ONE #3
What was that passage? Trying to remember, Maggie picked up the book, flipping a few pages over. A piece of paper folded up was stuck in between the pages.
Her name was written across the back, in a handwriting she didn’t recognize. With a shaking hand, she pulled it from the Bible and opened it.
Dear Maggie,
If you are reading this letter, I hope that you’ve also found comfort within this book. I knew the very first day that I met you that the Lord’s hand was on you. You might balk at that, but it’s true.
So much has been left unsaid. Whether fear or stubbornness has kept us back, one thing is certain. My life changed when you entered it. Our journey hasn’t been the easiest, but my feelings for you have not wavered.
I cannot change who I am, where I am from, or my part in this war. But when it’s over, I vow to never again have you caught in the middle. Where you go, I will go.
Call it cowardly for confessing my feelings in a letter, but I couldn’t tell you to your face and still leave. It is agony leaving you as it is. Stay safe on the farm and watch for those Carolina Wrens. Every time that I see one, I will think of you.
Yours,
Henry
P.S. If you should need to reach me, write to me.
I am stationed under General Phillip Sheridan.
I don’t know where I’ll end up, but I’ll head towards Richmond to face the consequences of my absence.
It might take a while to reach me, but I will do everything in my power to return to you. I am yours, should you have me.
“Elijah!” Maggie screamed, tears filling her eyes. They had an answer.
“But that’s nearly two hundred and fifty miles away,” she groaned, seeing where Elijah pointed on the map. “It’d take a month to get to near Richmond, and Henry might not even be there.” The odds were stacked against them and the flourish of hope she’d felt started to dwindle.
“Maggie, I really wish thee would reconsider letting me go in thy place,” Elijah persisted.
She shook her head adamantly. “No, that’s not an option. We’ve gone over this.” She stared at the map, wishing it would change. “Two hundred and fifty… Let’s see, if I walk all day, average about twenty miles a day…”
“Ten to fifteen days,” Elijah calculated.
Maggie was quiet, thinking of the journey she’d made with Henry from her home to here.
Henry had nearly died from being shot, they’d both nearly starved, and that had been with a horse to carry them.
There was very little chance that she would make it.
But the chance of Elijah being captured by either side and forced to fight if he went was even greater.
Abigail and Levi had given Maggie everything.
She knew how treasured Elijah was to them.
She wouldn’t risk his safety. No matter the cost, she was going.
“The plan stays the same. I will find a Union camp, tell them that Henry has been wounded near Richmond, and that I’ve come to tend him.” She tried to convince herself as much as Elijah.
Elijah folded his arms. “And thy promise to Uncle Henry to stay here?”
Guilty tugged at her heart at the reminder. “He’ll understand once he learns of all that’s happened. When I promised him that, we had no way of knowing what would happen.”
He was silent for a while. “I hope Uncle Henry doesn’t kill me for letting thee go,” He muttered under his breath. “It’s nearly midnight. We should turn in if thee is still going to set out in the morning.”
Back in bed, Maggie read the letter over and over, tracing the lines on the page. She’d shown Elijah, for it was the only way for him to understand, but part of her wished she could have kept it private. Had Abigail read the letter, too? Surely not.
But there could be no doubt of Henry’s feelings for her now.
A new level of nervousness pooled in her belly at the thought of seeing him again.
She twisted the ring she’d kept on her finger for the journey.
It felt pretentious now to wear it, but she had no choice.
Henry would understand it all when she told him. She hoped.
When she finally woke, she took her time dressing, making the bed, and rechecking the pack. Part of her knew she was stalling, but the other part reminded her of the need for urgency. There were twenty miles awaiting her and she’d best start if she wanted to stop before dusk.
Elijah waited for her in the kitchen. He hugged her tightly, and she was reminded of how it felt when Joel hugged her.
“I’ll be praying for thee every single day. I cannot begin to thank thee, Maggie, for what thee is doing for my family. I—” Elijah stopped, his voice breaking.
“I know. Thank you, Elijah, for everything.”
He nodded, unable to speak further. Squeezing his hand, Maggie let go and walked out. Henry’s instructions from when they traveled north together came to her mind.
“Head north. Stay out of sight, eat from the land. If you see any soldiers, try to run and if you can’t, surrender.”
She would heed his guidance for the most part, but surrender wasn’t one thing she intended to do.
In the yard, she paused and gazed towards the cross. “God, if you’re listening, give me strength.”