AFTER THEIR FATED meeting, Andrew and Gwendolyn spent three years writing to each other, sharing their most intimate fears and dreams, forming a bond and a love that he thought could never be broken... until the world changed.
A lifetime seemed to have passed for him over the last few years. The most significant events were his injuries at Shiloh, weeks on the run, and the months of rehabilitation that followed. While rushing to aid Peter, a cannon ball exploded in front of him. The shrapnel in his knee, although removed by doctors, caused ligament damage, which resulted in chronic pain and a permanent limp. He’d also sustained scars on his face and was reminded of those when he looked in the mirror, which happened only when purely necessary.
The pain in his knee may have been lessened had he received immediate medical care. The Confederates ambushed him and a few of his men, and Andrew was forced to run. He made it to Charleston, and by the grace of God was ushered to a safe house just before he passed out for several days.
The first thing he saw when he awakened was the face of his sister Christine leaning over him with her concerned smile. The fact she’d traversed the dangerous roads of war to reach him created an attachment that would never be broken.
Dr. Michael Wade, his sister Nona’s husband, had come with Christine, and the two of them nursed Andrew until he was well enough to travel home to Harrisburg. Because of his injuries, he made the agonizing decision to cut off correspondence with Gwen. A choice he later regretted every minute, of every hour, of every day.
Gwen had been angry. She’d said as much in the letters she continued to send for a time. But eventually, he stopped receiving her correspondence… her flowing script and words that soothed his soul were no longer available to him. Forced to see her on occasion due to his friendship with her brother Christopher, he’d done his best to maintain the appearance of a surface relationship, but he kept every single letter and read and reread them until the pages were worn thin and falling apart.
Until her life had been threatened. Technically, Christopher had been threatened, but the warning was delivered to Gwen, and Andrew realized how ridiculous it was to even contemplate living without her. She was his life.
He just wasn’t certain how to approach her now. She could hardly keep her disdain for him from her voice when they happened to converse, and whenever he entered a room, he was forced watch her leave it.
A colleague of Christopher’s was now courting her, and when Andrew had found out, he’d nearly broken his hand slamming it into a wall. The outburst of anger and anguish surprised even himself, and his nightmares were now filled with losing both Gwen and Peter.
It couldn’t be helped, he supposed. What woman would want to be saddled with a scarred and broken man?
“Mr. Simmonds!”
Andrew’s mind was brought back to the present, and he turned to see a young boy running toward him. Recognizing him as the local storekeeper’s son, he smiled. “Good afternoon, William.”
“My father sent me to tell you that your supplies have arrived.”
“Excellent. I’ll swing by in an hour to pick them up.”
William waved, and Andrew continued on his way. Arriving within minutes to his home, his thoughts turned once again to life with Gwen. Growing up, he’d enjoyed the noise of his large family and now, as he arrived to an empty house, the silence seemed all wrong. He prayed that Gwen would forgive him one day and fill his home with children.
Unlocking his front door, he entered the quiet foyer. His housekeeper would have left hours ago for her own home, but the wafting aroma of the fresh bread she left behind met him before he closed the front door. Heading for the kitchen, his stomach growling at the thought of food, he was pleasantly surprised to find not only bread, but cheese in the pantry.
The kitchen was dark, so he lit a match with a piece of flint and placed the glowing candle in the middle of the table. It was then he noticed a note that had been slipped under the back door. He checked the door and saw that it was securely locked, but when he opened it to investigate, he noticed that someone had obviously tried to break in. Closing the door and bolting it tight, he picked up the note and unfolded it.
You have information we want. Our patience grows thin and you’d do well to keep that in mind. We will contact you in two days with what we require and where to deliver. If you don’t treat this as important, there will be consequences.
Andrew and his sister Elizabeth’s husband, Adam, had been receiving strange notes for three weeks. However, this was the first time he’d received one at home. Sitting at the table, he sliced a piece of bread and pondered his pressing thoughts. He and Adam were at a loss as to what these people were looking for. The fact that they knew where he lived made it seem a bit more sinister.
