Doves Migration

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ISBN-10:
0-9800733-5-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-9800733-5-5
Published by LSP Digital
www.lightswordpublishing.com

Linda Daly wishes to thank all of her friends, family members, and
colleagues who have generously offered their support and expertise in
helping to keep her dream alive, as she continues the Doves Collect
series, book 3 – Doves Migration. Especially:

Marie Fernandez
Sharon Boury
Shawn M.Guideau
,
MA, LPC, NCC
Bonny Kirby
Nancy Lepri
Laurie Coombs

“Come on ladies. At this rate, we won’t make it out of town by
sunset!” Michael Honeycutt’s pleas to his wife, Sarah, and stepdaughter,
Elise Hamilton went unnoticed. Shrugging his shoulders in frustration,
Michael shook his head and looked over at his future son-in-law, Joshua
Carmidy. “I tried, son.”

In response, Joshua dramatically raised his hands in despair. “By God,
this is gonna take some getting used to,” he said, while continuing to place
trunks behind the rig they were going to New York in.

“Yes, the fairer sex is definitely non-regimented. Not at all like the
military life you have become accustomed to, Major. But I can tell you one
thing; they are definitely worth the wait.” Michael grinned devilishly at the
Union Major standing before him in his worn and tattered uniform, and
handed him another satchel to store securely in the rig.

“Yeah, and they smell better too. That’s for damn sure,” Joshua replied,
chuckling in agreement while pulling on a leather strap that held the
carpetbag in place at the foot of the carriage.

Hearing the familiar sound of Joshua’s laughter sent waves of emotion
through Elise, knowing just how fortunate and blessed she was, and a soft
smile crossed her lips. Just as she had done hundreds of times in the past
few days, she quickly thanked God for sending the love of her life back for
her. Not just because he had fought under Grant for the past three years and
lived to tell about it, but more importantly, Joshua knew she was a former
Southern Spy and despite this fact, he still loved her.

Following the ringing of the bells this past Monday, signaling the war
had finally ended with Lee surrendering to Grant at Appomattox Court
House, Elise had waited and prayed Joshua would return to her.

Never had she known such happiness as when he woke her, the
following afternoon. With the war behind them, their vast differences
resolved, the two of them intended to start a new life in New York where
Joshua lived prior to the war.

Their happy reunion was short lived when a few hours later Elise’s
former officer friend and comrade threatened to take her life as Joshua
stood watching.

Thomas Hastings, a well-known Confederate officer fighting under the
Mosby Brigade, had vowed to revenge the death of his fallen men, whom
he blamed Elise for, following an ambush that had happened back in ’63
behind Doves Landing. Despite her pleas of innocence for the death of his
men and explanations as to why she had stopped spying for the
Confederacy, Thomas wouldn’t believe her. In his anger of not being able
to win her heart years ago, he believed she had turned traitor because of
Joshua.

Elise quivered, remembering the look of hate in Thomas’s eyes when
Joshua happened upon them in the back gardens of Doves Landing.
Glancing at Thomas now, while standing beside her mother in front of
their homestead, the two of them exchanged friendly smiles. Although
everything on the surface appeared normal between them, Elise was certain
she would never forget how crazed he had been that day. Convinced she
surely would have been a casualty of war herself if it hadn’t been for
Joshua’s keen perception and masterful art of persuasion--a quality that in
the past she had found most discerning, especially when he had used it
against her in her espionage days.
Time seemed to stand still as images of that day and the past four years
flooded her mind. Magically before her eyes, Thomas was no longer the
embittered, broken man who stood before her now, but that of the
confident, Confederate Major she had visited in Manassas back in ’61.
For a few moments she stood silently, blocking out all the pain and
misery the war had caused and reminisced of the small community of
Fairfax, Virginia, prior to the war. Brief glimpses of Miranda Brown (her
oldest and dearest friend), Thomas, Constance Hildebrandt, and Nicholas
Wilder danced before her eyes like drawings on a canvas.
My, but life was
good back then. Why couldn’t I have just enjoyed my life rather than nearly
destroy it and also the lives of those I loved, trying to prove how clever and
brave I was?
Regretting some of her past actions, Elise frowned slightly and looked
across the yard toward the barn. Her eyes fixed on Jesse, their former slave,
as he unhitched the weathered wagon from Maggie. Seeing her horse and
wagon stirred up old memories of when she had sneaked across town right
under the enemy’s nose to pass on vital information to the “cause”
. I was
brave though
. . .
No one can ever take that away from me.

