“Melinda,” said Alisander, taking her hand. Her skin was cool to the touch. “I cannot stay here any longer. I was waiting until you woke up, but I have to get back to my regiment. I’m already overdue, but I needed to come back to tell you.”
So he was leaving her, too. “I understand,” said Melinda. “Thank you, Alisander, for bringing me the news. But…” she hesitated for a second. “Promise me you’ll come back, after…”
Alisander smiled. “I will come back, Melinda. I promise.”
***
They rolled up onto Colby’s farm late in the afternoon. Everything seemed in its place. The entire farm, untouched for so long, seemed to breathe as they strolled around the small farmhouse, the barns, and the fields.
“This is it,” said Colby, sighing heavily. “Home.”
Lilly wiped a tear from her eye. She hugged Colby tightly. “We’ll be okay,” she murmured. “This will be a good start. Our own place of peace.”
Colby nodded. It would be a good start. Let the war continue without them. They would sit it out here. On the farm.
EPILOGUE
June, 1865
MELINDA JACOBY WALKED OUT to the fields, broom in hand. The crows were back, and she was determined not to let them eat another acre of corn. Since her aunt had passed away, the farm had passed on to her, and here she was again, one woman running her farm, just like the old days.
Alisander waved back at her.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Iris Penn is a retired English teacher who lives in rural Tennessee with her family.
ALSO BY IRIS PENN
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