Laura Abbot Read Online Free PDF

letter and
consumed by guilt over how her departure would affect Rose, she couldn’t
concentrate on dressmaking.
    * * *
    Several nights later, Caleb stretched out by the
campfire, wearily resting his head on his saddle. This morning the cavalry had
caught up with a band of Kiowas secluded in a small grove of trees. The soldiers
had mounted a charge. Outmanned, the Indians had fired a few warning shots and
then, to Caleb’s relief, had fled on horseback. Since the Washita, he had no
stomach for engagement.
    He understood there was no stopping the westward migration of
his own people, but at the same time he grudgingly admired the Indians, both
those who came in peace and those risking their lives for their tribal lands and
honor. Perhaps the Indians weren’t that different from the emancipated slaves
with whom he had fought in the war. Rarely had he been in battle with more
dedicated or able fighters. Yet so many of his fellows treated these so-called
“buffalo soldiers” as inferiors and made known their prejudice both with their
abusive words and their fists.
    Gazing up at the infinity of stars, Caleb wondered what God
thought of the arrogant human beings He had created, so anxious to lord it over
their fellow creatures whom they deemed ignorant or savage. Were the Indians and
the former slaves that much different from himself? He suspected all any man
wanted was dignity. Yet he knew firsthand that any one of them was capable of
barbarity.
    Tired of his gloomy thoughts, he withdrew a worn letter from
his pocket. Slowly he unfolded it and squinted to make out the words, although
he had already practically memorized them.

    Dear brother,
    Sister Sophie, Pa and I are continuing to purchase additional
acreage near Cottonwood Falls for the Montgomery cattle operation. As I’ve told
you, grazing land is lush and water is plentiful. The other settlers are
welcoming and enthusiastic for the prospects in this sparsely populated part of
southeastern Kansas.
    Thank you for the monies you have sent us. Your share of the
ranch will be waiting for you when you muster out. We are all thankful that time
is fast approaching. We are adding to the herd, so with hard work, this fall
when we go to market, pray God we will see the realization of our hopes.
    We likewise pray for your safety as we await the day of our
reunion.
    Your affectionate brother,
    Seth

    Their ranch—a dream come true. Joining his father and brother
in the exciting enterprise would finally anchor him in one place. His place. A
place where money could be made. Where a family could grow and prosper. A
peaceful place.
    Once before he had thought to establish a home. To live in
harmony with a woman he loved. To plan a future together. That dream,
interrupted by the outbreak of war, had sustained him through long marches and
frenzied battles. Until Rebecca’s letter, creased and soiled from its long
journey, made its way to him in the winter of 1864. It was painful, even now, to
recall her flowery words, made no less harsh by their embellishment.

    It is with profound and heartfelt regret that I rue causing you
any disappointment or loss of marital expectations. It has been my greatest
endeavor to pass these uncertain days in the hope of your deliverance by a
beneficent providence. But we are all, in the end, human beings—human beings
with a need for love and companionship. So I beg your understanding and
forgiveness for informing you that on Saturday last your friend Abner and I
published the banns for our upcoming marriage.

    Rebecca had, with a single blow, severed their relationship,
one he had entered into wholeheartedly and purposefully. Beyond that, Abner’s
betrayal of their boyhood friendship had cut deep. Caleb closed his eyes, the
lullaby of coyotes baying on a distant hill doing little to induce sleep. The
Garden of Eden. The tempted Eve. Caleb snorted under his breath. Rebecca had
certainly succumbed to temptation and, in the process, taught him a