“Oh, Gilly, it’s a long story.” Will draped an arm over her shoulder and directed her toward the sitting area in the parlor. He remembered his way around this house.
“I came back from England in May and got the army looking for you,” she explained as Will sat beside her and stretched out his long legs. She’d be willing to swear he’d grown over a foot since she’d last seen him.
“I know—the sheriff of the little Dakota town where I live notified me. I made inquiries and found that Mama had passed away, and Papa had sold Lynwood.”
“And Papa had a stroke earlier this week.”
Will’s eyes widened, and it took a long moment for him to absorb the shock. “I didn’t know that. How is he?”
“He’s frail, very frail, but the doctor thinks he’ll survive with good nursing. He’s sleeping now, but I’ll take you to see him in a little bit.” She slapped his knee. “But tell me what happened to you.”
Will sighed. “I’m not proud of what I did, Gilly. How did Mama die? She was the main reason I couldn’t come home.”
That didn’t make any sense, but she answered him. “She took influenza and no doctors were available at the end of the war.”
He squeezed her hand. “I can best explain what happened to me by telling you what I did after running away from home. Mama wanted me to go and avenge our brothers, and I wanted to—at first.” He dropped her hand and leaned back against the cushions. “As you might remember, I was never as convinced as most of the fellows the Southern cause was right. Oh, I could understand States” Rights, but never slavery. As you remember, Grandpa deliberately bought slaves to free them.
“While I was at a Union prisoner camp, we were guarded by a company of ex-slaves. Most of them were very kind to us, though they didn’t have to be, in fact, had a good reason not to be. It kept gnawing at my conscience that what I’d been doing was fighting to return those men to slavery.”
He laughed. “It was their trusting nature that gave me an opportunity to escape. But I couldn’t escape my conscience.” He stared at his fisted hands a moment before his gaze met hers. “The truth is, Gilly, I’m a traitor.”
“Are you saying you joined the Yanks?”
“Not right away. I worked on a farm a short while, hiding out. I changed my name to Carter and changed my appearance as much as I could. Then after about three months, I made up my mind. Yes, I joined up with the Union cavalry.”
“But why didn’t you come home after the war?”
“I couldn’t face the folks, especially Mama. You know how proud she was of the Cause. Though Pa opposed secession initially, I knew he, too, would be devastated to learn that his only remaining son was a traitor to his land.”
Gillian rubbed her temple. Of course, he was right. But she knew, despite the circumstances, Papa would be overjoyed to find his son alive. And because Alex had been instrumental in finding Will, it wasn’t wishful thinking to believe Papa would be so grateful to him, he’d welcome Alex into the family.
She’d decided, regardless of Julia, as soon as Alex arrived, she’d introduce him to Papa as her husband.
“Papa will forgive you anything now, I know he will.”
“I wanted to write home, but kept putting it off, and an opportunity came to team up with a couple of fellows moving west to the mines. I made a sizeable amount there.” He smiled. “Then I met Laura. We got married and moved to Dakota to claim the free land for a farm and had a little girl. You’ll never believe how we got married. It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later.”
Will married? Her little brother was married—with a child? She had another sister. And a niece. However they got married, she was pretty sure Alex’s and her wedding was more unusual.
He shook his head. “It’s cold up there, Gilly. I expect England was a lot colder than Georgia, but it can’t compare to the northern plains. And wind.” His head wagged again.
“You’re married?”
A smile stretched his face in two. “For almost three years.” He slapped his forehead and leaped to his feet. “My wife—I left her out in the carriage with— We have the most beautiful, almost two-year-old little girl.” He beamed with fatherly pride.
Gillian scrambled from her seat. “Don’t just stand there. You left them out in the stifling heat? Go get them.” She shooed him out. Then picked up her skirts and raced him to the door like when they were children.
Will plucked a little girl with sunny blonde hair from her mother’s arms and gave his wife a hand to assist her from the carriage. Pride oozed from his voice as he introduced them to Gillian.