This missive came on the heels of the announcement for candidacy for the 1864 elections. The Republican National Convention had just nominated Abraham Lincoln to run for President and Andrew Johnson to run for Vice-President. However, Andrew was uncertain if the strange messages were related to the election. His work simply overlapped politics--it wasn’t immersed in it.
Finishing his makeshift dinner, he went into his office to go over the figures for the new shipments expected the following week. Pouring himself a glass of whiskey, he lit the lamps and sat down for a long night of numbers.
By the time Andrew dragged his stiff body from the chair, it was well past midnight. He hoped that tonight he would sleep without disturbing dreams rolling through his mind. His exhaustion had more to do with his nightmare than burning the candle at both ends. He undressed, climbed into bed, and stared at the ceiling for over an hour before his body finally succumbed to sleep.
* * *
Andrew woke the next morning in excited anticipation, despite his sleepless night. Gwendolyn would arrive with her brother Christopher and his wife, Hannah, on the ten o’clock train, and he intended to be there to meet her. He dressed quickly but still paid attention to every detail, and made his way to Nona’s home for breakfast.
“Andrew, what a surprise.” Jamie Ford strolled into the dining room, his sarcasm delivered with a smile.
Andrew had met Jamie the previous year when Jamie was commissioned to work with the Union cavalry in Harrisburg, and they’d become close friends. Jamie and his wife Sophie had also been sent back in time, and Andrew was one of only a few that knew their story.
Now that Jamie and Sophie were living at his sister’s home while they built theirs, Andrew got to see them often.
“Good morning, Jamie. How are you?” Andrew stood to shake his hand. “How are Sophie and Junior?”
“Perfect.” Jamie grinned.
Jamie and Sophie had been recently blessed with a son, James Ford II, whom they called Junior, and the entire Simmonds clan doted on the new addition.
A few minutes later, Sophie walked in with the baby. Her long blonde hair cascaded in curls down her back. Sophie cradled Junior’s head as she passed him to Andrew for a quick snuggle.
“Good morning, Andrew.” Sophie kissed his cheek. “How are you?”
Andrew grinned. “I’m well. How are you?”
Sophie smiled. “Very well.”
“How’s the house coming?”
Sophie groaned, which made Jamie chuckle. The couple was in the midst of building a brick Greek Revival-style house close to the Wades’.
Andrew raised an eyebrow. “That bad?”
“Sophie wants something very specific, and it’s sending our poor architect into a spin.” Jamie took Junior from Andrew and laid him in the makeshift bassinet they’d set up in the dining room. The wicker basket swallowed the infant, and Jamie laid a blanket over him for warmth.
Andrew prepared a cup of coffee and sat down at the table. “What do you want to achieve in the end?”
Jamie waved his hands in the air. “Don’t ask, brother. We’ll be here all day.”
“Oh, you’re funny.” Sophie grinned as Jamie handed her a plate. “I want a classic antebellum home.”
Andrew raised an eyebrow. “Antebellum?”
Sophie giggled. “Sorry, I forget. Technically, we’re in the middle of the war, but if we get it done this year, I’ll feel as though it’s bona-fide antebellum.”
Andrew nodded, even though he had no idea what she was talking about.
“Other than the separate bathrooms.” Jamie set a plate in front of Sophie.
“Separate rooms for baths?” Andrew frowned. “Why would that be difficult?”
Jamie turned from the buffet. “There must be a way for us to figure it out.”
Sophie sighed. “I know. You don’t really think about how it all works when you have it. I wish you’d been a plumber.”
Jamie laughed. “Yes, because Jon sang the praises of working with his dad.”
Andrew frowned. “Who’s Jon?”
“Jon and Teresa are old friends of ours. His dad owned a plumbing business and he worked with him, but hated it. In fact, despite his knowing a very lucrative trade, he went back to school and became an electrician.”
Andrew laid his fork down. “Electrician?”
Jamie lowered his voice. “Electricity will be invented in the future and it’ll mean no more candles. Lights will come on with a flip of a switch.”
Sophie jabbed a finger toward Jamie and grinned. “Ooh, that would have been another good thing for you to learn.”
“Yes, Internet CEO doesn’t translate as well here.” Jamie sat next to her.
