Carried Forward By Hope (49 page)

“You’re welcome,” Moses said, shaking his head. “I’ve imagined this moment a lot of times. I never thought it would be like this.”

Robert smiled. “There has been enough hatred and violence for a lifetime. It still amazes me that God has forgiven me for all the things I have done. How can I not forgive others? Especially a man who tried to escape a horrible situation and got caught?” He held Moses’s gaze. “The truth is that my father would have done terrible things to him if your father hadn’t killed him. It was a horrible thing, but I determined a couple years ago that I was no longer going to let the past define me.”

The sound of laughter drifted up through the window. It caught on the breeze and swirled through the room in a dance.

Robert smiled again. “This is what matters now.
Today. Laughter. Friends. Family.
I think only God could have reunited two boys who watched something so terrible. Only God could have brought you here to Cromwell Plantation and intersected our paths in Antietam. You’re an amazing man, Moses. Thank you for all you’ve done for Carrie.”

Moses smiled, the smile coming easily now. “You’re welcome,” he replied. “And I do believe you’re right about only God being able to turn all this around,” he murmured, his heart light now that the secret was out in the open.

Robert heard a sound in the distance and turned to look out the window. The sun had set, but the day was still bright. He saw a cloud of dust in the distance and a large mass that seemed to be moving. “What in the world?” he muttered.

Moses turned to look out the window too, straining his eyes to determine what was coming. “Your guess is as good as mine,” he finally said. “Whatever it is, it seems to be big.”

“Were we expecting anyone today?” Robert asked, his eyes on the road.

Moses shook his head. “Not that I know of.” He was suddenly anxious to go downstairs and see what was going on. Carrie and Rose had just stepped out on the porch. Their faces said they weren’t expecting anyone either. “I think I’ll go down.”

“Will you help me?” Robert asked suddenly. “I can walk again, but I’m afraid I’m rather weak.”

Moses grinned, knowing how happy Carrie would be when Robert walked out on the porch. “Certainly.” He wrapped one arm around Robert’s waist, stunned at how frail he was.

Robert interpreted the look on his face. “I know it’s bad,” he admitted, “but I’ll get strong again quickly.”

Moses nodded. “Just be warned that my mama will be pouring food into you every chance she gets.”

“Your mama?” Robert knew Moses had gone to get his mother and sister, but Carrie hadn’t told him anymore.

“Her name is Annie. She is cooking now that Opal is gone.”

Robert’s eyes were sad. “My father killed her husband,” he finally said. “Can she forgive me?”

“She already has,” Moses said quickly. “Like you said, there has been enough hatred and violence. The country is starting over and so are all of us. None of us need to carry the baggage of the past with us. There are plenty of people in this country determined to do just that. We don’t need to add to their numbers. There will be enough trouble as it is.”

Robert nodded and leaned into Moses when they reached the stairs.

“Just take them slow,” Moses said. “You don’t need to worry about falling.”

Robert smiled. “I believe you,” he said, his legs trembling from the exertion of walking. He paused. “I’d like it if we could be friends, Moses. In addition to all the personal connections, I understand Thomas has made you half-owner of Cromwell Plantation.”

Moses shot a look at him as they slowly descended the stairs. “Does that bother you?”

“Not a bit. I can’t think of many things I would rather
not
do than run a tobacco plantation,” he said ruefully. “My passion has been and always will be horses.”

“We’ll be friends,” Moses said firmly as they reached the bottom of the stairs. He could feel the trembling in Robert’s body. “Want to take a break?”

“Yes,” Robert responded with a smile, “but I would prefer it to in be the rocking chair out on the porch.”

Moses chuckled and walked with him across the parlor.

******
 

“Robert!” Carrie cried. “You’re downstairs!” Her eyes were wide with wonder. “How…?”

“Moses helped me. We had a very good talk.” Robert looked down the road. “Does anyone know who is coming?”

