by Ginny Dye
Carrie leaned against him, so grateful for his strength. Her father had been home only a week, but already his eyes were brighter. The reality that they were leaving for the plantation in just an hour had brought a glow to his face that she hadn’t seen in years. “You’re really glad to be going home…”
“Yes,” Thomas said gratefully. “I truly never believed I could feel the plantation was home again, but it’s all I want now.”
“You won’t miss your work here in Richmond?”
Thomas shook his head. “I’ve had enough of politics to last a lifetime.” His face creased with thought. “This country will only reunite when people stop seeking the Republican answer, or the Democratic answer. The only one that counts is the right answer. It’s just not important who is to blame for the past. I find I simply want to live my life taking responsibility for my part of the future.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Aunt Abby said fervently as she stepped out on the porch to join them. “I couldn’t help overhearing the last thing you said. I can only pray more people on both sides of this equation will make the same decision.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” Thomas replied ruefully, but then smiled. “Good morning, Abby.”
“Good morning!” she said brightly as she slipped an arm through Carrie’s. “I can’t believe that after all the years of hearing about your wonderful plantation, I’m actually going to get to see it for myself.”
Carrie grinned, visions of racing across the fields on Granite filling her mind and blanking out all other concerns. “You’re going to love it!” Suddenly she couldn’t wait to get on the road. “Do you think Miles is almost done packing the wagon?”
Aunt Abby nodded. “As long as he can get it all in. May keeps handing him baskets of food.” Amusement danced in her eyes.
“We’ll be out there this afternoon,” Thomas protested. “We don’t need that much food.”
“May is determined that no one will have a moment of hunger,” Aunt Abby replied. “When I suggested she might be overdoing it, she waved a spoon at me and told me to get out of her kitchen. That’s when I decided the front porch was safer.”
Carrie and Thomas laughed with her, and then Thomas grew thoughtful. “I’m very lucky to have those two. I still feel badly about leaving them here at the house without a salary.”
“Don’t,” Carrie said, repeating what she had already said to her father before. “They talked about this before you even came home. You are leaving them with a home and a garden that will supply their needs. It will give them time to figure out how they want to live their future. When they want to do something else, they know they can just tell you. By that time, you may know more about what you want to do with the house.”
“It just feels so odd,” Thomas murmured.
“Life is going to feel odd for a long time,” Aunt Abby agreed. “Nothing is as it used to be.”
“For you either?” Thomas asked.
“It’s almost like the circle of life,” Aunt Abby admitted. “My family is here in Virginia. I never thought I would return here — certainly not open a factory.”
“Your family must be very proud of you,” Thomas said.
Aunt Abby sighed. “One could hope,” she replied, “but they have just never understood my independence and my determination to run my husband’s business. They told me I was bringing disgrace to the family name.”
“They can’t still feel that way!” Thomas exclaimed.
Carrie saw the shadow fall over Aunt Abby’s eyes. “The letter that came yesterday,” she said. “It was from your family?”
Aunt Abby gazed at her and nodded. “You would think by the time I reached middle-age that I would no longer care about my family’s impressions of me, but I find it still stings,” she admitted, her forced laugh not reaching her eyes. “They told me I am doing nothing but bringing further disgrace to the family name by bringing evil Northern money down here. Losing the war was bad enough, but now my kind and I are coming down to rub their noses in it.”
Carrie reached for her hand. “I’m so sorry.”
Aunt Abby took a deep breath and shook her head. “Don’t be. I’ve been hearing this for years. I have made the decision each time to live my life. How they feel about me is not my responsibility.”
“Now I know why you and Carrie get along so well,” Thomas said blandly.
Aunt Abby laughed merrily. “We are very much alike.” She looked up at Thomas, shading her eyes from the sun. “Does that bother you?” she asked quietly.
Thomas shook his head immediately. “Not at all. After years of living with Carrie, I find submissive women quite boring!” He held out his arm. “Care to join me for breakfast, Abby?”