Sophie shrugged. “Oh, well. I suppose I’ll just have to be satisfied with the fact you’re very pretty.” She leaned over to kiss Jamie and then turned to Andrew. “What time is the train arriving?”
“Ten.” Andrew set down his coffee cup. “Are you coming with us to pick everyone up?”
Sophie’s sister, Emma, and her husband, Clayton would also be arriving on the morning train. Sophie shook her head. “No, I’ll trust you and Jamie to do that. I’ll stay here with my tiny man and await the arrival of my sisters. Don’t tease Gwen too much, will you?”
Andrew grinned. “Of course I will. I live for it.”
“You two just need to hurry up and get married.”
Andrew sighed. “Tell her that.”
Sophie shook her head. “Oh, no. You’re on your own there. I would enlist Hannah before me.”
Hannah, Christopher’s wife, had also been sent back in time. She threw Christopher’s perfectly neat world into a tailspin when she landed in his parents’ barn, and their friends couldn’t have been happier.
“I’ve already enlisted Hannah, or at least tried to. However, she stands firmly with her sister-in-law,” Andrew grumbled.
“Hannah just appears to stand with Gwen, Andrew. Knowing my Han-Han, she’s probably secretly working on Gwen to get her turned to your favor. Hannah will, after all, be your sister-in-law one day as well.”
His face showed hope. “Do you really think so?”
“Yes, I really think so. Besides, you love Gwen, and anyone with half a brain can see that she feels the same way. You’ll figure it out,” Sophie assured him.
“I hope so.” Andrew sipped his coffee. “Where are Nona and Michael?”
“There was an emergency at the hospital, so Michael went to help.” Sophie took a bite of her toast and took a moment to chew. “I think Stephen got called in as well. Poor guy. One day before his wedding. Nona’s out for her morning walk and Christine should be arriving any minute.”
“Good morning, everyone.”
Andrew turned to the familiar voice of his sister, Christine, and stood with a smile. Jamie stood as well. Sophie motioned to the chair beside her. “Hi, Christine. How are you this morning?”
Christine made her way to Junior, smiled, and then took a seat at the table. “I’m well. How’s my precious nephew?”
Sophie laughed. “Finally asleep. Have some breakfast.”
“I’ve already eaten, but I wouldn’t mind some coffee.” Christine paused for a few minutes before delivering a pointed stare in her brother’s direction. “Drew?”
He smiled over at her. “Yes?”
Christine cleared her throat.
“Oh, sorry. Yes, I’d be happy to get you some coffee,” he stuttered. He stood and made his way to the buffet.
Christine laughed. “Poor Gwen.”
“Why, poor Gwen?” He turned quickly, coffee cup in hand. “Why not, poor Andrew?”
“Perhaps because you’re my annoying little brother who forgets his manners, whereas Gwen is one of my very favorite friends, whom we all hope will take pity on your wretched soul and marry you,” Christine retorted.
Setting the cup in front of his sister, Andrew groaned. “Well, she’s the one leading me on a merry chase presently, and I’m about ready to give up.”
The group laughed out loud, drawing a whimper from Junior. Jamie settled him, and Andrew raised an eyebrow. “Why are you laughing?”
“Because you’ll never give up on Gwendolyn Butler, and you know it,” Jamie said.
Andrew sighed. “You’re right, damn it.”
“Language, Drew,” Christine admonished, but tempered it with a smile. “Finish your breakfast.”
“How are you feeling about tomorrow?” Sophie asked Christine.
“Surprisingly calm. I had a conversation with a certain someone last night and he helped put my fears to rest.”
“Irrational fears,” Andrew piped in.
“Ah.” Sophie narrowed her eyes in Christine’s direction. “Those are her specialty.”
Christine rolled her eyes. “Not you too?”
“You know you’re free to be happy,” Sophie said.
Christine sighed. “Yes, I’m beginning to. I love Stephen and he’s a great friend, which I wasn’t used to in the past.”
“That’s the way it should be, right?”
Christine nodded. “Yes. He’s been incredibly patient with me.”
Sophie rolled her eyes. “Of course he’s going to be patient with you. He loves you.”
“Yes, he does.” Christine sipped her coffee. “That is one thing I know for certain.”