Smiling, Gillian touched the child’s rose-petal cheek and brushed the golden curls from her face. Never had she seen a more beautiful child.
“See, I told you you’d like her. We named her Katie Lynette, but she looks just like you at that age. Katie, this is your aunt.”
Gillian couldn’t recall ever being this pretty as a child. Katie looked from Gillian to her father. “Ant?”
“You can call me Aunt Gilly,” Gillian said.
“The little girl cooed and touched Gillian’s hair. “Pitty, pitty ant.”
“She’s beautiful, Will.”
The attractive blonde woman at his side held out a hand. “And I’m Laura.”
Gillian took to her sister-in-law immediately and fell in love with Katie as the child went into her arms. She quickly learned, however, her little niece was spoiled rotten. As soon as they’d entered the house, Katie began to squirm and whimper, and no diversion would quiet her.
But spoiled or not, Gillian wanted a baby of her own. She wished Alex were here so she could show him off to her brother and sister-in-law.
“Laura is originally from Ohio,” Will said.
That reminded her of where Purity’s mother’s people had settled. It seemed God was pulling this family together from all directions. “I married a Yankee myself, an army captain. We’ll be moving to Missouri as soon as Papa is out of danger. How long are y’all visiting? A long time, I hope.”
Will sent Laura a glance. “Should we tell her now?”
Laura nodded and caught her daughter’s chubby hand in time to prevent her from pulling the comb from Gillian’s hair.
“Tell me what?”
“I’m buying Lynwood, for an unbelievable price. We filed the papers this morning.”
Gillian almost dropped her little niece. She shifted the baby to her other hip. “You did? Papa will be so glad. He’s regretted selling Lynwood enormously. That will be another thing to make him feel better, but not nearly as great as finding you alive and well.” She had to wonder if all the good news might be too much for Papa.
Julia would probably think so. What would Julia think about Will? Papa now had a living heir, and she might be left out of any inheritance.
Katie squired, reaching out her hands to her mother, and Gillian reluctantly gave her up. “Will, maybe I should discuss this with Papa’s doctor before you see him. He’s not supposed to have much excitement.”
“I understand, but could you go to dinner with us tonight? I see Nellie’s Café is still open. We used to love her fried chicken.”
The mention of their favorite restaurant woke Gillian’s hunger. Since nursing first Alex and now Papa, nothing tasted good. Silva declared she’d lost weight. “And her fresh peach cobbler. I haven’t been to Nellie’s since I got back home. That’s perfect, and maybe by dinnertime I’ll be able to tell you what the doctor says.” She repositioned the comb Katie had loosened.
If only Alex were here. She missed him with an aching she hadn’t expected. During the two plus weeks of his convalesce their spirits had meshed. They’d shared memories of their childhood and all those years before and after the war until she knew him as well as herself.
Most of the time, they’d discussed their future.
And she’d sung to him all the songs of her repertoire, including the Negro spirituals he favored. She couldn’t count how many times she’d sung Shenandoa
h. No matter what her mood, his welcoming smile could lift her, making her feel she floated through the air.
By Thursday morning, Gillian and Will had caught up with the missing years. The doctor had suggested Will wait a week or two before visiting Papa, and he reluctantly agreed. Gillian was disappointed Will and Laura had to leave early Thursday morning for an appointment to inspect Lynwood with their lawyer. She could hardly wait for Alex to meet her brother, but it couldn’t be helped.
As the day wore on, and Alex and Aunt Mandy hadn’t arrived, worry crowded in. The telegram didn’t say when they’d get here, and train schedules weren’t always reliable, but by four o’clock, she was wearing a circle in the carpet of her bedroom.
She was about to go check on Papa when Purity called her from the hall.
“Amanda has arrived.”
Relief made its way through Gillian, but why wasn’t Alex with Aunt Mandy?
Her aunt was removing her hat as Gillian descended the stairs. She swung around and lifted her head, a small smile on her lips. “How is Gilbert?”
