Chapter Thirteen

 

 

Several days went by. David read about Lincoln’s call for more recruits and wondered if that was what his premonition had been forecasting. According to newspaper reports, General Sherman’s army had departed from Atlanta. David read that, as the Federals marched across Georgia, they were wreaking as much havoc as humanly possible. Numerous parts of Atlanta had been looted and burned to the ground. He felt heartsick for those poor people.

Many comrades in his regiment, the Jeff Davis Legion, were from Georgia. Their families would undoubtedly be assaulted by those damn Yankee scoundrels. He remembered how some of his friends in the cavalry said they were from Savannah and wondered again if Michael Tailor retreated back to his home state, or if his dear friend, John Chase, survived his terrible wounds. He reminded himself of the puppets he had promised to make for his fellow cavalier, Peter Smith, who died on the Gettysburg battlefield. Later that afternoon, he constructed two humorous-looking wooden marionettes for Smith’s daughters. He handed them to Anna with the address and asked her to send them in case he forgot after all had settled down. When that would be, however, he hadn’t a clue.

On the afternoon of November 18, Anna, Maggie, and Sarah prepared to depart for Grace and Claudia’s.

Running through a list of instructions for him, Anna said, “We’re leaving Abigail here with you to make sure you don’t get cold feet. She’ll drag you to the church if need be.”

“That won’t be necessary, Anna,” David replied with a shy grin.

He carried their luggage out to the waiting landau and helped Sarah up onto the driver’s seat. Anna stood by him, smiling. She hugged him and kissed him tenderly, causing his heart to flutter. He lifted her up into the landau.

Turning to see Maggie behind him, he asked, “Would you like me to help you up?”

She scowled at him. Making sure only he could hear, she growled, “I’d watch out for the provost tomorrow if I were you.”

He stepped back, gawking at her.

“They might catch wind of a Rebel deserter at the church,” she added under her breath.

“You wouldn’t do that,” he responded in a hushed voice. “To your own sister?”

“She might hate me for it, but she’ll thank me later on,” Maggie remarked. She climbed into the landau beside her sister and Sarah, who were chattering excitedly.

He was so stunned he barely heard Anna call goodbye to him before they drove off.

“See you tomorrow,” Abigail yelled, waving as she stood beside him.

“I sure do hope she doesn’t have second thoughts,” he said under his breath, watching them drive away.

The sound of Abigail’s voice brought him back. Turning toward him, she said, “Let’s go play with my tin soldiers.”

“I can’t right now, Miss Abigail. I have somethin’ to do first.”

He hurried through the house, bounded up the stairs to his room, and walked to the armoire. Pulling the doors open, he shoved the clothing aside and opened the secret compartment. His pistol was where he had left it. Holding it firmly, he contemplated whether or not to wear it to the church. After much deliberation, he decided against it. If the Yankees came to take him, he reckoned he’d go without a fight.

That evening, Abigail helped him feed the animals. To her delight, David let her ride Renegade around in the barnyard. Anna had ridden his horse several times, which amazed him, since the stallion was usually temperamental and resisted most people on his back. For some reason, Renegade didn’t seem to mind the sisters.

After supper, Abigail came into the parlor to inform him she was retiring. “Just think,” she said, “tomorrow at this time, you’ll be my brother.”

He smiled and bid her goodnight. Seated by the fireplace, he waited for drowsiness, but it wouldn’t come. For several hours, he dwelled on Maggie’s words. The more he thought about them, the more anxious he became. The mantle clock chimed twelve o’clock. He realized his wedding day had arrived, which scared him to death, but he reasoned with himself he couldn’t live without Anna. It was a miracle she had consented. He went up to bed.

Observing the portrait of Anna’s mother on the wall, he decided to remove it. The thought of her watching him on his wedding night from beyond the grave made him uneasy. He considered hanging it in Abigail’s room next to the portrait of Mr. Brady, but decided instead to hang it in Maggie’s room. He went outside, scrounged around in the dark shed for a hammer and nail, and returned to the house. After he had moved the portrait, he stared at the blank wall in his room. He walked down the hallway to the spare room and found the framed family crest. Returning to his room, he hung it on the empty wall. Shrugging at his accomplishment, he climbed into bed, still unable to sleep. He tossed and turned for hours on end.

