For Home and Country Read online

  Mary Grace and Magnus exchanged a look, and she took the lead. “We wish to marry tonight.”

  “Tonight?” I said, dumbfounded. “How do you suppose we do that? We can’t possibly send for a preacher at this hour, let alone amidst the battle happening in Charleston. And if we could, you know the South’s views on such a union. It is illegal.”

  “We are well aware,” Magnus said. “But we do not need the permission of the courts. And there is no need to send for a preacher.” He stepped aside and gestured at someone behind him. “Come on, now.”

  A man of seventy or so shuffled forward with the assistance of Mary Grace. I recognized him: Abe, the preacher from the quarters. His eyesight had left him some years back.

  “Abe has agreed to marry us,” she said.

  Someone cleared their throat behind them. Ben stepped into the light of the veranda with Pippa clasping his elbow. “You are right. We are at war. Therefore there is no need for legalities.” He wrapped Pippa’s shoulders with an arm and pulled her in to his side. “I thought if Mary Grace and Magnus don’t mind, we could make it a double union.”

  “Of course not,” Magnus said with a grin.

  “But the marriage wouldn’t be legal,” I said. “The war could be over within the week, and you could marry then.”

  “And if not?” Ben raised a brow.

  I stood silent, unsure of how to respond.

  “Besides, a union before God is what matters. Isn’t that right, Miss Rita?” Ben looked past us.

  “Reckon so,” Mammy said with a toothy grin.

  I spun as she and Big John stepped out onto the veranda. I gawked from one person to the next. Had all those that remained shown up for the conversation?

  “Many slaves have married in de eyes of de Lard ’cause de whites don’t allow dem to marry.” She smiled up at her man, and he returned a look of loving devotion.

  I shared a glance with Bowden, and for a moment, the horror that’d transpired at Livingston and the uncertainty still unfolding evaporated. I smirked, and lifting my chin with pure satisfaction, I jostled his side with my shoulder. “I guess my matchmaking paid off.”

  He threw back his head and erupted with laughter before smacking his leg with a hand. “Alrighty, it appears we have ourselves a double wedding.”

  I ushered Mary Grace and Pippa inside, with Mammy panting close behind.

  “Ain’t got time to make special brooms,” Mammy said anxiously.

  “We could forgo the brooms and create something new for such a special occasion. How about—”

  “Angel gal, we ain’t got no time for your wanting to break tradition. Jumping de broom bin a custom amongst our people for as long as I can ’member. Big John say et come all de way from South Africa.”

  “And the English claim they originated the tradition,” Pippa said with a smile.

  “I sho’ dey do,” Mammy said with a snort.

  Mary Grace patted her mother’s arm. “How about we leave the squabbles over who introduced what for another day? Best not to keep the menfolk waiting.”

  “She is right. I moved my clothing that survived the fire to the guest chamber. Mammy, why don’t you go with Mary Grace and Pippa and help them pick gowns for the ceremony. The fit may be slightly off, but it will have to do.”

  After the women left to change, I wandered to the closet under the stairs to get a broom. I peered at the sharp slant of the broomcorn from Mammy’s left-handed sweeping. “Hardly fit for the union,” I said.

  “Suppose et have to do.”

  I whirled to look at Tillie, who’d entered the house undetected.

  “It feels like an insult to bless their marriage with this.” I held the broom out for her to see. “But Mammy insists on tradition.”

  She eyed the broom. “I wid you. Seal deir union wid a curse ’fore dey even start deir lives together, wid dat old broom.”

  “Perhaps doing something different would suffice.”

  “What you got in mind?” She studied me.

  I pondered on it for a minute or two before an idea came to me. “I’ve got it. Gather a lantern and collect what flowers in bloom you can find. I will look for fabric and ribbons. We will create a rope that they can jump together.”

  Tillie’s eyes brightened with enthusiasm. “Dat a right fine idea, Missus.” She spun and raced down the corridor.

  Later, those who remained at Livingston gathered under the stars in the work yard. The couples to marry stood before the quarter preacher and recited their vows.

  “You may both kiss your brides,” Abe said with a smile.