Her frown eased, recalling how exhilarating it had been relaying
information to Thomas and spying on the enemy. Her greatest
accomplishment had been when the Confederacy had captured a Union
Major off guard and confiscated their horses and ammunition from the
information she had managed to give to Thomas. Unfortunately that very
night, only miles from the safety of her home, she had been stopped by a
Union patrol while returning to Doves Landing. There in the dark of night,
she had her first encounter with Major Joshua Carmidy. From the onset, it
had been clear that this cunning and quick-witted Union Major was not the
least bit taken in by her charms, as were the other officers. Smiling
inwardly she thought,
Well, perhaps he was a little.

Recalling their earlier encounters of bantering back and forth on the
steps of her mother’s boardinghouse brought a twinkle to her eye. She
nearly chuckled aloud when she remembered how she had even thrown her
shoe at him once out of frustration. However, as the memories continued,
her smile faded, recalling when Joshua had discovered that she was a
Southern Spy and she had nearly lost him forever.

Such disturbing thoughts made Elise’s heart begin to race. Suddenly,
without warning, the demons of her past haunted her in a collage of painful
images. No matter how Elise tried to stop the mental pictures from
forming, there before her flashed Joseph’s slain body lying at her feet.
Miranda had hovered over him sobbing irrationally that she was
responsible when it was Elise who had actually shot him. Closing her eyes,
Elise could not get the sight of blood from her mind, recalling the slain
Confederate sniper who had shot her beloved Joshua.

Glancing at him now, she thought,
Oh Joshua
,
how close I was to
losing you then . . .
As those painful memories continued rushing into her
consciousness, Elise struggled not to let her emotions get the best of her
and cry. Especially today, when she had so much to be thankful for, now
that Joshua had come back to her, and they were preparing to start a new
life together in New York.

For years she had dreamt of this day, and now that it was finally here,
she was not going to spoil it by recalling events from her past that should
be buried. Scolding herself for being so melancholy, Elise tried to direct
her attention toward her mother and Mr. Wiley’s conversation.

