by Sara Orwig
That night as they sat in the parlor after dinner, Fortune told about his stay in Virginia. “I expect to be moved in a few months. With Andrew Johnson’s pardons and amnesty and the Radical Republicans wanting Reconstruction of the South, things are uncertain. I’ve asked for Georgia.”
The back door banged and Sophia’s pulse jumped. She heard the scrape of boots and Caleb and Darcy entered the room. She was so thankful to see him, it was an effort to keep from crying his name and running to him. His boots and pants were muddy to the knees. Dark stubble showed on his jaw; none of it mattered, because she couldn’t take her eyes from him. His gaze met hers and he looked at her a moment, before glancing at his family. They all surged forward to greet him and Darcy. As he kissed Amity’s cheek, he said, “Will Stanton will be here on the nineteenth. He stayed while I came home.”
Amity’s eyes sparkled, and Sophia hoped they could work out their differences. Finally Caleb said, “We have to clean so we can hug everyone and I can hold my new nephew and Daniella.”
“You’ll not wake them up tonight!” Rafe said, laughing.
“Then I’ll have Sophia go with me while I take a peek at them. We’ll be back.” He caught her hand, and Darcy joined them as they left the parlor.
“Show us the babes and then we’ll wash. Darcy, you can go first.”
“Have you eaten?” she asked.
“Not this year,” Darcy answered.
“He probably ate an hour ago,” Caleb added dryly. “I think he’s hollow.”
“You know there’s plenty of food and Mazie has been over here all day cooking along with Adia.”
Sophia placed her finger on her lips and opened the door to the room where Daniella was asleep. She lay with her dark lashes on her cheek, her mouth a rosebud, and a rag doll in her arms.
“She’s grown just since I last saw her,” Darcy said with wonder.
“She’s a beauty,” Caleb added. “Now where’s my nephew?”
Sophia led him to Rafferty and Chantal’s bedroom and they tiptoed to the cradle where the baby lay with his fists tightly knotted.
“Lord, look at the black hair,” Caleb said, bending down.
“Caleb, you’re muddy and he’s asleep.”
“Sure and you think I’ll not be holding my new nephew,” he said. “He looks like his papa and Darcy.”
The baby stirred as Caleb cradled him in his arms, and Sophia felt a pang seeing the look on Caleb’s face. He wanted children and she did, too. He held the baby against him, slightly rocking him while Darcy leaned over them.
“I’ll go wash, Cal,” Darcy said and tiptoed from the room. As soon as they were alone, Caleb looked at her and she felt the heat start that could melt her with passion as she gazed back at him. He lowered the baby to the cradle.
“He’s a fine one.”
“And now he’s muddy,” she whispered, wiping a smudge off Jared’s soft cheek.
“He’ll wash. Babies were meant to be loved.” He took her hand and led her to his room, closing the door.
“Caleb, you’ll get me muddy.”
He paused and yanked off his shirt. “Your face will wash, love,” he said huskily, tugging away his boots and pants.
“Caleb, I can’t stay up here! I have to go back downstairs.”
“Sophia,” he said in a gravelly voice. With a moan, she ran her hands over his chest and slid her arms around him as he hugged her hard, bending his head to kiss her. She felt his arousal and ached for him, knowing they wouldn’t have time alone now or anytime before the wedding.
In minutes a knock came. “I’m through washing,” Darcy called. “Your turn.”
Caleb released her and she looked at him as she stepped back, feeling her cheeks flush, yet relishing his maleness, wanting to caress him.
“Caleb, thank heaven the wedding is soon,” she said. “I must go now.” She slipped out of the room quickly, pausing in the hall to straighten her clothes.
When he joined them in the parlor, Caleb looked handsome in a fresh white linen shirt and black trousers that fit his slim hips snugly. She gazed at him, longing to be in his arms tonight, knowing it was impossible. Amity and Ormonde were staying at her house and soon they would have to leave.
