It seemed to take a moment for the question to register with Aiden, but the heart-stopping smile on his face gave his answer. “Really?” He squirmed to get down and ran over to hug his sister, touching her stomach.
“Yes, Aiden. Maybe a little niece or nephew,” she whispered, kissing his head. “I will count on your help.” Ella hugged her little brother and kissed Jackson.
This was the start of their Christmas traditions and their family. She had the family she doubted she would ever have. Ella never believed she could have the love she had known her parents to have, but somehow it had found her. It was hard to forget that the war was here, but Jackson was determined to keep as much normalcy as he could at Silver Moon. Fear was still commonplace, but she held on to her faith.
Life had changed so much. Love and contentment had soothed the anger and hatred she once held towards the Yankees, and she looked forward to this new life. It held so much promise with Jackson, Aiden, and this child. She cherished her life.
Hope was what she felt now. Hers was no longer a life touched by embers of anger.
Afterword
When New Bern, NC fell to the Union forces in March 1862, slaves flocked to the area looking to taste freedom, and soon James City (located a half mile south of New Bern) was born. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was a year off, the slaves that made it to New Bern were free—they were protected by the union army. In many cases the slaves that had escaped the plantations sought work for the occupying Union soldiers, and were better off than their former masters because of the jobs and other help provided by the Federal Government.
Acknowledgments
This book would not have been possible without the help of so many.
My husband, who actually reads my books—cover to cover—and continually encourages me. And my sister, Susan, whose enthusiasm about my stories is contagious!
Heather, Tina, Erin, Judy and Pat read my book and provided tremendous helpful feedback. Heather and Tina went beyond that- reading the book multiple times, and with their incredible patience and abilities they spotted things I might surely have missed. Together, all of these ladies gave so much inspiration and kept the fun going in this process.
Steve Shaffer, a highly-regarded New Bern historian, toured the New Bern (NC) battlefield with me on a very hot July day—both of us dodging snakes and mosquitoes, and enthusiastically educated me about the layout of the battlefield, the battle itself, and gave me tremendous insight on what went right and wrong that fateful day in 1862.
Jessica, my editor, made me realize this book was actually going to happen! Her support was unwavering and amazing.
Lastly...but never least...is Elizabeth, a truly wonderful friend whose expectations and subtle ‘deadlines’ pushed me to not only finish this book but has helped me in many immeasurable ways.
I’ve carried Ella and Jackson’s story around in my head for years…and thanks to the help of so many amazing friends and family members, I finally finished this book.
Thank you…each of you.
About the Author
Anna St. Claire is an avid reader, and now author, of both American and British historical romance. She and her husband live in Charlotte, North Carolina, where their once empty nest has filled with her cat, two dogs, and her two granddaughters.
Anna relocated from New York to the Carolinas as a child. Her mother, a retired English and History teacher, always encouraged Anna’s interest in writing, after discovering short stories she would write in her spare time.
Her fascination with history and reading led her to her first historical romance—Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind. The day she discovered Kathleen Woodiwiss,’ books, Shanna and Ashes In The Wind, Anna was hooked. She read every historical romance that came her way. Today, her focus is primarily the Civil War and Regency eras, although Anna enjoys almost any period in American and British history.
She would love to connect with any of her readers at [email protected].
Embers of Anger (Embattled Hearts Book 1) Page 29
