Field of Redemption Read online

  Ian lifted a gold watch from his jacket. Ten forty-five.

  “The train to Savannah leaves at noon.” Ian handed more coins to Fitz. “Have my mother and Tori meet the train at six twenty-nine. Mark it “urgent”.”

  Ian was anxious to get Abby out of Gordon before Farris’s men caught up with them.

  “Colonel?”

  Ian looked down at the solemn little boy.

  “Are you gonna have to help Abby get to heaven, too?”

  A full thirty minutes later, Hickory rounded the bannister onto the second floor of the hotel where Ian waited with mounting concern. Mama Ivy was still in with Abby. Their time to make the noon train was stretching thin.

  He’d spoken with the porter and made arrangements for a private car. The trip was not a long one, but Ian wanted to see that she was comfortable for the ride.

  “I sent the telegram like you said.” Fitz came up the stairs with a stick of penny candy in his own mouth. “Are we headed up to Milledgeville from here to have a talk with the governor?”

  “I am.” Ian absently nodded, tempted to knock on the door to see if Mama Ivy needed anything. “I need you back in Macon.”

  “Surely, you don’t mean to send me back to that coop of hens all alone. With all of ’em wantin’ news about Miss Abby?” Fitz complained behind him. “I’d rather face down a battalion of Bluebellies than be set upon by that bunch of biddies.”

  “Colonel.” Mama Ivy opened the door. “You can come in now.”

  Fitz slid the worn hat from his head and nodded a greeting.

  “I didn’t have the heart to sew her up without giving somethin’ for the pain. I suspect she’ll be a mite sleepy for the trip.”

  Hickory came to stand beside Ian. “The colonel says I’m going on the trip, too.”

  “Abby wouldn’t have it any other way.” Ian put a hand on the boy’s back. “Did you know she refused to go to Brechenridge without you?”

  “Really? She said that? That she wasn’t gonna go without me?”

  “Wouldn’t hear of it.” Ian answered with a half grin.

  His bright-eyed smile was a welcome sight. “I’ll sure miss you, Mama Ivy. But Abby needs me.”

  Mama Ivy opened the door wider to allow them both to come in.

  “You’ll have your own bed and as long as we hold off the Yankees, a table with food on it every evening.”

  Hickory’s smile faded, replaced by a look of awe. “No foolin’? Living inside a house?”

  Ian approached the bed where Abby was half awake. “How’s my Angel?”

  When Abby didn’t immediately answer, he noticed a tear slip from the corner of her eye.

  Hackles of unease rose on the back of his neck.

  “What is it?” He directed his question to Mama Ivy.

  “Go on over and sit beside Miss Abby awhile.” Mama Ivy spoke to Hickory. “Don’t be talkin’ her leg off, jes’ hold her hand real quiet-like, hear?”

  The boy was quick to obey.

  Ian didn’t like the way Mama Ivy avoided his question.

  Motioning for him to follow her to the other side of the room, she lowered her voice. “You’ll need to send a letter with Hickory to your mama. Have her get a doctor to come out and check on Miss Abby. She don’t need no infection.”

  Ian heard every word but nothing in her request warranted the troubled look on her face. “Infection is your only concern? Other than that she’ll be fine?”

  Mama Ivy folded a small towel and placed it in her bag, avoiding his question until Ian put a hand on her elbow. “Please, what are you not saying?”

  With a shake of her grayed head, Mama Ivy frowned. “It wouldn’t be fittin’ if for me to be tellin’ Miss Abby’s affairs. You two ain’t married.”

  His attention was drawn to Abby, so pale and still on the bed.

  Life had been full before the war. If anyone asked, Ian would have boasted he had the best of everything. Nothing more he could have possibly desired. A loving family, a promising profession, elite education from one of the most prestigious universities in the country.

  Then, in Shiloh he was blind-sided by his own mortality. He’d spent the past three years questioning whether he even had a right to be alive.

  Due to the love and compassion of Abigail McFadden, and her exasperating persistence, he had renewed purpose. Not the empty goals he’d once held, but impossible aspirations that could only be accomplished by God’s grace.

  And with Abby by his side.