When they told the others good night, Caleb and Rafferty rode along to accompany them home. Rafe waited in the carriage while Caleb and Ormonde carried baggage inside and then Caleb was alone with her at the back door.
Caleb pulled her to him, bending his head to kiss her deeply, finally releasing her. “Rate’s waiting. I’ll see you in the morning, love.”
As Caleb’s house grew quiet, he sat in the parlor with Rafe and Fortune and Darcy. “We’re finally all together,” Rafe said, looking at them with satisfaction. “Eight years since the night at sea and a war in between.” He looked at Caleb and his expression sobered. “How’s the race?”
“I wanted to talk to all of you about it. Darcy knows my plans. I have a man working in Trevitt’s camp and he’s heard rumors. He doesn’t know the details because he’s not privy to Trevitt’s confidence, but Trevitt intends to stop our train on the nineteenth.”
“How do you think he’ll do it?” Fortune asked.
“I can only guess. There are three big bridges we cross, twice over the St. Francis River and another over the White River. If I had to stop a train, that’s where I would do it.”
“You know this, so what do you plan to do?” Rafe asked quietly.
“First, I don’t want Sophia to know about it. She is accustomed to fending for herself and doing things and I don’t want her involved.”
Rafe grinned and brushed lint off his knee. “It seems the O’Briens must be drawn to feisty women. Darcy, remember to fall in love with someone who is quiet and shy.”
“I’m not sure that’s a guarantee,” Caleb added dryly.
“All right, what do you plan to do?” Rafe asked, his voice becoming solemn again.
“Tomorrow I want to notify everyone that it’ll be a skeleton crew on the train and the party with friends and investors will be here at my house on the twenty-first. I’ll have the servants notify the people we’ve invited, and I’ll talk to the big investors tomorrow. I’ll leave town the next morning to make the run to Stuttgart, and the morning of the nineteenth, I’ll bring in the M and A.”
“Fine,” Fortune said. “We’ll be your skeleton crew on your train.”
“I have an engineer who’ll drive the train, Jonah McClanahan. He fought for the Confederacy and he knows how to shoot. I have six men—all veterans—to ride the train. I want Darcy and five men at the depot in Hopefield. I have a crew of four with Will at the first bridge over the St. Francis. I have another crew of four over the other big bridges, two men at each small crossing.”
“Where do you want us?”
“Fortune, will you stay with Darcy at Hopefield?”
“If that’s what you want.”
“I’ll go with you on the train,” Rafe said.
“I have six men and they’re good shots. It would ease my mind more if you’d stay here and see that Sophia’s safe. Trevitt has promised her he would get his revenge for when she stabbed him. I don’t think he’s given up.”
“I’d like to be on the train, but I’ll do what you want.”
“I don’t want to worry about her safety,” Caleb said, also wanting to avoid placing his brothers on the train where he expected the most trouble. “Only a few more days. What’s going to be difficult, is telling Sophia.”
“I want to be with you on that train, Caleb O’Brien! I want to write the story about the M and A’s first run. All Tennessee and the surrounding areas are waiting to hear about this race. This will be the biggest story I’ll ever write.”
“No. It’s too dangerous.”
“Then don’t you go. I don’t want to lose you now after I waited through a whole war.”
Caleb shifted on the buggy seat behind his carriage house. He had known what a storm he would cause, but there
was no way to avoid telling Sophia that they were changing the party and the train trip with guests. Her cheeks were pink, her blue eyes full of sparks. Even though she was angry, she looked beautiful in her deep blue taffeta dress that was tucked into her tiny waist and flared over her full breasts.
“I’ll have a whole crew of tough war veterans who can shoot a bug at a hundred paces. I’ll be safe.”
“Take your brothers with you,” she insisted.
“No. I need Darcy and Fortune to guard the depot across the river. I want Rafe here with the family. He has two children; I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize him.”
“You’re leaving him here to guard me!”
He wanted to kiss her to end the argument, but the family was inside waiting for them, and Sophia would be embarrassed over being wrinkled and mussed.
