Looking To The Future (#11 in the Bregdan Chronicles Historical Fiction Romance Series)

by Ginny Dye

  “Wha…What?” Frances stuttered.

  “I love pushy little girls,” Carrie confided. “Do you know why?”

  “Why?” Frances was still staring at the ground.

  “Because I was one, too. And you know what else?”

  Frances shook her head, but had raised her eyes now, and was looking at Carrie intently.

  “I’m a pushy woman now,” she said firmly. She lifted Frances’ chin so she could meet her eyes. “The world has all kinds of rules about how women are supposed to be, but you don’t have to live by any of them.”

  “I don’t?” Frances breathed.

  “You don’t,” Carrie stated. “I’m a doctor because I didn’t live by the rules. Rose is a teacher because she didn’t live by the rules. Oma is a successful businesswoman because she didn’t live by the rules. The only rules you have to live by, honey, are the ones you set for yourself inside.”

  “Do you have rules for yourself?” Frances asked, her eyes bright with interest.

  “I do,” Carrie responded. “One rule is that I always have to live with integrity. Another is that I will let grace and compassion rule my life.” She paused. “The second one is not always easy, but I keep trying. I have other rules, too…”

  Frances kept staring at her. “What are they?”

  “Well,” Carrie said slowly. “Those are going to have to wait until we go to the secret place together.”

  Frances froze, and then her eyes began to shine. “You’re still going to take me to the secret place?”

  “Of course,” Carrie said. “I’ve planned on it all along. I’m just waiting for there to be a full moon.”

  “A full moon? Is that part of what makes it special?” Frances asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.

  “Definitely,” Carrie answered, leaning forward to kiss Frances’ cheek. “The moon will be full in two weeks. When it’s full, I will share the secret with you.” She prayed there would be no clouds to diminish the experience. They didn’t really need a full moon, but she knew it would make the night even more memorable for her daughter.

  Frances gave a glad cry and flung herself into Carrie’s arms. “I love you!”

  Tears filled Carrie’s eyes as she pulled her close. “I love you, too, Frances.”

  *****

  Carrie walked out onto the porch after supper. A few minutes later, Anthony appeared at her side.

  “Care to go for a walk?” he asked. “It’s a beautiful night.”

  “I would love to.” She glanced over at her father and Abby sitting side by side in the rockers. Their hands were entwined, and her father’s leg was elevated on a stool. He was getting stronger every day. It made her happy to see them relaxing together on the plantation.

  Abby glanced at them, her face full of contentment. “You two have a good time.”

  Carrie breathed in the fresh air as they strolled through the gathering dusk. There was nothing as magical as a summer night on the plantation. It was warm, but early June didn’t deliver the same searing heat as late July and August.

  Crickets and tree frogs were stringing up their orchestra, as whippoorwills sounded their evening serenade. Fireflies lifted from the ground in response to the encroaching darkness, dancing through the trees as they flashed their lights on and off. The heady fragrance of honeysuckle mingled with wild roses.

  “How do you stand to ever be away from here?” Anthony asked.

  “It’s hard,” Carrie admitted. “Much harder than it used to be. There was a time when all I wanted was to leave the plantation and make my way in the world. I never thought it would be a war that would take me away. Then, I left again to go to medical school.” She hesitated. “I was happy here with Robert, but when he was murdered…” Her voice trailed off. “At first, I thought I would never leave again because I felt close to him here, but soon, all I wanted to do was get away again. That’s what took me on the Santa Fe Trail,” she admitted, thinking back to the chaos of feelings she had endured after Robert and Bridget’s deaths.

  “And now?” Anthony asked.

  “And now,” Carrie said quietly, “I want to stay…but I have to leave again.” Saying the words out loud made her heart clench.

  “Why?” Anthony asked, clearly startled.

  Carrie paused. “I haven’t told anyone else about my decision yet.”

  “I’m honored to be the first,” Anthony said, and then waited.

  Carrie continued walking a few paces before she turned to him. “Can we go back to the place by the river where Frances took us this afternoon?”

  “Certainly,” Anthony answered, and then hesitated. “Can you get us back in the dark?”

  Carrie laughed. “I could get us back if I was blindfolded,” she assured him.

  Nothing more was said as they walked through the woods. Carrie smiled when Anthony reached down to take her hand. She could smell the river before they reached it. She drew in deep breaths, letting memories carry her back to all the big decisions made by the James River. Its flowing water had been part of her life for as long as she’d been alive.

  The sun was just sinking below the horizon when they reached the river. Water whispered through the small rocks lining the shore as small waves advanced and receded. A bank of pink and purple clouds caught the golden rays of the departing sun, splitting them into dazzling shafts of light that seemed to reach all the way to the heavens.

  “Spectacular,” Anthony breathed when the sun finally dipped far enough below the horizon to release its hold on the clouds. “Care to tell me your decision now?”