Finally, his mind eased. He found himself in a serenely unfamiliar landscape. A forest of pines carpeted a majestic mountainside, and a tranquil creek trickled nearby. He turned to see Jake standing before him.

“Why are you fixin’ to marry a Yankee girl?” he asked.

“Because I love her, Jake.”

The sound of his own voice awakened him, and he understood he’d been dreaming. He lay there for the remainder of the night, trying to decide if what he was doing was the right thing for everyone involved.

When morning came, he was so exhausted he could barely get through his chores. He entered the kitchen to see Abigail frying eggs.

“You look awful,” she commented.

He smiled. “I didn’t git much sleep last night.”

She brought the plate of eggs over to him. He sat down and started eating.

“The wedding isn’t until two,” she said. “Perhaps you should rest before we leave.”

“Reckon I will,” he replied. “Are you all set to go?”

She nodded, grinning widely.

He finished eating. Rising from the table, he said, “Well then, I’d best be gittin’ in a bath right quick. Jist leave the dishes for now, Miss Abigail. I’ll tend to them when I’m done.”

“Goodie!” She ran up to her room.

After starting a kettle of water on the stove, he went upstairs, collected a towel and clean drawers, and returned to the kitchen. Upon filling the tub, he quickly bathed, dressed, and cleaned up. His head throbbed, so he decided to lie down for a few hours. He dozed off immediately.

“Wake up! Wake up!”

Abigail nudged him. He awoke with a start.

“You’re going to be late for your own wedding.”

“Wh—what time is it?” He sat up too quickly and grew light-headed.

“Ten minutes till one,” she replied.

“We’re supposed to be to the church by now.” He sprang to his feet.

“Hurry!” She ran downstairs.

Scrambling to pull on the suit Anna had selected for him, he frantically combed through his hair, fastened his belt, pulled on his boots, and bounded downstairs. He ran out the back door toward the barn. Abigail was waiting for him.

“Fetch me that bridle,” he requested.

She scurried to collect it.

Quickly saddling his horse, he remembered the morning at Brandy Station, over a year ago, when he and his fellow troopers had been surprised by Yankees and had hurriedly prepared their mounts in a similar way. Renegade stood obligingly, allowing David to insert the bit into his mouth. Patting his horse on the neck, he lifted Abigail up so she was sitting sidesaddle. He climbed up behind her.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Ready,” she replied.

He prompted Renegade out of the barn and started him at a trot down the lane with his arm around Abigail to prevent her from bouncing off. “You look mighty purty, by the way, Miss Abigail,” he remarked.

“Thanks. Let’s go faster. We have to make up for lost time.”

“Hya!” David set his heels against Renegade’s sides, and the stallion sprang forward. His smooth canter carried them for nearly a mile until he was pulled back to a walk.

“My, he is fast, isn’t he?” Abigail remarked.

“Sure is. Lookee there. Yonder’s the church.” David pointed at a tiny white chapel set against the hillside. “We’re jist a few minutes away.”

“Phew!”

Abigail wiped her hand across her brow, causing him to chuckle. She started to sing “Old MacDonald,” and he happily joined in. They sang the lyrics together, giggling, until they ran out of farm animals to sing about.

“Now let’s sing Dixie,” Abigail proclaimed.

“Dixie? Really?”

She looked at him and smiled.

He didn’t see any harm, beings they were in the middle of nowhere with no one else around. “Do you know the words?” he asked.

“No. That’s why you’re going to teach me.”

He laughed. “Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton, old times there are not forgotten.”

Abigail joined in, and they sang in unison.

“Look away, look away, look away, Dixieland.”

She dropped out, and David sang, “In Dixieland where I was born in, early on one frosty mornin’.”

Abigail piped in again.

“Look away, look away, look away, Dixieland.”

Somehow she knew the rest of the words. Her high-pitched voice grew louder and stronger.

“Then I wish I was in Dixie, hurray, hurray! In Dixieland I’ll take my stand to live and die in Dixie. Away, away, away down south in Dixie. Away, away, away down south in Dixie!”