Aunt Abby smiled up at him. “Why, I would be delighted, Thomas.”
Carrie gazed after them as they walked into the house. She had turned to join them when the sound of horses caused her to spin back around. She shaded her eyes from the sun as she peered down the road. When the riders got close enough, her eyes widened with surprise and she stepped off the porch to walk to the gate. “Hello, Captain Jones,” she called. “What are you doing here?”
Captain Jones smiled and vaulted off his horse to stand beside her. “I’ve come to do Moses a favor.”
Carrie stiffened. “Have you heard from him?” Moses and Jeremy had been gone a week. There had been no word. They hadn’t expected any as Southern communication lines were still very poor, but perhaps they had gotten word through.
“No,” Captain Jones replied. “Moses asked me a favor before he left. I heard from Simon last night that you and your family are leaving for the plantation today.”
“That’s true,” Carrie confirmed, wondering what that had to do with his presence.
“I’m going with you,” Captain Jones stated. He waved his arm toward the seven men that were with him. “All of us are.”
Carrie was speechless. She stared at him for a long moment before she found her voice. “Why?” she finally asked.
His face grew serious. “Moses told me you were all going back out. The plantation is safe, but the roads out there are not. He was worried about what could happen to all of you, especially with an invalid to care for. He asked me if some of the unit could accompany you for protection.”
Carrie absorbed the news quietly, suddenly very glad Moses had made the request. “And you are coming too, Captain? I would think you have much more important things to do.”
Captain Jones nodded his head. “Perhaps, but I’m still hoping I’ll find the answer to how you got away from me on Granite three years ago.”
Carrie smiled demurely. “It will take more than an escort to the plantation to learn that secret.”
Captain Jones laughed. “Moses told me I didn’t have a chance,” he admitted. “When Simon told me you were going out today, I simply decided it was a wonderful day for a ride in the country. I hope you will not turn us away.”
Carrie smiled. “I am an independent woman,” she replied, “not a fool. Thank you for your offer. I accept gladly.”
Captain Jones nodded. “Me and my men will be around back.”
“I will send some food out. We are almost ready to go or I would invite you in for breakfast.”
“Food won’t be necessary,” Captain Jones replied. “We all ate just before we rode out.”
“That may be,” Carrie responded, “but if y’all don’t eat some of the food our housekeeper keeps loading in the wagon, there will be no room for my husband.”
“Then, in the spirit of sacrifice, we will partake,” Captain Jones said, laughter lighting his eyes.
Carrie grinned. “Who would have ever guessed I would like you so much?” she murmured. “Especially since one of your men put a bullet in my shoulder.”
Captain Jones nodded. “I will always regret that.” He shook his head. “I will never forget the image of you streaking across that field under the moonlight. I can close my eyes and still see you jumping that
fence. And bareback!” He looked at her with undisguised admiration. “How is that horse of yours?”
“You’ll see for yourself shortly,” Carrie replied. “I’m riding him to the plantation.”
******
Everyone was just pushing back from the breakfast table when a knock sounded on the door.
“Who now?” Carrie asked.
Miles appeared in the door a moment later. “There is a letter, Miss Carrie.”
Carrie reached for the envelope eagerly, opened it, and scanned the contents. “It’s from Matthew!” she exclaimed.
“What does it say?” Aunt Abby asked eagerly.
Carrie smiled and began to read.
Dear Richmond Family,
I know you are aware of the disaster on the Sultana. They have just released me from the hospital. They kept me longer than I felt necessary, but it also gave me time to think. I have resigned from the newspaper. I have seen enough tragedy and death to last a lifetime. I am going first to Philadelphia and then I’m coming to Virginia. I hope I will be welcome on the plantation for a while until I figure out what steps I wish to take next. Since most of the people I consider family are going to be at Cromwell, I would like to join you.
I will wait for your reply.