“I’m leaving him here, because someone needs to be here who can protect this family. Trevitt is capable of anything.”
“He isn’t going to ignore the train and attack a houseful of women.”
“If he gets you, he can get me, and he knows it,” Caleb said, trying to be patient.
“I want to go with you. Caleb, don’t take this story away from me,” she pleaded.
“You and that paper! Sophia, you’re not going to endanger your life for a story. I’ll tell you about the ride.”
“I want to experience it firsthand, not hear about it from you.”
“You’re beautiful even when you argue. I suppose that’s why I fell in love with you,” he said, brushing her cheek with a kiss.
“You’re trying to coax me out of this.”
“Of course not.” He stroked her cheek. “You take care of your office and get ready for your new press. You’ll have to hire someone for this one, because it’s bigger than your first.” He climbed down and reached for her. “We have to go inside.”
“You’re trying to evade the matter.”
“You’re in charge of the party here. Here you stay. I won’t have you on that train, Sophia, if I have to lock you in the house.”
She gazed up at him and he saw the stubborn lift of her chin, yet whether they clashed or agreed, he wanted her and loved her wildly. “Only days now, love, until our wedding,” he said softly.
She inhaled deeply and he took her arm and they went to the house. He held the door and reminded himself to talk to Rafe and make certain he knew where Sophia was and didn’t let her out of his sight until the ferry was gone from Memphis. If she risked going to Shiloh for a story, she wouldn’t hesitate to try to get on the M&A.
Worried about Caleb’s safety, Sophia kissed him goodbye. He held her close. “I never thought I’d get married. Papa planned things and told us what we would do years ahead. He didn’t foresee a war, though, that would kill his sons and bring you into my life.”
“I suppose I have to be glad you were foolhardy enough to go to Shiloh,” he whispered, kissing her throat, his lips warm, the slight stubble on his jaw tickling her.
“Some men said it was brave,” she said playfully.
“They’re trying to charm you, Sophia, but if they only knew how you—” he kissed her mouth lightly—“turn a man’s life inside out—”
“Caleb—” He kissed her and silenced her reply.
“Good night, love. I’ll be careful and I’ll be safe tomorrow,” he promised.
As Sophia climbed into bed, she thought about all she had to do for the party. She needed to check again with the musicians. Tomorrow morning she was going with the O’Briens and Therries to call on Will and his parents. She wanted to be on the train with Caleb, and if it was as safe as he said, there was no reason to keep her away. Which was exactly why Rafferty was staying in Memphis. The first run of the M&A might be her last big story, because she was going to sell the paper as a surprise for Caleb. She would do anything to get that story.
Rafe called on her early in the morning, eating breakfast at her house.
“It’s amazing how much you and Fortune and Darcy resemble each other and Caleb doesn’t look very much like any of you.”
“It’s difficult for me to see that we look alike. This is a nice tribute to Caleb and the Memphis and Arkansas line,” Rafe said, looking at her newspaper.
“I haven’t told him, but I’m giving up the newspaper.”
Rafe looked up, his blue eyes keen. “That should please him.”
“I don’t feel the same about it that I used to and my ideas have changed so much from Papa’s teachings. My father was a strict man and he opposed the railroads.”
Rafe smiled. “And now you don’t. We change as we age. Lord knows, I never thought I’d be sitting in Memphis, expecting my brother to bring in a train on its first official run. Cal always seemed so carefree and unsettled. He’s changed.”
“So have I, thanks to an O’Brien.”
Amity swept into the room looking lovely in a rose velvet dress. “How do I look?”
“Beautiful as always,” Rafe said, looking amused.
“I’m so scared at seeing Will’s parents when he won’t be there.”
“You’ve already met them and the Stantons are nice,” Sophia said. “And Rafe and your father are going with us. There’s nothing to fear. If you two will excuse me now, I’ll change.”