Gillian hugged her aunt. “He’s holding his own, but I haven’t noticed much change. Where is Alex?”
“He decided to drop by his office before coming here. I don’t expect he’ll be long.”
“I expected you Tuesday.”
“I had to help James Parker with his article. It comes out in the morning. He’s giving evidence of widespread corruption in Bullock’s administration, and he’s naming names. I’m glad to have gotten out of Atlanta. The whole town is likely to blow tomorrow.”
“Then I suppose the army will be leaving soon.”
“Not right away. You know how slow government is. Troops will remain for months after they’re ordered out. Hopefully, they won’t be interfering with the civil government.”
“I imagine Governor Bullock is fighting the idea of a withdrawal.”
“Of course, but this time, I think he’s outnumbered. There’s too much evidence of corruption with the railroad.”
Gillian suddenly remembered Will. She grabbed Aunt Mandy by both hands. “Well, I have even bigger news. Will is alive. He showed up day before yesterday looking wonderful—and with a wife and child.”
Aunt Mandy’s eyes popped and her mouth formed a large “o”. Then they were hugging and dancing around the room as Aunt Mandy shouted, “Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”
Gillian came to her senses and put a finger to her lips to ask for silence. “Papa doesn’t know yet. The doctor says he could have another stroke if he’s put under stress.”
After Gillian had related all the details about Will’s sudden appearance, Aunt Mandy’s features turned serious, and she nodded in the direction of the parlor. They found chairs, and she asked, her voice low, “Does Julia know about Purity?”
She referred to Gillian discovering Purity was her sister. “She knows and pretends she doesn’t. She knows about Will of course, though she was out when he came by. She’s been acting strangely.”
“How do you mean?”
“Aloof, I guess is the best way to describe it. She’s neglecting instructing the servants, and they’ve been coming to me. She’s goes out visiting every day, but never tells me who she’s visiting. And after hovering over Papa when I first arrived, and trying to keep me and Purity away, she’s suddenly left all his care to us.”
“That is strange, but she bears watching, I’d say.”
Gillian sent a quick glance to the doorway. Should she share everything with Aunt Mandy? She’d told Will and Laura all, why not? “Miss Maybelle thinks Julia is…is having an affair with Major Turley.”
Aunt Mandy shook her head. “That doesn’t really surprise me. Julia always was a terrible flirt. You’re speaking of Turley, who was Alex’s commanding officer?”
“Still is—until Alex gets his discharge papers. Alex was only assigned to General Terry on a special mission, which you know all about.”
Aunt Mandy neither agreed with nor denied that. “They seem an unlikely couple, but Miss Maybelle has always been astute. What’s your opinion?”
“I haven’t seen Julia with the major. In fact, he hasn’t been around since Papa took sick. But, as I said, Julia is going out a lot, so—” Let the meaning speak for itself. “The O’Grady sisters think Julia might even try to murder Papa so she’d be free to marry the major.”
This brought a gasp from Aunt Mandy. After a moment, she patted Gillian’s hand. “I wouldn’t worry about that. Oh, she’s capable, but maybe the reason she’s acting strange, as you say, is because she realizes, with Will alive, Gilbert’s property will pass to his son, and she’ll be left with nothing. Julia might love the major, but she loves money more.”
“I hope so. I’m anxious to tell Alex about Will. He still thinks he might be responsible for Will’s supposed death.”
“I expect him any time. Speaking of Alex, I’ve never seen a man so in love. You are indeed a blessed young bride.”
Gillian smiled. “Why do you say that?”
Aunt Mandy laughed. “My dear, he manages to direct every conversation around to you. I’ve had to recount everything I knew about you before you left for England. I had to relate all your likes and dislikes. He told me about the house he wants to build for you, and is so anxious that you’ll like his family and the land.”
“I’m anxious to meet his family, too. I just pray Papa recovers soon so we can leave. And we’ll expect you to visit us when we’re settled.”
“I’d love to. George and I will visit in the winter so we can have a sleigh ride.”
