Storm Clouds Rolling In (63 page)

Moses nodded. “I’m just building it the way Miss Carrie told me to.” He had wondered himself at her requests. None of the other cabins had wood floors or shutters on the windows. “I don’t figure it’s my place to be asking questions.” He frowned. “You reckon she wants it built to put a new overseer in here? Maybe she didn’t like the fact that Adams’s cabin was so far away. This way, an overseer could keep a better eye on things.”

Sarah shrugged.
“Reckon time will tell.”

It was long after dark when Carrie finally rode, exhausted, up to the house.
Charles stepped from the shadows and reached for Granite’s reins. “Long day, Miss Carrie? I was getting plum worried about you.”

Carrie nodded and gratefully relinquished the reins.
“I’m fine, Charles. Thank you for being here. All I want is a hot bath and some food. Take good care of Granite. He has earned whatever you give him.”

Charles nodded.
“I’ll make sure he gets a good hot bran mash and plenty of hay.”

Carrie paused on the steps and glanced toward the barn.
A slight movement of the curtain in Miles’s old room caused her to smile and turn toward the house. “Thank you, Charles.” In spite of her exhaustion, her steps were light as she climbed the stairs.

Sam met her at the door.
“Miss Carrie! I was worried about you.”

Carrie smiled warmly.
“Thank you, Sam. I’m fine, though.”

Sam reached into his pocket.
“A letter from Philadelphia,” he said with a smile.

“Aunt Abby!” Carrie reached for the letter and ran up the stairs.
A hot bath, and then she would curl up with her letter.

        
Dear Carrie,

How I wish I could talk to you just now.
The difference in our age continues to diminish with our correspondence. I so need to hear the Southern perspective of what is happening in our country right now. Matthew has been such a wonderful help in keeping me abreast. I find I rely on him more and more to help me make sense of the madness.

Now that Lincoln has been elected, the North is slowly realizing the threats of the Southern states were in earnest.
There is much scrambling to figure out what to do, but no one seems to be willing to take the lead. Buchanan is still president, but his administration continues on in its
lame duck
ways. There was brief talk of a convention of all the states to find compromises that would heal the rift, but it has now faded into the deepening passions. I talk to no one here who wants war, but there is no leadership stepping forward to stop it. Is our country simply going to ride the tide into war? I fear it is so. Matthew tells me a convention is meeting in South Carolina on December 17 to decide on whether that state will secede. He tells me he has no doubt that it will happen.

My dear, please forgive me for launching into my concerns so quickly.
I have not even asked how you are. I know you still grieve for your dear mother. I am equally aware of the enormous burden you must be bearing now that your father has gone to Richmond. I am so proud of who you are and who you are becoming. It takes great courage to do the things you are doing.

Thank you so much for your invitation to come for Christmas.
How I would love to do so, but the madness of the country is affecting my business. No one seems to have any idea what is going to happen, so many people are simply waiting to see. The business community is reeling from inactivity. My family has asked me to come home and I feel that is my first duty. I can’t help but wonder if they will be in a separate country soon and if I will indeed find myself at war with those I love best. Oh, what a horrible thought!

This letter must be brief, as I find myself overwhelmed with responsibilities right now.
Please know that I think of you daily and long for the time when we can see each other again. I still hold hope that you will be able to visit, but more and more that hope is being battered with reality. I can do nothing but pray. That I will do every day. Take good care of yourself.

Affectionately,

Aunt Abby

     Carrie put the letter down with a sigh. She had so hoped Aunt Abby would be able to come for Christmas. She gazed into the flames of her fireplace and wondered if the older woman was right. It was so easy, here on the plantation, to forget the momentous decisions and acts taking place in the country that could determine her existence as an American. Her brow furrowed deeply as she considered the ramifications of South Carolina seceding.

It didn’t take long for exhaustion to win out over her worry.
She tucked the letter in with the rest of the thick bundle in her wooden box and climbed into bed. Snug beneath her comforter and quilts, she lay quietly, listening to the wind in the oaks outside her window. In moments she was sound asleep.