Sophie patted her hand. “Well, that’s huge, don’t you think?”
Christine let out a sigh of mock annoyance. “Yes, Sophie, that is significant.”
“I’m glad you agree. You will have a long and happy life, with lots and lots of sex,” Sophie predicted.
“Sophie!”
Sophie laughed. “By now you shouldn’t be shocked by anything I say.”
“Sophie, we are in mixed company,” Christine whispered.
Jamie laughed. “That’s never stopped her in the past.”
“No, it hasn’t,” Sophie said.
Jamie turned to Andrew. “Come on, bud, let’s go and retrieve the masses. I have two carriages ready.”
* * *
Gwendolyn Butler teetered on the edge of her seat, her hands tapping her knees. In less than twenty minutes, the train would pull into the Harrisburg Station and she’d once again be in the same city as Andrew Simmonds. After their forced time together a few weeks ago, she’d seen something in him she hadn’t for entirely too long. Love. For her.
After so much time estranged, her intention was to tell him how she truly felt. Of course, she had to figure out a way to get him alone and hoped her sister-in-law, Hannah, could help with that part.
Gwen traveled with her brother Christopher and his wife Hannah, Clayton and Emma Madden, and her childhood friend, Charity Short, to celebrate the wedding of Stephen and Christine. As excited as she was to finally watch them marry, she had to admit, her nerves currently centered around the fact that Andrew would be there, and she might actually be able to speak to him.
Gwen wasn’t certain how Andrew would react to her change of tune. She’d pretended indifference for months, but when a group of conspirators attacked her and Hannah in D.C., she’d realized life was too fragile to waste.
“Gwennie, what’s amiss?” Christopher asked, mildly exasperated.
“Chris.” Hannah frowned at her husband and then gave Gwen a knowing smile and leaned over to pat her hand.
“It’s nothing.” Gwen glanced toward Clayton and Emma, who sat in the benches across the aisle from them. Emma was fast asleep, nestled in the crook of Clayton’s arm.
Charity took her hand and squeezed, and Gwen smiled her thanks for the support. The girls had been friends since they were babies and it was rare to see one without the other. Closer than sisters, each often knew what the other was thinking.
“Do you think Andrew will be there?” Charity whispered.
“No. I think Jamie and Richard are going to meet us.” Gwen played with one of the ribbons on her day dress. “There would be no reason for Andrew to be there.”
“Will you make an effort to be nice if he is?”
Gwen frowned. “I don’t purposely try not to be, Char.”
“I know, dear.” Charity went back to staring out the window and left Gwen to her thoughts.
The train was on time and Gwen’s excitement mounted when she heard the steam hiss. The group disembarked, and the women waited on the platform for the men to retrieve their bags. She hopped from one foot to the other in nervous anticipation. Hannah took her hand and slipped it into the crook of her elbow. “Relax, Gwen. You’ll see him soon enough.”
Gwen nodded and took a deep breath.
* * *
Across the platform, Andrew waited with Jamie and Clayton’s brother, Richard Madden. Having lowered his hat over his brow, Andrew watched without discovery. Gwen had yet to notice him, but when the passengers disembarked, he spotted her immediately. She was exquisite in her deep green traveling dress and matching bonnet, her dark hair escaping from the covering, wisping around her face.
His heart beat faster as she smiled at her sister-in-law, her full lips parting over even, white teeth. In all his days, he knew he’d never see a more beautiful woman. As Richard made his way to help with the bags, Andrew approached the group. “Welcome home, ladies.”
He could see Gwen try to keep the shock—and the joy—from her face. “Andrew. What are you doing here?”
Andrew’s confidence was bolstered. “Did you miss me?”
She took a deep breath. “You should not speak to me so informally, Mr. Simmonds.”
And there it is.
Andrew grinned. In the deep waters of Gwen’s indifference, he could swim. He knew the Gwendolyn Butler here… the rough-tided Gwendolyn.
Andrew turned away and greeted the other ladies before focusing back on Gwen. She glanced at him shyly and then back at her feet. He could see her working something out in her mind, but before she could speak, he was pulled away by Clayton to load the bags onto the carriages.