She wildly clapped her hands. “I love that song!” she exclaimed.

“Me too.” He sighed, wishing his family was in attendance. He missed them all tremendously.

They arrived at the church. David jumped from Renegade’s back, tied him, and lifted Abigail down.

“Let’s go have a look-see,” he said, taking her hand.

They started toward the door. Discovering the chapel was unlocked, they entered.

“We’re the first ones here,” observed Abigail.

“How’d we finagle that?” he asked.

Abigail giggled.

Hearing a distant clamor, they looked out an opened window to see the landau headed down the road toward them. David’s heart leaped. To his relief, Anna was actually going through with it after all.

“Oh, they’re coming. You have to wait outside,” she instructed. “You’re not allowed to see Anna until the ceremony.”

“I’ll go fetch Pastor Tully and let him know we’re all here.”

He walked out of the chapel. Passing the cemetery, he stopped and decided to enter. He searched around until he found Anna’s parents’ headstones.

“Mr. and Mrs. Brady,” he said, looking down at their gravesites, “I’m marryin’ your daughter, Anna, today. I hope that’s all right with y’all.” He stood, waiting for a sign. The birds kept on chirping, and the sun continued to shine. “I promise to take good care of her.”

He expelled an anxious sigh, walked to a little house behind the church, and gingerly tapped on the door. Thumping came from inside before the door opened. Pastor Tully appeared on the other side, looking dapper in his gray woolen suit.

“We’re all here, Pastor,” said David.

“Oh! That’s fine,” he said excitedly. “You wait here, my boy, and I’ll summon you when we’re ready. Patricia, dear,” he called out toward the back of the house.

His wife emerged, smiling. She took both of David’s hands in hers.

“This is the day the good Lord hath made in heaven for you and your beloved.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he awkwardly responded.

She smiled and followed her husband toward the church, leaving David abandoned. He glanced around the room. Blue velvet upholstery, doilies, and plenty of paintings of Christ adorned it. Deciding he was far too anxious to sit, he paced instead. He heard another wagon approach, and looked out the window to see it was Patrick and the Meyers. His nervousness grew more profound.

Taking several deep breaths, he wiped the perspiration from his forehead with the back of his hand and glanced down the road in both directions, reasoning the situation was more terrible than waiting for a battle to begin. His palms grew clammy. Wiping them on his trousers, he convinced himself this was what he truly wanted and prayed to the Holy Father to give him strength. He shocked himself, realizing he hadn’t earnestly prayed in over a year. The last time was before Jake died, and he had prayed for God to save him. But alas, it wasn’t to be. He hoped God would listen this time.

He walked back outside and solemnly gazed at the church. Finally, the pastor motioned for him. David sauntered toward the church, his heart racing like a thundering herd of horses. Entering through the opened door, he looked around.

Pastor Tully smiled and directed him to the front of the chapel. David started toward him. The aura surrounding him seemed surreal, like he was in a dream. Sunbeams refracted through the windows, casting bright light throughout the room. Upon seeing David’s entrance, the pastor’s wife began to play a piece by Mozart on the piano. He remembered Anna tell him what she had picked out: “Romance from Concerto #20 in D Minor.” He wondered if she ever actually listened to it or if she had merely chosen it for the title. At one side of the aisle sat Maggie, Grace, Claudia, Abigail, and Sarah. The Meyers were seated on the other side. Mrs. Meyers reached out and gave David’s hand a reassuring squeeze as he passed her. She smiled, prompting him to smile back. He took his place beside the pastor. Maggie left her seat to stand at the front of the church, her complexion pale. The gathering gazed at him with wide smiles across their faces. Mrs. Tully pounded the same chord on the keys six or seven times. “The Wedding March” announced his bride’s arrival.

David’s breathing accelerated. His knees felt weak, so he widened his stance to keep from buckling over. Patrick, with Anna on his arm, entered the church. They started toward him. His friend had the biggest grin on his face David had ever seen him wear. Anna’s eyes glistened from beneath her veil, and she had a slight smile on her lips, like the Mona Lisa. She held a small bouquet of dried pink roses and baby’s-breath. David smiled at the sight of her, radiant as an angel in her mother’s ivory silk gown. His heart beat even faster with excitement. Everyone stood to see her pass. She reached the front and stopped, gazing up at him. He was mesmerized; he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Patrick took his place beside him.

