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

With him in the moonlight

"Sorry I'm late," he said. They made a big fuss over my leaving at Samantha's."

"Come in out of the cold," she said, opening the door wide for him. "Let me get a candle so I can see you."

He entered, and she quickly ran back upstairs to get the candle. She realized with joy that he was for once coming to see her last, rather than stopping by on his way to her house. She quickly came back down and set the light on a niche on the wall made for that purpose. She looked at him, feeling the chill outside air still radiating from his clothes. She took in his appearance completely, knowing she might not see him for a long time. His handsome tan greatcoat, his full head of wavy dark brown hair, tinged with shades of amber from the sun. But mostly, she took in his eyes and lips, now smiling at her.

"I'm so glad you came. You had me worried." She spoke softly so that she wouldn't wake her father or brother.

"Oh, you should know I wouldn't forget you. I want to remember you well all the time I'm away." He spoke softly too, looking into her eyes illuminated softly by the single candle.

Jenny's heart was beating faster than she ever would want him to know. The moment seemed almost intimate—the two of them talking softly with only the candle to throw light on their faces. She wanted only to look into his eyes. No, that's not all she wanted, she truthfully told herself. Then remembering, she told him. "I've got something for you, Daniel. Wait. I'll get it for you."

Again, she was gone, though only to her room once more. He waited, and she quickly brought it to him, boxed, with a green ribbon around it.

"You shouldn't have, Jenny," he said taking the still unopened package.

"Go on, Daniel. Open it."

"Let's go outside where we don't have to be so quiet. Do you have a warm shawl you can put on?"

"Of course," she answered, thinking it a good idea.

They went outside on the porch where the light was actually brighter as the moon's rays slanted under the roof. To the left of them were two heavy chairs made of sawn lumber that her father had made, but they didn't sit down and stood facing each other.

"Chilly out here," she said, thinking of him on the long road back to his camp.

He stood looking at her in the moonlight, as if wanting to permanently remember her face.

"Go ahead, open it." He still held the flat box in his hands.

"OK." He began untying the ribbon and soon reached inside to draw out its contents. He held it up, smiling at her. "Jenny, this is so thoughtful of you."

"I hope you like the tan. I really wanted to get you something bright and colorful, but then thought it might make it too easy for the enemy to see and shoot at you."

"It's perfect," he said, putting the scarf around his neck. I will wear it with pride during the cold days of winter, especially knowing it came from you."

"It's made of wool, warmer and maybe easier to clean. I wanted to add some fringes to it, but thought that might be too fussy for a soldier."

"You do see guys wearing all kinds of things sent from home, but yes, glad you left off those fringes. I've got something for you, Jenny."

"Really? Daniel you didn't need to get me anything. I'm safe at home while you and the others are protecting the South."

He undid the top buttons of his coat, reached inside, pulled out a tintype, and handed it to her.

She took it gently in her hand, and looked at it in the moonlight. It was a picture of Daniel dressed in his military uniform. "Daniel," she said, "I can hardly believe you did this for me. This is so wonderful!" She held it in her hands close to her heart

"Let me see it again."

She held it out for him to see. Daniel bent down to look at the likeness of himself. "You think it's OK? That it really looks like me?"

"Oh, yes, so much so, and so handsome in your uniform. I will treasure this, Daniel, until you come home from this terrible war."

"I'm glad you like it. Wanted to get you something."

"This is the best thing you could have gotten me." She stood tall to give him a kiss on the cheek.

To Jenny, it seemed like he looked at her in a different way. Then, she felt him take her in his arms and give her a right proper kiss. The kind she had always hoped for. Automatically, her body leaned into his, and she kissed him back with a passion she didn't know she had. It was he who broke it off, and when he lifted his head he seemed to look at her in a new way, one she had not seen of him before.

He smiled. "That's how I will remember you, Jenny." He buttoned his coat, looked toward his buggy, and turning back to her, he took both of her hands in his, saying, "Pray for me, Jenny. And also for our cause. But if a higher calling is meant for me, have no fear that I will always remember you."

Jenny's eyes were tearing, but she gripped his hands. "Yes, Daniel, I will pray for you, but don't even think of anything but returning."

He squeezed her hands, turned, and striding quickly went out the gate to his horse and buggy. She saw him wave to her by the light of the moon as he pulled away.

I don't know what to say, except that it is so hard to see them part. Especially as we both  know she really loves him. Of course, this is far from the end and you should know that a lot more is going to happen with them. But can't tell you too much about it as that will come with the story. Do hope you liked this part.