“No idea,” Carrie murmured, her eyes shining with joy as she exchanged a glance with Moses and then stepped close to her husband. She wrapped her arm around his waist and gently lowered him into the rocker.

“It’s so good to see you downstairs,” Rose said, handing him a glass of lemonade and a plate of cookies. “Annie is determined to make all of us heavy. I’m so glad you’re here to share these.”

Robert smiled. “Thank you, Rose.” He took a deep breath. “You have a rather remarkable husband,” he said.

“That I do,” Rose responded easily. “I’m so glad you’re feeling stronger. Clint will be very excited to see you out of bed.”

Robert smiled. “Where is he?”

“Out in the barn I’m sure. He has oiled Granite’s tack so many times it’s probably about to wear out!” Carrie said with a grin. “He’s ridden Granite a few times. I’ve never seen such joy on anyone’s face.”

“He loves that horse,” Robert murmured. “And he has a gift.”

“He’s determined the two of you are going to work with horses together,” Carrie responded. “Now all we have to do is get some horses,” she continued with a chuckle. “I told him it would be a while.”

Just then Thomas and Abby joined them on the porch.

“Hello, Father. Look who decided to join us.”

Thomas smiled and stepped forward to shake Robert’s hand warmly. “Welcome back to the land of the living, my boy!”

Robert winced. “You and I both know it’s about time.”

“I know it’s easy to judge something you’ve never experienced,” Thomas said evenly. “I’m simply glad you’re doing better. And just in time.”

“Just in time?” Robert asked. “What do you mean?”

Thomas nodded his head toward the dark mass that was drawing closer. It had gotten just dark enough to be unable to determine what it was.

“Do you know who is coming?” Carrie demanded.

Thomas just shrugged, a mysterious smile on his lips.

“Abby?” Carrie demanded. She looked more closely and realized Abby’s eyes were shining with excitement. “Who is coming?”

“You’re about to find out,” Abby murmured as she moved close to the edge of the porch. She turned to Robert and bent down to give him a warm kiss on the forehead. “Welcome back,” she whispered. “I’d say the timing is perfect.”

Rose suddenly leaned forward and peered hard. “There are horses coming!” she cried.

Carrie stepped up beside her. “
Horses
?”

Suddenly Clint bolted from the barn and waved wildly at the house. “They’re here, Aunt Abby! They’re here!”

Abby smiled broadly and waved back. “I see that,” she called joyfully. “Are you ready for them?”

Clint ran all the way from the barn and skidded to a stop at the bottom of the stairs, his eyes gleaming. “Yes, ma’am! Every stall is cleaned and ready. I’ve got feed and hay in all of them, and everyone has fresh water.”

“And I thought you were just cleaning tack,” Carrie said in wonder, her eyes growing wider as the horses drew closer. “Look at them!” she cried. She whirled around to stare at Abby. “You did this?”

Abby shrugged. “I’ve always wanted to invest in horses. Now seemed the perfect time since my husband-to-be owns a plantation,” she said with a bright smile. “I asked your father to help me, but in the end we both bowed to Clint’s expertise.”

“Clint?” Robert asked, disbelief on his face as he watched the string of horses parading down the drive.

“I been studying ever since you left us, Robert,” Clint said earnestly. “I knew Virginia was real big into Thoroughbreds like Granite, so I studied all the bloodlines.”

Robert stared at him, and then swung his gaze back to the horses. “You studied the bloodlines?” he echoed.

“That’s right,” Clint said eagerly. “I knew just what Aunt Abby should buy when she decided she wanted to.”

Robert swung his gaze to Abby, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

Abby smiled gently and moved over to crouch beside him. “I knew you would get better. I also know how wonderful you are with horses. Between you and Clint, I believe you can be wildly successful. You proved that at Oak Meadows.” She shrugged casually. “I’ve always wanted to invest in horses. I decided now was my chance. I’ll be keeping just a small percentage interest, however. It will be enough to see them prancing in the pastures every time Thomas and I return.”