“I must say, I half expected that following the war you and Michael
would be going north, but for Miss Elise to hook up with a Yankee…er…”
Verus Wiley, realizing he had called Joshua a Yank in public, coughed
and cleared his throat before hastily continuing. “Not to say that I don’t
have the fondest regards for Major Carmidy, because I do. It’s just that
hearing of their engagement was rather surprising.”
Unable to refrain from commenting at the slip of the tongue from the
editor of the
Fairfax Gazette,
referring to Joshua as a Yankee, Elise
chuckled. “Why Mr. Wiley, I find it hard to believe that someone with such
a keen sense for the news didn’t know my true intentions regarding one of
my favorite Yanks.” Emphasizing the word Yank, Elise’s eyes sparkled
over at the older man.
“Why Missy, it’s good to see the war hasn’t snatched away your spirit
none,” Versus replied quickly, returning her smile. “Putting all kidding
aside Miss Elise, truth be known, you’ve always been a great mystery to
me. As I recall, back when the war began, I would have sworn your
loyalties were with the Confederates.”
“They were! That never changed,” interrupted Elise, while turning to
look at Thomas. “Sometimes we just can’t control our hearts, is all.”
The tension between them was evident, and again Mr. Wiley cleared
his throat, while nervously fidgeting in his pocket looking for his pipe.
“No, I suppose we can’t,” Thomas said shyly. Looking warmly at Elise
before turning his attention to Mr. Wiley, he jovially added, “But hell, I
know what ya mean though, Verus. A Yankee and a Southern Spy getting
hitched . . . Don’t that just rot your socks!”
As the two of them chuckled between themselves, Elise, never having
been publicly called a spy before, glanced away to avoid any further
commenting regarding her involvement in the war. In front of the rig, she
noticed Michael standing alone puffing on his pipe, looking miserable, and
she tugged at her mother’s sleeve. “Look Mama,” Elise whispered,
“Michael, looks like a lost puppy.”
“I know,” Sarah snickered. “Isn’t it sweet? Michael’s become such a
part of the Southern way of life, struggling right alongside us through the
destruction and losses of war instead of returning to the safety of New
York, as he could have. He’s going to miss our friends, just as we are.”
“Yes . . . I suppose he will,” Elise said, absent-mindedly, seeing him
come toward them. As he drew nearer, her mind wandered back in time
once more.
Shortly after the Union soldiers had encamped in their small
community in 1861, Michael Honeycutt, a war correspondent had become
a frequent guest of Doves Landing. After the first battle, Elise realized that
his interest had become much more than to capture a story; he had in fact,
captured the heart of her mother, Sarah Hamilton.
At first Elise had disliked him intensely, especially when she had
discovered he and her mother intended to wed. However, gradually over
time, Elise came to realize that this quiet, studious man was more than a
friend and confidant to her, but he had become a friend to those in their
small community as well.
Michael chose not to sit out the war in New York, where he could have
lived in luxury, unscathed by the daily heartaches of war, which was
primarily fought in the South. Instead, he had remained at Doves Landing
by choice, determined to protect his beloved Sarah from those made so
desperate by the ravages of war that they preyed on others, especially the
many Southern women and children who were left alone with no men folk
to protect them. Michael revealed to no one, not even Sarah, that he came
from a family of great wealth. Knowing if his wealth were known to
others, people so desperate for food and money might look to him for gold,
or worse, vent their hatred and frustration for the Yankees by lashing out at
Sarah and Elise. To avoid placing his newfound family in any further
jeopardy than they already were in simply by being in the South, Michael
remained silent.
Michael truly has been a Godsend,
Elise thought, knowing that if it
had not been for Michael’s swift action by securing passage for the
Browns’, Miranda and Lucas’s lives would have been in jeopardy if they
had remained in Virginia. Especially since Lucas had taken such an active
role for Virginia to secede from the Union.
On the night following the first battle of Manassas, he helped brave the
searing flames of a horrible fire that ended up taking the Mason’s house
and young daughter’s life. Even today, as busy and excited as he was to be
returning home, his generosity continued by offering Thomas Hastings a
job at Doves Landing.
Smiling warmly at the man she was proud to call father, she moved
aside so he could stand beside Sarah.
My, what would we have done
