A Promise for Tomorrow (17 page)
Their dream. The dream to push forward into the future together. To share their lives in such a mission and always stand as ready partners to aid the other. Carolina lay staring at the ceiling, suddenly remembering the night of her coming-of-age party. She had stirred a gathering of male guests into a hardy brawl, and James had rescued her and taken her to the safety of the gardens. There under the moonlight and stars, James had awakened in her a desire that she’d never known. She longed for his touch and his kiss, but it was more than that. She longed to share his life—to bear his children—to help him accomplish his ambitions and goals. She admired him for his intelligence and quick wit, and she loved him for his fierce loyalty and honorable nature.
I had forgotten my first love, she thought, remembering the feeling of giddy joy that bubbled up inside her when realizing James’ love had been returned all along. Somewhere along the way she had removed herself from that joy. In the fuss and bother of everyday life, she had grown weary and harsh in their separations and trials.
“Marriage is indeed no easy task,” she said aloud. She thought of her immaturity and pride and determined there and then to cast aside her childish nature. “I am nearly a score and nine. Surely it is time to put aside self-serving ideals and focus on the benefits of what we have together.”
She thought of James sleeping alone in the hospital bed and longed for him to be beside her. “Father,” she prayed, “I ask for James’ recovery. I ask that it be speedy and void of pain. I long so much to hold him. To have him beside me, to share our thoughts and dreams again. Help us find a way to avoid being separated for so long, and if that cannot be granted, then help me find a way to survive in spite of it.”
James and Carolina found Baltimore unchanged upon their return after a week in Harper’s Ferry. Thomas Swann met them at the station and offered them the use of his carriage for their journey to their house. James still suffered from attacks of pain to his arm and head but otherwise felt a glorious wonder at being alive to see his family again.
“I’m grateful for all you’ve done,” he told Swann. “Allowing me to work here in Baltimore while I heal is more than I could expect.”
“A man needs an income, and we have much use for a man like you,” Swann said good-naturedly. Then, gazing in another direction, added, “Say, do you recognize that man?”
The man in question was tall and lean and seemed almost awkward as he moved across the platform. “No, I can’t say that I do,” Carolina replied, trying to get a better look at the stranger.
“That’s Abraham Lincoln,” Swann said. “No doubt he’s returning to Illinois after a rather dull single term as a United States congressman.”
“How do you know him?” James asked, watching as the man disappeared from sight.
“I first met him in Washington last year. I was impressed with his ideas on a variety of subjects. We shared legal views and discussed the Baltimore and Ohio.”
“What did Mr. Lincoln think of our endeavor?” Carolina asked, her interest piqued.
Thomas Swann smiled down at her. “Well, the man is investing in a ticket that costs nearly nine dollars to take him from Baltimore to Cumberland via our railroad. He’d no doubt prefer our rails all the way to the Ohio rather than give himself over to the stage. We estimated his trip will take him some twelve days, once you consider the stage and steamer packet that he will take to St. Louis.”
“Still, it is a wonder,” Carolina said and allowed Swann to assist her into his carriage. “Imagine going nearly six hundred miles across mountains, valleys, and plains, and all in twelve days. It seems a moderately short amount of time, considering that many of our ancestors spent weeks, sometimes months, just getting over the barrier of the mountains.”
“And it will only get faster,” said James as he settled himself in the carriage. “I look forward to our progress. Has the route to Wheeling been agreed upon, then?”
“No, not entirely. There are routes surveyed for Wheeling, Grave, and Fish Creeks. Any of which would bring us to the destination of the Ohio River and, eventually, the city of Wheeling.”
“What do you mean ‘eventually’?” asked Carolina.
“Well, that is a source of much controversy at this point. To proceed with the line via Fish Creek is the route farthest from the city of Wheeling. They fear if we adhere to this choice, we might never complete the line to Wheeling and thereby deprive the city of its full potential. The citizens of Wheeling believe, and maybe fairly so, that if we take the Fish Creek route, we will come upon the Ohio some eleven or more miles south of their city. Of course, we would complete the line up the Ohio to Wheeling, but they fear that this would only create the birth of yet another rival town on the Ohio, should we fall short of coming to the river via their great town.