Pastor Tully began by saying, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here, in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony—”

David apprehensively glanced out the window toward the road, wary as to any Yankees who might be looming. He looked back at Anna, who flashed him a quizzical expression.

“Do do not expect to enjoy uninterrupted happiness. No family is exempt from the cares and sorrows of this life, and a portion of these will also be your lot. Share, then, your sorrows as well as your joys, and let your mutual love alleviate the troubles, as it heightens the satisfactions of this earthly pilgrimage. Cares and sorrows, thus unitedly borne, lose much of their bitterness.

“I now solemnly charge you, who desire to enter this solemn estate, and all others present, as ye will answer to God at the last day of judgment, that if either of you know any impediment why these persons may not be lawfully married, you do now confess it, for be well assured that if any persons are joined together otherwise than as God’s word allows, their marriage is not lawful. If no objection be made—”

David couldn’t help himself. He looked over at Maggie.

Anna flashed a fleeting glance at her as well.

Maggie smirked in response.

A sense of relief swept over him. He turned his gaze back to his beaming bride.

The pastor turned to face him. “I ask you, David Ezekiel Summers, do you take this woman to your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony. Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, as a faithful Christian husband is bound to do, in health and in sickness, in prosperity and in adversity; and forsaking all others, keep you only unto her, so long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” he responded. “And, uh, I will.” He grinned at Anna.

The audience chuckled.

Pastor Tully turned toward her and asked her the same question.

“I do.” Anna’s eyelids fluttered. A tear trickled down her cheek. She smiled.

The pastor turned back toward David. “The ring?”

David’s heart jumped as the revelation hit him. It wasn’t on his finger! He remembered leaving it on the dresser before his bath. His expression turned to sheer distress. He searched the pockets of his suit futilely.

“Oh, David,” Anna whispered. Her bottom lip quivered from beneath her veil.

Feeling his face flush, he tried to contain his panic.

Patrick giggled.

Reacting to his alarm, Sarah pulled off her wedding ring and handed it to Abigail.

“Here it is,” Abigail said, jumping to her feet.

She brought the golden heirloom to David and placed it in his outstretched palm.

“Thank you, Miss Abigail,” he said softly.

She smiled at him and sat back down between her aunt and Claudia.

He turned toward Anna, who bit her lip to stifle a snicker. Drawing a deep sigh, he took her left hand while holding the ring between his thumb and forefinger.

“The ring is an emblem of eternity,” said Pastor Tully. “Eternal and indissoluble be the bond of your love.”

David slid the ring onto Anna’s finger. It fit loosely. She beamed at him with tears in her eyes.

The couple looked at Pastor Tully, who smiled. “Join your right hands,” he instructed. “What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. Forasmuch as David and Anna have consented together in holy wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this company, I pronounce that they are man and wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” He nodded to David. “Young man, you may kiss your bride.”

“Oh. Yessir.” He grinned. Carefully lifting the veil up over Anna’s head, he tenderly kissed her.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” announced the pastor, “I present to you Mr. and Mrs. David Summers.”

Bursting into applause, the small group of observers stood. Patrick shook David’s hand, congratulated him, and hugged Anna. Her sisters swarmed around her. Abigail gave David a hug, as did Sarah and Claudia. The Meyers and Grace congratulated them both.

“Now if you please,” Pastor Tully said, “we are all invited to the Meyers’ for a celebration.”

Patrick whooped. The group started out the door.

The pastor pulled Anna and David aside. “There is one little matter we need to attend to first.” He motioned for them to follow him to the front of the church. “You two must fill out your marriage license. You do want this to be legal, don’t you?”

David smiled at his new wife. “Yessir,” he replied.

Glancing over the piece of paper, he saw at the top, Trinity Lutheran Church, and underneath it, Marriage License, with a drawing of a wedding party. He took the quill and wrote down his name and date of birth, but stopped when he reached the line requesting his place of birth. He decided to write down Albany, New York as a precaution before signing it. He handed the pen to Anna, who completed her portion.

