1. Chapter One
Chapter One
Ivy Hill Plantation
Charlottesville, Virginia
Anna Nicholson sat alone on a picnic blanket, admiring the newly sprouted wildflowers of all colors and the soft bed of grass beneath her. The breeze, carrying the crisp scent of spring, brushed gently against her face. She was in the meadow again, the place she had always cherished.
She enjoyed watching the sun gleam down, shining upon her three grown daughters as they sprinted through the meadow in their Sunday best. Anna’s youngest of seventeen years, Marjorie, moved carefully through the field while her sisters tried to escape her.
They were playing the game of Blind Man’s Bluff, and the blindfolded Marjorie was searching for her sisters.
She sensed their presence and chased them up a tall hill.
The girls giggled and squealed as Marjorie approached them.
Seeing them having fun at their age, Anna couldn’t help but think about her own mother.
If she were still alive, she would be upset to witness her granddaughters engaging in activities other than traditional needlework or portrait painting, as was expected of a meek and quiet young lady.
When Anna and her husband, Collin, discovered they were expecting their first child—Margaret, who was now nearing twenty-one—they agreed they would raise their daughter to be a free woman who made her own choices.
After ten years of living in Richmond and reforming their settlement house, Anna and Collin grew tired of city life.
They enjoyed watching families recover and find employment, but they had three daughters to raise.
Anna wanted them to experience what she had at her historic plantation, Ivy Hill, in Charlottesville, among the Blue Ridge Mountains, with air as fresh as morning dew.
Mother had been delighted to have the family together again and to spend time with her three young granddaughters.
There had been joy and love in her eyes, qualities Anna had never seen during her own childhood.
Sometimes Anna grew jealous of her daughters’ relationship with their grandmother—because she had been robbed of her mother’s affection—but she was glad she had another chance.
Eventually, Anna forgave her mother’s selfishness, including the fact that she had forced her into the marriage to Collin.
Their union had, after all, become something beautiful, something she wouldn’t trade for anything.
Anna looked behind her and shielded her eyes from the sun as she saw Collin walking towards her. Her heart leaped as though it were her first time seeing him. He had a way of making her heart flutter.
But her Collin was no longer the same man she married.
When they first married, he was shy and reserved.
Their daughter Evangeline, who went by Evie, took after him in that way.
Anna could see Collin in her every day—the way she walked, spoke, and acted.
However, the change in Collin wasn’t a good one.
The circumstance could have been worse, like those with other men she had known before the war, but it wasn’t.
In the spring of 1918, Anna and her daughters traveled to Washington, DC, for a Women’s Suffrage conference as honored guests.
After Anna delivered her speech, an officer pulled her aside and handed her a telegram reporting that Collin had been wounded.
Collin’s arm had been crushed during an explosion, causing an infection that resulted in its amputation.
Anna scooted to the end of the picnic blanket and patted the ground for Collin to sit.
He balanced himself on his left hand and sat beside her.
Collin pressed his lips against Anna’s, giving her a warm and tender kiss, just as he had since their marriage ceased being in name only.
Anna cherished every one of his kisses, each time feeling as though no time had passed between them.
“How is my darling wife doing this lovely morning?”
Anna threaded her fingers through her husband’s brown hair, now streaked with gray. “I couldn’t be any better, having a spring picnic with you and our daughters.”
Collin cupped the back of her head, pulling her into another deep kiss as if they were the only two in the world.
“Mama!” Marjorie squealed.
Evie and Margaret giggled as Marjorie made gagging noises. Collin chuckled and removed Anna’s sun hat, shielding them as he kissed her again.
Anna clung to Collin’s shirt. “I believe we’ve shared over a million kisses by now.”
Collin kissed Anna’s temple. “Never enough.”
Anna laughed, reminiscing about the way she had felt during their first kiss.
They had stood in front of hundreds of people, more for the sake of publicity than out of attraction.
Anna had hated Collin that day and loathed his kiss, but she had no idea what a treasure she had then—a treasure only God could give.
Collin pulled away and placed Anna’s hat back on her head.
He faced their daughters’ direction, but he bit the inside of his cheek, and his fingers absently twisted strands of grass.
