Rebel Heart: (Swept Away) Of Life and Love during the American Civil War

Meeting him and an invitation

A city boy, the son of a banker, everyone knew Rex had a way with girls. He liked to give them a ride in his swift, well-outfitted coach. Rich, because of his father, dark, gleaming hair, handsome in the finest made garments, even when wearing ordinary street clothes, and a smile that seemed to light up, especially around nubile young women. Everyone knew of him, and rumors flew that more than one girl had her heart broken. Of course, living outside town, Jenny didn't get all the news about Rex.

Quickly, he circumnavigated the crowd, and appeared at their side. "My pleasure to meet you in town, ladies. What beauty comes from the country. Let it be my honor to show you around."

Rex seemed to speak to them both, but it was Sarah who Jenny knew was attracted to him. She answered. "I don't know, Rex. Wish we had more time, but we need to make some purchases and then head right back."

"Too bad," he answered. "The fiddler, Jake here, is real good. Surely you could stay awhile to listen."

"Of course we could," said Sarah, looking at Rex and then back at Jenny to make sure it was all right with her.

Jenny noticed that Rex seemed to draw even closer to her friend. The fiddler started up again, and Jenny recognized the song instantly. It was the beautiful "Lorena," a sad love song written a few years before. She listened intently, to the mellow voice of the singer, oblivious to Sarah and Rex.

When he finished she turned to Sarah. "Beautiful."

Sarah was paying more attention to Rex at her side, who was speaking softly to her in words Jenny couldn't make out. She wondered, would her friend be the next one to fall for the youthful Romeo?

People moved forward to put pennies in his hat, and the fiddler began again, another song she knew. It was "De Camp Town Races," such a lively melody. She always loved that one. She and others began joining in, and some, like her, swayed to the music.

The fiddler was good, with a mellow voice. The next song, Jenny also knew well, but she began to think of the time, especially as she still hadn't made her all important purchases. Between songs, Sarah was still talking with Rex. Jenny smiled. The way she was acting, Jenny knew she was taken with him.

"I'm going to the general store, Sarah. You coming?"

"I'll come soon. Want to listen to the music for awhile."

"OK. If I don't find what I want there, I'll go to the fabric store."

She left them, regretting a little that Sarah wasn't coming with her, at least not right away. A girl needed a second opinion when buying material for a dress. Nevertheless, as she walked away, she was excited to be going toward it, especially as she had money. She was going to go to the general store first, as other girls had told her the fabric store was considerably more expensive.

She stepped inside, after waiting a moment for two ladies who were just leaving. Immediately, her nose was accosted by all the heady smells. That of coffee, cooking spices, leather, pickling brine, and of course, people. The store was filled with merchandise from top to bottom, and some things even hung from the ceiling.

A number of people attended to one side of it or the other, but near the big pickle barrel, she was particularly aware of how eight or nine gentlemen were loudly arguing. Toward one side, she saw the post office department, where a man and a lady waited. She would go there later, but now she went directly to where large bolts of fabric, collars, ribbon and other sewing materials took up a fair part of one room.

She stood there, not knowing where to start, and placed her hand on a colorful fabric to feel its texture. Suddenly, she couldn't see. From behind, hands closed over her eyes and remained there, even when she turned her head. Finally, she recognized the laughter.

"Daniel! I know it's you. Unhand me." He did, and she turned to see him smiling at her. She blushed lightly, like she often did when he was near.

"Hi, darling," he said in his oh so charming way. "Fancy meeting you here."

"I could say the same for you, Mr. Daniel Jenkins."You and your shenanigans. You had me in a fright, you know."

"Aw, I was jest playing with you, Jenny. Taint often a feller sees the second prettiest girl in the county standing right in front of him."

Jenny knew who the first prettiest was, but she nevertheless appreciated the compliment. Especially coming from Daniel.

"Are you buying?" he asked, noticing where her hand still rested on a bolt of fabric.

"Yes. Daddy gave me some money and I'm going to make myself a new dress. Hopefully in time for Anna Marie's wedding."

"That's right pretty cloth there, Jenny. I could just see you wearing it."

"You like it?" She pulled on the bolt and held some of it up in front of her.

"Sure do. Think the color sets off your eyes."

She looked up at him and smiled broadly. "Daniel, you say the nicest things."

"When you smile like that I think you could brighten a dark day."

"Oh, my!"

"You here all by yourself?" he asked.

"No, I'm with Sarah. We came in her father's new buggy. She was staying a bit to hear the man with the guitar singing."

"Good. Glad you didn't come alone. Well, I gotta go. Just came in to get some tobacco for pa and shoes for my horse, Mabel. They should be done with her by now. Say, tell Sarah if she would like to join us to the wedding, it's no problem. There will be room for me, Samantha, you, and Sarah too."

"Daniel, I would like that, all of us going  together.     

In the wedding that is coming, something dramatic is going to happen. Think you will be surprised.