Glimmers of Change Read Online Free PDF Page B

anger. “Everything I ever worked for has disappeared.” Rage flared again to dissolve the grief. “It’s not over. We may have lost the war, but there are many of us who are going to do whatever it takes to reclaim our lives and our fortunes. We’re especially not going to let any traitor Southerners or Yankees stand in our way!” With that parting shot, he spun his horse and galloped down the road.
    The other five hesitated just a moment and then pulled their horses around and followed him. The pounding of their hooves on the frozen ground sounded like gun shots as they disappeared around the bend.
    Thomas put his pistol back in his pocket as the other men lowered their rifles. “Well,” he said, taking a deep breath to steady himself. “I knew it wouldn’t be easy,” he added matter-of-factly.
    Robert chuckled as he stepped up to put his hand on Thomas’s shoulder. “You handled it well,” he said admiringly. “I’m afraid I would have already put a bullet in Cannon.” He stared down the road. “Has he always been like that?”
    Thomas shook his head heavily. “No. Daniel and I played together as boys. I attended functions at his plantation, and he attended many at Cromwell.” He stared off into the distance as the sound of the drumming hooves grew more distant. “The war changed him. Losing everything, including his two youngest sons, changed him.” He shook his head. “I disagree with his conclusions, but I sympathize with his pain and anger.”
    “They’re not just going to stop with words,” Matthew said quietly.
    Robert stared at him for a long moment. “Does this have to do with what you didn’t want to tell us at breakfast?”
    “Yes,” Matthew admitted.
    “I think now might be a good time to fill everybody in,” Thomas said, a spark of humor flaring as the tension of the moment passed. He turned to gaze down the road. “Should I expect them back tonight?”
    “No,” Matthew answered. “They know you have too much backup.”
    Thomas swung back around and stared into Matthew’s face. “You’re serious.”
    Matthew nodded, his blue eyes grim. “This stuff is happening all over the country.”
    Thomas took a deep breath. “Let’s go back inside. Whatever you have to tell everyone would best be told around a warm fire. Now that the moment has passed, I am freezing!”
     

     
    After Annie passed around a tray of hot coffee mugs and several thick logs fueled the flames throwing welcome warmth into the living room, Thomas turned to Matthew. “It’s time for you to tell everyone what is going on,” he said gravely.
    Matthew took a long sip of his coffee and gazed around the room, wondering how there could be so much light and beauty in the midst of another darkness covering the country he loved. “I take it you have not received news about the Black Codes.” He hesitated for a moment. “Thomas, Abby, and Jeremy already know what I’m about to say. We decided to keep it among ourselves through the holidays because we didn’t want to ruin them.”
    Carrie was the only one with comprehension on her face. “A received a letter from a friend who mentioned Black Codes, but she didn’t go into an explanation. She just seemed terribly indignant.” She glared at her father. “As am I. You had a pistol in your pocket when you went out onto the porch. You suspected something would happen, but you went out there on your own.”
    Thomas reached over to take her hand. “I suspected, but I didn’t know for sure. The only thing I was fairly sure of was that I would have backup if I needed it. I’m glad I was right about that.” He gripped Carrie’s hand tightly. “We’ve all been through so much, Carrie. I thought it was only fair to let us have our first Christmas since the war ended without more bad news.”
    Carrie’s eyes softened. “I suppose I would have done the same thing,” she admitted reluctantly. Then she turned back to Matthew. “So my friend had a right to be