“Pastor Tully, we want this to be a private affair,” David said, forgetting to disguise his drawl. “We don’t want anyone to know what’s taken place here today, except for those in attendance.”

The pastor raised his eyebrows. He signed his name on the document. “I’m quite aware, young man. Anna’s aunt visited me last week.” He put the pen down and smiled at David. “I’ll gladly honor your wishes. Well then, shall we embark for the Meyers’?”

The newlyweds nodded in unison. Pastor Tully walked out the door. Gazing lovingly at his new wife’s glowing face, David offered Anna his arm. They followed the pastor out. Their friends and family, who were waiting outside, pelted them with rice. The newly-wedded couple climbed into the landau. Patrick, waiting in the driver’s seat, tipped his cap to them. He tapped Alphie’s withers with a stick. Tied to the back of the carriage, Renegade trotted along happily.

“I wonder if he knows something has happened,” Anna joked, referring to the stallion’s frisky disposition.

“I reckon he does,” said David. He kissed her. Drawing back to look at her, he noticed the blue sapphire necklace around her neck. “You’re wearin’ the necklace Stephen gave you?” Hurt and jealousy overtook him at once. “Why didn’t you wear the cross necklace your aunt gave you?”

“It’s something blue. I have my gown for something old, my veil for something new, and Aunt Sarah’s lace hankie for something borrowed.” She pulled it from inside her sleeve and teasingly brushed it across David’s face.

“I wish you hadn’t worn that necklace,” he groused.

She frowned at him. “Don’t be offended. Stephen is my dearest friend, regardless of what’s happened recently. I miss the old Stephen, and I wish he was here.”

I don’t, David thought with a scowl.

She reached up to touch his cheek and kissed him. “You’re the one I love,” she said, smiling, “and I’ll tell you every day until you believe me.”

“I believe you,” he said.

She kissed him. He forgot why he had been angry.

The rest of the party followed behind in wagons. He glanced over his shoulder, turned back to see her smiling at him, and grinned. The wedding had gone off without a hitch. No Yankee soldiers had appeared, and the weather had cooperated. But the most remarkable thing of all was that Anna was now his wife.

When they arrived at the Meyers’ farmstead, he helped his new bride down from the landau. Patrick jumped from the driver’s seat and hurried ahead of them. Pulling the farmhouse door open, he swept his arm across, motioning for them to enter. They went inside while the other two wagons pulled into the yard.

Patrick led them into the dining room. Gifts were stacked on the table beside a cake and some candies. David reached for a mint, but Anna stopped him.

“Wait for our guests, darling.” She smiled.

Intoxicated by her reference, he kissed her again. The others came into the dining room, laughing and chattering happily.

“Ah!” Mrs. Meyers said upon seeing them.

She took Anna’s face between her hands, kissed both her cheeks, and did the same to David. He felt his face blushing. The ladies giggled at him.

“Shatzie, go get za champagne and za beea.”

Her husband nodded his head rapidly before he shuffled out of the room.

“Patrick, go to za kitchen fo za knives, forks and plates. Schnell.”

Patrick grinned and did as he was told.

“My deeaz,” she said with a smile as she clasped her hands together. “Wir sind so glucklich fur dich.”

Anna and David looked at each other. He raised an eyebrow at her and shrugged.

“What does that mean, Ida?” asked Sarah.

“That weea all so happy fo you.”

“Ja, zat is za truth, my deea,” Mr. Meyers remarked as he entered, holding a tray of beverages.

He set it on the table next to sparkling crystal glassware. Grasping a champagne bottle, he struggled with the cork until it finally popped off. Everyone laughed. They held their glasses out while he quickly poured.

Patrick raised his glass. “I’d like to propose a toast to the happy couple. Anna and David, may ye have many blissful years together.”

The newlyweds smiled at each other. They tapped their glasses together, and everyone took a sip.

“Fur die glűcklich herr und frau,” Mr. Meyers said. “To za happy couple.”

“To the happy couple,” they all repeated and drank another toast.

“Anna, open your gifts,” Abigail said.

“They’re for David too,” Claudia interjected.

Anna took hold of her new husband’s arm. He gave her a bashful smile.

“We’ll both open one,” she declared.

