Undaunted Love (5 page)

Chapter Seven

December 20, 1860

R
AFE WAS ON ONE END of a six-foot crosscut saw, felling an old pine that had survived the summer’s hurricane, when he heard the clatter of a buggy and clip clop of a trotting horse coming down the drive. Jeb Greene had allowed him to learn logging and help with the clearing so that the Coltons could make more money from the timber. What with the labor to fell the trees and the wagons needed to haul them to Charleston, the purse hadn’t been as heavy as Rafe had hoped. But he had learned quickly, and was now paid a fair wage for his labor. The timber would allow them to make the most urgent repairs to the house and keep them fed for many months, and for that Rafe was grateful.

“Mac!” he yelled to his partner, inclining his head towards the house. “Someone’s come. I’ll get Bobby to spell me.” The wiry man nodded, letting go of the handle of the long blade and taking out his kerchief. The weather was cold, but not cold enough to keep the men from sweating while they worked. Rafe trotted over to a knot of lumbermen hacking branches off a downed tree and sent young Bobby McCoy, Mac’s oldest son, over to his father.

Walking towards the house, he wiped his hands on his handkerchief, then ran them through his hair. Curls of wood shavings fell out, and his blond hair was made whiter still by the sawdust covering him. He brushed his arms and shoulders, leaving a cloud in his wake, and removed his boots on the porch before entering the house.

Entering the wide hallway, he saw Livvie running past Nackie, coming towards him. In the four months since the hurricane, she had visited often, whenever she could get out of town and not be missed.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, seeing the emotion high in her face. “What’s happened?”

“The delegates in Charleston… They voted to secede from the Union. We’re the Republic of South Carolina now. Our own country.” She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. Her daddy was elated, since he owned over a hundred slaves and everybody had been worried, since Lincoln won the election, that the new President and his Congress would try to outlaw slavery. So far, the defeated Buchanan had done nothing, but he was on his way out, and the representatives of the state had decided they couldn’t wait for the hammer to drop.

“The Republic of South Carolina? What does that mean?” Rafe asked, sitting down hard on a bench against the hallway wall. He grabbed her hand and pulled her down next to him. Nackie came walking up, leaning now on a cane.

“Mistuh Rafe, what’s done happened?” he asked.

Rafe ran his hands through his hair again, sprinkling Livvie with sawdust. She brushed it off in mock horror, and he put his arm around her and kissed her cheek. “Sorry, Liv… Nackie, I don’t rightly know. Livvie says the delegates voted us right out of the Union today, made us our own country.”

The old man stared at them. “South Carolina ain’t part of the Union no more?”

Livvie shook her head. “They just voted today. Daddy got a telegram. They think the other Southern states will join us.” She shrugged. “I don’t know how you go about just up and startin’ a country, but I guess that’s what we’ve done.”

“Surely President Lincoln ain’t gonna just sit by while we take ourselves a bite out of the middle of the nation!” Rafe said. “And who’s the leader, the President, of this Republic?” He stood up and started pacing. “I can’t see it ending well. There’s gonna be a war.”

“A war!” exclaimed Livvie. “Surely not! Daddy says it’s in the Constitution, about state’s rights and all that. He says it’s perfectly legal for South Carolina to leave. And for other states, too, come to that.”

Rafe sat down next to her again and took her hand. He looked up at Nackie. “I sure hope so. Your daddy and I don’t see eye to eye on much, but I sure hope he’s right about this.”

“He is, I’m sure. He’s a lawyer, after all, and he’s been a magistrate.” She squeezed his hand. “How’s the timber?”

He smiled. “It’s good today. Not so cold.” He looked at her and realized she only had on a light cloak. “Did you run out of your house without your gloves?” he asked. “Nackie, will you get Miss Livvie some hot tea?”

Livvie looked down at herself as if realizing her lack of warm clothes for the first time. “I guess so. Mama had taken to her bed with the ague, and Daddy had left for the church to talk about the vote. I knew it was the only time I could come out to see you without him knowing.”

