The Patriot's Conquest (39 page)

“Do you see that, Mandy? The river is just part of this great country. There’s so many opportunities here. Chances to start over, for both of us. The future is ours to mold, to live out our dreams and hopes and pass them on to our children. ’Tis a future worth fighting for, a country worth fighting for. No man to tell us how to live or restrict us to their laws or class differences.”

“’Tis a freedom our children deserve,” she said softly.

He smiled and kissed her. “Aye. Look at the river. The James is a mighty force that flows where it wants. No one can claim it. It doesn’t care who you are, blacksmith, farmer, gentry, lawyer. In the river’s eyes, everyone is equal. That’s what this country means to me, Mandy. A place where every man can say, ‘I will not be bound by another. I am equal with all.’”

Amanda’s gaze sparkled with a zeal equaling his own. “Freedom. We will seek it, Jeffrey. And we will fight for it. It will be ours to claim some day.”

They stood at the hill’s crest, watching the mighty river roll toward its destiny. The future shone on the James in a shimmering promise of freedom. Taking his wife’s hand, Jeffrey walked toward the river’s edge, listening to its call.

[Fluffer Nutter]