Hearts Under Siege (Civil War Collection) (23 page)

Chapter Twenty-Six

“Your grandfather wanted to know what my intentions are.”

“Your intentions about what?” Alexandra asked, settling back against Thomas on the horse as she studied her grandfather’s back several feet in front of them and wondered about his hearing.

“About you.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. It seems he thinks there is something between us.”

“I didn’t tell him that.”

Thomas laughed. “I’m not accusing you of talking to him about us. And even if you did, I wouldn’t exactly mind.”

“What do you mean?”

“Never mind.”

She felt him reach into his pocket. She twisted around. He pulled out something wrapped in a handkerchief.

“I have something for you,” he said, pushing it into her hand.

She remembered Grand-père handing her the message that set her on an unforgettable journey. “What is it?” she asked Thomas.

When he didn’t answer, she opened the folds of the cloth and gasped, looking at the locket she had long ago given up hope of ever seeing again. “Where did you find it?”

“It had made it into the hands of my commanding officer.”

“How did that happen?” she asked, distracted as she examined the tiny photographs framed with silver.

“It’s a long story,” he said. “Let’s just say the army sometimes acts in ways that are a mystery to any sane man.”

She tested the broken clasp and then folded the layers of the handkerchief over the locket with care. She wondered when she would get it repaired.

“I’d like to have it repaired for you as soon as we get back to civilization,” Thomas said, as though reading her thoughts. The phenomenon no longer surprised her, not so much anymore.

“I appreciate the offer,” she said, squashing the urge to beg him for continued contact in the future. “But I prefer not to let it out of my sight again.”

“In that case, perhaps you’ll let me accompany you to a repair shop I know.”

Alexandra considered his words. Was he being polite or simply careless? Why did he assume she would be returning to New Orleans with him? She then realized she had every intention of returning to Chene Ruelle with Grand-père as soon as possible.

“I appreciate the sentiment,” she said. “However, I don’t know when I’ll be returning to New Orleans.”

“The offer stands. The next time you find yourself in New Orleans, look me up, and I’ll take care of it.”

Her heart sank. He saw their futures as distinctly separate. How stupid could she be?

Thomas shifted in his seat, frowning. “Marry me,” he blurted.

Time hung in suspension. They continued to move forward, but as though in slow motion.

“What—what did you say?” Alexandra said, and then wondered if she’d said it aloud.

“Will you marry me?” he asked.

She didn’t answer.

“Damn it.” He stopped the horse and slid off, bringing her down next. He knelt in front of her and took her hand.

“Will you marry me?” he asked, looking into her eyes.

She grinned and threw her arms around him. “Yes, Yes, Yes. A thousand times yes.”

He pulled back and searched her eyes.

“You mean it?” he asked.

“Yes,” she uttered.

He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her. Her world shifted—everything fell into place again.

Almost everything. Where was Jeffy?

Epilogue

Alexandra sat on the steps of the front porch, in the shadow of a thick column. A spring breeze from the river blew a lock of hair across her face, and she brushed it aside. Lacing her hands under her chin, she sighed. She could see Grand-père running his hands along one of the horse’s sprained legs. Each day he grew stronger, with a resilience to be envied by men half his age. She couldn’t see Thomas, but she knew that he surveyed the fields for crops to be planted in a handful of weeks.

She smiled as she remembered his reluctance to move into Chene Ruelle without making significant contributions. With an abundance of pride, men, it seemed, always had to contribute their share of money and effort.

In less than a week, she would be Mrs. Thomas Munroe. Her life was in place, except for one piece—Jeffy. Her eyes moistened at the thought that he wouldn’t be there to see her wedding. A day, indeed hardly an hour passed without her missing him.

Alas, time stood still for no one. Remembering her grandfather’s words, she stood up and ambled toward him. She had to be thankful for those she had been blessed to keep with her through the horrors of four years of war.

At first she paid no attention to the buggy traveling along the river road. What with the carpetbaggers and the people rebuilding, the roads constantly filled with passersby. She looked

up, however, when it turned into their lane.

Probably a tax collector, she thought. She stopped and stood next to the lane. A tingling started at the back of her neck. Then she knew.

“Jeffy,” she whispered, as the buggy pulled up next to her and stopped. She stared at him with tears running down her cheeks.

He jumped down and held her, and they both laughed and cried. A moment later, Grand-père stood at their side. As she watched Grand-père and Jeffy embrace, Thomas appeared behind her, placing his arms around her. Katherine Munroe joined them, and Grand-père put his arm around her as he introduced his grandson to his betrothed.

Alexandra placed her fingers around the locket at her neck, and a gentle peace settled over her. Finally, her heart was no longer under siege.

Everything was truly right with the world.