Tamera Alexander - [Timber Ridge Reflections 01] (47 page)
Read Tamera Alexander - [Timber Ridge Reflections 01] Online
Authors: From a Distance
Josiah stared, and Elizabeth could see the power of Daniel’s simple invitation reflected in Josiah’s response. Josiah’s composure wavered; then he stood and gripped Daniel’s hand. “Thank you, Mr. Ranslett. I be lookin’ forward to it, sir.” Daniel left and Josiah eased his weight back down. “You gots yourself a good man there, ma’am.”
“Yes . . . I do. And I’m looking at an equally good man right here.” Enjoying his grin, she took another breath and let it out slowly, half wishing Daniel were still there for this part. “Speaking of my husband, there’s something I’d like to tell you.” She watched Josiah’s face. He was a perceptive man with a discerning spirit, and it wouldn’t take him long to understand.
“After we returned from Mesa Verde, Daniel wrote letters to plantation owners who lived in Franklin during the war, and to those still in the area today. Neither of us said anything to you at the time because . . . we didn’t want to raise your hopes needlessly. Daniel checked everywhere, Josiah. He went from home to home and searched every plantation’s private deed book he could find. He talked with all the owners or their heirs, and—” Her voice broke, thinking of all Daniel had undertaken, and to what end. She watched Josiah’s expression cloud and reached out to him.
Josiah’s work-worn hands covered hers. “That’s all right, ma’am. I understand what you’s sayin’. And I appreciate what you done for me—same for your husband.”
A creaking drew their attention, and without conscious thought, Elizabeth rose. She looked toward the door. Josiah followed her gaze, and slowly, unsteadily, he came to his feet. Tender yearning softened his rugged features.
Daniel stood in the doorway, with Belle. He covered her hand on his arm and drew her forward with him. “Belle, may I present Mr. Josiah Birch of Timber Ridge, Colorado Territory. And Josiah . . .” Daniel’s eyes grew moist, his voice more gentle. “It is with deepest honor that I present . . . your wife, Mrs. Isabelle Birch of Franklin, Tennessee.”
For a moment Josiah’s lips moved, but nothing came out. He blinked, tears coursing down his cheeks. His broad chest rose and fell in quick succession. “Belle . . .”
His wife took the first step, her eyes radiant with love for her husband. He took her in his arms and held her for the longest time. When they finally parted, Belle gently touched his face. “After all these years,” she whispered, “I’m finally home.”
Elizabeth looked across the room at Daniel and found him watching her. What she felt in her heart, she read in his eyes. After all these years, she, too, was finally home.
Dear Friends,
Thank you for journeying back in time with me to experience the adventures of those whose spirit and determination helped forge this great country. Their sacrifices, accomplishments, and collective memory echo around us even now. Yet we don’t often reflect on just how much their contributions impact us.
Having grown up in the South, I’ve long held a love for its history, much as living in Colorado led me to appreciate its rich heritage. Weaving those two passions into one story was pure privilege. In writing
From a Distance
, I learned much about the early days of photography, and how arduous and painstaking it was to take even a single photograph! With our modern world of disposable and digital cameras, not to mention cell phone photography, we snap pictures left and right, rarely giving thought to the pioneers in this field and how their life’s work now enriches our lives.
That appreciation goes to a far deeper level when we reflect on the sacrifices men and women made in the Civil War. The Battle of Franklin referenced in this story took place on November 30, 1864. Often referenced as “The Gettysburg of the West,” it was one of the few battles fought at night. The battlefield was only two miles long and one and a half miles wide, and though the battle lasted only five hours, some 9,500 soldiers were killed, wounded, captured, or missing. Nearly 7,000 of that number were Confederate. The battle centered largely around the Carter House, which still stands today. If ever you’re in Nashville, I’d encourage you to take the time to walk those grounds and tour the home. The Carnton Plantation mentioned in this story is also a historic landmark. The Confederate Cemetery at Carnton (where Daniel’s brother, Benjamin, is fictitiously buried) is the largest privately owned military cemetery in the nation, and walking those grounds is a moving experience.
Lastly, I pray that as you’ve read this book, you gained a glimpse of what power lies in giving God your dreams. Elizabeth’s journey and the lessons she learned along the way are familiar to me, and I’m so thankful God loves us enough to intervene in our dreams—only to give us even bigger, better dreams.
His
dream for our lives.
As always, I’d love to hear from you. Please stop by my Web site at
www.tameraalexander.com
and leave me a comment on my guest-book. You’ll also find discussion questions for all my novels there.
Until next time,
Tamera Alexander
My thanks . . .
First and always, to Jesus—who gives me undeserved life, both here and in the hereafter.
To Joe, Kelsey, and Kurt—without you guys, none of this would be doable. Much less, worth doing.
To Natasha Kern, my agent—my gratitude and highest respect. God’s ways surely are higher than our own.
To Karen Schurrer, Charlene Patterson, Helen Motter, Sharon Asmus, and Ann Parrish, my editors at Bethany House—your insights are treasured and I look forward to writing many more books together. Special thanks to Karen, for donning your photographer’s hat and for capturing Kelsey’s curls for this cover. That was such a fun afternoon spent “dodging the sun.”
To Deborah Raney, my writing critique partner—I cannot imagine this journey without you, friend.
To Doug and June Gattis, my parents, and Fred Alexander, my father-in-law—I appreciate your reading through the manuscript before publication. Your comments, catches, and suggestions were so helpful, and your encouragement . . . so timely.
To my Uncle Ben and Aunt Lyda (Mullins)—thank you for the summers spent with you on your farm in Dellrose, Tennessee. Those were exciting times for a city girl from Atlanta, and are treasured memories to me now. Aunt Lyda, I know you’re looking forward to joining Uncle Ben “at Home,” but I’m so grateful you’re still with us here. I love and appreciate you.
To the CdA women—I look forward to our plotting, playing, and praying together every summer.
And to my readers—how could I have known that the sweetest thing about writing would be connecting and interacting with you? You’ve given me so much through your notes and e-mails. Connecting with you “through these characters” is a joy I’d not expected and that is so fulfilling!
Join me again in spring 2009 for
Beyond This Moment,
the next book in the Timber Ridge Reflections series.
Tamera Alexander is a bestselling novelist whose deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose resonate with readers. Having lived in Colorado for seventeen years, she and her husband now make their home in Tennessee, where they enjoy life with their two college-age children and a silky terrier named Jack.
Tamera invites you to visit her Web site at
www.tameraalexander.com
or write her at the following postal address:
Tamera Alexander
P.O. Box 362
Thompson’s Station, TN 37179
M
ORE FROM
B
ESTSELLING
A
UTHOR
Tamera Alexander
In the F
OUNTAIN
C
REEK
C
HRONICLES
series, three couples carve out a new life in the wild, untamed Colorado Territory. Each person will be called upon to stand on nothing more than faith, risk what is most dear to them, and turn away from the past in order to detect God’s plan for the future. By the time Colorado becomes a state, will they be united by love or defeated by adversity?
F
OUNTAIN
C
REEK
C
HRONICLES
Rekindled, Revealed, Remembered
by Tamera Alexander
M
ORE
H
ISTORICAL
F
ICTION
F
ROM
B
ETHANY
H
OUSE
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After losing her family to illness, Summer Steadman is hired by a Mennonite farmer to teach his young son. But widower Peter Ollenburger soon discovers that helping this outsider may have troublesome consequences.
Waiting for Summer’s Return
by Kim Vogel Sawyer
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