Mississippi Brides

by Diane T. Ashley,Aaron McCarver

  Grandma Darby’s smile was wobbly on her face, but she straightened her shoulders and nodded. Gray hair peeked out from the edges of her crocheted nightcap. “I am worried about Luke.”

  “I know. I’ve been praying for him since I woke up.”

  More cannon fire brought all of the females to the edge of the balustrade. The front door stood open, allowing them to glimpse the street outside.

  Caroline reached for Grandma Darby’s hand. “It sounds like it is coming from the river.”

  “That would make sense.” Marianna looked toward her. “But I wonder if the Yankees are really foolish enough to attack us from the water. They should know by now they will never succeed with that.”

  Mrs. Lister nodded her agreement with her oldest daughter’s statement. “Our bluffs are high enough to hold off any attackers.”

  Footsteps on the stairs drew their attention to the return of Mr. Lister. His face was calm, relaxed. Seeing his expression made Caroline feel better.

  “Don’t worry, ladies. There’s no cause for alarm. The cannons you hear are ours. A flotilla of Yankee ships are trying to use the darkness to float past us, but we’re ready for them.” He turned and pointed toward the front door. “See that red glow in the distance?”

  Caroline looked to the area where he pointed. An eerie radiance pierced the darkness almost like seeing the sun rise. But unless she was mistaken, she was looking west.

  “We’ve got dozens of signal fires lit on the Louisiana side of the river to backlight the Yankees. Makes their boats clear targets. Our cannons are most likely sending all of them to the bottom of the river.”

  “You see, girls,” Mrs. Lister spoke gently to her younger children, “we have nothing to fear. I would suggest all of us return to our rooms and try to sleep.” She herded the children to the nursery.

  Marianna talked to her father about what he had seen and heard.

  Caroline wanted to listen to the man’s answers but knew she needed to support Grandma Darby. Putting an arm around her waist, she walked back toward the other woman’s bedroom. “I think Mrs. Lister is right.”

  “I should not have insisted we come to Vicksburg.” Grandma Darby blew out her candle and placed it on the table beside her bed. “It has put both of us in harm’s way, and it seems unlikely you’ll get to talk to Luke with all of this going on.”

  Caroline’s heart went out to Luke’s grandmother. She sounded so weary, so lost. “Don’t worry about it. You couldn’t know the Union soldiers were about to launch their ships. And you were trying to help me get things sorted out.” She stood next to Grandma Darby’s bed. “Why don’t we say a prayer for Luke’s safety before I leave you?”

  Grandma Darby nodded. “That’s a wonderful idea.”

  They knelt side by side. Caroline steepled her hands and closed her eyes. “Lord, we come to You with frightened hearts tonight. Please protect Luke. Keep him safe from harm. Please don’t let his anger remain. And help me find a way to mend the breach between us.” She fell silent as God’s Spirit seemed to settle around her. What a wonderful Maker she served. Even in the midst of danger and fear, He was faithful to listen to her and answer her pleas.

  Grandma Darby shifted. “Lord, You heal the lame and give sight to the blind. Please watch over my grandson. Wrap him in Your loving arms. Give him strength and cunning. He’s not bulletproof, Lord, so please cover him with Your protection. Thank You, Lord. We pray in the precious name of Your Son who died for us. Amen.”

  Caroline pushed herself up and helped Grandma Darby into bed. After pulling the quilt up, she leaned over and gave the woman’s wrinkled cheek a swift kiss. “Sleep well.”

  “You, too, dearest Caroline.”

  The words echoed in her head as she made her way slowly back to her bedroom. She was almost too tired to put one foot in front of the other. Now that she knew they were not in immediate danger, she felt like wrung-out laundry, not even removing her wrapper as she crawled back into her bed.

  After a little while, she realized the cannon fire had stopped. The battle was over. So why did she feel so uneasy?

  A compulsion overcame her to pray. Obedient even though she didn’t understand, Caroline got out of the bed once more and sank to her knees. She started by praying once again for her husband’s safety, but the words somehow got twisted and lost. Supplication filled her, containing all her pleas, hopes, and dreams for a future with the man she loved.

