Read Online Touching the Sky by Tracie Peterson - Free Book Online Page A

home.”
    “Do you miss it a great deal?” she asked.
    “I do. It’s been a long time since I’ve been home. Battles and war do not exactly concern themselves with one’s nostalgia and longing.”
    “Were you . . . well . . . in a great many battles?” Laura’s hesitation was apparent. Perhaps she thought her question too personal.
    “We were in quite a few,” he replied. “Too many, if you ask me. Nevertheless, we did our duty.”
    “Oh, please let us not speak of the war tonight,” Carissa interjected. “I want to have fun and to enjoy myself without remembering all that has gone on. Please.”
    Brandon jumped in before Laura could chide her outburst. “I believe you are quite right, Miss Marquardt. It would be to our benefit to put aside such gloomy topics.”
    “You should call me Carissa, and I will of course call you Brandon,” she said, batting her lashes. “I think we will be great friends.”
    Brandon noted that Laura stiffened at her sister’s statement. He wondered if she was uncomfortable with the attention Carissa showed him. That thought made him smile.
    Upon arriving at the party, however, Carissa soon forgot about Brandon and her sister. She moved through the gathering speaking to first one person and then another with ease.
    “It would seem your sister is already familiar with most of the people here,” Brandon commented.
    Laura frowned and snapped her fan into place. “Her actions are quite inappropriate at times.”
    “Perhaps it’s her youth.”
    “I have thought as much myself,” Laura admitted, “but at times I fear no amount of time will mature her.”
    “It matured you.”
    She gave him a most serious expression. “I was never that immature . . . even as a child. Mother said I was always serious.”
    He could easily imagine her as a studious and obedient little girl. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Perhaps you’ve just never had the right person to show you how to enjoy life.”
    Before he could hear her response, they were interrupted. “Ah, here’s the man of the hour,” Justin Armstrong said as he came to greet Brandon and Laura. “And leave it to you to have the prettiest gal of all on your arm.”
    Brandon glanced to Laura. “Miss Marquardt, may I introduce Major Justin Armstrong, my commanding officer.”
    “Major Armstrong, I believe I have heard my father speak of you. It is an honor to meet you.”
    “And I am pleased to meet you, Miss Marquardt. Your father is Stanley Marquardt, I presume.”
    “Yes. He has long been a Union supporter, although it has not always benefited him.”
    Armstrong chuckled. “Well, I believe he will find it a benefit to him now. Many of the men who refused to bear arms against the Union are finding it so.”
    “I understand that this is the house where the men come to take the loyalty oath,” Laura said.
    “It is indeed,” Brandon interjected. “General Charles Russell stands just over there. We are friends from a long way back. His wife and daughters are good friends with my folks.”
    “I have met the general on several occasions,” Laura said. “He seems a good and fair man.”
    “He is,” Armstrong confirmed. He motioned to her delicate fan. “That’s a lovely piece. Do you know where I might purchase something similar for my wife?”
    She seemed to consider this for a moment. “This fan was brought to me by way of Mexico. You might be able to find another if you were to search some of the shops where such goods are sold. I can direct you to a few of them if you are unfamiliar.”
    “That would be good. My wife is fond of fans, and the hand painting on that one is beautiful. Is it true that you can learn to speak an entire language with a fan?”
    Brandon would have laughed at his commanding officer’s comments regarding ladies’ fans, but he presumed the major was just trying to make conversation.
    “It is true, Major.” Laura placed the open fan to cover her left ear. “This requests,