Picking up a package, she handed it to David and took one herself. They pulled off the wrapping paper.

She gasped. “Oh, Grace, they’re exquisite,” She held one of the six crystal goblets up to show everyone how it glittered in the light. “Thank you. Thank you, Claudia.”

“You’re welcome,” the little girl replied.

Opening his box, David unintentionally frowned for a moment. “It’s a Bible,” he remarked, “from Pastor and Mrs. Tully.”

“It will honor your special day by becoming your own family Bible,” Mrs. Tully explained.

He smiled, although the last thing he wanted to consider was starting a family, or even owning an extravagant Bible like the one they had just received. “Thank you,” he said graciously; but deep down, he was still doubtful about his faith.

Anna opened the next one. “This is from Abigail and Maggie.” She looked inside the box and pulled out some of the contents. “What are these?” she inquired.

“They’re matching nightdresses,” Abigail explained. “One is for you and one is for David.”

He gawked at her, unable to hide his awkward surprise. “Was this your idea, Miss Abigail?” he asked.

She nodded, smiling merrily.

Patrick laughed. “Why, they won’t be needin’ those tonight, young lass.” He burst into hysterical laughter, as did the other adults in the room.

David felt himself blush again. He rubbed his hand over his face. “Thank y’all very much,” he amiably responded through his embarrassment.

“They’re very nice,” said Anna. She exchanged smiles with her little sister.

“Actually, those are from Abigail. My gift is underneath,” Maggie said.

Anna lifted out the other white cotton nightdress to find a beautiful gold-leaf picture frame. “Oh, Maggie, it’s absolutely stunning,” she said.

David looked at her and gave her a timid smile. She smiled back in the same way.

“It goes with Patrick’s gift,” she added.

“Aye,” he said to the newlyweds. “Sometime next week, I’ll be takin’ ye to town to have your likenesses captured. ‘Tis me treat.”

Anna looked at David and laughed happily. He grinned back at her.

“Here is my gift for the newlyweds,” Sarah said, handing David a sealed envelope.

He looked at her, curiously smiled, tore it open, and glanced inside. His expression turned to awe. “Miss Sarah.” He looked up at her, grinning with glee, his eyes wide with delight.

Anna took the envelope from him. She peeked into in. “Oh, Aunt Sarah. This is far more than you can afford to give us.” She whispered to David, “There’s a hundred dollars in here.”

“I know,” he whispered back.

Sarah said, “Bill’s sending money every month, and we believe you’ll need that much to start out with.”

“Thank you so much,” Anna said and hugged her.

“Ah gift for za newlyweds is a special beea Carl has prepared fo zem,” Mrs. Meyers announced.

She uncorked the bottles and poured everyone a glass of ale. David took a drink from his glass, relishing the bittersweet flavor. It had been quite some time since he’d indulged in beer.

Patrick guzzled his down before filling his glass again. “‘Tis as grand as they make in the old country.” He raised his glass and swigged that one down as well.

Mrs. Meyers handed Anna a long-handled knife. “You cut za cake, my deea.”

She did so while David held plates for her. He distributed a piece of white cake to each guest.

After the group finished eating and consumed most of the liquor, David and his new bride decided it was time to go. Thanking everyone, they received hugs and kisses from all. He came upon Maggie, who crossed her arms in front of her.

“I’m right glad no uninvited guests arrived at the weddin’,” he remarked.

She snickered. “I saw you looking out the window, David. Do you really believe I would do such a thing to my own sister on her wedding day?”

He glowered at her ambiguous demeanor, not knowing what to believe. “Well then, why did you say—?”

She laughed and walked off.

“Come on, honey,” Anna said, taking his arm.

They started for the door.

“Oh, wait!” She pulled the ring from her finger and handed it to her aunt. “Thank you, Aunt Sarah, for everything.”

The two women hugged. Turning back toward her new husband, Anna walked across the room and took his extended hand. The newlyweds went outside to see Renegade hitched to the buggy. It was decorated with crepe and dried flowers. Someone had even taken the time to weave flowers into the horse’s mane and tail. Anna happily laughed at the sight. She picked up the bridal bouquet she’d left on the seat of the landau and intentionally tossed it to Maggie, who expectedly caught it. The ladies applauded. David helped Anna into the buggy, went around to the other side, and climbed in beside her. Grasping the reins, he slapped them on Renegade’s rump, and the stallion started to trot. The newlyweds waved at their friends and family, who waved back as they rode off.