without him?
Elise wondered. Looking among her friends, one by one
recalling how Michael had truly made a difference in all of their lives, she
thought,
Thank heavens, we will never have to find out.
Then suddenly realizing she may never see any of these people again,
Elise began to etch the images of their faces into her memory, to assure she
would never forget them. When her eyes rested on the round, full face of
Mammy Tess, their former slave, a single tear rolled down her cheek.
Since childhood, Mammy Tess, and her son, Jesse had played vital
roles in Elise’s family. Almost as if she had stepped back in time,
bittersweet images of her past unfolded in Elise’s mind . . .
The day was no different from countless others in the kitchen of Doves
Landing as the slave lovingly prepared the meals for the hungry travelers
passing through. Kneading bread in a floured, stained apron Mammy Tess
would hum softly while allowing Elise and her dear friend Miranda ample
time to snatch a warm biscuit straight out of the oven. Playfully, Mammy
Tess then would snap a linen towel in the direction of the girls, shooing
them from her kitchen. Squeals of delight echoed throughout the
boardinghouse as the girls juggled the hot biscuits in their hands while
running up the back stairs. Hearing their laughter, Mammy Tess, with a
broad smile across her lips would resume preparing the traveler’s meals,
humming softly again.
Recalling such happy times and the thought of living her life without
Mammy Tess, whom she thought of as a second mother, became more than
she could bear and Elise struggled against the urge to cry.
My, but we were
happy
. . .
no fear of starving, or being raided, or killings
. . .
As if knowing what Elise was thinking, Mammy Tess stretched out her
arms and called to her, “Sugar, come give yer Mammy Tess some lovins.”
“Oh Mammy Tess . . .” Elise whimpered as she eagerly ran to her,
taking comfort in the arms of the robust Negro woman. Rocking her gently
from side to side, Mammy Tess squeezed her tightly while patting her
lovingly on the back.
“Now don’t be makin’ a fuss, Missy. You need to be strong fo’ Miz
Sarah. This is goin’s to be real hard on her.”
Pulling away slightly, Elise dutifully nodded up at her. “I promise.”
“That’s my girl.” The older woman lovingly cupped her hands around
Elise’s face and wiped away her tears with her rough, callused thumb. “I
love you, child. Now you go on over to that man of yer’s, and make me
proud. Be a good wife to him and mind yer manners with his folks, or I’ll
come up there and take a switch to ya.”
Chuckling slightly, Elise kissed Tess softly on the cheek. “I love you
too, Mammy Tess. There’s so much I want to say . . .”
Mammy Tess shook her head and pressed her lips together firmly.
“Shh, child, no needs to say nothin’ now. I already knows that no matters
where you be, yer my little girl . . .”
Trying to hold back her own tears, Tess stopped in mid-sentence and
Elise watched as Mammy Tess took the corner of her apron and wiped her
tear-swollen eyes. “Now jest look what ya gone an done . . . got me
blubberin’ like some old fool.” She scolded, as only Tess could, pretending
to be sterner than she actually was.
“Oh Mammy Tess, I’m going to miss you so much,” Elise whispered,
through the lump in her throat that was the size of a peach pit.
Smiling knowingly at Elise, Tess nodded her head, than wagged her
finger as she gently scolded her again. “Now go on and get yourself over
where you belong. Before that good lookin’ major changes his mind.”
Without saying a word, Elise tenderly kissed her one last time and
turned searching for the reason she was leaving her childhood memories,
her beloved homeland, and the friends that she loved. Finally, her eyes
settled on Joshua and her heart skipped a beat, just as it did every time she
looked at him.
Having finished the task of loading Sarah and Elise’s belongings into
the rig, Joshua was leaning up against the carriage watching his fiancées
every move. As soon as their eyes met, Elise’s heart began beating faster,
admiring his rugged, manly appearance.
My, oh my, but you are a
devilishly, good-looking man, Major Carmidy!
Recalling how they had
almost consummated their love the day of their reunion, she blushed.
It
took some time, but he
’s
definitely captivated by my charms now!
She
thought, as a smile crossed her lips.
Lost in her own thoughts, Elise hadn’t realized Joshua had joined her.
Standing to the side of her, he leaned inward and placed his arm around her
waist, whispering huskily, “Any regrets?”
Elise closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath while enjoying the feel of
him so near to her. She replied earnestly, “None.” Placing her hand over
his, she rubbed it gently and leaned up against him. Turning to nuzzle