Robert gripped her hand tightly and struggled for words, knowing this amazing woman had just handed him his new chance of doing what he loved best. He had assumed it would be several years before he could begin to rebuild a stable. To see his new life trotting down the road toward him was almost overwhelming. He blinked back tears. “Thank you,” he finally managed, his throat tight with tears of gratitude.

******

Suddenly the horses were close enough to see who was leading the string.

“Jeremy!” Carrie cried as she rushed off the porch. “You’re supposed to be in Richmond with the factory.”

Abby came to stand beside her. “Jeremy? What is wrong?”

Jeremy smiled easily. “I wouldn’t say there was anything
wrong
,” he replied. “I just encountered a situation that demanded I return to the plantation at once. I decided to go ahead and bring the horses with me since I was coming.”

“A situation?” Abby asked with a frown. “What situation?”

Jeremy dismounted from the stunning bay Thoroughbred he was riding and took Carrie’s hand. “Janie is in the carriage coming up behind me,” he said softly.

“Janie?” Carrie cried. “Is…?”

“No. Clifford is not with her,” Jeremy stated flatly. “She needs you.”

Tears sprang to Carrie’s eyes. “He hurt her?”

“Yes,” Jeremy answered, anger making his eyes glitter. “She escaped. When I got to Richmond she was there in the house. She just arrived yesterday morning but was terrified to stay there.” His gaze swung to Abby. “I did what I could yesterday afternoon for the factory, but I will have to return.”

“The factory is completely unimportant,” Abby said firmly. “Carrie, you go meet Janie. Clint will get the horses settled. The rest of us will be waiting inside.”

Carrie smiled her gratitude, knowing Janie would need some time with her before she had to see everyone else.

The porch was empty and Clint and Jeremy were almost to the barn with the horses when Spencer drove up in the carriage. Carrie gave him a warm smile, but had to bite back her moan when she saw the bruises, shame, and distress on Janie’s face. “Janie!” She climbed into the carriage and pulled Janie into her arms.

Janie began to sob, wrapping her arms around Carrie tightly.

Carrie held her close, letting her cry. “
Janie… Janie…”
she whispered, anger and sorrow mingling in her mind and heart.

Finally Janie’s tears stopped. “Carrie…”

“Shh...” Carrie wiped her tears with her sleeve and stroked her hair. “You’re home. You’re home, Janie. That’s what matters now.”

Janie sighed and managed a small, pitiful smile. “
Home…
You have no idea how wonderful that sounds.” The smile disappeared as a frightened frown took its place. “I’m afraid I shouldn’t have come,” she whispered. “Clifford will come after me.”

“I almost hope so,” Carrie responded fiercely. “I’d like to see him get some of what he has been dishing out. There are several here who would like to make sure he does.”

Janie chuckled. “I can’t believe you can make me laugh,” she said in a broken voice that deepened with distress. “Oh, Carrie, it was…it was awful. I should have listened to you that last day. I shouldn’t have gone with him. This is my fault!”

“Nonsense,” Carrie said firmly. “The only person to blame is Clifford. You were trying to live up to your marriage vows.” She turned Janie’s face so she could gaze into her friend’s eyes, her own eyes filling with tears when she saw the bruises and swelling. “Oh, Janie…I’m so, so sorry.”

“You gave me the courage to leave,” Janie said softly. “One day when it was especially bad, I remembered you telling me that no one would have respect for me unless I had it for myself first. I thought about that and realized I was letting Clifford destroy who I was.” She swallowed. “That was the day I started planning my escape.”

Carrie closed her eyes against the image of Janie scared and entrapped in her own home. “How did you get away?”

Both of them were laughing by the time Janie finished her story. “I almost wish I could have seen his face the next morning when he discovered I was gone,” Janie said. Then her face clouded over again. “He’s a dangerous man, Carrie. He’s not the same person he was — not even when we left Richmond. Every day he seemed to get harder and angrier.” She took a deep breath. “And horrible things are happening to the freed slaves in the country.
Horrible things
…”