  Time ceased to exist as the prayer continued. Finally, when it was over, she stood once more, surprised to look out the window and see that dawn was quickly approaching. Even though she knew God had heard her prayers, she couldn’t completely quiet the whisper of dread trying to envelop her heart.

  When Dinah entered her room with a tray, Caroline woke to realize the sun was high in the sky. “Why did you let me sleep for so long?”

  “You needed the rest.”

  “That’s what Grandma Darby said yesterday. It seems all I do is sleep these days.” Caroline sat up in bed and chose a piece of toast from the tray

  “It’s only natural since you’re in the family way.”

  Caroline gasped as though doused with a bucket of icy water. “What do you mean?”

  “Now, Miss Caroline, you had to notice your dresses have been getting tighter. And then you been getting sick in the early morning. It’s only natural after all.”

  Her face flamed, and Caroline didn’t know where to look. She was going to have a baby! How she wished she could tell Ma and Pa the good news. They would be so excited. If not for this beastly war, she could plan a trip to visit with them or at least send them a letter to tell them the good news, but for now she would have to celebrate with her new family. She and Luke were going to be parents. What would he say? How could she even tell him?

  She finished the toasted bread and got up so Dinah could help her get dressed in one of the gowns that had indeed seemed to shrink over the past weeks. She had thought it was because of the rich food offered at Shady Oaks. “How long have you known?”

  “Nearly a month.” Dinah straightened Caroline’s skirt with quick motions and stepped back. “But I doubt anybody else knows, exceptin’ maybe Missus Darby. You got time to tell Master Luke, but you better do it quick. Now go on while I clean up your room. They’re waiting for you in the parlor.”

  Was Luke here? Her heart beat faster. Thank You, God. Had a day ever held such promise?

  Caroline practically flew down the steps. Forgetting proper decorum, she burst through the parlor door to find the room full. Grandma Darby, Mr. and Mrs. Lister, Marianna, and a swarthy man she did not recognize. But where was Luke? Her footsteps faltered. Why was Grandma Darby dabbing her face with a handkerchief? Why were the rest of the people in the room looking at her with such sadness?

  Caroline wanted to turn and run back upstairs. She needed to get back into her bed. Maybe sleep awhile longer. Anything to postpone this meeting.

  She didn’t want to step inside the room, but before Caroline could turn away, Marianna jumped up and ran to her. “Oh, my dear, I am so sorry.”

  Tears pushed at her eyes. “What is it? What’s happened?”

  The swarthy man had stood at her entrance, and now he bowed to her. “Mrs. Talbot, allow me to introduce myself. I am Major Michel Fontenot.”

  “Michel—I mean, Major Fontenot—is a friend of the family.” Marianna had a death grip on her arm. “He is also Luke’s commanding officer.” She hesitated for a moment, swallowing hard. “I’m afraid he has some bad news.”

  Caroline would have covered her ears if not for Marianna’s grasp. She knew she didn’t want to hear whatever it was this man had to say. It was the news that was making Grandma Darby weep. It would make her weep, too. “No.”

  Fontenot’s dark gaze was sad as he nodded. “Your husband and his slave took part in a very risky venture last night, one that gave us a distinct advantage. They crossed the river and lit signal fires to unveil the ships trying to defeat Vicksburg�
��s defenses. Their actions may have kept the city safe, but sadly, they paid the ultimate price.”

  “No.” It seemed the only word she could say.

  Marianna drew her to the sofa. “I am so sorry.”

  Caroline looked up at her and saw the sympathy in the other woman’s gaze. The smell of wood smoke from the fireplace threatened to choke her. The air in the room seemed dense with it.

  As if from a distance she could hear the others talking. They were saying things about bravery and courage, concepts that had no meaning in this moment. She coughed and took the handkerchief someone handed her, not knowing whether she was about to cry or lose the contents of her stomach….

  Another realization dawned—she was carrying Luke’s child. And now she would never be able to share her joy with him. Her dreams of a happy future disappeared in an instant, replaced by grief and despair. How could this have happened? Why did God allow it to happen? How would she ever recover?