When they reached the Brady farm, David helped Anna out. They paused to look at each other. He gently swept her up in his arms and carried her inside. She chuckled softly, amused by his romantic gesture.

He tenderly kissed her. “I’ll be right back,” he said. He went outside, unhitched Renegade, and led him into the barn.

“Can you believe it, Renie?” he asked while he quickly brushed him down. “I’m a married man.”

Renegade gave him a sideways glance, blew, and shook his head.

“Me neither, but it’s true. Here you go, ole Pard.”

David gave him his fodder. He quickly tended to the livestock and strolled across the yard to the house. Entering the kitchen, he immediately became overwhelmed by what beheld him.

Anna stood in the middle of the room, waiting for him. She had let her hair down. The room was dark, but she had turned on a lamp. It cast just enough light to enhance her features and radiate off her shimmering wedding gown.

Once again, David thought her appearance ethereal. He walked over to her and took her hand. She led him upstairs to the bedroom. He sat beside her on the bed, and for a moment, they gazed into each other’s eyes. He leaned over and passionately kissed her.

“Light a fire,” she whispered. “It’s chilly in here.”

He grinned. “I thought it was gettin’ kinda warm.”

She giggled.

Respecting her wishes, he went over to the fireplace, ignited kindling, and watched until it flared. Turning back, he saw his bride was gone.

“Anna?”

He walked into the hallway and called her name again. No response came. He searched downstairs.

“Anna?”

There was no answer.

“Where could she be?” he asked himself out loud.

A terrible thought entered his mind. What if she’s decided she doesn’t want to be married to me after all? What if she’s taken Renegade back over to the Meyers’? He glanced out the kitchen window toward the barn, but all was dark and still.

“Anna?” he called again, his voice becoming more frantic.

“I’m in here,” he heard her muffled voice say. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

He realized her voice was coming from Sarah’s room, so he made his way down the dark hallway and waited outside the closed door. Anna emerged, wearing a pale blue nightgown. She handed David the candleholder she was carrying and closed the door behind her. Candlelight flickered between them.

“You didn’t tell me you were leavin’,” he said, smiling to disguise his insecurity, “and I started to fret.”

Detecting the concern in his voice, she took his hand. “Worried? Oh, sweetheart.” She hugged him. “I’m right here. You didn’t think I left, did you?”

All of a sudden, he hiccupped. “Oh,” he reacted and hiccupped again.

Anna chuckled. He held his breath, but it didn’t help. He hiccupped. The spasm resounded in his left ear, making the ringing in it even more profound.

“I can’t stop,” he growled in frustration.

Anna led him to the kitchen and relit the kerosene lamp. He blew out the candle and hiccupped.

“Damn!”

“Now don’t blaspheme, honey.”

“Why is this happenin’ now?” He plopped down onto a chair in aggravation.

“Perhaps you had too much champagne to drink. I heard Patrick coaxing you to drink a ‘wee bit more’.”

“But I don’t feel drunk.”

She grinned, shaking her head, and went over to the kitchen cupboard. Carefully, she carried a teaspoon over to him. “Here, eat this, and your hiccups will go away.”

“What is it?” he asked, hiccupping.

“Loaf sugar. Now open up.”

He obeyed. She gently placed the spoonful of white sugar into his mouth. It was too much sweetness, but he compelled himself to chew the grainy substance, and winced as he swallowed it down. They looked at each other, waiting to see if he would hiccup again. After a few seconds, he smiled.

“Reckon they’re gone.”

Taking his hand, she led him upstairs. They entered the bedroom. She turned to face him. He slid his hand around her waist and leaned in to kiss her, but she pulled away.

“Oh, wait! I forgot something.”

She rushed back downstairs before he had a chance to object.

“What’re you up to now?” he called out, but didn’t receive an answer.