He turned away and looked above them, as though he were staring into space.
His fingers curled into a fist, then relaxed, and he sighed.
Anna scooted closer to her husband and placed a hand on his shoulder. “What is it, Collin? Something is bothering you. I can see it.”
Collin looked back at Anna, attempting to smile but hesitated. Their eyes locked for a brief moment, then Collin glanced downward. “I wanted to wait until later tonight, but I believe now is the time. There’s no use keeping anything from you.”
Anna’s heart thudded in her chest. Ever since Collin’s injury, she grew worried when she heard any mention of news.
She nervously fidgeted with her dress hemming as she watched Collin dig into his suit coat, pulling out an open envelope.
Anna took it in her trembling hands. She looked into Collin’s big blue eyes, which had lost their light.
“Please tell me there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Just read it.”
Anna opened the letter, and the first line sent a shiver down her spine. Her breath caught. It can’t be.
My Dear Son,
I know it has been over two decades since we last spoke, so I understand if you will throw this letter away upon reading my name.
I do hope you will read this, though, for I have something rather alarming, but important to say.
I dedicated my life to the family business, and, after it fell, I spent the last twenty-three years building it again.
However, I believe those days will forever be behind me.
About six months ago, I grew desperately ill.
I have recently learned I have cancer in my pancreas and will not have much longer to live.
I do not blame you if this news doesn’t move you, for I have never been a good father, but I’d like to make amends before I go.
I’d like to leave this world in peace, knowing I have set things right with you.
I have missed so much of you, my son. I cannot explain how much pain it caused, learning secondhand about my granddaughters’ births.
I do not know what they look like or what their names are.
I’d like to see them, Collin. I’d like to see you, too, and your wife.
I look forward to your reply, if you wish to write back.
Yours Faithfully,
Father
Anna covered her mouth and dropped the letter.
Mr. Nicholson had neglected Collin since childhood and treated him as an heir rather than a son.
Seven months after Anna and Collin married, Collin was disowned for bankrupting the family business.
Afterward, Collin and Anna lived in peace for over two decades at her country estate.
They had their financial struggles for the first two years of their marriage, but God had worked everything out for them, bringing them loyal investors for their Richmond settlement house.
The idea of Mr. Nicholson writing after two decades was peculiar, but his desire to make amends after all the pain and heartbreak he caused made Anna skeptical.
Was this another trick? Would he spin his web of lies to manipulate them again?
Imagining Lucas Nicholson as a changed man and loving father and grandfather seemed nearly impossible.
But God could change lives, and Anna had seen change in her own mother before the latter’s death.
“Will we go?” Anna asked.
Collin shrugged. “I don’t know. It came as a large shock. I’m afraid I am still processing it—my father’s illness, and his letter. . .”
“All these years,” Anna said, letting out a small sigh. “After all these years, he wants to make amends. Do you believe he has changed?”
“We can only find out one way. I have only known my father as a monster, and imagining him as a saint seems out of my range of knowledge. Maybe he has found the Lord, or maybe this is another trick.”
“So will we go?” The thought of seeing Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson again made Anna’s stomach churn.
Collin sighed and took Anna’s hand into his. Their fingers intertwined, and he looked into her eyes. “I have never cared for the man, but he is my father, Anna. As his son, I should see him . . . at least to say goodbye. It’s his dying wish.”
Anna nodded, swallowing a large lump in her throat.
Losing her father at a young age had been too hard to bear.
She had been angry at him for binding her to a betrothal contract with Collin, but seeing him on his deathbed and forgiving him brought her peace when she said her final goodbyes. Collin needed the same.
“What will we tell the girls?” Anna asked. “They have never met the man, and they only know horror stories.”
“We will tell them about Father’s letter and the power of forgiveness. I’m certain they will understand.”
Anna leaned her head onto Collin’s shoulder. “I’m worried, Collin. Your parents hurt us so much.”
Collin sighed. “I know, but we must find a way to move on. Our anger has gripped us for far too long.”
Anna planted a kiss on her husband’s shoulder. Despite her doubts, she would have to find a way to muster enough courage to face the challenge head-on and embrace it. Even if the challenge was only Lucas and Ramona Nicholson.