  Chapter 17

  Intense thirst pulled Luke to consciousness. He looked around and realized he was in a cave. The crackling flames from a nearby fire held the damp night air at bay. Every part of his body was racked with pain, but he was relieved to find himself still alive.

  A shuffling noise brought his head around to see Hezekiah entering the cave with a skinned rabbit in one hand. “Master Luke? It’s good to see you awake.”

  Luke tried to push himself up, but a shooting pain made his eyes water. The walls of the cave swam dizzily.

  “Don’t you try to sit up yet, Master Luke. You been shot.” Hezekiah draped the rabbit over a nearby rock and helped Luke lie back down.

  That must be why he ached so. Luke caught his breath after a few seconds. “What happened? How long have we been here?”

  Hezekiah squatted next to him and stirred at the fire. “We been here ’bout a week now, and you been pretty sick.”

  “What happened?” Luke repeated his first question. “All I remember is coming across the river to light signal fires.”

  “That’s right, Master Luke. And we got those fires all lit up. It’ll be a wonder if any of them boats made it past our cannons. You and I was about to hole up until morning, but someone musta’ seen us. They started firing, and since you was at the front of the boat, you took a bullet right here.” Hezekiah’s finger lightly grazed a spot above Luke’s knee.

  The area he touched was very tender, but that was not what made Luke start. “I remember! I fell into the water, and a gator splashed in after me. I thought I was dead for sure.”

  Hezekiah’s chuckle was deep and rich. “That wasn’t no gator. That was me you heard.”

  “Were you hit, too, then?”

  “No.”

  Luke wished he could sit up, but he was too weak. “You jumped in the water after me?”

  Hezekiah nodded and busied himself with readying a spit for their meal.

  “But you’re afraid of the water. You can’t even swim. Why would you do such a thing?”

  “You told me you got doubts about what you believe—so I knew if you died, your soul would belong to Satan, and he’d torment you for all eternity.”

  Luke’s breath stopped. He could feel his heart thudding in his chest. He didn’t know what to say. He’d never realized the depth of the slave’s faith. “You risked your life to save me.”

  Hezekiah shrugged. “You’re my neighbor. Jesus says we have to love God first and each other next. I couldn’t let you die.”

  The words were simple but so strong. Warmth spread throughout his body, warmth that had nothing to do with the flames of the nearby fire. It was the whisper of God reaching out to him through Hezekiah’s faith and willingness to sacrifice his own life. He was humbled. Tears stung his eyes. Gone was all his arrogance, his belief that God was too distant to care about him. “I want to know this Savior.”

  “Praise the Lord. He wants to know you, too.” A smile relaxed Hezekiah’s face. “There must be a big celebration going on in heaven right now. Another sheep is coming to the Father.”

  Hezekiah talked about his own walk with Christ. His words seemed to flow directly into Luke’s soul.

  Luke’s heart had been a hardened, dry sponge. Now it swelled and softened as the love of Jesus entered. In the flickering light inside the cave, he gave his life to Christ. The Holy Spirit took up residence inside him, and the terrible anguish began to ease.

  A spiritual hunger awakened inside him. He wanted to know more. He wanted to follow Christ. “I’ve been such an idiot. Would you pray with me? I don’t know what to say to Jesus.”

  Hezekiah nodded. “I remember the first time I talked to Him out loud. It was a scary thing. Like you finally realize how big and powerful He is, and you wonder how you can dare to speak to Him.”

  “Yes, you do understand. When I look back at the things I’ve done, I wonder how God can forgive me.”

  “It’s a mighty strong God who loves you, Luke. He’s ready to forgive you. All you have to do is ask Him to come inside you.”

  Tears fell from his closed eyes as Luke prayed for Christ to enter his heart. He went from feeling dirty and unworthy to feeling the wonder of a Savior who loved him and who gave His blood to wash away Luke’s sins. Faith was more than attending church or reading a Bible. It was a personal relationship with his Maker. When the prayer was finished, Luke knew the rest of his life was going to be different. He had made a lot of mistakes, but Christ did not condemn him.

