, she walked back into the dining room to see what else Daniel had brought home.

“I’m so glad you were able to find him,” Mary was saying. She looked up at Katherine and gave a sad smile. “Daniel was able to find Toby and give him a proper burial.”

Katherine looked at the young major. He was deep in thought, and weariness hung heavy in his eyes.

“I couldn’t get to Jonah,” he said slowly. “He was with the Army of the Cumberland. I was sent word he fell at Kennesaw Mountain in Georgia.” He patted Mary’s hand. “I’ll travel back down to Virginia in a few months and bring Toby back home. Ma would’ve wanted him buried with her and Pa.” He looked out the window for a few minutes before turning back to his aunt, his face grave.

“What is it, Daniel?” Mary asked.

“I got to see Uncle John just before Gettysburg,” he said quietly.

Mary’s hand went to her throat, and Katherine was sitting beside her in an instant. Her friend’s eyes shone very bright as she listened to her nephew.

“He was fine considering he had just gotten over being sick,” he whispered. “It was very good to see him.”

Katherine felt her own throat go tight, not only for Mary’s sake but also at seeing how terribly it affected Daniel. He looked as if he had suddenly aged ten years, his face was so still and grave.

“My friend Joshua, Uncle John, and I—we ate together a few nights before we followed General Lee into Pennsylvania. Ma had sent me some food.” His eyes were nearly beet red as he looked at his aunt. “I found him … later. Buried him.” He quickly excused himself.

A few moments later, Katherine heard the creak of the pump out behind the house. She swallowed, uncertain of what to say.

Mary simply sat there lost in her own memories, a broken yet bittersweet look on her face.

“Mary,” she whispered.

Her friend looked at her and smiled through her tears. “I’ll be fine, dear,” she whispered back. “Please, make sure Daniel’s all right.”

Katherine nodded, rising from her seat. Walking into the kitchen, she could see the young major through the window. He was standing next to the pump in the little brick courtyard situated between the house and the summer kitchen. His hair and face were damp, and he was staring out over the hills and fields beyond the house. She hesitantly opened the simple screen door.

It creaked slightly, and he turned around.

“Can I get you anything, Major Kirby?”

He shook his head and turned away, resuming his scrutiny of the farm.

Katherine stepped out onto the porch, uncertain what she should do.

After a moment or two, he spoke. “Is my aunt all right?”

“She’s fine.”

“I shouldn’t have told her.”

“No!” Her vehemence caused him to turn back to her in surprise. “I mean … it was the only news she’s ever heard of John. It was terribly hard to get a letter across the lines. She only heard of his death through a friend of a friend.” Her voice suddenly caught in her throat. “I only wish you had seen Thomas, too.”

He looked at her curiously. “Were you close to my cousin?”

“I …” What should she say? That day on the front veranda played out in her mind, and all she could see were Thomas’s hurt-filled eyes as she flippantly told him she was no longer interested in socializing with either him or his family. “I cared for him,” she whispered, her eyes darting away.

Daniel walked up to her. “I’m sorry.”

She looked up. What had it been like for him, all these years, seeing nothing but death and destruction? How many times had he marched men toward their deaths, and how many lives had this horrible war forced him to take? He had already buried a brother and an uncle, but had there been others? Four years of combat rested so plainly upon his features that she forgot to be shy and impulsively grasped his hand with both of hers, sensing he needed to feel the warm touch of life.

The look on his face was a mixture of surprise and gratitude as he placed his other hand over hers. He opened his mouth to say something when they heard the sound of a buggy coming up the drive.

They immediately returned to the dining room and found Mary struggling to rise from her seat. Katherine urged her to sit back down as Daniel went to the front window, parting the white curtains for a better look. Having settled her friend back into her chair, she joined the young major at the window.

A black buggy had pulled up in the driveway, and a well-dressed gentleman was climbing out. Her heart sank as she saw who was with him. It was Elijah Carr.

“What on earth is Ma and Pa’s lawyer doing here with Elijah Carr?” The young man turned to look at Mary.

“He believes you’re willing to sell the farm to him,” Mary said, her voice quiet.

Daniel frowned as a knock came at the front door. He turned to Katherine and gave her a little smile. “Would you please see them into the parlor, Miss Wallace? Tell them I will be with them shortly.”