He rubbed her hands between his and smiled teasingly. “One day he’s gonna know, Liv. I mean to marry you, and I’ll need to be askin’ him for your hand.” He kissed her nose.

She closed her eyes at his kiss, but frowned slightly. “Mama will understand. But Daddy… Now that you don’t have the land, he’ll say we can’t marry…”

“That I’m not good enough for you, I know. Because he
stole
the land.” Rafe grit his teeth. It was an argument they had had often, and one with no solution.

Turning to put her arms around Rafe’s neck, Livvie smiled at him. “God’ll work it out, Rafe. I know He will. He put us both in the middle of that dreadful hurricane so we’d fall in love. He’ll figure out a way for us to marry.”

“Seems to me God helps those who help themselves. And right now I ain’t got a single idea on how to do that once the land is cleared.” He stood up and started to pace. “All I got is a fallin’ down old house and five acres of land that’s gonna be nothin’ but stumps in another few months.”

“You know how to cut down a tree,” Livvie said, smoothing her woolen skirts over her lap.

Rafe gave a bark of wry laughter. “That’ll win your Daddy over. I’m fit to be a lumberman, or a hand on your sister’s farm.”

Nackie returned with a tray, and Rafe and Livvie followed him to the small parlor that Rafe had put back into service since Livvie had taken to visiting him. Nackie poured two cups, and Livvie spooned sugar into both, handing one to Rafe.

“The Lord has a plan for you, Rafe Colton. And part of that plan is me bein’ your wife. So you just let off worrying, and let God be God for a change.” She smiled sweetly and took a sip from the old china cup. Rafe stared at her glumly for a moment, then laughed and poured milk into his tea.

“Yes’m. Far be it from me to argue with a lady.”

Later that night, lying in his bed and looking out at the clear winter sky, his mind turned to practical things. He didn’t know much about setting up a country, but he knew countries needed things like currency and government and taxes and military. What would the money he was making on his timber be worth tomorrow, now that South Carolina wasn’t part of the Union? The money he was paid was printed and minted by the United States of America, and he guessed that now that money would be worthless in the Republic of South Carolina. Would he have to cross the border to buy the goods his family needed? Would his house and land be worth even less now, or would it be worth more? If Hugh Byrd liked the idea of secession, he was pretty sure there was money to be made by it, but how? He fell asleep, determined to go to Charleston as soon as he could to talk it all over with Jeb Greene.

Livvie sat wrapped in a quilt her grandmother had made, looking out the window of her bedroom. The stars were bright, the moon full, the air still and cold. The only talk at the dinner table that night had been of the secession, and what it would mean. Her father and his cronies, several of whom had come around to the house after dinner, were elated, seeing opportunities for men properly placed to be appointed to the government, to be elected to whatever representative body was established, and to become men of influence. Those with land and slaves, surely, would be those who made the decisions. After all, that’s why the state had asserted its independence.

The ladies had gathered in her mother’s small sitting room, sipping tea in front of the fire. Their talk was of practical things, most especially how they would get the goods that were currently imported from the other states in the Union, like fresh fruits and wool cloth. Would their new country impose tariffs on these goods, making them too dear to purchase? How would they travel to see their kin in other states, particularly those up North? Would their husbands and sons be called upon to fight if Lincoln didn’t sit idly by while they declared themselves free?

Looking up at the moon, Livvie prayed.
Father, You know all our needs. You knew this would happen even before those delegates did. I’ve been proud all my life to be a part of this Union, proud that my granddaddy and kin died so we could be a nation free from the redcoats. Now… do I hate them? Are they my enemies? What will become of us, this new little nation in the midst of the mighty United States? Give our leaders wisdom, Lord, and let everyone keep their heads. Let there be peace, and not war. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

She felt better talking to her heavenly Father. Her mama had taught her that God was always listening, always loving His children. Surely, if He cared about small things, like she’d always believed, He cared about South Carolina. Snuggling deeper in the quilt, she lay her head down on the soft down pillows and drifted off to sleep.
Surely, Lord… Surely.