She hurried to her room where she changed swiftly to boy’s pants and a white cotton shirt Caleb had left behind. She pulled on a jacket. She looped and pinned her hair up under one of Caleb’s hats and yanked on boots, pausing to look at herself. If Caleb saw her, he wouldn’t recognize her. At a cursory glance, most people would take her for a boy. She pocketed her derringer.
Climbing out the window, Sophia ran across the neighbor’s yard to the end of the block where she had a horse saddled.
Her heart pounded, because Rafe would follow Caleb’s wishes completely. All of Rafe’s polite courtesy would vanish if he caught her. She mounted and urged the horse forward.
Her heart pounded, and her palms were damp as she rode cautiously through town. She didn’t know where Caleb was, and she could meet him at any turn or on the ferry. She prayed he wasn’t standing at the rail watching the crowd.
The ferry was within minutes of leaving. A blast came from its whistle and she wanted to urge the horse to a gallop, but that would attract attention.
She hitched the horse to a post and paid a livery attendant, and men rushed toward the ferry. She fought the urge to look over her shoulder; she could imagine Caleb coming after her. Her gaze swept the passengers and to her relief, she didn’t spot a head of dark brown curls or his wide-brimmed black hat.
She rushed on board and moved around, trying to find a place that would be inconspicuous and finally crowding in with a family of three boys who stood at the rail.
And then they were underway and she was terrified to look around for Caleb. He was somewhere on the same ferry, maybe only feet away. She gazed at the muddy river, watching water swirl. Memphis receded and she had a moment of trepidation for deceiving Rafferty by slipping away, but she desperately wanted this exclusive story that all of Tennessee would read.
When the ferry slowed and stopped, she turned. As passengers disembarked, she scanned the crowd, her heart skipping when she spotted him.
Caleb went ashore, and in seconds she followed, taking care to keep a distance. He didn’t look back and soon they were in sight of the depot. A crowd of well-wishers had gathered and milled around the train. Caleb entered the depot and she skirted around, mingling with the crowd until she could climb on board.
The train was empty and she ran through the passenger car with its ornate, overstuffed wine-colored plush seats. In the corner of the baggage car she spotted a big crate covered with canvas. It was her new press. With her heart pounding, she ran to squeeze behind it. Tugging on the canvas, she pulled it to one side of the crate so it hung down and covered her.
In minutes the door opened. “We’ll leave in five more minutes. Just make certain everything is secure,” Caleb said.
She held her breath, hearing the man moving around the car and then the door opened and closed and he was gone. Her legs became cramped, but she was afraid to move. The car lurched and shifted and they were moving, the wheels clicking over the rails, picking up speed.
She leaned against the wall and rode, knowing with every mile she would be safe from Caleb sending her back to Memphis. She felt an urgency to be with him and she would get her story.
Wearing a gun for the first time since the war, Caleb sat in the engine, gazing at the countryside flash past. It was three minutes between mileposts now, so they were up to twenty miles per hour, making good time.
The second hour out of Memphis as they approached the first trestle bridge over the St. Francis, Jas Hardwick stood by the track waving his hands. According to plan, Jas was a mile from the bridge. His wave was the all-clear signal to proceed. When they swept over the trestle, Will was at the end and he waved as they rushed past.
Caleb felt restless, wondering when Dunstan would move. He motioned to the engineer and strode back through the cars, wind buffeting him as he passed between them and stepped inside the next car, muffling out the constant clack of the wheels on the rails as the door shut. He moved with the sway of the car, nodding to Drake Sweeney who sat at a window with a rifle in hand.
In the next car Caleb nodded to Sean O’Keefe. He entered the baggage car and Mike O’Malley turned around.
“You checked everything in here last night?”
“Yes, sir. The press, the boxes of goods. I went over all of it last night and Hannibal stayed on guard until I came at six this morning.”
Caleb nodded and went on to the next car, but something nagged at him. He spoke to each of the men, Hannibal Barbano riding on the platform behind the last car. “Any sign of trouble?”
“No, sir. Nothing. Maybe there won’t be any.”