“Of course, Latrobe favors Fish Creek rather than Grave because the latter calls for four tunnels and twenty-three crossings of the stream itself. The Fish Creek route calls only for moderate bridging and one tunnel. Fish looks to be our cheapest route to build; however, Wheeling Creek would take us directly into the city. It’s a great dilemma and one which will not be easily resolved.” He paused and gazed out the carriage window. “Ah, here we are.”
“Won’t you come inside and warm up?” James invited.
“Thank you, but no, I believe this reunion should be one of family. I know your children will be half wild to see you, and no doubt Mrs. Baldwin would prefer not to entertain.”
“Nonsense, Thomas,” Carolina said, dropping all formality. “You know you are always welcome.”
“But this time I will pass. I have a very important meeting in the morning, and I must be prepared.”
The driver halted the carriage, then quickly jumped down from his seat to help first James and then Carolina from the carriage. He left them long enough to deliver their luggage around back, then returned to take his seat topside again.
“Take care, Thomas,” James said, “and thank you again for bringing Carolina to me.”
“It was my pleasure. I will see you in my office next week, agreed?”
“Agreed.”
They watched Swann’s carriage pull away and might have lingered there in the chill of twilight, but already Mrs. Graves had opened the front door, and the children were clamoring around the aging housekeeper in order to see their parents.
“Papa!” Victoria called out, determined to be the first to greet him. “I missed you so much!” She skirted past Mrs. Graves to run to her father. “What happened to your arm?” she questioned, coming up short.
“I’m afraid it’s broken,” James replied. He extended his left arm and smiled. “But this one works perfectly well, and I only need one to hold you close.” Victoria easily moved into her father’s embrace.
“Papa! Mama!” Brenton and Jordana chanted from the doorway.
Carolina went to embrace them both, then urged them all inside. “Come, come. We can have our reunion by the fireside.”
“I’ve got some tea already hot,” Mrs. Graves offered. “Coffee too.”
“Sounds marvelous,” James replied, Victoria clinging to his left side, Brenton hurrying to wrap an arm around his father’s waist. “I don’t suppose Cook has made any of her lovely jam tarts?”
“I don’t suppose she would dare not, knowing that you were returning today,” Mrs. Graves said with a laugh.
It was hours later, when the children had been sent to bed and James and Carolina had retired to their room, that Carolina grew reticent. James wondered at the change. She had been quite animated and spirited with the children, but as the evening waned, James had watched her become more and more reserved.
“Want to tell me what’s bothering you?” he asked softly as he watched her take out her hairpins and let down her hair.
Carolina picked up her brush and shrugged. “I suppose I’m just tired.” She brushed through the thick chestnut hair and appeared for all purposes to be quite absorbed in her task.
James slipped out of his coat, then turned to Carolina. “I’m afraid I’ll need your help to rid myself of this waistcoat and shirt.”
Carolina put down the brush and came to him, her long dark hair rippling in waves down her back. James couldn’t help himself. He pulled her close and buried his left hand in the mass. “Nothing feels quite as good as this,” he murmured. “Unless, of course, it’s this.” He lightly kissed her neck. “Or this,” he said, trailing up her jaw to her lips. He heard her sigh and knew that she was quite content to share his passion. This moment alone was all that he could think of during the time they’d spent in Harper’s Ferry. Upon his release from the hospital he’d even suggested they take a few days together at the hotel, but Carolina had been most insistent to return to Baltimore.
“This isn’t getting that waistcoat off any faster,” Carolina said, pulling away.
“Maybe not, but it’s certainly more fun.” He allowed her to undo the buttons and waited while she slipped the article from him.
Next, she silently went to work on the buttons of his shirt, and when these were all unfastened, she helped him free his arm from the sling.
“Come sit and talk with me,” James said, leading her to the bed.
She raised a quizzical brow, as if to question whether his intentions were truly bent on conversation, but never offered protest, in any case. James drew her close and smiled. “I am so happy to be back with you. It almost makes the accident worth it.”