Chapter Eight

February 19, 1861

L
IVVIE STOOD BY THE WOOD stove in the corner of the general store, listening to the excited chatter all around her. Men and women were all talking at once, split into groups of threes and fours. Some whispered, as if the founding of the new Confederate States of America the day before was a big secret. Others yelled, most in jubilation but a few more cautious men in consternation or outright anger. Since South Carolina had seceded at the end of December, six other states had joined them in leaving the Union, and yesterday, in Montgomery, Alabama, the new nation had been formed.

So far, President Buchanan, with less than a month left in office, had been silent. Even when the cadets at the Citadel fired on the
Star of the West
as it was trying to provision the Federal soldiers at Fort Sumter, nothing had happened. When Mississippi, Florida and Alabama had seceded in January, nothing had happened. Then Georgia, Louisiana and Texas voted to leave the Union. Still Buchanan did nothing. Most took this to mean that the Federal government accepted the states’ legal right under the Tenth Amendment to secede. Others were waiting for Lincoln’s inauguration in March before making a judgment. Still others thought the Yankees were afraid of a fight. In any case, now that the states had organized themselves into a new nation, many were holding their breath.

Rafe entered the store, taking off his hat and looking at the crowd. He’d just walked in from his homestead, and was confused by the word from several people he passed about the new nation. He knew there was a new nation: the Republic of South Carolina. They hadn’t even done anything yet, it was so new. They were still trading with the Union’s currency, for which he was thankful, since it meant his money was still worth something.

He sat down near Livvie, but not near enough to start any rumors. “What’s all the jawin’ about?” He inclined his head towards the groups of people, still clamoring on.

“The Confederate States! Did you hear?” Livvie said breathlessly.

Rafe shook his head. “What’s that, then?” he asked, shrugging out of his coat.

“All seven of the states that have seceded got together and made a new country. The Confederate States of America. We’ve even got ourselves a president, Mr. Jefferson Davis.”

He stared at her. “Wasn’t it just six or eight weeks ago we were a different new nation? Didn’t change nothin’ neither, ‘cept we kept those Yankees at Ft. Sumter from getting food and gunpowder.”

“I don’t really understand it myself. Course Daddy’s happy, but he was happy before, and nothing really happened. They say President Buchanan’s not doing anything, and that Lincoln won’t either.” She chewed on her lip. “I’m not certain why they think that. Seems to me the new President might not be so happy to have a good part of his country rebel.”

“Are we rebelling, though? They say it’s legal, that we can leave peaceful and carry on as we are, without fightin’.” Rafe looked at Livvie, longing to take her in his arms. She was distressed, he could see. Her cheeks were pink and her brow furrowed, and she twisted her gloves constantly between her fingers. “I’m sure they’re right, that your Daddy’s right. Those men know a lot more about law and government than I do.” He smiled at her.

“Can we walk, Rafe?” Livvie asked. “I need to get away from here. It feels all hot and stuffy and it’s so loud… Everybody’s shoutin’ and arguin’. It’s making my head ache.”

Rafe frowned, but nodded. They would have to be careful about being seen together, but as he’d observed coming into town, most of the citizens seemed to have come out into the streets, hearing the news and trying to make sense of it. He stood up and reached for her hand, helping her to her feet. Swinging her heavy cloak around her shoulders, he slipped into his own coat and put a hand on the small of her back to guide her through the door. More people were trying to come in, trying to join the crowds already overflowing the small store. He was glad to be out in the air, too.

They walked in the opposite direction of Livvie’s house, making sure to leave a respectable distance between them. Livvie looked at Rafe and smiled. “One day we’ll walk down this street as husband and wife.”

He smiled back, a bit sadly. “I sure hope so, my love. But unless I find some way to earn a chest full of gold in this new nation, I don’t see how that’ll come to pass.” He reached out and grabbed her hand, drawing her into a small alley between two buildings. Taking her to the shadows, he gathered her in his arms and held her close, breathing in the scent of her hair, feeling her face against his neck as she put her head on his shoulder. “I want nothin’ more in this world than to be your husband, and that’s the God’s truth.”