  “I’ve made two, actually,” Carrie replied, praying she would have the right words, and that the whispering waves would give her courage. “The first, is that I have to go back to medical school.” Anthony turned to her, but she didn’t see the surprise she had expected.

  “Because you want to be a surgeon, as well as a homeopathic physician,” he said quietly.

  Carrie gaped at him. “How did you know that?”

  “Because you’re a natural surgeon,” Anthony replied. “You performed a Cesarean Section on Janie under less than ideal conditions. You saved your father by removing the bullet fragments a less capable surgeon left behind. The first day I met you, you saved the lives of three vigilantes who attacked the plantation.” He gripped her hands. “You’re a very gifted surgeon, but can you combine the two practices?”

  Carrie shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t even know if I’ll find a medical college that will have me now that I’ve embraced homeopathy.”

  “Do you regret it?”

  “No,” Carrie said quickly. “I went to school to help people. I’m still convinced homeopathy is the best way to treat the majority of illnesses, but there are times when only surgery is the answer.” She paused. “I’ve gotten away with what I’ve done so far, and conditions during the war made people look the other way, but it’s not going to be that way in the future. If I want to continue practicing medicine the way I want to practice it, I have to go back to school.”

  Anthony thought for a moment. “It’s not like you have to tell the medical school that you happen to already be a doctor.”

  Carrie smiled. “I’ve certainly considered that.” Then she shrugged. “I believe I’ll find the right school.”

  Anthony nodded. “What about Frances?”

  “She’ll come with me, of course,” Carrie answered. “When I adopted her, I told her we may not always be on the plantation because of what I do.”

  “And she was all right with that?”

  Carrie smiled. “She said it was perfect because she’s going to be a doctor, too.”

  Anthony chuckled. “She’s an amazing little girl.”

  Carrie cocked her head. “I’m glad you think so.” She paused, trying to figure out how to say what she wanted to say next. She had no idea how to make her next pronouncement blend with the first, but she was certain of her feelings. “My father told me about the carriage business you’re
starting in Richmond. It sounds wonderful.”

  “I believe it will be profitable,” Anthony replied, “and it will give a lot of good men a good job.”

  “So, you’ll be staying in Richmond?” Carrie asked, feeling her way forward.

  Anthony shrugged. “I don’t know. I decided to start this business because once it is up and running, it will require little of my time. Norris will be a good manager. Willard and Marcus will take excellent care of the horses.” He paused. “I’m doing my best to create sources of income that will give me freedom. I told your father in Philadelphia that my own father worked so hard that he did nothing else, and hardly knew his family. I know I don’t want my life to be like that.” He looked at her more closely. “Why are you asking, Carrie?”

  Carrie took a deep breath and met his eyes. “At the beginning of this conversation, I told you I had made two decisions.”

  “I remember,” Anthony replied. His eyes were fastened on hers.

  Carrie’s heart was beating so fast, she wasn’t sure she was going to be able to speak. She cleared her throat, turned to stare out at the river for a long moment, and then turned back, her heart calming. “The second decision… is that I would like very much to be your wife.”

  Anthony’s eyes opened wide, and his face bloomed in a joyous smile. “You mean it?” he demanded. “You want to marry me?”

  “If you still want me,” Carrie murmured with a smile. “I know we have things to figure out, but I love you, Anthony.” She thought back to her earlier conversation with Frances. “I hope I’m not being too pushy.”

  “If I still want you?” Anthony asked. “It’s all I think about.” He laughed. “And just for the record, I happen to love pushy women. Especially you.” He laughed again and pulled her to him, pressing his lips to hers with a kiss of joyous promise and passion.

  *****

  Moses climbed the steps to the house, every muscle aching with weariness, and his heart filled with contentment. He smiled at Thomas and Abby, claiming a rocker when Abby waved him over.

  “Long day,” Thomas commented. “You missed supper.”

  Moses shrugged. “Mama always keeps food for me.” His face lit in a smile. “Franklin hired ten new men last week. They’ve already started on clearing more land. I rode out there to take a look. It will be ready to go under a cover crop this winter. We’ll plant next spring.”

  Thomas whistled. “Very impressive.”

  Moses nodded. “It’s amazing how fast men will work when they know they share in the profits of what they’re creating.” He looked at Thomas more closely. “How are you feeling?”

  “Like six weeks of not riding is going to be unbearable,” Thomas said ruefully.

  “I told you I would drive you out through the fields in the carriage,” Abby reminded him.

  “I know, but it’s not the same,” Thomas replied. Then he shook his head. “Self-pity is not flattering,” he acknowledged, and then squeezed Abby’s hand. “I may not be able to ride out into the fields, but it’s my pride that’s keeping me from seeing them. I’m sorry, my dear.”

  Abby smiled. “I’m sure I would feel the same way.”

  “Probably, but I would be happy to go for a carriage ride tomorrow,” Thomas said firmly.