  “We will be betrothed.” Ian spoke his thoughts aloud before he could stop himself. “As soon as it can be arranged.”

  Mama Ivy set a hand at her waist. “Did you ask her about that?” Her tone suggested she highly doubted it.

  “It’s been implied.” Ian answered honestly. “As soon as I’m free to go to Savannah, we will be married.”

  Mama Ivy’s attention bounced from Ian, to Abby, then back again. “Well, I suppose if you all is betrothed ….”

  Ian took in a deep breath, preparing himself for whatever it was she might have to say. As long as Abby had a good chance of surviving, anything else was a matter of taking time to heal.

  “Miss Abby took a nasty strike. The cut wasn’t deep, ’bout this much or so.” She held her fingers about an inch apart. “But she don’t have ’nuff fat on her to buffer. The knife nicked her womb. Left a scar on it. I put some cactus jelly on it to ward off infection. Long as she don’t come down with fever, she’ll likely pull through jes’ fine.”

  “This is good news, right?” Ian perked up.

  Mama Ivy heaved a sigh. “That’s why she needs to be seein’ a doctor. Could be, her womb won’t fill out like it’s s’pposed to should she ever find herself with child. Or could be she’ll carry a babe with no cause for worry at all.”

  Abby’s greatest desire was to be a mother and have a family. If what Mama Ivy said was true, there was a chance she’d never carry a child of her own.

  He refused to consider that Farris might have gotten revenge after all.

  “Hush, Child. Rest, now.” The soothing sound of Mama Ivy’s voice penetrated Abby’s foggy mind.

  “Time to go, Angel.” Ian spoke softly against her ear, as she felt herself being lifted into strong arms. She couldn’t quite remember where they were going.

  “Careful, Colonel.” Mama Ivy spoke beside her. Abby tried to shift, but a burning pain hit her, and she relaxed back into Ian’s arms.

  “I’m going with you, Abby. I promise to take good care of you.” She heard Hickory’s voice and smiled.

  A burst of sunshine caught her off guard, and she buried her face in Ian’s chest as her stomach took a lurch.

  How long had it been since she’d had anything to eat.

  “You two are ridin’ in style.” Was that Fitz? Abby opened her eyes to try and see him.

  The blare of a train whistle brought a bit more clarity.

  They had been heading to a train station.

  Ian climbed the treadboard leading up to the door of a train car. Once inside he sat her carefully on the bench and laid a blanket across her lap.

  “I hope you know I’m going to miss you, Colonel.” Her mind had not cleared enough to care whether her declaration sounded too bold or not.

  Ian dropped to one knee next to her. “I’m glad to see you’re more awake.” He clasped her hand and brought it up to his lips.

  Abby gave him a weak smile.

  “Hopefully, it won’t be long before I can come for you.” Ian tenderly smoothed her hair.

  Abby tried to sit up straighter, but a bandage was wrapped around her middle, and the muscles were sore and tight.

  She recognized the dress she had on as one of Eliza Jane’s favorites. Mama Ivy must have brought it for her.

  Ian quieted her with a hand to her shoulder. “Be still before you pull Mama Ivy’s needlework.”

  Abby didn’t want to meet his family looking like she belonged on a sick bed.

  The porter entered wit
h a tray of food and Abby’s stomach groaned in response.

  Hickory came in to sit next to her. He had on a crisp white shirt with britches instead of overalls. His feet jiggled in a new pair of shoes. And a stylish gray cap was placed his head.

  The Lamberts must have seen to it he had new clothes for the trip.

  “Are you in pain?” Ian frowned.

  “No.” Not like she had been this morning anyway. “But, I would like something to eat.”

  Hickory hopped down and fetched a plate of cheese and crackers from the platter of food.

  Abby knew he was probably hungry, too, so she encouraged him to get a plate for himself.

  Lieutenant Fitz entered the car with Abby’s bag and another bag she supposed was for Hickory.

  Ian accepted a small pillow from the Porter. “Hickory, make sure she rests if she gets tired.”

  The child grinned and nodded, his cheeks full of grapes.

  “I’ve heard she can be stubborn as a mule so keep an eye on her.” Ian flashed a brilliant smile.