When Livvie got home, she could hear that her father was once again entertaining a bevy of men in his study. She walked quietly past, trying not to interrupt, hearing the same words she had heard in town all afternoon, the same excitement.

“Olivia? Can you come in a moment, please?” her father called out.

Surprised, Livvie walked into the small room, seeing a half dozen of the townsmen scattered on chairs or standing by the fire. She knew all but one, a young man with raven hair and bright blue eyes, much younger than the rest. He was tall and broad, and he grinned at her, stepping forward and taking her hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss. She pulled it back, startled.

“Livvie, this is Wyman Phelps. Surely you remember him? He lived here as a youngster, but moved to Savannah when his father bought a big plantation there.” Her father smiled smugly at her. She sensed the trap, but didn’t know how to extricate herself.

“No, I’m sorry… Father, shall I tell Emmy to bring some coffee for these gentlemen?” She made for the door, but Wyman stepped with her.

“I remember you, Miss Livvie. You sat two desks ahead of me in school, and wore your beautiful hair in braids with ribbons, every day.” He once again grabbed her hand, holding it close to his chest. “I’m afraid I was smitten even then.” Once again she pulled out her hand, glancing at her father. He was still smiling, and Livvie understood what it meant. She’d seen the same look when he’d brought Gardner Kinney home for Madeline. But Madeline had liked Gardner right from the start, and for his part, Gardner hadn’t clutched at her sister like a preening fool.

She hurriedly stepped to the door, clasping her hands together behind her back as she smiled at the room. “I’m sure Emmy’ll be here soon with the coffee. I know you’ve all got a lot to talk about.” Turning quickly, she was out the door and down the hall in a heartbeat, not daring to look back.

Rafe and Nackie pushed back from the small table, Nackie lighting up a pipe to finish off his meal. The money from the trees had at least afforded them plump chickens, Rafe thought, as he licked the grease from his fingers. Nackie didn’t have much of a repertoire, so they ate a lot of chicken and greens with various types of bread, but Rafe didn’t mind. After a day of cutting down trees, he was just happy to have a hot meal. And there was always soup, since Nackie kept a pot going all the time for Mariah.

“But I don’t fully understand what it is you’re sayin’, Mistuh Rafe. How can we just up and make ourself another new country?” Nackie shook his head, sucking deeply on the pipe.

“Can’t say as I understand it either, Nack. Best I can figure, though, the last time didn’t change a thing. Seems like the President up in Washington’s gonna let the states go, nice and peaceful. If they ain’t done nothin’ yet, looks like maybe they won’t, and nothin’ll change again.”

They both laughed. “Yes suh, I reckon that’s so. Chickens gonna keep layin’ and rain’s gonna keep fallin’ and babies gonna keep birthin’, same as always,” Nackie mused. He tapped his pipe on the table to distribute the coals. “From what I always heard, it’s a mighty big country. Seems like enough land for everybody, now don’t it?”

“Not here, not for me,” Rafe said, looking out into the darkness at the cleared acreage that was all that remained of his family’s farm. He looked back at his former slave. “I might go west, Nackie. Go to the territories and get me some land. Real good land, and lots of it. I can clear it, sell the timber, raise crops… If I do that, Mr. Byrd would consent for me to marry Livvie. I know he would.”

Nackie stared at him. “Your mama can’t go nowhere, Mistuh Rafe. And those territories, they belong to the Federals, not to South Carolina or these… what do they call it? Confederate States? God has a plan for you, Mistuh Rafe but it ain’t out west. No suh.”

Rafe leaned forward and put his head in his hands. “He’ll never consent. I’m not good enough now, even though that’s his own fault. I don’t know what God can do about that, ‘less He plans to give me my land back. But the devil’d have to wrestle it out of Hugh Byrd’s cold dead hands, I’m afraid.” He sat up and stared again into the darkness.

Nackie stood and began to clear the table, blowing out the candles and leaving Rafe alone in the dark.