The Last, Long Night (#5 in the Bregdan Chronicles Historical Fiction Romance Series) (42 page)

The Christmas dance would be mostly women and children, since all the men were off fighting or serving the army, but the women had learned not to let the absence of men diminish their dancing. 

Rose nodded and spoke with all who stopped to talk to her; which was  almost everyone.  John babbled on her shoulder, waving his hands in demand to get down, but the room was so crowded she was afraid he would get swept under someone’s feet.  He was walking, but he was still unsteady at times.  She wanted him where she could keep an eye on him. 

“Will you look at all that food!” Aunt Abby exclaimed.  “What a difference from two years ago.”

Rose nodded happily.  “Everyone has a big garden, and the number of livestock has exploded.  Almost every family has chickens and pigs, and we’ve got enough cows to supply milk for all the children.  Not to mention the army always provides us with ham and turkey for the Christmas dance.”

“People seem healthier this year,” Aunt Abby observed, gazing around.

“They are.  More medical people have been sent down, but it’s mostly because everyone is eating so much better, and everyone has enough clothes to keep warm.  It’s made such a difference.”

“They’re learning to take care of themselves,” Aunt Abby said with satisfaction.  “And they have you to thank for it.”

“Me?” Rose protested.  “I’m  just their teacher.  You’re the one who has made it possible to get medical help and supplies, and your mountain of barrels keeps everyone in clothes.”

“Perhaps, but it’s the fact they are learning that has given all these people the hunger to take care of themselves and make something of their lives.  The very spirit of this place has changed in the last two years.  I see pride and self-respect on every face.”

Rose nodded, her gaze sweeping the room.  “I know this is  a small group compared to the millions of my people who will have to learn to direct their own lives when the war is over, but I believe it’s proof that education will work.”

“I’m already pulling together women who will help establish black schools when the war is over,” Aunt Abby revealed, her eyes shining with excitement.  “When I told them about what you and the other teachers are doing down here they were all eager to help.”

Rose clapped her hands together with delight.  “Oh, Aunt Abby!  What would I do without you?”  She grabbed her in a big hug.  “Thank you so much!”

Aunt Abby hugged her back.  “We’ll be helping each other make a difference for a very long time, my dear.  This is just the beginning.”

Rose felt a wave of sadness sweep over her.  “Carrie would love this,” she murmured.  She closed her eyes as memories assailed her. 

Aunt Abby squeezed her hand tightly.  “We will celebrate Christmases with Carrie,” she said firmly.  “Surely you realize the war will end soon?”

Rose nodded slowly.  “Yes.  I realize the South has to be so close to losing this war.  But what if…?”

Aunt Abby held a finger to her lips.  “Not another word. 
What ifs
will do nothing but suck life from your spirit.  I predict all of us will be celebrating Christmas together next year.  Can’t you just see it?”

Rose smiled as new images flowed into her mind.

A sudden scream from the doorway jolted her out of her dreams.  “What was that?”  The wild screaming continued, and then cheering and applause broke out.  Rose shifted John to sit more squarely on her hip, and then began to work her way through the crowd to find out what was happening. 

Another scream from a different direction had her whirling around, her mind spinning with confusion.  Was something wrong?  She knew there were soldiers watching the building.  How could anyone have gotten through? 

Suddenly a scream she recognized split through the bustling room.  “June!” Rose cried, turning quickly and heading toward the sound.  “Aunt Abby, we have to help June,” she gasped.

“I don’t think she’s needing any help,” Aunt Abby said merrily as she stretched to her full height.  “The advantage of being tall is that you can see over crowds.  June looks happy to me.”

“But the screaming…,” Rose muttered and continued to push her way forward.  When she broke out of the crowd, she suddenly understood the reason for all the excitement, and a wide smile lit her face.

June was laughing and crying as she gazed up into the face of a tall, handsome man who had her wrapped tightly with one arm.  His other arm was holding Simon; the baby laughed with delight even as he looked at the strange man with bewilderment.

“Simon!” Rose gasped.  “It has to be Simon!”  Suddenly she realized everyone had turned away from the drama unfolding before them and were now staring at her.  She gazed back at them in confusion until she realized they weren’t looking
at
her but
past
her.  Her heart began pounding with anticipation even while her mind told her it wasn’t possible. 

Moses’ arms swept around her as she was turning.  “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Samuels,” he said tenderly, pulling John into one arm while he lowered his lips to hers. 

Not caring that the entire room was watching, Rose kissed him back fervently, her arms reaching up to encircle his neck.  “Moses.  Oh, Moses!”  Tears blurred her eyes, but she knew those tears didn’t diminish her smile.  “It’s really you.”

“Yes, ma’am, it’s really me.”  Moses grinned like a little boy.  “And I have five of my men with me.  All of them have wives here in the camp.”   Then another scream rent the building.  “That would be another one finding his woman,” he said, delight filling his face as he pulled Rose close again. 

When he raised his head, his eyes moved beyond her and suddenly grew wide.  “Aunt Abby!” he cried.  He released Rose long enough to crush the older woman in a hug and then laughed delightedly.  “Now this is what I call a Christmas dance.”

Rose laughed and spun in a circle.  “You do realize every woman here will want to dance with you, don’t you?”

“I warned all the men we would be a rare commodity.  They have four days with their wives; their mission for tonight is to dance with as many women as they can.”

Rose focused on only two of the words he said.  “Four days? John and I really have you for four days?” she gasped happily. 

“Rose!  Rose!” 

Rose turned as June hurtled across the room, pulling a man almost as big as Moses.   He still held little Simon, grinning as he followed June.

“This is my Simon, Rose!  This is my Simon!”  June cried.  Then she saw Moses and threw herself on him.  “Thank you!” she cried.  “Thank you for bringing my Simon to me.”

