ONE
Life on the farm was peaceful. With the three weeks that passed, the farm exploded with color.
The fall brought so much vibrancy to the world around her.
Different shades of orange, yellow, red, and green decorated the ground.
Used to only the muted shades during the fall at home, Maggie marveled at each leaf.
Henry continued to heal and improve. He no longer held his side when he walked, rib almost restored.
Another week or so, and he’d be back to normal, according to Abigail.
Maggie tried not to care about his possible departure, but the more time they spent together on the farm, the harder it was to avoid.
But the thought of leaving tore him in two.
Never before had his duty felt so heavy.
From inside the barn, he watched Maggie across the yard with Abigail, hanging cloth on the line to dry in the breeze.
As Maggie worked, she moved with fluid grace, laughing gaily at something his sister said.
The days of eating a hearty meal had taken away the shadow that had seemed to haunt her.
Her figure had filled out, making her into a very beautiful
woman. How very different she was now from the girl he had first met in the woods. Once full of hate and despair and on the verge of starvation, she was now like a flower beginning to bloom.
Seeing Maggie come out of her shell and learn to love his family filled him with immense joy.
He could also see how much Elijah liked her.
Closer to her age, Elijah followed her around like a puppy, hanging on every word she said.
But Maggie clearly saw him as a pseudo-younger brother.
Henry shook his head at the thought. When Elijah finally realized it, he was bound to be crushed.
Poor Elijah. But with adulthood comes heartache.
He walked to the upper fields to speak with Levi. He needed to speak to his brother-in-law first.
Levi noticed Henry coming and let go of the sheep that he’d been tending. “Thinking of leaving soon?”
The question didn’t surprise Henry. Levi knew he had a duty to go back and was very observant, just like Abigail. “Most likely first thing tomorrow. I’ll need to find the new camp.”
“So soon?”
Henry pondered for a moment. “I think a quick departure would be best for everyone.”
Levi nodded. “What will thee say concerning thine absence?”
He gave a rueful shrug. “I’m not entirely sure. There’s bound to be plenty of questions, though, and I’ve never been very good at lying.”
“And if thee faces repercussions?”
A wry smile touched Henry’s face. “Then I will just have to pray they are merciful.”
Bitter silence met Henry’s declaration to return to his regiment. Only the sounds of everyone breathing were audible around the dinner table.
Maggie felt like she’d been punched in the stomach. She realized, against her better judgment, she had been holding out hope that now they were with his family, it would be the end of his war campaign.
But he’d only promised to bring her here for safety, she reminded herself. He had never promised that he would also be staying.
She fastened her gaze on the peas on her plate, hands folded in her lap, but she could feel him staring at her, across the table.
Abigail cleared her throat, thick with emotion. “Thee will need provisions for the journey.” Scraping her chair back, she left the kitchen, and Levi silently followed his wife.
Only Henry, Elijah, and Maggie remained.
Elijah stood. “I would like to go with thee, Uncle Henry. I am of age to fight. I realize it is against Mother and Father’s convictions, but I may soon be forced to fight anyway. I’d much rather do it by your side.”
At his words, Maggie glanced up sharply, now on the verge of becoming sick.
You’re too much like Joel.
Henry cut in before she could object. “Thank you, Elijah, but no. You’re a man now and can make your own decision, but I’d strongly advise you not to be rash.
Being in this war is like being in hell…
I wouldn’t go myself if I could. This cove is well hidden.
My prayer is that it’s never discovered.
As much as I value your company, your family needs you here. And—” Henry
stopped. “I don’t have the right to ask this, but I ask that you stay and protect them all. Every one of them.” He looked pointedly at Maggie.
Resemblance of understanding passed as Elijah seemed to read between the lines. After a lengthy pause, he held his hand out to Henry. “I won’t let thee down.”
Henry shook his hand firmly. “I know you won’t. Thank you, Elijah. Truly.”
The two men embraced, the love between them clear.
Elijah broke from the embrace and said, “I’ll go check on Mother.”
Maggie hadn’t moved during their exchange. Unlike the Howard family, she had no excuse to leave. Henry came around the table and got down on his knees beside Maggie’s chair, at eye level with her. His body was close but not touching her.
