Everlasting Light - A Civil War Romance Novella Read Online Free PDF Page B

into view. Another man, tall and dark-headed, rode beside him. He looked familiar, and Alaina recalled seeing him at Jennifer Marie’s birthday party. Reining in their animals, the men dismounted simultaneously.
    “No! It can’t be. Not now!” Horror pumped through her veins. She wiped her wet, soapy hands on her apron and quickly rolled down the sleeves of her blouse. With shaking hands, she finger-combed her wind-blown hair back into its chignon. “What on earth is Braeden doing calling on me at this hour?”
    With a soft laugh, Mama left her wash tub to greet the two well-dressed men walking their way. Rebecca stared on in wide-eyed, girlish curiosity.
    “Good morning, ma’am,” Braeden began with a polite bow. “Allow me to present my good friend, Michael Wheeler. Michael, this is Mrs. Dalton.”
    Mama nodded. “Mr. Wheeler.” She turned back to Braeden as wisps of her graying, mahogany-colored hair blew across her cheek. She pushed it back with one hand. “This is a surprise, albeit a pleasant one.”
    “Yes, thank you, ma’am.” Braeden’s golden-flecked brown eyes peered over Mama’s head at Alaina. He smiled before addressing Mama again. “I wondered if I could speak with you and Mr. Dalton. You see, I received word this morning that the Union has sent out one of its naval vessels with supplies for the men at Fort Sumter, but the Confederate Army has the fort surrounded and has no intention of allowing the Union passage into the Charleston harbor.” Braeden wet his lips anxiously. “This is likely the beginnings of war, Mrs. Dalton, and it’s my desire to be there when that first shot is fired.”
    “I see.” Mama looked back at her, and Alaina suddenly realized she’d been holding her breath. She let it out slowly as the conversation continued. “What has this to do with your speaking to my husband and me?”
    “Michael and I are headed into Columbia to purchase train tickets to Charleston for this historic event. Since my sister and her husband are going along, as is my cousin, Jennifer Marie, I wondered if you would allow Alaina to accompany me … us.”
    A slight smile curved Mama’s lips. “I will call for my husband at once.” She whirled around. “Rebecca, find David and tell him to properly water our guests’ horses. Alaina, make some lemonade. I’m sure Braeden and Mr. Wheeler are very thirsty after their ride, and I know your father and William will appreciate a drink when they come in from the field.”
    “Yes, Mama,” Alaina replied.
    Rebecca ran off to find their little brother while Alaina approached the men. Her gaze, however, never wavered from Braeden’s grinning face.
    “I promised you a train ride, Alaina Dalton, and I’m determined to keep my word.”
    “So I hear.”
    Braeden introduced her to Michael. She’d met him briefly at Jennifer Marie’s party.
    “A pleasure to see you again, Mr. Wheeler. Won’t you both come inside and make yourselves comfortable while we wait for Papa?”
    They both nodded and followed Alaina into the house. After seating them in the parlor, she quickly busied herself with preparing the lemonade.
    “You’re right, Brae, she’s a pretty little thing.”
    Alaina overheard Mr. Wheeler’s remark. She didn’t think she looked “pretty” in her plain brown skirt and white blouse. They were the clothes she typically did her chores in and hardly appropriate for entertaining guests.
    “She’s spoken for, so don’t get any ideas, my friend.” The warning in Braeden’s voice was unmistakable.
    His friend laughed good-naturedly.
    Alaina felt a heated blush rise into her cheeks at Braeden’s possessive claim.
    Minutes later, nineteen-year-old William dashed into the house. His face shone with excitement, and his dark hair was matted with perspiration. His shirt and trousers were soiled from working outside, and in all his exuberance, he obviously forgot Mama’s rule about changing in the mud room before entering her well-kept