He heard her shuffle around in the kitchen. Remembering, he walked across the room, and saw it sitting on the dresser where he’d left it. He carried it back to the bedside table, set it down, and sank onto the bed, trying his best to be patient. After a few minutes, she reappeared, carrying two glasses of wine. Smiling, she handed one to him and sat down beside him on the bed. He smiled back at her. They sipped together. Taking the glass from her hand, he set both glasses on the bedside table. He picked up his mother’s ring. Turning back to face her, he took her left hand in his and slid the ring onto her finger.

“With this ring, I thee wed,” he said softly.

She was right. The ring did fit nicely, so perfectly he knew it was meant to be there. She held her hand up to admire her new wedding band, watching the tiny diamonds flicker in the firelight.

“Come here, darlin’.” He reached around her, pulling her close to him. “I love you so much, Anna,” he whispered.

“I love you too,” she responded.

Her words, the sound of her voice, and the wisp of her warm breath made his heart flutter. Dizzy with euphoria, he kissed her softly.

“Your lips taste like wine and sugar,” she said breathlessly.

He gently reclined her onto the bed. “I’ve been waitin’ a long time for this night to come,” he said.

She smiled. Easing his head from her face, she gazed into his eyes. “Your eyes are turning very dark brown,” she observed.

“They are?”

She nodded with a fascinated smile.

He snickered. “Let’s git under the covers.”

They rose to their feet. He pulled back the quilts, stripped off her father’s suit, and jumped in, so ecstatic he could barely contain himself.

“Well, ain’t you comin’?” he asked.

She didn’t respond, but only stood there, looking down at him with a blank expression on her face.

“Anna?” He noticed she was shivering. “What is it?”

“I’m just a little nervous, that’s all.”

He reached for her hand. “There ain’t nothin’ to be nervous about.” He pulled her toward him, so she climbed in. “I love you,” he emphasized. He kissed her tenderly, deeply, until he could feel her resistance waning. “I love you,” he kept repeating, not only to reassure her, but because he meant it with all his heart. “Anna,” he whispered. “Oh, Anna.”

She allowed him to remove her nightgown, and he took off his drawers. They embraced, experiencing each other’s bare skin for the first time. He slid his hand down her back, her softness thrilling him. She moaned his name over and over. Their kisses ignited into fervor. Their bodies swayed in unison with each other like two long, slender blades of grass in a warm summer breeze. Coming together in ecstasy, they consummated their marriage and their eternal love for one other.

The rooster’s crow awoke him. He opened his eyes to see his new bride lying beside him in slumber and listened to the rhythm of her soft breathing. He kissed her, gently awakening her. They made love again. Lying side by side, they gazed into each other’s eyes, exchanging tender, loving endearments and small kisses.

“Aunt Sarah and my sisters will be back soon,” she said, running her fingers through his hair.

He kissed her. “Well, you can make my eyes turn brown again before they git here.”

She giggled. “Darling, do you remember the night you proposed, and we wished upon a shooting star?”

David smiled. “Sure do.”

“Well, my wish came true.”

“Oh? What was your wish?”

“That we would be married and live happily ever after.”

He smiled. “Reckon we are,” he replied.

“Tell me what your wish was.”

He kissed her again. “The same as yours.” His expression grew serious. “Anna, I want you to promise me somethin’.”

Her smile faded. “What, my love?”

Drawing a breath, he said, “Promise me that, if anything should happen, if I’m found out, you’ll swear you didn’t know I was a Confederate. You have to swear to me.”

“Don’t be silly.” She smiled, but he drew back, looking at her seriously.

“Promise me,” he said adamantly.

“All right. I promise,” she replied.

“Because if those Yankees knew you were aware of my affiliation and you’ve been harborin’ the enemy, well—” He shuddered.

“Oh, darling,” She held him close. “No one will find out.”

“If they discover we’re married, they could hang you for treason. I can’t bear the thought of that.” His voice broke as he said it.

Stroking the side of his face, she attempted to comfort him. “I know that could happen, but I’m confident it won’t,” she reassured.

“Make it clear to your kinfolk too. I don’t want y’all gettin’ into any trouble over me.” He squeezed his eyes shut.

“I will. I’ll tell them.”

She kissed him, chasing the daunting prophecy from his mind.