The pulse in her throat beat wildly. Still, she would not meet his gaze.
“Maggie.” He spoke softly. “Look at me. Please.”
Reluctantly, she shifted her gaze into the depths of his hazel eyes. In the firelight, they were the color of amber. Intense as ever. And… something else. She’d seen Levi look at Abigail the same way. The same look that would pass between Mama and Papa. She swallowed hard. Surely, she was mistaken.
“I made you promises and kept them, to the fullest extent circumstances would allow. Now, I want you to promise me something in return.”
“What?” She breathed.
“I want you to promise me that no matter what, you’ll stay here with Abigail and Levi.
Even when this war is over, the country you knew—that we all knew—will no longer be the same.
They will take care of you,” He glanced away.
“And one day, when you are ready to open your heart to someone, they will still be your family.”
Open your heart, he’d said.
But I already have. Her heart cried out in despair.
She hadn’t realized it, or maybe hadn’t wanted to admit the truth, even to herself, until he announced he was leaving.
Then, she knew. It had caught her off guard.
There had been no show of affection between them, no uttered words of deep feeling.
Yet, her heart had been slowly compromised.
Even his background hadn’t prevented her from her feelings—he was nothing like the Yankees she’d been taught to fear. He was good. Kind and pure.
Against all odds, against me fighting it with every step, you broke through my defenses. I’m falling in love with you.
But she mustn’t tell him how she felt. He was the eagle, and she was the sparrow. If he were to return, he should be with someone beautiful. Untainted. Not a plain girl with a scar running down her chest, forever a reminder of this bloody war…
A relationship between them would only cause emotional pain.
Another thought crossed her mind. He was leaving for war, and she tended to be bad luck to everyone close to her.
In the short time that she’d been in Henry’s charge, he’d been shot— and nearly killed.
This man had faced countless battles and walked away unscathed, yet one trip with her and a bullet almost ended him.
She could give him the one thing he asked for. That she could survive doing.
“I promise,” she murmured.
He locked eyes with her and said, “Thank you,” then left, leaving her alone in the house to her thoughts.
Once he was gone, she lay her head down and her body shook, barely holding in her tears. It felt like her soul was breaking.
Abigail returned alone and seeing Abigail’s tear-streaked face, Maggie got up and embraced her. It felt natural to comfort her.
The older woman held her tightly for a few minutes before she released Maggie. “Levi and Elijah are out in the barn praying over Henry. Why doesn’t thee go for a walk? Thee knows the best spot for quiet peace.” She gave a weak smile.
Maggie briefly wondered if this was Abigail’s way of needing alone time as well, but she agreed and walked slowly to the field.
The cross shone in a beacon of moonlight. How many people had laid their burdens at the foot of the cross? She sat down in the soft dirt and tried to let the sounds of the night ease her troubled mind.
It felt so strange to be frightened for Henry. She had hated him in the beginning, seeing him as the enemy. But now she couldn’t bear to think of her days without him.
Maggie remembered him on his knees after helping her. Henry had stretched out his arms and lifted his face to the heavens, praising the Lord on her behalf.
Although she wasn’t sure that God wanted to hear from her, it was worth a shot if it helped keep him safe. Kneeling awkwardly in the dirt, she stared up at the cross.
“God, it’s Maggie.” She squired, uncomfortable. “I know that I don’t have a good track record with you. It’s been a while since I’ve spoken to you. But others have done plenty of talking about you to me on your behalf… These are good people. They
are kind, they are loving, and they worship You. Please, if you have ever cared for me, please keep Henry safe. I owe him my life. If he were to die, I think the world might as well end because then the kindest person alive would be gone…”
Maggie swallowed. “When Mama, Papa, Hugh, and Joel died, I thought You had deserted me. I refused to believe that You existed—well, I’m talking to You now, so I must think you do. Maybe.” She sighed and closed her eyes, beseeching.
“Please watch over him. Protect him and bring him back home to his family. Please. Anyway, that’s all I ask… so I will stop talking now… Amen.”
Unclasping her hands, she stood and brushed dirt from her skirt. She checked the sky to make sure she didn’t see any sort of sign.
But it wasn’t like there would be a rainbow at night.