Moses brushed at the tears in his eyes.  People all around them were crying with the joy of the reunions throughout the room. 

“You’re welcome, little sister,” he said tenderly.  Then he looked over at Simon.  “That’s a mighty fine son you have there.”

Simon grinned so big he looked as if his face would split.  “That I do,” he said proudly.  “That I do.”  He reached out to tickle John under his chin.  “You got a right handsome boy yourself.  I’m right proud to be his uncle!”  Then he pulled June close to his side again and gazed down at her.  “It’s been three years,” he murmured.  “You’re more beautiful than ever.”

Rose felt her heart would burst with happiness.  She also understood the yearning in June’s eyes.   She leaned closer to her and whispered.  “Go back to the house.  I’ll keep Simon here with John so they can play.  You’ll have the place to yourself for a few hours.”  She glanced at Moses.  “I think the women can do without one dance partner,” she said quietly.  “In fact…” she let her voice trail off meaningfully.

Moses nodded easily.  “I reckon they can.”  He raised his voice so that everyone in the room could hear him.  “Hello, everyone.  I know every woman in this room understands how they would feel if their husband, who they haven’t seen in several years, suddenly appeared in the room.  I had told the men they would have dance duty tonight, but I believe all of you will agree with me that they should spend time with their wives. I promise you we’re all fighting as hard as we can to make sure
your
men come home soon.”

Applause and cheers broke out as Moses’ men grabbed their wives and pulled them from the building. 

“I have to stay here until the dance is over,” Rose said when Moses turned to her, responsibility and desire warring in her heart.

“Of course, you do,” Moses said, holding her with his eyes and then reaching for her when the dancing started. “I’ve been dreaming of dancing with you.  Let’s show these people how it’s done.”

“Go!” Aunt Abby urged.  “I’ll watch little Simon and John while you two dance.  Nothing would give me more pleasure.”

“Thank you, Aunt Abby.  I’ll be back for you in a little while,” Moses promised.

Rose laughed happily and allowed her husband to pull her out onto the floor.  Everyone else in the room melted away as she gazed up into his intense eyes.  The music flowed around them and created a swirl of magic that wrapped her up and made anything seem possible. 

When the music faded, Rose stayed wrapped in Moses’ arms.  “Aunt Abby believes we’ll be with Carrie next Christmas.  Tonight, it feels like anything is possible.”

“The war will be over,” Moses said with absolute certainty.  “The South is done.  They haven’t given up yet, and we’re probably going to have to finish things at Richmond, but I don’t think it will be much longer.”

Rose stiffened when he spoke of Richmond.

Moses pulled her closer.  “We’re going to think good thoughts about Carrie,” he whispered.  “This war will end, and we’ll find a way to be with her again.”

Rose nodded, praying his words were true.  “Aunt Abby has already opened doors for her to go to medical school.  I wonder if she’ll still want to…”
              “Carrie wants to be a doctor the way you want to be a teacher.  I don’t believe war will change that.  In fact, from what Matthew tells me, she wants it more strongly than ever.”

Rose nodded.  “He told me the same thing when he came through here after his escape.”  She turned her eyes toward Richmond.  “Christmas with Carrie.  I pray it will happen soon.”

The music started again, and Moses pulled her into a wild dance.  Rose cast aside her fears and worries and lost herself in the joy she felt with Moses.  She knew the four days would fly by, but she, June, and the other women would create enough loving memories to carry them through.

“You reckon there will be enough food here?” Hobbs asked, his eyes dancing with laughter. 

Carrie looked up from the box she was packing.  “There’s no use in pretending all the soldiers will get anything even similar to what they’ve known for Christmas in the past, but I do hope all of them get something.” 

She allowed herself to gaze toward Petersburg and held close the memory of Robert being home for five glorious days.  Christmas dinner had been very simple, with none of the splendor of Christmases past, and much less even than the three years before, but she’d had all she needed and wanted because she’d been surrounded by the people she loved most.  The only gift she had needed was waking up each morning warm and snug beside Robert. 

With Robert back in the trenches in front of Petersburg, she was doing all she could to support him.  A group of women had descended on the Ballard House to cook for hours on end.  The aroma from all the food filled the neighborhood. Every person who passed the house regarded it hungrily, but no one attempted to steal any of it.

“Where did all these hams, chickens, and turkeys come from?” Hobbs asked in wonder. 

“The same place as the beef, mutton, and sausage,” Carrie said, filling her box to the brim with savory cooked meats.  “People have been hiding them all through the war.”  She closed the box with a snap and looked up with flaming eyes.  “Those men out there are starving.  They’re standing in those awful trenches without overcoats and shoes in an effort to protect us.  The least we can do is give them a special Christmas meal.”

“Even though it’s January second?” Hobbs asked.

“They’ll appreciate food no matter when it comes to them,” Carrie said firmly.  “Our soldiers are suffering horribly.  I feel bad for the ones in the hospital, but at least they’re warm and have some kind of food.  That’s more than I can say about our soldiers on the field.”

Hobbs gazed at her for a long moment.  “Robert told me that in most regiments only about fifty men even have shoes.”

Carrie shuddered, so thankful Robert at least had warm clothes.  Her father had spent some of his rapidly dwindling fortune to make sure of it.  While she had been thankful to have Robert with her, she hated what his men were suffering, and now she was fearful of what would happen to her husband when the fighting started again.

“Lee is calling up every single man who can do
anything
,” Hobbs said quietly.

Carrie’s heart clenched, but she met his eyes squarely.  “You’re going to join them.”

Hobbs’ eyes begged her to understand.  “I can still hold a gun.  I can still cook or clean dishes or do whatever else is needed.”

“You know Sherman’s entire army will head this way to join Grant’s?”

“I reckon they will.”