  A cry of happiness erupted from our small gathering as the men turned to their blushing brides and sealed their marriage and love with a kiss. My heart felt like it would burst with joy.

  The couples broke their embrace and turned to face us. Mammy and I strode forward with the rope Tillie and I had hurriedly fashioned and laid it on the ground.

  “You did good, angel gal,” Mammy whispered as we stepped back.

  I beamed with delight at her approval. Ben and Magnus took their brides’ hands, and together the newlyweds jumped the rope.

  Soon after, Ben and Pippa left to take a stroll by the river. Magnus lifted his new bride into the front of his buggy. Noah and Evie sat in the back, their eyes gleaming with happiness. My heart broke a little for what I had lost, but the delight on the family’s faces smudged out all selfishness. Mary Grace deserved the new start life had granted her, and I wouldn’t stand in her way.

  I walked to her side and reached up and clasped her hands. “I’m afraid I have no gift to offer you.” I recalled the beautiful nightgown I’d gifted her on the eve of her and Gray’s union.

  “That is quite all right,” she said with a smile. Magnus climbed into the buggy and settled on the seat next to her. “I have all I need.”

  Mr. Barlow, atop his mount, said, “We need to get home. Your mum and Callie will be waiting up.”

  “I suppose they are in for a surprise.” Magnus looked back at the children, and love and pride radiated from his face.

  Mammy strode forward and gripped Mary Grace’s knee. “You take care of yourself, gal. I sho’ gwine to miss ya.” Tears thickened her voice.

  “Oh, Mama,” Mary Grace said, and leaned forward to embrace her. “I will miss you too. But I won’t be far and will come to visit.”

  “Et ain’t safe, wid de militia running ’bout burning down plantations, and de country at war. No, sah. Et bes’ you stay close to de house.”

  Mary Grace didn’t bother to argue, and Mammy, seemingly satisfied, stepped back and rejoined Big John. I followed her and went to stand with my husband.

  “Good night.” Magnus flicked the reins, and the buggy jerked forward.

  “Bye, Evie, I’m gonna miss you.” Sailor raced after them. The girl twisted in her seat and waved with enthusiasm.

  As the buggy disappeared into the dark, Sailor stood with his shoulders drooping, and Bowden and I exchanged a look and walked to stand beside him.

  “There, there, son. She won’t be far.” Bowden placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “But I wanted her to stay here,” he said, “where we can play together.”

  My heart broke for the boy. I, too, would miss Mary Grace and the children, but I supposed eventually we would learn how to go on. “Come, let’s see if Miss Rita has a spiced butter cookie or two to heal a broken heart.” I steered him back toward the house.

  “Missus Willow?” His voice was filled with concern.

  “Yes?”

  “Who is going to care for me now? Where will I sleep?”

  I looked at Bowden as we walked. “What if I fix you a pallet on the floor in our chamber for tonight?”

  He halted and craned his neck back to stare up at me. “Your chamber?”

  I smiled and nodded. “Would you like that?”

  He grinned. “Yessum.”

  We approached the back veranda. “Now go inside and find Miss Rita and inquire
about that cookie.”

  He let out a whoop and raced up the steps.

  “You spoil the boy,” Bowden said. “Allowing him to sleep in the house is one thing, but our chamber is another. It’s dangerous.”

  “I know, but he has been through a lot today. We all have. Tomorrow I will talk to Tillie about permitting him to stay with her.”

  “Tonight and only tonight. You need to be extra careful, especially now.”

  “I will, I promise.” I clasped his hand, and we strode inside.

  THE MORNING AFTER MAJOR ROBERT Anderson had surrendered Fort Sumter to the Confederates, Bowden and Ben prepared to leave Livingston.

  Knox waited on his horse as Bowden and Ben adjusted their saddles in the front yard. The men would soon ride out and report to General Beauregard and the South Carolina militia, leaving the plantation in the hands of womenfolk and slaves. Whitney and Pippa stood next to Mammy and Big John, all of them looking concerned about what was to come. True to her nature, Whitney stood stiff and guarded, but a slight quiver in her jaw revealed that her heart ached like mine. The exhaustion in her face revealed a restless night.

