by Kim Bowman
I nodded at Grayson then looked back at my father, judging his temper again. He was looking at me, an almost sadness in his gaze, and I had to look away. Had I disappointed him? Did he think me disloyal?
“Yes. I fought to defend my home, my state. I’m proud of that, sir.” He spoke so firmly, so unashamed, and I found myself admiring him even more. I prayed my father could see the truth of the man beside me, the truth that I saw.
“There’s nothing wrong with that ideal, I suppose.” My father stated quietly. I looked at him, wondering at his reaction. Grayson was the enemy he had fought against, yet here he stood before me, calmly accepting him? “So why are you here with my daughter now? If you were fighting for the state of Tennessee? Shouldn’t you be back on your way home?”
“Yes, sir. That is where I am headed.” Grayson looked at me as he spoke, then looked at my father once again. I drew closer to him, knowing what was about to come. “I’m taking Olivia there with me.”
“Excuse me?” My father’s brow rose and I waited for him to say something else ¯ anything. What was Grayson thinking, just throwing the words out there like that? Couldn’t he have told my father in a much more subtle manner? I did not want to hurt my father.
“Your daughter has consented to make a life with me in Tennessee. We will be leaving at the end of the week for my home near Glasgow.”
“Oh you will? And if I say differently, son?”
I drew in my breath sharply, pulling both men’s attention to me once again. “I’m going with him, Papa. You can’t stop me. But I don’t want you to be angry with me. It’s what I want.”
“And if I am displeased, daughter?” His expression was so sad, it nearly broke my heart. I didn’t want to disappoint him, I really didn’t. But I couldn’t imagine a day without Grayson, and I wanted to make him understand that.
“Then I will hope you forgive me with time.” I looked at him, resolute and firm, hoping he would understand. “Please don’t make me choose, Papa.”
“And if I do?” my father asked me, and I began to fear he would. “Would you stand firm in your decision?”
“Yes, sir.” I told him, nodding vigorously. “I want to be with him. I’ll miss you, and Rachel and Amelia, but I’m going to Tennessee. Don’t be mad, Papa. Please. He’s a good man, I know he’s a southerner but he’s a good man. He’s done so much for me and Amelia and you must respect that.”
“Calm yourself, daughter.” His voice was stern and I began to shake. “There’s no need for this.”
“With all due respect, sir, we are merely informing you of our plans because once we get settled we would like for you to send Amelia to us. She’s very much like Olivia’s child, and it wouldn’t be best for either of them to be separated.” Grayson’s hand rose to cover my lower back, a supporting gesture I knew my father had not missed.
“So if I’m to understand correctly¯you’re taking my eldest daughter to live in the damned south and you want me to eventually send my younger daughter to you?” My father turned away a moment, and I tensed, but he merely sank down into the chair nearest the fire.
I stared down at my father for a moment, more uncertain than I had ever been. Grayson tugged on my hand, pulling me down on the sofa beside him. I sank into the cushion, all the while clinging tightly to Grayson’s hand.
“In the simplest terms, sir, that is exactly what I am saying. I have land in Tennessee, land that has been in my family for three generations and if that venture ever fails I have become a surgeon of some skill. I can provide for your daughter, of that I am certain. And there will always be room in our home for Amelia. I can understand you wanting to keep your daughters close, but Olivia has been making her own decisions for well on four years now and you owe her the courtesy and respect of not interfering with those choices.”
“Sounds like you have everything planned then, young man. And seem to have taken my wishes into account very little. I’m not sure what to think of that.”
“Well, sir. While I understand why you sent your daughters away from war, you rather forfeited the right to protect Olivia and decide for her what is to become of her, wouldn’t you agree? Now you must also realize that it isn’t you that will be forced to live with your decisions, but Olivia who must bear the consequences. I think she is more than capable of making the best choices for herself ¯ regardless of your wishes. I am asking you not to stand in the way of her happiness; can you do that, sir? Isn’t that all a father could want for his child?”
“Come to me in twenty years when you’ve experienced a child making her decision regardless of your wishes, then ask me what a father could want.” My father stared at Grayson and Grayson stared right back, wordless messages passing between the two men. I could see that, knew they were taking each other’s measure. My father sighed, then turned to me. “So there is really nothing left for me to say, is there? You’ve determined that Tennessee is the right place for you?”
“Yes, Papa. Grayson is the right place for me.” I lowered my head demurely, not wanting to see the sadness in his eyes.
“I’ve missed you, daughter, more than you can know. And now I am to lose you again. Not exactly fair, now is it?” He chuckled then, a small sound that nearly broke my heart. This was the first man I had ever loved, and it hurt me to see him so saddened by my actions.
“No, Papa. I’ll miss you, I will. You have to know I will,” I began to cry then and both men sat forward. My father wrapped a strong hand around my upper arm, the other raising to catch the tears as they fell. Grayson slipped his arm behind my back, letting it rest alongside my hip. He leaned his head against mine and I rested against his shoulder, still partially in my father’s embrace.
“I know, child. I’ll miss you, too. But be happy, girl. Promise me?” He lifted my chin up and I gazed at him through my tears. “Finding happiness is something that is rare, and it can be all too fleeting, as Rachel has learned. Take what you are given and make the best of it¯that is all you can do. Be strong, be brave, and always care for one another. That is all the advice I can give ¯ that is all the advice your grandfather gave me when I married your mother. That is all any of us can do. Remember, be courageous, for life’s journey is hard and long ¯ and all you are given. This man is a fine man, and he cares for you deeply. That is all a father can ask for a daughter ¯ and I am proud of you for making the decision to be with him, to follow your heart.”
“Thank you, Papa.” I turned from him then, his words more than I had expected, hoped for, and buried my head in Grayson’s chest. I breathed deeply, smelling that warm spicy scent that was only him and knew that whatever the journey ahead brought¯I was finally ready.
EPILOGUE
September 27, 1865
To my Dearest sister Rachel,
I cannot express my joy at hearing that you and Elias are doing well! Grayson and I are doing as well as could be expected with the farm in the dishabille that it was when we arrived here in Tennessee! He and Fischer have finished replacing the barn roof just this morning. Fischer arrived home two weeks ago. He is a good-spirited young man, with a mind that absolutely astounds! He and Grayson spend many hours on the porch discussing everything from the two armies’ strategies to the advancements in medicine GAINED from the war! I never would have thought that there would be benefits to a war.
I heard from father (I’m sure you know of this!) and cannot express how thrilled I am to know that he has purchased Jessup Mills’ farm. And that he has made all the necessary restitution to Uncle for the unintentional sale of the General to Grayson and myself. The horse is a totally different beast and is an invaluable asset to our farm.
Papa mentioned something about he and Amelia coming for a visit around about Christmas time. It would be wonderful if you ¯ and little Elias ¯ would accompany them. It can be our first Christmas since before that dreaded war ever started.
Love Always,
Olivia Manning
About the Author
Who is Call
e Jaye Brookes?
Calle Jaye is fun, playful, ironic, professional, and sophisticated. She’s super-educated in the field of fiction and would spend most of her time walking around in “Book World” (or “eBook World”).
Her favorite color is bold purple. She likes rock like Kid Rock, Shinedown, and Nickelback. Add in a bit of Anastacia and Adelle, too.
She collects rocks. Watches crime dramas. Abhors Lifetime Movies and Titanic (especially Leo…) and refuses to read or write about sparkly teen vampires.
She’s married to a cop she strongly suspects is a vampire. They’ve made a vampire child–who likes to howl like a werewolf.
They live in Indiana with their vampire relatives and their vampire dogs.
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