  Abby leaned over to kiss his cheek. “And, I’ll be happy to take you.”

  Moses eyed him. “When you feel up to it, I could use your suggestions on some things I’m thinking about in regard to our plantation. Do you feel up to it?”

  “I had a bullet in my leg, not my head,” Thomas said wryly. “I doubt if I can tell you anything you don’t already know, but I’ll try.” He grimaced. “There I go again.” He shook his head. “I’m not made to be an idle man.”

  Moses eyed him. “You’re a lucky man,” he said quietly.

  “Lucky?”

  “Yes, lucky,” Moses repeated. “You’ve worked hard all your life. Now you have a chance to sit back and enjoy what you’ve created.”

  Frances ran out onto the porch with a book tucked under her arm. Felicia was right behind her. “Opa! Are you ready to read some more of Little Women to us? You quit reading last night right when Beth was real sick with scarlet fever. We have to know what happens!”

  “Of course, we could just read it ourselves,” Felicia said coyly.

  Thomas scowled. “I hardly think so,” he retorted, reaching for the book. He turned up the flame on the lantern sitting on the table next to him. “I want to know what happens, too.”

  Moses watched them for a moment. “Lucky,” he repeated.

  *****

  Carrie and Anthony approached the porch hand in hand. She was happy to see Abby and her father were still there, and even happier to see Frances, Felicia, and Moses sitting with them in the warm glow of lantern light. As they were climbing the steps, Rose, Susan, and Annie walked out. Annie was carrying a tray piled with cookies.

  “Is that for me?” Carrie asked brightly.

  Annie raised a brow and eyed her keenly. “I see that gleam in your eyes, Miss Carrie. You got something to be celebrating?”

  “I might,” Carrie said evasively, reaching for a cookie.

  “Oh no you don’t, young lady,” Annie said, pulling the tray behind her back. “You ain’t gettin’ no cookies until you spill the beans.”

  “She’s right,” Abby said in a lilting voice. “Spill the beans.”

  It took only a glance at Abby’s glowing face to know she already guessed what Carrie had to say.

  “Spill the beans!” Frances cried, jumping up from her chair. “What are we celebrating?”

  Carrie turned to meet Rose’s eyes. She saw the bright happiness she was hoping to see. “Anthony and I are engaged,” she said joyfully. She held up their linked hands as evidence.

  “She may live to regret saying she’ll marry me,” Anthony stated, “but I’m not going to give her much time to change her mind.”

  Cries of congratulations rang through the air.

  Thomas waved Anthony over and shook his hand firmly. “Not that you need it, but you have my complete approval. If you think you can handle this daughter of mine, I am happy to give my blessing.”

  Frances snorted. “Anthony won’t be handling her, Opa. Carrie is a pushy woman.”

  Carrie laughed, glad she had told her father and Abby about the conversation earlier that day.

  Frances walked over to stand in front of Anthony. “Does this mean I am going to be your daughter, too?”

  Anthony knelt down. “I hope so, Frances. If you’ll let me become your daddy.”

  Frances stared at him. “Are you sure you’re all right with pushy girls?”

  “I’m sure,” Anthony said. “I already know you’re perfect just the way you are.”

  Frances nodded, a bright smile blooming on her face. “Then it’s all right with me if you marry Carrie.” She looked around the porch with a dazed expression. “Sometimes it seems like a dream that I was in an orphanage with no family. Look how much family I have now!”

  Carrie brushed away her tears, unsure how her heart could contain so much happiness. There were plans that would have to be made, but her decision to marry Anthony felt completely right.

  She looked toward the barn, a smile bursting forth when a half moon slid up to rest on the trees. Its glimmering light illuminated the horizon, beckoning her forward into a future she never would have dreamed possible.

  To Be Continued…

  Coming Winter 2018!

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  The Bregdan Principle

  Every life that has been lived until today is a part of the woven

  braid of life.

  It takes every person’s story to create history.

&nbs
p; Your life will help determine the course of history.

  You may think you don’t have much of an impact.

  You do.

  Every action you take will reflect in someone else’s life.

  Someone else’s decisions.

  Someone else’s future.

  Both good and bad.

  The Bregdan Chronicles

  Storm Clouds Rolling In

  1860 – 1861

  On To Richmond

  1861 – 1862

  Spring Will Come

  1862 – 1863

  Dark Chaos

  1863 – 1864

  The Long Last Night

  1864 – 1865

  Carried Forward By Hope

  April – December 1865

  Glimmers of Change

  December – August 1866

  Shifted By The Winds

  August – December 1866

  Always Forward

  January – October 1867

  Walking Into The Unknown

  October 1867 – October 1868

  Looking To The Future

  October 1868 – June 1869

  Many more coming… Go to DiscoverTheBregdanChronicles.com to see how many are available now!

  Other Books by Ginny Dye

  Pepper Crest High Series - Teen Fiction