With deep fondness,
Matthew.
“Of course he’s welcome at Cromwell,” Thomas said instantly. He shook his head. “He’s endured so much…”
“I will send a response immediately,” Carrie said, jumping up and rushing over to the desk in the parlor.
Minutes later she handed an envelope to Miles. “Please mail this as soon as we are gone.”
“Yessum. Mr. Matthew gonna know he’s got a home waitin for him,” Miles said, his voice rough with emotion.
“Yes, he will,” Aunt Abby said. She glanced at Thomas. “Do you feel your plantation is becoming a haven?”
“I sincerely hope so,” Thomas responded. “It’s always been a haven for me. It will be wonderful to see it full of life again.”
Just then Captain Jones appeared in the doorway from the kitchen. “I don’t mean to interrupt,” he said, “but May said you might need some help getting Mr. Borden into the wagon. I have two men ready to carry a stretcher up to his room.”
Carrie smiled brightly. “That would be wonderful. With Moses and Jeremy gone, I wasn’t sure how we were going to pull it off. Please have your men come in. I will take them upstairs.
******
With Robert safely in the wagon, Carrie went back upstairs to walk through the house with her father to make sure they had everything they would need. When she was certain they were alone, she turned to him. “Is the gold in the wagon?” she asked quietly. They had agreed that no one else would know about it.
Thomas nodded. “It’s in a box beneath the platform we built for Robert’s bed.”
Carrie nodded, relieved she was no longer responsible for keeping it safe. She knew every one of her father’s plans revolved around the gold. It was all he had left of the massive fortune he owned before the war. “Will it be enough?” she asked.
Thomas shrugged. “It will have to be.” He put an arm around her waist. “My grandfather came over here and started with nothing but a piece of land and hope. He managed to build something substantial. It’s my responsibility to care for it. Whatever it takes, that is what I will do. What we have is what we have. It will simply have to be enough.”
Carrie nodded thoughtfully. “There has always been enough. Even when things were really rough during the war, there was always enough. It wasn’t what we were used to, and it wasn’t what we wanted, but it was always enough.” She paused. “I guess it’s all in how you look at it.”
Thomas nodded. “The plantation may never be what it used to be, but that won’t matter. It will be enough…”
“Because we will choose to let it be enough,” Carrie finished for him, turning to give him a big hug. “Was it hard to reconcile yourself to losing your wealth, Father?”
Thomas gazed at her. “Until last year it was,” he replied quietly. “Until you walked in one frigid night with a box full of severed and frozen hands and feet. Not until then did I truly understand the price our boys were paying to attempt to preserve a lifestyle most of them had never experienced. That was the night it ceased to be important.”
Carrie winced as she remembered that night but smiled when she thought of the wagons of shoes, gloves, and clothing they collected from Richmond residents to take to the troops in the trenches guarding the city. “We helped a lot of men,” she murmured.
“Yes, but it was really just a drop in the bucket,” Thomas said. “I’m determined to rebuild the plantation, but I also want to help others rebuild their lives.”
“You are. You’re providing an opportunity for a lot of men and their families.”
Thomas nodded. “I’m glad for that, but…”
“But what, Father?”
Thomas stared out the window into the backyard where the wagon and everyone waited. “I don’t know,” he finally said. “I’m going home. That’s all I can think of right now. I’m going to let the future unfold as it will.”
******
“Did you get word to Eddie?” Carrie asked Miles again.
Miles stared down at her. “Now, Miss Carrie, you done knows that I did. How many times you gonna ask me that?”
Carrie flushed. “I’m sorry, Miles. I just don’t understand where he is. Surely he is eager to reunite with the rest of his children.”
“Somethin’ be holdin’ him up, Miss Carrie.”
Carrie couldn’t miss the worried look in his eyes. “Miles, do you know something?” she demanded. “Something you’re not telling me.”
Miles shrugged. “There be plenty of trouble in the city, Miss Carrie. You know that.”