  She’d roll her eyes if it wouldn’t make her head hurt worse.

  “I have a very important letter.” He tucked an envelope in Hickory’s shirt pocket. “I’m trusting you to deliver it to my mother when you arrive.”

  “Yes, sir!” Hickory saluted and ran over to share a snack with Fitz.

  Ian sat on the bench beside her. “Abby, remember when you said you didn’t need to be taken care of? That you needed to be loved?”

  “Yes.” Abby dipped her chin, slightly embarrassed.

  Ian held out his hand and she placed hers inside. “Agree to marry me and I promise you’ll be the most loved woman in Georgia.”

  Abby’s jaw dropped and she was certain she hadn’t heard right.

  “The letter Hickory’s holding is a letter of introduction to my family—as my betrothed.”

  Abby’s eyes were wide as he removed a folded parchment with a gold seal. “These are gold bonds for your doctor care. I want you to go get yourself some new dresses, too. With all the finery that goes with it.” Adding one more envelope he placed them both in her hand. “This is a letter of credit from the Savannah Bank and Trust in my name. It’s yours to use at your discretion. This will take care of any other needs you and Hickory may have.”

  Now Abby was sure she was hallucinating. Trying to comprehend everything Ian just offered her made her head swim.

  “Will you agree to be my wife?”

  Ian was asking her to wait for him. He’d said he would come for her and they would be married. The sincerity in his eyes told her she had no reason to doubt him.

  Abby already knew the depths of her feelings for him, so her answer was a whispered, “yes.”

  His arm came around her, and she laid her head on his shoulder. He gave the top of her head a kiss.

  As thrilled as she was to accept his proposal, she longed to hear that love for her was what inspired him to make such an elaborate offer.

  Two short whistles sounded outside the train followed by the porter’s call. “Savannah, all aboard!”

  With one last kiss, she became almost desperate to keep him with her. She couldn’t think about him not returning with all the uncertainties of war.

  “Aww, geez, why’d you have to go and kiss her?” Hickory screwed his lips to the side and looked disgusted. “Does that make you married now?”

  “Not yet.” Abby smiled in spite of the tears clouding her eyes.

  “Soon.” Ian tucked the envelopes inside her bag and prepared to leave.

  She grasped a handful of his sleeve as he started to go.

  His hand covered hers. “What is it, Angel?”

  “Be safe, Ian.”

  “I’ll do my best.” His smile never failed to make her heart skip a beat.

  “Just so you know, I do love you.” She wanted her feelings for him to be clear.

  “I believe you mentioned it.”

  “When?” Had she rambled on under the effects of pain medication?

  “Once when I found you dreaming in a barn.”

  A final kiss to her forehead and he was gone.

  “How fresh the smell of the washed earth and leaves,

  and how sweet the still small voice of the storm.”

  ~ John Muir

  Twenty-Four

  Great plumes of black smoke belched from a stack above them, marring their view of gnarled tree branches dripping with dried moss. As the evening sun lowered, brown swamplands spread below as far as the eye could see.

  Artist’s renditions she’d seen of Savannah looked nothing like this dreary marsh yawning out on either side of the high tracks. According to Hickory, the colorful beauty she expected wouldn’t appear until they crossed over Little Ogeechee River into the city. A city of vast contrasts. Like the diverse array of people who lived here.

  Abby pulled the blanket higher on her lap, smiling at Hickory who had two crackers in each hand. As they’d watched the scenery go by, he became more excited with each telling of the days when he and Sallie had lived near Savannah.

  Abby only hoped Ian’s family would be gracious to this precious boy with a quick smile. Thinking about Cora’s reaction to Hickory and his friends, gave her pause until she considered Hickory was here at Ian’s invitation. If his family was as considerate as he was to the child, she had no reason to worry.

  As the train rolled into the station, Abby set Eliza Jane’s bonnet on her head, and tied the wide purple ribbon under her chin.

  “Last stop! Savannah!” The porter poked his head in to make the announcement.

  The pain in her belly had subsided, but nervous flutters there were even more bothersome.