The image of entertaining in her own home excited Gillian, but now she must calm down before she took Aunt Mandy to see Papa. She drew in a deep breath and rose. “Come, Papa is probably awake by now.” She hoped her aunt could have a good visit before Julia came back from wherever she was.
***
Alex found all the offices empty at the district headquarters as he’d expected them to be this hour of the day. He went directly to the steep stairwell and climbed the steps. The records were filed on the second floor.
The lock clicked as he turned his key. He entered the dark and dank room, coughing as the stale air filled his lungs. The place, covered in a thick layer of dust, looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in ten years—and probably hadn’t.
Despite the oppressive heat, he’d have to light the kerosene lamp sitting atop the filing cabinets. The room had no windows. After lighting the lamp, he locked the door. He hadn’t seen any evidence of anyone about but couldn’t take chances.
A wave of nausea hit him, and dots floated around in front of him. The train ride had been hot and arduous, and if he wanted to admit it, he hadn’t fully recovered from his gunshot wound. He shucked his coat and shut his eyes, willing the queasiness to pass.
It did, but he knew he must find what he looked for and get out of here as soon as possible. Not only because it would be dangerous to be found here, but he had a wife waiting for him. A wife who’d fuss over him and bring him something cool to drink. He’d give anything for a glass of ice water right now.
The drawers not being labeled hindered him, and he went through several piles of useless information until he found the contracts. Who had signed the railroad permit? Boyles, the Central Georgia manager? A. I. Green, Bullock’s flunky? The governor himself? Definitely someone in authority.
Surprisingly, the railroad contracts were labeled, and the one he sought was the third folder down. Sweat ran down his back as he thumbed through the papers. Reuben had acquired his contract not long ago, but the files were a jumble. It might be buried. Fortunately, he found it about half-way down.
With shaking hands, he opened the folder and withdrew the paper he wanted. A glance revealed the authorizing officer.
Alex gulped hard. The name was the one he’d expected, but it still sent a chill down his back to see it in black and white. All the pieces to the puzzle fell into place. The outlaw gangs terrorizing the landowners. Mr. Carey. The Klan
. The Carpetbaggers. The most logical person who would have connections to all of them.
He folded the paper in two and slipped it into the inside pocket of his coat. After reluctantly slipping back into it, he blew out the lamp, and closed and locked the door.
Drawing in a lungful of the hallway’s somewhat fresher air, he contemplated what he should do. He had to get this information to General Terry without delay. He should get back on the next train to Atlanta because he couldn’t trust this with anyone else.
But he couldn’t leave without seeing Gillian.
Chapter 27
The sound of a door slamming somewhere on the second floor greeted Alex as he entered the house. Moments later, Gillian appeared at the top of the stairs. She’d been watching for him.
Just the sight of her sucked the breath out of him. She was more beautiful than he remembered. Love shone in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around him, squeezing a groan from him.
She drew back. “Did I hurt you?”
He pulled her back into his embrace with a chuckle. “If you did, it felt so good I wish you’d do it again.”
She smiled and her head tilted to receive his kiss. As he tasted her soft lips he decided she’d have to return to Atlanta with him to turn his evidence over to the authorities. Nothing could make him leave without taking her. “I’ve missed you so much. How is your father?”
“The seconds have dragged for me waiting for you.” She hooked his arm. “He’s some better but not out of the woods yet.” She tugged him toward the parlor. “Something wonderful has happened, Alex, and you’d better sit down for this news.”
She held on to his hands as they lowered themselves in unison onto the settee. The grin never left her face as she related how her brother, Will, had shown up.
Feelings Alex had thought he’d long since resolved surged. The backs of his eyes burned, and his throat filled with emotion. God was so good, bringing him through his guilt, redemption, and now relief. Something he’d never thought possible.
“Is he here? I want to see him.” It wasn’t that he didn’t believe her, but this young man had been in his thoughts for years. The desire to shake his hand was great.
The Captain's Challenge (The Wolf Deceivers Series Book 3) Page 26