  I stood to the left of Bowden and fixed every detail of him into my memory for the nights and days I feared would be long and worrisome. He hadn’t slept much the night before, as mental turmoil had him tossing and turning until eventually he’d risen to pace the floors. I never asked him what disconcerted him; his struggle mirrored mine. Were we standing on the right side of the war?

  Eyes blurring with tears I regarded my husband, already yearning for his safe return. My heart mourned for all of the families whose menfolk would journey into the unknown with the belief they were doing what was right. My gut tightened with knowledge of the price we would pay for a war there was no turning back from.

  Lost in my feelings and reflections, I had forgotten about Sailor standing next to me until a soft sniffle pulled my attention to the warmth of the hand clasped in mine. I squeezed his hand gently, and he peered up at me through tear-filled eyes.

  Bowden turned and looked at us and gave me a tender smile before turning his attention to Sailor. He bent to be eye level with the boy and nudged his chin with a knuckle. “Surely you aren’t weeping for me?” he said with a grin.

  Sailor leaned in to my side and bobbed his head. I wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

  Love gleamed in Bowden’s eyes for the son we secretly loved as our own—a gift granted us. His face twitched with building emotion, and he reached for Sailor and embraced him. After a moment, he pulled back and held the boy by the shoulders. “I reckon I need to ask you a favor.”

  “From me?” Sailor’s brow puckered.

  “That’s right. I can’t think of a gentleman more suitable.”

  Sailor tilted his chin with pride at the reference. “What is it?”

  “I need you to take care of Missus Willow until I get back.” He looked earnestly at Sailor, as though the task he assigned him was a hefty one. “Can you do that for me?”

  “Yes, Masa. You ain’t got to worry about her.” Sailor gripped my hand and gave me an adoring look, appearing to take his new task very seriously.

  Bowden patted his shoulder and smiled at him. “How about you go see Kimie at the sick hospital and check in on how James is faring?”

  “Yes, Masa.” He turned and raced off.

  Bowden stood and faced me. I looked up into my husband’s eyes, so blue, yet so green. I rested there a moment, enveloped in the love and tenderness they held for me. I wanted to beg him to stay, to hold me and never let go, but to voice the longing in my heart would only cause him more anguish. I had to be the pillar he required.

  “I shall miss you,” I said.

  “And I, you.” He searched my face, and I sensed the battle within him.

  “You needn’t worry about things here. Pippa and I will manage just fine.”

  He nodded and tenderly stroked my upper arms with his thumbs. “I don’t know what we are up against, but I will try my best to get letters through to you whenever I can.”

  “I’ll wait for them,” I said.

  “We need to get going,” Knox said from his saddle.

  Bowden glanced at him and inclined his head in acknowledgment before returning his attention to me. He gathered me in his arms and pressed a passionate kiss on my mouth. His body trembled.

  When our lips parted, I clutched him closer and whispered in his ear, “May God protect you and return you safely to my arms.”

  He swallowed hard and pushed himself back. Tears dampened his eyes, and he cupped my cheek. Before dropping his hand, he removed the blue ribbon tied around the end of my plait. He pressed it to his lips, then turned to his saddlebag and removed his journal, and tucked the ribbon inside.

  “We take care of Missus Willow and Missus Hendricks. Don’t you worry none,” Mammy said.

  “We are counting on it.” Ben bestowed on Mammy an endearing smile. He stood holding Pippa’s hand, and the gold band on her finger glimmered in the sunlight. So little time had passed since they’d wed. My sympathy for the newlyweds swelled.

  I walked to Ben, and he released Pippa’s hand, and I stepped into his embrace.

  “We will return. Try not to fret,” he said.

  I laid my cheek against his chest. “I will await the day.”

  He gave me a gentle squeeze before releasing me to grip my hand. He reached for Pippa’s and exchanged a smile with us both. “I’m counting on my women to take care of each other.”

  Pippa regarded me with affection. “We will spend our time getting to know each other better.”

  He released us and joined Bowden and Knox. I took a position between Whitney and Mammy.

  Mounted, the men looked down at us, and no matter how each tried to hide his concern, it reflected in their eyes.