“Don’t say that!” Carolina exclaimed.
“Well, God knows that I’d not choose this path,” James admitted, “but He also knows how much I’ve missed being with my family. There’s a great deal of work to be done on the line, and the future of my business is not here in Baltimore. I suppose it makes for a good respite to have this time here and now with you and the children.” He felt her stiffen and eyed her quite seriously. “Is that what is bothering you?”
“I don’t like to think of you going away. I worry about you.”
“I see,” he answered, still trying to study her expression. She had bowed her head slightly, making it difficult for him to survey her completely, but he could tell she was deeply troubled. He let the silence linger between them for several moments, knowing from experience that it would get the better of Carolina. She hated to wait in silence. It was almost a threat to her.
“Annabelle was very nice,” she finally said.
“Yes. Annabelle is very agreeable company.”
Carolina’s head snapped up and her eyes widened as she met James’ gaze. “She’s obviously quite devoted to you.”
“And that bothers you, doesn’t it?”
Carolina lifted her chin in her trademark look of defiance. “It would bother any wife to know that a beautiful actress finds her husband to be, as you say, agreeable company.”
James instantly recognized her jealousy and chuckled. He’d never seen this side of her and it was rather flattering. “You are jealous,” he stated matter-of-factly.
“I am not!” she exclaimed and sought to move away from him. “I’m simply . . . well . . . I’m . . .”
“What? You’re what?” pressed James playfully. “If not jealous of a woman who means nothing more to me than what the bounds of friendship offer, then what is it that has set you in this mood?”
Carolina’s eyes welled with tears. She tried to bury her face in her hands, but James would have no part of it. “Tell me,” he gently commanded, then added, “please.”
“I’m lonely,” Carolina said, trying to smile through her tears. “I know that sounds foolish. I have Mrs. Graves and Cook, and of course the children, but it is you I long for.”
“I’m right here,” he said, somewhat confused by this sudden confession.
“But for how long? Three, maybe four weeks. Long enough for the arm to mend. Then you’ll be off again for the West and I won’t see you for weeks or even months. I can’t bear it. I don’t want to stay in Baltimore if it means that you’ll be somewhere else.”
James saw the seriousness of her expression and felt the genuine need in her soul. “Would you have me give up the railroad? Give up the dream?”
“No,” she replied, shaking her head most vigorously. “But I used to be a part of that dream. It used to belong to both of us. Remember?”
“Certainly. But I still don’t understand. If you don’t want me to give up the railroad, what is it you’re trying to say?”
Carolina wiped her eyes. “I want to come with you. I want us all to come with you. Thomas told me he has some tunnel project for you out west of Cumberland. He said it would take a good long time to complete and you would act as liaison between the contractor and the railroad.”
“That’s true. Construction is to begin on the tunnel sometime this fall. But, darling, I don’t understand how you can possibly suggest coming with me.”
“Is there no town?”
“Well, there is a town of sorts. It’s hardly more than a widening in the road. You certainly can’t desire to give up your comforts here in the city. What of the children and your family at Oakbridge? As it stands now, they are only a day away by rail. If you follow me into the wilderness, there won’t be the comfort of hopping on the next train.”
“You’re building a railroad tunnel, aren’t you? Surely that means the railroad will accompany the tunnel,” Carolina argued.
“Yes, but not for a good long while. Swann is setting up a series of small contracts that will be let in sections. The Kingwood Tunnel is only one section. There are many unfinished sections between that point and Cumberland.”
“I don’t care. If it means we’ll be together, I will endure whatever it takes.”
“But is that fair to the children? They have their friends here, and they are used to a fine home and plentiful food. I have no way of knowing what kind of supplies we might find in Greigsville.”
“Greigsville?”
“Yes, that’s what they’re calling that particular location. It’s hardly more than a few clapboard buildings and tent structures at this point.”
Carolina seemed to consider this for a moment, then got to her feet and paced a line in front of where James remained sitting on the bed. He watched her, her face contorting into several expressions before she finally stopped before him.