Read Online Everlasting Light - A Civil War Romance Novella by Andrea Boeshaar - Free Book Online

two years.
    It was in the spring of ’64, and Braeden was faithfully serving in the cavalry on South Carolina’s coast. He’d been granted a couple days’ leave—a reward for reenlisting. Sipping strong coffee on the back porch as the nippy April wind swirled around the treetops, Braeden filled her in on everything the newspapers had failed to report about the war. He said it was amazing that most of the state remained untouched by all the fighting. He still believed the South could win, despite its devastating loss eight months earlier at Gettysburg.
    A great sadness enveloped her now as she turned her gaze to the dreary December sky. Zeke confirmed that Braeden had been wounded, but he wasn’t dead … until the Yankees captured him. Alaina closed her eyes against the horrors she’d heard about Federal prison camps and emaciated Confederate soldiers. There was little hope that Braeden made it out alive—especially since he’d been injured first. The hardiest of men returned from Yankee prisons resembling mere shadows of their former selves. Surely Braeden was dead.
    “Alaina!”
    She glanced over her shoulder at the sound of her mother-in-law’s voice. Moments later, Mama McKenna appeared at the doorway.
    “What are you doing out there? You’re liable to catch your death.”
    “I’d welcome it.” She looked back out toward the road, ignoring Mama McKenna’s exasperated sigh.
    “You’ve been more melancholy than ever since Zeke came home with news of Braeden’s capture. Develop some backbone, my dear. I’ve lost two sons, but do you see me wallowing in self-pity? No. Now, here …” The older woman stepped onto the porch and thrust a jar at her. “Take this vegetable soup over to the Wheeler place and make yourself useful. Jonathan and Zeke are over there trying to help Michael out, and I promised those men I’d fix supper.”
    Alaina obediently took the large container.
    “And while you’re on your way, you might try counting your blessings for a change.” Wisps of faded lyard blonde hair blew onto Mama McKenna’s aging cheek. “Our home wasn’t burned. The Yankees didn’t find our personal valuables. We’re luckier than most.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Alaina’s eyes filled at the sting of her mother-in-law’s rebuke. She crossed the yard tearfully and started down the road. Off in the distance, she heard hammering as Papa McKenna and Zeke attempted to help Michael rebuild his home. The task was a daunting one. Half of the Wheeler house had been ruined by fire, and since timber and sundry other supplies were no longer available, re-construction was nearly an impossibility.
    As she walked on, Alaina’s thoughts turned to Jennifer Marie. One of the more precious memories she held dear to her heart was the day her friend became a believer in Christ.
    It was back in ’62 and Jennifer Marie had just learned that the man she’d fallen in love with, Major Uriah Perkins, had been killed. He’d been the officer she’d met at her aunt’s party the night Braeden proposed, and it wasn’t long after Alaina’s marriage that Jennifer Marie was making great wedding plans of her own.
    ******
    Alaina stopped to watch her friend’s buggy roll up the gravely road to the McKennas’ house and lurch to a halt. Jennifer Marie stepped out, wearing a stunning black ensemble that caused Alaina’s knees to weaken in trepidation.
    “It’s not Braeden, is it, Jennifer Marie?” Alaina all but forgot about her chores. “Please, tell me it’s not Braeden.”
    “No, it’s … it’s Uriah.” Sorrow pooled in her eyes. “A neighbor brought this to me last evening. Look.”
    Alaina took the crumpled sheet bearing a list of names of the dead. Yes, Uriah’s name was among them. Braeden’s was not. Feeling relieved for herself and a deep, heart-piercing sadness for her friend, Alaina burst into tears. “Oh, Jennifer Marie. I am so sorry to read this news.”
    They embraced and then, with her arm around her