  Bowden pressed his lips together to hold back his emotions and turned his mount. After one last look at me, he kicked his heels against his horse’s flanks and raced down the lane. Ben offered a small wave and followed after him. Knox started to pursue them but halted when Whitney called out.

  “Wait.” She darted forward and stopped beside his horse. Gripping his hand, she tugged it urgently. “Now don’t go getting yourself killed, you fool. You have a wife at home, and responsibilities.”

  Knox grinned. “If I didn’t know any better, I would say you’ve come to your senses and finally see the man before you.”

  She swatted at his leg, and a small smile touched her lips. “You could say that. Now go on and get out of here. Don’t keep the others waiting.”

  She started to step back, but he quickly gripped her shoulder. “Shouldn’t a soldier secure a kiss to warm his heart?”

  Whitney’s lips parted, and she sent an awkward look at her observers.

  “Come, let us go,” I said to the others, and we turned to leave and allow the Tuckers the privacy Whitney required.

  WEEKS AFTER THE MEN HAD left, Jimmy showed signs of recovery, but Gray’s pa now rested in the graveyard with the others who had lost their lives during the McCoys’ attack.

  I smiled with delight the day Jones helped Jimmy down the sick hospital’s front steps.

  “You be careful, now. I don’t want that wound opening again.” Kimie exited behind them and stood on the small stoop, eyeing Jimmy with concern.

  “I fine, Miss Kimie. You did real well.” Jimmy waved in dismissal as Jones led him away.

  “You are impossible!” Kimie stormed back inside.

  I smirked, recalling how she had dropped into a rocker one evening, her face exhibiting frustration and defeat. “He is simply the most dreadful patient. You would think he would enjoy some time where he doesn’t have to work. But no, all he wants to do is get back to the forge.”

  I had tried my best to hide my amusement, because as long as he was making matters difficult that meant he had the fighting spirit that would see him to wellness.

  Jones and Jimmy walked past me. “Good day, Missus Will
ie.” Jimmy shot me a cheery grin as I fell into step with the men.

  “I’m glad to see you’re up and moving.”

  Scowl returning, he said in a low voice, “I glad to be leaving dat place. Miss Kimie hovers over me lak I a child in need of constant nursing.”

  I chuckled and gave him a sideways glance. “You’d think you’d enjoy a pretty girl tending to your every need.”

  Hammers pounded as menfolk from the quarters continued repairs to the main house and the construction of the kitchen house and the smokehouse.

  He snorted. “I bes’ at tending to de horses. Bin itching to git back to de forge. A person ain’t meant to be lying ’round. Don’t rightfully know how white folkses sit ’round in de big house all day, or bask in de sun on deir verandas, sipping on lemonade.”

  “Is that what you think of us?” My amusement deepened. “Lazy, are we?”

  “I ain’t saying dat. Just saying I would go stir crazy widout somepin’ of importance to do each day.”

  “Yes, well, with the war, there is no time to be idle. Our men need us. The ladies in town have organized gatherings to make bandages and uniforms. We can’t fight alongside our men, but everyone has a part to play until this is over.”

  “Have you heard from Masa Bowden?”

  An ache centered in my chest, and I inclined my head. “No, but I’m sure a letter will come eventually.”

  “I’m sho’ you right. Masa will write as soon as he can.” The faith in his tone buoyed the optimism I’d had no choice but to hold onto since Bowden’s departure.

  We paused at the pasture, and Jimmy inhaled deeply. A grin parted his lips as he held out a hand to a mare, and she trotted closer to greet him. “How ya doing, Honey gal?” he said as if speaking to an old friend as she nuzzled his hand.

  “Missus Willow?” Tillie’s voice carried.

  Turning, I located her on the back veranda. She waved urgently. My gaze shifted to Moses and his small family. They stood next to the back steps with their eyes pinned on me. The man turned his gaze to Tillie and appeared to be speaking to her, but I couldn’t hear over the activity happening outside the main house, where men from the quarters balanced on ladders to replace scorched boards on the lower level. The broken windows on the upper had been replaced, but the main floor’s windows had been boarded up, as the glass supply was limited.