  Hickory’s carrot-colored hair was in wild disarray. It took them a minute to find his cap which had fallen down behind the bench.

  Shrieking brakes brought the train to a jarring stop. The door to their train car was opened. Occupants from other passenger cars began to stream down the steps carrying carpet bags and valises. Excited conversation erupted all around as Abby carefully stepped through the doorway.

  Holding Hickory’s hand, she took the narrow steps carefully. Lamplighters made their rounds as the sun vanished, and the cobblestone streets were bathed in shades of twilight.

  As soon as her slippered foot touched the platform, she heard a voice calling out her name.

  Peering around the countless people passing by, she didn’t immediately see anyone who appeared to be summoning her. A man, pushing a cargo wagon, cleared the area directly in front of her and two strikingly elegant ladies came walking toward her with pleasant smiles on their faces.

  Abby’s knees threatened to give out from beneath her as she leaned heavily on Hickory’s arm.

  “That’s Miss Tori.” His voice was quiet as he kept a firm hold on her. “She’s just a plain ol’ human bean like you and me.”

  To Hickory she may be an old bean, but there was nothing plain about either of them.

  “Abigail, it’s wonderful to finally meet you, dear.” The taller woman who favored Ian caught her in a tender embrace. Her cream-colored walking dress with matching short jacket was trimmed in expensive black braid and was the height of fashion. A black feathered hat demurely framed one side of her face. “Ian wired us that you two were coming. We must get you settled in. I have a carriage waiting at the street.”

  “Thank you. You’re very kind.” Abby replied, touched by her thoughtfulness.

  “Hello again, Barnaby.” The other lady, in lavender taffeta, spoke to Hickory. But when Abby looked over to see if he was offended at being dubbed the wrong name, she found him blushing from head to toe, giggling with the silliest grin on his face.

  Apparently, the lady was not as “plain” as he’d remembered.

  “I’m Dottie Saberton.” Mrs. Saberton then turned to the other lady. “This is my daughter-in-law, Mrs. Nicholas Saberton.”

  “Please, call me Tori.” She spoke with a clipped accent that made her sound all the more sophi
sticated.

  “Abigail McFadden,” she answered. “Everyone calls me Abby.”

  “And this handsome young man must be Hickory.” Mrs. Saberton shook his hand. “I must thank you for escorting Abby to Savannah.” Mrs. Saberton gave a smile that was achingly familiar. “I’ve heard about how brave you are.”

  “Let’s get you home, dear.” Mrs. Saberton motioned for a large man standing down at a polished barouche. “Don’t try to walk. Amos will carry you.”

  Before Abby could argue, the man made his way up to where they were, and scooped her up like she was a rag doll.

  “Be careful with her, Amos. Ian would not appreciate us breaking her on her first day in Savannah.”

  The younger Mrs. Saberton opened the door of the open carriage and Abby was placed on the seat facing ahead. A white fur lap blanket was handed to her for additional warmth.

  Hickory climbed in beside her, followed by the two stylish Mrs. Sabertons.

  November held a definite chill and the air was wonderfully fragrant as they drove down a boulevard housing a bakery and several eateries. The aroma of gingerbread, fresh from the oven, lifted Hickory’s nose higher in the breeze.

  “Something smells good.” He looked back as they passed the bakery. “I’m kinda hungry, Abby.” He half-whispered next to her.

  She couldn’t imagine it. He’d eaten all the way from Gordon. He must be growing.

  “We must make some cookies ourselves sometime. Would you like that?” Tori gave him a fond smile.

  “Could we?” He gave her a bright smile.

  “I don’t see why not.” When she tilted her head, Abby noticed she had vivid blue eyes. “Tonight, I believe Cook has prepared fried chicken and cornbread dressing. Do you suppose you might like that?”

  “Yes, ma’am!” Hickory looked elated.

  “And I specifically requested she bake a blueberry pie for our dessert.” Tori added with a wink.

  “Blueberry pie?” Hickory fell back in his seat and laughed.

  “Yes, but this time, we shall use forks.” She laughed along with him.

  The two of them obviously shared private memories. Abby loved the easy rapport between the them and hoped, one day, to hear all about how’d they’d come to meet.