Carrie remained silent as she stared down the road, willing Eddie and Susie to appear.
“Just give it a few more minutes,” June urged. “I talked to Susie a couple days ago. They’re planning on going out.”
Carrie looked at Robert laying in the wagon. He was comfortable enough, but she was aware the sun was climbing rapidly. If they didn’t leave soon, they wouldn’t get to the plantation before dark. Captain Jones had made it clear that would be a bad idea. “Ten minutes,” she said reluctantly, and then she went into the stables to prepare Granite.
Captain Jones was standing at the horse’s stall, his arms crossed over the door, talking quietly. Granite had stretched his nose out to be rubbed.
“He likes you.”
“He knows an admirer when he sees one. He’s as beautiful as ever. He needs to put on a little more weight, but that shouldn’t take long once he gets on Cromwell grass again.”
Carrie nodded. “That’s what I’m counting on.” She slipped into his stall and quickly saddled and bridled him.
“No sidesaddle?” Captain Jones asked, lifting an eyebrow.
Carrie smiled. “I’ve become rather accustomed to going against convention, Captain Jones. I find the sidesaddle constricting and limiting,” she explained calmly. “I had always ridden that way until I escaped on Granite.” She grinned. “The freedom of riding astride was exhilarating. I’ll never go back to sidesaddle.” She lifted her long skirt just enough to reveal the breeches she wore beneath it. “I’m not willing to totally defy all southern traditions yet, but you can be sure that when I’m at home on the plantation, this is how I will ride. Long skirts are nothing but a hindrance.”
Captain Jones grinned in return. “You would like my sister. Perhaps the similarities are why I like you so much.”
“Oh?”
“Susan rides in breeches and is one of the finest horsewomen I know. I’ve told her about your daring jump over the fence bareback. She was quite impressed.”
“I look forward to meeting her,” Carrie said eagerly. “I’m afraid I’m the only one I know who is thumbing their nose quite so defiantly at southern tradition.”
“
Someone must always lead the way,” Captain Jones observed.
“Do people have a difficult time with your sister?”
“Certainly in the beginning,” he acknowledged. “Once she started out-jumping everyone on the courses in Vermont, they quit complaining — or at least they kept quiet about it. Now they just complain because they can’t win against her.”
Carrie laughed. “I would indeed enjoy meeting your sister.” She opened the door and led Granite out into the sunlight.
“Here they come!” June called.
Carrie sighed with relief and smiled brightly when she saw Eddie and Susie striding toward her rapidly.
“I’s so sorry, Miss Carrie,” Eddie puffed as he hurried up. “I…”
“There will be time for explanations on the way,” Captain Jones interrupted. “We’ve got to get going if we’re to reach the plantation before dark.”
Thomas nodded. “It’s time to go,” he said crisply. He smiled down at Eddie and Susie. “I’m Thomas Cromwell,” he said warmly. “I’m glad you’ve made it on time.” He motioned for them to join the rest of the group in the wagon.
Carrie swung into the saddle and looked down at Rose. “Is Robert alright?”
“He’s resting comfortably,” Rose assured her. “He has enough blankets under and around him to protect him from anything.”
Carrie hoped so. She knew the road conditions out to the plantation were going to be horrible. There was nothing she could do about it though. Robert was going to slowly die if he stayed here in the city.
She eyed the wagon. She was glad her father had gotten a large one with a team of two horses to pull it. It was loaded to the brim with people and supplies, but everyone looked excited and happy. She led the way out of the gate on Granite, waving goodbye to Miles and May. “Let’s go home!” she called.
******
Excited chatter fell away to stunned silence as the wagon rolled out of the city limits and moved into the country. None of them had been out of the city for the last two years. There was hardly a living thing in sight. Trees had been cut, fields razed, houses and barns burned. Occasionally they would round a curve and see a home peeking through the woods, but every home seemed deserted and forlorn.
