When Cordia arrived at the Adams Farm, Julia was sitting on the swing under the oak tree, a light blanket wrapped around her to help combat the cool March breeze. She looked pale; her eyes had dark circles under them. Cordia wasn’t sure she should even be out of bed, but she knew it was no use trying to tell Julia that. “Mornin',” she said as she approached. She sat down next to her friend who acknowledged her arrival with a smile. “How are you feeling today?”
Julia peered off beyond the horizon for a few moments. Finally, she said, “I feel all right. I didn’t want to stay in that stuffy bedroom anymore. Aunt Margaret finally said I could come outside for a spell, but only if I stayed wrapped up.”
Cordia could plainly see the agitation on the young woman’s face. She knew that Julia was a very capable person, and as hard as it was for Cordia to see her a prisoner of her own body, it must have been exponentially harder for Julia to accept her own limitations. “Well, I have something that might cheer you up,” she said, the smile on her face giving the news away.
“A letter from Will!” Julia exclaimed. Her excitement, however, caused a fit of coughing that Cordia had to help her control before she could continue with the letter. After a few moments, she was able to calm down, and Cordia opened up the letter.
February 19, 1862
Dearest Cordia,
I received your last two letters, dated January 3 and January 5, just a few days ago. I am sorry I have not been able to answer them until now, but my unit has been particularly busy. I don’t know if word has reached you yet of the battles we have been engaged in, but rest assured I am uninjured. We were able to take both of the Confederate forts near where we are stationed with little trouble at all. Fort Henry and Fort Donelson by name. This U.S. Grant is something else. All the men are cheering him, saying, if we put him over in Washington City, this war would be over by now.
I cannot tell you where we are now marching to, but we hope to have some rest. Both forts fell within ten days of each other, and we are intolerably tired for it. But we will press on and drive these Rebels out of Tennessee sure enough.
I have told you previously of the antics of my friend Gene. Well, he has gone off to see the doctor, not as a result of battle, but as a result of his own clumsiness. During the mild fighting we have encountered lately, he managed somehow to put his bayonet into his foot, rather than into his rifle. They expect him to be released soon, however. I am sure he will do something to get himself right back in there if he ain’t careful.
Tennessee is very beautiful. I should like to take you and Julia here someday, after the war is over, assuming we don’t destroy it. The trees are just beginning to get their leaves back. We can finally hear the birds singing again, which is a nicer thing to awaken to than the sounds of gunfire or other men snoring.
Every night I fall asleep dreaming of your face. I don’t know when I will see you again, but I take comfort in the memories that I have of you. I will not say more, as I am sure you are sharing this correspondence with my sister, and I do not wish to embarrass either of you. Still, know how I long to be with you again.
Please give my love to Jules and let her know I miss her.
All my love,
Will
Julia beamed, so delighted to have heard from her brother at last. She asked Cordia to read the letter again, which she did. “I do hope that this war is quickly over,” Julia declared. “I long to see Will once again.”
Cordia agreed. “Me, too,” she said softly, her arm around the young girl’s shoulders. “Me, too.”
Then, remembering her conversation of the day before, Cordia added, “Guess who I saw at church yesterday.”
Julia seemed to think for a moment but then said, “Carey Adams?”
Cordia was surprised. “However did you know?”
“Aunt Margaret told me,” she admitted. “She’s been so excited that he’s come back in town, although she is very regretful about his arm.”
Cordia considered this information. It would make sense that Margaret would know her nephew had arrived in Lamar.
Julia continued, “Heard he spent some time conversatin’ with you, too,” she added.
Cordia looked down at the younger girl, her eyes widening, attempting to understand precisely what Julia was implying. “He spoke to me briefly after service,” she admitted. “Believe me, it was nothing to take note of.”
“If you insist,” Julia muttered under her breath.
“Now, just what does that mean?” Cordia demanded, turning to face Julia a bit more.
“Nothin’” Julia said, sitting up a bit straighter. “It’s just, my understanding that Carey has taken an interest in you, since Jaris is no longer with us, and of course, no one else knows about you and Will.”
Cordia felt as if she might be sick. It took her a moment to regain her composure before she could speak. “Whomever did you hear that from?” she asked.
“Aunt Margaret,” Julia replied. “She mentioned it at the supper table last night. Don’t know what’s been said by whom, but she seemed to think it was something Jaris might appreciate, you still bein’ an Adams and still marrying in to the family.”
Cordia considered this piece of information. It could be valuable in the future, once Will had returned and they were able to profess their love publicly. After all, he was every bit as much a relation to Jaris as Carey. But as for now, if this meant that Carey Adams was going to be attempting to court her, well, he had another thing coming.
“Let’s just hope Cousin Carey knows what he is getting himself into,” she said slyly.