Her Rebel Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

happened. A chill ran through her. They have chosen sides, she thought. And now they will watch to see what we do.
    She glanced at her father. He did not hesitate. Dr. Stanton led his wife to their usual pew, five from the front on the left-hand side. They sat down. Julia adjusted her hoop. She opened her fan. The chill had passed and now she was sweating.
    Within seconds after taking their seat, Charlie Johnson, a local businessman and friend of the family, slipped in behind her father. He whispered, though his words were loud enough that Julia could hear them.
    "€œThomas, for goodness'€™ sake, what are you doing? Edward has enlisted. Why are you sitting on this side of the church?"€
    Julia blanched. She realized to what Mr. Johnson was referring. They were sitting with those members who had expressed their support for the Federal occupation. Families with sons fighting for the Confederacy were seated on the right side of the congregation. Julia wanted to shrink from view.
    Her father did not flinch. "€œWe are sitting where we always have, Charlie,"€ he said calmly. "€œThis is our family pew. It always has been. It always will be."€
    Mr. Johnson let out a huff but moved back to his seat without further argument. A murmur swept over the congregation. Julia sat frozen, eyes staring straight ahead. She was glad that her bonnet limited her view to what was directly in front of her. She did not want to seewhat was happening around her. She knew the whispers were about her family.
    The pew creaked and Julia realized someone else was approaching. She held her breath, fearing another confrontation about their seating arrangements. She cocked her head ever so slightly, just enough to see who was coming.
    It was Samuel.
    He was dressed in his finest brown frock coat, Bible in his hand. His face was calm, undisturbed. He looked like he was the only person in the building who had come to worship.
    He nodded to Julia'€™s parents. Then he sat down beside her, just as he had every Sunday for years. He gave her a long measured look. The weight of his gaze caused her to tremble. She wanted to ask him what he was doing joining them as if nothing had changed. But given what had just taken place with Charlie Johnson, the last thing she wanted was to cause more contention over the seating arrangements.
    He smiled at her. Though she tried to ignore it, her heart was fluttering.
    Reverend Perry then took to the pulpit and the service began. Julia could not say what songs they sang or what Scriptures they read. She was distracted by Samuel'€™s presence. Part of her welcomed it, the other couldn'€™t fathom it.
    How can he sit beside me as though nothing has happened? I have told him that I do not wish to marry him. Why can'€™t he take no for an answer?
    She stole glances at him. There he sat with his Bible on his lap, lost in reading. It was as though, in his mind, there were no guns, no war, as though all the world was right. Julia was even more puzzled. How can he act thisway? Doesn'€™t he care? Doesn'€™t he worry for Edward'€™s sake? For the sake of this city?
    It was only when Samuel bowed his head did she realize that Reverend Perry was closing the service in prayer. Julia also closed her eyes. She tried to focus, to be respectful.
    "€œLord, we humbly ask Thee to grant President Lincoln wisdom."€
    A murmur rippled through the right side of the room. Julia was as surprised by his words as the rest of the group was. All thoughts of conversing with the Almighty dissipated and her focus shifted to Reverend Perry'€™s words alone. She held her breath. The Reverend did not stop with his petition for Lincoln. He also prayed for the officers and soldiers occupying the city.
    He is making his position known, she thought. He is obviously siding with the Union.
    "€œAnd we ask Thee to guard our young men who have chosen to fight'€¦"€
    In shock, her head went up. Just when she thought she had him pegged as a