  His mind went to his wife. Caroline. As if a veil had been lifted, he realized she was the only woman he had ever really loved. He had fallen once for a beautiful girl back home and had even tried to correct that mistake by courting Marianna Lister, a girl for whom he had no tender feelings. But he thanked God for leading him to Caroline instead.

  His heart cracked as he thought of the harsh words he’d thrown at her the last time they had been together. How had she fared after he deserted her? Would she forgive him as quickly as Christ had? He didn’t know the answer to the questions, but he did know one thing. If it took him the rest of his life, he would seek her forgiveness and treat her with the love and respect she deserved.

  He would return to Vicksburg only long enough to resign his position. Then he would find his wife at Shady Oaks, and with God’s help, he would make things right between them.

  That is, if Caroline would allow him to…

  The fever came back the next day. Luke tried not to thrash about, but the fire inside his body made him restless. From time to time, Hezekiah gave him cool water or placed a wet cloth on his face. The relief did not last.

  The next time Luke’s mind cleared, they were on the move. Hezekiah must have built a travois. It was not an easy ride, but it had to be much harder on his slave to pull the framework holding Luke.

  “Hezekiah.” His throat was so parched he could barely croak, but the man carrying him heard the sound.

  “Yes, Master Luke?” He carefully lowered the travois and offered Luke water from a canteen. “You feeling a little better?”

  “You’re a miracle, Hezekiah.” He coughed.

  Hezekiah shook his head. “I’m just a man.”

  “From this day forward, consider yourself a free man. I can’t ever repay the debt I owe you.”

  “You don’t owe me nothing.”

  “I owe you my life, twice over now.”

  “That’s not why I saved you, Master Luke.”

  “I know that. You were prompted by a higher desire. You are a true child of God.” He reached for the canteen and took another mouthful of water before continuing. “You’re also my brother in Christ. Even if I don’t make it, you tell Caroline I said to free all of the slaves.”

  Hezekiah stood and lifted the travois once more. “Don’t you go talking like that, Master Luke. I’ll get you back to a doctor, and he’ll fix you up right quick-like.”

  Luke barely heard Hezekiah begin to plead with God for Luke’s life as he faded from consciousness again.

  Chap
ter 18

  It’s time to consider going back home.” Grandma Darby returned her teacup to the silver service on the table at her elbow. “This hotel is nice, but it’s not home. And with all the Yankees in Mississippi right now, I’m worried we’ll get back to Shady Oaks to find nothing but a pile of ashes.”

  Caroline punched her needle downward through the pillowcase. “I’m not giving up on Luke.” She had designed a stylized T entwined in oak leaves to decorate the linens, but now the green threads blurred into unrecognizable shapes as tears gathered in her eyes. Her sore nose burned—not surprising since she had spent a large portion of the past week crying. But she clung to the belief that her husband and Hezekiah were still alive. She couldn’t explain it to Grandma Darby, or anyone else for that matter, because her hope…her belief…was not based on any solid evidence. She might be leaning on a spider web, but for now it was the only way she could get through each day.

  A feminine scream from somewhere inside the hotel interrupted her thoughts. “Who was that?” Caroline sprang from her chair and rushed to open the parlor door.

  Grandma Darby was slower but reached the top of the stairwell not many seconds after Caroline. “It sounds like it’s coming from the front entrance.”

  A small group of people, mostly the hotel workers judging by their aprons and caps, had gathered near the doorway. Someone was lying on the floor. It looked like Dinah. Had she been attacked?

  Caroline hurried down the steps, her gaze focused on Dinah’s prostrate form. A grizzled black man bent over her, waving his hat above her face. “What happened to Dinah?”

  The black man looked up at her, and Caroline’s breath caught. “Hezekiah?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He stopped fanning his wife and smiled up at Caroline.

  One word trembled on her lips. “Luke?” She prayed for the strength to endure whatever answer he gave her.

  “He’s alive, Miss Caroline, but he’s mighty sick.”

  “Thank You, God.” Relief spread through her. “Where is he?”