closer she moaned in a soft seductive voice, “Well, come to think of it,
maybe just one.”
“Hmm, and what would that be . . .” Joshua said, nudging her shoulder
with his. “As if I didn’t know, you shameless hussy. Behave yourself! What
will people think?”
“Oh pish-posh! Who gives a hoot?” Elise scoffed.
Chuckling, he squeezed her tighter. “Why, Elise Hamilton. I do believe
that a serious discussion with your mother and father regarding the virtues
of a proper, upstanding, Southern Belle is in order.”
Certain that no one could overhear them, she whispered, “Is that right?
Well, as I recall, you certainly didn’t object to me practically throwing
myself at you the other day, Major Carmidy.” Elise’s smile was radiant as
she gazed up at him. Grateful that although the war had kept them apart for
so long, once reunited, they were able to resume their bantering with each
other as if nothing had ever separated them.
Nuzzling close to her, he rubbed his clean-shaven face up against her
delicate ivory skin.
“You, know I was just thinking about that, and I’ve decided I reacted in
haste the other day. Surely you would agree I wasn’t thinking clearly
considering the fact that I was exhausted from riding all night straight
through from Appomattox Court House, and therefore, I deserve a second
chance. And since today being clear-headed, clean-shaven, well rested, and
having a keen desire that won’t wait much longer, surely you might grant
me a few moments to indulge myself with your charms.”
Taking a breath and winking at Elise devilishly, Joshua continued.
“Could it be that in your haste of packing, you’ve forgotten something we
could fetch together?” he whispered suggestively.
Laughing gently at his proposal, she lifted her gloved index finger,
shaking it lovingly.
“Absolutely not! You had your chance Major Carmidy. And since it
was your choice-- not mine--to wait until we were wed . . . which, I might
add, I’ve not yet decided if I should forgive you for, or not. You, my dear,
will simply have to wait until you make an honest woman of me.”
In a husky voice he growled, “Just as long as it’s not too long.”
“It won’t be much longer,” Elise said dreamily, feeling Joshua’s strong
arms wrap tighter around her waist. “Darling, look at Mama and Michael.
Do you think she will be happy in New York? All she has ever known is
Doves Landing and the life she built here in Fairfax with her dear friends.”
“Your mother is a strong woman who loves her husband very much.
She will be fine, wherever, Michael is.”
“Yes, I know how she feels . . .” She cooed up at him, her voice trailed
off, as she watched Sarah conversing with Irma and Charles Mason.
My,
how they have aged since Tricia’s death!
Her smile faded as the immense guilt stirred inside her again,
remembering Tricia Mason’s death.
If only I hadn’t stolen the piece of
paper off Mr. Brown’s desk that disclosed how each man had voted
regarding secession, and had not passed it on to Thomas Hastings.
Perhaps then that innocent, young girl might still be alive.
Such thoughts
sent immediate shivers up her spine.
Joshua leaned closer and asked, “Are you all right, darling?”
“Yes, just got a chill, is all,” Elise said, trying to sound convincing, not
wanting to alarm him. Nonchalantly she began rubbing his hand, still
wrapped tightly around her, still troubled by her thoughts, knowing for as
long as she lived, she would never forgive herself for the role she played in
Tricia’s death, or for shooting Joseph when he tried to run. The lifeless
eyes starring up at her was a sight that still haunted her till this day.
Looking down at Joshua’s hand she closed her eyes, desperately trying
to block out all the pain she had caused. Immense guilt filled her at being
able to feel safe from harm with the arms of the man she loved wrapped
around her, knowing all that she had done. Her guilt-ridden mind couldn’t
seem to forget--much less forgive--her past actions and suddenly tears from
her inner anguish streamed down her cheeks.
Knowingly, Joshua whispered reassuringly in her ear. “Elise, don’t do
this to yourself. Put it behind us darling, if not for you and me, but for
them. We were at war, but now we must try to rebuild a life. One that will
be of peace.”
Speaking not a word, Elise listened to his soothing words, needing to
make some sense of all the tragedies of war that not only she had
committed, but that others had also.
“There is not a soul in this grieving nation, who has not done
something of which they are not particularly proud of, north and south
alike. War has brought out the best, and the worst, in us all. I look at
Hastings over there and I honestly sympathize with that poor bastard. That
shell of the man standing there could just as easily be me.”