Rose hugged herself with excitement when she crawled from her bed two days later.
Today was her wedding day! She could hardly believe it had finally come. A quick look at her wall reassured her. The early morning light was filtering in through her tiny window, causing the white satin of her wedding gown to shimmer and glow. It seemed to beckon her to come. Rose walked over slowly and allowed her hands to run lovingly down the beautiful gown. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine Moses’s face when he saw her. What it would be like to be wrapped in his arms...

“Daydreaming never got any bride ready for the big moment.”

Rose started violently as Carrie’s teasing voice broke into her dreams. “You scared me to death, Miss Carrie! Don’t you know to knock before you come into a room?”

Carrie laughed easily and moved in further.

Rose reached out to hug her.
She and Carrie were truly best friends now. She still insisted on calling her Miss Carrie because she was afraid she would slip sometime when Carrie’s father was home, but the relationship between them was more like sisters.

Rose walked over to her bed and sat down on the edge.
“I can’t believe it’s finally here, Miss Carrie. I’m so excited!”

“But...?”

“But, what? I didn’t say but.”

“Your words didn’t, but your voice did.”

Rose shook her head. “You sound like my mama.”

“Thank you for the compliment,” Carrie replied.
“But...?”

Rose smiled, stood, and walked over to her dress.
She fingered it for several long moments before she spoke. “Getting married makes me think about my mama and daddy. They loved each other the way I love Moses. I used to swear I would never get married and have to worry about being separated. I don’t worry about that now, but even if I did, I would still do it. I love Moses too much. I would have to take the risk. But I hurt for my mama...and I wonder where my daddy is... I wish he knew I was getting married. I wish he could be here.” She stopped as her voice caught in a sob.

Carrie walked over and laid her hand gently on her friend’s shoulder.
“I wish there was something I could do, Rose. I’ve thought about your daddy so many times. I wish I knew where he was. I was just a baby when he was sold.” Frustration was thick in her voice.

Rose blinked away the tears in her eyes.
“I told Sam I wasn’t going to waste energy on useless wishful thinking.” She took a deep breath and smiled. “I may get to tell my daddy someday, but today? Today I’m just going to think about my Moses!”

Carrie smiled and squeezed her shoulder.
“He’s a wonderful man, Rose. You are very lucky.”       The day flew by as the two hurried through the last minute preparations. Carrie had insisted the ceremony take place in the house. The dining room was the only room large enough to accommodate everyone. The table, chairs, and china cabinets had all been moved into another room. Great boughs of fresh greenery were brought in to decorate and candles abounded. Finally, it was ready.

Carrie turned to Rose.
“I’ve had your dress taken up to my room. I’d like you to get ready there. I need to talk to Sarah. I’ll be up soon.”

“Thank you,” Rose said softly.

     
Carrie found Sarah helping put the last touches on the food. “Sarah, can you do something for me?

“Of course, Miss Carrie.
What it be?”

“I put Rose and Moses’
s wedding gift in the room over the barn where Miles used to live, and I promised Rose I’d help her get ready. Will you go get it for me?”

Sarah nodded.
“Where you want me to put it?”

Carrie hesitated.
“The library will be fine.”

Sarah nodded again and left the house.
She walked quickly to escape the biting December air, crossed the yard, and entered the barn. She took deep breaths of the comforting aroma and climbed the stairs to Miles’s old room. A scuffling noise just as she reached the door made her draw back in alarm. What was in there? She looked around for a weapon, and then laughed softly. She was being silly. It was probably just a rat. Comforted, she pushed the door open and stepped into the sunny room.

“Hello, Sarah.”

Sarah gasped and whirled around. What she saw caused her whole world to spin. She groped for the wall, leaned her weight on her hand and shook her head in disbelief. She was imagining things. “John?” she gasped. She began to shake violently. “Is it really my John?”